Fandom:	Houston Knights
Series:	Alternate Universe/ Made Man
Rating:	NC17
Pairing:	Joe/Levon
Archive:	Starwinder's
Title:	All a Flame Can Do Is Burn
Author:	Starwinder
e-mail:	starwinder2of7@gmail.com
Standard Disclaimer: Houston Knights belongs to Jay Bernstein and Michael Butler and Columbia Pictures. No copyright infringement is intended. This is fan fiction, written out of love for the shows. I am making no money off this. I have no money so please don't sue me. Any original characters who may appear in these stories are the property of the author.

We pull into the warehouse where the deal is going down. Andrew parks the limo at the opposite end from where Valdez, the Houston dealer, has his car and men. Uncle Mikey loaned me to Mario for tonight but I'm not sure he was aware that Mario is dealing drugs. Uncle Mikey won't touch that stuff. He's way too smart. Laundries money through the businesses but no body will ever prove it. Mario on the other hand can be real dumb sometimes. Showing up in person to hand over the money to this guy is just that-- dumb.

We get out. I'm following Mario, watching everybody. At least I'm trying until I see the cowboy. Blonde hair, brown eyes. It's a killer combo.

Our eyes meet for just a second. Then mine drop lower. He's wearing the tightest jeans I've ever seen. They can't hide his erection. Suddenly I want to walk over and ask him, 'Is that for me?'

But I've got a job to do. Better keep my mind on business. I drop back and to the side, where I can cover Mario.

It's going well. Larry's testing the stuff. Gives Mario the nod. Mario signals for the money. Benny brings it up.

Valdez takes a quick look to make sure it's all there. Hands it off to the cowboy. That draws my eyes back him. Not that I've ever really took my eyes off him. He takes a deep breath as he accepts the case and reaches toward a pocket with his other hand. My gut instinct kicks in. Cop! He's a cop!

Before he can speak all hell breaks loose. Sirens are screaming, police cars swoop in blocking both ends of the warehouse. Somebody's on a bullhorn yelling for everybody to throw down their weapons and come out. Naturally no body does. As the bullets start to fly, I grab Mario and head for the emergency exit. He owns the warehouse. Of course no one will ever be able to prove that.

We duck into the store room and Mario starts down the manhole. It's fixed so it can be locked behind us when we leave. I came by earlier and unlocked and uncovered it so it'd be ready for a quick exit if necessary.

I hear a noise and turn to cover the door. I can see the shadow of a cowboy hat on the floor. Somehow I know it's him. He follows his gun around the door frame.

He's pointing his gun right at me. I don't know why he doesn't shoot.

I look straight into his eyes, smile and holster my gun. Turning my back, I step over to the manhole. I find the first rung on the ladder and follow Mario down into the sewer system, expecting every second to be shot. Reaching back, I pull the cover over the manhole. I slide the lock bar through the slot on the cover and lock it down. He can't follow us. I head off after Mario.

I hate the smell down here but my heart is singing. He could have took me out. He could have shot me. He could have, but he didn't.

So, maybe it was for me!

The End