Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 16:53:05 +0100
From: Muggle129@gmx.net
Subject: Ambushed - A Half-Life 2 story -

Ambushed

A Half-Life 2 story



Disclaimer: This story is purely fictional. All credit goes to Valve for
creating their wonderful game, including all characters used by me (Barney
Calhoun, Gordon Freeman).


---

 The sun rose and slowly touched the treetops with rosy-golden light. The
wooded valley around the rebel base White Forest laid in deep silence. The
ground fog increased noticeably within the last hours - covering a wide
range meanwhile and still building up, absorbing every noise.  A lonesome
figure stood at the entrance to the base, hands buried deep inside the
pockets of his thick jacket, head drawn between his shoulders. The waiting
man went slowly back and forth, shivering in the cold, his breath flowing
from his lips in visible clouds.

 A thick, frosty white layer covered the old stone slabs and sparse clumps
of grass to his feet, glittering in the early light. The rising sun still
lacked the strength to thaw the hoarfrost, and his heavy boots scrunched
the rough rime, leaving a small, brownish-wet path along the entry area.

 It was early September and it was already severely cold; colder than all
the years before. Ceasefire was prevalent between the Combine and the
resistance for months now. It was a deceitful peace which could change to
the opposite at any time...

 Barney shuddered in the cold and looked over to the door in his back,
slightly frowning. Gordon was late. Punctuality had never been the doctor's
strong point. The officer had been waiting twenty minutes for his best
friend now. An eternity if one stood freezing outside and he longed to
return to the warm, cozy bed.

 He yawned and rubbed over his eyes and along his tired face. It didn't
help to make him any more lucid though. But it was his fault for being so
awfully sleepy right now. He simply should have gone to bed earlier last
night. If it hadn't been for Alyx, arriving shortly after midnight with a
bottle of hooch... turning their diverting evening almost into carousal...

 Barney knew the horrible stuff first-hand already and held back
conspicuously - while his friend totally underestimated the powerful
concoction. And when the doctor noticed how strong the alcohol actually
was, it was quite too late for him to stop. Even the knowledge of their
today's mission wasn't able to hold him back any longer...

 The officer moved his palm over his forehead and eyes again and yawned
loudly and sustainedly this time. The memories of the last nights events
were still fresh and he could hardly suppress the giggling rising up his
throat at the thought of a dead drunk Gordon Freeman.  He never ever
witnessed his buddy so talkative and relaxed before. They had some wild,
boozy nights at Black Mesa, too - but he couldn't remember the scientist
being so uninhibited just like some hours ago.

 Fortunately, Alyx was gone again when Barney took his friend to the
bedroom. The redhead was considerably smaller and lacked the security
guard's muscular frame. Therefore, it wasn't too much of a problem for the
noticeably older, black-haired man bringing the doctor to his bed.

 Barney closed his eyes for a second and pressed his jaws together, taking
a deep breath. He still remembered those words - slurred with a heavy
tongue – the moment Gordon lay down. And he remembered just as clearly
how his buddy looked up to him while sprawling out on the mattress,
reaching for him... until the physicist's hot, soft hand stroked along his
cheek in spontaneous, deep affection.

 The officer cleared his throat and tried to forget this last memory
again... He had been completely taken by surprise with Gordon's
action. Commonly, he simply would be shrugging off the unexpected and quite
intimate caress, labeling it as inebriated foolery - if this strange
expression wouldn't have been in those green eyes at the same time...

 And with the scientist's deep gaze, his gentle touch turned into a lot
more than just an expression of effusive liking between two friends.

 A strange shiver tingled along Barney's back and he felt how the fine,
dark hair prickled along his forearms. He blamed the cold, already seeping
into his bones, for his impulsive physical reaction, now. But it was just a
weak attempt to suppress this strangely pleasant and also slightly uneasy
feeling triggered by his friend's loving behavior.

---

 His train of thought derailed when the door behind him opened with a faint
squeak and clicked shut after a moment. He turned round and looked at the
picture of misery that stood in front of his eyes, leaning against the
doorframe.

 Gordon was pale and had dark circles under his red rimmed eyes. His face
was swollen due to lack of sleep and the alcohol at the same time. He
raised a hand with a still slightly sluggish movement, trying to protect
his tired eyes from the daylight.

 The officer struggled with himself to hold his features under control. But
it was almost impossible for him to keep the broad grin at bay pulling so
noticeably at his lips, now.

 The scientist shuffled past him, quietly mumbling an inarticulate morning
welcome and moved over to the waiting buggy. Barney shouldered the heavy
rucksack and followed him to the small vehicle, checking the stock of
ammunition once more, and stowed away their backpack, squeezing it into the
small space behind their seats.

 "Are you sure that you want to drive, Gordon? You don't look too well."

 "Do we have aspirin, or any other painkillers?" the doctor mumbled with
barely moving lips, and a small, tortured groan escaped his throat while
placing both elbows on the steering wheel, burying his burning face in his
palms for a second.

 Barney bit his lips and grimaced with the futile attempt of restraining
his laughter furthermore. When his friend turned his head and looked at him
with tear-filled, blinking eyes almost squeezed shut; he wasn't able to
control himself anymore and started to giggle quietly.

 Gordon's features showed a weak, boyish grin, before he touched his
forehead with a painful hiss and fumbled with the key, inserting it into
the buggy's ignition lock.

 "You know, your malicious joy will take terrible revenge, buddy," he only
mumbled.

 Barney still grinned. "You won't be able to take any action with your
hangover any time soon."

 "Don't feel too safe about that. The day has just begun..." Another
sidelong glance. "I have much time to think up something really bad for
you." He lightly wiggled his eyebrows.

 His pal smirked broadly with amusement.

 Gordon took his fingers off the ignition key and gave him a friendly
stroke, hitting Barney's shoulder playfully with his fist.

 The officer giggled only louder.


.oOo.


 It took quite some time to cover the few miles from their base up to the
hard-surfaced road on the other side of the forest. Gordon could drive
hardly more than walking speed. Sometimes, trees, bushes and other
obstacles appeared in the impenetrable, abominably haze more or less at the
very last moment. The fog densed more and more, condensing on the vehicle,
soaking their clothes. Drops ran down the doctor's H.E.V.-Suit and Barney's
heavy Combine jacket. The physicist's reddish beard and eyebrows were
damp. The auburn hair stuck to his forehead meanwhile and he wiped tiny
droplets from his skin ever so often. Barney hardly felt any different. The
cold and damp weather dampened his spirits. He got noticeably grumpy with
every further cold drop running down the high collar of his jacket, soaking
the pullover underneath and moistening his skin.

 Everything was gray in gray. Even the slight chugging of the buggy's
engine seemed muffled, somehow. It was spectrally quiet in their immediate
surroundings. Only the noise of branches snapping and cracking below the
small wheels could be heard, resounding almost unnaturally loud due to the
deep silence.

 The fallen leaves turned their path into a slippery course, making the
small car lurching about. Some of the bigger hollows and bumps in the
forest soil became difficult obstacles, now and could be passed only with
quite an effort. The two men were fully absorbed with the slick route
winding around tree-trunks and bushes. None of them thought of the last
evening any more. Because of his blood alcohol level, Gordon had no more
memory of what he did and said last night anyway. And Barney was too
distracted now to think any longer of the flirtatious remarks whispered
into his ear while taking the doctor to his bed.


.oOo.


 They were glad and relieved when they finally reached the broad, asphalt
road. The haze lay over the sea like a thick white layer hulking up like a
cloudy wall, slightly rolling with a gentle breeze. The sun was nothing
more than a white circle vaguely recognizable behind the clouds by
now. Veils of mist drifted over the road and obstructed their view. It was
hardly surprising that Barney and Gordon noticed the edged, dangerously
looking towers just very late. The fog tore up for a moment, revealing the
blue-black, ugly steel of several slim watch-towers, merely more than 40
yards away.

 The doctor stepped on the brakes in an instant.

 The two men exchanged a look before the security guard turned round in his
seat and opened the buggy's built-in weapon box. Freeman looked around
attentively and felt with his fingertips along the forearm piece of his
H.E.V.-Suit. With a hardly audible clicking noise and a soft hissing the
computer-controlled armor-plating came to life. The scientist's face
twitched briefly when the analysis software registered his momentarily
constitution and immediately injected a mix of different slight painkillers
and stimulants into his bloodstream.

 They got out of the car, carefully scanning their surroundings. Gordon saw
from the corner of his eye how Barney took hold of the heavy IGun while he
shoved a large-caliber revolver under his belt and armed himself with an
additional shotgun.

 They approached the flat, dark buildings along both sides of the street in
a wide arc and watched out for the dark outlines of patrolling soldiers
hidden within the fog. Both of them moved forward; slightly ducked and with
deliberate, slow steps. Something crunched below their feet's now and then,
but the leathery creaking of Barney's jacket and the hardly perceptible
sums of Gordon's suit were the only audible noises around them. They
listened vainly for the heavy steps of massively armored Combine. Strangely
though, not even the treacherous communication signals, commonly exchanged
between the cyborgs on their patrols, could be heard.

 The whole outpost laid in dead silence.

 The friends stopped at a sheltered projection on a wall and surveyed the
surrounding area. The deep quiet around them made the barely perceptible
noises of the H.E.V.-Suit almost disturbing and all too obvious.

 "Man, your suits' buzzing drives me crazy," Barney whispered. "Can't you
turn that annoying thing off for a while?"

 "Astonishing how irritating total silence can be, eh?" Gordon breathed.

 "Shall we part?" the officer asked and lowered his voice to a low
murmuring. "This way, we could surprise them and clear two fronts at the
same time."

 When the scientist didn't raise any objections, he bent slightly into
Gordon's path and added: "I'll take care of the storage shed to the
right. You can search for the control room in the flat building to the
left. Even if we haven't found an energy barrier till now, it wouldn't
guarantee that there isn't one. And if we turn it off now, it saves us a
lot of time searching for it later."

 The doctor felt a slight tingling running over his skin when the warm
breath of his buddy brushed his neck and cheek. He just listened to the
velvety tone of Barney's voice and hardly noticed what it was the officer
suggested and talked about.

 Gordon tried in vain to shake off the pleasant feeling threatening to
overcome him. He didn't want to, but he was unable to resist and turned his
head slightly aside, looking at the security guard's face... the thick
eyelashes, the prominent nose... his thoughtfully pursed, soft mouth.

 Irritating warmth spread through all his limbs while scrutinizing the
familiar profile. He looked away with a jerk, swallowing with a lump in his
throat.

 All of a sudden, Barney's attention focused on him and an intense blush
made his face burning with embarrassment. He turned round hastily and moved
to the left, approaching his target. He felt awkward with his almost
fleeing retreat and just hoped that his friend wasn't aware of his musings
and intense emotions somehow.

 When he meant to be out of sight, the physicist stopped in his tracks. He
lowered his shotgun and shoved the glasses up his nose. His gaze wandered
around and he tried to concentrate on his surroundings alone, keeping his
thoughts at bay. But he wasn't able to. His mind was still busy with his
private matters. He knew that he should be alert and he was daydreaming
instead...

 His shoulders dropped and he sighed. Sometimes, he was so tired of the
situation he was confronted with on a daily basis... Sometimes, he just
wanted to be far, far away; away from the Combine, the ongoing war and
everything else.  He wanted to be alone, with no one but his friend keeping
him company. Somewhere... at a peaceful, idyllic place – and just the
two of them. And then...

 Gordon snapped out of his thoughts.

 He didn't dare conceptualize his desires in any specific ways. It worried
him that his body and mind reacted to Barney's presence in puzzling ways as
of lately. But that was a process which had come quite slowly, unnoticed
and just gradually. But his feelings for the security guard had changed
meanwhile. He didn't just felt a deep friendship and liking for him. There
were a lot more feelings involved, now. He was aware of that at least for
some time. But he stubbornly tried to suppress these emotions and persuaded
himself that his affection was nothing else than a brief but intense
infatuation. Something that would cease on its own again...

---

 Barney still remained on the spot to look after his friend. He noticed
Gordon's intense, sidelong glance from the corner of his eye, studying his
appearance thoroughly. That the scientist developed such an interest in his
closeness and his person in general felt a little off. Sometimes, he didn't
know how he should react... with those looks aiming at him in such a
puzzling way. Gordon's gaze was beyond the simple affection of a typical
male bonding.

 But - at the same time - he felt a pleasant tingling running down his back
every time the doctor turned his attention towards him, looking him over
with those mysterious green eyes. He didn't even dare to think about it;
why he was torn between slightly confused uneasiness and a pleasurable
goodwill at the same time.

 He dismissed those puzzling thoughts and pulled himself together. He moved
cautiously to the right and over to the storage shed. Barney stopped from
time to time, looking around for his buddy, but he saw nothing more than
rolling and drifting hazes by now, torn up by air swirls now and then. His
view penetrated the fog just a couple of yards and the mist got even
denser! The pale circle of the sun was completely hidden meanwhile and what
began as ground fog had turned into wall-high, thick clouds of grayish
white moisture now.

 Being an experienced fighter for almost two decades had sharpened his
senses, and his neck tingled with a sudden sense of foreboding. More than
fifteen years of war with the Combine had left him slightly paranoid - but
many so-called dangerous situations hadn't been more than figments. He
tried to get a little calmer and composed again without letting his guard
down at the same time.

 The area seemed deserted and the checkpoint had been given up apparently
months ago. But he knew that their enemy was cunning and malice, capable of
lulling everyone into a false believe of safety - ambushing their foes
quick as lightning. The whole place smelled like a trap... He was highly
alert, now and suspiciously examined his surroundings.

 Barney moved around a corner and almost ran into an APC quietly rusting
away. He jumped with fright and stopped dead in his tracks. In the very
first moment of shock, he meant to see bulky figures behind the steering
wheel. Massive, armor-clad phantoms with bluish glowing synthetic eyes. He
blinked hastily, and the vision was gone again – being just his
imagination playing tricks on him.

 He heaved a heavy sigh and continued his way to the opposite direction...

 He didn't notice the human shape emerging from the deep shadows behind the
vehicle, stepping up to him from behind. He didn't see the pipe piece
within the slowly raising fist and how it aimed at his unprotected neck...

---

 Gordon switched on the flashlight integrated into his suit the moment he
crossed the threshold, illuminating the dark rooms. The light beam moved
over dropped tables and chairs... Along debris and waste scattered
everywhere... over empty ammunition boxes thrown away carelessly... along
bashed-in monitors and havocked Combine-Technology. The bullet holes along
the walls and doors, as well as the excessive amount of cartridge cases
lying around everywhere, told about an intense, brutal fight that had taken
place here, but there were no traces of blood or decaying remains of dead
bodies. Either the Combine had removed the corpses, or the carcasses had
been eaten by either animals or aliens... or the armed conflict happened so
long ago that all organic leftovers were completely decomposed.

 The scientist felt a strange prickling at his neck and swung around ever
so often. He felt like being watched and pursued for a whole while
already. However, the corridor behind him remained empty. He wasn't able to
hear any noises apart from his own slow steps moving through the deserted
building. With his silvery boot he pushed open the next door and ran the
beam of light along the furniture. The door handle bumped into something
and the door leaf swung back to him slowly again. He raised his weapon and
stepped around the moving door, lighting up the niche. Gordon's watchful
look focused on a battered filing cabinet, standing at an angle and partly
moved away from the wall. The door seemed to have bumped into it, but the
alcove itself was empty. He turned round with a small sigh.

 A massive shadow left the cover behind the metal cabinet and reached him
with a single step. The doctor meant to see the glittering of oculars from
the corner of his eye, before something heavy collided with the back of his
head.


.oOo.


 A quiet groan reached Freeman's ears and this weak, painful sound made him
aware of his surroundings again. He rolled around with a bit of difficulty
and needed a while until he was able to straighten up. Still sitting on the
small, uncomfortable cot, he looked around the little room.

 His gaze fell onto rough, whitewashed walls. There weren't any
windows. The only source of light came from the left, creating a strange
pattern of stripes on the naked ground in front of his feet and up along
the brickwork beside him. Gordon stared at the striped silhouette until it
dawned to him that those patterns were nothing else than the shadow of
bars. He looked over with a jerk and stared at the formerly whitely
lacquered cell door to his left.

 He got up in an instant and moved over to the lattice gate. The area on
the other side of his detention cell was big and spacious. Even while
standing directly in front of the door, the place couldn't be overlooked in
all details. Since the whole place seemed to be windowless, the doctor
assumed that he was in some kind of underground prison.

 He rattled the bars tentatively. The welded iron structure was still
stable and solid despite its condition.  Even with the help of his
protective armor he wouldn't be able to overcome this obstacle. There
weren't any electronic locking mechanisms he could short-circuit
somehow. ...No force fields... Whoever locked him in preferred the familiar
but out-of-date technique of mechanical locks and simple keys.

 The doctor sunk with a sigh against the door and his metal strengthened
suit bumped into the bars with a slight clanking sound. The noise was
answered with a rustling movement next to him. An old cot creaked
loudly. Heavy boots scuffled over the ground beside him.

 A quiet groan. "Gordon? Is that you?" an all too familiar voice whispered
hoarsely.

 "Barney?! Are you all right?"

 "I'm fine, except for a nasty headache making me feel as if my brains
turned into something like a pounding drum. Someone knocked me flat out."

 "Just like me," the scientist grumbled. "Where are you, Barney?"

 Gordon leant against the bars and shoved his arm through the iron rods,
stretching his body as far as possible to the right. From the cell next to
him an arm dressed in dark clothes appeared and a hand clad in a black
leather glove felt around for his silvery shining fingers. They succeeded
just barely with touching each other. Even stretching towards the friend
hardly helped them bridge the distance between one another. They weren't
able to do more than hardly touch their fingertips. After a moment, they
realized their futile attempts of grasping each other's hand.

 Gordon folded his arms with a sigh, deeply lost in thought. He looked
aside after a moment and stared at the wall separating him from his
buddy. The officer seemed to be all right although he probably had a goose
egg from the blow that knocked him out.

 He studied the problem as objectively and levelheaded as possible. Their
awkward disposition challenged his keen mind. While searching for ideas and
useable expedients, he got aware of noises getting louder and coming
somehow closer. That distracted him from his brooding and he listened
attentively - until he identified the source of noise as footsteps. He
looked around from his position close to the door. Just moments later,
someone entered the room and moved over to their cells at once.

 Two men.

 They were dressed in civil clothes – jeans and pullover – and, just
because of this fact; they simply couldn't be Combine soldiers. But they
weren't resistance members either....

 He gave them a wary glance and watched them carefully. The strangers were
almost equally tall. One was a very fair blonde, the other one dark
blond. The tow-colored one moved over to Barney while the other one stepped
in front of Gordon's door.

 "We're sorry for causing such an inconvenience," he began and unlocked the
scientist's cell. "We assumed that you two were Combine spies and we were
forced to act fast and as effective as possible."

 When the redhead hesitated and just stood there in the open door, the
unknown guy looked at him invitingly and stepped slightly aside. "Come out,
you're free," he said quietly.

 Meanwhile, his pal released the officer from his detention booth. Barney
wasn't so hesitant and immediately stepped forward. He turned round to his
friend, and they looked at each other questioningly and puzzled at the same
time.

 "Can someone explain what's going on here?" He wanted to know and
scratched his head in confusion. "Who are you? And did any of you observed
who ambushed..."

 "Well... err," the fair-haired man interrupted him. "We're truly sorry for
that, but you shouldn't be running around with this MetroCop uniform. You
scared the hell out of us," he added and handed his companion the door key.

 "So you guys knocked us down," the security guard remarked with
bewilderment and felt cautiously at the swelling at the back of his head.

 "Well, just like Steve already said," the stranger justified himself. "We
regarded you two as Combine. We thought that we were tracked down
finally. Therefore, we didn't have any other choice but to overwhelm you."

 "We locked you in here and ran through the databases and wanted posters to
find out your identity. And when we finally knew who you really were... we
came back immediately, letting you out," the dark blonde, Steve,
explained. "We don't want to hold you prisoner here. This was only meant
for our own protection."

"Well, Dr. Freeman... Sgt. Calhoun... you two can go any time and continue
your way."

 Gordon and Barney relaxed visibly. They examined the strangers more
closely.

 They seemed to be approximately at the same age. Their clothes were clean
and in perfect condition; they seemed to be healthy and were in a fit,
athletic condition. Their appearance was too neat and proper for a couple
of bums simply traveling around and hiding in a secret shelter.

 That fact aroused their curiosity even more: Who were those two guys
actually – seemingly occupying an abandoned outpost?

 The officer stopped short when he noticed a weak, silvery glimmer between
their fuzzy haircuts. A marking, just partly concealed by strands of hair,
drew itself along their temples and down to their left ears. He frowned and
looked at the strange mark with growing interest - until he recognized the
weird symbols as alien letters and numbers.

 "You are Combine."

 At his surprised observation, Steve simply pulled the hair back from along
his forehead and the side of his face, showing them the full size and
ugliness of his tattoo.

 "You're right. Yeah... We were selected for the transformation to elite
soldiers. We had to pass through a number of tests and were finally
provided with this marking."

 "And why aren't you cyborgs by now?" the doctor demanded.

 "This is a longer story. Tom and I, we tell you about it, if you want to
know. But why aren't you coming along at first? You two must be hungry..."


.oOo.


 "What's your opinion about all this?"  Gordon mumbled.

 Barney shrugged and put his emptied plate aside. "Their tattoos are
real. I saw those strange, silvery-blue marks too many times in the
Overwatch's databases; they aren't fakes. And... even more important... who
would mark himself deliberately with a Combine soldiers identification
code? And why? But the only thing that lacks any further meaning for me,
is, why those guys fled."

 The doctor dropped his fork halfway to his mouth in astonishment. He
raised his eyebrows and looked at his opposite questioning and baffled at
once. "Deserters?! Among the Combine?! Now that's quite an idea..."

 "Well... Steve and Tom are marked for cybernetic surgery. But they aren't
elite soldiers and they aren't belonging to the regime in any other
way. They seem to be refugees. Haven't you noticed how glad they were
coming across us of all people? Anticitizen number one and his
sidekick... If those two were true Combine, they would have killed or
tortured us. Those guys actually smiled at us and seemed to be damn happy
about our presence. My insight into human nature isn't the best though, but
I trust my instincts. And my senses tell me that their behavior was
honest. I didn't notice any deceit. No Combine would be able to smile in
your face just like that while secretly wanting to murder you at the same
time! Now you tell me that those guys aren't renegades..."

 The physicist mulled over Barney's words, before he addressed him again.

 "So this means, that the brainwashing at Civil Protection and Overwatch
isn't as effective as we assumed," he thought aloud. "Those two were able
to revolt and fled – and they can't be the only ones. Who knows how many
rebel soldiers are hiding elsewhere on earth..."

 The security guard crossed his arms in front of his chest and leant back
on his chair. "You thought of the resistance, right?"

 "Their inside information could be valuable for us", Gordon insisted. "And
if all of them revolted and bucked the system just like these two... some
of them would probably be deserting to our ranks. It's certainly worth to
be considered..."

 Barney was silent and looked thoughtfully into space. When he felt for the
big lump at the back of his head again, the scientist mumbled: "How bad is
it? Do you still have headaches? Any visual problems, like a blurred or a
double vision? Nausea?"

 "Nope. It's not that bad," the officer merely said. "It's quite a bump
from the blow but that isn't knocking me off my feet."

 The door behind them opened. The two Combine came in. Both had dripping
wet, tousled hair; their faces damp and reddened from a downpour and the
cold wind.

 "A powerful storm front approaches from the south," Tom announced and
picked a wilted leaf from this sleeve before he wrung out the collar and
bands of his pullover soaked with rain water. "We parked your buggy inside
the bunker, just to be on the safe side."

 "How bad is it going to be," Gordon asked. "We're on a mission and if we
cannot get away from here..."

 "You won't be able for the time being, I am afraid," Steve answered. "We
are living here for more than a year, now and such hurricanes are haunting
this area from time to time. In spring and fall, we're plagued with storm
tides, too. And what's building up there outside is alarming, this time."

 "You can use our radio equipment if you want. You can send a message,
letting your friends know about what happened. I can give you a secret
frequency and also the access code to our scrambler. This way, Overwatch
wouldn't be able to intercept or record your transmission. Just in case
that you don't trust us and want to keep the position of your base a
secret," Tom suggested.

 Barney nodded. "Fine. I'm giving word to Alyx, and..."

 "I will do it," the redhead interrupted him and rose. "And you get some
medication for your injury," he said with a serious look while pointing at
his friend.



.oOo.


 When Gordon and Tom had disappeared, Steve cleared up the table and took
the empty plates away. He moved over to one of the wall cupboards, took a
tablet stripe and filled a glass with fresh water.

 "You've taken a great risk with your fake duty at Civil Protection. How
long have you done this... pretending to be part of the system?"

 "Eight years."

 Steve whistled quietly and pushed two pills out of the silver
packing. "That's one damn long time for an undercover agent. ... You can
count yourself lucky that no one ever saw through your dangerous game..."

 Barney washed down the tablets with a large drink of water. "I did what
was necessary", he answered. "In addition, I was mainly employed for
patrolling the station district - provided that I wasn't in for any office
jobs, occupying the stations surveillance cameras. Fortunately enough, I
never really saw bad things happening. Some events turned out a little
nasty, sure, but I never witnessed any killings..."

 His opposite slightly shook his head with disapproval. He sighed and sat
down on the sofa edge. "You can't fool me, Barney. And you don't have to
act tough around me. I was a MetroCop for too many years. I knew what was
going on and not only from my own experiences. I knew what happened from
time to time. Raids were carried out on regular terms - even in the station
district... just like questionings... beatings... tortures... and other
terrific things."

 He took the emptied glass from the black-haired man and put it down on the
table next to him. "I know only too well what humans can be capable
of... I've seen too many atrocities... and I've... committed too many
terrible things myself," he whispered.

 An unpleasant silence arose.

 "Do you regret..?" Barney suddenly wanted to know.

 His interlocutor was lost in thought and raised his head with a jerk,
startled from his broodings. "What?"

 "Do you regret being a Combine?"

 He looked the security guard directly in the eye. "Yes," he admitted. "I
regretted it. Unfortunately, the remorse came far too late. Only when we
were gone from..."

 The noise of the opening door silenced him and he faced the two guys
entering the room.

 "Everything is fine," Gordon remarked already with his entry. "They knew
what happened and are monitoring the weather development in this grid
square for the next couple of days. As soon as the area is clear again,
we'll get a message from White Forest."

 "Excellent. How long do you think it will take... Well... approximately?"
the officer asked.

 The doctor pushed his glasses up his nose. "I'm not exactly sure. It can
take a whole week, perhaps up to ten days - if the flood gets really bad."

 "Sit down you two," one of the Combine suggested and put a couple of
water-bottles on the table. "It's easier to talk that way..."

 The physicist and his companion took their seats on one sofa while Steve
and Tom sat down on the other, small couch directly opposite.

 "Can we ask you some questions?" Gordon began.

 The former cops nodded slightly. "Sure. Anything you like. What do you
want to know?"

 "Why are you all alone here?" Barney asked straightforwardly. "And what is
this place anyway? It's too big for a simple prison, besides... there
aren't enough detention booth's for it either."

 The dark blonde ruffled his damp hair and pushed the strands back and out
of his eyes. "I already mentioned that we fled... Well, I think I did..."
He seemed to be lost in old memories for a moment and finally took a deep
breath. "When we were chosen as elite candidates, we were meant to leave to
Nova Prospekt."

 His friend interrupted him with a quiet, bleak laughter. "We were so
naοve," he whispered. "We really thought to be chosen for something
bigger. That we could be ... proud... But... like any totalitarian
system... the single individual isn't important... In addition, the
so-called 'Benefactors' are having lots of problems with the human behavior
... And the Suppression Field is only a small nuisance to what those
creatures are really capable of..." He harrumphed and went quiet.

 "What Tom wants to say, is... the Advisors regard every kind of sexuality
as absurd and totally redundant - because it's relating to mankind. But
homosexuals are the epitome of perversion and decadence in their
eyes. Every Combine showing such desires or tendencies is liquidated –
in one way or the other. There simply aren't any gay-Combine..."

 Barney and Gordon exchanged a brief glance.

 "Tom and I, we're a couple. We're in love with each other. But something
so ...abnormal... must be wiped out. Yeah, right..." Steve's voice was
thick with cynicism. He needed a moment until he was able to continue.

 "We were able to keep our relationship a secret for a long time. No one
was supposed to know. But we never thought that those rumors everyone
talked about were the truth. And when nothing bad happened in all this
years - we took everything no longer too seriously as we're supposed to
be... and got superficial."

 "You two were caught in the act?" Gordon remarked quietly.

 "We weren't just caught. We were taken in and transferred without much
ado," Steve continued quietly. "Our destination was a place even worse than
Nova Prospekt. The transport was attacked by the resistance on its way. I
can only tell how glad we've been about that at that time! Tom and I, we
ran off to safety, immediately making use of the very first chance during
the fight. We hid in the woods for days and moved along only at
nighttime. ...Until we found this deserted and looted outpost. With our
search for still useable stuff we found a... secret door... a bunker
door. It took us a couple of days 'till we finally bypassed the lock and
opened the entrance."

 Barney leant slightly forward and listened with even greater interest
now. "So this place is actually a bunker of some kind? It must be from
those times when our kin still ruled the earth. I haven't seen any
Combine-Technology `till now..."

 Steve and his boyfriend smiled. "It's a mixture of both. The detention
cells and the small rooms in the front area are still from human times, but
the rest of it is made by aliens – divided by a huge door of black
Combine steel. And what lies beyond that door is the really interesting
area. Because that gives informations about how life must be for the true
elitists... and I'm not referring to simple soldiers, here. I'm talking
about the highest ranks."

 The officer raised his brows. "What do you mean?"

 "This is a government bunker, meant to protect the most important
representatives and generals, maybe even including the highest leaders
themselves, in times of crisis", Tom explained. "I don't want to know how
many of these luxury bunkers must have been built over time within the
first decade of our conqueration. But with the majority of the world's
population vegetating under poor conditions and with the ordinary soldiers
living like cattle in small, prison-like accommodations... the Combine
bigwigs would do themselves proud, here... Both of you can probably imagine
our expressions when the door was finally open."

 The astonished expressions of their opposites elicited a small laugh from
Steve. "Well... we don't have a swimming pool here at our disposal. But we
have a small gymnasium. The whole place lies deep underground and is
bombproof. We have a black matter generator and an automatic air-condition,
lots of fresh water and enough food reserves for another couple of
years. There are sufficient clothes here, decent beds and spacious,
comfortable accommodations. In the conference room is a large TV-screen
integrated into the wall. The only thing were missing are a Super Bowl
broadcast and some popcorn," he joked and grinned a little lopsided. "But
this place feels like home meanwhile..."

 Barney and Gordon returned the slight smirk before they looked at each
other.

 "That sounds good for me. What do you think, Gordon?" He asked with a
broad smile and his mood brightened visibly.

 The doctor still seemed a bit skeptical. His poker face didn't tell what
he was truly thinking at the moment. The security guard knew that mien just
too well, though. He cocked his head, his cheerful expression changed to a
sober face again.

 One of his eyebrows curved up, and he gave his friend a thoughtful
glance. "What's up? What are you thinking about?"

 "You are here for more than a year?" The physicist placed his hand gently
on Barney's thigh to stop further questions from him, speaking quietly and
pensively. "Just the two of you? Why haven't you defected to the
resistance? Your aversion to the Combine is quite obvious and - quite
actually - it must be a satisfaction for you, if you would be able to turn
the tables, paying back to the Benefactors what had happened to you."

 With Gordon's quiet words, the small, friendly smile faded from the former
MetroCops faces. Tom frowned and slipped closer to his mate. He lowered his
head and looked down to his hands lying in his lap.  Steve put his arm
around him in a slow, absent-minded gesture. He stared into space, deeply
lost in thought. When he raised his head and searched his opposite's gazes
again, the expression in his eyes had completely changed. The warm, little
laughter had disappeared and made way for unpleasant and also painful
memories.

 "We had to learn to be humans again. And this process still isn't
complete," he whispered hoarsely. "The alien's totalitarian system took
almost everything away that made us individuals. A part of our personality
was erased. Our free will... our ability to decide between right and
injustice... between good and bad. Our thoughts, our opinions - just
everything was manipulated. But this process came slow and unnoticed."

 "We saw many newcomers. Each one of us thought at first, that we would be
able to resist. That we would stay humans after all and despise the aliens
influence. ...None of us succeeded... But the worst thing was that no one
really noticed what happened with us and what kind of monsters became of
us."

 "The bio beds," Tom explained and slipped closer to his companion. "They
flooded us with their messages in our sleep. Each one of us. With synthetic
dreams. An artificial spontaneous deep sleep. Filled with the ideologies
and the bizarre thoughts of the Advisors. We were freed from this yoke with
our escape ... But our liberation was blessing and curse at the same
time. It took quite some time for us until we fully understood what had
been done to us over the years. How we had been formed against our will,
flooded with wrong thoughts, and that we had been radically abused for the
alien's cause."

 "We needed months to cope with the spontaneous changing, at least
partly. That we turned into humans again, even if just physically at
first," Steve continued. "We had to get used to sleep without the Combine's
technology.  Our bodies were unable to reach the REM sleep on their own
without the help of machines at first. And when we were finally capable of
it..."

"That was the moment, the nightmares came. And with it, our artificially
suppressed memories, too, forcing us to live through anything we've done
again – but without being able to forget it anymore," whispered Tom.

 Steve squeezed his hand. "We went through hell and back," he said while
his boyfriend snuggled closer into his embrace. "It was really bad for us,
but especially for Tom. He's very sensitive, you know... empathic." He
cleared his throat and looked down to his mate.

 Gordon was obviously shaken, now. He expected just anything from the
former Combine, but their ruthless, honest report touched him. He needed a
moment until he found his tongue and looked over to his buddy.

 "That's just inconceivable," he breathed.

 The security guard shirked from his gaze so insistently, that the
scientist bent into his path, whispering into his ear: "Is it really that
bad?"

 "It's even worse," the officer answered hesitatingly. "Please, don't ask
me what I saw or witnessed from time to time. Sometimes, you just want to
forget..."

 The redhead was consternated. He frowned intensely. "But why could Eli
urge you to infiltrate Civil Protection at that time?" He wanted to
know. "He never sent you off on good luck and in the confidence that you
would get along smoothly on your own. And as an outsider of all things,
unfamiliar with their command structure and ranks. Therefore, he must have
known what was going on there! And I just don't like the idea of Eli
exposing you to such danger - and the Combine's cruel methods, too -
purposely."

 "Because of my former job as a security guard, I'm familiar with
protocols, high security clearances and service regulations. I was the best
choice for the job," Barney justified himself.

 "The... the best choice?!" Gordon called out.

 His unexpected outburst made everyone looking up with a jolt. Steve and
Tom glanced at the scientist questioningly and confused at the same
time. Even the security guard looked up to him with wide open eyes and an
expression of utter bafflement.

 The doctor had gotten up and stood there, with his arms akimbo. He gazed
down to the tips of his boots, slightly shaking his head repeatedly. Then,
he looked up again.

"He took advantage of you."

 Barney's features showed growing displeasure. "We're at war, damnit! We
needed the information. Eli didn't throw me to the wolves, he never did! I
carried a miniature emergency-transmitter all the time. If something would
have been wrong the Vorts would have caused a distortion allowing my
escape. And, apart from that... their telepathic healing powers were quite
helpful, too. At least one of them was nearby almost all the time. They
took care of mistreated refugees and other poor souls I secretly send their
way when I was on duty. But if you must really know the truth... it was I
who wanted to infiltrate them. Eli and Alyx just worked out a plan."

 The redhead was speechless and stared at him.

 "You volunteered?" he finally whispered tonelessly. "But... Barney, why?
And why haven't you stopped when you was aware of what happened at
Overwatch and Civil Protection?"

"Gordon..."

"Don't come up with any stupid or heroic excuses. This job will break you -
sooner or later. I won't take that lying down, watching you harming
yourself permanently! You are my best friend!! Our friendship means so much
to me. You mean so much to me. I..." He broke off and bit his lower lip,
casting his eyes down hastily.

 None of them talked anymore. Gordon stared down to his boots another time,
blinking with an absent look. Slowly, his upset and reproachful mien faded
and his features relaxed again. He sighed and, after a while, he sought
Barney's eyes, carefully exploring his buddy's pensive face.

 They looked at each other mutely.

 The officer observed Gordon's changing behavior... the silent plea in his
eyes, mixed with worry and a great deal of affection, too. His anger
towards the scientist vanished gradually and his tense expression loosened
noticeably. He simply wasn't the resentful type, bearing his friend a
grudge in perpetuity. Especially as the younger man was just anxious about
him...

 Their mutual gaze gradually deepened.

 The doctor opened his mouth but no sound left his lips. He wanted to say
something but seemed at a loss for words. He gazed at his opposite, with a
look that spoke louder than words, now. Barney's face softened visibly at
once. The hint of a warm smile dawned in his eyes and played around his
lips. Gordon didn't just return the smile; he deepened his gaze even more,
displaying liking and care.

 The security guard's pupils dilated markedly, two treacherously glowing
spots appeared on his cheeks. The doctor noticed the arising spark in his
friend's look – a mute question and acquiescence at the same time. That
was the last thing he expected to be happening. He took a deep breath and
looked away, clearing his throat furtively. His reddened ears competitioned
his hair color. A dark shimmer filled Barney's eyes now and he, too, turned
his face aside, swallowing, and with the hint of a smile on his lips.

 While the physicist sat down next to his buddy again, the former Combine
looked at each other in surprise.

 "Those two are also a couple," Tom breathed. He was baffled and pleased at
the same time.

 "Mmh... not yet, it seems," Steve whispered. "They are very close with
each other, but... I don't think that they are conscious about how strong
their feelings really are."

 "Maybe we can push them in the right direction..."

 "That won't be clever, Tom. They must recognize their emotions completely
on their own. And they must be fully able to choose without our
interference - whether they accept their feelings or not. That's a decision
they are meant to make solely on their own."

 The very fair blonde sighed a little and his mate smiled at him.

 "You are an incorrigible romantic, Tommie," he whispered. "You can't make
all people happy. And you can't force them, either."

 "It would be nice, if they become an item," Tom merely mumbled. "They need
each other. Everyone can see that..."

 The friends were fully occupied with their thoughts and their reflections
about the deep look they shared with each other. They completely missed the
MetroCops whispered conversation – or how the couple furtively watched
them now, a consent smile in their eyes...

 Gordon's gentle, emotional look made Barney react quite spontaneous and
without thinking this time. The scientist's expression went under his skin
as never before, and the caring gaze instantly touched a chord in
him. Barney never experienced something like that `till now - such a
strong, visceral reaction, responding in an instant and by pure instinct
only.

 Gordon flashed him those glances - filled with honest and deep affection -
once in a while lately. But the security guard never felt completely
comfortable with those gazes, aimed at him in such an unmistakable
manner. He was always torn between a hint of fright and uneasiness... but
pleasurable affection, too. But the positive instincts predominated
now. ... This time, it was quite pleasant for him to be regarded in such a
way. And he got so warm with Gordon's look that he thought his face would
glow.

 He needed a moment until he regained his composure again. And even then he
wasn't sure what to think of it. Should he be happy or worried because of
his body's sudden, intuitive approval? This silent commotion wasn't going
to end, at long last; therefore, he forced himself to think about it no
more. And to distract himself from his musings, he looked up and over to
the other sofa opposite the table.

 He opened his mouth, addressing a question to Steve, when the dark blonde
cop slightly bent down to his mate. His knuckles stroked gently along Tom's
cheek. This loving action took Barney by surprise. And the caressing touch
was so tender that he felt a hoarse feeling creeping up his throat. The two
men on the other couch kissed suddenly. It was neither a spectacular or a
passionate kiss... It was hardly more than the brief touching of soft
lips... quite tender and very gentle.

 ... The kiss of lovers...

 The security guard swallowed with a dry mouth. It was the first time for
him watching two men caressing each other. He wasn't confused or displeased
with the sight, when they continued to cuddle so lovingly in front of his
eyes. It touched him somehow... but it wasn't disgust that he felt... it
was quite the opposite...

 Steve and Tom whispered with each other, completely absorbed by their
actions and totally unaware of their "guests" presence any longer. Their
glances and touches revealed their love for each other. Their lips met
another time, and their soft kiss was very tender and loving this time.

 Barney felt a sudden rush of heat racing through his limbs and his stomach
contracted with something he could only describe as an indefinable
yearning. His face got hot, and he hesitantly glanced over to Gordon. The
doctor watched the couple with a quite strange expression, too. He seemed
moved, swallowing with a lump in his throat.

 And as if he felt the attention resting on him at once, he turned his
head, meeting the officer's gaze.

 Barney's pupils were dilated and gleamed oddly. Gordon could only assume
how his own expression looked like right now, but it couldn't be any
different than his friend's mien at the moment.

 A slight cough broke the peculiar atmosphere building up between them and
startled both men from their thoughts. Their eyes parted abruptly and they
concentrated their attention on the MetroCops instead. The couple kept a
straight face, pretending as if they didn't noticed the revealing manner
with which their guests exchanged a glance meanwhile.

 "Well, we would like to show you some of the rooms, showing you a bit
around at the same time. You can choose any room you like, and we don't
need to have an eye on the consumption of water. So you can take a bath
whenever and how long you like... spending a couple of pleasant and
relaxing days, here..."

 "Some new clothes would be a good idea, too," Tom suggested. "Gordon's
protective suit looks rather uncomfortable. And... err... Barney, we would
be very grateful if you could take off this horrible uniform. This gear
revives just too many unpleasant memories..."


.oOo.


 This night, the friends lay awake for a long time. They needed a good
while until they digested what had happened over the past day – and they
needed even more time to get the evenings events out of their systems. But
it seemed almost impossible for them to forget what had happened... and
they didn't come to rest.

---

 The security guard was still completely dressed, lying on the bed in his
room, hands behind his head. He stared up to the ceiling, wide awake and
unable to sleep. He was tired, but his mind was still busy. He was touched
by the former Combine's honest love and gentleness for each other. Barney
saw the couple in front of his eyes persistently... and without wanting
to. But his senses were agitated, and his mind was stirred up in a strange
way, now.

 He rolled around onto his stomach, resting his chin on the back of his
hand. With a bit of reluctance at first, he tried to explore his feelings
and reactions - why the display of tenderness and affection between Steve
and Tom occupied his mind so much. He wasn't able to get those pictures out
of his head and that bothered him. But he could think as much as he wanted
- the kissing couple awoked something... something hidden and denied for a
long time, now... but he wasn't able to disavow his longings any longer. He
was quite too conscious about it now – even if he still struggled with
himself. But he simply had to admit his animal desires finally in the
end. The sight of those guys cuddling and kissing wasn't just something he
liked to watch – it was very erotic for him.

---

 Gordon was busy with exactly the same musings - but with one important
difference: his thoughts wandered persistently back to his buddy instead of
focusing on Steve and Tom so tenaciously. Nevertheless, the snuggling
couple was quite an initial spark for him, too... but with a different
meaning for him...

 Gordon was aware of his sexual preferences – that he liked men - for
years, now. He never made a big fuss about it and kept his private matters
...well... private. It never happened that he fell in love with a colleague
or a close friend, though. He always made sure that his feelings weren't
intense enough to get him into trouble – even if it was mainly the pain
of lovesickness he wanted to prevent. When he watched the former MetroCops
snuggling – their closeness made him almost painfully aware of his
loneliness. And when he faced his buddy sitting right beside him... the
intense, dark gleam in the older man's eyes and his agitated, longing
expression... he felt such yearning for him, then; craving for his
closeness...

 Gordon wasn't able to deny the truth any longer. His affection for Barney
had deepened to a point, that he could describe this feeling only as
love...

 But how would his friend react?

 He couldn't just open his heart and simply hope that the security guard
returned his feelings. He wasn't able to foresee what would be happening,
then - if he really confessed his love. He would be the happiest person on
earth, if their affection was mutual. But if Barney retreated
inwardly... if he even reacted in a disliking way... Gordon would have
destroyed their long-lasting friendship at once.


.oOo.


 The next morning, last night's events were almost forgotten. They had
breakfast together as if nothing exceptional has happened. At least they
tried conveying the expression that everything was fine... But both of them
were conspicuously silent. Especially Barney picked at his food without
eating much and darted a glance at his friend repeatedly. Gordon seemed to
mull over something most intensive. And the officer really would have liked
to know what it was that went around the scientist's head over and over.

 Between them spread such a weird atmosphere that he finally lay down his
spoon and placed both elbows on the tabletop. He leant his chin against his
intertwined fingers and looked thoroughly at his opposite. The doctor
raised his head when he got conscious of that intensive gaze resting on his
person.

 "What's up?" he mumbled, since he wasn't able to read the expression in
Barney's eyes.

 "Do you think about Steve and Tom, too?" the security guard asked
quietly. "I'm unable to get them out of my mind again..."

 Gordon looked down and concentrated on his breakfast to play for time. The
weird undertone Barney had spoken with made his stomach contract with a
strange foreboding. He wasn't able to get another mouthful down, now and
just shoved the raisins in his muesli aside with the tip of his spoon.

 "There's actually something to think about?" he finally whispered, his
voice hoarse. He kept his gaze persistently down. "Gays aren't
extraordinary..."

 "Yeah, right. Well, at least they shouldn't be..." the officer noticed
quietly.

 This remark made Gordon raising his head again. With slightly narrowing
eyes, he examined his older friend's expression as much as possible. But he
wasn't able to. Barney's mien was neutral and revealed absolutely
nothing. ...Apart from an unidentifiable glitter in his eyes...

 "What do you mean?" he asked, unable to hide his inner strain anymore.

 The security guard raised an eyebrow. The doctor's unexpected, strange
tautness and his gruff comment only strengthened the notion he had for
quite some time, now.

 "So it wasn't just my imagination after all," he thought, "You're actually
gay... and my unfortunate choice of words makes you feel uncomfortable and
you're offended even if you're trying to hide it from me..."

 The sudden knowledge about his friend's sexual orientation brought him a
feeling of relief, and he was glad to finally know what had been going on
during the past few weeks – not only with Gordon, but also with him,
too...

 "Well," Barney cleared his throat. He pulled his fingers apart and reached
for his spoon. "Steve and Tom... I liked it... Their cuddling, I mean," he
said quietly and was surprised how easy it was for him now to admit the
truth.

 The physicist's defensive expression vanished abruptly and made place for
astonishment.

"Indeed?" he breathed so quietly that his reply was barely audible.

 The officer knew that he played with the fire now. Nonetheless, he felt
the inexplicable urge to say more.

 "It was quite esthetic to watch them...  I found it to be
even... err... sexy...." Something flashed in those green eyes, now and the
gaze behind the glass lenses gradually deepened.

 Barney got a little nervous, though. His heart was in his mouth at once
and his palms got damp. To prevent their conversation from taking a turn he
still wasn't entirely ready for, he turned his attention towards Gordon's
granola bowl. He looked at his friend's meal for a moment and wasn't able
to keep back his amused grin any more.

 "Tell me, Gordon... are the raisins any help in developing any specific
formulae or solving equations?" He laughed quietly.

 The doctor darted a look at him, slightly shaking his head. "You are and
will always remain a big kid, Barney."

 They looked at each other and had to laugh, before they continued their
morning meal in a pleasantly relaxed atmosphere.

---

 The door opened and made them turn in their seats. Steve stuck his head
in.

"Hey, you two. We heated up the sauna. Do you feel like some cultivated
sweating?"

 The friends exchanged an unbelieving glance.

 "Do you really just say... sauna?"

 The MetroCop laughed a little. "It's not a group sauna, but more than
sufficient for the four of us."

 "Can someone pinch me right now?" Barney smiled. "We could be glad 'till
now to have enough water for taking a shower every other day. And now
you're destroying our ideas of the resistance's life of luxury just like
that," he joked.

 "Like I said - this was a leadership bunker. Or do you actually think that
Breen and his goonies were living in one room suites? With filtered and
recycled water... tasteless food concentrates? Those guys knew how to live,
believe me." He made a pause. "So. What's up? You guys are coming?"


.oOo.


 The former Combine realized that their guests undressed the first time
ever in front of each other's eyes. And they never saw one another naked
before... The cops tried to hide their amusement, when both Barney and
Gordon endeavored a casual behavior, but without much success. It was quite
obvious that they tried to be discreet. They refrained from sizing each
other up, risking too brazen looks thereby. However, how they glimpsed at
their undressed bodies ever so often revealed their curiosity – and that
both of them secretly wanted to see more...

 When Tom opened the sauna door, Steve handed them their towels. "Put them
on your places. Otherwise you'll burn yourselves at the bench nails. In
addition, the sweat wouldn't soak too deep into the wood."

 The couple went in first, taking up their favorite places at the very top,
while Barney and Gordon followed inside one after another. The security
guard merely entered the heated room when the Combine got aware of the
doctor's rapidly changing behavior. When Barney turned his back on him,
Gordon's self-consciousness disappeared at once and he scrutinized the tall
guard from head to toe. His glance moved so leisurely along the muscular,
strong back, that Steve and Tom exchanged a brief, smiling gaze before they
continued their observations a little more unobtrusively. Nevertheless,
they could hardly keep back their knowing grin when they noticed the sudden
glittering in Gordon's eyes and the interest with which he looked at
Barney's behind.

 Tom had to lower his head abruptly, until the fair hair fell into his face
and hid his smile. But when the officer sat down on his towel on the
lowermost bench level, he, too, risked a curious glance and craned his neck
for a better view. Then, he faced his mate and mouthed a "sexy ass" while
grinning so broadly that deep dimples formed in his cheeks.

 Steve tried hard to keep back his laughter then. He lowered his chin,
pushing his lips against the back of his hand lying on the bench in front
of him. But he had to clear his throat several times until he composed
himself again.

 Their guests took their seats catty-corner and relaxed as much as possible
in the blazing heat. At first, the glowing air - smelling like heated stone
and wood - made breathing somewhat difficult, but they got used to it
quickly. A damp shimmer covered their skin in no time, and when the first
drops ran, more and more pearls of sweat rolled down their bodies. Gordon
sat slightly leant forward and with his elbows on his knees. He looked down
to the wooden floor between his feet and concentrated solely on the effect
the searing heat had on his body.

 Until a soft, drawn-out sigh made him look aside.

 Barney leant slightly back on his place and rested his elbows on a higher
bench. His features were fully relaxed, his face noticeably reddened by the
hot air. He kept his eyes closed and breathed with slightly gaping lips.

 The doctor used his friend's distraction and risked a more curious glance,
this time. He looked him over just very slowly, his gaze roaming
appreciatively and leisurely lower. The layer of sweat and also the
pleasant, soft light in the cabin accentuated the officer's firm
musculature and created appealing contrast on his shiny wet skin. Smaller
and bigger drops rolled down his body repeatedly.

 Gordon looked up into Barney's face again, to make sure that he still sat
with closed eyes. The relaxed features entranced him and he was unable to
focus his attention somewhere else at once. He looked at him, studying the
attractive face thoroughly... the curve of brows and nose... the thick
eyelashes... the soft lips gaping open so seductively...

 He looked at the strong hands; the tendons and veins visible along the
knuckle joints... and he frowned a little when he saw that Barney still had
the bad habit of biting his nails. He wasn't excessive, though and never
ruined them to ugly stumps, but it was obvious that he still chewed them
off instead of using clippers.

 Gordon's attention slipped slowly lower - along the muscular, hairy chest
and the dark line of body hair along his tummy. The moisture cumulating in
Barney's navel and groins glittered with every breath he took.

 He swallowed... and glanced into the security guard's face again, before
he focused his attention onto his friend's loins – and right between his
spread thighs this time. He was slightly bigger than average and - just
like Gordon - circumcised. He had big balls, hanging noticeably low and
heavy because of the heat.

 The scientist hastily averted his face when the officer stirred and
sluggishly changed his posture. He stared down to his feet and feared that
Barney was aware of his bold look... Although the physicist knew about his
pal's attraction towards the same gender now – however, his brazen study
would slide him into an awkward situation. Just because he didn't want to
make him feel propositioned.

 The slight scare which had gone right through him subsided gradually
again. But Gordon wasn't able to risk a second look. For one thing, he
didn't want to know his opposite's expression - whether he noticed being
eyed up or not. And for another thing, his friend's body was a sight for
sore eyes. Barney's nudity was quite appealing - and - just because of that
– the doctor didn't dare to look at him again.

 He lowered his head and kept his glance stubbornly through his legs, now,
studying the floor with faked fascination. ...Until his gaze focused on his
groin by chance. His eyes widened and he was highly embarrassed. When it
would have been just the two of them, it would be uncomfortable for him
– being caught like that... But because of Steve's and Tom's presence,
too, his momentarily state was cringe-making.

 He was half erect. And that wasn't due to the relaxing heat...


.oOo.


 They left it at one session and refreshed themselves in the small basin
next-door. They rubbed down with their towels and moved over to the resting
places along the room's outer wall. Their hosts lay down on the biggest
flat lounger in the backmost corner - after using their towels as an
underlay - nude and huggling together. Barney followed their example
without further ado and had chosen a single place, while his friend simply
stood beside him, hesitating. The redhead looked around the room, searching
for a bathrobe. Steve watched them, smiling at the officer's ease, and he
grinned a little at the scientist's wavering.

 "C'mon, Gordon, just lay down. The room is a pleasant 80 degrees
Fahrenheit. You won't catch a cold, here. Relax and take a nap if
possible."

 The physicist shrugged inwardly and laid down on his towel just like the
others. Barney shoved an arm behind his neck and faced him, showing a
content smile.

 "It's been quite a while since I felt so good," he said and lolled his
body, sighing with complacency. "This is almost like vacation on the
beach."

 The remark evoked a thought at once, coming into Gordon's mind merely 24
hours ago. ...That he wished both of them away; to a peaceful place where
they would be alone. Usually, his dreams never came true just like that
– or so enormously fast. But that sudden intuition made him wonder if
his other, recent wish would also be fulfilled...

 Barney gave a small sigh and interrupted his musings. "Although I think
that we earned it... I feel a sting of remorse. Our people should
experience something like this, too, but we're simply lacking the resources
for such a place."

 Gordon just hemmed a little. "Well, I don't think that our life is
austere. We're missing some minor things but that's all. You
know... err..." He hesitated a second. "Alyx invited me to a bubble bath,
once, including a bottle of wine."

 Barney's eyes went wide. "Really?!" He rolled over on his side and propped
his elbow up, resting his cheek in his palm.

 "Yep."

 The security guard grinned broadly and chuckled. "My oh my! That's blunt
and a little wanton, if you ask me."

 The doctor smiled awry. "I gently declined her offer. But she insisted how
spacious her bathtub would be, and that there would be other possibilities
to relax inside the base. She prattled on and on about other things she
would like invite me to. I don't know if she merely enjoyed watching me
sweat or if she was honest, though. But it took a while until she let me
off the hook again."

 His friend laughed a little. "You gave her a wide berth afterward, huh?"

 Gordon raised an eyebrow. "I tried to be not so obvious. But yes, I
avoided her for a while."

 "She's not your type, then?"

 "No," the redhead merely said and Barney looked him right in the
eye... with a somewhat questioning and exploring glance.

 "And... who is your type?" He asked quietly, his voice slightly quivering
with a somewhat breathless anticipation.

 The doctor returned the eye contact with a mute, affirming gaze –
answering the question with a simple, honest look.

 The hint of a smile played around Barneys lips. Something indefinable
flashed in his eyes, before he lay down on his back again. "Well,
buddy... let's take a nap first... We're pleasurably exhausted, and I just
want forty winks right now. We can talk about that some later..."

---

 Gordon was aroused from sleep by a noise. He waited, remaining motionless
and with closed eyes if the sound recurred somehow. And just moments later,
he heard it again... a soft sigh.

 He slowly raised his eyelids.

 The doctor had turned round on his side in sleep, and his eyes fell
directly on the spacious cot to his right. The former MetroCops were
already awake. Without his glasses and still a little drowsy, he blinked
and squinted a bit - until he realized what was going on next to him.

 Steve had straightened up on an elbow, bent down over his boyfriend lying
stretched out besides. They kissed - just like the evening before. But this
time, their kiss was passionate, deep and lustful.

 The doctor held his breath in surprise. He hesitated, torn between is
desire to watch and the knowledge that he should turn around, leaving them
their privacy. But he wasn't able to stir and move. He was enthralled by
the erotic sight and simply couldn't avert his eyes.

 Their lips opened a bit, revealing the gentle tongue movements of a
leisurely French kiss. Gordon's mouth went dry. His heart was beating
faster and harder with every passing moment.

 But the lascivious Frenching wasn't the only thing they did...

 When they parted a little again, he looked hastily away, shifting his
attention to the middle of their bodies instead. He wouldn't want to be
caught in the act... watching them at their foreplay. But with his eyes
unintentionally focusing lower, he got aware of what they did while
kissing. Their bodies blocked his view for the greater part, but the slight
movements of their hands revealed enough.

 Steve and Tom satisfied each other, with slow, gentle strokes.

 Gordon didn't need to see if they were aroused. How they caressed and
stroked one another was obvious enough. A hoarse feeling crept up his
throat now, and he felt the impulse to cough slightly. But that would
possibly attract the Combine's attention. They would interrupt their
loveplay or even turn round to him. He liked neither the first or the
second option and remained as silent as possible. Although it got hard for
him not to hem... the sight of the two men stimulating each other stirred
his arousal.

 There was no need for him to look down and along his body this time. He
knew that he was sporting an erection. Gordon felt a steady pulse in his
groins for quite a while now. And that pulsing got stronger when he caught
a glimpse of Steve's or Tom's hand from time to time... a thumb slowly
stroking along a glans, spreading the natural lube with a gentle
stroke... the long, sensuous up and down of a skilful fist, all the way
back and forth from base to tip... how they caressed one another with
pleasurably movements, stretching the silken skin gently along the shaft.

 The doctor bit his lip, swallowing repeatedly. Even the little he saw was
an incredible turn on for him. He had to use his imagination to visualize
the rest, and his fantasies were running wild. He had a fierce, rock hard
boner meanwhile, oozing with need. His excitement turned into such lust
that the urge to pleasure himself got incredibly strong. But he was still
at odds with his desire and his fear to be caught watching.

 He lay down on his stomach laboriously, hiding his arousal. The pressure
of his bodyweight on the throbbing shaft – caught between his stomach
and the quite firm padding - was unpleasant. He wiggled to and fro without
finding a proper position. Gordon finally gave up and merely hoped that his
erection would fade again and on its own. He stared at the leathery cushion
of his cot and tried to calm down again. He wasn't watching the couple any
longer, but he wasn't able to block out the noises he heard:

 Soft sighing... suppressed, small groans... the parting of wet
lips... whispered, incomprehensive words... sensual, damp kissing
again... shuddering wheezing... more quiet moaning, mixed with faint,
treacherously slipping noises of stroking hands along sensually oozing
erections...

 Gordon's face was rigid now and virtually glowed with lust. He wasn't able
to control his desire anymore and almost rubbed his member along the
padding meanwhile. He turned round on his back as quietly as possible and
looked over to the couple... watching them openly this time.

---

 The slight rustle and creaking next to him finally interrupted Barney's
sleep, too. He still lay on his back, one arm behind his head sunken
slightly aside. He opened his eyes, and the doctor's body filled his field
of vision.

 His face was turned to the other side and away from him. He lay motionless
and seemed asleep; one leg bent and slightly propped up, the left hand
resting in his lap. The officer watched the heaving of chest and
belly... the pulsing of the carotid beneath the taut skin along Gordon's
neck. It took a moment for him to notice that the pulsing was too fast for
a relaxed slumber. Then, he caught the slight, even movements from the
corner of his eye and looked instinctively lower.

 His eyes widened.

 The loose grip of Gordon's half-open fist covered the erection below just
partly. The doctor took his hand away, lubing his fingers with
saliva. Barney swallowed and stared onto the hard shaft pointing steeply
along the flat belly. His member was a little bit thin but long, with a
swollen, noticeably bigger tip. He grasped his manhood again, spreading the
spittle along his cut length and along the head, moving his fist slowly up
and down.

 Barney wasn't able to tear his eyes away. His gaze was virtually glued to
the scientist's lap, following the gentle movements of the slender hand. He
looked at the rigid length and the stroking grip wandering leisurely up and
down. He watched breathlessly how his buddy caressed himself so erotically.

---

 Gordon got suddenly conscious that - although he could hide his actions
from the MetroCops - the security guard on the other side had a full view
on him and was able to see everything he did. That made him looking over to
the left.

 Barney's face was turned towards him, but he kept his eyes closed. The
doctor took a deep breath without noticing that he held it at all and
continued his slight stimulation. His hand moved the silken soft skin
gently and slightly stretching along his member. He kept an eye on his
friend, though. And... all of a sudden... he saw the twitching of Barney's
eyelashes - and froze. His stroking stopped at once.

 The officer wasn't asleep like he believed him to be. He wasn't opening
his eyes just now - his eyes were already open and the small twitching he
noticed was nothing else than the movement of half opened eyes watching
him. There was no need for him to follow the direction of this partly
concealed look to know that Barney's attention was focused on his abdomen.

 He got cold and hot at the same time.

 His erection dropped noticeably in the initial shock. He got embarrassed
and wondered whether he should take his hand away or not. But then, he got
aware of his friend's expression. This wasn't a bored mien marked by
indifference or even slight amusement... his features showed fascination
and even a hint of arousal... it was more some kind of voyeurism than a
simple watching.

 The physicist still looked at him and studied Barney's stiffening mien,
when the officer raised his eyelids unexpectedly and looked him directly in
the eye. Gordon returned the glance quite automatically, but without
actually knowing how he should behave. His opposite averted his gaze after
what seemed to be an almost endless second. Barney seemed a little
embarrassed and insecure, too, now. He swallowed... and hesitantly faced
him again, before he gave himself a jolt and got the better of his arising
inhibitions. His frank look was with intent, this time. And he deepened the
visual contact with his younger friend even more... before he lowered his
gaze with a gesture bordering on request.

 The doctor looked along Barney's nude body... the shaft resting at his
friend's groin got noticeably bigger. The shortened skin pulled gradually
back as his manhood stretched so visibly.

 A hand came into Gordon's view, placing itself gently on the swelling
length. But the touch wasn't meant to hide the quickly growing
erection. Quite the opposite... Barney's palm moved slowly down his shaft,
slightly pulling the retreating skin back... tightening it along his member
with the stroke. His fully bared manhood swelled incredibly fast... gaining
length quickly, becoming larger and thicker.

 Gordon's breath caught. The pulse hammered between his ears meanwhile. His
own arousal strengthened in an instant, and he was hard again within
moments.

 He watched anxiously how that strong hand left the hastily swelling member
and moved along his balls, before he came back to his shaft. His stroking
palm pulled the soft skin some down again, virtually presenting his almost
fully erect, big cock to his friend. Gordon almost forgot to breathe. He
moaned quietly at the sight of Barney's impressive size...

 His own length got so hard that it was painful. The noticeable bigger head
flared with the intense swelling, getting dark and shiny like an oversized
cherry. A glassy drop formed at the opening. A soft sighing left Barney's
mouth. And his sensual, little "Mmmmhhh" strengthened Gordon's arousal to
an extent he never thought possible.

 The scientist grasped his enormously swollen, aching shaft, moving his
fist lustfully up and down; constantly watching his friend while pleasuring
himself so leisurely. An impressive mast pointed up and along Barney's
restlessly heaving belly. His length jerked a little and Gordon bit his
lips to prevent himself from moaning with pleasure. He wasn't fully able
to, and a quiet, little groan escaped his lips. It wasn't just the erection
- shown to him in such a revealing manner - what aroused him so much. That
the officer looked down to his member and got a boner at the sight - that
was the major turn on for Gordon.

 He wanted to let go... enjoying his ecstasy and pleasuring himself to
orgasm right in front of Barney's eyes. But despite all desire - he didn't
manage to masturbate so openly.

 However, it wasn't just the presence of Steve and Tom holding him back,
but his own inhibitions... feeling still a little odd in front of his
buddy. Therefore, he took his hand hesitantly away, letting go of his
highly aroused manhood. He gazed at his older friend. The attractive face
was marked by lust and desire now.

 When Gordon took his hand away, the security guard faced him after a
moment, too. Barney's expression was questioning and sensual at the same
time. But there was something... a shimmer he never noticed so obviously
before in those dark eyes...

Approval.


.oOo.


 At some point during their loveplay, the Combine became aware of what
happened next to them. Or what almost happened... They interrupted their
sensual actions - if also hesitatingly - and waited until their arousal
faded away again. Then, they got up, asking Barney and Gordon to come
along.

 Half way to their comfortable sitting room, Steve and his mate suggested
putting on some loose-fitting, casual clothes, meeting afterwards for a
nice chat. Their guests agreed, and fifteen minutes later, all four sat
together and talked.

 The MetroCops had used the meantime for some preparations. They placed
some cushions on the sofas and put a couple of beer bottles on the table -
enough to relax the doctor and his buddy, taking away their inhibitions,
but they didn't intent on turning their get-together in carousal. Wine
would have been more of their liking, though, but they had to get by with
what was at stock.

 The Combine smiled when Barney and his friend gradually loosened up. They
exchanged content glimpses when the physicist turned his attention towards
his older friend already soon... studying the officer's interesting face
profile with a steadily growing display of deep affection...

 Tom cuddled into his mates embrace while both of them watched their
opposites. They saw that the bottles were still half full, but Barney and
Gordon had obviously lost their shyness meanwhile. The MetroCops looked at
each other with a knowing smile. Maybe the alcohol was just an excuse for
them to make first advances on their own, now... and that was a lot better
than cuddling half-tipsy and maybe regretting everything the next
morning...

 They looked each other more often and deeper in the eye and when the
officer smiled at his friend, the doctor's ears turned an interesting shade
of red... Both of them had a treacherous, dark shimmer in their eyes
now. They sat closer to one another than ever before. Not too close, but
close enough to show their strong mutual affection and their wish for
physical contact. And while talking, they touched each other once in a
while, their hands resting on forearm or thigh of their companion
noticeable longer.

 Tom raised a hand and intertwined his fingers with Steve's. They had
participated in the conversations at first, trying to nudge their guests
attention towards each other. But they were silent for quite a while
already, simply watching what was going to happen. And they just waited for
a suitable moment to engage into the last part of their little plan, now.

 When Gordon and Barney faced the MetroCops at once - as if suddenly
remembering that they weren't alone in the room - Steve made use of their
mutual attention right on spot. He bent into his mates path and kissed him
gently on the mouth.

 They weren't just kissing, they cuddled very tender, too. Their caresses
were substantially more loving and gentle than usual, giving unmistakable
hints about what their opposites were supposed to do. To encourage them
even more, Steve and Tom shared soft, deliberate kisses which got gradually
erotic in time... and when they had their first, slow French kiss in front
of their guests, the doctor blushed a little and the security guard
swallowed noisily – but both of them were unable to avert their
gaze. The former Combine kissed repeatedly while caressing each other
lovingly. Their lips met softly and gently; with tender, little
touches... or they deepened their kisses with slightly opening lips,
allowing Barney and Gordon to watch their sensual frenching.

 The doctor removed his glasses at some point and put them on the table,
while the officer cleared his throat.

 The couple's mutual fondling was a little restrained, but that made their
tender touches even more erotic for their guests. The cops hoped that their
little loveplay would carry Barney and Gordon away. They wanted to set a
sensual mood, so that the scientist and his buddy would engage into some
kissing and stroking on their own. It was a bit hard for Steve and Tom to
hold back, fondling one another but without arousing themselves too much at
the same time. But their touches were meant to be stimulating mainly for
the other two guys...

 The officer watched in breathless expectation, his heart in his mouth
meanwhile. He felt a hand groping around on the sofa next to him, until the
fingers touched his leg, and how Gordon finally placed his palm on Barney's
thigh. The fingers were hot and trembled slightly. He faced his younger
friend, studying his expression.

 The scientist was flushed, swallowing repeatedly. He wasn't able to avert
his eyes from the kissing couple on the other couch and gently squeezed
Barney's leg, before his hand moved slowly up and down, caressing him
tenderly.

 When the doctor finally looked over, his expression revealed desire and
longing; a dark, sensual gleam filled his eyes. He looked down to the
security guard's mouth and up into his eyes again, gently moving his palm
along the firm thigh.

 Barney's pupils were dilated; an unspoken yearning lay in his gaze. He
slipped a little closer, placing his palm on the scientist's hand. Both of
them looked down to their fingers lying on top of each other, before the
officer stroked with this thumb slightly along the back of Gordon's
hand. Their faces glowed with excitement and need at the same time...

 Without interrupting the gentle caressing of Gordon's hand, Barney slipped
even closer to his buddy.

 ...Steve and Tom were now forgotten...

 The doctor couldn't hold back any longer when his opposite looked at him
so breathlessly and expectantly, and he raised his hand. His fingertips
stroked quite softly along Barney's cheek before he repeated the gentle
touch with his knuckles. His friend's mien softened. He closed his eyes and
nestled his face into the tender touch while intertwining his fingers with
Gordon's - still resting on his thigh.

 The scientist swallowed. This loving reaction took his breath away. His
hand slightly trembled with excitement when he turned the older man's face
a little further around. He brushed the hot cheek tenderly with his
fingertips. Barney's eyelids twitched to the delicate touch. He searched
Gordon's gaze again... with such an open longing and honest desire in his
eyes now, that the physicist moaned quietly.

 He slipped his hand slowly lower, gently exploring his face on his way. He
looked at Barney's mouth. His thumb brushed tenderly and slowly along the
soft lips.

 The leisure, caressing touch of Gordon's thumb along his mouth was so
erotic, that the black-haired man couldn't hold back anymore. He bridged
the last distance still keeping their faces apart. He closed his eyes,
softly touching the scientist's cheek with his lips and the tip of his nose
- turning the gentle contact into a small caress – slightly pushing his
cheek against Gordon's.

 The doctor leant into the slight touch and brushed Barney's lips with a
hardly noticeable kiss. His nervously trembling fingers ran through the
dark hair, while they exchanged their first, little kisses... almost shyly
pushing their mouths together; before their actions got tender and
loving... caressing each other's lips with small, soft kisses... tasting
and kissing one another with growing devotion.

 Gordon stroked his palm along Barney's shoulder, gently pulling him
closer, fondling the nape of his neck and raked his fingers through the
soft, black strands. The officer caressed him just as tenderly, running his
palm over the scientist's chest. The redhead gave a little sigh and
explored Barney's mouth thoroughly with his lips, now. He returned the
gentle sensuality of his older buddy, kissing him back with the same
tenderness.

 "Steve," Tom breathed with a hoarse voice and kneaded his mates grip since
a whole while with sweaty and burning hot fingers.

 The dark blonde leant slightly into his path. "Those two are very tender,
aren't they?" he whispered.

 His boyfriend's eyes glittered. "It turns me on."

 "Yes. Me too." He put a finger to his lips and whispered: "But this is
something they should enjoy without nosy spectators. Let's leave them alone
now..."

 They retreated quietly and discreetly.

 The damp shimmer of the tip of his tongue - gliding slightly forwards and
pulling back again - could be seen between Barney's opening, dedicatively
kissing lips now. He wasn't ready to involve his tongue, yet. But he could
hardly suppress that lustful reflex any longer.

 "I never kissed a man before," he admitted quietly when their lips parted
with a faint smack.

 "Do you like it?" Gordon whispered breathlessly.

 "Ooh, yeah," the officer replied hoarsely. He looked back and forth
between his friend's eyes. "I never thought it to be so... sexy..." He
enclosed the doctor's fingers. "So sensual..." His lips placed a soft kiss
into Gordon's palm. "... or so tender..."

 "Come closer," the scientist breathed and stroked with his fingertips
delicately over his opposite's seductive mouth.

 "Do you want more?" Barney whispered.

 "Yes. Much more..." He pulled his friend some closer again. "Let me feel
your tenderness... your gentleness... Kiss me," he whispered.

 Gordon gave a quiet, aroused moan when he felt how the tip of Barney's
tongue parted his lips this time... sliding slowly into his oral cavity.

 He returned the erotic kiss at once. Their tongues met, almost pushing and
nudging playfully against each other... until the security guard moaned
softly, beginning a sensual french kiss.

 He wasn't able to hold back any longer; Gordon showed his desire openly
now. His palm ran along the firm muscles, exploring Barney's chest
thoroughly, before his hand slipped lower along the heaving belly and back
up again. Their hesitation and shyness was gone, now. They kissed with more
and more passion, fondling one another with growing desire.

 Gordon brushed the hard nipple with his palm, the small tip standing out
against the fabric, slightly kneading the officer's pecs... before he
stroked and gently rubbed the erect nipple with his thumb. The doctor moved
his hand lower... searching a way under Barney's shirt and finally slipping
his fingers below the hem, running his palm slowly over the hot, haired
skin.

 Their lips parted. The security guard leant against the backrest. He
closed his eyes and sighed with the scientist's gentle hand fondling him so
sensually. He visibly enjoyed the caresses... how Gordon's fingers moved
over his skin, exploring his body so leisurely and erotic at the same time.

 He looked at his friend from half-lidded, lustfully glittering eyes. The
younger man's face was obviously marked by desire and the rapt attention of
his fondling, stroking him so slow and pleasurably.

 "I love to touch you," Gordon suddenly whispered and hesitatingly pulled
his hand from below Barney's shirt again.

 "Why do you stop?" the officer merely breathed.

 He grasped the doctor's hand and placed it onto his belly again, moving
the hot fingers invitingly along the upper half of his body.

 "Caress me," he whispered.

 Gordon moaned quietly and bent into Barney's path again.

 Even if it was the physicist who had taken the seducer's role at first, it
was the security guard now who obviously seized the initiative. He searched
Gordon's mouth repeatedly, exploring the willing lips with sensuous, small
licks and deep, lustful kisses...

 They stroked and caressed each other at the same time, running their hands
along each other's bodies... turning their fondling into longing
touches. Their breathing got heavy and erratic, their kissing became almost
frantic... wet and smacking... before they parted to look at each other
again – wheezing with excitement and rapidly growing lust.

 The light creaking of the sofa's leather upholstery mixed with their
fitful breathing. Barney sucked gently at Gordon's tongue while pushing the
slim body firmly against his own, now. The redhead clung to his frame at
once, digging his fingers into the officer's broad back. The doctor gasped
enraptured with those hot, soft lips moving along his cheek and down his
neck at once, placing wet and sucking kisses onto his skin. ...Until they
didn't bear their pent up lust anymore and finally had to part... breathing
heavily.

 "Touch me," Gordon panted. He slipped slightly forward on his seat.

 Without taking his eyes from Barney's face, he grasped the strong hand and
placed it on his restlessly heaving belly.

 The security guard watched with growing arousal how the scientist moved
his palm slowly lower. He swallowed with excitement when the younger man
spread his legs and slipped even closer to the edge of his seat. He stared
at Gordon's reddened face... his auburn hair was tousled... he had a dark,
lustful gleam in his eyes.

 The physicist leant his head against the sofa rest and returned the
sensual, exploring gaze. His loose-fitting trousers showed a treacherously
bulging tent along his groin. He watched Barney's lively, erotic
mien... How the officer followed the movement of Gordon's hand still
enclosing his wrist, moving his palm lower... and lower.

 "Am I too straightforward?" the doctor suddenly whispered.

 Barney simply shook his head without taking his eyes from his friends
actions. When he finally answered, his voice was hoarse and trembling with
lust. "Go on. I can hardly control myself any longer."

 He looked up, exploring his opposite's expression, groaning at the strong
desire in those heavy lidded, half closed green eyes. He focused his
attention lower again when his hand was placed onto the rigid length.

 He gently grasped the hard shaft through the fabric and sucked his breath
through his teeth, giving a quiet moan.

 Gordon sighed lustfully and moved the loose grip slowly up and down his
member. Barney's face froze with rapidly growing arousal. A dark, lecherous
glittering arose in his eyes. He caressed the pulsing mast through the
trousers, searching for the glans and slightly squeezing the swollen head,
before he moved his palm slowly along the whole length... all the way down,
over Gordon's balls and up to the tip again. The scientist groaned a
little, arching his loins invitingly forward. He pushed the hot hand
against his manhood, shoving himself into the lustful stimulus of the
gently stroking grip simultaneously.

 Barney's expression was so lustful that he finally asked: "What do you
think right now?"

 Without interrupting his caressing strokes, the officer whispered
hoarsely: "I want to see him... Let me feel your cock in my hand... how
hard he is..."

 Gordon removed the gentle grip and pulled his trousers and boxer shorts
down before he leant back again. His length stood upright, the shaft partly
exposed below the head... the shortened skin seemingly fully pulled back. A
trembling sigh escaped his lips when Barney grasped his burning hot
erection without hesitation.

 The scientist grasped Barney's fist and moved it evenly back and forth his
length. He gazed down to his lap and moaned with pleasure at the sight of
the tender hand stroking his rock-hard member, caressing him with slow,
long movements. He drew a sighing, deep breath and gave a long, aroused
groan, letting go of Barney's fingers at the same time.

 "Pull the skin more tightly back," he whispered, breathing heavily.

 The security guard moved his grip with very long strokes, now... all the
way down and up to the tip again.

 "Oohh yes... just like that," the doctor moaned softly but ecstatically.

 He arched his loins up, shoving his manhood far into Barney's stroking
hand, answering the sensual rhythm with slight thrusts. His swollen length
pulsed erotically within the caressing grip.

 He groaned.

 "Oh God... I ... can't bear it anymore," the officer sighed after a
moment, his voice trembling and quivering with tension. "Get me out of my
pants, or I'm going to burst them."

 He raised his abdomen when the physicist helped him pulling the garment
down. He gave a small, relieved moan when he felt the touch of his friend,
gently grasping his swollen balls. The curious fingers stroked his
testicles, softly kneading and caressing them, before he touched the
twitching shaft.

 Barney's desire-ridden face glowed with excitement when the redhead
pleasured him skillfully. He looked Gordon in the eye. The doctor's
features were rigid with lust, too, and he gazed down onto his own fist -
moving gently along the officer's length, while Barney watched his own
stroking along the scientist's erection...

 A clear drop seeped slowly along the glans and wet his fingers. He spread
the slippery liquid along the shaft, stimulating the doctor with erotic,
caressing strokes.

 Gordon was fully absorbed with the lustful sensations of their mutual
masturbation. He closed his eyes, overwhelmed with the pleasure. His member
got even harder in Barney's hand. The glans got dark, glowing hot and firm,
and a really big drop oozed from the glittering wet slit.

 The officer panted erratically with need meanwhile. He took his hand away,
hastily spreading some saliva at his fingers and satisfied his friend with
faster strokes, sliding his grip eagerly up and down. His fingers circled
along the exposed glans from time to time... gently strengthening and
reducing the pressure of his fist... making the scientist moaning aloud
with the very lustful touch, before his hand sled along the shaft again.

 The doctor's nostrils quivered. He wheezed and gasped fitfully, curving
his loins up and into the quickening rhythm of Barney's hand.

 The security guard watched how he caressed his buddy's member, enjoying
the erotic sensation, how he stroked the rigid length tirelessly, moving
his fist along the exposed, burning hot tip repeatedly...

 Without taking his eyes from Gordon's lap, he grasped the soft hand at his
own manhood. Barney squeezed the slender fist, until the scientist
strengthened his grip. "Jack me off," he panted. "Make me cum..."

 Gordon's grip moved eagerly up and down at once, before he stimulated the
glans and its sensitive bulge... increasing Barney's lust until he gave a
soft moan and arched his abdomen into the intense stimulus, gasping with
need.

 "Faster," the security guard panted aloud, "ahh... yeah... grasp me
tighter..."

 Gordon wheezed hectically, he began to pant with lust. His erection got
treacherously big and hot, swelling to full size and gaining almost another
inch of length. He gasped erratically, competitioning his friend's loud,
fitful breathing.

 "Oh God, yes..." the officer groaned when he felt that the doctor was
getting close. His fist circled continuously along the swollen, firm tip
now, making his younger friend moan ecstatically.

 The redhead looked back and forth between his grip at Barney's shaft and
his lecherously distorted face – while he got closer and closer to his
orgasm. His abdomen curved up at once... He groaned...  his sensual face
turned into a grimace of sheer pleasure. His head fell back. He gasped
wildly and intensely in an instant.

 "Oohhgod... I'm... ...coming," Gordon groaned and a hot gush poured out of
him, running over Barney's fingers in pulsing intervals.

 "Ahhh, let it come..." The security guard panted loudly and still moved
his fist along Gordon's orgasmically twitching shaft, strengthening the
stimulus even more. The erection pumped strongly in his hand, contracting
erratically.

 The doctor clasped Barney's fist at his length, moving it with quick,
small strokes along the glans. His pouring, pulsating flow changed to a
weak squirt.

 The officer moaned lustfully when the spurt slapped over his forearm. The
sight of his buddy coming with slight squirts and hastily pulsing gushes of
hot, slick sperm flowing and dripping over his fingers was enough to
trigger his own climax.

 He gasped aloud, breathing fitfully... he shoved Gordon's grip down his
mast, stretching the skin along his shaft. His member jerked hastily at
once, and he came so hard that his load was forced out in frantic
spurts. He moaned ecstatically when he felt how the doctor's slim hand
moved up his hectically twitching erection, covering the swollen glans. His
slippery semen slapped into Gordon's palm... the frenzied pulsing of his
manhood slowed down very fast, changing to even, still weakening
contractions. The scientist caressed him right below the now oversensitive
head, moving his sperm-slick fingers gently and with small, circling
strokes, intensifying Barney's fading orgasm as much as possible.


.oOo.


 Barney and Gordon spent the next days only in each other's company and
adjourned to one of their quarters. Their relation to each other had
rapidly changed within 48 hours. ...Bosom friends had become a couple
practically overnight... No wonder that they wanted to be alone, exploring
this new experience together.

 They talked for hours; about their feelings for one another – the newly
discovered emotions and older, equally deep emotions, too - and also about
the abrupt change in their life. Everything would be quite different from
now on, especially when they returned to the resistance's headquarters.

 They talked about just anything that came into their minds, enjoying each
other's company. Both of them saw the long-term friend in a new light. Just
anything was different, now... even trivial touches, small glances... a
smile... all this deepened their mutual affection still more.

 They spent their nights together, too, sleeping in one bed... nestled
against each other, naked and spooning... the doctor snuggled at his
friend's body lying behind him, while the officer embraced the middle of
Gordon's body with both arms... And it was this intimate closeness that
made them aware of the deep harmony of their newfound relationship. They
didn't just enjoy their physical contact very much, but they also needed
it... Barney and Gordon alike had missed such bonding – emotionally and
physically as well.

 Never before they felt so ... complete - just like now; while lying in the
best friend's arms...

 They enjoyed every moment, and they got to know each other in a completely
different way now. Their friendship gained a depth and intimacy which made
their relation truly unique. And this special bond tied them only stronger
together – in any possible way...

 It didn't take long for them to notice how much they loved to
cuddle... fondling and kissing. Mostly, it was Gordon who whispered sweet
nothings, putting a soft smile on Barney's face while they caressed one
another with caring touches and tender kisses. Their share of affection was
very gentle; stroking one another just softly... brushing each other's
cheek with their fingertips or knuckles while exchanging small kisses with
soft lips - until their cuddling slowly deepened into arousal.

 Their libido increased to unexpected intensity. Barney's sex drive –
even though he was past forty – almost doubled... but he still wanted
more now than he was physically able to. Often, their gentle fondling was
enough to stir their lust and they started undressing while kissing and
stroking each other. Mostly, they were still half dressed when they sank
down onto the bed – but hardly able to wait any longer.

 Despite their intense excitement, they always tried to take it slow,
holding back their orgasms as long as it was only possible. They wanted to
make the most of their lovemaking, enjoying their desire with all their
senses.

 They got to know their needs and likings gradually. Gordon was more
experienced and showed Barney the pleasures of their relationship –
slowly, though... and just bit by bit. They explored their bodies like
being on a very erotic adventure...

 Although the security guard had quite his share of female affairs, gay sex
seemed to be a true disclosure for him. He was overwhelmed with pleasure
and visibly enjoyed the experience. He was very eager to learn about his
buddy's sensual reactions, what he liked the most and how he enjoyed being
touched and pleasured – while giving himself to Gordon very willingly
and desiringly. Both of them were curious and wanted to try out as much as
possible. Nevertheless, some things simply needed their time until they
were ready to give it a go...

 But their mutual masturbation within the first days was a very erotic
delight. ...When they cuddled up naked, kissing and pleasuring one another
slowly and provocatively... until they carried their lustful game too far
every time and threatened to lose control...

 When Barney rubbed himself along his mate, gasping, lying half on top of
him and with Gordon's thigh between his legs - while moaning with passion
and pure carnal lust - that was almost enough for the doctor to reach his
orgasm.

 Gordon enjoyed it with all his senses holding his mates rock-hard erection
while Barney shoved his throbbing length with sensual thrusts into the
soft, hot fist enclosing his manhood.

 The highly erotic facial expression of his beloved friend... his shaky
wheezing and lecherous moaning... how Barney moved above him, thrusting,
sliding along the scientist's intensely swollen length with every thrust -
Gordon was so aroused then, just the rubbing touch of Barney's hot body
against his painfully hard member was enough to make him come, climaxing
without touching himself...

 ...And Barney - carried away by ecstasy and the lustful sight of the hasty
spurts slapping along the lean body - followed him just seconds later,
ejaculating too.


.oOo.


 The former Combine were pleased with the sudden change in their guests'
behavior. They expected – and hoped – that the other couple wanted
some privacy, now, secluding themselves from their hosts. Steve and Tom
would have been worried if they still bumped into the two guys displaying
mixed emotions or even discomfort yet – or, even worse, if they met just
one of them, wandering around the bunker. But their absence for several
days in a row could only mean that everything went well between
them... very well actually.

 The MetroCops merely waited for a chance to catch sight of their
guests. And when they finally intercepted then by chance, Barney and Gordon
were quite surprised about the topic of their conversation. They never
expected that the Combine would be offering tips and advice. But they were
happy with the aid and gratefully accepted the suggestions from the more
experienced live-in lovers.

 "Never be shy or ashamed of something", Steve finally remarked. "Talk
about just anything - tell one another what you like or not. Otherwise you
don't get to know your needs, preferences and likings. Guessing is not a
good option in a relationship. Don't trust on what could be pleasurable. If
you two are trying something, talk about it. Let your mate know if you
really like it or if you prefer something else."

 "Believe me... even after the twentieth time it's still exciting to ask
your love how it feels for him and to make him tell what he likes the
most," Tom interfered in the conversation. "Don't be afraid to try new
stuff - or unusual practices. Maybe you two will be giggling the first time
while attempting something you aren't used to... but enjoy the experience
and have an eye on your mate... he'll stop grinning at some point and you
can see the arousal dawning in his eyes. And THAT's the hottest part of
it... when something that began funny or even awkward turns into pleasure
and very suddenly, too." He winked a little saucily.

 Steve chuckled and nodded in agreement at the same time. He opened his
mouth but no word left his lips. His face brightened with a sudden
idea. Without saying what he actually wanted to, he got up from the sofa.

 "I have an idea, I'll be right back," he merely said and left the room.

 He came back several minutes later, bringing along a little bag and held
it out to the scientist. Gordon got half-way up from his seat reaching for
it. He took the cloth bag and, after a slight hesitation, pulled the string
open.

 The scientist peeked inside the pouch.

 "What is it? What's inside?" Barney asked curiously.

 Gordon's eyes widened and he looked up with a jerk, facing the dark blonde
MetroCop. "You can't be serious..."

 Steve laughed softly. "I'm pretty serious about that! You two should try
it out some time..."

 His remark was answered with a raising eyebrow and the doctor's famous
poker face. But the twinkle dawning in his gaze gave away his growing
amusement.

 The Combine giggled and tried to be more serious. "Ahh... umm... well,
although your mate is more experienced... you're still a first-timer and
there are some things you should know," he addressed the security guard and
promptly had his full attention.

 "Go on," Barney asked with a small nod.

 "Ok... so... no matter what you two are really going to do, never forget
lubrication – and lots of it... if you're feeling ready for
intercourse. No matter if you're the giving or the receiving partner -
never be scant with lube. Don't worry if you're a bit nervous, then. And
don't expect it to be something like a... sexual miracle right from the
beginning. It can take a while until you're used to it and – if you're
at the receiving end – maybe you won't be erect the first time... but
that will change at some time, so relax and enjoy the experience. Ok?"

 A curious spark flashed in Barney's eyes. "How does it feel like," he
asked quietly. "Is it an equal pleasure for both of us or are there
different sensations involved?"

 Steve's face lit up with a small smile. "Both of you will love it, believe
me. But if you ask for my very own opinion... the greatest pleasure
experiences the bottom - the one who takes the female role in bed."

 The officer cleared his throat. His expression revealed sudden sexual
curiosity and a thrill of anticipation. To distract himself from his
naughty thoughts, he bent into Gordon's path at once and tried to peek a
glance into the bag, too. The physicist kept him off by sphering his arm
out of reach.

 "Aww... C'mon, Gordon. Let me have a look," Barney griped about.

 "Ahhm... later," the doctor only mumbled and couldn't keep back his grin
any longer. He cast another glance at Steve while shoving his glasses up
his nose.

 The Combine chuckled and pointed at the bag. "You're going to love it,
believe me."

 Gordon tightened the string again. A strange sparkling filled his eyes and
he faced Barney right beside him with such musing, carnal glance that it
made even Steven and Tom almost break into a sweat.

---

 However, his "later" was delayed by some hours... the security guard asked
Tom about the sauna heater's handling while the doctor was busy preparing
their room for a pleasant afternoon.

 He had just finished his task when someone rapped at the door.

 "Yes, please?"

 Steve put his head in. "There's a message coming in from your base. C'mon,
the young lady is still at the device, waiting for you."

 The physicist didn't need to be told twice.

 Alyx had pleasant news: "You can leave in one or two days," she said,
barely drowning out the whistling and hissing static noise before her
transmission got clearer again.

 "Good," the doctor sighed.

 "Are you still driving to the abandoned freight depot as planned, Gordon?"

 "Sure. We must be eagerly-awaited meanwhile. Or are we urg..." The opening
and closing of the door behind his back interrupted him for a moment. "Are
we urgently needed at the base right now?"

 He closed his eyes when warm, strong arms gently embraced the middle of
his body and someone cuddled up to him from behind. His head sank back
against Barney's shoulder and he took the finger from the microphone's
talking button.

 "Back so soon?" he whispered. "My, that was fast."

 "If it wasn't for Tom talking with me about Combine technology for so
long, I would have been here much sooner." The officer brushed Gordon's
cheek with his lips and focused his attention on the radio equipment with
the glowing "stand-bye" lamp. "You're talking with Alyx?"

 "Yes," the scientist said quietly. "We can continue our mission shortly."

 "Oh, what a pity," his friend sighed and placed a soft kiss on Gordon's
temple, gently strengthening his embrace at the same time, "but every
vacation is going to end some day, I suppose..."

 The doctor jumped with the sudden realization that Alyx just ended her
torrent of words. He pressed the connection button at once. "Say that
again, please. I was ... err... in my thoughts."

 Barney smiled at the physicist's neck. "That one way of putting it," he
breathed into his ear.

 "I said... everything is fine here. The hurricane crooked the antenna to
some degree and the trash cans were hurled over the whole place, but
nothing essential has happened. My dad was just glad that the biggest part
of White Forest is underground. That eliminated the threat of greater
damages," her voice resounded over more static noises.

 "Well, that's good to know," the physicist mumbled.

 A pleasant goose-flesh tingled over his cheeks and forearms when he felt
the touch of Barney's lips gently sucking his earlobe... followed by the
soft, playful nibbling of teeth at his auricle. He gave a small,
pleasurable hiss and squirmed from the caressing touch at the same time.

 "Good God, will you stop that," he remarked and tried to sound stern. But
his almost sighing comment belied his words.

 "Huh? I haven't done anything," Alyx said promptly.

 The security guard wasn't able to hold back his chuckle, while Gordon
stared at the still activated microphone and tried to keep a straight face
about his slip. He was obviously torn between a hint of embarrassment and
delight because of his boyfriend's tender actions. But the warm shimmer in
Barney's eyes softened his expression and he pulled his older mate some
closer again.

 The young woman snorted with amusement and laughed. "Hey, Barney. Fancy
that you're there, too."

 "Uh-huh. Hi, Alyx."

 "What are you guys actually doing the whole day long? Gordon told me about
what had happened. It must be pretty boring for you... to be stuck in a
bunker without the tiniest bit of action," she remarked, still giggling.

 "We're doing a lot of raunchy stuff... kissing and cuddling... having hot
sex with one another," Barney breathed into Gordon's ear, before he
addressed Alyx and said plain and simple: "We whipped the buggy into
shape... but apart from that, well... we're relaxing, having enough sleep
for once and lots to eat..."

 "So you're bored to death," she giggled.

 "As if I ever could call our stay here boring," he murmured under his
breath and addressed to the scientist. "Never before, I spent such a
wonderful, exciting and beautiful time - just like we did over the last two
weeks."

 Then, he raised his voice and continued his conversation with Alyx: "Yep,
Alyx. You're right, I'm afraid."

 A small chuckling reached their ears.

 The physicist made sure that he interrupted the connection this time
before he spoke. "Stop that, Barney. Please. Or you're spilling it without
wanting to," he reminded the officer quietly.

 "I don't think that we'll be able to hide our relationship all the time,"
he merely said and just as softly.

 Gordon was silent for a second, before he spoke again. "I would like to
tell her myself and explain everything to her."

 Now it was Barney who went quiet for a moment. "Do you think that there's
actually something to... explain..?" he asked.

 "You know by yourself how stubborn she can be. And I just want to prevent
that she feels rejected and maybe even pulls some stupid stunts in her
jealousy... that she gets all worked up about our relationship."

 "I never considered that." The officer heaved a sigh. "But you're
right... And wouldn't it be better if both of us would be talking with her?
I just don't want to leave the impression behind that we're outwardly
uncomfortable with our close relation. And... since I'm at it... I don't
care what other people think about us. We shouldn't hide our feelings."

 He laid his fingertip gently on Gordon's lips to prevent him from
interrupting. "I'm not talking about holding hands in public like lovesick
teenagers, but there's nothing wrong with two guys welcoming each other
with a loving embracing and a peck on the lips."

 The scientist faced him with an uninterpretable glance. "You're risking
your reputation, Barney," he remarked silently but with a little smile in
his eyes, while his lips curved slightly up.

 "They're going to gossip and call us faggots behind our backs anyway... I
don't want to upset the lot, but if we're behaving as if our relationship
is improper and just so wrong – how should others be able to accept?"

 The doctor's smile broadened. "I can't argue with that." He turned his
attention towards the microphone. "Alyx, listen. We still have a lot to
prepare for your departure. We'll be back at the base at the end of the
week and can continue our talk..."

 She sighed with obvious disappointment. "Ok then. So long, you two. Bye."


.oOo.


 They went to the sauna area immediately, talking on their way about some
possibilities to spent the afternoon with. Gordon held visibly back and
mostly listened straight faced to Barney's suggestions.

 He kept his preparations secret and looked forward to the tall guard's
expression when they entered their accommodation. The pillows on the bed,
turning it into a intimate and cozy place... the small candles on the
bedside cabinet...

 He wanted to make love to Barney in the soft light of burning candles this
time, watching his erotic expression – softened and accentuated at once
by the warm, gently flickering glow and mellow shadows.

 "Nothing is as good as relaxing afterwards," the officer suddenly said
with a big grin on his face, unaware of Gordon's abstractedness,
interrupting his daydreaming.

 "Relaxing after what?" the doctor asked absentminded and without knowing
what Barney was talking about.

 "After having a nooky, of course," his opposite replied and reached for
the door knob. "All the time, I..." He fell silent and frowned. "Damn
it..." His shoulders dropped and he scratched his head. "Man, I'm such
a... doh!"

 The scientist looked at him questioningly. "What happened?"

 "The sauna heater! I came here to switch it on, but my chat with Tom
distracted me just too much. I totally forgot about the damn thing."

 "Well. That's not the end of the world, is it? Let's wait just right here
until the sauna is heated. The black matter generator will speed everything
up."

 "How true," Barney opened the door. "We can undress meanwhile and..." He
turned his head and listened.

 His posture was so attentive, that Gordon moved closer and whispered into
his ear: "What's wrong?"

 "Ssshh!" the officer merely breathed.

 The doctor listened for noises, too and finally raised his shoulders. "Are
you sure that you heard something?"

 "You bet! I heard voices..."

 They closed the door cautiously and moved slowly into the spacious resting
area next to the sauna cabin. Their glances roamed the whole room and the
cots along the outer wall.

 The security guard draw a deep breath and slightly nudged his smaller
companion with his elbow. "Look!" He whispered, pointing to one of the
cots.

 The scientist followed the direction of Barney's extended arm. His eyes
got wide.

 The Combine had made themselves comfortable on the last, big lounger. Both
of them were naked and unaware about the other couple's presence. The
moment Barney and Gordon looked in their direction, Steve's dark blond,
fuzzy tuft lowered and he glanced through his legs. Tom knelt down behind
him, sliding his erect shaft with an experienced move - and without the
slightest effort - into his boyfriend.

 The redhead faced his buddy, slightly raising his brows with a questioning
expression. The officer merely cocked his head with a meaningful glance,
looking back and forth between the Combine and his opposite.

 The quiet moaning in the background was just too tempting to be
ignored. The physicist lay a finger at his lips and indicated Barney with a
small nod to turn round.

 Both of them looked over to the occupied cot...

 "Mmmhh... ohh, yeah!" Steve panted and spread his legs while sticking out
his bottom, searching for a better footing on the cushions.

 The friends stood quietly and watched how the former MetroCops had sex in
front of their eyes. They were passionated and very sensual. Both of them
gave lustful little groans and sighs. Their bodies moved in the perfect
unison of well-practiced long-term lovers. Their rhythm was slow and
erotic... gentle thrusts... their muscular nude bodies the image of pure
lust and desire.

 Barney's breath caught at the sight and he got a spontaneous erection. He
swallowed with a dry mouth and leant back against the physicist's body,
while Gordon embraced him from behind with both arms. His heart was beating
faster with rapidly growing excitement. Snuggling into the embrace, he felt
the doctor's pulse quickening, too.

 Steve supported himself with hands and knees on the padding. His mate held
him at his hips, thrusting lustfully into him from behind. Their faces
revealed how good it felt for both of them. But primarily Steve's
expression was so sensual that Barney gave a suppressed groan.

 "It's such a turn on to watch them," he breathed.

 "Then have a really close look," the physicist whispered into his ear,
running a hand slowly along his mates body at the same time. "Watch them,
Barney... how they are having it off with one another..." His spread
fingers stroked the security guard's belly and moved lower until he touched
the treacherous tent in the loose-fitting trousers. "Do you see Steve's
face?" He murmured temptingly. "Look at him... He enjoys it so very
much..."

 Barney moaned softly with pleasure. The sight of the two men - panting and
grunting while visibly taking up some speed now - turned his arousal into
soaring lust. He got so painfully hard that he gasped with the sensation of
his intensely swelling member.

 "I have a raging boner," he breathed.

 "I know," Gordon whispered. "Me too..."

 Both of them strived to be as silent as only possible, keeping a low
profile, leaving Steve and Tom still unaware about their presence.

 Meanwhile, Gordon's hand stroked gently along Barney's shaft. He squeezed
the throbbing mast through his pants, before he shoved his fingers under
the waist-band, trying to get into his shorts.

 The doctor pressed his erection against the soft behind now, slightly
wiggling to and fro until he found the butt crack. He gently moved his
loins, rubbing his length slowly up and down. The officer pushed noticeably
back and welcomed the intimate touch without hesitation.

 The redhead bit his lips and gave a sensual little grunt, strengthening
the pressure of his shaft along the bottom crack held out to him so
invitingly this time. His companion never returned this kind of erotic
stimulation so spontaneous before. Gordon's breath caught with skyrocketing
desire. He shoved his manhood even harder against Barney's butt and the
security guard pushed back with just the same strength, actually moving
himself inversely to the rubbing touch.

 The scientist moaned quietly but ecstatically, still having his hand in
his friend's shorts, stroking his fingertips through the hairline right
above his pubes. He brushed his fingers along the silky, glowing hot skin
of Barney's manhood... He noticed how vigorously the rigid length pressed
into the soft fabric, tightening the garment.

 Steve and Tom panted louder and unrestrainedly, now. They were totally
enraptured by their actions. Their gasping and wheezing got wild and
hectic. Steve moaned breathlessly, while his boyfriend pounded harder and
faster.

 The officer turned his head slightly around, groaning silently but with
sheer lust at Gordon's neck. The doctor stimulated the shaft in his hand
right below the glans, gently rubbing the bulge.

 "Ohhh... you're glowing hot," he sighed into Barney's ear. "So hard..." He
stroked the throbbing erection with his palm, moving his fingers
caressingly over the velvety tip. "...and so big..."

 His fingertips spread the big, slippery drop oozing from the slit,
squeezing Barney's member softly with this hand, sliding his grip with soft
strokes up and down the whole length, now.

 Steve straightened up, panting breathlessly, while Tom stopped his
movements behind him. The two guys nestled against each other and exchanged
a sensual kiss.

 "Oh God, look at them, Gordon," Barney whispered breathlessly.

 "I see it," the physicist answered just as quietly.

 They saw that Steve was fully shaved. But that wasn't the only thing the
highly aroused friends noticed so suddenly. Steve's erection was
exceptionally big and dark. The veins stood out at the shaft while his
balls sat right below the heavy length standing out at a right angle.

 Tom's spread fingers ran over his mate's heavily heaving belly while their
tongues still played sensually by a breathless, open mouthed kiss. He
grasped the uncut, thick pole and moved his half-opened fist leisurely to
and fro. The gentle rhythm revealed a metallic shimmer from time to
time... the glinting steel of a tightly fitting cockring. No surprise that
Steve had such a massive erection...

 Barney stared mesmerized at the sensuous scene and Gordon clearly felt how
the rock-hard cock in his hand began to pulse with need. The redhead gazed
over his boyfriend's shoulder and – still watching Steve and Tom on his
own - he stimulated Barney with long, erotic strokes.

 Steve sunk forwards again, stretching himself into the lustful thrusts
coming faster and faster, now. Tom plunged into him with growing
speed. Both of them moaned lustfully, their breathless groans mixing with
the hasty slapping of their bodies. Steve hung his head and bent willingly
into the hard thrusts.

 "Ooohgawd... yeah!" He groaned aloud. "Fuck me! Ohhh... f...fu..ck!"

 Barney reached out for the hand in his lap stroking his lecherously
twitching manhood, masturbating him sensually. His knees began to tremble
with excitement and he fought the urge to thrust into the skilful fist.

 "Stop it," he panted and bit his lip to prevent himself from giving a
drawn-out, load moan. "Oh God, stop it, Gordon. Or I'm coming." He grasped
Gordon's fist and removed the grip gently, pulling the soft hand from his
trousers again.

 Steve and Tom groaned almost mutually. Tom thrusted harder and faster,
almost rearing up behind his mate finally. His sweaty features distorted to
a sensual grimace.

 "Oohhgod! I...cum..."

 Steve panted hectically. He grasped his member, stroking himself eagerly,
rubbing hectically forth and back.

 Gordon wrapped both arms around Barney's waist. He nestled against him
from his position behind him, still rubbing and shoving his pulsing length
along his buddy's behind. He wheezed into his ear, heaving a quiet groan
from time to time. The officer watched with lustfully glittering eyes how
Steve brought himself off... with still quickening strokes. "Let it come,
Steve," he whispered. "Shoot your load."

 His lustful remark was answered with a short, surprisingly firm bite at
his shoulder before the doctor pressed his open lips at Barney's neck,
sucking sensually and quite strong at the tender skin, leaving a hickey.

 Steve panted like crazy now. He moved his fist hastily back and forth,
arching his abdomen forward. His sperm slapped with thick spurts along the
cot. The redhead tightened his embrace and almost robbed his taller mate of
his breath, wheezing sensually into his ear at the same time.


.oOo.


 The two wasted no more thought at their planned sauna. They retreated
hastily and hurried back to their room. The door barely closed behind them
when Barney's gaze fell onto the bed and he stopped dead in his tracks. The
scientist wasn't able to stop fast enough and bumped into him from behind.

 The security guard turned round to him after a moment, a strange shimmer
in his eyes. His expression was a mixture of arousal and emotions. He
looked to and fro between those green eyes, and, without saying a single
word, he cupped Gordon's face and kissed him. There was no need for Gordon
to tell... the preparations he made... that revealed quite enough about his
true feelings. Barney's kiss was soft and tender, a silent response to the
doctor's emotions.

 Their mutual embrace strengthened... their kissing got more and more
passionate.  Both of them weren't able to hold back any longer. What began
as a gentle caress and a loving, soft kiss turned soon into lustful frenzy.

 Without interrupting their breathless, smacking kisses, they undressed
impatiently. Barney and Gordon alike wheezed and gasped with arousal. Their
lips met over and over... stroking each other and pulling their clothes
down at the same time. They wanted to spend a romantic afternoon, but they
were so aroused from what they witnessed in the sauna room, they just
hurried to get naked.

 Barney knelt down in front of the scientist. His mouth moved with wet,
sucking kisses along Gordon's belly. He licked with the tip of his tongue
at the soft skin... slightly nipping with his teeth from time to
time... before he smothered the doctor's abdomen with wet kisses, wheezing
his hot breath along the silky skin.

 His strong fingers kneaded the small butt and Gordon gave a little moan
when the soft, curious tongue dipped into his navel for a moment before
sliding deeper again.

 "Barney," he sighed. "Get on with it. Please."

 The security guard looked up and along the slim figure in front of him,
pulling his friend's trousers and slip down in one go.

The doctor was still hard and his rigid shaft sprung up, pointing right at
Barney's face. His eyes began to glitter at once. He ran his palm over the
thin belly and the slightly prominent hip bones, moving his hand gradually
closer to Gordon's erection.

 He glanced at the swollen shaft and his face showed such an apt mien, that
the redhead grasped his length and made a small step forward. He brushed
his manhood softly along Barney's mouth.

 The officer tasted the small, clear drop - spread by the slight touch
along his lips - with the tip of his tongue.

 "Would you like to suck it?" Gordon asked, his voice trembling with
sensuality, and he held out his mast invitingly.

 "I would like to know how it feels..." Barney whispered and softly kissed
the glans, "being fucked just like that..." His tongue stroked slow and
sensory along the tip while squinting up into the scientist's face.

 "Oh God," Gordon sighed and looked down along his body, facing his older
mate... pushing the tip of his manhood quite gently against his lips.

 "Open your mouth, Barney," he whispered.

 The officer moaned quietly at the lustful, almost frivolous request and
met his desire willingly. The doctor watched breathlessly how he
disappeared between those soft, sensual lips... quite gently and almost
seductively slow.

 "Ooh... yeah..." The scientist gave a shuddering sigh. "Mmmmhhh..."

 His friend sucked with growing enthusiasm, even if he lacked the skill and
practice. Gordon moaned aroused and watched Barney's actions... how his
hot, hard member disappeared partly and came out again... quite gently and
deliberately...

 He groaned quietly and enjoyed the damp sucking with all senses. He
followed the slow rhythm with his eyes... how the swollen glans slipped
gently back and forth in his friend's mouth... until right behind the
sensitive bulge and partly came out again... He placed a hand behind the
security guard's neck, moving his loins in a gentle and slow counter rhythm
- giving his mate the possibility to adapt to his small, sensual
thrusts. The wet, passionate sucking still wasn't as stimulating as the
erotic sight of his boyfriend giving head so very lustfully...

 His arousal got so strong that he stepped back at once and tried to
control his lust.

 "Was I too rough?" Barney asked, breathing heavily.

 "No," Gordon panted. "I almost came..."

 His opposite straightened up.

 "I would like to feel you", he stared down to Gordon's erection, pointing
steeply up, now.

 The redhead moaned quietly with the lecherous gaze and looked at Barney's
heated, desire-ridden face. The tall guard moved over to the bed. Facing
his buddy again, he leant against the footboard with slightly spread
legs. Focusing his attention on Gordon's expression, he grasped his shaft
and pulled the shortened skin fully down.

 "What about a fuck?" he whispered and moistened the fingers of his other
hand. "I've never done that before... but I'd love to, now."

 Without taking his eyes from his opposite, he stroked himself with even,
slow movements, slightly kneading his balls with the other hand.

 Gordon gazed down to Barney's loins, watching the lustful up and down of
his fist while the officer stared at him with glittering eyes... his
attention fixated to the doctor's proud erection.

 The scientist moved over to the ottoman and pulled the drawer open.

 "I almost forgot about it," he mumbled hoarsely and pulled out the bag
given to him by the MetroCops.

 "Well... how about this?" He enticed his older friend and took something
slightly conic, pink-colored from the pouch. "Would you like to try this
one out at first?"

 The security guard's glance turned into a surprised stare. Then, his eyes
began to glitter and darkened. He stepped up beside the mattress, moving
onto the bed on all fours. Gordon grasped his waist and stopped his
movement.

 "You don't have to," the doctor whispered. "Just tell me if you change
your mind, ok?"

 "I don't think I will. Watching those guys getting it on with one another
was such a tease," Barney said and moaned softly when he was pulled and
pushed a little... right up in front of the big mirror dominating one of
the walls right beside the bed.

 "I want to see your face," the scientist knelt down behind him. "Your
expression... the lust in your eyes." He leant forward, resting his weight
onto Barney's back.

 The officer gasped with the touch of Gordon's erection pressing up against
his bottom... and groaned quietly when the felt the sensual twitching.

 "You really want it?" the doctor teased him, slowly rubbing his hard
member forth and back, eliciting an aroused little moan from his companion,
before he straightened some up again and sat down on his heels, fiddling
with the tube he had taken from the bag, too.

 Barney's legs twitched surprised when he suddenly felt the touch of
something cold and slippery at his rear. He hung his head and looked
through his spread thighs but wasn't able to see more than a part of
Gordon's slim body... his erect shaft and the sparse, reddish pubes above
his manhood. He felt the slight touches and how a jelly-like substance was
spread at his most private place.

 He got a little nervous, though and asked himself if he was really and
truly ready for it... how it would feel like and if it would probably
hurt...

 Something rigid and quite slippery pressed itself gently against him and
that interrupted his thoughts.

 He bit his lower lip and stared into space, fully concentrated onto what
was going to happen. He felt the penetration... how the semi-hard thing
sled slowly and very carefully forward...

 "Does it hurt?" Gordon whispered hoarsely. He was breathless with arousal
and anxiety at the same time.

 "No," the security guard answered quietly and surprised.

 He gasped for breath when the intruder slipped gradually deeper. He
swallowed spontaneously at the strange sensation.

 "How does it feel, Barney?"

 "Oh..." He swallowed. "God..." He heaved a shaky sigh. "Oh God," he
whispered again and dropped his head, gazing through his legs another
time. "Mmmmhhh...." He looked up and aside, trying to glance over his
shoulder. "My... I like it..."

 "Really?" Gordon panted. "Do you want more?"

 "Oh yeah, go on..."

 He gazed straight ahead and concentrated on these unusual sensual
impressions; the gentle, still a little hesitant movements. It felt strange
and foreign... but it was pleasant, too... in a very sensual manner...

 His expression froze quite gradually.

 Then... he moaned with pleasure.

 Gordon kept his attention instantly on the mirror. The officer's face got
rigid. He had closed his eyes now and bit down on his lower lip
repeatedly. His mien showed rapidly growing lust... his attention was
introversive... directed towards the unfamiliar pleasure and his
perceptions. His breath came faster, he gasped with excitement and desire
at the same time.

 "Oohhgod," he whispered hoarsely. "fuck me with that thing... Show me how
a real screw feels like."

 Gordon moaned aroused and stared at his friend while meeting his lustful
wish. Barney's nostrils flared with every hectic breath he took. A dark,
sensual glimmer filled his eyes now... his mouth was slightly opened. He
moaned softly and deep in his throat at once. His facial expression showed
more and more how much he enjoyed every moment.

 He straightened up a little and stretched himself slightly back, towards
the doctor behind him - with a shameless, inviting and explicit
gesture. His face was marked by arousal. His sensory expression... his
whole body language revealed how much he liked to be taken like this.

 A small groan escaped his lips when the scientist changed the angle of his
thrusts a bit. What Gordon did with the toy... it almost robbed him of his
self-control. He simply wanted - he needed - more now. He arched into the
skilful thrusts, moaning with desire.

 That erotic reaction made Gordon's heart beat madly. He reached down
Barney's restlessly heaving belly and grasped the rigid shaft with his
lubed, slick fingers.

 He gazed at the reflection of their bodies, watching how he stimulated his
friend. The erection in his grip pointed more and more steeply up. His fist
circled gently along the glans before he stroked long and wide up and down
the shaft again.

 Barney moaned so ecstatically that the scientist gasped aloud. The sensual
panting of his boyfriend... how intensely hard and dark his member was
now... swollen so much that it must be almost painful... Gordon panted
fitfully, his loose grip resting at the base of Barney's manhood now. The
big mast stood noticeably curved up... jerking and twitching
lecherously... oozing with need. A big drop welled up from the glittering
slit and slowly seeped down the glans, wetting Gordon's fingers.

 He moved his fist from time to time, stimulating his friend, before he
concentrated on is backside again, making him moan again - but with a
completely different kind of pleasure.

 He gazed at Barney's rigid mien... he saw the sensuality in the heated,
distorted face... the lust in his half closed, dark, glittering eyes... he
heard the small enraptured moans while the muscular body arched more and
more into Gordon's thrusts. The officer straightened more up and bent some
backwards. His head sunk back. He gasped loudly and intensely.

 The redhead was hardly able to hold back any longer. His own distorted
face showed his intense lust. His member pulsed and jerked repeatedly, and
the urge in his loins was so intense now... he stopped his thrusts at once
and slowly pulled the toy out again.

 "What about a real cock up your behind?" Gordon gasped. "I can't bear it
any longer to watch you... squirming with lust. ...I would love to feel
you..."

 Barney turned round and lay down, panting with expectation. His faced his
friend... gazing at his expression while he lubed his shaft. A shudder of
sensual anticipation raced through is body. He groaned a little when Gordon
slipped closer, resting his weight on one arm while leading his erection
slowly with the other hand.  At the first moment, the security guard held
his breath by instinct and expectation.

 "Relax and breathe," the scientist whispered. "Don't tense up."

 He did as he was told while Gordon shoved his loins slowly
forwards. Barney gazed into space, concentrating on the lustful sensation
of his friend sliding slowly inside. He moaned quietly and arched his body
eagerly into the gentle forward motion.

"Ooohhh... yeah," he whispered breathlessly and groaned.

 The scientist closed his eyes, resting his hips between his buddy's spread
thighs. He waited a moment until Barney adapted to the feeling. "Can... I?"

 His companion nodded slightly and gave a sensuous groan when he felt the
gentle thrusts.

 Gordon panted and closed his eyes to fully enjoy the lustful feeling,
moving his loins gently and slowly back and forth. He gasped aroused and
supported his weight on both palms, resting his hands to both sides of
Barney's ruffled, black tuft on the mattress.

 He thrusted evenly and leisurely, resisting the urge to move harder. He
looked down to the desire-ridden face now, watching his lustful
expression. Every little sigh aroused him more... He noticed every little
twitch of Barney's features... he felt, how the hot body beneath him curved
more and more into his thrusts... he heard every erotically trembling
breath...

 The officer just couldn't get enough of Gordon's mien... the sensuality he
saw in those half closed, green eyes. Every lustful, long but gently thrust
made him gasp or moan quietly. He could feel his mate so clearly. And that
feeling was indescribably erotic.

 "Do you like it?" Gordon panted breathlessly.

 "Don't stop," he merely whispered.

 The doctor bent down to him. His thrusting flagged a little when the
security guard pulled him further down, searching his gasping mouth with
panting lips, kissing him sensual and passionate at the same time. When
Gordon straightened up a little, he felt the wetness of Barney's erection
which had spread at his belly by now. He shifted his weight to one arm
while he grasped the swollen shaft with his other hand. He moaned with the
sensation of the rock-hard, glowing hot length in his grip.

 He was so excited that he was coming too close to his own orgasm
already. Therefore, he knelt down between his buddy's spread thighs and
stimulated him with skilful, quickening strokes. His grip moved far down
the impressive length and all the way up again, before his fist
concentrated solely on the glans, caressing him with slower and faster
movements and circling along the tip, which made Barney moan deep in his
throat. His face glowed with sensual heat, he shoved his rock-hard manhood
into Gordon's masturbating grip. His member swelled even more in the eager
fist bringing him off so skillfully. The scientist watched Barney's highly
erotic mien while giving him some very lustful strokes, squeezing and
rubbing the sensitive bulge with his fingers and right below.

 The officer began to pant... intensely and loudly. His sensual expression
distorted to a lecherous grimace. His gasping got erratic and
frenzied... until the pleasure overwhelmed him. He groaned, thrusting his
loins at once... shoving his manhood with hard, short thrusts into Gordon's
fist. The doctor moaned, too.

 The mast in his grip was incredibly hard, now. Barney's erection seemed to
swell even more... getting unbelievable hot. The shaft began to twitch;
jerking and pulsing with frantic, powerful contractions. The doctor groaned
with lust when he saw him come. ...with a spurting gush of hot
sperm... with long and forceful squirts slapping along his belly and up
onto his chest. He moved his fist at the pulsating shaft, stroking him in
the rhythm of his contractions and the squirting intervals of his
orgasm... 'till his erection noticeably softened in his hand.

 Both of them panted hard. Barney's chest and belly heaved intensely. His
skin shone with the slick traces of cloudy wetness along his body. His
cheeks glowed. He moistened his dry lips with the tip of his tongue and
looked at his friend.

 Gordon bent forwards again. He thrusted faster this time, gasping with
need. Barney's intense orgasm had aroused him just too much to hold back
any longer. He panted and moaned. The back and forth of his hips got
impetuous. His thrusts got erratic... jerking. He was so hard now that his
mate groaned.

 "Let it come," the officer gasped. "Don't hold back..."

 Gordon started to pant wildly. "Soon..." his breathless, shaky remark was
hardly understandable.

 His hips jerked quicker back and forth now. He moaned highly aroused,
blinded by his ecstasy, and he hoped that he wasn't too rough with this
friend.

 "Aaahhh! ...Ooohgawd... Bar...ney!!" He raised his head and met Barney's
gaze.

 He watched the doctor's distorting features. He saw the rapidly
strengthening lust in his eyes... his expression got orgasmic... he saw the
moment the ecstasy overwhelmed him.

 Both of them moaned.



...Two days later...



 The two resistance fighters packed their equipment and the rucksack into
the buggy. Gordon checked the vehicle one last time while Barney moved over
to Steve and Tom.
 The Combine stood in the open door of the devastated control room and
watched the friends final preparations with mixed emotions.

 "Ahh... uhmm... well..." the security guard began quietly. "We're ready,
then."

 "Be careful, you two," the dark blond said. "The road ahead isn't the best
and with the flood it's gotten worse. The path to the freight depot is
partly collapsed."

 "We'll be fine. There's nothing the Doc isn't able to manage... with my
help, I mean." He winked playfully and looked over to the buggy. "Hey,
Gordon!"

 He started the engine at that moment, before he turned round in his seat
and got out again.

 "You two can come by here any time you like, if you're around the area,"
Tom suggested.

 "And when you're having cabin fever... you know where we can be found..."
The scientists said with a small smile.

 The former cops nodded in agreement.

 Barney stretched out his hand and was caught off guard with the Combine's
comradely embrace, before he returned the friendly gesture.

 "Take care," Steve mumbled into his ear. "Both of you."

 He turned to Gordon and gave him the same, warm farewell.

 The friends moved to the buggy and while the doctor engaged gear, this
mate stroked his thumb furtively along the corner of his eye. "Let's get
going, doc," he sighed. "Before I get more dust in my eyes..."


END