Joe watched from the window as the plane carrying his family back to Chicago taxied down the runway, and lifted off the ground. He continued to watch until it was no longer in view. With a quiet sigh, Joe turned away, and began to make his way back to the Jimmy. They were barely gone, and he already missed them. He could feel their absence like a dull ache in his chest.

Some part of him found it appropriate that it was raining. The sky was shedding the tears he promised himself he wouldn't. He wanted to be strong for his family. He didn't want to upset Maria or Rosa. He didn't want to make saying good bye any harder than it had to be. Rosa had taught him when he was young to face what was necessary without flinching, to undertake the difficult without making it worse. He sometimes wondered if he would ever have the courage and fortitude his aunt seemed to possess.

As it was, Joe nearly lost it when Maria started crying silently. She had hugged him, holding on tight while large tears rolled unchecked down her face. He hated seeing her unhappy. For one crazy moment, Joe considered going to see if he could get a seat on the plane. Anything to stop her crying. Anything to make her smile again.

"I love you, Joey." She said in a broken whisper.

"I love you too, Sprite." He gently patted her back, holding her close and offering what comfort he could. "Shhh.... It's okay. Now, no more tears. It's okay."

When they finally managed to separate, Maria turned to Carlo and he wrapped an arm around her. Carlo handed her a handkerchief to dry her tears. He nodded to Joe, dark eyes solemn. "I'll take care of her, Joe."

Joe nodded. "I know you will, Carlo." He held out his hand, and Carlo shook it once.

"It was nice to finally be able to meet you."

"Yeah." Joe smiled easily, thinking that in spite of everything, it had been nice to meet his sister's husband. "You too." [When I first met him I didn't think I'd like him. Not sure I like him now, but I've got more respect for him than I did. As long as he does right by Maria, I have no beef with him.]

Rosa had hugged him. She cupped his face between her hands, and smiled softly. "This is not good-bye, Joseph. We will see each other again. So this is just until next time. Yes?"

Joe had smiled wanly, trying gamely to meet her half way. "Until the next time."

"No matter where you are, or what you do, never doubt that I love you."

"I won't."

Rosa nodded. She patted his cheek, and tilted his head so she could place a kiss on his forehead the same way she did when he was little. "Give my love to Levon as well." She said just loud enough for him to hear.

"I will."

Then they were boarding the plane, and leaving him behind. Joe took a shaky breath, let it out slowly and stepped out into the rain. If he was in Chicago, the rain would be ice cold, and wind driven. He would be sprinting for the Jimmy just to get out of it sooner. But in Houston, the rain felt only a bit cooler than bath water, so Joe strolled at a leisurely pace. He couldn't muster the energy to rush or even care that he was getting wet.

For several minutes he sat in the driver's seat and watched the rain run in rivulets down the windshield. Joe sighed. Every time members of his family came to visit he was ecstatic, and every time they left it hurt like hell. He felt the internal ache of loneliness like the first time all over again. [God, I hate good-byes.]

He started the truck. Not wanting to deal with silence Joe flipped on the radio, keeping the volume low. He smiled when sounds of country music started playing softly. The music was a quick reminder that this time he wasn't alone. This time he was going home to more than an empty apartment.

Joe felt his spirits lift. Levon was waiting. He would not be confronted with enforced solitude, or isolation. He wouldn't have to struggle to deal with how he felt on his own. He might not be surrounded family, but he was far from alone.

Joe had tried to convince Levon to come with him to see Rosa, Maria and Carlo off. But Levon had made a point of saying his good-byes last night. He hadn't wanted to intrude on what he called a 'family moment'.

"Ya should have yer time together as family. Say yer own good-byes without worryin' about some one else."

"You are family." Joe had insisted. "Even Rosa said so."

Levon just shook his head. "Can't, Joe. I jus' can't."

"Why not?"

Levon took a breath. His brown eyes dark with sadness. Levon raised a hand and caressed Joe's cheekbone lightly. "Yer gonna hurt, and I'll wanna fix that. I won't be able to. Not there. Not with all those people standin' around. Won't even be able ta touch you, Joe."

"It would help just to have you there."

Levon pulled him into a gentle hug. "Please don't ask me ta stand around, doin' nothin' while yer bleedin'. Please."

Put in those terms there was no way he could really force the issue, so he relented. Joe wouldn't be able to stand by doing nothing, acting as little more than a concerned friend if Levon were in a similar situation. He didn't have that kind of self-control. [Hell, I barely had enough control to let them leave.]

Even though his lover wasn't physically with him, Joe would swear he could feel his presence. He fingered the pendant as he drove. He thought of it as tangible proof of Levon's love. It was comforting to have it to hang on to.

He wove his way through traffic, eager to get to the ranch. At this time of day traffic was blessedly light, and it didn't take long before he was pulling into the driveway. Without warning the heavens opened up, going from a gentle rain, to a downpour in less than a second. Joe ran for the door in a futile attempt to avoid the worst of it.

Joe kicked off his shoes, not wanting to track water through the house. He shivered slightly, feeling the temperature change. He shook his head when he realized that he was soaked. [Figures. Can't tell me God doesn't have a sense of humor.]

Levon stepped out of the kitchen. He handed a warm cup of coffee to Joe. Taking in Joe's sodden state, Levon asked, "You go play in puddles?"

Joe chuckled. "Might have gotten less wet that way."

He sipped his coffee. [Ah, man, that's good.] It was just the way he liked it. He held up the cup. "Thanks."

Levon smiled. "Yer welcome." His smile grew into a grin. "Yer drippin'."

Joe rolled his eyes. "I know."

Levon tugged on his arm. "C'mon. Let's get you outta those wet clothes. Don't want you catchin' cold."

Joe raised his eyebrows at that. The rain was too warm for him to feel much of a chill. He followed Levon down the hall anyway. The exchange had been so reassuringly normal, like today was any other day. Joe welcomed that feeling. It felt comfortable to talk about something so ordinary.

[Feel like we haven't had a simple, casual conversation all week. Never thought I'd miss being able to talk about the mundane. Never really knew just how nice it was to not have everything focus on the next crisis or the last one.]

Joe sipped his coffee again, enjoying not only the flavor and warmth, but also the fact that his lover had made it just for him. Joe blinked as he stepped into the bedroom. Several candles were lit, and provided a soft light, offsetting the gloom of the storm outside. The steady rhythm of rain on the roof and against the windows only served to heighten the feeling that right then, they were the only two people in the world.

Levon took the half-empty cup away from him and set it on the dresser. He slowly unbuttoned Joe's shirt, placing a trail of kisses on Joe's chest as he gained access to more and more skin. Levon slid his wet shirt off his shoulders. With a smile, Levon ducked his head and laved one nipple.

Joe gasped. "I... thought you didn't... want me... to catch cold." It was so hard to think, much less talk, when Levon touched him like that.

Levon grinned. "Yer not feelin' warmer? Maybe I'm doin' somethin' wrong."

Joe shivered, hearing the rough, husky sound in Levon's voice. "Wrong? No... I just might need more before I can say for sure if it's working."

"I'll see what I can do." Levon rubbed his hair against Joe's washboard abs, the silky soft strands teasing goose bumps to rise, before pulling away. He straightened, and worked his way from Joe's right shoulder, down his arm, placing little kisses on his skin. He pushed Joe's shirt further down each time until he reached the cuff. He unbuttoned it, and then worked his way back up. He stopped to pay special attention to the inside of Joe's elbow, and again to suckle at the hollow of Joe's throat, making Joe feel weak in the knees. Following the line of Joe's collarbone, and down the left shoulder and arm, Levon undid the other cuff. Joe's shirt dropped to the floor with a damp plop.

Joe pulled Levon in for a long, thorough kiss. He dueled with his lover's tongue, enjoying the battle, and exploring the already familiar moist cavity of his mouth. Joe sighed when Levon's agile hands managed to undo his belt, and his pants.

He regretfully relinquished Levon's wonderful mouth to let him push off his pants. Joe frowned realizing he was now naked, but Levon was still fully clothed.

"You're falling behind, Cowboy."

Levon grinned wickedly. "You gonna do somethin' about that?" He held his hands out to the side, palm up, indicating he was giving Joe permission to do anything he wanted.

Joe swiftly divested Levon of all his clothing. He wanted skin to skin, and he wanted it now. Levon didn't seem to mind his impatience. It took very little time to strip Levon.

Joe marveled again at the feel of the smooth, warm skin beneath his fingers. He wanted to map every inch of his lover's lean form. He followed his fingers with his tongue, delighting in the breathy moans and sighs he got in response.

Levon was swaying slightly, and Joe realized it would probably be a good idea to move this party to a more comfortable venue. He frog stepped Levon toward the bed. If Levon had been completely healthy, Joe would have simply toppled them both on to the bed. Joe was still mindful of Levon's cracked ribs, and pulled back, letting Levon ease himself on to the bed.

He couldn't help but smile at the languid grace his lover used to make himself comfortable. It was an enticing display. Levon moved with all the sensuous beauty of a cat. Long muscles moving smoothly under sleek skin only added to the image. His pale gold skin seemed to glow against the dark blue bedspread. The flickering light and shadows of the candles added to the allure, hiding Levon one minute and revealing him the next. It made Joe's fingers itch to touch, to hold, to claim.

Levon looked up from under his lashes. It was a blatant invitation. "Wanna go for a ride? Thought you might want another lesson."

Joe shook himself, trying to maintain some control. "Oh yeah. I think a ride would be real good about now." He leered as he moved to cover Levon.

Joe straddled Levon, making sure to keep most of his weight on his hands and knees. "Practice makes perfect, and all that."

Levon stretched. He shifted against Joe with a sensual roll of his hips. "Practice. Perfect." He said with a sigh.

Joe leaned in and captured that beautiful mouth. [God. I love the way he tastes.] He pulled himself away and moved lower to tease those incredibly sensitive nipples. He licked the right one and blew on it. He loved the way those rosy little nubs would instantly harden in response to the lightest stimuli.

Levon stretched his arms over his head, arching his back, trying to get encourage more contact. He whimpered when Joe rolled his left nipple between his thumb and first finger. "Please...Joe...Please."

Joe smiled, and proceeded to drive his lover mad by alternating between fingers, tongue, teeth, and warm puffs of air. He was tempted to see if he could make Levon come without ever touching his cock. But if he did that he wouldn't get his ride, and given how much he enjoyed his last one, that just wasn't going to be an option today.

Joe reached for the lube, and popped the top. Levon stopped him when he would have slicked his own fingers to prepare himself. Levon held out his hand.

"Let me." He whispered hoarsely.

Joe nodded, and squeezed a generous amount on to Levon's fingers. Those long, elegant fingers were so very talented. No one had ever made him feel as good as Levon did.

Joe moaned when Levon inserted his fingers, stroking slowly, easing his way in. On each return stroke, Levon pulled out enough to lightly rim Joe's hole. Joe's breath was coming in harsh pants. [/Christ... that feels so good.]

He made a small sound of loss and discontent when Levon pulled his fingers away entirely. "Shhh.... S'okay." Levon's eyes were so dark they were almost black, and Joe could see his cock leaking. "Need ta be in ya, Joe."

Joe smiled, and lubed Levon's dick, teasing him with a few light touches. When Levon tilted his head back, eyes closed to better enjoy the sensation, Joe leaned down to nibble on the pulse point of his neck. He pulled away, and positioned himself to let Levon's hard shaft slid home.

His breath escaped in a drawn out moan of pleasure. "So good... so good." He rocked slowly, gradually increasing the tempo and length of the stroke. Joe shifted enough to alter the angle so that his prostate was being hit every time.

He almost howled when Levon started to stroke his cock, matching speed with him. His head fell back as he tried to handle the sensory over load. Joe could feel the pressure building. He was so close... so close... he was seeing stars.

He had just enough presence of mind not to collapse on Levon. He managed to catch himself on his hands, holding himself above Levon, panting for breath. Joe could feel tremors running through him as after shocks of pleasure rippled over him from head to toe. Those same tremors were reflected back at him from Levon.

Joe couldn't tell if Levon had come before him, with him or afterwards, but if the ragged breathing, and suddenly lax muscles were anything to go by, Levon had come just as hard as he had. Joe opened his eyes just in time to see Levon swipe a finger of spunk off his chest. He raised it to his mouth and licked it off, as delicate as a cat eating cream. He smiled up at Joe before he sucked the digit into his mouth. That had to be the most erotic, arousing thing Joe had ever seen.

Joe groaned. [Spirit is willing, but the flesh just isn't up to the job.] "Do you have any idea what seeing you do that does to me?"

Levon raised an eyebrow, and did it again. Joe grabbed his hand. "Please, Cowboy, don't do that. Not when I'm in no shape to do anything about it."

"Jus' so we're clear... it's okay if I do it when ya can do something about it?" Levon chuckled when Joe nodded eagerly.

Joe shifted so he could lay next to Levon, stretching out with a faint moan. He suddenly understood Levon's expression of feeling like he'd been rode hard and put away wet. [Feel like I just ran a marathon, but god, it was so good.]

Levon cleaned the rest of Joe's cream from his chest with the near by hand towel. He snuggled in close to Joe, resting his head on Joe's shoulder. Joe wrapped his arms around him and pulled him in closer, content to just enjoy the afterglow.

Joe could feel himself crashing. He hadn't slept well last night. There were too many thoughts and emotions running through his head for him to relax properly. He was elated that he'd managed to tell Maria about his relationship with Levon, and that she not only accepted it, she approved. He was still riding high on the fact that Aunt Rosa was even more accepting. Joe tossed around the idea of calling his older sister, and seeing if he could let her know over the phone. He was still upset that Carlo had tried to hit his partner. He harbored a small amount of anger at Levon for not mentioning that little detail sooner. It was so frustrating that Levon would consider his own personal well being to be less important than Joe's relationship with his brother-in-law. Joe certainly didn't agree with that opinion. He would have to find someway to convince Levon that nothing, but nothing, was more important to him than his partner, friend and lover. He already missed Aunt Rosa's calming influence and loving reassurance. He'd lain awake half the night just listening to Levon breath, using that soft sound, and his lover's warmth to center himself, trying to mentally prepare himself for the coming day.

Joe relaxed, settling in more deeply. He was warm and comfortable. The steady drumming of rain on the roof provided a lulling background noise. His last conscious thought was trying to decide if he should feel guilty about going back to bed so early in the day.

When he woke an hour later, it was still raining. He shifted restlessly not sure why he was awake. Levon ran fingers through his hair in a gentle caress. "Shh... s'alright." A soft whisper of comfort that made him smile.

He opened his eyes to see Levon propped up on one elbow. He had apparently been watching him sleep. "Who needs a life now?" Joe teased softly remembering Levon's response to learning Joe had been doing the same thing not too long ago.

Levon shrugged. "Jus' thought I'd see what the appeal was."

"You figure it out?" Joe asked with a grin before stretching, and settling in closer. Levon had pulled away from him to watch, and he found he missed the body contact.

Levon grinned. "You could say that. Might have ta do it some more though 'fore I really get a handle on it."

Joe chuckled. "I'm sure we can work something out."

Levon shifted so he could kiss Joe. It was one of those soft, promise filled kisses that Joe found so irresistible. When Levon pulled back, his brown eyes studied Joe's face.

"You doin' okay?"

Joe nodded. "Better than okay." He raised a hand to cup Levon's face. "Thank you."

Levon looked puzzled. "For what?"

"For knowing what I needed, when I didn't know what I needed."

Levon flushed, and looked away. "Was easy, Joe. You weren't the only one who needed it."

Joe smiled. [We are on the same page. Any more things in common and I won't know where I leave off and he begins. Not such a bad thing really.]

"They get off all right?"

Joe didn't even need to ask who 'they' were. "Yeah. Got there in plenty of time to get them through the usual airport hassle. Plane took off on time despite the weather."

"They gonna call and let you know they got home okay?"

Joe nodded. "Aunt Rosa said she'd call here when they got in."

Levon sighed. "Gonna miss her."

Joe's throat got tight. "Me too." [I'm missing all of them, Cowboy. Even the ones you've never met.]

Levon's hand patted Joe's chest. "It's gonna be okay, Joe."

"I know." [It will just take a little time.]

"Think she'll come visit again?"

"She's already planning her next trip." Joe felt his throat easing when he saw Levon's eager expression. The dull ache in his chest didn't seem quite so hard to bear. [Wasn't good-bye, was just until next time.]

"She say when?"

"Sometime in January. She was serious when she said she didn't care much for harsh winter weather any more."

Levon nodded. "Don't like snow and ice much myself."

"That's just because you've never gone sled riding. Or had a snowball fight."

Levon rolled his eyes. "Have to take yer word for it that freezin' your ass off is a good time."

"It can be."

"Uh-hunh." Levon still looked doubtful. Joe was ready to argue the point when his stomach rumbled loudly.

"You want somethin' ta eat?"

"Food would be good." Joe hadn't been able to settle his stomach to eat much for breakfast and he hadn't eaten lunch.

Levon slid out of bed. Joe laid still, content to watch him as he wondered over to pick up his clothes from where Joe left them. Levon ignored his steady gaze, and casually pulled on his jeans. Joe licked his lips, enjoying the way those tight jeans hugged the curve of Levon's ass. [There ought to be a law against a man looking that good in denim.]

Levon reached behind the door and tossed the robe hanging there toward Joe. Joe caught it, and pulled it on. He grimaced as he caught sight of his wet clothes still lying on the floor.

"Don't worry 'bout 'em, Joe. We can do a load o' laundry after we eat."

Joe nodded. He was again struck by how normal things seemed. [Must be losing my mind to be comforted by talk of laundry and lunch.]

Lunch was simple, just soup and sandwiches. Joe thought of it as comfort food. Not too heavy, but warm and filling. He wasn't sure if he could have handled anything more.

Joe wondered how hard he'd have to work to convince Levon to spend the rest of the day in bed with him. [It's raining. Can't really do anything outside. Everything indoors is already taken care of. Nothing pressing that can't wait until tomorrow. Would be a great day to just be lazy.]

"Hey, Cowboy?"

"Yeah."

"You wanna go back to bed?"

Levon smiled. "Sure."

Joe studied him. He hadn't expected Levon to agree so easily or so quickly. "Who are you and what have you done with the real Levon Lundy?"

Levon laughed lightly. "I can be lazy. Just don't do it often." He shrugged. "Don't have anythin' we need ta do today. 'Sides, it's rainin'."

Joe shook his head, once again amazed at how closely Levon's thoughts mirrored his own. While Levon cleaned up the kitchen, Joe threw a load of laundry in. He decided it would be better to take care of it now.

Back in the bedroom he hung the robe in its usual place. Joe wondered briefly if he should consider getting one of his own to leave at the ranch, but he liked wearing Levon's. [Maybe I should get him another one.]

Joe pulled back the covers. He got himself settled in on his side of the bed. Joe held out a hand inviting Levon to join him. He really didn't want to make love with Levon as much as he wanted to just be with him. He wanted to cuddle, maybe talk a bit, reconnect on more than a physical level. [After that I fully intend to ravish the man.]

Levon shimmied out of his jeans. He cast a quick look toward the bookshelf. With a shrug, Levon pulled a book off the shelf, and brought it with him when he slid into bed. He turned on the bedside light before snuggling close to Joe.

"You planning on reading, Cowboy?"

"Was sort o' hopin' you'd read ta me." Levon confessed. He looked sheepish. "Love to hear your voice."

Joe smiled. He looked down at the book Levon handed him. It was a collection of short stories by Mark Twain. For some reason that surprised him. "Mark Twain?"

Levon shrugged. "Yeah. Like his stuff. Can pick somethin' else if you want."

"This is fine." Joe thumbed through the book, noting that it appeared to be well read. The book sported several dog-eared pages, and the wear lines along the spine were a clear sign it had been opened many times. "Any particular story?"

"Diary of Adam and Eve."

Joe raised his eyebrows. He'd never read any of Twain's short stories. "Is it any good?"

Levon shrugged. "I like it."

"Good enough." Joe bunched the pillows behind him so he could sit up to read. Levon shifted, resting his head on Joe's shoulder with a contented sigh. He wrapped his right arm around Joe.

"Nice."

Joe couldn't agree more. He placed a kiss in Levon's hair. He opened the book to the beginning of the story Levon requested. All in all this wouldn't be a bad way to spend the afternoon.

Tomorrow could just wait to be dealt with until he was ready for it. Today was just for him and Levon. [We get back to normal, then go take on the world.]

The end. (for now?)