A/N: How far are you willing to go for duty? And for love?

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Bryan looked at Flack with a blank expression that made the blue-eyed detective very uncomfortable.

"I'd never pegged you for a self-centered bastard, Flack" Bryan said after a long silence.

"I'm stuck in a case and I need your help… but I need to know if you still harbor any feelings for me before I do so."

"Why?"

"Because if you still do I'm out of that door right now… the case is important, but not enough to hurt you in any way…"

"Still wearing that shiny armor, huh?"

"Tarnished and bludgeoned more like it."

Bryan smiled and both men stayed silent, drinking their beers.

"So tell me about this case of yours…"

"You haven't answered my question."

"You haven't been paying attention, have you?"

Bryan got up to get them both another bottle of beer, leaving Flack alone to look around the apartment. Pictures of Bryan during their Academy days, some photos of his family and then, photos of another man adorned the walls and shelves. Flack took his time looking at these pictures; pictures where Bryan and this other man looked happy and, dared he say it? in love. He stopped at a framed photograph of them both, posing outside a hall of justice, holding out a piece of paper and their hands sporting wedding bands. And Flack felt happy and envious for his friend.

When Bryan returned, he handed Flack his drink and motioned towards the framed picture that had caught his attention. "Robert and I got married last year. We drove to Canada for that. We're hoping we'll be able to make it legal some day here in New York, but we're not holding our breaths…"

"Congratulations…"

"So… the case?"

Flack took a long swig of his beer and told Bryan everything he knew about the case so far.

"So… you're finally going gay?"

"Bryan…"

"Just kidding, Flack."

"I'm sorry, I'm just… I dunno, Bry, it just doesn't sit well with me…"

"Is it the gay angle or the whole case?"

"I'd be lying if I told you it was just the whole case. Vice has this tendency of screwing up things and Jess is feigning a confidence that she simply doesn't have and…"

"Jess?"

"Jess Angell? Homicide?"

"TK's baby sister? That Angell?"

"If by TK you mean TK Angell from Narc, yeah, that Angell"

"How does she come into all this mess?"

"She's playing our mistress"

"Sounds kinky. Why doesn't she like Vice?"

"I don't know for sure. She's worked with them before and she got burned bad."

"Well, I don't trust Vice either, and I haven't worked with them, so I can empathize."

"You know how that is, then…"

"And what do you need from me?"

Flack stalled a bit by taking another swig form his beer. It had seemed like a very simple and practical idea when he had had it at the locker room, but now that he was actually sitting there with Bryan…

"Gaston and his pals can teach me how to act gay and feminine and that's all fine and dandy, but that ain't gonna cut it when the things finally go down. Bottom line is, I'm supposed to be an experienced gay hooker and I haven't got the slightest clue as to how to go about… well… you know… hitting on a guy…"

There. He had said it. The thing that had been weighing on in his mind since he'd been given the assignment was now in the open with the only person he could discuss it openly with.

"And you want me to tell you what it's like?"

"No"

"No?"

"I want you to show me"

Bryan looked at Flack long and hard. He had known him for a long time, long enough to know that the sparkle of determination that shone in his eyes meant he was dead serious about it. Flack was anything but thorough, a characteristic that had also gotten him chosen when it came to undercover work, as he did his research and he played the part to perfection, down to the very minute detail.

"Are you serious?"

"Would I be here if I weren't?"

"What do you want to know?"

Flack hesitated for a moment. He had expected the question, but was uncertain as how to answer it.

"I know the mechanics. Pretty much like a straight relationship in most part. If forced, I don't think I'd have much problem kissing or touching Messer, or the Doc… even Adam. I know they have my back and I have theirs and the trust we have is enough to pull this off. But… can I pull it off with a perfect stranger? Will I manage to fake excitement for a man's touch?"

"If it's a stranger you want, I can recommend Ollie's Bar… the backrooms are highly educational…"

"I'm sorry Bry… I didn't mean to imply you're a stranger or that I don't trust you. It's just… fuck, how do I say this? I could "fake" kissing" Messer and it'd be okay, because he'd be faking it too, but the guys we're dealing with are expecting the real thing and I'm not sure I can deliver it…"

"And finding out if you can or cannot when you're already in front of them would be terrible timing, wouldn't it?"

"Exactly!"

"So you want to give it a test drive and see if you manage to sorta convince me?"

Flack took a moment to ponder the consequences before answering.

"Yes"

"You're fucking insane!"

"Is that a no?"

"Fuck, Don..."

Flack got up.

"It's okay, March. It probably was a stupid idea to begin with. You do understand I had to try with you first. Ollie's Bar, you said, right? The one a couple of blocks from Broadway?"

"Shut up and sit down. And don't even dare that slight smile of yours. You ain't that cute anymore. I'm a married man, Don. Coaching you feels a helluva lot like cheating"

The barely there smile vanished immediately.

"I'm sorry Bryan. I… I simply didn't think… God, I'm so stupid. I'm really sorry. Look, forget I said anything, okay?"

A hand waived away the apology.

"Don't mention it." Silence. "What's Plan B? And don't mention Ollie's again or I'll swear to God I'll break that cute lil jaw of yours…"

A half smile. "I dunno. I guess I could always register at a motel and call an escort service… and pray for the best…"

"Is this really necessary? I mean, really?" Concern.

"Of all the involved in the gig, I'm the only one that can actually pull this off. Pino and Hawkes have no undercover training, and neither does Ross… besides, I'd never forgive myself if something happened to that kid. Bartolucci is way too green, Gibbons doesn't quite give off a gay vibe and Danny… Danny's just too messed up lately for me to trust him…"

"What about the Angell kid? Can she pull up her share of the weight? Enough to cover up appearances?"

"Yes. She's capable. She's more than capable, but…"

"But?"

Silence.

"Flack? What is it that you're not telling me?" Understanding dawning. "Christ on a fucking crutch. All this is about her, isn't it? Isn't it?"

"She's my partner. I'm supposed to protect her. She expects me to have her back. What if the perp chooses me and I blow it and she ends up dead because of it? She's putting her ass on the line and I still don't' know if I'm gonna be able to deliver!"

Green eyes piercing blue ones.

"Same old Saint Donald…" muttered under breath. "Wait here. Don't you dare fucking move."

Bryan moved to the back of the apartment, leaving Flack sitting on the couch, uncertain as to what to do or what to expect. The other cop returned after a couple of minutes.

"I'll help you"

"But I thought you said…"

"Robert, God bless his loving soul, is okay with it"

"You told him?" Shock.

Shoulders shrugged. "We don't keep much secret between us"

"I don't know what to say…"

"Just say what you want me to teach you and say it quick before I change my mind. And for the love of God, don't even think about saying thank you or I'll kick your bony ass outta my place for good!"

Nervous smiles. Nervous silence. Fingers fiddling. A moment went by. An eternity. Such a simple request, yet such a big impact on both their lives.

"Oh, for Chrissakes!"

Bryan stood up and pulled Don up with him. His arms went up around him, his hands firmly holding his head, as his lips sought his. Flack was taken aback momentarily, but allowed himself to be lead. Not unpleasant, just… different. Different because he was used to softer lips nipping at his; different because he was used to taking the dominant role, whereas here he was passive recipient; the whole experience simple different… and comfortably pleasurable. He wondered if he'd feel the same kissing a man he hadn't known before and he guessed not. He wondered if the whole sex thing was more a matter of feelings and emotions and caring for the person than actually a difference between men and women. He wondered and enjoyed, and when Bryan's tongue sought his, he allowed it entrance.

The man could kiss, that much was true, and Flack felt his head grow dizzy and his groin grow tight. His arms that had hung limply by his side till then were now moving on their own accord, moving to surround Bryan, moving to bring him closer. His tongue now an active participant. His body responding to the stimuli. His mind at ease, comfortable. Comfortable Bryan, good old Bryan, Bryan whom he had trusted with his life when they had both been rookies. Comfortable, yet terribly arousing.

His body stiffened with rejection, however, when he felt Bryan's hand sliding down his chest. Flack tried to cover it, but wasn't quick enough or good enough at it, as the other man felt it. "Close your eyes," Bryan murmured, "and pretend I'm her". Flack didn't question who her was, or how Bryan knew just who her was, but did as told. Bryan's hand slow danced its way from his neck to his nipples to his abs to the slight bulge in his jeans. He stroked him once, twice and then gave him a light squeeze at the same time Bryan playfully bit Flack's lower lip.

Flack whimpered.

Time stood still.

Bryan gently pushed him away and took a couple of steps back, turning away from him. "I'm going for a smoke out there, if you wish to join me" he murmured, and left.

Flack stood in the middle of the room uncertain as to what had just happened. And he didn't feel like analyzing it at that moment. Or at any given moment in the near future. He climbed out to the fire escape stairs and silently took the cigarette that had equally silently been offered. He lit up and leaned against the wall, hiding in the shadows as effectively as the other man had done.

"Thought you had quit smoking"

"Though YOU had quit"

Night sounds filled the space between them.

"Bryan, I'm…"

"Don't say it"

"But I mean it"

"I know you do. That's enough. I don't want to hear you say you're sorry. I'm not."

"But…"

"No buts. Ten years ago I would have killed for that kiss Donnie. Funny thing is, it wasn't even half as good as I had expected it to be. Sorry to say, my friend, you're one sorry homo…"

"Bryan…"

"Call it quits, babe. You ain't gonna pull it off. You're too much of a manly man for it"

"I thought it wasn't that bad…"

"Actually it wasn't… if you're supposed to be calling the shots, which you weren't. Maybe I could teach you how to feel halfway comfortable touching and being touched by another man. Perhaps I might even be able to teach you how to give a half-decent head. But I can't teach you how to not-lead, Donnie. You simply don't have a submissive bone in your body."

"Fuck…"

"I don't' think you'd be willing to go that far… but if you were, you'd never be a bottom, babe. You were born to be tops, to lead, to have the upper hand. This ain't gonna work, no matter how much you try. I'm sorry Don."

"Is there anything…?"

"No. Trust me on this one. You're screwed. Maybe if you had more time. Like half a lifetime of time. But not in 2 days. It's simply not you…"

Another silence where one man wished he could read the other one's mind. The soft red light at the end of the cigarette flicked and described a beautiful arch as it started its way five floors down.

"Thanks anyway, Bry"

"Don't' mention it"

"Gotta go"

"What're you going to do now?"

Shoulder shrug that said nothing and yet said everything at the same time.

"Mind a word of advice here?"

"Sure"

"Tell her. And for the love of God, stay away from Ollie's Bar!"

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A/N: Thanks for the reviews and the comments thus far! Up next: photographs