Title: Caesar Salad, Chapter 3

Dorian Red Gloria stood with his silk-clad arm around the smaller shoulders of the blond Caesar Gabriel as Major Klaus Heinz von dem Eberbach burst through the door, shouting,

"Get your perverted hands off that young man!"

Caesar was badly shaken, perhaps being young or just that he wasn't used to the Major's little fits of temper. He moved his body behind the Earl's lithe figure, hoping to find a small amount of shelter from the demonic and very Teutonic warrior who lurked in front of him.

Dorian, on the other hand, was well acquainted with the Major's eccentricities and homophobia. He stood his ground and, in his most polite voice, asked, "Why Major, have you come to join the party?" (at the moment, only Dorian knew to which party he referred)

Unfortunately, Iron Klaus immediately assumed the worst, bursting forth with, "Nein, you perversion of nature, I will not allow you to corrupt that young man."

As this "conversation" was going on, the younger blond was pulling himself together, as he realized that he did, indeed, know the Germanic juggernaut that had thundered forth. In a less than stellar voice, he asked, "You're . . . the N.A.T.O. officer aren't you . . . I mean the one who held me prisoner?"

No matter how wimpy the voice was, Klaus recognized the light in which that question had placed him. "Nein, Professor Gabriel, if you will remember, I did not hold you prisoner . . . I only asked you a few questions to determine what you remembered about certain events?"

The Earl of Gloria now re-entered the conversation. "I didn't realize, Major, that you were acquainted with my consultant."

The Teutonic N.A.T.O. officer glared at the thief as if to say, how dare you use the word consultant for what you are planning to do to that child. Dorian, however, gave the Major his most seductive and alluring smile which, somehow, caused the Germanic battering ram to completely forget his thoughts so that he stood there staring and not hitting or blasting away.

Finally, the Major gathered his thoughts together and replied, "Lord Gloria, I understand that there is to be a meeting of some important people here tomorrow evening. My agents A, B, and Z and I will be here to provide . . . protection for them."

Dorian's beautiful blue eyes opened wide. "Oh, but how gallant of you Major . . . and N.A.T.O., but it isn't really necessary; you see various British security organizations will be here to do that. I know MI 5, CI5 will be here. I forget all the numbers of the others."

"British, scheiß! Those idiots could not protect a pig sty! No, my agents, and I will be here to conduct surveillance on the good German . . . participants of this . . . party."

Dorian laughed melodiously. "Very well, Major, but would you mind calling the evening a gala. You make the word, party, sound like some political meeting or something."

Both men suddenly noticed the demeanour of Caesar Gabriel, who stood next to the Earl, but seemed to be trembling uncontrollably.

The older blond turned toward his guest. "Don't be upset by the Major, Professor Gabriel. He will just be doing his job. He doesn't realize that your . . . discussion of the famous Red Gloria art works will be the highlight of the evening. Honestly, he's still so immature, I had hoped that he would be less sensitive now.

Dorian looked at the Major, purring provocatively, "Major, could you wait a moment while I see to Professor Gabriel's needs?"

Once again the Major gave that glare which telegraphed his thoughts about what Dorian was going to do to meet those needs, but he only responded, "Ja."

The two blonds disappeared into the master bedroom where Dorian tucked the obviously overwhelmed Caesar into bed. Kissing him on the forehead, the Earl turned off the light after notifying Bonham that he would like breakfast for two.

As he closed the double doors, he noticed the tension in the slender build of the man he adored. Smiling brilliantly he walked towards the seething juggernaut, asking, "Now, Major, why don't you tell me why you are really here? I know that you care nothing for the Professor's reputation or body so please tell me, what brings N.A.T.O.'s finest to my door?"

For the slightest moment, Klaus hesitated then he replied, "I do not trust you, Eroica. You are having this GALA (the emphasis for effect was quite evident) so that you can steal valuables from the guests. You cannot fool me. I demand that you give up this idea."

Dorian threw back his glorious golden curls and laughed. "Oh Major, you do delight me so. It's no wonder that I love you."

"Do NOT say that. It is unbecoming and not true."

"Oh, so now you are going to tell me my feelings. Would it make you feel any better if I told you that I was madly in love with that boy in there?"

"Verdammt, you will not say that. It is ugly . . . you are not, are you, you pervert?"

Once again, Dorian released his melodious laughter. "Well, he is quite good looking, and I still owe him several more kisses."

"Was . . . was ist dies?"

Dorian smiled mysteriously, "Well, when one promises to give someone a thousand kisses, isn't it only right to keep that promise?"

Green eyes sparkled with anger and something else, previously unseen in the Major's eyes concern, but who was the concern for? "Lord Gloria, it is necessary for me to see personally the security arrangements for your . . . estate. I will leave you now so that my agents and I can see to this."

"Oh Major, you are so efficient; wouldn't you like some breakfast first?"

"I have already eaten, but perhaps some coffee."

At that propitious moment, Bonham arrived with breakfast. The two men sat down at the portable table. The atmosphere was not altogether friendly but neither was it hostile. Since the Major did not make frivolous conversation, it was also very quiet. Dorian enjoyed his full breakfast and after a few minutes of hesitation the Major did full justice to his as well.

Finally, the two men were ready to go about their business: one to see to security; the other to finish preparations for the next evening's festivities. Before they left each other, Dorian decided that now was an opportunity, not to be missed. Hopefully the Major's concern over Caesar's presence would provide an incentive.

"Major, I was just wondering where you and your agents were staying during this . . . surveillance? I mean, we are out here in the middle of nowhere, and I might need to contact you, between now and tomorrow evening."

For a second the handsome German face seemed to redden as if that thought had not occurred to him before. It was true, in fact. He and his team had been so rushed to get from Bonn to England that he had failed to take into consideration that they would need overnight accommodations.

"It is none of your business. I will leave a number at which I may be reached. That should be enough." That sounds good, but where are we to stay? One of those idiots who work for me, better have made arrangements.

Dorian read his Major perfectly. Rather than push the issue, he immediately assumed the appearance of being properly chastened. "Of course, Major. Now, if you would follow me, I'll alert the staff that you and your men will be conducting your usual thorough inspection of our security."

For the next several hours, Eberbach and his agents did exactly that, but it was totally unnecessary as the Major had known it would be. After all Eroica was the premier thief in Europe and maybe the world, he would hardly have faulty security.

Late in the afternoon, the two men met again. Teutonic understatement came to the fore, "Lord Gloria, it seems your security is adequate. I have received a list of those who will be attending the GALA. (emphasis noted) My agents and I will be here early tomorrow so that we can inspect all visitors and any incoming deliveries."

"Thank you, Major, but you really don't have to make it sound like a military operation."

Klaus' glare spoke volumes about the lack of humour in that remark. "Nevertheless, we shall be here early, but I see no need for you to deviate (he made the word sound like a perfect description of Dorian) from your normal routine."

Since this was the second time in less than a minute that his Major had remarked on an early appearance at the Red Gloria estate, Dorian hoped he had understood the correct message. Keeping his fingers crossed, the Earl of Gloria ventured on his own campaign,

"Hmmm, Major, since you and your agents will be here so early in the morning, wouldn't it be more efficient and practical (that's right, hit him where his heart lies) for the four of you to stay here this evening? There are plenty of rooms available, and I feel it is only right of me to offer you lodging since you are doing me this tremendous favour of watching over my guests."

For a moment, Klaus stood there pretending to be stunned. It was obvious that he was trying to analyze the reasons behind this offer, and the troubles that would occur as a result, but with as much grace as the Teutonic warrior could muster, he accepted for himself and his men.

"That is most . . . gracious of you, Lord Gloria. Two rooms would be adequate. We would not wish to make more complications for your staff."

Dorian's beautiful mouth made a slight moue as he considered the request. "Two rooms, but aren't there four of you?"

The handsome German's face immediately filled with consternation. "Ja, my agents do not need separate rooms; they can be housed together. I, of course, will need my own room since it is not right for a superior to sleep with his men." At that point, the Major's face reddened slightly as he realized the implications of his previous statement, but he said nothing.

"I see, Major. Unfortunately, none of the rooms are set up for three people, so if you don't mind, I will ask Bonham to prepare four bedrooms for you and your men. That way, each of you can come and go as you please. Is that all right?"

Klaus looked extremely miffed that his will was being tested but decided that he had lost this round, and that he might as well make the best of it. "Ja, Lord Gloria. Now, if you will excuse me; I will see to my luggage and meet with my men."

"Of course, Major. Once again, thank you for being here to safeguard my guests."

Dorian continued to stand, watching the lithe figure of the German Major as he walked across the room. This was working out much better than planned. With Caesar in the master bedroom and Dorian sleeping next door, that meant that the room next to Dorian would be available for the Major. The other three agents could have the rooms at the end of the hall. Caesar was a very heavy sleeper, and the master bedroom was heavily soundproofed. That would mean that any sounds coming from the adjoining rooms would never be heard.

Quickly, almost rubbing his hands in anticipation, Dorian Red Gloria, Earl of Gloria, rushed into the kitchen area to talk to Bonham about that night's "sleeping" arrangements.

End of Chapter 3