Adam and Rocky 'discussing' their new relationship. It's a little wordy, but hey, I babble a lot. I've found some lovely little typos; like flesh room instead of wound in one chapter and using two different states for Adam's sister. If anyone sees any let me know, I'll change it.

Rock

Rocky rolled over in bed, searching for a presence no longer there. The sheets were cold and the room was empty. 'I can't believe he just left like that.' He had known that Adam was going to regret it. The man had changed so much in the last couple months, but to just sneak away, didn't he know how much that would hurt?

He got up and headed to the bathroom. He used the facilities and washed his hands and face quickly.

He felt it was silly to have rented a suite in a hotel when the wedding was in Angel Grove, but it was his parents wedding anniversary and all the kids had cleared out to let them have some time alone. He was supposed to have shared with his sister, Bridget, but she stayed with some friends instead. By then the hotel was packed and he couldn't downsize rooms. He smiled slightly, over the hurt. It was lucky Bridget had stayed elsewhere; he wouldn't have wanted to explain why Adam was giving him a blowjob. Which brought the feelings he was trying to ignore flooding back. It was 3 a.m. so it was too late to be calling Adam now. He could wait for a more dignified time, besides if he waited, he'd be less hurt and more pissed.

He knew that he wouldn't be able to sleep now, so he walked into the sitting room to find his briefcase. He flipped on the lights and had to stifle a scream. "Jesus Christ," he barked. Adam kept his face turned away. "I thought you had left." He walked around in front of Adam, startled to see him crying. "What's the matter?"

Adam scowled. "Nothing," he grumbled. "I'm just happy."

He sat up and held his hand out to Rocky and pulled him down onto the couch beside him. "I feel like a pussy." Rocky snorted. "I can count on one hand how many times I've cried since I was ten. Most of those times had been about you. It's ridiculous."

Rocky wiped the tears from Adam's face. "Not so much. I've cried several times over you myself. It's just because you mean so much too me."

They kissed slowly. They kept the heat down because now was the time to assess their relationship. Rocky drew back, breathing hard. "Talk now, play later," he mumbled.

"Uh, okay."

Rocky blushed. "I said that out loud? Sorry, I thought I was talking to myself."

Adam smiled at him. The man was so…sweet. Weird, but sweet. He was glad Rocky had woken up so they could figure out where they were headed.

"So, we're going to try and make this work?"

"I think we'd be stupid otherwise."

They sat there for a few minutes, both lost in thought. Finally, Rocky stirred. "Do you want to talk about what's been going on with you?"

"I knew the risk when I became a cop, but to actually be shot. It's hard to comprehend. There's pain and fear and it made me lose a piece of me that was integral to my being a cop comfortably. I know it's only been three months and I know it wasn't that bad. I mean, in the last ten years, you know how many Angel Grove cops have been shot? Three. One died and one is still on the job. I've talked to the department shrink and I've talked to Mike. He said sometimes he's still scared, but being a cop is his life. I don't think I'm cut out for it."

Rocky squeezed his hand. "I'm quitting." The words were stark.

"Have you decided what you're going to do?

"I'm thinking of law school. I've been admitted to two different ones. The one in Greensboro and the other…in New Mexico where Jenny lives.

His hand twitched in Adam's, but otherwise he didn't react. He kept his voice neutral. "Have you decided which one you're going to?"

He held his breath, hoping that Adam would choose the one that kept him here; but knowing that he loved Adam enough to let him go if that's what he needed.

"Where do you think I'm going?" Adam asked dryly.

"I told you I loved you and you love me back. It's one of the things that I've always wanted. I'm not moving hundreds of miles away, not when I finally have you." He hesitated. "That is, if you want me," he said quietly.

Rocky laughed. "Of course I want you. I've wanted you forever." He leaned forward, capturing Adam's lips in a searing kiss. When they drew apart, they both breathless.

"What are you going to do for a job while you're going to school?"

"I haven't decided yet. I'm not starting school until the fall, so I have time to decide."

"Well, if you want a job at my dojo, I'm always looking for good instructors. I can't pay much and the hours aren't the best, but just let me know."

"Thanks for the offer." He stroked Rocky's chest.

"I feel guilty about waiting so long…" Rocky mumbled.

"Even though it bothered me, I'm glad you made us wait. We both needed to grow up. I used to get so jealous whenever I'd hear about your dates." He smiled. "I was going to tell you before I left, that I couldn't just be your friend anymore; it was all or nothing. Stupid, huh?" He continued. "I'm glad that it didn't come down to that. I would have died without your friendship." His grin became playful. "Besides you're my …rock."

Rocky groaned. "That is so cheesy. But I know what you mean. After you got shot, it's what made me realize I had to say something. You could have died and you never would have known that I loved you."

Adam frowned. "Talk about déjà vu. I had a …Did you tell me that in the hospital?" While I was asleep?"

"Yeah, you heard me?"

"I thought it was a dream."

"No, it wasn't a dream." He paused. "Are we going to tell our family and friends about us? I mean, Aisha told me it was about time that I did something."

"We'll have to tell them sometime; I have to admit that part of me wants to keep it to ourselves for awhile. My parents know about me and they know that I love you. I told them after, well, after I got all freaked out about asking you to hold me. And Tanya knows."

"I thought you two dated?"

"No. She told me after she came that she knew, something about the way I looked at you. I helped her fit in because she had come from Africa and didn't know anybody, honestly, we became close because Tommy and Kat were together and you and I weren't hanging out as much."

"Is that why she tore into me one day? Right before I left, she started ranting at me in some language. I never did get what it was or what it was about."

Adam sighed. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me any. Did you know she's clairvoyant?" He waited until Rocky shook his head. "Yeah, she told me that there would be a resolution about us in ten years and she was right."

"She didn't tell you what the answer was going to be?"

"No. Well, how about we'll tell our friends when we think the time is right. I don't think any of our friends are homophobes, but you never know."

"Deal." Rocky stood up and pulled Adam to his feet. "I think we should go back to bed. We can go to sleep or…I can make you scream."

"Big ego, but I'm going to hold you to it though." Their mingled laughter drifted out of the room long after they headed to bed.