A/N - Post Plums Verse. AU where boys are in their 20's. They've been working separate jobs and haven't seen each other in a long time. It's quite a reunion.

A/N - Warnings: Slash. First time. Don't like, don't read. No violence. Some bad memories though. Also there's cursing.

A/N - Wishing so very, very badly that they were mine.

A/N - See end for more chit chat.

They agreed to meet in Pensacola. Danny had a house there. When he wasn't working, whether on "legitimate" cover job or real work, he had a deep need to be by near the sea. A place that was only for escape and relaxation. Secluded and quiet, but just a quick boat ride across the bay for clubs, restaurants, music or anything else money could buy.

Rusty was headed back to the States from Egypt, where he'd spent the last year, doing something amazingly complex involving archaeology and foreign languages as the cover for a really long con. A year later, a dictator's cousin was a few million dollars poorer, and Rusty claimed he just wanted hot water, HBO and really good salsa. Pensacola suited him just fine.

The year was the longest they'd been apart since they'd met as kids on the Jersey Shore. Danny had been looking forward to the reunion for a long time. It was the only thing Danny had looked forward to in a long time.

It was getting harder and harder to play a normal businessman - his cover for his own really long con. One day was just like the other. One deal was just like the other. He was almost dead with boredom. He was even starting to think the con was not worth this tedium. Oh, he'll stay in as a favor to Reuben, but vows never again. After this he was running his own shows.

So when he heard from Rusty a couple of weeks ago, after a terrifying period of silence, Danny jumped at the chance to escape for a while. He took a month of vacation (the first he'd officially taken) stocked the house with beer, whiskey, plenty of food, and every movie he could get his hands on.

Now Danny was lounging casually just outside the security checkpoint at the Pensacola Airport. He spotted Rusty right away and enjoyed watching him approach. His hair was longer, dark blond with sun streaks that definitely didn't come from a bottle. He was tanned and looked like he'd put on some muscle. But he was still lean and beautiful and ... and Danny felt a little frisson of something at the sight of him.

Huh. This is new.

And when Rusty finally spotted Danny and made eye contact, blue eyes locking onto chocolate brown, Danny felt a jolt like electricity zap between them. It took a bit of effort to keep the cool, neutral expression on his face.

It took even more effort as Rusty approached. He paused right in Danny's space. A years worth of "I missed you, are you ok, I missed you too, how bad was it, God I missed you, I'm ok now, bad enough, so glad to be here, missed you, missed you" silently flashed between them.

And then in unison, they turned and walked shoulder to shoulder towards the exit. And if Danny's hand twitched imperceptibly, wanting to touch, to confirm, to reassure himself that Rusty was really here...well he just casually shoved his treacherous hands into his pockets.

Rusty grinned broadly when he saw what Danny was driving. The sleek, black convertible was sex on wheels. Danny threw the luggage in the trunk and tossed Rusty the keys. "All yours." A look of undiluted pleasure lit Rusty's face. Danny would give a lot too keep Rusty looking that way.

They didn't say much on the drive. Driving at speed with the top down didn't lend itself to intense conversation. Rusty was concentrating on coaxing every bit of performance out of the roadster and just enjoying himself. Danny was concentrating on Rusty. He watched his long fingers grip the leather gear shift and imagined what they'd feel like on his body. Strong, oh yeah. But not rough. He'd move those hands with confidence, coaxing, encouraging...

God, he better snap out of this. This was Rusty he was fantasizing about. His oldest, dearest friend, who, yeah, had never hid his willingness to experiment with either sex, who was sensual and tactile and...oh god he was so fucked...

Rusty had never, ever, given Danny any reason to think he was attracted to him that way. Loyalty, friendship, and love...yes. They'd slept together, curled together for warmth, comfort, and simple companionship countless times before. Did Rusty love him? Of course he did. Resoundingly, yes. But no matter what other people thought, there's never been a sexual component before. Maybe other people hadn't been completely off base.

Because now, now Danny's hands trembled with the desire to touch Rusty. Feel smooth skin of his arms, rub his thumb against those lush lips. Because now, Danny suddenly was fascinated with Rusty's mouth. Expressive. Lush. Kissable.

Thank god. They'd arrived at the ferry. Hopefully the short ride across to the island would give Danny a chance to pull himself together.

Rusty had always been able to read Danny Ocean. He knew before Danny admitted it when his friend was upset, angry or in love. And it was mutual, as much a part of their friendship as finishing each other's sentences.

But when Rusty saw a look of naked desire flash across Danny's face at the airport, he thought that maybe the year apart had diminished or somehow changed his ability to read his friend. Because Danny just didn't swing that way. Oh he'd always been completely accepting of Rusty's bisexuality, but Danny Ocean was straight. A true zero on the Kinsey scale. Right? The possibility that there could be more made his stomach flip with nerves and excitement. Could it be true? He'd never allowed himself to think about it.

Well there was one way to find out.

They were the only passengers on the little ferry boat. Rusty grabbed Danny's hand and strolled to the starboard side where none of the crew would see them.

"Let's watch the sun set," he whispered in Danny's ear. "It's been more than a year since I've seen the sun set over the water."He bumped up against Danny.

"The desert sunsets are spectacular." Rusty was still holding Danny's hand. "But this...this..." He trailed off and just gazed out at the water. He wasn't playing with Danny now. He wasn't teasing. He'd become serious. Remembering ...

He shuddered a little, the stress, the tension of the job still with him. There had been some very bad moments at the end and he had yet to fully relax, to feel safe.

Danny sensed it immediately. He'd been hyper-aware of Rusty anyways, but there was something in the way his voice shook, just slightly, and the way his hand gripped Danny's, that said he needed him.

"Rus..." Danny didn't need to ask if he wanted to talk about it.

Rusty drew a deep breath and squeezed Danny's hand tightly. He massaged little circles at Danny's wrist, feeling his pulse, feeling how alive he was. Rusty didn't have to put it in words either. The words were understood...not ready yet...soon. I promise.

The house was amazing. From the outside it looked like a typical Floridian beach cottage. But it was private...no neighbors for a mile in either direction. Gourmet kitchen, fully stocked bar, pool, hot tub and outside living room, a movie and audio system that would make professional sound men weep with envy. The grounds swept right down to the white sand beach.

Rusty tossed his bag into one of the bedrooms, kicked off his shoes, and headed outside. He wanted to let the dampness of the humid Florida night soak into his skin. He'd been arid for so long. The dew on the short Bermuda grass, the soothing sound of the surf, the smell of the honeysuckle that was climbing with wild abandon over a pergola... It was all a balm to his raw soul. Soothing a burn, a lingering wound.

And then Danny was next to him, handing him a drink. Whiskey. He drank deeply, trying to empty his mind of thoughts of sand and blood and flies.

Side by side, they walked down to the water. The warm water of the gulf surged over their bare feet, soaking their pants legs.

Danny said, "We should have taken a minute to change. The water's perfect right now. It'd be great for a swim."

And just like Danny knew (hoped) he would, Rusty gave him a wicked grin and reached over to unbutton Danny's shirt. His nimble fingers teased the buttons open...slowly...slowly, starting from the top...carefully working his way down, exposing Danny's chest. He let his thumb drag against Danny's skin and paused as the last button fell open.

Then Rusty turned around, and almost coyly, stripped out of his shirt and pants. He stood there, with his back to Danny, impossibly golden in the silver moonlight, wearing only the tiniest pair of black bikini briefs. Danny's mouth was dry. Damn, whiskey was gone. Should have brought the bottle.

Then Rusty was laughing and running towards the surf. "Come on! You're right the water is amazing!"

And Danny was pulling off his clothes and following. Part of him was screaming that this was a big mistake, too reckless, that he was on the verge of ruining the best thing in his life. But a bigger part was insisting that they could have this crazy, glorious new thing. And he dove in.

When they climbed out of the sea, the night air had cooled considerably. They dashed back to the house, laughing and a little bit breathless. Danny tossed a few thick Turkish towels at Rusty and then spent a moment covertly watching him dry off. "There are clothes in the bedroom, " Danny told Rusty. "I didn't think you'd have much need for shorts and swimwear in the middle of the damn desert, so I picked you up some stuff. We can go shopping tomorrow if you don't like it."

Rusty beamed his thanks and ducked into his room. Huh. Knowing Danny, there would be a bit more than shorts and flip flops in the wardrobe. Yep. The closet held everything from beach casual to designer suits and formal ware. There was even a tux - Armani - of course. The dresser drawers revealed an astonishing array of tee shirts, bathing suits, shorts, pajamas, socks and underware.

Rusty slipped into a royal blue soft wash cotton tee shirt and drawstring linen shorts. It felt so good to be comfortable. And not just in comfortable clothes. The drive, the swim and the booze had relaxed him. Being here with Danny ... He could be himself, not play a role for the first time in more than a year. He could think about doing what he wanted, just because he could, not because it was part of the job. And God that job had been...NO.

Not now. Not on this first night, this first good night. Later, he knew, Danny would force it out of him. Not aggressively. He wouldn't even ask directly. But over the next few days, or weeks, or however long it took, Danny would silently encourage him to talk about the past year. What went right, what was amazing, and what went wrong. How he'd been hurt. Who did the hurting. And while Rusty would always remember all the details, the good and the bad (his brain just worked that way) after letting Danny in, he'd be able to accept it, to move on, to heal. The job would be truly over.

But not tonight. Tonight was about reunion and friendship, and new possibilities.

Danny, wearing his usual black, looked dangerous and competent and sexy. He had fired up the grill and was throwing some amazing looking filets onto the coals. Nina Simone played softly in the background. He reached into a cooler and tossed Rusty a Heinekin.

"Hungry?" Danny laughed.

"I could eat, " Rusty laughed back, cracking open the beer and drinking deeply.

"Steaks won't take long. Here...to hold you over." And Danny took a platter of chilled seafood out of the fridge.

Rusty hummed with appreciation and selected an oyster on the half shell. He tipped his had back and swallowed hungrily. He put his thumb in his mouth and sucked off a drop of mignonette sauce. Danny swallowed and clutched his beer bottle. Rusty caught him staring and grinned wickedly. Then Danny reached for one. It was plump and succulent. It was Rusty's turn to watch him eat, imagining the feeling of the sweet then briny morsel on his tongue.

Maybe it was a cliche, but eating oysters with Danny Ocean was turning into one of the most sensual experience of Rusty's life. After watching Danny do something obscene with his tongue and hot sauce, Rusty was ready to throw himself across the table. He bit his lip and had just shifted, getting ready to rise, when the grill's timer went off.

The mood changed, from something dark and smokey and heavy with desire to something lighter, more usual, more comfortable. Danny smirked, stole the last oyster off Rusty's plate, and headed outside to tend to the steaks.

Rusty followed with a bottle of red wine. Somehow, magically, Danny had produced a set table and dinner - expertly grilled filet mignon accompanied by roasted heirloom tomatoes and perfect tiny goat cheese soufflés.

Rusty moaned. "I really do love you."

Danny grinned wickedly, Just wait for dessert." Rusty actually shivered in anticipation.

They talked companionably as they ate. Danny caught Rusty up on the whereabouts of friends and colleagues; regaled him with some of the more outrageous jobs and lighthearted stunts that Frank and Basher and Phil had pulled this year.

"With a water balloon and a set of golf clubs..."

"I thought he was allergic to lemons"

"Walked out the door with six million in sapphires and a bad case of..."

"...huh, who knew."

"Reuben redecorated Xanadu. It's spectacular."

"Maybe we should plan a Vegas trip."

After a sinful dessert - dark chocolate mousse - they hit the hot tub and watched the stars. They were sitting side by side. Rusty was practically boneless he was so relaxed. Every now and then, the force of the spa jets would bump their legs together. Rusty hooked his ankle around Danny's. Sighed contentedly.

Danny kept his eyes on the heavens. They'd turned off all the lights, comfortable in the dark. The stars blazed across the sky. Rusty was pressed against his side now, his head on Danny's shoulder. Danny thought about those lips, how he'd taste, how the stubble on his jaw would feel...and he turned his head to ..finally...finally...

And Rusty was asleep. Jet lag, the drive, swimming and the meal caught up with him. His eyes were closed and he was breathing lightly. Peacefully.

Danny was swamped a wave of tenderness. How he loved this man. He watched Rusty dozing for an indulgent minute before gently easing him awake.

He nuzzled his ear, breathing in the scent of chlorine, wine and Rusty.

"Hey Rus," he whispered. "Let's get you out of here and dried off. Come on...easy...Shhh. I've got you."

Danny eased Rusty out of the hot tub. Even mostly asleep, Rusty cooperates, instinctively and unconsciously trusting Danny to take care of him. He kept his arms around him as he got Rusty back inside and dried off. Danny had Rusty tucked under crisp cotton sheets and was debating crawling in next to him. He was so tempted. And they'd slept side by side innumerable times before. Rusty wouldn't mind.

He wanted to wrap his arms around him and hold him all night. Danny wanted to match his breaths to Rusty's. He wanted to fall asleep feeling beat of his pulse in his wrist. He wants so much.

Danny bent down and kissed Rusty's forehead, his cheek and his lips. Then, with a small shudder, and once last glance, he softly closed the door and went, alone, to his own bed.

A/N - You like? You want more? I know where this goes in my head, but if it's not your brand of vodka this could be a one-shot. Just lemme know. We aim to please.