Badges

for you to be transferred over there. Listen to him; he’s a good sergeant and knows this job as well as I do, if not better. If you get into some kind of jam, make sure I know about it. Now the trick is, since he’s Baker sector, I gotta try and get you put over there when the shift matches with mine so that we’re off at the same time. Otherwise, we’re never gonna have any time together.”

    “When are you going to talk to him?”

    “Right now.”

    Sean watched as Brian sat down in the living room and picked up the phone.

    Brian dialed the station and asked to speak with Kitner.

    “Sergeant Kitner.”

    “Randy, Brian King here.”

    “Yeah, Brian, what can I do for you?”

    “Favor, if you would. I’d like to transfer a bright new rookie over to you. I think it would be good for the both of you.”

    “Oh, who is it?”

    “Sean Baxter. He’s a good kid and works hard. He’d be an asset for your squad.”

    “Can I ask why you wanna transfer him if he’s such a good cop?”

    “Yeah, sure. I think training him in Baker sector will be good for him and the department. I think we got a really good young cop on our hands and I’d like to see him get ahead.”

    “Okay, sounds reasonable. He can start next Monday if you put the paperwork through by tomorrow afternoon.”

    “Consider it done, and thanks for giving the kid a hand.”

    Brian walked back into the kitchen smiling and hugged Sean. “He agreed if I get the paperwork in by tomorrow afternoon. Not gonna chance something happening to louse up tomorrow, so I’ll go into the station today and take care of the paperwork. You report to Sergeant Kitner next Monday.”

    Sean broke into a broad smile. “While I’m happy that I’m gonna get to police in Baker sector, I’m gonna miss you watching over my shoulder. But I know we have to do this, so I’ll make it work.”

    “I expect nothing less from you. Aside from being a smart, handsome guy, you’re also extremely competent and I know you’ll do well. I’m gonna change now so that I can get this all taken care of today. Can you clean up the kitchen while I’m gone? Just pile the dishes into the dishwasher and wipe down the counters, okay, hon?”

    Sean responded by giving his new boyfriend a kiss and a squeeze of his ass.

    Six days later, Sean reported to his new squad and was assigned to a solo cruiser. His reputation preceded him because of a shooting he’d been involved in. A few of the men looked at him with extreme respect because he had been tested under gunfire and passed the test.

    With Brian back working in his old squad, he and Sean saw very little of each other during the week. They did, however, manage to end up on the same shift so that their weekends matched, and Sean continued the habit of packing for his two or three day weekends at Brian’s. They fell deeper in love with each other, even though the words hadn’t been spoken yet.

    The first weekend they shared after Sean’s transfer, Sean wanted to go out.

    “Hon, can we go dancing tonight?” he asked.

    “Where did you have in mind?” Brian replied.

    “How about Avenue Q? They have great dance music, rarely a cover charge, and your car is generally safe in that neighborhood.”

    “Okay, that’s a deal. When do you wanna go?”

    “Let’s try and get down there about eleven. No sense in getting there too early and being the only ones in the place. The D.C. boys like to start late and finish even later with breakfast.”

    “Okay, let’s go to dinner in D.C. and then go to the bar afterward. We’ll eat light and then hit the bar; sound good?”

    “Deal. Let’s take a nap so that we don’t end up falling asleep on the dance floor.”

    Brian smiled. “I’ll take a nap with you anytime.”

    Sean laughed. “Can we save the type of nap you’re talking about until after we come home from the bar? I’ll be nice and boozy and easy to take advantage of if you want.”

    “Okay, sex after the bar,” Brian said as he smiled. “Let’s go lie down.”

    “Lead the way, dear.”

    Three hours later they got up, showered, and dressed for dinner and the bar. For Sean, this meant a tight pair of Levi’s 501 jeans, a black T-shirt, socks and loafers. A gold chain hung around his neck to complete the look. He checked in the mirror to make sure he looked good and adjusted his junk so that he showed just a hint of what lay beneath the denim.

    Dressing for the bar for Brian meant a polo