Fandom: Houston Knights
Series: Other Pairings
Rating: NC17
Pairing: Joe/Annie
Archive: No
Title: Forbidden Fruit 1
Author: Starwinder
e-mail address: 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.

Author's Note: The pamphlets and books that Joe is reading in this to learn about the possibilities of sex for Annie are fictitious. I made the titles up. I don't have any idea if there actually are booklets and pamphlets available to the spouses and lovers of people with paralysis. If not there should be.

Forbidden Fruit 1
By Starwinder

Detective Sgt. Joe LaFiamma had just turned into the hall that led to the forensics office when he heard the angry voices coming from it. As he neared the door it opened and a man came storming out roughly shoving past him. The man smelled strongly of liquor.

Opening the door, Joe stepped inside. He saw Annie behind her desk, trying to hide the fact that she'd been crying. It was, however, useless. The tears had smeared her mascara and left dark streaks down her face. He hurried to her, dropping to one knee at the side of her wheelchair.

"Annie! What happened? Who was that man? You want me to go after him? I could arrest---"

"No!" she cut him off sharply, as she wiped at her face again. "No." she repeated more gently. "It's ... it's all right, Joey. He's my husband. It's a personal matter." She reached out and caressed his cheek. Looking at him sadly. "Thank you, but I can handle it." She dropped her hand away from his cheek and looked away.

He caught her hand and drew it to his lips kissing it gently.

Her breath caught in her throat at the sensations that simple act brought.

He looked worriedly into her eyes. "Okay, Annie. If you say so ... but you know, you ever need anything ..." He let it trail off.

She smiled at him through the remnants of her tears. "I know, Joey." She wiped at her face again. "I better go and freshen up. Did you need something done right now?"

"No, Annie. It can wait till you get back." He said gently. Rising he took hold of the handles on the back of her wheelchair and guided it out from behind the desk, then over to the door.

As soon as they were outside the office Annie reached for the wheels, looking up at Joe she said quietly. "I'll be right back, you wait here." Making it plain that she didn't want him to wheel her to the women's room.

Joe stepped back and gave her a small smile of acceptance.

As she wheeled her chair down the hall she couldn't help but think what a nice young man, Levon's new partner was. He'd only been down here a few months and he was somewhat standoffish by some people's standards, rude and obnoxious by other's, but he had always been the soul of kindness to her. From the first day he'd met her, he'd been ready with a helping hand anytime she needed it. He held doors and reached up to hand down files that she couldn't reach as naturally as breathing. He never commented on her disability, just helped whenever and however he could to make her day to day existence easier. He wasn't patronizing, just kind. It didn't hurt that he was the nicest looking man she'd seen in a while, either.

She smiled to herself at that thought. Looking in the mirror as she fixed her face, she suddenly blushed at a vision that had formed unbidden. [Annie Hartung! You dirty old woman! You're almost old enough to be that boy's mother!]

She spent several more minutes in the women's room than was actually necessary to fix her face, trying to get her traitorous mind off the vision of a naked and aroused LaFiamma carrying her to bed.
By the time she returned to her office she had almost succeeded, then he turned and flashed her that shy smile of his. Instantly her mind went careening back to the vision. She felt a wave of heat sweep over her. Forcing herself to at least try to act professional, she cleared her throat and said in a business like voice, "Now, what was it you wanted, Joe?"

He smiled at her, "I was just wondering if you had the ballistics report on the shooting yesterday afternoon ready. It's all right if you don't." He added hastily, wanting to reassure her that he wasn't trying to be pushy, "It's just that Lundy's being an ass today and ..."

She chuckled, "And he wants to know why it's not on his desk and he's taking it out on you."

He shrugged. "Something like that."

She went to the desk and found the file he needed, "Give it to him and tell him I said, 'next time he wants something from me, tell me. Don't take it out on you'."

"It's all right, Annie. I'm used to him yelling at me ... and I'd rather he yelled at me than you." He gave her that shy smile again, along with a soft look.

As he took the file and left, Annie stared after him with a thoughtful look on her face. That look had been so ... warm. Almost heated. It couldn't be that he-- [No! Now you're being a fool. An old married fool.] Her thoughts turned bitter and she found herself fighting back tears again. [Married! What a joke. He hasn't made love to me since I was shot. Hasn't touched me in months. Oh, how I wish he'd just hold me! It would be so wonderful to be held, touched, talked to.]

She blinked back the tears. [Stop it! Stop it right now!] By sheer will power she forced herself to hold in the tears and get back to work.

Much later, as LaFiamma was about to leave for the day, was in fact getting into the plain wrap that he was driving, he saw Annie exit the elevator and roll her wheel chair across the parking garage toward her van. Watching her, he suddenly smiled and dropped his keys back in his pocket. Crossing the garage to her, he said, "Hi, Annie. You need any help?"

They were almost at the van now, she stopped and looked up at him, "I can manage, Joey." She said softly.

"I don't doubt that, I just thought maybe ... you'd like a hand." His eyes were soft and warm.

The look reminded her of the way he'd looked at her in the office and a sudden rush of warmth flowed through her. In a flash of insight, she recognized the look and it shook her. [Desire? No! it can't be!] " I ..." She hesitated, then smiled, "I'd be honored to have you help me."

The smile that crossed his face was like sunshine breaking through rain. Bright and beautiful.

[Oh, Annie! What are you letting get started here?] She chided herself.

He quickly opened the van side door and lowered the wheelchair lift. After guiding her chair onto it he raised it back, then waited until she was inside before closing the side doors back. Stepping to the driver's door he looked up at her. "All settled?"

"Yes. Thanks, Joey."

"You're welcome." He started to turn to go then turned back, "Uh, Annie?"

"Yes?"

"I was wondering ..." He dropped his gaze to the floor of the garage, suddenly shy, "if you'd like to have dinner with me sometime. I mean ... I don't mean anything out of the way ... I just ... I don't know many people here yet," He looked up at her hopefully, "and I thought maybe, since we kinda work together ... we could have dinner some night ... and talk?"

She looked at him for a long moment. [He's just lonely, that's all it is and he's so nice ...] She smiled at him. "Sure, Joey. Anytime."

"Tomorrow night? Would my place be okay? I'm a good cook and ..." he looked back down at the floor again, "I don't have enough money to take you somewhere ... nice"

"We can meet at Chicken's," she said it gently, not wanting to hurt his feelings but afraid of what she might find herself saying ... not to mention doing, if they had dinner at his place.

He looked disappointed but smiled and nodded, saying, "Eight thirty be all right?"

She agreed and he headed back for his car.

The next night, LaFiamma strolled into Chicken's dressed to kill. He had on a pale blue knit tank top that hugged every line of his impressive chest and brought out the blue of his eyes, while, at the same time, revealing his finely muscled arms and shoulders. He wore a navy blue sweater over it to conceal his guns and a pair of navy slacks that contrasted nicely with the pale blue of the tank top. He removed the outer sweater, hanging it on the coat rack.

He came over to the counter Chicken was leaning on talking to Lundy. As soon as he got near Lundy looked up, "Whew, Boy! What'd you do? Bath in cologne? Must have a hot date tonight." He teased.

"Something like that." LaFiamma said solemnly, then turned to Chicken, "Have you seen Annie tonight, Chicken?"

"Not tonight." Chicken replied, giving him a curious look, "Why?"

Joe smiled at them, "Annie's my date tonight. We're having dinner. Here. She was supposed to meet me."

"What time?" Chicken asked.

"Eight thirty."

Lundy looked at his watch, "You're a mite early. It ain't hardly eight o'clock yet. Ain't anxious are you?" He grinned at Chicken then went back to teasing Joe. "You do know that she's a married lady."

"I know." His voice was hard and there was an edge to it.

Chicken gave him a curious look then exchanged looks with Lundy. Something about the way LaFiamma'd said those two words was ringing warning bells with both of them.

Suddenly, Lundy didn't feel like teasing his partner anymore, reaching out to take a hold of Joe's arm he said firmly, "LaFiamma, don't you go doing something you'll regret!"

LaFiamma pulled free of him, his eyes fastening on Annie as she wheeled herself into the restaurant. "I don't intend to regret anything." He snapped at Lundy and went to greet her.

Chicken and Lundy exchanged looks again. Annie was dressed very nicely, in a simple but pretty dress. She'd had her hair done and her makeup was perfect. She smiled up at Joe as he took hold of the handles of her wheelchair, maneuvered it to a table and set the wheel locks. Leaning over her, he commented on how nice she looked.

She smiled and thanked him.

He turned to look at Chicken, his eyes plainly saying 'can we get some service over here?'

Chicken picked up two menus and went to take their order.

Several hours later they were still sitting at the table, talking and laughing. They'd played a game of pool and Annie had won. Joe'd paid her the small bet they'd placed on the game. She'd requested a couple of songs on the jukebox and Joe had quickly gotten up and gone to play them for her.

Lundy and Chicken watched it all with interest. For Lundy the interest was turning into a growing disquiet.

Chicken leaned across the counter, talking quietly to Lundy, "He's been a perfect gentleman."

"I know, but ..." He let it trail off. "It's hard to explain Chicken. He's been acting funny since yesterday. Asking about Annie's husband. Real curious." He shook his head.

"What was he asking?"

"About how her husband dealt with her being paralyzed. Did the man drink? When did he start? Lots of questions. 'Bout stuff that ain't none of his business. "

Looking at Annie's smiling, happy face, Lundy couldn't help the unsettled, sinking feeling in his stomach. Somehow, he knew, he just knew that this was headed for ... [for what? Sex? She's paralyzed, for God's sake. How could they ... ?]

Lundy knew that Annie's home life wasn't happy. Her husband had taken her paralysis harder than she had, turning to the bottle for comfort and leaving her to deal with the disability alone. Watching her laughing and happy with LaFiamma, seeing how attentive Joe was to her, he had the sudden thought that she would be easy prey to someone as charming and good looking as Joe. She had to be lonely ... and LaFiamma could take advantage of that.

It never occurred to him that Annie might have intentions of her own.

It was nearly midnight when Joe paid his and Annie's tab and rolled her out the door to her van.

After helping her in, he stepped to the driver's window. "I had a great time, Annie. You're wonderful company." His eyes were soft and lit with happiness.

Annie smiled back at him, "You're pretty good company yourself, Big Boy."

Joe grinned at the nickname. "Glad to hear it. I still wish you'd let me cook for you sometime. I really am a good cook. I can make you a lasagna that will melt in your mouth. My grandmother's recipe. Absolutely delicious. And I got this recipe for Strawberries Alberto. Old family recipe. Great-grandmother Bellarosa's. You'd love it, if you like strawberries."

Annie laughed softly, "I love strawberries!" She reached out and caressed his cheek, "Maybe later. For now I think we should stick to Chicken's."

"Okay. But soon as I get some money, I'm taking you somewhere really nice. I don't see how you can eat barbecue all the time."

She laughed, "It's a Texan thing."

"Gotta be." He smiled back at her.

"Good night, Joey." She stroked his cheek again.

He reached up and took her hand, turning it to kiss the palm before saying, "Good night, Annie." His voice soft and vibrant. He looked deep into her eyes as he released the hand and stepped back to let her drive off.

She cranked the van and drove off but her heart was beating wildly and her breath was a bit ragged.

LaFiamma turned to find Lundy standing about ten feet away watching him. His partner stalked over. "What the hell do you think you're up to, Boy?" he snarled. "Annie is married!"

"Yeah!" LaFiamma snapped back at him, "To a man who doesn't appreciate or support her! She deserves better!" He shoved past Lundy, striding to his car, climbing in and spinning out of the parking lot, slinging gravel as he did.

Lundy stared after him, confused and angry. On the one hand Joe was right, everybody knew that Annie deserved better than the man she was married to. On the other hand, she was still married. [Annie's my friend ... and he's my partner. What do I do? I haven't seen her as happy as she was tonight since before she was shot. But she's married. If they ... and I know ... what do I do?]

The taillights disappearing down the road offered no answer. Neither did the silent stars above. He turned and stomped back into Chicken's. A pool game would help him think.

The next morning, Lundy was already at his desk when LaFiamma came in. The Yankee was carrying a handful of leaflets and small books. He opened his right hand desk drawer and dropped them in, firmly closing and locking it.

Lundy frowned. What could the leaflets be about that LaFiamma would feel the need to lock them in his gun drawer? He gnawed at the thought the rest of the morning. It wasn't until they needed to go back to the holding cells to question a prisoner that he got the opportunity to find out what the leaflets were about.

As Joe dropped his guns into the drawer, Lundy stepped close and reached to lay his inside too, looking to see if he could read the titles on the papers. He froze as he saw the top one. "Living With Paralysis: Yes, You Can Make Love.", the title screamed at him.

He turned to LaFiamma, a belligerent look crossing his face. Opening his mouth to snarl at his partner, he caught a glimpse of Annie rolling her chair towards them. He snapped his mouth shut and slammed the desk drawer, turning the key to lock it. He turned to face Annie, carefully arranging his face into a smile of greeting.

"Good morning, Joe." Annie gave him a warm smile before nodding to Lundy, "Levon." She barely looked at him before turning back to LaFiamma, smiling up at him. "Here's the pathologist's report on that body HPD found last night." She handed it to Joe. Still smiling, she added. "I had a great time last night. Thanks so much."

"You're welcome, Annie. I had a good time, too. Are we still on for tomorrow night?"

Her face lit up as she laughed softly, "Oh, yes! Definitely!" She gave Lundy a glance then said, "Gotta go. Catch you boys later. Be careful out there now, you hear."

"Yes, Annie." They said in chorus as she turned her chair and wheeled it out of the bullpen.

LaFiamma tossed the file folder on the desk and headed for the holding cell. Lundy followed him.

As soon as they were out of sight of the bullpen, Lundy grabbed his partner's arm and slammed him up against the hall wall.

"I got just one thing to say to you, Mr. Hot Pants! You hurt Annie, and you'll answer to me! Got it?" He snarled.

LaFiamma glared back at him. "I've got no intention of hurting her, Cowboy. So just back off!" He jerked loose of Lundy and continued on to the holding cell leaving Lundy to follow or not as he chose.

##########

The next night, Lundy sat at the counter at Chicken's watching Joe and Annie playing pool. Annie leaned over the table for her shot, sank the ball, then straightened. She started to drag herself around the table to line up the next shot when Joe slipped an arm around her waist and lifted her, carrying her to the other side of the table, supporting her till she was settled and ready to make her shot. She laughed up at him, then sank the last ball, beating him again.

Joe chuckled and helped her back to her chair, wheeling her back to their table, signaling Chicken that they were finally ready to eat.

Lundy walked over, just in time to hear her say with a soft laugh, "You know, Joey, it'd be harder for me to beat you, if you didn't help me!"

Joe ducked his head and smiling that shy smile, replied, "But I like to help you, Annie."

Annie reached out and patted his hand, leaving her hand covering his.

Lundy spoke up, "This a private party, or can anyone join?"

Joe looked up and smiled at him, "Kinda private, but I suppose we can make an exception for you. Sit down."

Annie gave Joe a questioning look and started to pull her hand back from his. He gave a tiny shake of his head and turned his hand over so that his hand now covered hers. His eyes met hers and held for a long moment.

Watching his partner's face, Lundy realized that the look on it was of sadness, almost despair, then LaFiamma released Annie's hand and began to nervously rearrange the silverware beside his plate.

Annie sighed and looked down at her plate.

The conversation died.

Looking from one of them to the other, Lundy could clearly see that his presence was putting a damper on their evening. As worried as he was about where this relationship was going, he found himself feeling sorry that he'd interfered. Joe was a long way from home, with no one to be close to, no one to share his life with. [No one but me ... and I ain't exactly tried to be understanding and accepting.] As for Annie, she might be married and have family in Houston but she was still in many ways isolated. Her wheelchair was a barrier that a lot of people couldn't get past. Joe had accepted her, just as she was and she had returned the favor. By doing so, she had perhaps come to know him better in the short time he'd been in Houston than anyone else, even his partner.

After the silence had stretched for a few moments, Lundy looked at his watch and cleared his throat, "You know," he said, "I just remembered. I promised Joanne I'd come in early tomorrow. I think I'll call it a night." Rising, he tipped his hat to Annie. "Ya'll don't stay out too late, now. You gotta work tomorrow, too."

Ignoring the questioning look LaFiamma gave him, he stepped around behind his partner, laying a hand on his shoulder, giving it a quick squeeze. He leaned down and whispered, "You mind your manners, Boy." Then he was gone. Leaving them to themselves. Whatever happened between them, would happen.

The End