Chapter five.

Sorry for the delay reality just sucks!

Anyway on with the tale….and thanks for the reviews. Youre the best.

Jim watched as the horrific reality of Joels words crashed into his lover. He saw it slam into his core. He watched as it shuddered and creaked but it held true…for now.

He saw Blairs gaze shift from Joel to him for a mili-second, then down to the floor. As if he was frightened that that one glance would be enough for their friends to read his heart.

As he had.

Jim knew what his lover needed, but would never ask for. And he didnt know if he was strong enough to make that final leap.

Can I still be the same hard-assed rottwieler of our group and still claim his heart in front of them? What would they say, do? Would they still protect him if they knew?

He recognised that he couldnt protect Blair on his own, he..they needed their friends help. But Blairs inner self was under attack now and only Jims love could protect him from the deamons. So in the end there was no choice to make. The scales showed him the truth, and what he had to do.

And he was at peace with that.

Jim took a step closer to the tense frame and pulled Blair back into his embrace softly muttering yet again.

"its okay I have you…I have you…"

Simon watched Connor, Rafe and Browns expressions to Jims actions, getting ready to attend to any fallout that may occur.

After a few minites of reassuring his partner Jim looked up, wanting to know what he…what they would be dealing with in the future.

Connor smiled to her self, she knew that look very well. She had mentally dubbed it – the- lets- see- your- best- shot-dickhead-look. But this time she gleaned a trace of fear behind the bravado.

So she asked with an enourmous grin,. "So I guess you two are finally out, huh?"

"Took you long enough," Brown grumbles as he went into his wallet. "Heres the $50 Connor. Sheesh!"

jims stone face relaxed a little at their banter.And Blair lessened his death grip on Jims waist.

Jim threw a questioning look a Brown for an explaination.

H laughingly obliged. "Connor had this month picked in our little pool"

"POOL?" Blair squeaked from the safety of Jims chest.

"What you think were dumb or somethin ? its been running for over a year," H said with a wink.

Jim smiled at the gentle gibe, "No Im the dumb one," he said as he dropped a small kiss on the curls of Blairs head.

Im such a lucky bastard. I have Blair who by some devine fluke loves me. I mean really loves ME. And now my family are here accdepting me…us. Okay we still have this asshole to deal with but that's just everyday shit.

As he looked around the company he became aware of one bent head. The well trimmed head belonged to Rafe. Was he going to be a problem? Was he going to out them to the world?

"Rafe?" Jim quietly enquired putting a thousand questions in that one word. And tried to prepare himself for the various answers.

Blairs head popped up in surprise, but for once he stayed silent. Over the years he had built up quite a good relationship with the young detective and he really hoped that it would survive this announcement.

But Rafe had to be allowed to voice how he really felt.

Rafe didnt raise his head as he began to speak. His words quit and strained.

"When the pool started it was just a piece of fun, because I never ever thought that the two time Officer of the year would come out.

Jim winced but remained silent.

Finally Rafe raised his face and Megan let out a gasp at the sight.

His normally michievious green eyes were shing with unshed tears. While others rolled silently down his cheeks. He lifted his gaze to Jims as he spoke. "All I have to say is Congratulations…and thanks."

Jim released the breath he had been holding as he queired. "Thanks? I don't understand Rafe."

Rafe smiled sadly as he used the tissue that Megan pressed into his hand.

"I know that you dont…that's how good an actor Ive become over the years. But recently its been clawing at me. Lying to you all. Lying to the woman I date…it was all getting to be too much…I even wrote up my resignation letter…its in my desk at work.."

Brown looked devastated by this announcement.

"I thought we were friends as well as partners man. You couldnt tell me?"

"I wanted to H I swear…but I knew it wouldnt be fair. I wanted you to be able to deny all knowledge if I was outted. That way youd be protected…"

Brown read the turmoil in his partners eyes and soundly cursed the bigots who had put it there.

"After we catch this bum, you and I are going to have a very long talk about trust. Got it?"he growled.

Rafe nodded shakily just overjoyed that his friend was still that...his friend.

"Well I got to say guys I am feeling a bit ordainary over here, I don't have any big juciy relvalations to throw in the pot," Connor stated strait faced.

"Ordainary is not a term Ive heard in conjuction with you Connor," Jim put in. "Insane, reckless or just plain mad. But never ordainary."

"Why Jim that was almost a compliment," Megan gushed in reply, batting her long eyelashes at him.