Chapter 2
He woke up feeling happy. Happiness wasn't something that he was used to yet. Then he felt someone next to him. He looked down and David was still sleeping with his head resting on his chest. This felt so amazing to know that he could actually have the man that he loved in his arms. Now he just had to decide what they were going to do now. The director wanted an answer this morning. What was he going to do. He knew that him retiring would be best for David. He just didn't know what he was going to do now. He could always go back to school. He hadn't done anything else in so long. He could do private security, maybe. Although he wasn't sure what he wanted to do he did know he wanted to make sure David was safe. That he wouldn't be blamed for what happened between them.
Then, he felt lips on his chest. He smiled and looked down. David had woken up.
"You keep that up and we'll never get out of bed today."
"Like that's a bad idea. I couldn't help myself. Besides, I had to get you back out of your daydream some how. What are you thinking about so early?"
"David, I'm going to resign. I'm going to let you take over the team. That way you can keep your job and I'll figure something out."
"Wait, Don, you can't. You love what you do and you're good at it. I can't let you resign. There has to be something else. I can switch to another team. I can't let you resign."
"Look, I've tried to think of other options but if I stay on then we'll both be punished."
"I am guilty of falling in love with my boss. I can handle any punishment for that. Especially since now I get to come home to him everyday. "
"David, God I love you so much. I just hate to think that this is all my fault. I mean, I could have sent you to another team before we got involved but I just wanted to be able to keep an eye on you. I had to know that you were safe at all times. I just needed to be able to see you. I was afraid something would happen to you if I wasn't there to watch out for you."
"Don, I know this is going to get bad but I want you to know that I'm here. You aren't alone and you didn't do this alone. I do believe I actively participated. Quite willingly I might add too. Whatever happens it happens to both of us. You aren't going to be my martyr. I actively participated and if we're to be punished then I should be punished too."
Then, Don's phone started ringing. Why did this day have to start already. Can't we just stay in bed all day and avoid this.
"Eppes, yes sir. We were actually just discussing our options. Yes sir, I don't understand. I thought… Ok, I'll see you then. Thank you sir. See you in an hour."
"Don, Don what's wrong? What did he say? Talk to me."
"David, it's over. Everything's fine. It's really over. Except I have to be in the Director's office in an hour so I better get dressed. You might like me without clothes on but I think that the director will prefer I wear clothes to the meeting and to work."
He leaned over and kissed me and then got out of bed. He looked back and smiled. A genuine smile. His gorgeous smile. He actually almost looked truly happy. I just wish I could freeze this moment for him. I just want him to always be happy but I had a feeling today was going to be anything but happy.
"Don, wait. What just happened. What did the director say? Talk to me man. I need to know. What's happening?"
"Apparently, he thought about it and realized that all he had was Robin's accusations. If I hadn't admitted to everything it would just be her word against ours. So he suggested that we continue to work together and within the next 6 months they will be creating a another team. He wants me to train you to have you ready to head up your own team. He said that apparently we can work together and no one was the wiser. So, he said if we can do that for 6 months then you will not be in my chain of command and we can do as we please. I don't know exactly what changed but I do like this option better than what I had in mind."
"Don, do you realize what this means. We don't have to move. We don't have to hide our relationship forever. Just 6 months and then I can tell the entire world that I'm with the greatest guy ever."
"Oh really, I thought I was with the greatest guy ever." He leaned over and kissed David. Then, he realized they had to tell the rest of the team. They couldn't keep this secret from them when other people knew. It wasn't fair to them. He knew the team might be shocked but he knew he could trust all of them.
"David, we have to tell the team. There's no way we can keep this from them. I love you and I think they will be ok with it. I just won't go on any raids or do any field work with you. I don't want to compromise you. I'll train you in the office and we'll work closely together but in the field I can't be there with you. I won't be able to think clearly. I want to keep you safe. We'll talk with Nikki, Liz, and Colby and explain everything to them. They can keep quiet for 6 months. Right? We can do this, right? We can be happy together."
"Most definitely. Do you want to go in together or should we show up separately?"
"Together. I'm definitely not ready to be away from you yet. At least it's Friday. If no big case comes in we'll actually have a weekend off. A weekend to be together."
"Have I mentioned that I have the greatest boss ever. I think I'll spend the weekend reminding him how wonderful he is."
"Is the day over yet? Let's head out. The sooner we leave the sooner we can come home."
The drive over was completely quiet. David was beginning to wonder if Don was having second thoughts. They pulled into the parking lot and he turned off the car but Don didn't get out right away.
"David, if you're having second thoughts just say so. I'll be fine if you're not ready for this. I get it you know. All this has happened so fast now. I don't want to pressure you into any of this. I mean it was just yesterday you were planning on moving to DC and Robin and I were engaged. Now, I have you and we're moving forward. I'll handle this however you want to. I just want you to be sure about this."
"Don, I was sitting here thinking you were having second thoughts. Are you sure about this? I am sure. I just want you to want this too. It's not just me here. We're in this together.""Yes, I am completely sure. I want everyone to know. I understand the Director not wanting us to say anything for 6 months. I just want you happy."
"Don, I am completely, 100% happy. Now I think you are almost late for your meeting. I'll get the others together and meet you in the war room. I would be in there with you if I thought it would help."
"I know. I think it's best if I go in by myself. I'll meet you in the war room. Don't freak everyone out too much. I'll be there shortly."
Thirty minutes later, Don walked off the elevator. He was a little nervous, not only coming out to his team but telling them that he was in love with a member of the team. He spotted David talking to the others and couldn't help but smile. He was getting everything he wanted and he could finally be happy. He just never anticipated what the cost would really be for his happiness.
"Ok guys, what's going on?"
"Hey boss, David gathered us together and won't tell us what's going on. He just said that you would be in shortly to make an announcement."
"Nikki, yes I have something to say but I have to make sure that all of you understand what is said in here has to stay in here. No exceptions."
Everyone agreed. Don locked eyes with David. He knew that this was the right decision. He turned and closed the blinds. Everyone exchanged looks. Hoping that this wasn't as bad as everyone feared.
"Ok guys, no freaking out. I just want privacy. Like I said what is said in this room must remain in this room. There's going to be some changes but not for about 6 months. Yesterday, Robin and I broke up. We're no longer getting married. She found out something about me that she couldn't handle. I don't blame her. I wish her the best."
"Don, come on what exactly is going on? Are you leaving?"
"No Liz, I'm getting there. I trust you guys. Ok, Robin found out that David and I have been dating. She then went and told the director. He gave us the option of continuing to work together for 6 more months at which time there will be a new Violent Crimes Unit started and David will head up that team or I could retire and David could keep his job. We decided to give it 6 months until we can come out to everyone. Colby, are you ok? You look a little funny.""Are you saying that you and David are gay?"
"Yes, Colby. Don and I have been together for a while and then when Robin came back we broke up. We just want to be happy. We hope you guys can understand that. The director didn't want us to say anything. He wants us to keep it quiet until the new unit is started and I'm no longer in Don's chain of command but we wanted to be honest with you guys." He reached over and grabbed Don's hand. "We wanted you guys to know the truth. We just hope that you can except this. Except us. The director doesn't know that we're telling you. He wanted us to be kept a secret."
"But, David and I couldn't lie to you guys. We wanted you to know the truth. I wont be going into the field with David. I'll be working with him in the office to make sure he is ready for his team but nothing in the field. We wont be putting ourselves in danger and we definitely wont put any of you in danger. If any of you have a problem with this let me know and we'll change something."
"Don, I just want to know if this is serious for you. You have a reputation around here and I don't want my partner hurt. I trust you with my back and I want to trust you not to hurt David. Can I trust that you wont hurt him?"
"Colby, yes, I'm serious. I've never been happier. I know all about my reputation. I just don't think I was ever with the right person. Sorry Liz. I just want this to work so much. I think it took the right person for me to be able to be happy."
"No problem Don. I know we weren't meant to be. I just want you happy. If that is David then that is great. It also explains a lot about why we didn't work out. I'm glad the two of you are happy. I for one don't have a problem with the two of you being together."
"Wait, wait guys. I always thought Colby and David were secretly seeing each other."
"Ha Ha Nikki, very funny. Don and I love each other. We want this to work. We just want you all to know and hopefully you guys can be happy for us and understand that this is what we want."
Everyone agreed and left. Leaving Don and David in the room alone. The first time they were alone since Don talked to the director. That is when David realized he and Don were still holding hands. He knew that felt really good to be able to hold his hand in public but David could tell something was still bothering Don. When he first got there he thought it was about telling the team that they were together. He almost stopped Don but now he was worried. If it wasn't about announcing them then what was really bothering Don. He just wished he knew how to get Don to talk to him.
"Don, what's wrong?""Nothing, just happy everything went fine. We have a lot of paperwork that has to be finished today. The director said he wasn't assigning any cases to us until Monday. He wanted us to have time to figure everything out before having to work on a case. I better get started on the paperwork. Oh, one more thing before we go out there and pretend we aren't sleeping together."
Then, Don leaned over and kissed me. It was the most amazing kiss in the world. He didn't want to stop but he knew they had to get to work. He also realized that Don would use anything including kissing to try to get his mind off of talking.
"Don, we still need to talk. Remember, you're my ride home. I plan to stay at your place and finish this tonight and all weekend."
"David, that's the best thing I've heard all day."
David knew he would have to be very creative to figure out a way to get Don to open up to him. All the options were running through his head. No wonder it was taking him all day to do these reports. His mind kept drifting to ways to get Don to actually talk to him. Not a bad way to spend the day. He just might have to implement some plans tonight and this weekend. The day couldn't go by quick enough.