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Markham: You would. If you only had a brain…??

Long: ????

Logan: Where's the damn block this number on these phones?

Markham: Doesn't matter. I'll just interrogate sarge. He'll cave. Guy's gone soft in retirement.

Long: That's not what I heard last night

Logan: ????

Logan: Don't text and drive. See you soon.

Logan set the phone on the counter and checked the surroundings again. He wanted to make sure everything was in order for Sarge and Markham. Both of them had said they were bringing their significant other. Logan wasn't sure how to feel about that. He was nervous enough, having to face his former teammates for the first time after the attack. Now he had to adhere to a layer of social niceties. But since Long and Markham agreed to meet him at the apartment and where he and Clay lived, he supposed it was only fair. Logan was curious to find out more about sarge now living on the east coast. Maybe whoever he was dating came from this side of the country? Love would explain the decision for a major relocation. Logan still wasn't sure where Markham lived. The man had been cagey as hell and every time they brought it up in conversation, he'd change the topic. But Markham also had a wicked case of ADHD, so talking to him was often like following a pinball ricochet around a playing field. Logan had lost count of the number of times new topics got introduced mid conversation over the years.

"Logan. Look at me."

He turned to face Clay and crossed his arms.

"It's going to be fine. You've been talking to them for the past month. You know they're eager to see you. The place looks fantastic. Cleanest since the day I moved in. You practically scrubbed off the finish from the floors and cabinets. We have snacks and drinks. Don't think I didn't see you Googling conversation topics in bed last night. Besides, if things really go south, we'll just slip one of your benzos into their beverage. I'll call up a buddy at the station, and we'll dump them out in Roxbury."

Logan snickered, then shook out the tension from his body. He crossed the floor and wrapped his arms around Clay. "You are the best."

"I know. Now kiss me."

He rested his lips against his boyfriend's forehead.

"That's not the kind of kiss I was thinking about."

Logan smiled. Clay was in a teasing mood. It had taken several weeks for his man to regain full strength in body and spirit after being shot. But they were solidly on track again. Logan had urged Clay to schedule a few sessions with Matt, in addition to the department mandated therapy, and while resistant at first, Clay had later told him he was grateful for Logan's insistence.

He cupped Clay's cheek as their lips fixed together. Logan swore his heart had strapped itself into a shoot and lept into the sky. His soul screamed 'Wee!' as it twisted and turned, plummeting toward the earth. He knew he'd have the same feeling, no matter how many times their lips met. Logan poured every ounce of hunger and desire into his kiss. Clay tasted salty and sweet; he'd been nibbling on the snacks, and Logan devoured him. Clay responded in kind, and Logan moaned. He released Clay's face and gripped his arms, then roamed across his chest to where his ribs protected his recently healed lungs. As much as he wanted to take this into the bedroom or over the couch; Anthony and Eric would be there any minute. He pulled back and did his best to calm his body so he didn't open the door with a raging boner.

"I'm going to hold you to that promise later." Clay said.

Logan dashed into the kitchen to get a glass of cold water. He gulped the whole thing in four swallows. He turned on the faucet for a refill, but jumped when the strobe light in the kitchen flashed. With his processors on, he heard someone banging on the door most of the time. But for his safety and Clay's peace of mind, they'd invested in a comprehensive home aware system that used flashing strobes and pillow shakers for things like the smoke detector, doorbell, their landline, and even emergency broadcast alerts.

He put the glass down and peaked his head around the corner. Clay stood in the living room, holding out his hand.

Okay. You can do this.

Logan nodded and walked toward the front door. He gripped the nob, released a breath and pulled it open. Sarge and Markham stood there with stupid grins on their faces, and Logan felt a layer of anxiety fall off his shoulders.

"Hi."

"Well, are you going to let us in, or do we have to provide the secret password first?" Markham asked.

It was only the two of them. Maybe they changed their minds about bringing their better halves? Logan flung the door open and gestured for them to enter. As soon as his former teammates crossed the threshold, Logan found himself wrapped in his staff sergeant's arms.

"Goddamn I've missed you."

Logan returned the embrace and added a few firm back slaps. "Me too Sarge."

"Just Anthony now. I'm retired. Got out eight months ago. Sorry, it took us longer to get here. Traffic around here is insane."

"Yeah, there was a snail leading a protest. Very slow-moving cause. We had to yield."

Logan shook his head, same old Markham. "Next thing you'll tell me is that you stopped to watch a squirrel do yoga on a power line."