'I hope he'll be happy about this. I really hope so!' He started the car and slowly pulled out into the traffic. He was so deep in thought, he almost missed his turn-off. That never usually happened to him. He prided himself on being a very careful driver. Well, unless the Military Police were chasing after him.

Face took a deep breath. He fumbled with the lock on his briefcase and opened it, taking a quick sideways peek at the paperwork inside. In all these days, he'd never had any doubts about whether he was doing the right thing. Today, out of the blue, he couldn't help wondering whether he'd really thought this through. After all, what possible reason could Murdock have to be happy about this?

Running his fingers through his wind-blown hair, Face tried to clear his mind. When he'd first had the idea, it had seemed a huge step, but gradually, as he had begun to busy himself with preparations, it had become more and more the logical thing to do. There had been no time for doubts. Now, there was nothing left to do.

All had been arranged and he could only wait for Murdock's reaction. Wait - and hope that what he was doing would make his best friend happy. That was, after all, what this was all about. Face couldn't help but wonder whether he was the right person for the job.

Murdock was sitting in Dr. Richter's office, not really listening to what the doctor had to say. He was far too excited.

He'd been looking forward to this weekend for a fortnight. Ever since Face had told him. Now, it was Friday morning, and in a few hours, Face would be picking him up to take him to his new beach house. A whole weekend with Face!

"Murdock, what's on your mind today?" Richter inquired for the second time within as many minutes.

Murdock looked up at the psychiatrist. "Did you ask me something, Dr. Richter?"

"Yes, I asked you what was on your mind. You haven't been listening to a single word I've said during this session. You're miles away." Richter leaned forward, staring inquisitively at his favourite patient.

Murdock never could withstand that gaze. He explained with a grin, "Face is gonna be picking me up this afternoon. For the weekend."

Richter nodded. "Yes, you've told me. Repeatedly."

"Well, I was just thinking..." Murdock began to explain.

"No, it's okay, Murdock. You've already told me several times how much you're looking forward to this weekend and all the things you're going to be doing."

Richter sank back in his chair with a sigh. He looked sternly at Murdock. "Why is this such an important event for you anyway? It's just a weekend away."

Murdock rose and paced up and down excitedly. "Yeah, but it's so much fun to spend time with Face. You don't really know him, of course, but he's the best friend anyone could have. I mean, he's always there for me, he never once visits me a day later than he says he will, and he's the only guy who doesn't treat me like I'm crazy. I am, of course, but..."

Richter interrupted, "You're not crazy, Murdock. You just have... problems. Anyway, I'm glad your friend is so reliable. I think that's very important."

Considering his next question carefully, Richter sat watching Murdock, who kept drifting back towards the window - it was only 10 a.m., nowhere near the afternoon yet.

"Murdock, I need to ask you something."

The pilot turned and smiled. "Go ahead, Doc."

"If you had to pick just one person in the whole world to whom you would completely entrust your safety, even your life, who would it be?"

Murdock fell back into his chair and said, without a moment's hesitation, "Face, of course. No doubt about it!"

Murdock was having a hard time sitting still during lunch. He ate only what was absolutely necessary and stormed off to pack his bag.

When he got to his room, he found Face already waiting for him. To Murdock's surprise, his friend looked very casual for once in a pair of denim shorts and a lose T-Shirt. Weekend mode, obviously.

Beaming from ear to ear, Murdock excliamed, "Hey, Faceman! I had no idea you were gonna pick me up so early. I haven't even packed yet."

Face smiled. "Take your time, Murdock. I've been a little busy lately and wanted to start the weekend sooner. I thought you probably wouldn't mind getting out of here a couple of hours early."

"Of course I don't mind." Murdock grabbed an armful of T-Shirts from his closet and threw them into the bag Face had put on the bed.

"Had an okay week?" Face looked through the small viewing window at the top of the door.

"It was okay," Murdock shrugged. "But I tell you, Richter has been wanting to talk to me an awful lot the last few days." He was stuffing pairs of pants, socks, underwear and his bathroom bag into the bigger travel bag and zipped it up. "All ready to go, Face."

"Right." Face picked up the bag before Murdock had the chance. He was grateful to have something to carry so that his friend wouldn't notice how much his hands were shaking. Very uncharacteristic for him. And very disturbing.

Murdock opened the door and led the way to the end of the hall. While they waited for the elevator, he looked at Face, who seemed somehow distracted. "Everything okay with you?" Murdock asked.

Face frowned. Was it that obvious? "Sure, I'm fine." He quickly squeezed his friend's arm and turned slightly, pretending not to notice that H.M.'s puppy dog eyes continued to watch him with concern.

After having picked up a few things, Face drove Murdock along the beach for a while. They parked at a pier and wound down the windows to catch some sea air.

"I meant to ask you something, Murdock." Face looked serious.

"Sure. What you wanna know, Faceman?" Murdock put his seat into reclining position and lay back, closing his eyes. He was having a wonderful time. The sun was shining, and he had a whole weekend in Face's company ahead of him.

Face watched him. "Murdock, is everything okay at the VA? Nobody giving you a hard time?"

"No. I'm fine, Face." Murdock opened his eyes and smiled at his friend. "Why do you ask?"

"Just a feeling. You seemed so happy when I suggested you stay with me for the weekend. I was wondering whether you were having some kind of trouble there."

Murdock shook his head emphatically. "Everything's fine." Then he took a closer look at Face's expression and asked, "You mean Richter, right?"

Face was surprised. "Well..."

Murdock laughed. "He's been bugging me lately, just asking lots of questions, especially about you and me and about how I'm getting on with everyone at the VA. But he's a psychiatrist. They do that sort of thing. I don't think it means anything."

The lieutenant smiled.

"He kind of looks after me," Murdock continued. "When you're not around, that is."

Face turned towards him to interrupt, but Murdock kept going, "He's trying to be a friend to me, and sometimes he gets a little over-protective. But I can take care of myself. And anyway, you're always there for me, right?"

Face nodded. "You know I am." Then he continued, "Is there anything special happening at the VA in the next few weeks?"

Murdock was surprised. "Don't think so. What do you mean, Face?"

"I was just wondering." Face put the key into the ignition and started up the car. "Shall we go, H.M.?"

Murdock straightened up his seat again and said, "Sure." He watched his friend sideways. Face had something on his mind, he could tell. It had something to do with him and maybe it was the reason he looked so tired. "Face, are you okay?"

"Just a little worn out." Face was smiling, but he had a lot of things on his mind. He hoped he'd done the right thing when he'd made those plans without asking Murdock. It was supposed to be a surprise, but maybe it would only make things worse.

Face entered his beach house through the back door, from the garage. He was moaning, his arms full of large shopping bags. He rested them on a raised knee while he fumbled for the keys in his trouser pocket.

"Let me, Face," Murdock said helpfully. He put down his own bags and reached into the back pocket of Face's shorts. He smiled when he felt his friend's eyes on him as his hand slid inside the tight-fitting fabric.

"Uh... thanks, Murdock." Face briefly wondered what was taking Murdock so long, but just at that moment, his friend's hand was gone, and he watched him unlock the door.

They entered and carried the grocery bags straight into the large kitchen, dropping them unceremoniously on the counter.

"I'm gonna go shut the front door," Murdock offered.

Face nodded. He was out of breath. Was he getting so old that carrying a few groceries from the car into the house was making him breathless? He had to work out more.

When Murdock returned, he was smiling happily. "Hey, this is so great, you having me stay here for the whole weekend. We're gonna have a lot of fun, right?"

"Yes, H.M." That smile was infectious. "We're going to have a great time." He meant it. He had been looking forward to this for weeks. Murdock was such relaxing company. And all he needed to be kept happy were attention, a few videos and a quiet time.

Face began busying himself with the coffee-machine.

"I can do that," Murdock took the pot out of his friend's hand and started filling it with cold water.

"You sure?" Face rubbed his eyes.

Murdock smiled mischievously. "Yeah. Why don't you go and sit down? I'll pack away the food and make some coffee while you have a rest."

"Oh Murdock, that's so sweet of you."

"I know," Murdock replied with a big smile.

Before Face could ask what was so amusing, H.M. had pushed him through the door and back into the lounge, steering him in the direction of the sofa.

"There you go, Face. Just sit down and kick off your shoes."

Face complied and before he had finished removing his sandals, Murdock has stormed back into the kitchen. The amount of energy his friend had never ceased to amaze him.

When Face woke to the warm fragrance of freshly-brewed coffee, he instantly felt the uplifting heat around his tired feet. Looking down, he found that his bare feet had been placed in a bowl of steaming hot water, lightly fragranced with eucalyptus foot bath.

He looked up at Murdock who stood in front of him with a large mug of coffee, holding it out in his direction. "Murdock, did you?"

"Sure, who else?" Murdock settled down next to him, passing him the cup and picking up his own from the coffee-table.

"You didn't need to do that," Face stammered, a little embarrassed, even if he wasn't sure why.

"I wanted to. You looked so tired, and I know you had a couple of hard days. You don't mind being pampered a little, do you?" Murdock smiled.

"No, I guess not," Face said. Murdock had to be the most thoughtful person he'd ever known.

"See, I knew you'd like that." Murdock took a few sips from his coffee and sank back into the cushions. "So, you got a few good films to watch?"

Face shook his head. "No, actually, I thought we'd go out later on and I'll let you pick out whatever you want to see."

Murdock grinned happily. "That would be great, Faceman." He drank some coffee before asking, "That water still hot enough?"

"Yes, it's fine. How long have I been...?"

"You slept for a quarter of an hour. If you're still tired, I can be real quiet while you sleep some more, you know?" Murdock offered eagerly.

"No, no, I don't want to go back to sleep. I just needed to collapse for a few minutes. I'm feeling much better now." Face realized at that point that the hot water, as relaxing as it was, was beginning to make him sweat. "How long am I supposed to do this for?" he asked.

Murdock put down his cup. "However long you want. But it's probably been long enough. Your feet will shrivel up otherwise."

Face looked around for a towel, but Murdock picked up one he must have deposited earlier on the back of the couch. When Face stretched out his hand to take it off him, Murdock shook his head. "Still part of the pampering."

And before Face could protest, Murdock knelt down in front of him and gently took his left foot out of the steaming bowl, wrapping the towel around it.

Face looked on silently as Murdock sat on the carpet with crossed legs, his foot resting in Murdock's lap, being dried meticulously and slowly. It was a very strange situation, to say the least.

"Murdock..." Face started, but his friend only smiled.

"Almost done, Face. Gimme the other one," Murdock demanded, and his friend lifted his right foot from the bowl and placed it on the soft fabric Murdock had placed over his own knee.

As if he was polishing a rare ornament, Murdock covered Face's right foot with the white terry cloth and gently smoothed it over the warm skin, taking the time to dry the spaces between the toes carefully.

Face couldn't help but relax under the soft touch. He sank back into the pillows and sighed, murmuring something indistinguishable when Murdock stood and placed his feet, still wrapped in the towel, on the couch, turning Face about 90 degrees.

Face lay back against the arm rest and watched as Murdock picked up the bowl and took it to the bathroom. When he returned, he had a tiny bottle in his hand and was shaking it.

"What's that?" Face asked, his voice low and relaxed.

"Massage oil," Murdock replied and set it down on the table. He briefly left the room again and when he returned, he'd changed into shorts and a T-shirt. He sat down at the other end of the couch in his earlier position.

Face merely looked on lazily as the towel was spread out around his feet. Then Murdock poured some of the golden liquid into his palm, put the bottle down again and began rubbing the oil between his hands. Face shifted slightly.

"Don't worry, Faceman, I know what I'm doing." Murdock smiled at the surprised expression on his friend's face.

"I won't ask how that talent was acquired," Face said, smiling.

At the first touch of Murdock's oiled fingers around his feet, Face jolted. The pilot proceeded to spread the oil gently all over both feet before placing the left one back on the towel.

He took the other one and placed the heel on his own knee. His thumbs began to stroke gently along the sides and over the top, smoothing warm oil into warm skin. Face couldn't suppress the moan of pleasure as his friend's thumbs dug gently into the moist skin of his sole, applying a minimum of pressure.

"That's... wonderful," Face murmured lazily, feeling his tensions fall off him like a shell.

"I'm glad," Murdock replied, concentrating on his task.

Face closed his eyes. He was getting so relaxed, he became convinced he'd never be able to stand up again. He felt like a puddle of goo. "You wanna be careful, Murdock. I could get used to this... Ah god!"

Murdock's fingers slid in between his toes, spreading oil into the tiny spaces. He smiled at the sheer bliss on his friend's face. He had always wanted to do this for Face... well, something like this.

Face felt his breathing becoming labored, and he wasn't sure why. He hadn't been this relaxed and lazy for a long time. What was Murdock doing to him?

The next time he opened his eyes, he looked straight into a pair of brown ones. Murdock had been watching him. And Face noticed the slight flush of pink on his friend's face.

"Murdock..." he started, but his friend shook his head and hushed him. Silently, he switched to the other foot and repeated his gentle strokes. The tips of his fingers pressed into the soft, relaxed flesh, sending shivers through Face's body.

"You have real beautiful feet," Murdock whispered, and Face wasn't even sure that he'd really heard him right. Probably not. He moaned loudly when Murdock's hand closed around his heel, the palm pressing against his softened skin.

Murdock swallowed hard, but somehow he continued his massage. Face looked so relaxed, so sweet...

The pilot was doing his best to ignore the bulge forming between his friend's thighs. The thought that his touch had caused it was almost more than he could bear. For an instant, he was too distracted to continue massaging, and Face opened his eyes, grasping instantly what Murdock was looking at.

Face turned deep red. He fought for composure. What would Murdock think of him? Apologetically, he stammered, "It's just the relaxation, you know. I'm pretty... been pretty tense lately. I guess that massage of yours kind of took it all out of me." Could he possibly make matters any worse?

Murdock smiled. Then their eyes locked and time stood still.

Face tried to sit up, but Murdock leaned forward and gently pressed him back into the cushions. The pilot moved up towards Face and, parting his legs, shifted to kneel in between them.

Face was breathing hard. It felt like a dream when Murdock's oiled hands closed around his calves and moved up his legs slowly.

Taking his time, Murdock stroked his friend's muscular legs, moving higher, and finally, his fingers gently touched the insides of Face's bare thighs. Unbearably slowly, his fingers slid further until they disappeared beneath the cut-off denim of Face's shorts.

Murdock watched as his friend's head sank back in total surrender. His fingers moved over the slightly furred soft skin of Face's thighs all the way to the elastic of his underwear. Teasing his way inside, he felt that Face was trembling all over.

"Don't be afraid, Face," Murdock said softly, and his friend's body seemed to slump back further into the soft cushions.

Face barely parted his lips. "I'm... not... afraid."

Murdock's right hand rested beneath the cotton of Face's underwear while his other hand moved to the button of his shorts, slowly undoing it, and sliding down the zipper.

Face was unaware that he was pushing his hips upwards. All he knew for sure was that Murdock's fingers were electrifying every nerve in his body. It was so hard to resist the urge to grasp those maddeningly tender hands and press them to his aching erection. But he just lay there, letting Murdock proceed at his own pace.

What was happening to him? He'd never thought that Murdock's touch could put him in such a state. Or had he?

Murdock's fingers were traveling over the tightly stretched fabric - the only thing between his own skin and Face's hardness. He rested his hand there for a moment, having to catch his breath. He'd dreamed of this for so long... being able to touch his incredibly beautiful, unreachable, exciting friend.

"Murdock... please!" Face heard himself pleading. He reached for Murdock's hand and lead it to his waistband and then, inside, into the soft curls and down towards his stirring cock. At that first touch, Face moaned, squeezing his eyes shut.

Murdock's hand was trembling as he freed the cock he was holding. That sight of Face lying there in nothing but a T-Shirt and those open shorts, his dick standing straight up, his eyes shimmering with desire... Murdock was becoming so hard it hurt.

Slowly removing his other hand from inside Face's underwear, Murdock bent forward and took his friend in his mouth. Face gasped and began to move, sensuously sliding in and out of the warm wetness of Murdock's mouth.

Murdock sucked hard. He had grasped Face's buttocks with both hands and was lifting his hips, allowing himself to take that beautiful cock all the way down his throat.

"Oh god!" Face's hands were in his lover's silky hair, and he was biting his lips to prevent himself from screaming.

Murdock took his time. This was too unimaginably wonderful to rush through it. Face - in his mouth, wanting to be pleasured by him, wanting him!

His tongue shot out and he licked the whole length, lingering whenever he found a place that coaxed a sigh or a moan from his partner. When he thought Face couldn't stand the delicate licking anymore, he took the tip in his mouth, letting his soft lips glide over it, savouring his first taste of Face's seed on his tongue.

Face whimpered, "Finish me, Murdock, please."

Murdock teasingly hummed his response, but then released Face, rather suddenly. "Face," he said pleadingly.

"Uh?" Face was finding it impossible to form an actual question. He didn't understand why Murdock had stopped. Now!

"We haven't kissed," Murdock explained.

Face couldn't help laughing. "You're right." He reached towards Murdock's face and pulled him upwards.

Murdock lowered himself down against Face's groin, carefully. Then his arms closed around his lover's waist and he kissed him, feeding him the taste of his own seed, and sending him into a state of desperation by grinding against him mercilessly.

Their tongues fought a passionate duel, and when Murdock gently bit Face's lower lip, Face groaned. Warm wetness leaked between them and Murdock felt his shorts becoming sticky from both inside and out. And then, he felt the release, crashing down around them like waves. He came, crying out his lover's name.

When they recovered, Murdock found himself still lying on top of Face. He tried to get off to avoid crushing him, but he was immediately pulled back down again.

"Stay," Face pleaded, his voice heavy.

"Mmm," Murdock moaned, lying between Face's parted legs, his head resting against his lover's neck. "I think we've ruined your nice couch." He smiled.

"Who cares?"

Murdock looked up into the bright blue eyes he loved so much and said, "Feeling more relaxed now?"

Face laughed. "What do you think, H.M.?" He stroked over Murdock's soft strands of dark blond hair and sighed with contentment. "That was some pampering!"

"Glad you liked it." Murdock sat up slowly, looking at his friend's flushed face and his slightly swollen lips. "You look like an angel, Face."

Face smiled, his chest tight with emotion. "You are an angel." He rose to a sitting position and pulled H.M. into his arms. They hugged until they both became uncomfortably aware of the stickiness between them.

"Maybe we should go take a shower?" Face suggested.

Murdock rose and pulled Face to his feet. "Sure. You wanna go first?"

Face smiled wickedly. "My shower is big enough for two, you know. And I think I owe you some pampering."

Murdock smiled happily. "I sure hope you don't expect me to argue with that, Face."

Face zipped up his shorts with a pained expression. He hated to feel anything but very, very clean. Taking Murdock's hand, he led him towards the bathroom.

Just at that point, the phone rang.

"Oh, darn it!" Face swore. He looked at Murdock and said, "You wanna go ahead? I'll be there in a moment."

"Sure." Murdock gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Don't be long."

Face shook his head. He went to pick up the phone and barked into it, "Yes, what is it?"

At the other end, Hannibal chortled. "Hey Face, I thought you and Murdock were going to have a relaxing weekend? You don't sound relaxed at all."

Face said, rolling his eyes, "Actually, Hannibal, I'm very relaxed. But unless you have anything in particular on your mind, I'd really like to go and be a good host and relax Murdock a little."

"Something wrong with him, Face?" Hannibal took a puff from his cigar.

"No," Face said briefly.

"Oh," Hannibal commented. He wondered for a moment whether he was drawing the right conclusions, but it didn't matter. Either way, Face and Murdock seemed to be having a good time.

"Anyway, Lieutenant, just wanted to make sure there wasn't any problem with picking up Murdock from the VA for the whole weekend."

When Face assured him there hadn't been, Hannibal added in a secretive tone, "Have you told him yet?"

Face sighed. "No, I haven't. Still waiting for the right moment. If you don't mind, Hannibal, I'll call you later."

"Sure. You go back to Murdock and continue doing... whatever you were doing." Hannibal grinned and hung up.

Face smiled to himself. Did Hannibal know? But how could that be? He hadn't even known himself until a very short while ago. He shook his head and went to join Murdock in the bathroom.

A cloud of hot steam greeted him when he entered. Face quickly removed his T-Shirt and his sticky shorts and underwear.

Grappling for the shower doors, he felt a hand closing around his wrist and someone pulling him forward. As soon as he was past the amber-tinted sliding door, he found himself pressed against Murdock.

"What took you so long?" Murdock asked, his eyes fixed on Face's.

"Hannibal," Face explained. "He called to make sure you were okay, and that we were having a good time."

Murdock smiled. He moved aside and allowed Face to stand in the hot stream of water.

Lifting his chin, the lieutenant let the water run down over his head, smoothing back his silky hair with his hands. When he shook the drops from his face, he opened his eyes and looked at Murdock.

"I've always wanted to see you wet, Face."

Face laughed. "And you're making damn sure that you do." He wrapped his arms around Murdock's waist and pressed himself against him. With his lips close to the pilot's ear, he whispered, "But it's your turn now."

Murdock was pushed away. He watched as his friend picked up a large piece of soap and a wash glove and began spreading the soap over it. Then Face went down on one knee in front of Murdock and began to move the glove in small circles over his feet, up his calves and around the back of his knees.

Murdock leaned back against the shower wall when Face reached his thighs. He parted his legs slightly, and the gloved hand began to circle over the backs of his thighs, moving around to the front and then to the sensitive skin on the insides. But it didn't stay there, as much as Murdock willed it to.

Face stood and swirled the soapy glove over Murdock's buttocks in large circles, over his hips and up to his chest. He was very careful not to let the rough sponge touch his lover's nipples, instead using his tongue to quickly flick over them.

"Face," Murdock moaned, but he didn't move.

Face pulled him forward a little and asked him to turn around. Then he smoothed the glove over Murdock's back languorously, moving up to his shoulders and down his arms, one at a time.

All the while, Face had the opportunity to admire his friend's behind. How come he'd never noticed what an incredibly sexy ass Murdock had?

"I don't think you got everything yet," Murdock pointed out, his hands pressed against the steam-moist tiles.

Face threw the sponge to one side and his hands closed over Murdock's, keeping them firmly against the wall. "No, but I'm going to be gentler to the rest of you than that sponge could be."

Murdock said seriously, "I don't mind how rough or gentle you are, Face. I trust you."

Face swallowed. "I know you do, H.M., I know. And that's why I need to be gentle with you." He rose to his toes and quickly kissed the pilot's cheek. Then he pressed himself against Murdock's back and began to move up and down. Slowly.

Murdock groaned. This felt unbelievable. He could feel Face's hardened nipples rubbing against his back and his growing erection pressing gently against his buttocks with every movement.

Face's hands left his and moved over his arms. Murdock kept supporting himself against the wall while they glided over his shoulders and down his back. Face never stopped sliding against him. He spread his fingers and reached around the sides of his lover's body.
With a sudden movement, Face grasped Murdock's hips and pulled them backwards. A groan escaped the pilot as Face's cock slid between his cheeks, just for an instant.

"Don't do that, Face, if you don't intend to stay there." Murdock swallowed. He heard the quiet laughter of his friend from behind.

"Sorry, Murdock. Got carried away for a moment. I may get back to that later, though." Face ran his hands up Murdock's sides and over his firm stomach. Then he cupped his pecs and gently, like feathers, he ran his fingers over Murdock's nipples. Sensing the jolt that went through his friend's body, Face grasped them between his thumbs and index fingers and pinched.

Murdock gasped, somewhere between pain and pleasure.

He looked down, following the movements of Face's beautiful smooth hands as they traveled down his body and towards his groin. He held his breath when the soapy fingers slid over his pelvis and into the tight curls. Face's right hand went further, closing around Murdock's erection, while the other one moved into the valley between his thighs.

"What are you doing?" Murdock asked breathlessly. Then he knew. A soapy hand closed around his balls and squeezed, gently. His knees gave in but Face was there to catch him.

"Don't fall, Murdock!" Face's left hand moved around and slid between Murdock's cheeks, advancing back to the front. It was holding him up, in a way. In quite a delicious way.

Face felt the trembling in his friend's body, and he held him tighter, his fingers stroking and pushing and prodding.

Murdock begged, mumbling something. The sight of his friend's hand stroking him like that was too much. He had never thought it possible that those fingers would ever do this to him.

"Come on, Murdock," Face whispered, pressed against him, his hands firmly in every sensitive place on the pilot's body. "I want you to come all over my hand."

Murdock groaned, his knees buckling, but he still couldn't take his eyes off Face's sensitive fingers, curled around him, milking him. And he watched his semen run through those fingers, mingling with the foam.

Face quickly moved through under Murdock's arms which were stretched out against the wall, and caught him. The pilot slumped against him and Face held him tight.

Warm water was streaming over them, washing off the physical remainders of their lovemaking while they kissed.

Later, after finally getting cleaned up properly, they sat on Face's large bed, wearing nothing but knee-long terry robes, a bowl of potato chips between them. They hadn't bothered to go to the video store.

"This is cozy, Face," Murdock sighed. He smiled at his friend who was crunching away happily on a large chip.

"Mmm... yeah, Murdock." Face was still exhausted, but this time, it was the positive, relaxed kind of exhaustion.

"You're not angry with me, are you, Face?" Murdock asked with a touch of worry in his voice.

Face turned, honest shock showing in his features. "Geez, Murdock, do you really think that?"

Murdock smiled. "No, not really."

"Good." Face put down a chip and moved the bowl to the bedside table. He settled in closer to Murdock, caressing his face with one finger. "I just wish we'd done this long ago."

"Me too," Murdock said. "I wanted to for ages, you know?"

"You're kidding. Why did you never say anything?" Face was truly surprised. Had he been too busy chasing skirts to notice who was really good for him?

Murdock shrugged. "I didn't think you'd be interested in me... that way. I mean, you're always so sweet to me, but I never thought you wanted me."

"Hm." Face straightened up. "To be honest, it had never occurred to me. Sure, I've always loved to be around you, but I never thought any further than that. And then..."

Murdock looked up. "I'm nuts."

Face smiled. "No you're not. It's just that you're so sensitive, Murdock. I'd have probably been afraid to hurt you. I still am."

"Really?"

"I've never been one for commitment, you know that. And you need someone you can rely on. Someone... steady. I just couldn't break your heart, Baby." Face kissed Murdock tenderly.

When their lips separated, Murdock asked, "You really think you would?"

Face thought about that, long and hard. Then he shook his head. "No." He added, "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm getting too old to go from one person to the next. It's very lonely. And I don't want to be lonely anymore."

Murdock nodded, his eyes swimming.

"Don't cry about that." Face pulled him into his arms.

They lay like that until Murdock finally asked, "What's going on that you aren't telling me, Face?"

Face moved back a little and smiled. "Nothing bad. I've been planning something. Something for you and me, actually."

Murdock's eyes sparkled with excitement. "What, Face? Please tell me!"

Face shoved a pillow under his head for support and began to run a hand down the collar of Murdock's robe. He parted the cloth and let his index finger stroke over the moist hair on his lover's chest.

Murdock took his hand and held it still. "Face, don't tease me! Come on, I know you're up to something. You might as well tell me."

"You're right." Face leaned forward and whispered into Murdock's ear.

"Hawaii? You're taking me to Hawaii? Just you and me?"

Face nodded. H.M.'s happiness told him he'd done the right thing in planning this out all by himself. "Yes, just you and me," he said.

Murdock hugged him furiously. Then he noticed something about Face's eyes... there was more. "Face...?"

"Oh right, I can't keep anything from you, can I?"

"No." Murdock shook his head and grinned. "What?"

Face began stroking Murdock's cheek and told him about his meetings with Dr. Richter. He told him how Richter had called him in to tell him that Murdock was doing really well. He told him how Richter had said that if there was someone trustworthy enough, someone Murdock could really depend on, that he'd be willing to try and let him live outside the VA for as long as things would go alright.

Murdock nodded, following Face's explanations word for word, syllable for syllable. Then he asked, "Face, did you tell him you'd look after me?"

Face nodded. "You can't imagine how hard it was to come up with a respectable background within a mere week. I mean, the kind of background that would make me good enough for Richter. The man is tough. I think he really cares about you." Face smiled.

Murdock's eyes moistened. "So, you're going to get me out? For good?"

"If I can. Richter is willing to give it a try. If you are."

Murdock swallowed. "How could you do this for me before you even knew... before we...?"

Face smiled. "Because it felt right." When Murdock didn't reply, he asked worriedly, "H.M., you do want this, don't you?"

Instead of a reply, Murdock pushed him back into the cushions and climbed on top of him, kissing him fiercely. When he allowed Face to come up for air, he said with a great big smile, "What do you think, Face?"

THE END