This one is an unplanned story. I wrote it on the train on my way home. And it's really late now - hope it's not too dumb. Face and Murdock get dressed for a party. Internal dialogue between * and *.

Ten Ways to Tell Him

3.

"Now Murdock, I need you on your best behavior. If everything goes well, I get both the girl and the membership."

"Ok honey," Murdock shouted from inside the bathroom.

"I'm serious. This party is very important to me."

"I don't get it. If you're so worried about me screwing things up for you, why bring me? Own up, Face. Why do you need me?"

For a moment, Face faltered. He hadn't exactly told his best friend the truth about why he had to have him along. "Well . must there always be a reason Murdock? I just thought some fresh air and a nice party would do you good. I mean, we do things together all the time, don't we? You're my best pal."

"You know, I'm racking my brains in here and I'm having a hard time remembering the last time we did something together just because you thought it would be good for *me*."

"Now, that's not fair."

"It's always, 'Murdock sweetheart, I need you to be the date for my date's favorite gal pal, sister, aunt . or . or Murdock honey, I *really* need a chauffeur, or Murdock my bestest buddy, you're so crazy I'm sure all my phony artist friends would be impressed, or ."

'Alright I get it," Face interrupted, knowing very well that Murdock had a list long enough to last him a whole day. "I *thought* you enjoyed these outings, Murdock. You always have a great time."

"That's not the point." *Damn you Face, do you have to sound so hurt and make me feel bad?*

Face wondered why Murdock got so serious all of a sudden. He had been in a great mood all day since he sprung him out of the VA.

"Are you done putting on that tux yet? You've been in that bathroom for an awfully long time." Face glanced at the bathroom door as he tucked his shirt in. "You know I spared no expense on that one. You're going to look great in it."

"I'm having some trouble with the bow tie."

"Well you're gonna have to come out of there for me to help you."

A few seconds later, Murdock finally stepped out of the bathroom, still struggling with his tie. Seeing that, Face quickly reached over and brushed his hands away gently. "Let me."

While Face worked on Murdock's tie, he couldn't help but let a little smile escape. He didn't know why, but he was enjoying this too much.

"What."

"Nothing."

"There's something you're not telling me. Don't think I didn't catch that evil grin."

"You're getting too paranoid for your own good. You should see Dr. Richter about it." *It was a nice moment, I felt good, and I smiled. Give me a break, Murdock.*

"There, all done." When Face was finished, he gave the tie a pat and went back to the closet to pull out another dress shirt. "Chin up, Murdock. That pout looks cute and all but it's not going to win you any hearts."

"I thought you already decided on that shirt you're wearing. How many shirts are you going to have to try?"

"It wasn't very comfortable," Face shrugged.

Murdock was about to put on his vest when his breath caught at the sight of an unclad Face. His breath always caught, much to his absolute dismay, no matter how many times he saw Face's fine-looking torso. When he realized he had stopped moving and was in fact staring, he quickly recovered himself, hoping Face did not notice. Face had on another outfit by then.

"I like this one. It's nice," Murdock offered.

"Why thank you, Murdock." Face checked himself in the mirror and looked pleased. "What do you know, you have some taste after all."

Face turned to look at his friend, expecting an indignant retort to his jibe, but was disappointed to be greeted by a still solemn Murdock. Now he was really starting to feel awful about the reason he needed him at the party.

"Here let me help you." Face moved to help Murdock put on his tuxedo jacket when he saw how that piece of garment was fast becoming a minor disaster at his not-so-gentle hands.

"Right arm." Murdock rather gladly obliged and extended his right arm.

"Now left." Face liked doing this. It felt right.

"You'd make someone a pretty good wife yourself too," Murdock teased. Face had said the exact same thing to him once at Cup a Joe when Murdock was showing off his culinary skills. He knew face was only kidding but some dumb part of him wanted those words to mean something so much it tried to convince him to say some dumb things back, like 'Only if that someone was you'. So there was this little war inside his head and fortunately, the sensible part won. He still said something dumb anyway, like 'where's my paprika,' but at least it was "crazy foo' Murdock" dumb, and not "love foo' Murdock" dumb. He wondered sometimes if Face suspected anything. That war in his head had to have lasted a good few seconds.

*Only if that someone was you.* Face was finished putting the jacket on Murdock and was just now smoothing out the creases on the front when he was struck dumb by his own thought. He allowed his hands to linger on Murdock's chest while strangely aware of his nearness. Face felt peculiar as all his senses was seemingly heightened. He could smell Murdock's shampoo and aftershave, feel the heat radiating from his body and hear his soft breathing. He felt as though his hands were burning a hole right through the fabric. He found himself mesmerized by the beating of Murdock's heart beneath his hands. It was almost magical to him. This felt too much like a dream. The air was too charged, his mind wasn't working right, and he couldn't move - not his hands, not his legs. And his best friend looked too handsome.

*This has to be a dream. Nothing makes sense and you get crazy ideas when you dream. Snap out of it, Face.*

Through sheer force of will, Face removed his hands from Murdock's chest and stepped away to retrieve his vest. He knew he should say something to break the awkward silence but he did not trust his own voice. He was embarrassed and wondered how he had looked to Murdock. Could Murdock tell what he was thinking? After that display, Face wouldn't be surprised if he could.

"How do I look?" It was Murdock who spoke first. Face's back was to him but Murdock could feel something was wrong. He was worried that he might have upset his friend. He had gazed into Face's eyes for a moment too long when he was straightening his jacket. He could have sensed his feelings. *Stupid, stupid. What did I do that for?* Murdock wanted to kick himself real hard.

Responding to Murdock, Face turned and for the first time in his life, actually felt his heart missed a beat or two. He hadn't noticed it before when he was putting it on for him, but that tuxedo looked spectacular on Murdock. He was perfect.

"You look gorgeous," Face whispered before he could stop himself. Face groaned inwardly. That did not come out right. Or rather, it came out *too* right.

Face watched apprehensively as Murdock stepped closer as though to say something, but he eventually stopped himself.

"I know." Murdock smiled. "You don't look too bad yourself."

*Has Murdock always had such a beautiful smile?*

"Uh . listen Murdock, I wasn't completely honest with you about the party tonight."

"Shoot."

"I needed you to be someone's date."

"You mean 'need'. You still need me don't you?" Face seemed ready to cry and that surprised Murdock. "Relax, Facey-guy, I'm not about to kill you. Who is she? Kelly's sister?"

"Uh . no."

"A girlfriend?"

Face shook his head.

"Don't tell me it's her mum."

"Her brother actually." Face finally came clean. He felt irrationally exposed as though just by talking about someone gay, Murdock could figure out his newfound feelings for him.

"You told her I was gay?" Murdock was ready to laugh.

"I'm sorry, Murdock. It's just . he just broke up with someone and Kelly thought it would be good for him to get out of the house. She was so worried ."

"I'll go," Murdock sighed. Male date, female date, it really wasn't much of a difference to him. It had always been all about Face anyway. Besides, he'd never have the heart to disappoint Face.

"You will?"

"Yes. Now pick a jacket and we can get going before I change my mind."

Face was conflicted. He wasn't sure how well he would take seeing Murdock on a date with another man now, after what just happened. *What* exactly just happened anyway? Face considered the question for a moment and realised that the feelings he had for Murdock weren't new. They were just old feelings he'd always had stripped naked that was all. No more pretenses, no more excuses. *So I'm in love with Murdock now?* Face was stunned but at the same time excited about the possibilities.

"C'mon Face, you don't want to keep our dates waiting."

"Murdock, you don't have to go. *Really*."

"No Face, I'm looking forward to it." Murdock seemed to be back to his old chipper self. "It'd be fun."

"I'll just make up an excuse for you. I'm sure Kelly would understand ."

"Face, Face," Murdock interrupted before Face could continue. "It's not a big deal. I'm gay."

He had kept it from Face for so long only because he knew that if Face knew, his feelings for him would become obvious, and their friendship would suffer. Murdock didn't plan on telling Face, but at that moment, the exact thought running through his mind was, "Oh, what the hell". For one second, it felt like the thing to do. *So this is it. The big revelation. Not what I always imagined. They didn't call you crazy for nothing, you impulsive fool.*

" . and Michael's a great guy, I'm sure ." Face stopped short then. Murdock's words finally registered. "You're gay?"

"Yes."

"Seriously?"

Murdock put on his best serious-serious face, as opposed to his pretend- serious face, and nodded.

"Oh." A beat. "OH." Another longer beat. "That's good. Uh . it's nice. Thanks for telling me."

"Now can we go?"

*Oh, what the hell. Just tell him.* "Only if you would be my date."