Here's another one! Thanks for everyone that stuck with this story and I'm so sorry that it's taken so long to update! :)


~*~*~Chapter 10: Absolution~*~*~

Weeks later….Month of Rise: Marcus Fenix's Room, Anvil Gate

They were supposed to talk.

As soon as Hoffman left, he presumed that they would eat their cold lunches that had been set aside due to Cole's interruption then confer on necessary subject matters. While they did ingest, very soon after Baird sought Marcus' touch to have the man alleviate the emotional anguish that plagued him. All of his agony bled away as he stared into sky-colored eyes that begged for him, his face flushed with pleasure because of him, his hips snapping forward to bury his cock inside of him.

He had thought Marcus would stop him—that he would be bothersome and sensibly remind Baird that they needed to go over a number of issues—but he hadn't. Marcus had simply embraced Baird's grazes, silently communicating that he needed physical contact as badly as the blond. So that's what they did after Hoffman's impromptu visit: quietly made love, eyes hardly leaving the other, smothering tongue grazes that left them panting when they parted.

Afterwards, they would lie facing each other, unspoken words filling the air as numerous emotions wrought through them. Those that were more forceful would show in their eyes, both men permitting the other to read what was within them. Then they would become intimate again depending on who latched onto the other first. The process repeated itself for days that blurred into weeks. This day seemed no different.

Marcus' room was a mess with clothes and duffel bags thrown about, empty vodka bottles and cartons of half-eaten food cushioned by them. The room smelled heavily of perspiration and sex with the acrid tinge of alcohol. One of the best smells in the world in the blond's opinion. The addition of alcohol had only been introduced after they left the hospital.

Baird rolled himself on Marcus' cock with amorous intent, finishing the small amount in the bottle he held before tossing it behind him. His eyes hazy with desire, he threw his head back gasping. He enjoyed the feeling of being completely filled painfully. The alcohol helped diminish it if it became a bit excessive and less pleasurable. He only drank enough to take the edge off, but not to get drunk.

His hands were braced on Marcus' chest while Marcus had his on his hips, expertly guiding him along his cock. Baird's well-bruised hole savored the friction that was caused by not using enough lube. Marcus couldn't be blamed: Baird had prepared them both.

Any agony felt helped to block out anything that would have stirred feelings of inadequacy or debilitation. All he could think of was the cock sending him into consistent waves of pleasure.

As it had always been as of late, they were quiet. No begging to fuck harder. No words of affection. The only sounds heard were their breathing, Baird's moans and Marcus' grunts. He watched his man: a sheen of sweat coating him, eyes nearly closed in pleasure with his hair matted to his face.

The bed creaked as Marcus rolled into Baird languorously. He matched the pace Baird set, never trying to change the tempo. Baird knew that Marcus was doing it for his benefit—that it was exactly what Baird needed for the time being until It created a new tactic to devastate him.

Baird mimicked his movements, his cock hard, slapping against Marcus' stomach with every glide down. He didn't want to touch himself. He'd sure as hell cum too early if he did. And the pulsing ache coming from it helped to aide him in forgetting about It. Instead, he leaned in to seize Marcus' mouth, his whiskered chin scraping against Baird.

That was a surprise. His lover tasted like alcohol. Baird knew that he would taste like that, but Marcus' own breath? That wasn't good. Frowning against those rough lips, a troublesome thought broke through his clouded mind. Marcus could lose his Delta if this was found out.

It was gone as he felt that wondrous tongue curl around his. Baird wanted to run his fingers through Marcus' silky black hair tinged with gray, but he was certain to collapse on top of the man if he dared move his arms. It perhaps wasn't best to go after Marcus when he was dead-tired. He'd slept adequately and consumed as he should, but mental exhaustion wore his body down. The alcohol didn't help either: it depressed his faculties further. It was hard to keep himself above the water-line these days.

The climax came way too soon. Baird spilled over Marcus, furiously stroking his cock to pump all of his spunk onto the rapidly rising and falling stomach. He heard Marcus' stifle a sound in his throat as he came into Baird, grabbing his hips and bringing him down hard against him as he did so.

Hard breathing engulfed the room as the sound of the whirring ceiling fan couldn't even drown it out. Slowly, Baird pulled himself off of the softening cock to plop his tired body beside his lover. Then silence as they calmed down enough, looking at each other.

It was then that Baird realized that they were getting nowhere. Spectacular sex was amazing, but it seemed almost mechanical—as if they were doing it, but keeping their emotions at bay. Relationships were more than that and so was sex—or at least theirs. They needed to communicate, no matter how bad the conversation may turn out.

And he missed hearing Marcus growl his name. Or fuck him like they were about to break the bed, leaving Baird feeling deliciously bruised. Instead, he touched him carefully as if not wishing to cause another episode. He wanted to grab Marcus' hair and bite every inch of his skin. Slow and easy love-making was preferred by some—and he enjoyed it at times—but he favored being punished hard and fast.

In order to get that back, they would have to air out their grievances.

Baird inhaled his musky scent as they lie side by side, deciding to ease them into the conversation he knew they had to have.

"You needed a break as much as I did, huh? I know you're on-call and patrol sometimes, but you've really had time to relax."

His blue eyes were reflective, mouth slightly downturned but it did not mean that he was uncomfortable with the topic. Marcus was contemplating.

"So have you."

Baird nodded. He hadn't felt It in ages. Whether it was a severe panic attack or a by-product that stemmed from his perpetual paranoia, no one knew. He knew that Hoffman had been right: Marcus aided tremendously in his recovery process. In order for their life to return as it was before, he would have to convince Marcus of this. Even if that mean suffering through an hour long session with a faux psychiatrist that was the Chief Medical Officer weekly for the rest of his life.

"I couldn't have done it without you."

"Same here."

A lull permeated the room for a few minutes as they both struggled with what they should say. Baird began again.

"Marcus, I just need to know if…what you think I should do if the pregnancy goes wrong?"

He watched Marcus carefully void his eyes of any emotion before answering. "It depends on what you want to do, Damon."

Baird mulled over what he wanted to say while evading Marcus' gaze. Exhaling heavily, he whispered, "I…never wanted kids. Never saw them in my future, never planned for them. When I couldn't find a way out of Hoffman's order, I was told that I wouldn't have to deal with him. I felt like a piece of shit, yes. I still do. I feel like I've abandoned him and I haven't even done anything really. But I thought it was best because of…us."

"Him?"

A simple question that Baird didn't truly want to answer. He blushed deeply. "There were times that I wondered what it would be like to have a kid and it was always a boy." When he heard no response, he pushed on. "Anyway, I told you at Azura that I felt like I betrayed you. Even though you said that I didn't, I still felt it. I felt it again when Hoffman came to see us."

His piercing gaze made Baird turn his face to him. He could see the searching look in his eyes as he tried to figure out where Baird was heading.

"I…When he told us that there's a chance that the pregnancy may be hard, that I might have to think about the worst case scenario, I found out that I wanted the kid. I have zero paternal instincts whatsoever and I want the kid."

A few seconds pass. Then "Have you told him that?" The look was unreadable again and a flicker of annoyance swept over Baird.

"No. Mainly because he would bitch about how much I complained before. But I also wanted to see if…." He led off meaningfully, his stare probing Marcus to see if he received the hint.

The blank look that he was rewarded with would have told someone that nothing resided in his head except cobwebs. But Baird knew better.

Anger replaced his embarrassment and made his skin flusher a deeper pink. He had to remind himself that lashing out at Marcus would not be productive: it might even set them back. But what had they truly worked on besides mapping every inch of each other's bodies to make up for lost time?

"You're going to make me say it."

As he was met with silence, he gritted his teeth. Damn! He had wanted to start out with the most difficult topic to tackle and then work his way down. But perhaps he should have started with the easiest one, gaining minute victories so that Marcus would feel somewhat more secure.

"I know I shouldn't even ask…." He tried, barely managing to conceal his temper.

"Then don't." The acerbic tone made him jolt, surprise covering his features as he stared at his lover. The roiling emotions he had tried to hide were apparent now: pain, bitterness, anger, hurt.

What the fuck?

He gave into the ire that he felt. "You fucking told me that—"

"I know what I said." Marcus bellowed, his voice matching his eyes. "But there's no fucking way that I would ever do that to you, Baird. I wouldn't fuck women while with you and then ask you to help me raise a kid I'm having with them since I'm happy to have one."

Baird stared down at the man as if he had been struck. He struggled to control his breathing, but he was beyond pissed off. He then found himself mere inches away from Marcus' face, arms on either side of his head, peering down at him with a mixture of fury and agony. "Don't ever fucking say that I've fucked someone other than you."

"Don't fucking tell me what to say, Damon."

"Don't ever fucking say that I've fucked someone other than you, you fucking son-of-a-bitch, because it's not fucking true." It was hard to keep his voice contained. He wanted to shout. He wanted to do what he had done a few times before: try to get his point across with his fists. But he knew that it wasn't an effective method of communication.

Marcus merely peered at him through dubious eyes. An edge of his lip slipped downward. "How else would you have impregnated someone?"

Baird nearly jeered at his lover when he realized that most of those who enlisted in would have happily clambered at the chance to have sex, even if it was for a single night. Being tirelessly occupied with rebuilding humanity and not having as many options for intercourse currently, many wouldn't have thought of the possible risks that they were putting themselves into. It was how the breeding program had been so successful.

Marcus would have known this. He had thought that Baird had simply complied with Hoffman's decree albeit with some resistance. How could the man be faulted?

"By ejaculating into a cup and Hayman squirting my cum into a woman with a turkey baster?" He formulated with a shrug. He watched Marcus' eyes cloud over. "What?"

"Anya and I got your sample the night you left back to Azura. I had thought he made you give it so that you could get back to work faster. I didn't know that that was the only way that you would do it."

Baird snorted as he shifted to sit up, bracing his back against the wall as his arms crossed over his chest. "You should have trusted me then." He bit out bitterly. "I've fucked no one but you. I told you that."

Marcus said nothing for a spell before muttering, almost too quietly, "Well, I've thought of no one but you."

"Right. Fucking asshole. That wasn't even the worst case I was talking about anyway."

"What was it?" How in the hell was he able to make his voice quieter than before?

Baird bit his lower lip so that he could quell the tirade of furious obscenities that threatened to cascade from him. He leaned over the side of the bed, movements becoming rigid as a sharp pain burst from his nether regions. Subduing a groan, he dug into the duffel bag near him to find clean clothes.

"I wanted to ask your help about if the baby died."

The odor permeating the room was no longer delicious, but foul. Blearily, he surveyed the clusterfuck that they had dwelled in. Fuck, they'd really shut themselves out of the world. It was a wake-up call that what they were doing was unhealthy.

Impatiently, he dumped the contents of the duffle onto his bed, grimacing as his discomfort increased. Perusing through what was before him, his eye caught the wedding invitation. Snatching it, he tossed it to his side at Marcus, still searching for what he wanted to wear. "This is thinking of me, right?"

Sniffing himself, he determined that he needed a shower, not ruminating when he had last taken one. And brushing his teeth with vodka didn't count as proper hygiene. Shaking his head, he realized that he had let his fear of It overtake his life. Had he fallen from what he had once been or matured as he should have done?

At least this isn't rock bottom. And he knew it wasn't, because he would have recognized it if had been.

Not having heard anything from Marcus for a while, Baird shot a look at his beau. A repentant sight greeted him, his anger draining away.

"I'm sorry, Damon." Blue eyes revealed sorrow. "I was selfish. Of course I'll fucking be there for you. Whenever you need me. Always."

Damn him. This was why their arguments never lasted long. Marcus seeped into Baird's very soul with a single look and Baird would be lost. Yet…

"Always?" It was something that Marcus had brought up and he was unsure of now that he thought about it.

"Even if the kid lives Baird, I'll be right next to you."

"Frigging amazing." Leaning over, he keenly kissed their pain away. "You're forgiven." He whispered against his lips before lying on his stomach next to him. The quest of searching for his clothes would have to temporarily be relinquished until the soreness subsided. "Just know that there is no one else.

"Anyway, I was thinking that we could shower, clean up, and then get food. Which means that you're more than likely going to have to do most of the work because I can't move. You really—"

His teasing subsided as he observed Marcus stare at the invitation incredulously, before opening it and slipping the simple paper out.

"You can't believe how badly that hurt me, Marcus." Baird murmured without meaning. The slow head turn characteristic of his lover occurred so that he peered at him with oceanic eyes. He fidgeted slightly under the intense gaze.

"I mean, I know why you did it. You were protecting me and this was a way to cover us. But fuck, really? Sending me a wedding invitation?" Pain slashed across his heart in remembrance. "Fuck, if I never understood how you felt about thinking that I had happily fucked women and asked you to help raise my kid, I do now. If it's anything like I felt then…"

He searched Marcus' face for anything that would reveal what he was thinking. An eyebrow raised as his lover continued to be unreadable. "I…didn't send this, Damon." Skepticism supplanted Baird's restrained agony as he pinched his lips. It increased as Marcus continued, "I specifically asked her not to send you one."

The first thought was that Marcus was purposely misleading him to protect her, his agony segueing into a familiar deep-seated anger. Except that couldn't be true since his tone hinted that the older man was….confused?

Baird gingerly crawled towards Marcus to examine the simple invitation, trying to perceive what exactly Marcus' reaction. The expression was new… "It was…." He weighed his words carefully for Marcus' sake. "humbling."

"Fucking emasculating." His heart sped up at his lover's tone: it was dark, quiet, and dangerous.

"It probably was sent before you had the conversation."

"I spoke to her before she sent it out. I know this because we didn't even have a date when I told her. This has one."

"Maybe she forgot. I mean, if she sent it out to everyone—"

"No one else received invitations. You were the only one."

The blond's mouth closed then. He wasn't defending Anya by any means, but he wanted to assure that Marcus' thoughts weren't impassioned but reasonable. Yet he didn't have a counterargument for Anya's behavior. Except perhaps…

"Well, everyone is on the Mainland. Is it necessary to send an invitation?"

"She lives on Azura. She could have easily told you by word of mouth."

Now he was stumped. It didn't make sense for Anya to do what she did. He knew that the harlot had sent the invitation, but she had thought it was with his approval. Finding out that he didn't even know about it…

It was then as he studied Marcus that he discovered the fleeting emotion that passed through his lover.

Betrayal.

Marcus felt betrayed by Anya and he was trying to cope with it. A small gasp escaped him as Marcus focused on him, a tumultuous inner struggle happening within as he tried to wrestle with himself. And his lover was soundlessly asking him for aide.

Baird didn't know how to process this new information. He loathed Anya extremely. He would not come to her aide. Marcus already knew this and if Baird spoke as such, he would possibly dismiss it due to Baird's unwavering bias. But to be deceived by someone that he was so close to would devastate him. And Baird only wanted for Marcus' happiness to match his own.

Rage simmered beneath the surface at the thought of Anya hurting Marcus like this and he carefully concealed it. "You don't think there's another reason she could have done it?"

He decided to be deceptively neutral. He had been impartial when they had spoken at Azura and Marcus rushed to shield her. He had stated that he wouldn't blame her for anything else if Marcus had believed she was innocent. He had. And so this was Baird respecting his man's wishes. It didn't stop his heart from beating any faster though.

"Yeah." The older man tossed the papers to the side. "Quite a few. But I don't believe any of them. We had a conversation about it, Damon. I asked her—told her that it was important to me that you didn't know because I didn't want to make it harder on you than it was."

So you're finally beginning to see her for the devil she is… He quashed a smirk before it could grow. He didn't want Marcus to think that he relished his pain and that would be far from the truth.

"It's not only that. Things have happened that she wouldn't normally do."

"Like?" Honestly, he hadn't mean to goad. It was interesting to see this side of Marcus—the one who rarely if ever questioned his ex-lover. It was important to show that he was listening and that he wasn't adding any of his personal opinions to the conversation. Marcus was allowed to vent without having his beliefs challenged.

Marcus seemed to mull over his thoughts, cerulean eyes now trained on the ceiling rather than the man beside him. "Like when Hoffman told us that he had pulled her in and questioned her about the letters."

Baird wanted to intercede with another shrug. As much as it detested him to admit it, she had done relatively quick work to turn Hoffman off of them and he was prepared to tell him so. What Marcus added next stopped him.

"She didn't tell me about it."

"Huh." He tapped his fingers along the mattress, ruminating. It wasn't like Anya to obscure information from Marcus. She blabbed to him about everything as far as he knew.

I could come up with a valid reason for her behavior if I cared… he thought. But I don't.

One look at his lover still fighting himself changed that. "Maybe she didn't want to worry you." He ran a hand through his hair, still thrumming his fingers against the mattress. "Maybe she thought it was something that wasn't worth mentioning. I mean, we wrote letters often, so there was a chance that ours might have been picked up. "

"But together?"

That made his brows furrow. Marcus was right: it didn't make sense. If Baird's letter had been in response to Marcus', then they would not have been in the same batch of mail to randomly sift through for confidential information. Someone had planted it.

"You're right." He whispered, resting his head in his hand as he ceased his restless moving. A sense of foreboding wriggled its way into him, but he couldn't make the proper connections to designate the threat. He could guesstimate, but it could be wildly inaccurate.

"What else?" He said, more to keep his mind from derailing rather than gathering knowledge on Anya.

"It's…I don't know how to explain it, Damon." He growled frustrated. "Call it fucking intuition. She's kept things that should have been said. Like Hoffman. She's said things that didn't need to be said. Like purposely bringing you up in conversations when it's unnecessary, whether it's a joke or serious discussion. She's the one that told me that you and that kid were close…that the letter was right. Why would she tell me that instead of heading straight to you to figure it out?"

Why indeed? Baird didn't need to ask to what letter Marcus referred. He swallowed hard, trying to reign in his temper. "You will always come first to her, Marcus." He worded cautiously. "She'll always be inclined in your favor. So it makes sense for her to go to you instead of rationally gathering all the facts."

He caught the slight raise of an eyebrow, the inquiring gaze that settled upon him while his mouth relaxed into a straight line. "Since when have you defended her, Baird?"

"Since fucking never." Baird scowled menacingly, unable to keep the torrent of emotions from spilling out. "I hate her, Marcus. As much as I hate what's been happening to me recently and what's happened to us. Don't ask me why: I don't have a rational explanation. But you don't need someone who's going to try to influence you with their skewed perception. You need someone who's willing to listen to you while offering you other avenues of thought: logical ones, not emotional."

A fractional widening of his eyes was his response and he quickly looked away, blushing fiercely. "I'm not jealous." His voice wavered. He cleared his throat to compose himself. "Believe me, I'm not. The past few weeks put that thought out of my head completely. I doubt she's ever made you as hard as I do and have you cum just as hard. That was all me. And yes, I'm gloating. Look, I don't know if I could call it 'intuition'. I just know that I don't like the bi—her." He caught himself, catching the darkening of Marcus' eyes.

Great. He sighed. Now he's going to defend her and threaten me to not ever try and call her a bitch again.

"Any particular reason?" He sounded deliberately calm….

Baird pondered the question before choosing to respond sincerely. Raw emotions flowed forth. "Yeah. She got to you first. I get it: it's petty. But the thought that anyone else has had you and that I have to deal with them drives me fucking insane. I bet if any of my exes were still alive, you wouldn't want to be around them on a constant basis.

"Not to mention that she'll always be special to you. Again, I'm not jealous. It's just that you seem to think that she's flawless: unable to make a damn mistake. Yet you don't have to a problem bitching me out when you think I've done wrong.

"I can fucking take it." His impassioned timbre increased the louder he became. "I'm a man. I don't fucking back down. But it pisses me off that she gets a relative pass just because you nearly had a two decade relationship with her, but fucked her only a handful of times. Or she gets a pussy pass for being a woman. I don't know what your deal is, but it makes me feel second to her. Even though I'm in your bed. Even though I'm the one that you say you love."

Pained blue eyes never left the matching set as he tried to get himself together. "I'd never make you feel that way. I wouldn't ever want to. And if I ever have, I'm sorry. But I can't take it anymore, Marcus. I'm at my limit. Shit, I'm past it and I didn't realize it until now." His voice trailed off at the end as he buried his face into his pillow. Something strangled his throat, obstructing it until he had to take in gulps of noxious air.

A warm body pressed against him as felt something nuzzle his ear. "It's not like that, Damon." came the excuse and Baird sighed. "She isn't special to me."

He shifted his head to cynically stare at Marcus who rested on his forearms. "Really? Because I could have sworn that you were about to chew my ass out for almost calling her what you called Queen Myra."

"You're right. This is new to me, Damon. All I ask is that you be patient."

Baird snorted. "Sorry, boss. You know that I'm the opposite."

"I don't think that's true. You've endured longer than most would think possible."

"Yeah. With you."

"And this is about me. You're the one I want. And it's more than past time that I start putting you first."

"Good man." Baird whispered, lifting his head so Marcus could put their lips together. "Now let's go shower."


Gears Mess Hall…

Cole made sure that his eyes didn't settle on the two men as he scanned the mess hall. They were set apart from everyone else, sitting across from each other at a separate table but conversing casually. Heartache for the man that he once called a friend twisted within him and he quelled it. Baird clearly wasn't interested in amending their friendship, so why should Cole? Wasn't it clear that they were avoiding not only him but Delta? Marcus rarely patrolled with them and Baird…what was he still doing on the Mainland?

Turning to Anya who sat on his left side, he caught that her gaze aimed at the same direction. He had apologized for his mistakes and divulged what he had originally felt to her. She had taken it with grace, appreciated him for telling her, and told him that there was no need to be forgiven. She understood why he had thought in such a way and admitted that she would have tread down a similar road if the roles were reversed. If he had any doubts that he had been wrong about her, the current look of impenetrable sadness would have dissuaded him.

"Anya, do you know what Baird is still doing here?"

Her eyes flicked over to him, almost probing before a tight smile graced her tanned features. "Cole, he's your friend—"

"There's a lot that has to be worked on." He interceded. "And I guess it's good for him to be here so we can do that. But I would think that he'd be back at Azura."

"Agreed." Sam interjected on Cole's right, frowning intensely in the blond's direction. Cole had entrusted Sam with his most troubling thoughts after passionate sex and she had angrily stomped off to confront him. She only held back due to Cole's wish to not disturb him. "Though a few choice words should be given to Marcus as well."

Anya sighed. "I would advise against that. They seem entirely too protective over each other. For the three of us to simply ambush them—" She was cut off by the sight of Bernie sitting down next to Baird.

"Uh-huh. You were saying?"

"Maybe we should go."


"Marcus. Baird."

Marcus nodded as Baird paused in his anecdote to take notice of Bernie setting her tray down next to him. Stifling a sigh, he tossed a subtle inquiry at Marcus. His lover slightly tilted his head to the side.

So he didn't have anything to do with Bernie being here. Guess she took it upon herself.

"I guess you don't know that Baird has refused to talk to me since he believes that I had something to do with the fiasco about Anya and you getting married."

Marcus chastised him with scarcely narrowed eyes, an eyebrow barely lifted, and the corners of his mouth curled down.

He sighed, angling his head towards her. "Wow, Granny. Never knew you were a snitch."

"Look at that." She gave a small smile. "You finally speak to me. And Marcus didn't even have to say anything. Guess he has much more power than I thought."

"What do you want?"

"To tell you that I had nothing to do with it. By the time that I got what you needed out of Victor, you were already gone."

"Okay."

"I'm serious, Baird. I wouldn't ever hurt you like that. I wanted to strangle Victor after he told me…but it wasn't his fault. He didn't know about the two of you." Her eyes swept between the two of them. "Though he knows now. Guessed he pulled a Cole?"

Blushing fiercely, Baird allowed Marcus to answer by shoveling mush into his mouth. "He claims that he knocked."

"Or you two were too far gone to notice."

The only change in Marcus' demeanor was the flush in his cheeks. No one made him look like that except him.

"Bernie—" The blond's tone was sharp and laced with possessiveness.

"You two are just too adorable." She laughed as Baird's eyes became deadly slits. Marcus looked on amused. "How did you make him fall so badly, Marcus?"

"Holy—If I forgive you, will you please stop?"

Bernie's eyes widened as another fit of laughter overtook her. "He says please now?!" Helplessly, Baird threw pleading eyes towards his lover.

"You're asking the wrong person, Bernie." Marcus' voice made her stop. She viewed him as he unabashedly adored Baird with tender eyes. "You should be asking him that."

Fingers inched towards each other as Baird gripped his spoon hard. Everything in the background began to fade away: first the noise, then the Gears, and finally Bernie. No one existed except the man in front of him.

As they brushed, he felt his skin igniting with the recognizable heat that on Marcus could cause. Tingling sensations swept through him wherever they touched. When they interlaced, he gave a gentle thought insistent tug for Marcus to come with him.

"That's beautiful."

In a flash, he realized that they were back in the mess hall, with no one's eyes upon them except Bernie. As he tried to recover himself, he could see Marcus was doing the same.

"You two are perfect for each other." Their fingers were unwound, but still unbearably close. Whenever either of them twitched, they caressed each other.

Bernie leaned in and pressed a quick kiss against Baird's temple. "You are an arse, but I couldn't be any happier for the two of you."

And that was that. She was now conversing with Marcus, having absconded with Baird's forgiveness before he had given it.

He smirked as he joined in the conversation. It was classic her. And he had missed it.


Cole approached the table with increasing trepidation. He didn't know what to expect. It wasn't as if he expected Marcus to apologize for his behavior, but Cole certainly wasn't either. They both had what they believed to be legitimate reasons to act as they had and neither would back from it.

But his focus wasn't on the Leader. It was on the buddy he'd lost. Getting him back would ensure Marcus would accept him back as well. He caught a glimpse of him as he laughed and mocked Bernie. It was gone when his sharp blue eyes caught sight of him.

Marcus immediately noticed the change in his lover and turned his eyes to view the trio.

"Ah. The newest couple I've heard about." Bernie teased. "I'm glad that you two finally stopped dancing around."

Each of them grabbed seats, Anya on one side of Marcus and Sam on the other. Cole sat next to Sam, eyes still on the blond who did his best to evade him.

He didn't think it would still hurt…but it did.

Anya, Sam, and Bernie engaged Marcus in conversation, but Cole could tell that Marcus kept his attention completely on Baird.

"How are you?"

A dubious look crossed his face as his eyes settled on him instead of the ceiling, table, or random Gears. "I'm better."

Baird didn't think that Cole wouldn't talk to him, but he should have known better. Over the past few weeks, he hadn't thought of him or much of anything really. Only Marcus had been on his mind and It. But he knew that after what he had done to Cole, he shouldn't even hope for a glance his way.

"We haven't seen you in a while."

Cole could feel Sam tense next to him as he spoke. It was a warning: she'd jump to his defense if need be. But she would then have to contend with Marcus. So he insured her by not setting Baird off. Or himself.

"Mandatory recuperation, thanks to Hoffman. I couldn't do resume duties or return to Azura until I'm fit for work again."

"And when will that be?" Cole hadn't expected Sam's voice to be as soft and neither did Baird by the expression on his face. He scrutinized Cole for a few moments.

"I don't know."

It was the honest truth. He didn't know if he would get better. His weekly therapy sessions by someone who wasn't even in the profession may be helping. He only knew one remedy that seemed to take care of everything that he needed and it sat across from him. Maybe if Hoffman…

His face brightened at the idea and Marcus caught it, indicating that he was listening to him through the slight angle of his head. "I need to go to Hoffman. With what I'm thinking, I'm sure it will be soon."

Cole made sure not to pry. He nodded as Sam dove on. "I hope you get what you want. Just so you know, we're all here for you. Yes, even me."

Baird made a sound with his nose, though he was internally grateful. If what she said was sooth, that mean that his friendship with Cole may have a chance. He took the risk.

"You too, Sam. Take care of my buddy."

Surprise overtook Cole as he gaped at Baird, who gave him a sly smile. "That's what we are, right? Or what I hope we are. I know that I wasn't the best to you, especially over the last few months. I was going through a lot and—"

"You don't need to apologize." Cole gleamed, happiness filling him. "I know what you've been through. No need to explain."

"Like hell he does." Sam muttered, eyes on Baird though they were gentle.

Baird shook his head. "I thought you said that you got her to stop bothering me?"

Cole laughed as Sam glared at him. "I said I think."

"I'm not going to say that you're not doing a good enough job, but maybe you need to do it more."

"Point taken."

It was Sam's turn to be surprised as the air rife with tension thawed to what they had before: loving camaraderie.

"What the hell just happened? Where is Baird and what have you done with him?"

Bernie chuckled as she rubbed Baird's arm. "Our Baby Baird has grown up."

Okay. She said it twice and he colored at the mention of his cock. Time for a new name.

Baird affectionately glared at her before turning to Cole. "For what it's worth, I am sorry for what happened."

"Baird." Cole held up a hand. "I get it. It wasn't the right time or place for me to even bring up all that I did, especially after what happened. It's just been building up for a while."

Baird didn't need to see Marcus' approving gaze flicker over to him to know that he was proud of him. He was damn proud of himself: he wouldn't have ever openly admitted that he was wrong before.

He ran his pointer finger along Marcus' middle to send a message.

It's all because of you.


Combat Information Center: Hoffman's Office…a few hours later

"And you're sure that's all you need to return, Corporal?" Hoffman studied both men, finally resting on him.

"Absolutely."

"You do know I'm in the process of reforming the fraternization code and that specifically means it hasn't been done yet?"

"Yup."

"And?"

"So?"

"…"

"The fact that you're doing it will look good on you and it will boost morale. Besides, we're good at hiding it. Fooled you, didn't we?"

"You know that you're taking one of the—if not the—best Gears away from the Mainland."

Baird smirked. His choice of words revealed that he had already made up his mind. "Unless if Kashkur is going to burn without him, I think I'm more in need of him than anyone else. Anyway, wasn't his assignment to look after my health?"

"Huh." Hoffman raised an eyebrow, arms clasped behind his back. "I expected it to be temporary, to be honest. And I seem to remember a severe opposition to my plan."

He shrugged, crossing his arms. "I've been wrong about more than a few things. Your decisions aren't complete shit sometimes."

Hoffman's bit back a smile. "Wonders never cease. Corporal, I hope you understand why I have my reservations. It would be a waste to have Fenix patrolling a relatively safe island when he'd be much more effective and worthwhile here. Not to mention the accusations of favoritism that would occur."

"Of course I do." Baird leered at Marcus as he continued. "But who else would keep me in line so that I don't break any more of your ridiculous rules? Who would make sure that I work at my full potential?"

"You make it sound as if he's a medical necessity. As if you won't be able to perform without him."

He hesitated, chewing over what he wanted to say. "It's not like he has to ride my ass wherever I go." A cough from his side let Marcus know he was amused by his word play. Hoffman caught it as well, because he slowly shook his head while covering his mouth with a hand.

"But the fact that he'd be close or that I know he's near would be enough. Not to mention that it would be in the COG's best interest if he were to train a contingent to secure Azura just in case if you couldn't respond to threats fast enough."

"That's an angle we could use to curb partiality." Hoffman then sighed. "You've been off the project for too long already and we have more than enough Gears to secure Azura at the moment. Having a squad set aside on Azura to protect it would benefit us. If I give you him, I expect zero excuses."

"As long as he's with me, you won't hear any." Baird grinned. "And about any personal bias that anyone could try to stick to you? If they or their partner haven't been through what we have, they can suck it."

"Not an argument that would go over well, but I see what you mean. You're a particular case. How soon can you two be ready to go?"

"We are." Marcus spoke for the first time.

Resigned, Hoffman nodded. "Okay. Last Raven leaves in an hour. I'll give you two a couple of days to adjust. It'll give me time to scrounge up the best Gears available for them to be trained and stationed at Azura."

"No more reports on me, right? I don't know how I like being a case-study. No, I do—I really don't like it."

"I won't be receiving any from Fenix, but I will be getting regular updates on you via the Maelstrom, Baird. Which reminds me, how is Levi doing?"

Shit.

He'd forgotten all about him. There was no way that he would return to mentor the little shit, not after what happened. Baird narrowed his eyes in suspicion at Hoffman's sudden interest. "Why?"

"Don't think that I don't know about your impromptu declaration. I don't want to know why unless if it's something that's against the COG. I'm letting Fenix go to Azura. You're still going to mentor Levi. Understood?"

So Levi had called after all.

Hoffman noticed how Baird was about to negate what he said. "Zero excuses. Or did you forget already?"

Baird exhaled heavily. Fuck it. No price was too high for his man.

"Yeah." He managed to ground out. Probably due to the hand on the small of his back. Baird gave him a two-finger cursory salute. "Nice doing business."

"Fenix."

"Don't need your permission." He growled out at Baird's side. It broke Hoffman's serious countenance into a smile.

They departed the CIC to be bathed in the last rays of light of dusk, Baird's favorite time of day. Heading towards Marcus' room, his heart was light. He had made amends to people who he was not afraid to state were important to him. He was going back to a job that he loved due to the every-day challenges he faced. Best of all, his man would be in bed with him when he slept.

He hadn't thought Marcus would go along with it to be honest. When he told him after lunch, he expected him to compose all of the reasons why it wouldn't work. Honestly, he didn't know why he had doubted the man. He simply listened to Baird only to say, "Then we should start packing."

"I didn't think that he'd buy it." Marcus broke through his reverie, one of the few welcome distractions that he happily engaged.

"I can be very persuasive." Baird intentionally brushed his hand along Marcus' thigh while on his way to run it through his hair.

"We're supposed to be subtle." His stiff tone told Baird all he needed.

"Kind of hard to be when all I have to do is look at you before I want to you pin me down."

"Goddamn it, Baird. You're the damn one who said it!"

He laughed. "It's me. Like I could keep my hands off you." Seeing Marcus getting on his radio, he added, "You should let them know to meet us at the Helipad now. I've already put our things on the Raven."

Marcus slowed, attentive eyes on Baird. The blond stepped in front of him. Neither paid attention to the Gears heading home or beginning their shifts. "I couldn't wait to have you all to myself."

"When?"

"You really have to ask, genius?" He smirked fondly, backing away and heading towards the Helipad. When he looked back, he saw that Marcus had stopped, gazing him at him with lust.

Oh yeah, he knew. Baird had nearly succumbed himself. Tiring Marcus out with his body and convincing him to sleep had been a feat.


A couple of hours later…. Damon Baird's Room, Island of Azura:

"This can't be real." Baird chuckled then gasped as Marcus bit the nape of his neck. Marcus pressed him against the door of his—no, their—room, rubbing against him sensually. His fingers twisted in black locks tightly as he tried to free Marcus' cock. His own was being stroked lovingly by the man he pushed his hips against.

Only a short time ago, they had been surrounded by their friends to tell them that they would be going to Azura together. Questions had bombarded them from all sides.

When were they leaving? When would they come back? Is it permanent? Temporary? Would Marcus have to relinquish command of Delta? Would they both make sure to write?"

They answered what they could while luxuriating in the fact that they more than likely would not have to part from the other again. It was a joyous yet dismal situation: the two of them would not be around the others as usual. It would be like it once was. That did not dim the pure happiness that their comrades had for them.

Even Anya appeared genuinely ecstatic. Maybe because she'd have better access to Marcus on the lonely little island.

Whatever. He thought, succeeding in pulling Marcus' cock out, stroking the hot flesh in time with Marcus. Their lips locked and he moaned wantonly into his mouth. She's not important enough to think about.

They had embarked on the Raven, flown across rapidly darkening skies while immersing themselves in pleasant discourse, and arrived on Azura. It was all too surreal. He could scarcely dig up the memory of them laughing side by side with their luggage in tow.

And now, he finally was here.

If it was a dream, he didn't want to wake up. He permitted himself to indulge in what he had told himself he didn't deserve. Every good feeling that he had hidden away out of fear of It or the paranoid possibility that it would be taken away from him alighted within him.

Over the years, there had been only one constant that remained though his life had changed.

Only one rock that weathered the torrent of water consistently bashing against it, trying to tear it down.

Only one rose that defied the barren wasteland to grow though the wind wished to carry it away.

And Baird was not going to allow himself to expend anymore time or energy bickering with himself when that vigor could be put to much more enticing use.

A firm knock rapped on the door. Another disturbance trying to disallow him from entertaining himself with Marcus. Not going to happen.

"Ignore it." Baird recaptured Marcus' mouth as he tried to pull away. "It's late and they should have enough sense to know that I don't want to be disturbed."

"How the hell do they know you're here?" Marcus mumbled, stuffing their hard cocks back in their respective pants and zipping them up.

As the knock fell again, more insistent this time, Baird growled murderously. "I don't know. But they're going to get bitched out."

He tore the door open to glower viciously at Levi dressed in a white shirt and tan chinos. It deepened as the young blond sneered at him. Usually, his disheveled appearance—currently it being wild hair with clothes askew, swollen lips and raging hard-on—while wearing his don't fuck with me face made people turn on their heels and run. Levi had apparently become immune.

"What do you want?" The simmering fury in his voice was evident as he clenched the door frame.

"Chairman Hoffman contacted me to let me know that you are going to continue to be my mentor."

Because you snitched, you worthless piece of shit!

Baird had no idea why Levi didn't try to report him. His fingers had crossed for him to do it so he wouldn't have to deal with him again. Apparently, Baird's recent good luck was conditional. He narrowed his eyes.

"Pretty sure he contacted you before I even got on the Raven. And when he did, he told you I have a few days off which don't require being around you. Not to obviously add on that since he contacted you, it should have let you know that he told me before he called you. So, unless if you're here to continue being redundant, why the hell are you bothering me?"

"It'll be a joy working closely together."

Is this kid delusional? Baird felt himself anger taking control as he straightened, prepared to knock the shit out of him, damn the consequences.

The jeer on Levi's face was quickly swept away. Baird's brows raised in cautious curiosity, thinking that he had finally gotten through to him. Then he felt a warm frame press against his back.

Fuck. This was better.

He couldn't help it as shock shone on Levi's face: he scornfully grinned at him.

"Who's this?" Marcus' head was turned to him, but his cerulean eyes icily regarded the frightened blond. His rugged voice oozed danger for any who riled him. His hand gliding along his side meant to soothe and while the other held his waist, claiming Baird possessively.

"Levi Dullen. Remember him?"

A small laugh escaped the man behind him, his gaze moving onto his lover. If Levi didn't get the memo, Baird certainly did: Marcus had ascertained if there was any indication of peril and had found Levi severely lacking.

"Who?"

Ouch. He saw Levi wince. Snickering, he didn't think he could adore his man any more….

"The one with the letter." Baird played along, turning so he could show Marcus what he was feeling.

"Mmm." Marcus hummed against his lips as they touched. Baird's hand wandered to his neck to hold him as their lips separated, tongues dashing out to meet. He felt Marcus unzip teasingly and dropped his hand from the door to assist him. "Right. Cute."

It was stated in a depreciative tone.

"Unquestionably indecent." The outrage on Levi's face made Baird regard him with disdain. He had no right to be angry after what he had done and what he was doing now. He felt Marcus slip underneath his boxers to take hold of his length.

Marcus didn't even feel as if Levi was worth a look, but responded while rolling his body against Baird. "I didn't say you were." He stroked Baird so that he could watch his eyes roll back, his head against Marcus' shoulder.

"I was speaking of your offensive display."

Marcus assured that Levi's shimmering eyes were on his arctic ones. "So was your letter."

The door then shut with a resounding slam.

It jolted Baird, breaking him from his lusty thoughts. He gaped at the door as Marcus casually flicked the lock, then at Marcus.

"I love you so much." He sniggered as Marcus guided him back to the bed, dragging his cock from his pants once more. "Holy fuck, you don't even know."

"Wonder what that display's going to cost me." He whispered as Baird fell onto the cushioned sheets, scooting back as Marcus climbed on. Baird fell back onto the pillows as Marcus rested between his legs. "You're a bad influence."

"Got to keep you interested, babe." He sighed as Marcus' mouth closed over him. "I have an idea of how to get out of it if he tries anything."

The next words spoken were those that consisted of colorful curses intertwines with sultry moans.


For those who don't know, Kashkur is the country where Anvil Gate is located on the Mainland.

The Finale is next...which I've already written...lol. I actually wrote it first because it came to me and I had to write it down. :P