Fandom:	Houston Knights
Series:	Alternate Univeses
Rating:	NC-17
Pairing:	Joe/Levon
Archive:	Starwinder's
Title:	Homecoming 2: A Place to Call Our Own
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 that may appear in these stories are the property of the author.

Joe stood on the porch of Lundy's house while his partner said goodbye and thanks again to Aaron Little Hat. He felt disoriented... disconnected. He'd just returned from Chicago but he had nothing to unpack. Almost everything that he'd packed to take with him was still in Alaska with Rio. Which reminded him, he hadn't called Rio and let him know that he could come home, that they were out of his apartment.

He sighed. Leaving Chicago again had been difficult. Angie was still in the hospital, doing much better, expected to make a full recovery now and surrounded by family, still he'd hated to leave. She was all he had left.

Which brought him around to glum thoughts of everyone he'd lost. First his dad, so long ago that he was just a vague memory. Uncle Mikey had filled that void and filled it well, still he wished he'd had a chance to know his father better. Antonio LaFiamma. Big Tony. Tony the Tank. Ex-soldier, ex-pro-boxer, ex-strong-arm man for the mob. He'd left it all behind when he'd married Joe's mom.

He couldn't help smiling at that. Talk about an odd couple! Yet they'd had a good life... a good marriage. Tony had been fifteen years older than Leonie Maria Bellarosa when they'd met. He'd been a Sergeant in the army, fighting in Korea. She'd been a young, novice nun working in a Catholic orphanage. He'd risked the wrath of his CO and a possible court-martial to help her and the other nuns get the orphans to safety when the North Korean army had overrun the area. They'd fallen in love and she'd never taken her final vows. When Tony mustered out they'd married and returned to Chicago. They'd had a little over fifteen years together before Tony was killed in an accident... when Joe had been ten.

Lundy's hand lightly touching his back interrupted his thoughts, "You all right, Joe?" He had sensed the sadness come over Joe and had finished up his goodbyes to Aaron quickly and joined Joe on the porch, hoping to head off a full-blown depression in his partner.

Joe turned and smiled at him, wanly. "I'll be okay. Just tired I guess."

"Ya sure?"

"Yeah... I feel a little... disjointed I guess you could call it... like things are just not quite right but... I suppose it's just disconnecting from the family again."

Lundy had opened the door and they'd gone in while they were talking. Now he turned back to step close to Joe, resting his hands on Joe's hips. "How about we do a little... connecting," he suggested with a sexy grin.

Joe's grin and the kiss he leaned in for was all the answer that Levon needed.

_____________________________________________________________

Joe snuggled closer to his lover, dozing lightly. Their lovemaking had been slow and sweet, completely unhurried. For once they hadn't had anything on their minds but each other and their love. The lost, disconnected feeling that had washed over him on the porch had faded as they kissed and cuddled... and after they had made love, the connection between them seemed stronger and deeper.

Levon rolled over off his back to face Joe, a smile on his sleeping face. One hand stroked Joe's arm, a light touch, as if even in sleep, Levon knew that he needed that touch.

Joe sighed contentedly and drifted deeper into sleep. It felt so good to be here with Levon. He never wanted to leave.

______________________________________________________________

It was Fooler, stomping and whuffling outside the window that woke them.

Levon rolled over on his back and sighed, "Reckon I better go tend her. Shoulda done it when I got in."

Joe chuckled suddenly.

"What?" Levon demanded, at the sudden burst of amusement he felt rolling off Joe.

"I got a horse jealous of me!" Joe continued to giggle. "I've made guys jealous, I've made women jealous, but this is the first time I ever made a horse jealous!"

"Boy, you have got a weird sense of humor!" Levon grinned.

"Yeah, well... you better get on up and go 'tend her'... whatever that means."

"It means, let her know that I'm home, give her some water, and a little feed. Bailey, next door has probably already done most of the tending but since I'm here, she expects me to come say hello at least."

"Better not keep her waiting any longer then. She's liable to climb though that window and come and get you!" Joe was still laughing quietly.

Levon kissed him then rolled away and got up, finding his jeans and pulling them on.

Joe lay on the bed and watched him.

"Ya just gonna lay there?"

"Yep. Ain't me she wants."

Lundy shook his head and sat back down on the edge of the bed to pull on his boots. As he headed out the door, he thought, at least he seems ta be in a better mood. He wuz getting way too sad feeling.

As he scratched Fooler's chin then checked on her food and water, he thought about that. It was kind of nice to be able to know what Joe was feeling. Before this connection thing had formed between them, he'd had a real problem with some of Joe's moods. The Italian was so volatile, could go from one mood to another so fast, seemingly without a breath between but now that he could sense Joe's emotions, he was aware that there actually were steps between. They just came so fast as Joe's quicksilver mind slipped from one set of thoughts to another that it had seemed that there was no connection.

Standing on the porch Joe'd gone through a variety of emotions before the sadness had settled down on him. Mostly just tiredness, then a touch of worry. Joe seemed to always have a touch of worry in his mind. Followed by a flash of amusement then the sadness had come on the heels of that. [Hummm. Maybe I oughta try an' find out what that tad of worry's about. Don't seem reasonable that he'd be worried alla the time.]

As he finished up and headed back to the house, he realized that Joe had gotten up, was in the kitchen. He seemed content enough... but still there was that tad of worry.

He came in through the back, making it seem natural that he'd run into Joe in the kitchen. He grinned at his partner, "Didn't think you was gonna get up."

Joe shrugged, "I thought I'd fix some supper but you ain't got nothing to fix."

"Nothing to fix? Boy, there's eggs and grits."

"And that's all. That ain't what I want for supper, Lundy." Joe snapped.

Levon started to snap back then realized that what he felt coming off Joe wasn't anger but worry and a touch of fear. The worry had jumped from a background emotion to become the primary one.

He took a deep breath, "Then why don't we go shopping?" He asked soothingly. "We need ta stop by your place and get you some clothes for tomorrow anyway." He stepped up close behind Joe and put his arms around him, hugging him firmly. "We'll get what ever ya want for supper. Might not be a bad idea to stock up, seeing as how yer gonna be here a mite more often now... and ya like ta cook."

Joe leaned back into his arms, "God, I love you, Levon."

"Then what ya worrying about?"

Joe turned into his arms and huddled there, "I just... it never works out for me." He said in a small voice, "No body ever stays. I'm just so scared of losing you...."

"You ain't gonna lose me, Joe." He drew back, tilting Joe's face up so look into his eyes, "We're connected... remember. You get to worrying 'bout losing me, you just close yer eyes and see that rope ya was talkin' 'bout strung between us. Cause it's there and it ain't going away."

"I know I'm connected to you but..."

"Joe, it ain't just one way any more."

Joe's eyes went wide, "What?"

"I been trying ta figure out what wuz happenin' fore I said anything. Trying ta find the right time ta tell you. Reckon this is it."

He took a deep breath and went on, "It started when ya dragged me down ta the lake to rescue you. Next morning when we was talking I could feel... sense... what ya was feeling. Your pain, your despair over thinking ya'd hurt me by forcing me to come for you, not giving me a choice about it... all mixed up with your love for me and the physical pain from your injury... and a soul deep fear that you'd lost me."

He stopped a moment trying to figure out how to describe it, "It ain't exactly like I *feel* what you're feeling just that I *know* what you're feeling. It don't overwhelm me or interfere with what I feel but I *know* what you feel.... ...I reckon it's like when Maria told you that Markie was scared and cold. She knew but she didn't really feel it herself."

Joe seemed to think about it for a minute then asked, "You don't mind?"

"At first it seemed a bit odd... then I realized that it could be a real help in our relationship. Like just now when ya snapped at me. If I hadn'ta been able to feel yer worry then I'd just thought you were mad... and I'd snapped back at you and we'da been off inta a fight. But I could feel that you were worried not mad, so while I might not know exactly what you're worried about... I knew you weren't mad and I didn't snap back at you...."

He swallowed hard and blushed a bit before adding, "And when we were making love... I could feel your love for me, feel your joy and your pleasure. Afterwards as you drifted off to sleep, I could feel your happiness and contentment. Ain't never been like that with anyone, not even Caroline. I always had ta wonder if I'd been good enough, if my partner was satisfied, if I was really loved. There ain't nothing in the world like just being able to feel your love for me, so deep and strong and washing over me like the waves on a beach. I ain't ever gonna get enough of that. Never!"

Joe looked down into his eyes. He could see the love burning in them, passionate and fiery as Levon pulled him down into a blistering kiss. He let his eyes close, lost himself in the kiss. He wished he could feel Levon's love the way that Levon felt his. Remembering the way that he'd felt strength and confidence flow through the connection back in Chicago when he'd been trying to find Markie he pushed his fear aside and opened himself to the connection.

He gasped at the intensity of the love that flowed down that connection to him. Deep, strong, rock solid. He felt tears begin to flow. He couldn't help it. He couldn't stop them. [Levon loves me. He really loves me!]

Lundy knew that Joe was crying but it was all right. The tears were of joy. Joe was just overwhelmed by the depth of his love. He kissed and licked the tears away as Joe sobbed with happiness.

Passion flared between them. Somehow they were on the floor, their bodies moving together in an age-old rhythm, cock rubbing against cock through their clothes, but it was far more than just sex. Their love flowed through them and between them, back and forth like fire running through their veins. Gasping and panting it took only seconds for them to come but they remained locked together, holding tightly almost as if they were trying to merge into one. Finally they rolled together on to their sides and lay there, physically spent but still wrapped in the embrace of the shared emotion. Their love held them, warmed them, like a blanket wrapped around them.

Time didn't seem to matter and they lost track of it, lying there. Finally they rose, neither speaking, words no longer necessary. They went to their bed. Food forgotten, all the demands of the physical world left behind as they wrapped themselves up in each other and drifted off to sleep, entwined.

_____________________________________________________________

Levon woke early, at the crack of dawn as usual actually. Pale dawn light filtered through the thin translucent curtains and he could see Joe still sleeping soundly beside him.

He smiled to himself. He couldn't remember when he'd felt this good, rested, relaxed, happy and content. He'd love to stay there all day just luxuriating in the feeling... but he had to see to Fooler, then they had to get up and go to work.

He turned to look at Joe again, and saw a flicker of a smile cross his lover's lips. Dark lashes fluttered then blue eyes opened to look into his brown ones.

"Good morning, Love." He murmured and moved closer to give Joe a good morning kiss.

"Yeah," Joe smiled again as Levon broke the kiss and moved back slightly, "it's a very good morning."

For a long moment they lay there, smiling at each other, then Joe grinned. "Go on. Go feed your horse. I'll get bathed and dressed and fix breakfast."

"Thought you didn't want grits and eggs," Levon teased, secure in the knowledge that Joe would know he was teasing.

"I didn't... for supper but I guess they'll do for breakfast... but we do gotta buy groceries."

Levon grinned as he rolled off the bed and stood up, amused at the impulse that made him lean back towards Joe and say, "Yes, dear."

Joe laughed and threw a pillow at him.

He caught it and winked at Joe before dropping it back on the bed and pulling on his jeans and boots.

Joe lay back in the bed, arms behind his head and blatantly watched him dress.

He shook his head, "You gonna watch me dress alla the time?"

"Every chance I get." Joe grinned. "But I'd rather watch you undress!"

"Yeah, but iffn we're late for work our first day back, Joanne'll have our heads."

"You think she's not gonna anyway?"

"Figure she'll do a mite of yellin'. Nothing too serious. She's too relieved that we ain't dead."

"I hope you're right." Joe smiled and climbed out of bed, strolling past Levon and into the bathroom, naked.

Levon was tempted to grab him and toss him back on the bed but just grinned and went on out to tend to Fooler. They had to get ready for work. While sex with Joe would be great, he could wait. He wasn't certain quite why but the link between them made waiting not a problem. He could feel Joe's love. He didn't have to wait for sex to have that and that was more important than the sex.

______________________________________________________________

Walking into the MCU bullpen, Levon raised a brow at the sight that greeted him. Beaumont was waiting beside their desk. Annie in her wheelchair parked right beside her. Esteban, Joe-Bill, Carol and Nate all were gathered nearby. Dave Sutton and Dale Lipscomb were there as well.

They all turned to look when Joe and Levon came through the swinging double doors.

Esteban crossed himself and cast his eyes heavenward, then joined the others as they moved forward, surrounding the two detectives.

Carol gave Levon a hug and reached for Joe.

Joe moved his right arm back and gathered her in with the left, explaining "Easy babe, I got some stitches in that arm."

As the others pressed close, to slap their backs and welcome them back, Joe was glad that Levon was on his right side, shielding the injured arm, keeping the eager officers from bumping it in their enthusiasm. Neither of them had planned it but it simply fell into step that way as they moved down the hall towards the MCU.

After a few minutes, Beaumont moved to break it up, "All right people, that's enough." She pushed her way through to the two detectives. "Welcome home, guys..." She gave them each a quick hug then stepped back, "And if you ever pull anything like this again I will personally shoot you." The smile she flashed them belied the words as she stepped back to give Annie a shot at them.

Annie shook her head, holding up her arms to get a hug from each of them, "What am I gonna do with you two? Well, at least if what we heard was right you won't have to worry about Chicago hit men any more."

"That's right, Annie." Joe confirmed. "Scalia called it off."

Levon nodded, "The man that had Markie, kidnapped Scalia's grandson, too. We didn't have a clue who he wuz when we got him away from'em but Scalia was right grateful. Joe can go home now, anytime he wants."

Beaumont, gave them a hard look, "You said on the phone that Joe was staying down here..."

"Yes, Lieutenant." Joe smiled at her. "I'm not going back to Chicago to live... but now I can go back to see my folks."

Beaumont looked relieved then gave a nod, "Well, then... how bad is that arm, Sergeant? Are you on desk duty?"

Joe grimaced, then nodded, "Yeah, till the stitches come out... at least a week."

She nodded. "We have a new case. I want you two as primaries on it but Carol and Nate will be helping. I guess they can do the outside work till you're off restricted duty. Come on in my office and I'll fill you in." She turned to Annie, "You too."

Joe, Levon, Carol and Nate followed her into her office. Joe held the door for Annie then closed it behind her and leaned against it. Levon and Nate let Carol have the chair and stood, Levon leaning on the file cabinet. Nate, standing behind Carol.

Beaumont sat down at her desk and opened a file, "Saturday, a teenaged runaway was found dead in one of the warehouses down near the docks. Female, she'd just given birth. The baby wasn't found." She turned to look at Annie, "Annie."

"Toxicology report showed that she'd been given drugs to induce labor." Annie said quietly, "Autopsy indicated that she died from an allergic reaction to the drug used. Also she wasn't quite nine months pregnant... more like eight and a half."

Joe scowled, "Why would somebody..." he trailed off, then shook his head, "the baby... they wanted the baby."

"That's what we're thinking. This is the second pregnant teenager to die in similar circumstances over the last six months. The first died from a blotched cesarean section in that same warehouse district. I know it's not much of a connection but Social Services has also reported, that several of their teenaged clients have been approached by a man wanting to 'buy' their babies. Promising them medical care and several thousand dollars in exchange for them. This leads us to believe that there may be a black market baby-selling ring operating in Houston. We had the girls do a composite sketch of the man that approached them and it was the same man in each case."

"Has he been ID-ed?" Levon asked.

"No. The girls checked through the mug books before they did the sketch and couldn't find him. He's young so it could be his first walk outside the law."

"How old?" Nate put in.

"The girls put him at early twenties... but they're all fifteen-sixteen years old. I'd stretch it to mid twenties to be sure. We've sent out a request to other police departments for any similar cases but nothing has come back yet."

She paused, rubbing her forehead, "Social Services has agreed to let the girls who reported being approached be questioned. However there will be a Social worker with them during all questioning and they reserve the right to terminate the interview if their client becomes too upset. Since we're dealing with teenaged girls here the agency wants a female officer to conduct the interviews. So, Carol, that's your first step."

"Joe since you're on desk duty, I want you to check out whatever comes back from NCIC and go back over other unsolved deaths and see if there are more that could be connected to this. Look for teenaged or unmarried females who died immediately after or shortly after giving birth. Pay special attention to any case where the baby was not accounted for."

"Levon, Nate, you two will work the streets, question the street people, especially any young pregnant women. See if you can find anyone who knew the dead girls or has been approached about selling their baby."

She stood for a minute more then said, quietly, "That's it people, Get to work."

_____________________________________________________________

Two weeks later Levon sat at his breakfast table and watched as Joe fixed their breakfast. He could feel the frustration that his partner was trying to hide and knew all too well what it was about.

It'd been two weeks and they hadn't made any headway on the investigation into the deaths of the pregnant teenagers. They'd picked up three more cases to work as well and it looked like the possible baby-selling ring was just going to sit there unless there was another death.

Joe was making an omelet, green peppers, onions, ham, cheese and tomatoes. It smelled good. Levon was sure it would be good. In just two weeks he'd come to appreciate Joe's cooking. The boy could sure enough throw a meal together... and he made it look so easy. Like now. He slid the omelet onto a plate, cut it in half, and slid one half onto a second plate, just as the toast popped up in the toaster. He quickly buttered the toast, just a touch on his, more on Levon's.

Then he was sitting them on the table and pulling out a chair. Coffee for Levon and orange juice for him was already on the table along with the silverware. He sat down and began to pick at his food.

Levon shook his head, "Ya went ta all the trouble of makin' it, boy. Ya oughta eat it."

Joe threw his fork down on the table and leaned back in his chair, "I just don't feel much like eating."

"Still thinkin' bout those girls and their babies?"

"Yeah." He sat staring downward for a minute then went on. "I can understand how the girls would feel that they had no choice but to let the babies go.... They're just kids themselves.... And I guess I can understand them not wanting to go to Social Services... they're probably runaways... but how do these people get their claws into them?"

"Like you said, Joe, they're young. They're runaways. Scared of ever body and most ever thing. It'd have to be somebody that they trusted... maybe someone that lived on the streets with them." He paused, "Used ta be, most of them ended up as hookers."

"Yeah, I know. Saw enough of that in Chicago. They'd come in on the bus from some small town, hoping to start over in the city. A pimp'd be watching the bus... he'd strike up a conversation, get the girl's confidence, maybe date her a while then turn her out to whore." He paused and then went on, "What if that's what's happening here... but instead of turning them out the guy is getting them pregnant, then persuading them to sell the babies."

Levon sat back, thinking a minute, "The first girl that died had been on the streets for more'n a year. So she weren't pregnant when she got here..." He nodded. "Might be something to look into. I'll call Nate and Carol, have them see what they can come up with."

Joe started to protest but Levon cut him off, "Uh-uh, Boy. This is our first day off since we got back from Chicago. We ain't going in today." He grinned suddenly, "Thought we might go shopping, see about you a ring?"

Joe's reaction wasn't what he expected. He'd thought that Joe would be pleased, happy that he'd remembered the promise to buy him a ring to wear as a symbol of their commitment to each other. What he felt coming off Joe was... worry?

"Joe, something the matter?"

"I... I was just thinking... Maybe It'd be better if we didn't get a ring. I mean we don't need one do we? We know we're in this for keeps. A ring might cause... well, people might ask questions.... And we could always save the money for... for something else."

"Such as?" He felt Joe's worry turn to fear... combined with hope and anticipation as Joe hesitated to answer.

"Joe, Just tell me. It'll be all right."

Joe jumped up and began to pace. Levon could feel how much whatever it was meant to Joe but he didn't have a clue what Joe was thinking about.

Finally Joe said, "I've been thinking..." he took a deep breath and turned to face Levon, "I'd really like to live with you."

Lundy smiled, "You're here most alla the time now..."

"Yeah, but..." he hesitated again. "It's not like I live here! I... I..."

"Ya don't feel like it's your home." As soon as he said the words he felt the hope and anticipation fade, overwhelmed by fear and worry. "So, ya wanna move in? give up your apartment? IA's bound ta ask questions..."

"I know... but if we could give them a reasonable explanation... that didn't include our... personal relationship..."

"I'm listening..."

"I mean... I been thinking about that horse farm that you are always talking about and..." he hesitated again then finished in a rush. "Well, if we were business partners... if we started the farm... we could say that we had to share a house because... we couldn't afford to maintain separate places to live."

"Only problem with that is we ain't got the money ta even start to buy a place. We'd need a heap of money for that, son."

Joe closed his eyes then sat back down and said, "I've been thinking about selling the Cobra."

"Joe, you love that car... and I don't see how that'd help. I mean how much can ya get for it anyhow..."

"I've got a standing offer of a hundred and fifty thousand for it."

Lundy nearly choked on his coffee. "What!? That car cain't be worth that much!"

"Lundy, you just don't understand about this kinda car. It's a collector's item. A Cobra ain't your run of the mill car. They don't make them anymore and when they did they were special order items. They only built as many as were sold. You ordered the car, specified the color, interior, everything and it was built to order. The year mine was built they only built five of them. Three have been wrecked... totaled. One is in Europe and mine is the only one available in the States. I checked on it. Now, I've got the standing offer but I'm thinking that it might be better to take it up to Dallas to the rare car auction up there."

"If you can get a hundred and fifty thousand for it, why bother?"

"Cause I might get more. I can put a reserve on it. Tell them that if I can't get at least a hundred and seventy-five thousand that I won't sell it. That way, if I can't get more than the standing offer I can still bring it back to Houston and sell it for the hundred-fifty thousand."

"Joe, I don't know... Even if ya sell the car we'd still haveta find a place to buy..." He could feel the hope and anticipation fade away to nothing, replaced by... hopelessness?

"You don't want this do you? You don't want..." Joe trailed off tears, welling in his eyes.

Levon heard the unspoken words as plainly as if Joe'd said them. 'You don't want me.'

He reached out and took Joe's hand, "That ain't true, son. If there's one thing in this world that I want... it's you. I love you. I wish we could... " He trailed off, "You know how I am about money, Joe. I'm not a big risk taker... but if this is what you want... we'll do it. We'll sell the Cobra and start looking around for a place."

Joe smiled at him. "Levon... I don't want you do anything that you don't want to do... If you'd rather leave the horse farm as a dream... not try to make it real..."

"No. I been dreaming about that horse farm most alla my life. I doubt that I'da ever up and done it... not on mah own... I'da always found some reason ta put it off... too worried about saving for the future ta seize the day.... But with you, for the first time in a long time I can see the future and that future is you and me... together." He hesitated, "Yer just gonna have to put up with my balkiness on the subject of money." He could feel Joe's hope growing again as he spoke, anticipation beginning to buzz through him again.

He paused again, "Actually... actually we just might be able to make it work. I got some savings... We can put this place up for sale. Should get a hundred fifty to two hundred thousand for it. Cost me a hundred thousand when I bought it. Course it's gotta be paid off, so we won't clear that much on it." He swallowed hard, "Mother Minnie's done told me that I'm to have her place when... when she... passes. We can sell it."

Joe squeezed the hand that still held his, "That's an income that I'll gladly wait as long as possible to see."

Levon smiled at him, "I know that, Joe." He squeezed Joe's hand back, "How about we throw some things in the Jimmy and go up to see her. Surprise visit. I think that it's time we told her about us."

"Do you think that she'll be... all right with our relationship?"

"Yeah, I think so. She thinks the world of you, Boy... and she'll be glad I got someone. Glad that I'm looking to the future again. You been good for me, Joe. Real good. She knows that. I think she knowed it before I did."

Joe smiled, blushing slightly.

______________________________________________________________

It was a four-hour drive to Mother Minnie's and another four hours back. They'd gotten a late start so it was almost lunch-time when they arrived.

Mother Minnie was delighted to see them. She was thinner than the last time that Joe had seen her and weaker. He wouldn't let her fix lunch for them although she wanted to. Instead Joe took over the kitchen while she and Levon sat at the old dining table and talked.

He fixed a simple meal, soup, salad and grilled cheese sandwiches.

They talked over the meal. Levon telling her all about Chicago and meeting Joe's folks. They talked about the tragedy that had taken them up there and the relatively good outcome.

Then Joe mentioned that his sister might be moving down to be near him.

Mother Minnie smiled, reaching over to pat his hand, "That'll be good, Joe. You need family around you."

Levon decided that this was the moment. Reaching out to lay his hand on top of Mother Minnie's where it rested on Joe's he said, "Mother Minnie, there's something that I need to tell you." He looked at Joe for moral support then went on, "Joe and I... we're... we... we love each other Mother Minnie. I've asked him to share my life."

For a minute she just stared at them.

Levon could feel Joe's fear welling up, see the slight tremor start to go through him. Removing his hand from Mother Minnie's, he turned to Joe, reaching out, cupping Joe's face and turning it towards him. "Shhh, it's all right. Gonna be all right." He murmured.

As Minnie watched them, her face softened. She shook her head slightly but smiled. "Little Levon, I've been worrying about you being a lone after I'm gone," she squeezed Joe's hand, which she'd never let go of, "now I don't have to anymore."

Joe turned worried eyes on her and she realized that he needed something more. Rising with a smile she leaned over and kissed his cheek, "You're a good boy, Joe." She said, echoing the words she'd said the first time Joe'd come to visit. Reaching out to take one of Levon's hands as well as Joe's she added, "You two take good care of each other."

"Thanks, Minnie. We will." Joe said.

"Mother Minnie." She corrected him. "You're family now, Joe."

"Mother Minnie," he obediently repeated, tears welling again. He stood and gave her a hug.

She reached out and pulled Levon into the hug as well. "My boys." It was barely more than a whisper but Joe heard it and it made his heart fill with happiness. After a moment they broke apart.

As Joe cleared the table and washed the dishes, Levon told Mother Minnie about their plan to actually begin looking for a place and try to start the horse farm.

As she listened to him she couldn't help but think that he seemed more enthusiastic than she'd seen him in a long time. While he'd spoken of the horse farm often before Caroline began to drink, he'd never seemed to actually believe that it was something that he could achieve... and after Caroline had started drinking, he'd stopped mentioning it at all. Now though, he seemed to really think he had a chance of making it real... that he and Joe had a chance at making it real.
By the time that they climbed back into the Jimmy and started back to Houston, Mother Minnie was feeling much more confident that Levon would be all right after she passed away. Maybe the love he'd found wasn't exactly conventional but it was definitely real, deep and strong. She'd always thought that there was something ... some connection between them. Now it was almost visible.

______________________________________________________________

The next week was busy. They finally got a response to the NCIC request for any information regarding other deaths similar to the ones involving the teenaged runaways and their babies. There had been three in Dallas/Ft. Worth and another two in Austin, as well as one on San Antonio.

They also made the arrangements to take the Cobra to the auction in Dallas. The auction was on Friday and they decided to take the day off to go, making arrangements with Beaumont, saying that while they were there, they'd stop by Dallas PD and go over the case files on the dead girls.

Since they'd be doing some work, she agreed to let them go. She knew that there probably wouldn't be anything that would help in the Dallas PD files... but Joe and Levon had a tenacity that she respected. Other officers might be tempted to just let a case that wasn't going anywhere quietly slip away into the unsolved case file but these two would hang on. They would keep coming back to it and something told her that if anyone could solve it they would be the ones. She was prepared to cut them some slack because of that.

______________________________________________________________

Friday dawned, bright and hot, a typical August day in southern Texas. Hot and dry.

Joe dressed in his best linen suit, hoping that he would at least be able to bear the heat in it. He and Levon drove up to Dallas in tandem, although he would have preferred to be able to wind the Cobra out, one last time, he stayed behind the Jimmy as Levon drove north at what was to Joe an irritatingly sedate pace. However, it was Levon that knew the roads and the way to the arena where the auction was being held.

Once there and checked in, they decided to split up, Since all they could do at the auction was wait for the Cobra's turn to come up, it didn't seem necessary for them both to stay. Joe had to be there to sign papers when the deal was done, so Levon headed on over to Dallas PD to check out the files they'd come to see.

It took longer than he'd thought it would but finally, Lundy had copies of the case files and headed back to the auction. They'd made arrangements where to meet after the Cobra was sold and Joe was there, sitting in a folding chair holding a bunch of papers in his hand.

Levon walked up to him.

Joe looked up, a dazed look in his eyes. "You shoulda been here..." he sounded stunned.

"Yeah, how much did you get?"

Joe held out the papers without a word.

Lundy took them and began sorting through them. It took a minute to find the selling price. When he saw it, he swallowed and sat down suddenly in the chair next to Joe. After a minute when he found his voice he said, "Four hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars!"

"Yeah." Joe still sounded shell-shocked.

"How... who..."

"These two rich guys got in a bidding war. When it hit three hundred thousand I nearly passed out... and they were still going. When I went to sign the papers... I didn't even know to start with what the selling price was. I knew it was more than my reserve but I'd lost track. I had to make the bank rep go over everything I was so... stunned."

Lundy sat staring at the deposit receipt from where the money had been deposited in Joe's account by electronic transfer.

"I couldn't believe it. After it was all over I was sitting here and I looked at the deposit thing and I couldn't believe it. I went and called the bank... to check my balance.... And it's in there." The disbelief in his voice was still plain. "I can't believe it. I just can't believe it."

"Believe it, boy." Levon grinned suddenly, turning to give Joe a hug, "You were right! We can do it, Joe. We can really do it!"

He stared at the deposit receipt a moment longer then a light filled his eyes as he turned to Joe. His voice was hushed, almost awed as he said, "Riverby.... With this much money, Joe an' what I'll get for my house and the fact that we both have good jobs... we could get Riverby!"

Joe heard the hushed awe in Levon's voice. He didn't quite understand it, not knowing what Riverby was but he could tell that whatever it was Levon would love to have it. "What's Riverby?" he asked quietly.

"Oh, Joe... it's... it's the most beautiful ranch." He swallowed hard then went on, "It's kinda run down right now, but it's... its..." he took a deep breath trying to find the words to explain it to Joe, "Its the ranch that made me want one of my own. Man that owns it was a real good friend of Grandaddy's when he was in the Rangers. He used to take me up there with him when he'd visit. Acres and acres of green rolling hills, good water, sweet grass for the horses. The house sits right on the San Jactinto River... beautiful view of the river from the upstairs balcony. Property runs right up ta Muleshoe Lake. The lakeshore is the property line for a ways. Got water rights to use the lake for irrigation and watering the stock, too."

He grinned and Joe could see the wide-eyed little boy that had followed his grandfather into this magnificent estate as Levon went on. "The house... God! Joe, you'd love the house. Bigger'n your Uncle Mikey's place. Three stories, dozens of rooms."

"Lundy, I hate to burst your bubble but that sounds like it'd be over our heads even with everything that we can scrape together."

Lundy sobered then sighed. "May be... but then again... it's been on the market for a while. Captain Latimer, that's grandaddy's friend, he's in an old folk's home now. His wife passed away about fifteen years ago. They'd done lost both'a their boys. Oldest one was killed in a car wreck, night he graduated high school. Baby boy joined the Rangers, got kilt in the line a duty. They didn't nar one have any kids. So there ain't no heirs and the place has been empty since the Capt'n was put in the home."

He paused, "Rumor is there's a mite of back taxes due... an like I said it's run down. Ain't nobody lived in the house for nigh on to five years now." He looked at Joe hopefully.

"Well, I don't suppose it'd hurt to go take a look at it... talk to the man.... Uh,... is he... uh well still... uh..."

"He ain't senile. Older than Methuslum, but not senile. Iffn he sells to us it'll hold up. Ain't nobody to contest it no how."

Joe gave a nod. "Okay, we'll check into it... after we find out how much is left after I pay off all my debts. Okay? That way we'll have a better idea how much we'll actually be able to put down on the place."

"You're gonna need another vehicle, too. I know you're gonna want your own way of going. It'll be a pretty good commute to Reisner."

Joe thought a minute, "Let's wait till we find out if we're gonna get the place. Much as I hate to say it, we're gonna need a pickup to haul stuff especially if we do the fixing up ourselves."

"Man, where's a news crew when you need'em? I need this on film! My partner just said he might buy a pickup truck!"

"Cowboy, I'm gonna shock you worse... If we're gonna start a horse farm... maybe I should get a horse."

Lundy stared at him open mouthed for a moment then tilted his head back made like his eyes were rolling back in his head and slumped in his seat, as if he'd fainted.

"Lundy!"

At Joe's panicked cry, Levon sat back up with a laugh and winked at him, reveling in the wave of relief that washed off his partner and over him. "Just kiddin', Boy. If you're done here, let's head home."

As they headed for the Jimmy, Levon asked, "You ate?"

"No. Too, nervous before the auction. Too, shocked after."

"I think we can afford to splurge ta celebrate. Didn't Uncle Mikey mention that there was a good Italian restaurant here'n Dallas?"

"Yeah, Casa San Rafaele."

"Okay, My treat... cause I know that even with all this money," he waved the deposit slip, "you ain't got none in yer pocket!"

Joe just grinned.

At the Jimmy, Levon carefully locked all the paperwork in the car pocket and then drove them to the restaurant.

It was a ritzy place with valet parking, a tuxedoed Maitre De and waiters. The Maitre De looked shocked when they said that they didn't have reservations.

Joe stepped forward, "Is Rafael here tonight?" he asked softly.

The Maitre De froze, "May I ask how you know Rafael?"

"He's my cousin. Tell him Joey LaFiamma and a guest are here and that I would like to know if we may be seated at his table?"

The Maitre De turned and vanished towards the back without another word.

Moments later a short, thin man, who bore a strong facial resemblance to Joe, came bustling towards them. "Joey! What a pleasure! It's been years, my friend."

The delighted man gave Joe a huge hug and kissed both of his cheeks. Turning to Lundy he demanded of Joe, "Introduce me to your friend!"

Joe chuckled and did so, leaning into whisper just loud enough for Levon to overhear, "Keep your hands to yourself, Raffy. He's taken!"

"Ooohhh! Joey! You have such good taste!" Turning he took the menus from the Maitre De and lead off saying, "This way."

He seated them at what was obviously one of the best tables in the house and signaled a waiter to attend them. "Do you really need a menu, Love?" He asked, bending close to Joe. "You know that I will prepare anything you want... with my own hands. Would you like to see the wine list?"

"Yes, but only a glass each, Raffy. We've got a long drive back to Houston." Joe replied, then turned to Levon, "If you don't mind, Levon. I'd like Raffy to sit with us a while, I haven't seen him in ages and I can assure you that the other chef is equally good. Isn't he, Raffy?"

Raffy smiled happily, "Oh, yes! My Alexander is a wonderful chef. He does most all the cooking now. I run the business end. It has worked out well."

"I don't mind, Joe. This is your celebration."

"Ah, a celebration! May I ask what..."

"I sold the Cobra. Made a killing, cousin."

"The Cobra... but you always said that you'd never sell it until.... Oh! My! You mean... oh, this is wonderful!" He turned to Levon with a delighted smile. "You are so lucky! Joey is just the nicest, most wonderful man!" He blushed suddenly and added, "Next to my Alexander, of course!"

Joe was chuckling and Levon was happy to see him in such a good mood. Deciding to contribute to the conversation and give dear cousin Raffy more to gush over he said, reaching over to take Joe's hand, "We're looking to buy a place... a home of our own."

It was Joe's turn to blush as Raffy turned and hugged him, "That is so... oh, so wonderful. May I ask, how long you two have been together?" He actually stopped to take a breath before going on. "I know it can't be *that* long! Joey's only been down here what? Two years? Yes! Two years!" Without giving them the chance to answer he babbled on, "My Alexander and I... we were together fifteen years before we bought our first home. Of course, we were studying in Europe for much of that time and then working in New York and Chicago before we decided to open this place here."

Lundy interrupted, "What made you decide on here, instead of say Chicago?"

Just as Raffy opened his mouth to answer Joe cut in, "Raffy why don't you run tell Alexander what to bring us. I'll let you decide. You know his specialties. Something absolutely marvelous." He leaned closer to Raffy and said in a conspiratorial aside, "I'm trying to wean him off of barbecue."

Raffy laughed, "Give it up, Sweetie. My Alexander is a master chef, can cook the finest cuisine in the world but he still has to have his barbecue! That's just a Texan for you!" He hurried off to have Alexander prepare their meal.

While he was gone Joe grinned at Levon, "I hope you don't mind him. He's a great guy. A little..."

"Gushy?"

Joe chuckled, "Yeah, that about covers it, gushy. He and Alexander are both master chefs. They trained in Rome and in Paris. That's where they met in fact. Alexander's folks were shocked when he went off to Europe to study to be a chef. They were wealthy couldn't see what he wanted to work for. Then when he brought Raffy home.... Major confrontation."

"Cut him off?" Levon asked.

"Without a cent. He and Raffy had it hard for a while, they struggled for a long time before things started to fall in place for them. Then six years ago, Alexander's father passed away and his mother decided that she'd rather have a gay son than no son so they reconciled. I think that she was amazed to find that he and Raffy were still together after almost fifteen years. It's been twenty now."

"Glad that she came around. Dang few marriages last that long these days. Fidelity should be respected even if the couple ain't exactly conventional." Levon said quietly.

Raffy chose that moment to return beaming when he saw that Levon was still holding Joe's hand atop the table.

He sat back down in his chair on Joe's other side and said, "Now. Where were we? Oh, yes," he turned to Levon, "you'd just asked, why Dallas and not Chicago. Well, Darling, there are a million Italian restaurants in Chicago. Good ones, too. Ditto for New York, LA, San Francisco. The competition there would be horrid. Dallas was Alexander's home town and when he said that he could only name two really good Italian restaurants in the entire town... well I said, then Dallas is where we need to go to start our place. Less competition. Granted there is also less demand for Italian food but we have become known as *the* place to go for fine Italian dining. We also offer vegetarian dishes. None of the other Italian places do that. We use only organically grown vegetables."

He turned to Joe, "You remember my brother, Tito. He and his wife, Mariquita, she's a lovely Mexican girl, live down here. They have a small farm just outside Dallas. They grow the most wonderful organic vegetables and herbs. We get all our vegetables from them. We change our menus with the seasons and use only the freshest ingredients. We've done very well."

He smiled then turned to Levon, "But that is more than enough about me. Tell me all about you. Are you a police officer like our Joey?"

Lundy grinned, "Yes, I am. Joe and I are partners." He continued to hold Joe's hand. He liked the feeling of pleasure mixed with dismay that he felt coming from Joe and Raffy obviously was thrilled at them holding hands. He could just hear the chatterbox on the phone to the Chicago contingency, 'and they held hands forever! It was so sweet!'

He gave Joe a look and a smile that said he knew perfectly well that the entire episode would be spread through out the LaFiamma clan by the time they reached Houston and said, "We're thinking of going into business for ourselves on the side though. I've always wanted ta raise horses and Joe seems ta be coming around to the idea. Fact is, when we get back to Houston, I'm goin' ta get in touch with a fella I know that's got just what we want. With any luck, he'll sell it to us."

"That is marvelous! I hope you get it," he turned to Joe, "I'm so happy for you!" he popped back up out of the chair and said, "Let me go check on your food."

Joe shook his head and grinned, "You do know that he's probably on the phone to Aunt Teresa in between popping in and out, don't you?"

"Wouldn't doubt it for a minute!" Levon laughed, "Joe you are incredible... and I like your family. What I've seen of'em any way. As for Raffy... he's marvelous!" he mimicked Raffy perfectly, after a quick glance to make sure Raffy wasn't back in earshot. He really did like the flighty acting man, wouldnt want him to be hurt by the mimicking, when really it was just a way of emphasizing that Levon did like him. Lundy knew that Joe would understand that, their connection being what it was, but Raffy might not.

Raffy returned, accompanied by a waiter with their food, "Alexander sends his regards, Joey, and regrets that he can't spare the time to come out and greet you properly but we're getting a bit busy."

"That's all right Raffy. Maybe we'll get a chance to come up to visit sometime. Perhaps over the holidays. I understand you close from Thanksgiving to New Years, except for private parties?"

"Yes! Of course, we're booked fairly heavily already but... maybe... We have an entire week open... the second week in December. I was thinking about inviting the family down... Momma, Uncle Mikey, Aunt Teresa, the girls. Angie of course if she's well enough, hopefully she will be. JD and his Ryan, Sam and possibly Mario?"

"Mario might not make it, Raffy. He's finally decided to try and make it work with Jordan. They're living in *Alaska*."

"Oh, my... Jordan? Jordan McNeal?" his eyes widened, "Isnt that the boy that Sister Emanuel, caught him kissing in the coat closet back in tenth grade? Oh, my! After all these years they're going to... oh my!" He turned and rushed back towards the kitchen.

Joe chuckled, "He had to go tell Alexander about that!"

"I take it that Mario and Jordan go back a ways?"

"First love." Joe shook his head, "Jordan went off to the Air Force, learned to fly. The whole six years he was in, Mario moped around and moaned and groaned like a lovesick puppy, but when Jordan would come home on leave, he'd get all pouty and indignant that Jordan had enlisted and left him behind and he'd refuse to see him. Then Jordan mustered out and went to work for one of the airlines. They lived together for three years. When Jordan quit his job at the airline and moved to Alaska to start his own air service up there, he begged... and I do mean begged, Mario to go with him. Mario refused to leave the family."

Lundy grinned, "Then we come up there and Mario went to visit..."

"And never came back."

Levon smiled then asked, "Reckon what he's gonna do with that bed a'his?"

"What bed?" Joe asked distractedly, as he savored his food.

"The bed in his apartment. Ya remember the bed... one we slept on. Nigh upon as big as a mah *bedroom*."

"I don't know. Why?"

"I's just wonderin'.... Reckon he'd sell it?"

"Uh... I think it actually belongs to Jordan. I seem to recall his uncle custom built it for him. It cost a lot of money, Cowboy."

"Oh." Levon sat and picked at his food a minute longer, "How much?" He finally asked.

"What?"

"How much did the bed cost?"

"Oh, five thousand. Of course, that didn't include the mattress... or the feather topper... or the linens... which all had to be custom made ...and it woulda cost more but his uncle gave him a discount..."

"So, what'd ya think he'd take for it?" Lundy was starting to get a stubborn look on his face.

"Lundy? The bed's in Chicago... we're in Houston... even if he'd sell it you'd still have to get it down here. Add that to the cost and it's just not worth it." He looked up and saw the look on Levon's face, "Is it?"

Lundy stared down at his plate.

"Levon, talk to me. What is it with the bed? You've had your eye on it ever since we--"He broke off, "Oh, I see. That's why you want it!"

Lundy blushed.

Joe looked at him a bit longer, "It means that much to you?"

Lundy's blush got darker, "I really liked the bed ta start with and... it's... it's where we..." he blushed even deeper if that was possible, "first... made love..."

Joe reached across the table and took Levon's hand drawing it to his lips and kissed it. "I'll ask Mario what they plan to do with it. If there's anyway, we'll get it. Okay?"

Lundy nodded and smiled at him, "Okay."

They finished eating and said their goodbyes to Raffy. Joe stepped back to the kitchen just long enough to give Alexander a hug and promise to see them again.

It was getting dark when they stepped outside and the valet brought the Jimmy up. They still had a long drive back to Houston but it had been a good day. A very good day.

Joe looked over at Levon and grinned. His cowboy was a romantic. He wanted the bed that they had first made love on. Even if they didn't get it... just knowing that Levon felt that way about it, made Joe happy.

______________________________________________________________

They had to work the next day and the one after that. 'The Case' as they had come to think of it, as if it were the only one they had, wasn't moving. It was sitting still. They broke another case and caught one to replace it but still in the backs of their minds 'The Case' remained, open and nagging at them.

Monday they had off and Levon got up early to go see Captain Latimer, at the old folks home. It was a special place, only retired Rangers lived there. As he walked through the halls he saw men that he knew had been legends in their own time.

He couldn't help but feel sad for them, all alone in this dismal place. For all it's cheery colored walls and smiling nurses it was still dismal.

He asked at the desk for Captain Latimer's room, and was given the number. Several of the old Rangers watched him with curious eyes, seeming to know without being told that he was one of them, a cop.

He checked the number on the door of the room against the one he'd been given then pushed it open.

The old man sitting in his wheelchair beside his bed looked up and straightened, the faded blue eyes still shrewd. He took in the boots, the tight jeans, the cowboy hat and decided that something in Levon's bearing said, 'cop'. With a smile he asked, "Can I help you, son?"

"I hope so, sir. Do you remember me, Captain? You knowed my grandaddy, Tyler Lundy."

The old man nodded and raised a hand to motion Lundy closer, ignoring the tremble in it, "Yes. Of course, Levon, isn't it?"

"Yes, sir."

Latimer motioned to a chair, "Sit down. It's good to see you. Are you just visiting or is this business?"

"Little of both. Not cop business though." He watched the old man's eyes sadden and thought, the body may be frail but the mind's still sharp and he misses the job. He paused, then went on, "I's wondering if ya still had Riverby up fer sale."

The old man looked at him for a long moment, "It'd be a mite hard for you to afford Riverby on a cop's salary. Wouldn't it son? You are still a cop?"

Lundy grinned, "Yes, sir. And yer right. Except I got me a partner. He just come into some money. Made a real smart investment some time back... cashed it in, the other day. Fact is, reason he cashed in was ta get the money ta go inta business with me. I've always wanted to have me a little horse farm. Now I'll grant you Riverby is a mite bigger than what I had in mind to start with. Especially since I plan on staying a cop... but my partner got more money than he was expecting from his deal and after looking everything over, I believe we just might be able to swing buying the place... if you'll give us a fair deal."

"You say partner... like on the job."

"He is my partner on the job." He paused, thinking about what or how much he should tell the old man. "Joe came down from Chicago about two years ago. We got along like a couple of old stallions fighting over a buncha mares for a while. But he's a smart cop, real different from me but we've learned to make our differences work for us instead of against us. In time we got to be friends. He's all Italian temper and fire but underneath it he's steady as a rock. He ain't ever let me down."

"He know anything about horses? Running a ranch?"

"Not the first thing. I'll be running it, making the decisions, buying the horses, doing the breeding... least wise till Joe learns some."

"So, what does he get out of it?"

[Shrewd old man.]

"Well, he's hoping that we'll turn a profit of course. Then too, I think that he's looking forward ta having a place that his relatives can come to visit. He comes from one of those huge Italian families and right now he's living in one of those open floor plan apartments. Sleep loft up top, everything else open below. Ain't no room for company not to mention that there ain't no children allowed ta stay in the apartments. I suspect that if we get a place with some room there's gonna be a steady stream of his relatives passing through. More than likely starting with his sister and her two younguns."

"Would that be a problem? I mean you always seemed to me to like your solitude."

"I do like to be alone some but I think that it could be worked out. Joe needs his family but there's times he likes ta be alone too. If I remember correctly, Riverby's got a foreman's house, asides the main house and a bunkhouse. I don't think we're gonna be needing alla that space." He grinned suddenly a touch of twinkle in his eyes, "I reckon if Joe's folks get ta coming too many at a time we can toss them in the bunkhouse! Hell, alla those teenaged cousins of his'n might get a kick outta it!"

Latimer studied him a long moment, "Levon, tell me the truth. Just how close are you and that partner of yours?"

Lundy shook his head, his heart falling. [Shrewd old man.] After a long moment he looked up into the old man's eyes, "How close can two people be? He's my partner. He's my best friend." He took a deep breath, "He's my lover. He holds my heart and feeds my soul. I can't sleep if I can't hear him breath. I don't think I could live without him." He looked down at the hat in his hands and waited for the old man to tell him to get out.

After along silence Latimer said, "There's four years back taxes owed. Cain't afford to pay them."

Lundy looked up, disbelief clear in his eyes.

Latimer smiled and went on, "I got no use for the furniture and other stuff that's there. It'll go with the house. Any personal papers and such you find. I'd appreciate it if you'd burn them. I never had the chance to go through the place before I was put in here. I was in the hospital and when they found out that there was no one left to take care of me they shipped me over here. Long term care they call it. Like I might go home someday. Might see Riverby again."

Lundy stood up, blinking back tears, "Captain, you sell Riverby ta me'n Joe and I promise you, You'll see it again. I'll come'n take you out there myself!"

"Your friend won't mind?"

"Capt'n, my friend'll come with me... an' it won't just be one time. Long as we own it and you're alive... you'll be welcome there."

"I see. Thank you, Levon. I'll call my attorney, have the papers drawn up."

Levon hesitated, "Uh, we ain't discussed the price. How much was you thinking of?"

Latimer smiled. "I have no heirs, Levon... and Tyler was a good friend. A real good friend. I give you my word that the price will be right... well below market value. Is that good enough?"

After a minute, Levon nodded. Latimer was a man who had lived by his word all his life. Levon was fairly sure that he and Joe could afford to pay market value for the place. If Latimer gave his word that he'd sell for less then...

"Okay." He stepped up to the old man and held out his hand.

They shook on it.

Latimer nodded to him and said, "The papers should be ready Friday. I'll have them brought here. You and your friend will need to sign them. I'm assuming that it'll be in both names."

"Yes sir," he realized suddenly that he hadn't given Latimer Joe's whole name. He quickly wrote all the information he'd need for the deed down and handed it over.

Latimer thanked him and they talked a while longer, setting a time for them to come by and sign the papers and reminiscing about Tyler Lundy and about Riverby. Then Levon took his leave. As he was left the place behind him, he wondered what Joe'd say when he told him that he'd made a handshake deal for Riverby. Probably have a fit. Well, done was done.

______________________________________________________________

Fit didn't really cover it. Joe'd started yelling as soon as he heard the words, 'made a deal'. It was a good thing that Levon could feel his worry underlying the anger and knew that he was mostly just scared. Scared that the price would be beyond them, scared that the place would be unlivable.

"We ain't even seen it, Levon! It could be falling down! You said yourself that it's been empty for years! And you don't even know what he's gonna ask for it!"

"He said it'd be under market value, Joe and he's a man of his word."

"I thought we'd agreed to wait till I got my bills paid off! So's we'd know how much money we actually had to work with! I can't believe you made a deal without even consulting me!"

"Joe. Joe! Calm down! Listen ta me just a minute. I got the key to the place. We can ride out there and take a look at it. If you just plain hate it then I reckon we can always back outta the deal..."

Joe stopped pacing and yelling to turn and look at him, "Back out, Levon? After you shook on it?"

Levon took a deep breath, "Yeah. If ya just can't see your way ta buyin' it, I'll call Capt'n Latimer and cancel the deal. It won't be dark for a while yet. We can run out there now. Let ya take a look. Make up your mind."

Joe looked at him a long moment then he closed his eyes and opened himself to the link between them.

Levon was hurting. Joe's anger had upset him more than a little. He really wanted the place. There was hope, faint but there, mixed with the fear that Joe would refuse to even consider it... and disappointment starting to grow. [This is my cowboy. I can't just refuse to even consider it. I can't hurt him like that.]

"Okay. We'll ride out and take a look... but I ain't making no promises! Understood?"

"Understood!" Levon's grin came on the heels of a wave of hope.

_____________________________________________________________

It was a long drive. By the time that they reached the turn off from the main road, Joe was shaking his head. An hour's drive, more in the rainy season, when the dirt road leading up to the ranch would be hard to navigate.

And the road up to the house was long. [Just how many acres is this place?]

Then the house came into view and Joe forgot about the commute. It was incredible! At least two stories and an attic. Levon had probably just remembered it wrong when he'd said three stories, just thought that the attic was another floor... and actually it could be.

The porch seemed to wrap all the way around the house. The rail had ornately carved spindles. There was gingerbread everywhere. The paint was peeling but that was to be expected as long as it had stood empty.

It had been painted white and just for a second Joe had a flash of it as it might have been: Gleaming white at twilight, sparkling clear lights strung all along the gingerbread, wreaths hanging on the doors, candles lighting the windows, all decorated for Christmas. [As it once was or as it could be?]

He blinked and the vision vanished, leaving only a darkened, old house with boarded over windows.

He sat for a minute staring at it then as Levon got out and started for the porch he followed.

The steps were wooden, ten feet wide leading up on to the porch. Once on the porch Levon headed straight for the door, eager to open it and go inside.

"Wait a minute, Lundy. Let's take a look at this first."

"What?"

"The porch, cowboy. It's gonna need some work." Joe pointed to the right and walked along the porch in that direction. "There's a leak here where the porch roof ties to the wall."

As Lundy reluctantly followed him around to where he was looking at the wall and porch floor he pointed to the porch ceiling, "Water's coming in there. Along the seam." He walked past the area then back. "It ain't too bad though. These windows will have to be replaced. The porch floor for about eight feet here. Probably ceiling joist and roofing. Couple of thousand dollars if we do the work ourselves."

"How do you know about that stuff?"

"Summer I before I turned sixteen, my Uncle Lorenzo let me work on his construction crew as a gofer. You know... go for this, go for that. Anyhow, when Aunt Teresa found out I was working on skyscrapers, twenty, thirty floors up, walking around on steel I-beams, nothing between me and the ground but air, she screamed like a banshee. You coulda heard her in New York. So he sent me out to work with the crew that was building single family units. One and two story houses, wood frame and brick construction. I worked for him the next three summers. I ended up in the carpenter's union and everything."

He turned and pointed to the fancy lace like gingerbread around the outer edges of the porch. "That stuff there is a bitch to keep up. You gotta paint it every time you turn around. If we buy this place, either it goes or you do the painting!"

"Okay. Long as yer considering the possibility of buying it."

He followed Joe as he walked all the way around the house on the porch.

"Damn, it does go all the way around... and that was the only bad place on it. If the inside is in as good a shape as this... it just might be a good deal."

He turned back to Lundy as they returned to the front door. "All right let's see it."

Levon put the key in the door, turned it and pushed the door open.

Joe stopped for a minute looking at the frosted glass panels in the door with their ornate, entwined script 'L's.

"Latimer's initials. Captain Leroy Latimer, Texas Rangers." Levon grinned, "Course it could stand for Lundy and LaFiamma."

Joe grinned back at him, then turned to look down the long hallway that ran from the front of the house all the way to the back, just like the hall at his Uncle Mikey's.

He nodded slightly. He liked the place but he wasn't ready to commit just yet. As Levon danced ahead, pointing out the multitude of rooms and telling him that the Capt'n had said that the furniture would go with the house, he studied the construction.

Everything on the first floor looked to be solid. No other leaks besides the one on the porch. No wet spots on the ceilings to indicate that there had been an overflow from any of the upstairs bathrooms. Which brought up the question of how many bathrooms were there? There was a utility room and half bath off the kitchen... which was huge and had a pantry bigger than his apartment's entire kitchen. There was a breakfast nook and a formal dining room that looked to be able to seat twenty easily. There was another bathroom off the main hall. So one and a half baths downstairs.

"Ready to go upstairs?" Levon asked.

"Yeah."

As Levon led the way up the front stairs he said, "I don't remember much about this part of the house. Got no idea how many bedrooms and such there are. Most of the time when we came to visit, I played outside or downstairs."

A quick tour of the second floor showed twelve bedrooms and seven baths. Two of the bedrooms were twice the size of the others and had private baths. The other ten were arranged in pairs with a bath between them. Joe checked each one of the bathrooms for any sign of leakage or that there had been any water damage in the past.

Levon breathed a sigh of relief when Joe gave a nod and said, "There doesn't appear to be any leakage or water damage here. Some of the wallpaper is peeling but that's to be expected. I like the wood paneling. Much easier to deal with than the old plaster and lathe style walls that a lot of these old houses have."

"Plaster and lathe?"

"Yeah. Before they started making wallboard, they'd nail narrow, rough cut boards about a quarter inch thick to the studs then plaster over them. It's a real mess if you ever have to tear a wall out. There's probably some in Mother Minnie's house. I really like that most of this is wood inside."

"Joe, are you saying that you like the house?"

"I like what I've seen. I need to check out the attic. If the roof leaks that's where you're really gonna be able to see it. After I see that. I'll tell you yes or no." He smiled at Levon, "But I can tell you now that I'm leaning towards yes."

He hesitated, "This... this is the kinda house I used to dream about when I was little, before my mom died and I went to live with Uncle Mikey... we lived in an apartment... well, a tenement really. I'd walk past these big old houses on the way to school and ... I'd look at them and think... someday... someday, I'm gonna have a beautiful house like that."

"Now's yer chance." Levon stepped close, slipping his arms around Joe, and leaned in for a kiss.

Joe kissed him then murmured, "You wouldn't be trying to influence my decision would you?"

"Who me? Nope. Just reminding you that a happy lover is a passionate lover."

Joe chuckled, "Well if we buy this place you're gonna be a tired lover for a while. It will need work. Now let's go check out that attic."

The stairs, leading up to the attic, were narrower and steeper than the other stairs had been but they were still easily negotiated. The attic itself had been finished.

"Uh-huh," Joe muttered when he saw that. He walked the length of the attic and back, looking around every window and checking the ceiling. Finally he came back to Levon's side. "I can't see any damage. The place looks structurally sound." He grinned, "If the price is right, Cowboy, you got yourself a horse farm!"

"Wooooppppeeee!" Levon couldn't stop the shout of joy, as he launched himself at Joe.

With a laugh Joe caught him and swung him around, then sat him back on his feet and kissed him soundly.

For a long few minutes they stood there just kissing and cuddling. Then Joe pulled back slightly, "Okay, when did you say we sign the papers?"

"Friday afternoon, four o'clock. Latimer's room at the home."

"Then I reckon I can give my notice to my landlord afterwards. We'll need to have a building inspector check the place out and give it the okay before we can move in. I think it'll pass but you still gotta do it when a building's been empty for more than a year. Then we'll need to come out and clean at least part of the place. I'll give two weeks notice. That'll make it the first of the month. I know he's got a waiting list for the apartment so he won't mind that I'm leaving before the lease is up."

Levon grinned and kissed him again, "When ya make up your mind, you make up your mind, don't ya?"

"Uh-huh." Joe kissed him back deep and long. Then abruptly broke off the kiss and raised his head looking around.

"What?"

"Nothing... just suddenly had this feeling somebody was watching us."

Lundy grinned, eyes sparkling with amusement, "Old house... could be a ghost?"

Joe rolled his eyes, "Ghosts! That's all we need!"

Levon chuckled again. "Come on. It's getting dark. We need ta head home."

They went back down the stairs and out the front door.

As Levon locked it behind them, Joe stood looking at the damaged part of the wall and floor of the porch. As he looked at it, it seemed to shimmer and he saw a bay window, protruding out onto the porch, a huge Christmas tree standing in it. He could hear children running and shouting, their laughter echoing through the house. He shook his head to clear it.

Lundy turned and saw Joe staring blankly at the damaged area of the porch. "Joe," he called quietly. When Joe didn't answer just gave his head a shake as if to clear it, he stepped over to him and laid a hand on his arm.

"Joe!" He spoke louder this time.

Joe looked up and smiled at him. "Sorry, just thinking. How would you like a bay window there?" He gestured to the damaged area, "It wouldn't cost much more than to just replace what's there and it'd be a great place to put the Christmas tree."

Levon grinned, "Joe, you've agreed to buy this place, the place *I* wanted. If you want a bay window, you can have a bay window!"

Joe grinned and slung an arm around his shoulders.

Levon let his arm go around Joe's waist and they walked back to the Jimmy together.

As they climbed in and drove off, neither of them looked back, so they didn't see the faces at the second story window.

______________________________________________________________

The girl leaned against the boy, sheltered in his arm, which circled her shoulders, much as Joe's had circled Levon's.

"What are we going to do, Miguel?" Her voice was soft, the words precisely spoken in that careful way common to those who have learned English as a second language. Her accent was faintly oriental, as was the slant of her almond shaped eyes and the pale golden skin. Only the hazel eyes hinted that she was not entirely Asian. "They will buy this place. Where will we go?"

Miguel looked down at her, at seventeen he was already six feet tall. At just over five feet, she seemed tiny in comparison, even with her stomach swollen with child. "I do not know, Tokyo." He drew her close and hugged her slightly. "I will think of something." He also spoke with the careful precision of one who had learned his English as a second language but his accent was Mexican. His skin was dark, a deep brown, darker on his arms and face where the sun had deepened his natural skin tone. His eyes were black.

Two other children clung to them. A black boy of about ten laid a hand on Miguel's arm, "Ya see'em kiss? Coupla queers." He was trying for derision, but only managed to sound scared.

The little blonde-haired, gray-eyed girl that clung to Tokyo was silent, as she had been since the first time she had joined them. They didn't know if she could speak. It didn't matter. Like the rest of them she was a child of the streets.

They had joined together, forming the closest thing to a family that any of them had, now. At first they had lived in a warehouse down near the docks, then Miguel, on his way to one of his day jobs, had passed this place, noticing that it looked empty. Later he had taken them all out to explore it. When they had discovered that it was empty and appeared to have been for some time, they had moved in. It had seemed so safe. It was close enough to the city that Miguel, who had a battered old bicycle that he had found, could go back and forth to the city to find work, buy supplies and such but distant enough that no one bothered them.

They had been careful to keep it neat, not leave evidence of their occupancy lying around but now it looked as if all the care they had taken to not be discovered would be useless. How could they remain in the house if the two men bought it and moved in?

At least they would have a little time to find another place. The men had said that it would be the first of the month before they got moved in.

Tokyo sighed and laid her hand on her stomach. She still had almost three months to go. She had hoped to be able to stay here until she had the baby. Already she had trouble climbing the stairs, usually remaining on the ground floor. She and Silent had hidden in the closet of one of the smaller bedrooms on the second floor when they'd seen the Jimmy coming up the long road to the house, being as quiet as possible, hoping that whoever it was wouldn't find them.

Miguel and Andre, the black boy, had slipped around through the rooms watching the two men. It hadn't been hard to stay out of their way while listening to them, neither man had made any attempt to be quiet, talking loudly and moving noisily.

______________________________________________________________

Over the rest of the week Joe started getting ready to move. He took enough of his clothes out to Lundy's that he thought he'd have enough to wear until they got moved and started packing the rest. Deciding to cook and eat at Lundy's until they got the kitchen at Riverby set up, he packed his dishes and cookware as well.

Since much of his furniture was rented, he let it go back to the rental place. By Friday his apartment was looking decidedly bare. He had even let the rented stereo go back, opting to buy one instead and willing to do without until they got moved.

Lundy was even more excited but he had much more to sort through and pack. He started in on it, packing the things that he seldom used and stacking the carefully labeled boxes in his back bedroom.

Friday found them both more than a little nervous. They were supposed to get off at three o'clock and everyone in the MCU could tell that something was up with them. They were both watching the clock and fidgeting. Joe had looked at his watch fifteen times in the last twenty minutes. Lundy was dropping everything he picked up and they were whispering back and forth like a couple of kids in school.

Finally Carol O'Brien couldn't take it any more, "Joe, Levon what is going on? You're acting like a couple of kids on Christmas morning."

They exchanged looks then Joe shook his head, "Don't jinx it by telling her, Lundy," he warned.

Levon grinned at Carol, "You heard the man, Carol. Can't tell ya."

"Come on, guys. You've been acting weird for days!"

Joe Bill got up and came over, "Yeah. Yer late almost ever mornin'. Run fer the door at three on the button ever afternoon. What're ya'll up ta?"

Lundy gave Joe a pleading look.

Joe shook his head. "No. Look we can tell them tomorrow. We've all got to work and by then we'll know if we got it. Okay?"

Lundy sighed, then brightened, "How about we meet you guys at Chicken's, at say... six o'clock?" He turned back to Joe, "We'll know by then. It'll either be a done deal or we'll know it fell through. That all right with you?"

Joe thought a minute then nodded. "Okay... but you're buying."

"Ain't I always?"

Joe shrugged and gave a noncommittal "Humm," then added, "but if we're celebrating... it could get expensive."

Lundy grinned, "I reckon I can afford ta splurge for once... if we're celebrating."

Joe looked at his watch again, "Three o'clock!" He jumped up and grabbed his jacket, "Let's get outta here before Beaumont, finds some reason to keep us!"

Lundy reached for his jacket just as he saw Lieutenant Beaumont get up from her desk and head for the door of her office. His eyes widened.

Joe saw it and turned to see what he was looking at, "Jesus! Move it, Lundy!"

They ran for the door of the MCU and ducked down the hall to the stairs rather than wait for the elevator.

Beaumont walked over to the group gathered around Joe and Levon's desks. "What *is* the matter with those two?" She demanded.

"Ain't got a clue but Levon promised ta fill us in at Chicken's, 'round six." Joe Bill drawled, "Seems they got some kinda deal goin' down."

It was pretty evident from the interested looks and blatant eavesdropping of the rest of the MCU that Chicken was going to be real busy around six o'clock that evening.

_____________________________________________________________

Having escaped the MCU before Joanne could get to them, Joe and Levon decided to go ahead on out to see Latimer at the home. If the lawyer wasn't there with the paperwork, they could always visit with him until the lawyer showed up.

They were only fifteen minutes early anyhow. Joe trailed Levon down the hall to Latimer's room. The door was standing open and Latimer greeted them warmly.

Levon introduced Joe and then sat down to chat with Latimer while Joe, prowled the room, pacing as was his way when nervous.

Latimer grinned at Levon, "He always like this?"

"Naw, he's just a mite nervous. Buying a place together is a big move. We only been together as a couple for a bit over a month. Before we was just partners... and friends."

Joe looked up obviously startled that Levon had told Latimer the nature of their relationship. The question on his face was plain.

Lundy shrugged, "Man asked me straight out, wuz we more'n partners, more'n friends. Didn't think ya'd want me to lie."

"No. I was just a little surprised." He hesitated, "Is he... okay with that?"

"He's sellin' us the place. Guess he don't mind too much." Levon looked at Latimer, hoping that the old man would say something to ease the touch of worry that he felt coming off Joe.

Latimer shrugged, "No skin offa my nose. Levon seems happy. Reckon that's what counts. Kinda wonder about yer goin' in ta business together so soon. Could be a real mess if you bust up."

"We're not going to bust up." Joe's voice was quiet but there was certainty in it. A quiet surety that made Latimer take another look at the fancy dressed Yankee.

Leroy Latimer liked Lundy. Liked him a lot. His grandfather Tyler had been Latimer's partner for a time and they had remained good friends until Tyler's death. When Levon had told him that he and his partner were lovers he'd been a bit shocked but seeing how happy Levon had looked he had decided to let it go.

Then when he'd met Joe his doubts had resurfaced. The man seemed nervous, ill at ease... out of place. He was a good-looking man and he obviously knew how good he looked, dressed to show his looks off. Expensive clothes, expensive tastes... he could break Levon fast. Run the ranch right into the ground with his spendthrift ways.

But now, when challenged about the possibility of his relationship with Lundy going sour he'd snapped right to, his head had come up, he'd met Latimer's eyes straight on. There wasn't a hint of doubt in that voice. Latimer gave a slight nod. The man had made a commitment to Levon and intended to keep it. Well, Lundy had said that the man was all Italian temper and fire but solid underneath it. Maybe he was right. Latimer would give him the benefit of the doubt and go ahead with what he'd planned.

At four o'clock exactly Latimer's lawyer and his assistant knocked on the door, effectively ending the conversation.

The lawyer laid out the papers, then began his talk. "As the buyers you are to be responsible for the back taxes that are owed as well as this years taxes. Do you understand this?"

When both men said they did he went on, "You are also to be responsible for any repairs that the buildings on the property may need to bring them up to standard. This means you accept them as is." He looked up to see if they understood.

"Capt'n Latimer gave us a key. We've seen the place. Looks pretty good to have been empty as long as it has." Levon said, "We understand that we're getting it as is."

Joe nodded his agreement.

The lawyer looked over at Latimer. "I worded the selling price just as you wanted. Are you certain that this is what you want to do?"

"I'm certain. I'm ninety-seven years old. I won't live a lot longer. I have no heirs. Levon's grandfather was my closest friend. Levon's as close to family as I have left. I'm sure about this."

Joe and Levon exchanged looks, What was the old man up to.

"Very well, the transfer of title reads, I, Leroy Andrew Latimer, transfer the title of the property known as Riverby Ranch to Levon Elmer Lundy, Jr. and Joseph Anthony LaFiamma for the sum of ten dollars and other considerations."

Lundy's jaw dropped. "Ten dollars!" He gasped.

Joe's eyes went suspicious, "What other considerations?" he demanded.

"Joe!" Lundy chided him.

"It's all right, Levon. Thought you mighta told him." He turned to Joe, "Your partner promised me that I would always be welcome at Riverby, for as long as I lived and you owned it."

Joe turned to look at Levon.

Lundy smiled, "Didn't think you'd mind..."

"No... no I don't mind... just another surprise." He turned back to Latimer. "We appreciate this but... Riverby is worth a lot of money. You could sell it to a developer for ... millions."

"I don't need millions and Levon's gonna make it back into what it was meant to be a horse ranch... breeding farm. You boys will need the money you save to fix it up, buy stock that sort of thing."

Joe still hesitated.

Levon could feel a variety of emotions rolling through him. Finally he said, "Joe, ya don't look a gift horse in the mouth, son."

Joe looked up at him, his eyes still worried, "I can't help thinking. What will IA think, if they find out how little we paid for the place? How will it look? We're cops..."

Latimer gave a sharp coughing laugh, "You're thinkin' it'll look like a pay off or a bribe? There's nothing to bribe you about, nothing to pay you off for. If they look, all they'll find is that Levon's grandfather was my partner at one time and that I have no one left to leave Riverby to. I'd rather sell it to an old friend's grandson for a song than let the state decide what becomes of it after I'm gone. Would like one more favor though."

"What's that?" Joe asked quietly.

"My wife, both my boys are buried on the ranch. I'd like to be buried beside them. Always planned on it."

"Done." Joe said.

"That's a promise Capt'n." Levon added.

"Then let's get this signed and done with." Latimer grinned.

______________________________________________________________

They were grinning when they walked into Chicken's. Then they stopped dead still, looking around. It looked like every cop in Houston was in the place.

Joe looked at Lundy.

Lundy looked back.

Joe cleared his throat and leaned close to whisper, "Still gonna buy drinks for the house?"

Lundy shook his head but sighed and said, "I told ya I would. I will."

Together they walked over to the counter where Chicken stood with a look of anticipation on his face.

Casually, innocently, Levon asked, "What's goin' on Chicken?" He almost ruined it with the grin he couldn't quite hide.

"Well, now." The big black man began, "I was told that you two had some real important news to impart." He waved his hand towards the eager group of waiting officers.

Joe turned to look the bunch over, making note of who was there. Beaumont and her husband, Annie, Carol, Joe-Bill and his latest girlfriend, Esteban, Dale Lipscomb and Dave Sutton, Nate Holiday, not to mention dozens of uniformed officers, even the Deputy Chief over at a corner table, all looking expectantly towards them. He turned and grinned at Levon.

Lundy nodded.

Joe turned to Chicken. "Chicken, beers for the house. Put it on Lundy's tab."

Chicken looked at Lundy who grinned and nodded.

"Well, well! This must be a momentous occasion, if Levon's buying for the house!" He turned and signaled his waiters to pass out beers to everybody.

They waited until everybody had their beers then Joe picked his up, took off the top and watched Lundy do the same. Then he leaned over and whispered something to Chicken.

Chicken's eyes went wide, "You don't say!" He exclaimed. "Well now, it'd be my pleasure to make the toast." He straightened up and held up his beer, "Ladies and gentlemen, a toast to the new owners of Riverby Ranch, Levon Lundy and Joe LaFiamma!"

For a moment there was stunned silence then Carol exclaimed, "Riverby! Oh, my God! Levon you finally did it!"

As the news sunk in to the others she turned and held her bottle up, shouting, "Hear, hear!"

Shouts of "Hear, Hear!" echoed as the crowd surged to its feet and descended on Joe and Levon.

They spent the next few hours explaining to everybody how they came to buy the place. Riverby was a well-known property, famous as a horse-breeding farm.

They stayed later than they had planned and drank more, ending up going to Joe's to spend the night rather than driving out to Lundy's.

The next month would be very busy.

_____________________________

To Be Continued