A/N: WAHOO! chapter 6 is up and ready to roll...

xoxoxo

earthangel3- my what devotion! that's just great that you love it so much! i never thought this fic would get so much attention. i'm so grateful for your reviews!

kikvws- here's the update!

katastrophic88- thank you! i thought i had to put in something light before i dropped the bomb of JJ getting shot.

MoonstarSR- it's how i planned it in my mind too. :-) glad you reviewed! i hope you enjoy this chapter.

xoxoxo

Chapter 6:

"Ummm... huh? What was that again?"

Ted snorted in disbelief, "Drake, have you been paying attention to me at all?"

Drake put on his best what-do-you-think? look and yawned.

"Sheesh, now I know how Rose feels like," Ted commented, "Now, I'm going to start over again. Do you want to be part of the Halloween party or not?"

Drake, once again plastered the what-do-you-think? face on and stared distractedly into space.

"I know you don't want to, but I need more people!" Ted pleaded desperately.

"Look, Ted, I don't know how the hell you became Halloween party coordinator but, no I don't want a part in it, no I don't want to attend, and no I will not contribute to your fund," said Drake, annoyed. Ted had been bugging him the whole week to help out, but 'stubborn' just happened to be Drake's middle name.

"Aw, come on Drake! I got suckered into it and now I'm up shit creek without a paddle!" cried Ted.

"What happened?" Drake asked curiously.

"I agreed to take over for Janet," Ted blushed.

It took all of Drake's self control not to burst out laughing, "So... you took on the job just because she asked you?"

"Uh... well... she also kinda said that she'd go to dinner with me. But now, I think I STILL got the raw end of the deal," sighed Ted.

"You're hopeless," Drake said affectionately, "I would help, and you know I would, but I don't get any of that social occasion shit. That's up JJ's alley." Oh yeah, speaking of which, I have to go pick him up from the hospital this afternoon, after three weeks they're finally letting him out.

During those three weeks, Drake had been doing a lot of thinking. It seemed much easier to work through his problems with something to talk aloud to, like JJ's chocolate Labrador. As soon as Drake had picked up October from the vet's, he couldn't stop thinking out loud. On the car ride home, he spilled all his worries and apprehensions to the dog wagging her tail in the backseat. It just made him feel at ease once things were out in the open, even if he never got an answer.

No wonder why JJ loves her so much. She's the perfect psychiatrist. One that doesn't talk back, pin point your fixations, or charge you money.

JJ had said he missed her almost every time Drake visited him, which was rare until the last week or so. Drake had been subconsciously avoiding JJ until he could understand his feelings, and with JJ in the hospital, it wasn't that hard. He made up all sorts of excuses, too busy, too tired, had to take October for a walk, but they had all been a façade for Drake's uncertainty.

Okay, well I know I like JJ. But it's just as a friend right? I mean, close friends can really care for each other. Yeah, that makes sense. It's not like I'm attracted to JJ. If I were gay, I'd... you know... feel something if I were around him. And I don't. So, I'm not gay. I'm not gay. I'm not gay...Ack! Stop repeating it to yourself! Why are you so obsessed with proving that you're not homosexual! It's not that big of a deal! ARGGG!

Drake's body had been running on auto pilot most of JJ's absence too. He wasn't sleeping at all now, compared to sleeping very little earlier in the year. He didn't understand it at all. It wasn't like he didn't want to go to sleep. He would have loved to catch a substantial amount of z's, but every time his head hit the pillow he felt wide awake. I should really go see a doctor.

oOoOoOoOoOo

Drake took off work early to go and pick up his partner.

As he walked slowly down the hall, checking the room numbers for JJ's, he felt a wave of butterflies hit his stomach. You're just picking him up, dropping him off at his apartment, giving him back October, and that's it. Nothing special, nothing out of the ordinary. Just normal friend stuff...maybe the flowers were too much?

Drake was indeed, holding a dozen different colored tulips as he walked in to greet JJ. JJ was already in a wheel chair and looked eager to be free of the small, white room.

"Hi Drake! Oh man, you have no idea how good it is to see you!" smiled JJ as he wheeled closer to the door.

"Hey, JJ," Drake grinned back, "You ready to go?"

"Boy, am I ever. I can't stand the stench another day," JJ stopped before Drake, looking up wonderingly, "Who're the flowers for? Hot date tonight?"

Drake's face flushed over in a deep red color, "No... they're actually for you JJ." He held them out as JJ took them with both hands.

"Aw, they're beautiful Drake," he settled them across his lap, "That's so thoughtful. Thank you!"

At a loss for words, Drake simply pushed JJ towards the exit of the hospital. JJ didn't speak up, he was just glad that he would finally be going home. In reality, I think the stay was worse than the shot really. It was so dreadfully boring. Absolutely nothing to do and Drake didn't visit all that often. But I understand, he must have been real busy without me.

JJ rested his cheek in his hand as he slipped into deeper thought. Drake has been the only one to visit me since the robbery. How sad that I don't have any other people that care enough to drop by. I should really get out more often, but all I've wanted lately was to spend time with Drake. Drake, Drake, Drake! I can't seem to get him off my mind! I can't deny that I'm beginning to fall hard for him. Maybe it's just a rebound. That has to be it. Three months ago I couldn't stop glomping Dee and now I think I've got it bad for Drake? Yeah, it's a rebound.

"Careful, watch your head," cautioned Drake as JJ slid into the passenger side.

"I'll be all right, Drake," smirked JJ, buckling his seat belt "I've been getting into cars for years."

"Smart ass," Drake huffed as he started the car and pulled away.

JJ just couldn't resist, "Why thank you Drake. I think you have a smart ass too."

Oops, maybe I shouldn't tease him in the car, JJ thought as they swerved and almost hit a mailbox.

oOoOoOoOoOo

"Hey, Drake. Drake! DRAKE!" yelled JJ before he finally got his partner's attention.

"Uh, yeah?" murmured Drake as his head came off his desk.

"You are so out of it," scolded JJ, "I can't work with you if you're half dead. Did you not sleep again last night?"

"Yeah," Drake let his head fall onto the desk with a thump, "You've only been back on the job for two days, and you're already nagging me?"

JJ took a newspaper, rolled up it, and gently whacked Drake on the head, "I wouldn't be nagging you if you had actually done some work while I was away."

"Ow..." Drake mumbled was he rubbed his head, "That hurt JJ."

"What? Little ole' me?" JJ batted his eyes innocently.

Drake cursed incoherent threats under his breath.

"Come on Drake, you have to stay awake long enough for me to ask you out."

That woke Drake up in a hurry. He sat up, straight as a board, fight-or-flight written clearly all over his face, "What?!"

JJ laughed, "No, not like that. I mean to ask you out for your birthday. It's in a couple days right?"

"Maybe?" whimpered Drake.

"No, I remember you told me October the 16th. You wanna come over to celebrate? That is if you're not going anywhere, with anyone else I mean," JJ said. Crap! He's probably doing something already. With Dee or Ryo or somebody. Or with his own family, to name a few!

"Uh, sure. Yeah. Anything's better than getting wasted and passing out in a stranger's car like last year," replied Drake.

"I'm not going to ask."

"Wise choice."

"So my house, at like, six?" JJ asked hopefully.

This was beginning to sound more and more like a date to Drake and it was putting him on edge. He did want to spend his birthday with someone this year and JJ seemed willing enough, but were there other reasons for the invite? I wonder if JJ likes me or something...what if he does?! Drake, don't be a fool. If he did, he'd be trying to kiss you like he did with Dee. You're in the clear... I think...

"Okay."

oOoOoOoOoOo

It was around eleven o'clock at night on October the 16th. Drake was pacing his apartment, clenching his fists, breathing heavily, and cursing every time he turned to trudge in the opposite direction.

Holy Fuck! Holy Fuck! Holy Fuck! What the hell happened!? What THE FUCK HAPPENED! WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME! WHY, WHY, WHY!

A few hours earlier, Drake had arrived at JJ's apartment, dressed in a nice blue button down shirt and khakis. He really didn't know why he has decided to dress up a little, just that he knew JJ would wear something other than jeans and a t-shirt.

JJ had welcomed him graciously and asked for him to wait in the living room while he finished making dinner. Drake had done so, and in a little bit they were chatting casually over chicken and rice. Drake had never been so relaxed. Without even thinking about it, he had fallen into comfort mode, talking about work, goals, and hobbies as if he discussed these with JJ every night. There were no awkward moments or bare silences, just light banter as they cleaned their plates.

After dinner, Drake and JJ had settled on the couch to watch "Starsky and Hutch". Both of them appreciated the dry police humor and pointed out characteristics in the characters that reminded them of their fellow officers, particularly Dee. It had all been going so magically smooth until JJ laid his head on Drake's shoulder near the end.

It felt so good and being caught up in the moment, Drake followed suite and let his own head rest on JJ's. It would have been fine if that was it. It would have been okay if it stopped there. It would have been just peachy, if Drake had stood up, thanked JJ for the evening, and left.

But he didn't.

Instead, he had tilted JJ's head back and kissed him. The kiss was neither chaste nor innocent, but it was a full out, tongue melding, mind blowing, soul searching kiss. He had known that JJ was surprised by the way he had tensed up, but Drake's hormones were too far gone to care. Mindlessly, he and pushed JJ into the back of the couch, while wrapping his arms around his lean waist, enjoying the feel of soft lips on his. By this time, JJ had gotten over his initial reaction and met his kiss with equal force. His hands clasped together behind Drake's neck and he moaned loudly with abandon. Drake didn't so much hear the moan, but he felt it through his tongue, which had made its way into JJ's mouth. The vibrations caused Drake to shiver as he caressed the roof of his partner's mouth. When JJ took the initiative to break the kiss and suck greedily at Drake's neck after an intake of air. Drake regained his senses.

Eyes shot open as he flung himself backwards, falling ungracefully to the floor. His eyes were unblinking with shock, while he panted. Screw the inhibitions, Drake had definitely felt the tightening of his jeans, which scared him to no end.

The door! He had to escape! Drake picked himself up and ran. Ran to the car, ran to the apartment, ran up the stairs, and ran through his own door. That's where he was now, plodding a dent into the floor as he paced back and forth.

No way! Why did I do that?! Why did it have to feel good? Fuck that, it was great, but it was a guy! JJ! WRONG! I'll never be able to face him again! Plus, I got turned on! Oh God! I've never been that horny from just a kiss before! This is not happening. I must be dreaming!

Oh yeah, I haven't slept in forever.

A/N: OOOO! Things finally heat up! I suck at writing kissing scenes but try and use your imagination to pretend it was good.

Please write me a review! You never know, I may update faster for it!