Hanson lay on his side, sheets drawn over his head desperately trying not to cry. How could he do this to him? How could he? After all he'd told him, all he'd said, all they'd shared?! A million thoughts buzzed round and round in his mind.

The door slammed and Hanson looked over at the clock. The numbers flipped over so that the digital face beamed out 2:08am.

Doug tread up the stairs softly. Well as softly as a man who had drunk far too much could tread. He pushed open the bedroom door gently and at the sound of the creak Hanson swiftly pretended to be asleep. Defeated Doug stumbled from the room and across the landing into the spare bedroom. Hanson opened his eyes, rolled over onto his back and let the tears fall.

Breakfast the next morning was uncomfortable to say the least. Hanson was dishing out the usual silent treatment and Doug was too hung-over to care. They barely managed to exchange two words and to be honest Hanson found those a struggle. He didn't want to talk to Doug at the moment, to hear his excuses, his blatant lies. He took the pile of dishes over to the sink and ran the water.

" You gonna be pissy all day?" mumbled Doug draining the last of the coffee from his cup. Hanson ignored him and carried on rinsing his dishes out. He hated the arguments and the fights as much as Doug did but he wasn't backing down. Not this time.

" I said; Are you gonna be pissy all day?!" repeated Doug harshly. Hanson turned, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows and his forearms covered in soapsuds. He shot a cool yet abrasive look in his partner's direction.

" I've got a right to be pissy as you so eloquently put it" he snapped sarcastically.

" alright out with it Tom what's your problem this time?" sighed Doug

" What do you care?! I mean don't you have better things to do? More important people to see?!" spat Hanson bitterly.

" What the hell's that supposed to mean?!"

" You know what it means!"

" Aw come on Tom stop being so overdramatic " snapped Doug. Hanson slammed the plate he was holding into the sink so hard that the water sloshed over the sides.

" Overdramatic? OVERDRAMATIC?!" exploded Hanson, " I tell you what; I'll go out all night and I'll not call, not say where I've gone, not say who I'm with and we'll see who gets overdramatic and pissy then!"

With that Hanson stormed from the kitchen slamming the door behind him as he left.

" Shit" muttered Doug. He stood up and followed Hanson who was stood with his back to him in the living room.

" Go away" mumbled Hanson his voice thick with tears.

" Come on Tommy-" began Doug, he wrapped his arms around Hanson, encircling him from behind.

" Get off" interrupted Hanson shrugging him off. Stung, Doug released him.

" What is your problem?!" cried Doug

" YOU! You are my problem!" yelled Hanson his voice cracking, " You're insensitive and you're a jerk and I hate you!"

" you don't really mean that"

" yes I do" sniffed Hanson unconvincingly.

" Bullshit" spat Doug

" Oh ok so now you get to tell me what I do and do not think. Won't tell me where you go for hours on end alone but will tell me what I think!" snapped Hanson

" why is it so hard for you to trust me?!" cried Doug

" because you keep pushing me out!" replied Hanson angrily

" I do not!"

" Ok so where were you last night then?" interrogated Hanson

" Went to the pub"

" with who?"

" Does it matter?"

" With who?!" repeated Hanson forcefully

" Oh my God Tom!"

" Just tell me!" cried Hanson

" I am so sick of this crap!" yelled Doug angrily

" you're the one who keeps pushing me out!"

" Yeah only cause I need space to actually breathe!" retaliated Doug.

Hanson stared at him, hurt. He looked stricken for a moment before his soft brown eyes turned a fiery black.

" You want space? HAVE SPACE!" he yelled storming from the room

" Where you going?" called Doug weakly

" AWAY FROM YOU!" cried Hanson childishly. He stood leaning over the banister.

" Come on Tom" sighed Doug

" YOU WANTED SPACE. YOU GOT SPACE!" shouted Hanson down the stairs, " NOW YOU CAN GO WHERE YOU WANT, WITH WHO YOU WANT, WHEN YOU WANT. YOU'RE FREE TO FUCK WHOEVER YOU WANT; I DON'T CARE ANYMORE!"

Doug winced as the bedroom door slammed.

" what if I don't want anyone else?" he muttered softly.

Hanson lay on the double bed sobbing softly to himself. He heard the front door slam shut and cried harder. He wished he could take the words back, petrified that Doug was taking advantage of his new found space, Hanson sobbed into his pillow.

Doug came back several hours later. Walking aimlessly had allowed him to blow off steam and mull over Hanson's choice words. Jealousy was a horrible thing to have to deal with but he could finally see Hanson's point of view. His boyfriend was scared of losing him.

He pushed open the door and saw Hanson lying on the bed his knees tucked up into his chest. His breathing was shallow and rhythmic meaning he was sleeping. Doug clambered on the bed, laying down beside him. He lay on his side and just stared into his sleeping face for a few moments. Hanson looked so beautiful to him. How could he possibly think that he'd want someone else? He stroked a strand of hair from Hanson's face and he stirred.

" Hey" whispered Doug staring back at Hanson's sleepy face.

" Hey" muttered Hanson softly

" You ok?" whispered Doug. Hanson stared at him.

" I didn't mean what I said-"

" Shhhhhh" hushed Doug. He placed a finger on Hanson's lips, " just listen for a minute ok?"

Hanson nodded slightly.

" First off I don't want to be with anyone else. Ever. Why would I when I've got you?" said Doug stroking Hanson's face lightly.

" You go out all the time-"

" That doesn't mean I don't want to be with you"

" Yeah well it feels like it sometimes. I hardly get to spend anytime with you anymore unless we're on a case" murmured Hanson

" Tommy we live together"

" ' cept you're hardly ever here" argued Hanson

" Come on Tommy"

" no you come on" said Hanson, " What am I supposed to think?"

" Tommy I love you" said Doug

" And I love you but sometimes, Sometimes I think you wanna be with someone else"

" Why?! Why would I want to be with someone else? God damn it Tommy why are you so insecure?!"

Hanson choked back a sob.

" Hey, Hey don't cry" whispered Doug compassionately. He pulled Hanson close to him and kissed him gently, realising that pushing his boyfriend for information at this time wasn't the wisest of tactics.

" I love you Doug" whimpered Hanson, his voice muffled by Doug's chest.

" I love you too" whispered Doug, " come on let's stop with the stupidity ok? I fucked up last night and I'm sorry"

" I'm sorry bout this morning. I don't hate you" said Hanson.

" I know" laughed Doug, " Come on downstairs, I've got something for you"

" really?" asked Hanson his curiosity heightened. He followed Doug downstairs into the living room where a pint of chocolate ice cream stood on the coffee table surrounded by scattered magazines. On top of the tub was a red rose.

Hanson stared, momentarily lost for words. It was a simple gesture but it was sweet. Ok, more than a little corny but sweet nonetheless.

Doug stood biting his lip unsure what Hanson's silence meant.

" Thanks Doug"

" You don't like it do you?" murmured Doug his heart sinking.

" Don't like it? Doug, this is the nicest thing anyone ever did for me" said Hanson grinning. He took the rose and placed it in a vase in the kitchen before coming back with two spoons.

" want some?" he asked indicating the ice cream.

" shouldn't we have dinner first?"

" I prefer dessert" said Hanson. He opened the ice cream and began eating it. Doug came over and sat beside him on the sofa. He took a small bite and noticed Hanson staring at him

" what?"

" Nothing. I'm just looking" he replied

" oh. See anything you like?" teased Doug

" maybe" retorted Hanson. He moved closer and placed his hand on Doug's thigh before closing in for a kiss. Their mouths met and they savoured the sweet chocolatey taste.

" your mouth's cold" whispered Doug when they momentarily broke apart. Hanson grinned mischievously.

" don't even think about it" warned Doug

" what?" questioned Hanson innocently.

" You know what" said Doug shooting him a meaningful glance. Hanson took it as a go ahead and rested his hand over the crotch of Doug's jeans before pulling him in for another chocolatey kiss.

" Stop" murmured Doug. Hanson pulled back.

" What's the matter?" he asked slightly breathless

" Let's go upstairs" suggested Doug

" What about the ice cream?"

" Bring it up with you"

" And do what with it exactly?"

" I can think of a few things" grinned Doug suggestively. Hanson smiled back and followed Doug upstairs.

He barely had time to place the ice cream down on the bedside cabinet before Doug was kissing him again. He pulled his shirt over his head and the pair tumbled onto the bed together, entwined in a passionate embrace.

After it was over Hanson lay there absorbing the warmth radiating from Doug's back.

" You asleep?" he whispered

" kind of" murmured Doug sleepily, " why you wanna talk bout something?"

" no, I'm good" said Hanson softly. He snuggled closer to Doug enjoying the way he felt. He lay there listening to Doug's rhythmic breathing, knowing he was on the brink of sleep and lost himself in the sweet memory of what they'd just shared.

" I love you" he whispered suddenly, " Don't ever leave"

" I wont" replied Doug his voice thick with sleep. Satisfied, Hanson closed his eyes and slept. It seemed like he had been sleeping all of seven seconds when Doug's voice penetrated his semi conscious mind.

" Tommy? Come on get up".

Hanson grunted and snuggled further under the duvet.

" Not getting up. Sleeping" he muttered.

" You have to get up"

" five more minutes" pleaded Hanson

" Tom" snapped Doug.

" Doug I'm sleepy"

" You got 30 seconds" warned Doug.

" You can't make me get up" murmured Hanson, eyes still shut.

" Ok" agreed Doug placidly. Hanson heard him moving around and his suspicions grew.

Suddenly he felt the blanket whipped from him and found himself doused in cold water.

" Arrgh!" he gasped, water dripped from his hair and ran down his face.

" Getting up now?" smirked Doug holding the cup in his hand.

" What was that for?" gasped Hanson teeth chattering

" I told you to get up" laughed Doug

" pig!" snapped Hanson clambering out of bed. He gave Doug a half assed shove who retaliated by playfully wrestling his lover onto the bed. He kissed him gently on the lips.

" Thought we had to get up" said Hanson softly

" we do. I just thought that after I doused you in cold water the least I could do was warm you back up" replied Doug

" Yeah you do owe me that much" grinned Hanson

" Besides you look damn sexy like that. I might have to use this method of waking you up every morning" added Doug grinning mischievously. Hanson kissed him.

" Shame we got to go to the chapel" teased Hanson

" come on don't do this to me Tommy"

" Serves you right for tossing cold water all over me" grinned Hanson. He went to get up but Doug pinned him to the bed.

" Nuh uh Tommy. I've still gotta warm you back up"

Hanson gazed up at him a smile lingering on his lips.

" Ok I surrender" he grinned. What the hell, so they'd be a little late reporting in. It'd be more than worth it.

" Nice of you to join us gentlemen" said Fuller dryly as Hanson and Penhall tried to slink unnoticed into their desks. They were 15 minutes late.

Hanson grinned sheepishly

" sorry, slept in" he lied

" Well may I suggest you try investing in an alarm clock?"

" Duly noted captain. I'll pick one up tonight" said Hanson good naturedly.

" what's your excuse Penhall?" asked Judy slyly

" Uh, had a problem with some water in the apartment. Had to clear it up"

Hanson snorted with laughter. Judy and Fuller glanced in his direction alarmed. Doug shot him a warning glance.

" sorry" choked Hanson trying to suppress his giggles.

" something amuse you Hanson?" enquired Fuller. Hanson sobered up immediately

" No, No sorry sir" said Hanson desperately trying to keep his face straight. Doug caught his eye and he bit his lip struggling not to laugh again.

" Hanson-" said Fuller, his tone grew serious and Hanson knew now was not the time
" Sorry" repeated Hanson sheepishly.

" You think you can control yourself long enough to do some paper work?" asked Fuller sarcastically

" Yes sir" replied Hanson softly

He'd been sat struggling to fill in a form for about 15 minutes when Doug came over.

" Hanson, have you got the warrant we used in that drugs bust last month?"

" No" snapped Hanson furiously rubbing out another mistake. He gave an exaggerated sigh.

" You'd think someone who was top of their class in the academy would be able to fill in a simple form"

Hanson's hand stiffened at the sound of Booker's voice.

" Go away" muttered Hanson

" ah Tommy that's not nice" smirked Booker, " I was only saying"

" Yeah well don't!" snapped Hanson bitterly.

" What you gonna do? Draw a line down the chapel and say 'you stay on your side, I'll stay on mine?'" said Booker laughing

" I'm not stopping you coming over here, What I want is for you to shut the hell up and leave me alone!" snapped Hanson

" I tell you what I wont say a word how's that?"

Hanson glanced up at him a look of defeat on his face. He knew where this was leading.

Booker perched himself on the edge of Hanson's desk and picked up his spare pencil. He tapped it repeatedly against the coffee cup Hanson had left over from the night before so that it made a clinking sound. He beat it into a rhythm incorporating the desk into his percussion.

" STOP IT!" cried Hanson annoyed flinging down his form

" And I always thought you were a music lover"

" Leave him alone alright?"

" Ah Douglas to the rescue again I see" mocked Booker

" Fuck off Dennis" snapped Hanson harshly.

" Fuck off Dennis" mimicked Booker

" What are you, five?!" snapped Doug, " Go bother someone else for a change"

" But bothering Hanson's so much more fun." said Booker, " He gets so annoyed, so easily. Then he gets that angry little look on his face-"

" Leave him alone"

" Doug I can take care of myself!" protested Hanson weakly. Booker smirked shooting him a disbelieving look.

" So take care of yourself" snapped Doug irritated, he stormed over to his own desk and sat down, back to Hanson.

"Now look what you did!" exclaimed Hanson glaring at Booker

" Hey you're the one who just told your little fuck buddy you could take care of yourself" shrugged Booker

" Don't call him that!"

" Are you, or are you not, fucking the guy?" enquired Booker a twisted smile on his face

" None of your business" snapped Hanson

" Are you fucking him?" repeated Booker

" shut up Booker!"

" Are you-"

" ALRIGHT! YES, YES I AM!" screamed Hanson irate. Most officers in the chapel turned to stare at him.

" Then I stand by my original statement" smirked Booker

" I hate you" snapped Hanson.

" oh I'm devastated" retorted Booker sarcastically

" Oh just fuck off"

" You've got a filthy little mouth haven't you?"

" FUCK OFF!" repeated Hanson irritated

" Is there a problem over here gentlemen?" asked Fuller dryly.

" No" mumbled Hanson

" Booker, I don't believe this is your desk"

" I was just borrowing a pencil" said Booker smiling. He flipped the pencil over in his hand whilst Hanson glared on.

" So go sit down and do some work with it" said Fuller sharply. He glanced Hanson over, skimming his face for some sort of clue. Was Booker homophobic? The thought had occurred to him more than once these past few months. Hanson and Penhall had outed themselves almost as soon as they'd started dating late into their second year at Jump Street and most officers in the chapel had accepted it without question. Booker however seemed to go out of his way to torment the couple, particularly Hanson.

Booker wandered slowly back towards his desk and sat down not taking his eyes off Fuller and Hanson.

" You ok Tom?" enquired Fuller

" Yeah. Yeah I am"

" You know you can tell me anything in confidence don't you?"

" Yes." said Hanson shortly, " But captain I'm ok really. Booker's just being his usual jerky self. That's all. Nothing I can't handle."

" If it's something more than that you or Penhall come and find me do you understand me?" said Fuller firmly

" What more could it be? Booker's just a jerk, that's all captain"

" You know what else it could be-"

" Well it isn't that!" snapped Hanson. He was sick of people assuming everything that ever happened to him was linked directly to his sexuality. He knew Fuller was careful about pairing Hanson and Penhall up as partners sometimes because of the emotional attachments, knew that he was careful when choosing which cases to put them on incase they were outed and there was a moral outrage. The public were iffy enough as it was about cops in high school. Hanson knew there'd be hell to pay if the parents found out there were gay undercover cops going into high schools and interacting with their little darlings. Ha little darlings, Some of the kids Hanson mingled with undercover were worse than the hardened adult criminals he'd busted on beat when he'd been fresh out of the acadamey.

He saw Fuller still standing over his desk and sighed.

" Honestly Captain I am FINE"

" Ok, then get back to work" snapped Fuller. He stormed back into his office and slammed the door. Judy cringed.

" What's up with him?" she whispered

" Hanson doesn't need help from anyone. Guess that includes Fuller too"

" Doug-" began Hanson

" You hear something?" asked Doug waspishly

Judy shot Hanson a pitying look.

" Fine, don't listen to me I don't care. It's not me who fucks around anyway" snapped Hanson.

" Have you been cheating on little sweet cheeks over here Doug?" asked Booker grinning

" piss off Booker" said Doug sounding bored

" He wont talk about it" said Hanson loudly,

" Well if I was gonna talk to someone it wouldn't be you would it? I mean you can take care of yourself right? You don't need me" spat Doug.

" Come on guys, maybe you should discuss this at home" murmured Judy; obviously uncomfortable.

" Oh he wont be going home" snapped Hanson, " He likes to stay out all the time isn't that right Dougie?"

" You know Hanson, you're such a fucking child. It's no wonder I don't talk to you. I'd actually like to have a mature conversation once in a while without your childish wisecracks and insecure interrogations you know? I mean my god you smother a guy!" cried Doug

" Come on guys" pleaded Judy

" Leave them to it Jude, this is getting interesting" smirked Booker

Hanson flung his chair against his desk and stormed across the office hovering between Doug and Booker's desks unsure as to who he should retort to first. Aggravated he chose neither and stormed from the room.

He leaned against the wall in the corridor and closed his eyes, heart hammering in his chest.

Why had he said that about Doug? Doug wasn't cheating, he knew he wasn't. well he was 95 sure he wasn't. He groaned. He'd ruined another good thing he knew it. He was such an idiot. He was insecure. Too insecure and he knew it. He just couldn't help it. He wished he could tell Doug why he was the way he was. He loved him enough to. He just didn't have the courage to. It would cripple him. Anyway how would Doug react to that? Would he be pitying and compassionate to the point of smothering Hanson or would he be disgusted with him? Shocked at his weakness and stupidity? Things were so much easier when they were partners in the occupational sense only.

He started when he felt someone touch his arm gently. He opened his eyes to find Judy staring back at him.

" Come on, Let's go somewhere quiet and talk" she said softly. Hanson shot her a grateful smile and allowed her to lead him out of the chapel.

" where's Hoffs and Hanson?" barked Fuller coming out of his office to check the progress of the young officers. He also felt compelled lately to check on them every so often to make sure Hanson or Penhall hadn't killed Booker or vice versa.

" Dunno. Haven't seen them for about half an hour"

" They're on their lunch break" volunteered Booker. Doug shot him a warning look.

" It's TEN THIRTY!"

" Oh well brunch break then"

" Brunch?"
" Yeah it's a meal that combines the characteristics of breakfast and lu-"

" I KNOW WHAT BRUNCH IS BOOKER!" cried Fuller angrily. Doug sniggered softly.

" sorry" muttered Booker, " But It's not my fault they hightailed it outta here. That's all Tommy and Dougie's problem. Credit them for their little relationship flaws. You really shouldn't be hard on them though Capt they're going through a little rough patch. See, poor little Tommy thinks Doug's cheating on him but Doug thinks Hanson's smothering him. On top of all that the honey moon period seems to be well and truly dead plus I think they've had a communication breakdown. Did I cover all the bases there Douglas?"

" Enough Booker!" snapped Fuller.

" What I was only informing you-"
" Booker it's nothing to do with you!" interrupted Fuller sharply

" It is when they have lover's tiffs across the office" muttered Booker, " I mean how am I supposed to get any work done with those two squabbling bout who does what and who fucks who every two seconds?"
" BOOKER!"

" Hanson's words not mine" said Booker swiftly

" Hanson didn't say fuck all to you-"

" PENHALL!"

" What?!" cried Doug

" Don't take that tone with me Penhall, Now the pair of you stop with the damn obscenities and tell me where Hoffs and Hanson have disappeared to!"

" I told you they're on their brunch br-"

" THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A BRUNCH BREAK IN THIS PRECINCT OR ANY OTHER IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?"

" yeah we barely get a break" muttered Booker

" IT CAN ALWAYS BE MADE SHORTER BOOKER"

" I assure you it couldn't possibly-"

" IN MY OFFICE BOOKER!"

" Ok so we don't get brunch break but we get called in the office like school kids?" snapped Booker, " You know Hanson was right, this place is like the fourth grade!"