Chapter Sixty-nine: Selfish

Delko grabbed a soda from the fridge in the breakroom. The day was dragging on too long in his honest opinion. Processing the evidence was starting to really get to him, looking up at the clock every minute or so. Time passed much too slowly for his liking. He sat at the table feeling somewhat anxious, passing the can from hand to the other as he stared at the television. The news was always on but he couldn't bother to focus on the stories. All he wanted was for the end of shift to come so that he could return home. It wasn't lie he was getting anywhere anyway. He couldn't put the pieces together, either because he was distracted or because none of it was making sense to him.

He let out a sigh as Calleigh waltzed into the room. Despite everything going on around them she managed to keep an air of happiness around her, a breath of fresh air. He had to give it to her, she kept finding the silver lining in every one of the crimes. Even knowing that Speed's life could be in trouble again and all because of his dog. After grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge she settled at the table across from him, a smile on her face.

"You look really out of it," Calleigh told him. "Something on your mind?"

"I want to go home."

She looked at him with questioning eyes. "Don't tell me that you are losing your taste for the job. Having Speed….spiraling this way and that is hard enough to handle. I don't want you flipping out on me, too."

He smiled, his eyes sparkling. "Don't worry about that," he said. "I convinced Speed to stay at my house last night. When I left this morning he was still sleeping."

"'Bout damn time," muttered Ryan as he walked into the breakroom, his sudden appearance making both Calleigh and Delko jump. "I was beginning to wonder how much longer I would have to watch you two circle each other before-"

Calleigh's laughter interrupted his flow of words. At that precise moment Delko was sitting across the table from her, his cheeks a blazing shade of red as he blushed. Apparently the idea that others were thinking about his relationship with Speed was somewhat embarrassing to him. What he didn't realize was that everyone in the lab was waiting for the other shoe to drop. They knew how much Delko loved Speed and though he apparently didn't realize it himself, they saw that Speed felt much the same way. In fact, just earlier that day Calleigh had been speaking with Ryan about the other two men, brainstorming on ideas about how they could get the two to the next step. When she heard that Speed was sleeping at Delko's she thought for a fleeting moment that it had finally happened, then she noticed the blush coloring Delko's cheeks and realized that it was all a misunderstanding.

"Still too soon?" she said as Ryan joined them at the table.

He hung his head, averting his eyes. "I don't want to push."

"You need to make a move," suggested Ryan, popping the top on his can of soda.

"I already have," countered Delko. He couldn't believe that he was sitting in the breakroom getting relationship advice from his two friends. What a lucky guy he truly was in the end. Sure he went through hell and back again, nearly losing all the people he cared for the most but now he had them all back within his reach. Maybe that which he wanted with all of his heart waited right around the next corner.

Calleigh stood, placing her hand over his. "Maybe you should try again. He's had time to think…"

"I'd listen to her," said Ryan, also standing. "She definitely knows what she's talking about. Go for it, Delko. Show him. Make him see that you really mean what you're saying."

Slowly Delko nodded his head, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, maybe you guys are right, maybe it's time…"

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He fretted the entire drive home, anxious about what would happen when he reached his apartment. A small voice in his head kept uttering the same phrase over and over again; that Speed would have left at some point in the middle of the day. He absolutely refused to believe that and tried to keep his mood upbeat as he pulled into the parking lot. The idea of Speed being gone before he got the chance to show how he really felt was like learning about the death of his sister all over again. Despite the butterflies busily fluttering about in his stomach he knew that tonight he was going to make it clear to Speed. His actions might very well drive away the one man he truly loved but that wasn't going to stop him. He needed to once and for all if he was waiting for something that would never come to light. And if by chance Speed was never going to be his, well, then he would do his best to squish the feelings and accept Speed as a friend. If in the end friendship was all that remained on the table then so be it; he be the best damn friend Speed ever had.

Closing his eyes, steeling his spine, he gathered the last of his courage before slipping the key into the lock and breezing into the apartment. Mite greeted him the second he stepped over the threshold, tail wagging a mile a minute. He had to admit that he loved having the dog around, though technically he should have had the dog in his apartment. A few understanding words with the landlord cleared the way for Mite to stay a few days, no longer than a week. The building was strictly no dogs or cats. He gave Mite a loving pat on the head before placing his belongings on a table located near the door. From somewhere within the apartment he heard the sound of music, the setting low, further proof that Speed had stayed.

Unfortunately, Delko could feel his courage waning, the fear starting to get the best of him.

When Speed finally came out of the bedroom where he'd been looking for something in his suitcase he found Delko standing still as a statue. The appearance of his friend, who he had not heard come in, caught him off guard. "Delko?"

That one word was all it took to spur Delko into motion. Before he realized what was happening he found himself pressed back against the wall, Delko's lips pressed firmly against his. Much to his surprise he felt himself kissing back, a desire he'd been denying roaring to life. Suddenly all he wanted was to be loved, to have someone hold him and touch him in ways he hadn't experienced in such a long time. In seconds the kisses grew more heated, more passionate. A shocking sensation tore through Speed's body when he felt Delko's hands snake under his shirt, brushing against bare skin. Those hands felt like fire, burning him in a most satisfying way. He felt a stirring below the belt. So caught up in the moment that when their lips parted so that Delko could remove Speed's shirt the consequences never crossed his mind.

The article of clothing lay discarded on the floor.

Delko was letting his hands explore, passing gently over the scar on Speed's chest, brushing along his back, running them down Speed's arms. Something felt slightly off when he reached Speed's wrist, distracting him enough to break-up the kissing. He glanced at Speed's wrist to see the scar, now a dull shade of pink. He absently ran his thumb over the scar, turning his eyes toward Speed, the questions and sorrow clear on his face.

"Oh, Tim, why?"

Instead of answering Speed pushed him away, retrieving his shirt from the floor and heading out the door. Delko remained in place, more confused than ever.