This story has been split into 3 parts for easier loading.

Author's disclaimer: Scotty, Dr. Perry and Drew are ours. Jim, Simon, Daryl and Blair belong to Bilson, DeMeo and Pet Fly. The story is mine because BlairsBoff won't claim it. ;-) LOL!

Author's notes: Simon, OMC, male pregnancy and birth, violence

Title: A Simple Twist of Fate
Authors: jhourdhaun and BlairsBoff
Email: sammi4@airmail.net and taleya@ihug.com.au

BlairsBoff: I accept no responsibility for this. None at all. I was quite happily writing the sequel to 'A Blessed Event' when jhourdhaun, the Simon-sex-mad <jhourdhaun inserts "Goddess"> cornered me. Don't blame me! I'm innocent!! It's all jhourdhaun's fault! She made me ! Honest!! (Uh, is anyone buying this....?)

jhourdhaun: Only the gullible minions. I'm not even going to try to pretend that I'm innocent. I'm corrupted. I would have to be or I wouldn't be your friend and writing partner. And as for anyone cornering anyone, I was minding my own business when someone - who I won't name but who's initials are BlairsBoff - put this idea in my head.

BlairsBoff: Bugger. There goes my carefully constructed facade of innocence...

jhourdhaun: <Falling flat on her *** laughing that BB could even use the "innocent" word in regards to herself.>

A Simple Twist of Fate - part one
By jhourdhaun and BlairsBoff

Simon hated these kinds of things. He hated the dressing-up, he hated all of the fake smiles, he hated the kissing up and he especially hated the fact that he was expected to be there.

He'd tried everything to get out of the charity event, but no such luck. The Mayor had stressed that it was imperative for any up-and-comers in the PD to attend and he had been staring at one Captain Simon Banks in particular. Simon sighed. With Daryl starting college soon, any perks of the job would definitely be appreciated plus his annual performance review was coming up. Always looked good if one participated in the Mayor's pet projects and Simon was all for looking good - even if it was so damn boring.

He sighed again. Least he could have done was recruited Ellison and Sandburg for this. It was only fair if he had to parade around in a monkey suit they should as well. Besides, knowing those two, he would have been guaranteed one or two or twenty laughs. They always seemed to bring something to events like this - usually murder and mayhem.

Plus, it didn't hurt that they looked damn good in those monkey suits. Especially Blair. With his hair tied back and his little sideburns combed ... well, it was safe to say that Simon didn't want to go there here.

A voice drifted into his thoughts, "Judging by your sighs, I take it you don't want to be here any more than I do."

Simon turned quickly and for a moment thought Ellison had been forced into coming as well but then he realised it had to have been a trick of the light because the man in front of him could only be described as the poster boy for GQ. Playful sky-blue eyes laughed out at him from under a stylish cut of blonde hair. A devilish smile added so much more to the handsome features and it was obvious it was a constant part of the man by the laugh lines that surrounded the luscious mouth. "So, who forced your hand? Wife? S.O.? Boss?"

Simon, a little taken aback by the man's forwardness, answered without thought, "I'm not married. Any more, anyways. It was my boss - well, sort of."

If possible, the man's smile grew. "Same here. The Mayor basically told me this would be a great way to get my feet wet with Cascade society." Looking down at himself, "Good thing I unpacked my clothes first or else I would have been up the proverbial creek without a paddle. Rented tuxes do nothing for me. Definitely wouldn't have made a good impression, I'm sure."

"Umm, so you're new in town?"

The man held out his hand and beamed, "Andrew Scott Jessamin, the new District Attorney and only three weeks in glorious Cascade." His eyes turned appreciative as he looked Simon up and down. "Since you're the only 'gorgeous, dark, tall drink of water' - my admin assist's words - around I'm going to assume you must be Captain Simon Banks of the Major Crimes Division. I'm working with you to try to stop Bento." His eyes sparkled. "I'm very pleased to meet you."

Simon returned the handshake and tipped his head, "Well, if you're gonna help me bring down that piece of scum, you might as well call me Simon. Welcome to Cascade."

"Thank you, Simon, and you can call me Drew." Glancing around. "Are these things always so ... dry?"

"Oh, you think this is dry? Just you wait until our illustrious boss makes his 'thank-you' speech. It'll have you praying for rain - and that's saying a lot considering we're in Cascade. I swear that man gets more dry as each year passes." He suddenly remembered who he was talking to. "Not that I have anything against..."

"Relax, Simon. I had to go through several meetings with him. Trust me, I know of what you speak." He nodded towards the empty glass in the other man's hand. "Want a refill? I was heading that way myself when I caught your sighs."

Simon shrugged and followed him, "Sure, why not. Not much more to do around here." He waited as the bartender refilled his glass. "So, what brought you to Cascade? From what I remember of the article on you, you had a promising career in New York."

"Ah, but there I would have been one of many A.D.A.'s, whereas here I'm the big cheese." Chuckling at Simon's expression, he made an interesting face. "You know that old saying, 'Better to rule in Hell than to serve in Heaven.' Not that I'm comparing Cascade to Hell."

Simon snorted, "Wait a few months."

Drew tipped his head at the slightly shorter man. "I bow to your obvious knowledge." Raising his eyebrows as a couple of matrons walked by, he motioned towards the ballroom where several people were dancing. "So, Simon. What does a relatively young man do around here for fun?"

"You're asking me? Do I look like I enjoy myself?"

A nice laugh erupted from the new D.A. and the big captain found himself being drawn into it. "Well, I was at least hoping." He gave the captain an appreciative glance. "You seem to be a man who knows how to have a good time."

Simon suddenly felt very uncomfortable as he caught the gleam in his companion's eyes. Though there was no doubt Drew was extremely attractive, Simon Banks just didn't go that way. "Ummm, Drew, I think there ... um, .... might have been a misunderstanding. I'm ... uh ... not..."

"It's okay, Simon. I understand. I was just trying to see how the wind blows." He held his hand out again. "I hope you won't deny me the privilege of your friendship due to one misstep." Waiting, "Come on, Simon. I could use all the friends I can get."

The dark captain took a good hard look at the man who was asking for his friendship and seeing an honest spirit, clasped the offered hand in his with a smile. "Like I said, welcome to Cascade, Drew. It may not be as bad as New York, but give it a few weeks."

"Fancy meeting you here. I guess it is a small world, eh, Simon?" Drew asked as he took the rowing machine next to the captain.

"Not really when you consider this is the best gym in all of Cascade and neither of us look like we shirk on the body-work."

Drew winked at his friend. "So, you noticed. There may be hope for you yet."

Though it didn't show, Simon could feel the heat of his blush all the way to his toes. "Drew. I thought we had discussed this."

"We did - several times in fact - over the last few weeks. But, you can't blame a guy for trying."

The boyish charm of the other man worked its magic on the normally stoic captain and all he could do was shake his head and grin as he continued his workout. "No, Drew, I guess I can't blame you for trying."

"We still on for Saturday night?"

"Yeah, I've got twenty bucks riding on this game. If only to wipe that smug look off of Ellison and Sandburg's faces, you'd better believe we're still on!"

Drew was loving the determined look on his companion's face. "They really razzed you over your last game, huh?"

"Horribly." He cocked his eyebrow in pure devilment. "But, come Saturday, they won't have a clue." Pointing at his friend. "You're my secret weapon. They won't know what hit 'em."

A sadness borne of longing crept onto the face of the D.A. for just a second as he really thought about the statement. Shaking his head, he returned to his exercise, mumbling under his breath, "Since being here, I can certainly understand that feeling."

"And that jump shot! It was pure poetry in motion, man." Simon laughed as he revelled in the moment. "I think it was the only time I'd ever seen Sandburg speechless and now, I'll have it forever." He patted the videotape in his hand as if it were the key to all of his happiness.

The two men walked comfortably to their respective cars parked in the lot behind the small gymnasium. Both were still basking in the glow of their 68-54 win over Ellison's team in the charity basketball game and they'd naturally gravitated towards each other afterwards since they'd parked relatively close to one another.

Drew was really enjoying seeing this looser version of his friend and he was getting used to how his heart would skip a beat whenever his companion would let go of one of his Banks-original smiles. He really couldn't blame it because those smiles didn't happen very often and his eyes were battling with his brain to keep watch for more of them rather than what obstacles lay on the path ahead of them. "You weren't so bad out there yourself, Simon. Your three-pointers really helped a lot."

"Yeah well, like I said, they didn't stand a chance - not against the Jessamin-Banks team!"

As they reached the captain's car, Drew realised he didn't want the evening to end so soon. "Say Simon, wanna go and grab a late dinner and a beer. Since I play better on an empty stomach, I didn't eat before hand and now I'm starving."

Thinking about it, the darker man nodded. "Sounds good. After that win, I think I've worked up something of an appetite myself. Where you wanna go?"

The D.A.'s face lit up like a thousand lights had gone on and he couldn't contain the smile that broke free. "Uh, how about "The Pub?" They have that sandwich I would kill for."

"Works for me." Opening his door, he threw his stuff in the back seat. "I'll meet you there and maybe I'll be able to talk Sine into letting us watch the tape." He winked at his friend. "I don't expect she'll put up a fuss - she likes me. Says I'm irresistible."

Drew waited until the door was closed with his friend safely behind the wheel before heading to his own transportation. As Simon tossed off a wave when he passed him, the taller man couldn't help but sadly smile. "Sine doesn't know how right she is. Just my luck I'm learning the hard way."

Simon shook his head at the bartender as he offered him a drink. He nodded toward the back of the tiny bar and the other man shrugged his shoulders. "How long has he been here, Barry?"

"Rough estimate, about four or five hours. He was like that when I came on. I started giving him mostly water drinks about an hour ago, but he's so deep in it I don't think he even noticed it." Barry smiled sadly. "I knew you guys had been coming around together a lot lately, so you were the first person I thought to call, Cap."

Simon reached into his wallet and pulled out a few bills tossing them onto the bar, "You did good, Bare. I'll take care of things now." He quickly moved to the tiny booth in the back and took in the sight of his friend.

Gone was the confident man who'd been pursuing him relentlessly. In his place was a broken figure bruised by too many spirits and the unkindness of life. Sad blue eyes looked up at the shadow that towered over him. "Simon!" Drew yelled drunkenly. "I knew you ... you couldn't ... stay away!"

Taking a seat opposite his friend, he offered him an understanding smile. "Hey, Buddy. What's going on? You never drink alone."

"Ah, but this was a spe-special occasion." He held up a glass half-full with a brown liquid. "I'm celebrating! Today, the greatest love of my life married another man and the bastard actually had the nerve to call me right before he did the dirty deed." Drew looked like he had lost his best friend. "Now, don't you think that deserved a bit of the old spirits?"

Simon's heart was breaking at the heartache he was witnessing, "I'm sorry. I know what you must be feeling."

Blue eyes speared brown ones. "Do you, Simon? Do you know how much it hurts to know that the man you gave ten years to dumped you for a pretty piece of nothing? Do you know how it feels to have the good-for-nothing son-of-a-bitch call you and tell you he hopes that you and he can still be friends? Do you?"

"Well, since you put it like that, no. But I do know something about losing what you consider to be the love of your life. It hurts like Hell."

Taking another drink, "Hell has nothing on this." He stared at the man across from him over the rim of the glass. "But, you know what makes it so unbearable?" Seeing Simon shake his head, he moved forward - sounding completely sober, "What makes it unbearable is the one man that could make life so much better is hopelessly hetero."

"Drew."

"I know, Simon. It's not your fault that I've placed my future happiness in your hands." Chuckling mirthlessly, Drew shook his head, "Call it a sad twist of fate." Smiling self-deprecatingly, he tossed back the last of his drink, "But whatever it is, it's my problem. Don't worry about it."

Taking his comrade's hand, he caressed it just a bit in reassurance, "I have to worry. No matter what, you're my friend and I don't take my friendships lightly." Standing without releasing Drew's hand, Simon tugged on the other man until he was standing shakily beside him. "Come on, Buddy. Let's get you home and taken care of."

Simon had decided after he'd dragged the drunk man to his car that he couldn't leave him on his own at his house, so he'd made the necessary course adjustments that would bring them to his home. A part of him screamed to know what he was thinking bringing an obviously gay man that definitely wanted him home with him. But another part - the larger part of him - knew that he couldn't let his friend down.

As they stumbled into his apartment and then into Daryl's room when he stayed there, the big captain had to keep reminding himself of his good nature where his friends were concerned as Drew's hands and mouth took on a life of their own. Dropping the octopus-like body onto the bed, Simon debated with himself whether he should let his bud sleep as he was or make him more comfortable by removing his clothing. When the sleeping giant started to choke from his too-tight collar, Simon made his decision and made quick work of losing Drew's clothes.

When he was satisfied with the results, he moved back to the door placing his hand on the light switch. "Pleasant dreams, buddy. Hopefully, things'll look a lot better in the morning."

Strong arms wrapped themselves around the dark body and the smaller man snuggled into a warmth that he hadn't felt in such a long time. Soothing sounds issued from the larger figure as they both drifted into dreamland.

Simon slowly awakened to the feel of lips lightly grazing the side of his throat. He moaned in pleasure as the talented mouth found the one spot guaranteed to turn him into jelly in moments. He was blissfully going with the tide of pleasure until a voice shattered everything. "Oh God, Simon."

Jumping as if he'd been burned, he quickly moved to the side of the bed farthest away from his friend and held on for dear life. "Drew, what the devil are you doing?! Why are you in my bed and," glancing downward, "naked?!"

The man in question gave his friend an innocent look, "I didn't hear you complain about my lack of clothes during the night when I held you. So, what's the problem?"

"The problem is that I've told you I don't swing that way! The problem is that I thought you respected our friendship enough not to take advantage of my kindness! The problem is I trusted you."

Fire gleamed in Drew's eyes, "No, Simon, the problem is you want me as much as I want you but your damn macho pride won't let you admit it! Well, I say fuck your macho pride!" Without warning, he pounced on his friend and locked his lips to the startled ones of his companion. Just as Simon was opening his mouth in protest, Drew took the opportunity to push his tongue into the waiting warmth and took his fill before pulling away and looking into dazed eyes. "Now, tell me that meant nothing and I'll never bother you again. Tell me all of the little touches over the last six months, the dates-that-weren't-dates, and the smiles you reserved for me had only simple friendship behind them and I'll leave you alone and beg to stay just your friend. Tell me!"

When no sound came from the other man, Drew sighed. "That's what I thought." Taking his friend's chin in his hand, he smiled. "Look, Simon. I know this is confusing as hell, but you've got to make a decision. I'm pretty much too far gone in this, but you still can make a choice." He softly kissed the side of Simon's mouth. "Choose me and I promise you'll never have a day that you'll regret it. I promise that you'll never be alone again and that I'll make you happier than you've ever been." He released the other man and stood without an ounce of self-consciousness. "Choose the other way and you'll never have to worry about my intentions again. Of course, you'll always wonder 'what if' but I'm sure you'll be able to live with that."

As Simon remained quiet, Drew headed for the doorway, "Whatever you decide, you know where to find me." He hesitated as he opened the door. "Last night wasn't so much about what I lost. Last night was about having happiness, like Court's, just out of my reach. I do love you, Simon."

For the next few days, the big captain could only be described as on edge and distracted. Thank goodness nothing major had come through Major Crimes doorway or Simon would have been in trouble. Though he tried to fight it, his mind kept drifting back to the morning in Drew's arms and how good it felt.

Inside himself, a war raged between the Simon-he-was and the Simon-he-could-be. Just as either side would gain ground a thought or a remembrance or a touch or a word would turn the tide until, finally, Banks just had to say enough!

Thankfully, Jim Ellison decided to peek his head into his friend and superior's office. "Hey, Simon, Blair and I were just about to go grab us a bite to eat. We were wondering if you wanted to join us."

"I appreciate the offer, Jim, but I've got so much on my mind, I'm sure I'd just bring you guys down."

The detective took in the gaunt features and shadows under the eyes of his boss and moved quickly into the room shutting the door. He grabbed one of the chairs in front of the desk and offered Simon a lifeline. "Care to talk about it?"

"What about lunch?"

"Blair won't starve and even if he goes through a bout of stomach rumblings, the forgiveness sex will be enough to get me out of the doghouse." When the usual disparaging comment about his sex-life with Sandburg and a "I don't want to know" weren't forthcoming, Jim knew this was serious. "Sir, what's wrong?"

"Jim, how do you see me?"

"What?"

"I said, how do you see me? Do you see me as someone who's strong or just a well-hidden coward? Do you see me as authoritative or authoritarian? Do you see me as a man who's alone by choice or lonely by design?" His voice dropped to a whisper that was easily heard by the Sentinel in front of him. "Do you see me as a straight man who only has feelings for one man or as a closeted gay man who's been fooling himself."

Jim suddenly understood, "Drew."

"That obvious, huh?" He nodded and sadly grinned, "We had a little episode the other night and then the next morning and he put a couple of things to me and demanded a choice. Being the man I've known myself to be, I quickly thought to deny everything, but then," he shook his head, "I got to thinking of how wonderful it felt to be in his arms and how much I loved the feeling of his mouth on mine and ... I wasn't so sure any more."

"Simon, you're the same person you were before all of this happened; it's just that your outlook on things has changed a bit." He nodded out towards the bullpen where his mate waited patiently. "It was the same way with me when I first started thinking of Blair as a real life-partner. Everything was so mixed up and I didn't know if I was coming or going." He smiled at his friend. "But a wise man asked me if I could live with the alternative of not having Blair in my life and I hurt so badly with the thought, I knew my answer." Helpful blue eyes met unsure brown ones. "Take your own advice, wise man. Ask your heart the same question." Standing and looking out at his partner, he smiled as he took a deep, loving breath. "Now, I better go feed Sandburg. I'm starting to hear his stomach rumbling in here and if I don't want to spend all night handcuffed to the bedpost and him having his way with me ... hmm, now that I think about it, maybe that wouldn't be so bad." Turning his eyes back onto his boss, Jim winked. "Hell, this could even be fun."

Simon shook his head in feigned exasperation, "Ellison, get your ass out of here and feed your partner. I have a phone call to make." After the detective left with a slight nod of encouragement, the big captain quickly picked up the phone and dialled the number that was going to change his life - hopefully for the better. "Hello? ... Hi, this is Simon Banks. Is Drew available? ... Chelsea? ... What in heaven's name are you doing answering your brother's office phone? ... Oh, I see. ... Yeah, he told me about Courtney's wedding. ... He said that? That I saved him? ... Well, if that's what he said, then I guess so. ... No, don't disturb him. I'm sure his meeting is pretty important. Just as soon as he gets out could youtell him .... tell him, yes.... That's right. Just yes. He'll know what I mean." He chuckled. "I don't know, it might be too soon to be calling me brother-in-law... Yeah, I know he loves me. I think ... I think I might love him too... Oh, Chelsea , don't cry.... Yeah, I know this makes you really happy.... No, I didn't know you were pregnant again. Hormones, huh? ... Or not, sorry. Just do me a favour and make sure he gets the message, okay?" He smiled. "Yeah, thanks, Chelsea. Take care of yourself, Mac and the little ones.... I'll talk to you later. Bye."

"Oh, God. Please let this be the right choice."

For the rest of the day, Simon waited for the call that he hoped would make his life complete. But, as the day progressed with no call, he began to worry. Maybe he'd waited too long. Maybe Drew had decided it had been all about Court marrying. Maybe ... As the clock on his desk chimed five, a sudden quiet in the bullpen pulled his attention away from his depressing thoughts. He stood and calmly made his way to his door and opened it looking in the direction his men were.

What he saw nearly stole his breath away.

Standing in the doorway of Major Crimes in his delicious black tux with a humongous bouquet of red roses in one arm and a bottle of champagne in the other was Drew with the most joyful and loving expression on his face.

As their eyes met, Simon could only stare at the one person who was starting to mean so much to him. Slowly, without breaking eye contact, Drew began to manoeuvre his way around the desks until he was face-to-face with the captain. "Chelsea gave me a message in between her tears. I thought we could discuss it a bit in your office before our dinner reservations."

Simon just nodded and allowed his friend entrance into his inner sanctum ignoring the buzz now circulating the bullpen. As he closed the door, he noticed Drew swiftly drawing the blinds that opened out to the squad room and his heart started racing with the implications. Before he could say anything, he found himself up against the wall with his mouth being plundered. "Oh, Simon. Do you know what you did to me when my sister told me your answer?" He asked in between the soul-melting kisses. "At once I felt like I was all-powerful and yet as helpless as a newborn lamb. God, all I could think was how lucky I was to have you in my life and knowing that you loved me." He pulled back just a fraction. "It is true, Love? What Chelsea said?"

Simon was trying desperately to gain control from the assault on his senses that was Drew. Looking up the small distance to the blue eyes that were slowly becoming his world, he nodded. "I-I think so. This is all so new to me. I just know I can't live without you and I wouldn't want to."

If Simon had thought he'd seen every smile his new love possessed, he was soon availed of that notion. With his words, Drew set loose the biggest, brightest smile in his arsenal and if the slightly smaller man hadn't already been lost, he would have been at that moment. "Oh, Love, I can't think of living without you either. You're my life, Simon, and don't you ever forget it."

Dinner could have been sawdust for all the two men paid attention to it. Neither had eyes for anything other than each other and it was a great relief when they finally made it back to Drew's house. Barely inside the door, Simon again found his back pushed into the wall and the warm body of his beloved covering him. "If you don't stop this, I'm going to be too sore to do anything," Simon chuckled in between kisses. "And I do want to do some things."

"Don't worry, Love. We'll get around to everything. I just can't get enough of your mouth. I've waited for what feels like forever to have my way with this delectable piece of your anatomy and now that it's mine, I don't want to let it go." He took a few deep breaths. "God, do you know what you're doing to me?"

Simon rubbed the hard length that was threatening to burn right through both of their pants. "If that's any indication, I think I have some idea."

Drew shuddered and knowing that if he didn't put things on hold real fast, their first time would be over way too soon and he refused to do that to his Simon. It did his heart good to see his lover try to hold on to him when he pulled away and he hoped that Simon would appreciate the sacrifice he was making for his ultimate pleasure. "We need to slow down, Love. I don't want this to end before it's barely begun." He nervously held out his hand. "Come to bed with me, Simon? I promise we won't do anything you're not ready for."

Without hesitation, Simon grasped his lover's hand and allowed himself to be pulled upstairs until they were standing in front of a huge bed. Suddenly faced with the prospect of the unknown, Simon's eyes filled with a bit of uncertainty and fear, but Drew was ready for it. "Like I said, Love, we won't do anything you're not ready for. I just want to touch you - to finally know that you're here and you're mine."

"Always, Drew."

With a sound of triumph that could have been a sob of relief, Drew started undressing his beloved. As the tie and collar gave way, the larger man couldn't resist the temptation of Simon's now exposed throat. He bent his lips to the point where neck and shoulder met and kissed and nibbled his way into an almost constant moaning from his lover. Quickly, he dispensed of the buttons that were keeping him from the chest he so wanted to admire and when it was before him in all of its glory, he gasped. "You are so beautiful, Love. I just want to taste every part of you." As if the words were some type of foretelling, Drew's lips started slowly working their way down Simon's chest licking and sucking and nipping at every piece of flesh in its path.

It was taking everything in Simon to stand upright during the onslaught, but when his lover latched onto his right nipple, he lost what little control he had and tumbled back onto the bed. "Omigod!"

Drew followed right behind him enjoying his feast as if famine were destined for the morrow. Releasing the now throbbing nub, he moved to its twin and started the torture all over again. When he was certain he'd paid homage enough, he slowly began to move lower sending his hands ahead to search the unknown territory.

Simon's moans grew as Drew's tongue began to lave the indentation of his navel. At the first touch, it took everything in him not to buck his partner off of him. He tried to fight the feelings threatening to overtake him as his lover's tongue started to lick at the sensitive skin right above his pants line. But, when Drew finally released the zipper and lowered his shorts that held his cock confined, he stopped fighting and let the sensations take him as far as they could.

"So, good, Love. You taste so good." Drew lowered his mouth to kiss the slit that was already starting to leak its precious fluid and his moans increased with Simon's as the small taste exploded onto his tastebuds. Wanting more, he raised his lover's legs over his shoulders affording him a better view of what was ahead and started licking the large member with the vigour of a child with its favourite popsicle. As Simon writhed beneath him, Drew took his cock completely into his mouth sucking and teasing as he felt several more drops of pre-ejaculate. Releasing his new treat, he moved further down until he could take one and then the other of the plum-sized balls into his mouth.

Simon had lost coherency sometime after the navel incident and was quickly moving into the territory of gibbering idiot. As Drew's marvellous tongue moved even lower to his perineum and he felt it lick around and then press into the tight pucker, Simon gave up the ghost and released his semen all over his chest and stomach with a scream so intense his vocal chords went into instant shock.

Revelling in the fact that he had brought his love to this point, Drew crawled his way back up Simon's body, licking up the juices of his orgasm. Reaching his mate's face, he stared into the deep brown eyes he would never grow tired of. "Thank you, Love."

Simon's brow furrowed in confusion as he fought to gain control of his ragged breathing, "For what? You didn't even get the chance to come."

Drew laughed the laugh of the angels, "Oh, Love. I didn't need to. This was for you. I wanted it to be perfect for you. My joy came in making you happy."

"Then you must be tickled pink."

Again, the larger man laughed, "More than you know, Simon. More than you know."

"D, help me with the door." Simon called into the house as he shifted the heavy box in his arms waiting for his lover.

It had been nearly six months since the two had started the new aspect of their relationship and in that time, they had discovered a deep and abiding love. That love had grown until neither of them wanted to be apart outside of business hours and so Simon had given up his apartment and was now moving in with his heart.

"Drew!" He yelled hoping that his lover would hurry up before he dropped the heavy box or pulled something that could really throw their love life into turmoil.

The man in question came bounding - or as much as his large frame could bound - with the phone to his ear to the storm door holding it open for his partner. "Sorry about that, but Chelsea called and in the confusion, I got sidetracked."

Simon kissed his mate's cheek before cocking his head in puzzlement. "What confusion?"

"Chelsea's in labour! Mac told her to call me while he gathered everything and I'm helping her with her breathing." Into the phone, "You're doing great, Baby. Just keep it up and my niece will be all set to join the world."

The dark man set down the box and quickly took the phone from his lover. "Hi, Baby. How ya doing? ... Yeah, I'm all moved in. Great timing, huh? So now I can stop worrying about the move and start worrying about you and my new niece... Yeah, I know this is your third, but I can still worry.... Well, because this is the first time I've been around for this special event.... Sure, we can watch the boys... Yeah, tell Mac we'll be up there waiting for you... Okay, Baby, we're heading out too... Yeah, we love you as well. Just keep breathing and she'll be here in no time.... Okay. Yeah. See ya soon." He hung up the phone. "Oh, man. She is nervous."

Drew frowned a bit, "She's worried that this little girl will be stillborn just like the last one." Stiffening at the thought, his body resembled a statue as fear filled him. "I hope to God it's not because I think it would kill her."

Simon wrapped his arms around his beloved and kissed him. "We just have to believe everything will be fine and the baby will turn out as perfect as Chelsea."

"Oh, no! Now you've done it! You've cursed the poor child before she's even born. No one can say Chelsea's perfect."

"Okay, Smart-ass, shut-up and get the car keys. They're waiting for us."

As Drew watched Simon with their newborn niece, something inside of him snapped into place. He just knew.

His lover chose that moment to look up at him with his beaming eyes and ecstatic grin. "Isn't she beautiful?"

"Yeah, Love, she is." Moving closer to the seated man, Drew kissed his lover's forehead, "I want one."

Surprised eyes met calm ones, "What?"

His niece decided to make her needs known and the moment was lost in the bustle of taking care of the baby - but the comment wasn't forgotten.

Simon stood in the middle of the chaos of the clean-up crews when Drew saw him. In that moment, the larger man felt that he could breathe again. He'd been so worried when Simon had spearheaded the serving of the warrant on Bento and when he'd heard that several officers had been shot as well as several of the bad guys, his heart had nearly stopped. Now, seeing his lover relatively okay was doing weird things to his system, but that was nothing to when their eyes met.

As if some force was pushing them together, they met about midway and without touching, managed to convey all of their love for each other in a matter of seconds. Then all hell broke loose.

"Omigod! You've been shot!"

Simon looked down at his bloody shirtsleeve and shrugged, "It's nothing, just a flesh-wound, D."

Blue eyes smouldered, "And since when have you had a medical licence, Doctor?"

Brown eyes took on the challenge, "Don't start with me, Andrew. I just had to shoot a seventeen year old kid to save my and Jim's necks and I'm not in the mood."

"Oh, Love, I'm sorry. I didn't know. I just saw your arm and," he grasped his lover's uninjured arm desperately in need of touch-reassurance, "my mind focused on your being hurt." He looked around. "Who was he?"

"Dante Bento - the old man's son." Rubbing his hand over his tired eyes, his shoulders slumped in defeat, "He got some stupid notion that he would save his dad after the old man surrendered. He grazed Jim before we knew what was happening and got me just as I was getting off the shot." Turning anguished eyes on his lover, Simon seemed to be fighting his emotions. "The bullet knocked my aim off and I took him out rather than just wounding him like I planned."

"Does it look like there's going to be an investigation?"

Simon shook his head, "Several officers, including two of the other captains, witnessed the whole thing and they all agreed it was righteous." Tears threatened. "I just wish... He was about Daryl's..."

"I know, Love." Not releasing the hold on his mate's arm and squeezing gently in support, Drew manoeuvred the smaller man to one of the waiting ambulances. "Let's get you taken care of so I can get you home and in bed as soon as possible."

"And then what?"

"And then, My Dear Simon, you better hope they fix you up nice and tight cause I'm going to nail you to the mattress to reassure myself you're alive."

"Promises, promises."

After several days of rest and Drew's TLC, Simon was feeling much better. The shooting had been declared righteous and with the exception of threats of retaliation from Bento, things were pretty much back to normal. Well, almost.

"They said what?"

"They said that you and Ellison look enough alike that you could be brothers. They also said that 'the only reason I was fucking you was because I couldn't fuck Ellison.'"

Drew was livid, "And what are you going to do about that?"

"Nothing, D. You know my hands are tied as long as they restrict themselves to talking only."

"Dammit! I hate this kind of shit!" Running his fingers through his hair, "If it's not one thing, it's another. I really hate this especially when we're about to make some major changes in our lives."

"Calm down, Baby. It's no big deal. They're all talk - nothing more."

"Yeah, until they call me down to identify your body after a friendly fire incident." Drew seemed to explode. "Shit! Why the fuck now?!"

Simon didn't know what to make of his mate's anger and so he did the one thing guaranteed to calm the larger man down - he took him into his arms. "What's wrong, D? This seems totally out of proportion for a bunch of jackasses mouthing off. Talk to me, lover."

Drew took a few deep breaths and lowered his eyes to his partner's. "Well, there's something I've been meaning to discuss with you and I was just waiting for the right time."

"No time better than the present."

The larger man nodded as he ushered his lover to one of the sofas. Taking the darker hand into his lighter one, "Simon, do you remember the night Bianca was born?"

A dreamy smile came over the handsome features. "How could I forget. I was the fourth person to hold that angel and I still think she remembers me. She's such a pretty little thing. I wish there were more like her."

"There can be, Love. For us."

"What are you talking about, Drew?"

Taking another deep breath and releasing it slowly, Drew continued, "I want us to have a baby."

Simon was quiet for a while. "Okay. Ummm, why the suddenness?"

"Because everything's perfect. We're happy and deeply in love, we have a wonderful home, a great support structure and we're both stable. Now would be the perfect time."

The captain grinned, "All good reasons. Do you have a woman in mind and which of us would donate for the cause?"

Drew grew even more nervous, "No, Love. I want this baby to be ours - yours and mine - complete with all of our genetic markers and everything."

"But, that would entail ... one of us carrying..."

"I know." Drew looked down avoiding his beloved's eyes. "Specifically, it would involve you, due to that car accident I had a few years back. The scar tissue left me pretty much out of the..."

Simon stood abruptly, "No! Do you realise what you're asking?"

"I'm asking the man who means everything to me to have a child with me. A little scrap of both us."

"But, that's... No, I can't. I'll go along with a surrogate, but I-I can't."

"Simon, please! Won't you think about it?"

The man in question hurried to the closet where they hung their jackets and coats and grabbed his favourite leather jacket and his helmet. "I've gotta go. I need some air." He turned back to look at his crestfallen lover. "I promise I'll be back. For now, that's all I can promise."

And then he was gone.

"So, what's the problem?" Jim asked as he nursed his beer.

It had taken everything in Simon not to hop on his motorcycle and just keep going. A baby! Was his lover nuts? For that matter, was Jim as well? "What's the problem? He wants me to get pregnant! Me! The guy it took almost forever to admit I had feelings for a man because it threw my sexual identity in a tailspin. What do you think pregnancy is going to do to that?"

Jim shrugged, "Probably cause you to grow closer because of the life you've created together. This would be the ultimate proof of your love and there wouldn't be any ill feelings toward whichever parent contributed the sperm to implant the surrogate."

"Goodness, man, you think this is a good idea!"

"Yeah, I do. I mean, you wouldn't be the first male to go through it - there have been over 2500 cases of male pregnancy/birth in Cascade alone and they have the method pretty much perfected. It would be a great experience for you guys."

"Honestly, would you or Blair do it?"

A beautiful smile crossed Jim's face at the thought of his life-partner waddling around with their child safe within him and himself suckling their child to his breast. "Oh, yeah. Blair and I have discussed it and we've decided to wait until after the dissertation." Jim beamed. "But as soon as he has those three little letters after his name, one of us is going to be so knocked-up we'll probably have twins."

Simon could only shake his head, "You've got it bad, Ellison."

"So do you, Simon. So, why don't you just stop fighting it?"

As soon as Simon walked into the house he was engulfed in the warm embrace of his beloved. Drew tried to speak, but Simon took his hand and placed it over the lips he adored. "Before you utter a word, I have one thing to say." He squared his shoulders and gifted his mate with one of his million-dollar smiles. "Yes."

"Yes?"

"Yes. Go ahead and set up the appointment. I mean if we're going to do it, we might as well do it as soon as possible."

Simon was never so thankful they didn't have really close neighbours cause the whoop of joy from Drew would have been enough to send the police after them.

Drew was planning something and everyone who knew him stayed out of his way lest they be recruited into it.

The D.A. walked the halls of his offices whistling a peppy little tune as he thought of his plans for that night. He was going to make his lover scream in ecstasy before the next morning if it was the last thing he did. Simon had been a real trooper throughout the last few weeks - never complaining about the endless shots, the almost constant doctor's visits, the surgeries or his reactions to the hormones. Not one word and Drew was going to show him how much he appreciated his love's strength.

Yeah, tonight was going to be a good night.

Simon found himself as close to heaven as possible. Even though the fantastic, catered, seven-course meal had been perfect and the music to seduce by and the full body massage had left him a puddle of joyful goo, nothing could compare to how he was feeling right now.

Heaven was being on your knees - arms outstretched to the bedpost and clenched so that you wouldn't be shot through the wall - as your lover pounded into you as if both your lives depended on it.

Simon was close and by the moans coming from Drew, so was he. Closing his eyes even tighter, he added his own counterpoint thrusts - screaming in climax when his beloved grasped his cock in surprise at the unexpected change.

As the captain rode out his orgasm, Drew slammed once, twice, and again and flooded the insides of his lover adding his own version of a scream to that of the man underneath him. With as much care as possible, he turned both of them - still joined - so that they could fall asleep spooned together on the bed.

"Oh, man. I ... thought ... if it ... ever got better ... I'd die." Simon panted as he tried to control the delicious sensations still coursing down his spine.

"Good to see you were wrong."

"Who ... says? No one could survive that and still have a pulse."

Drew grinned as he manoeuvred Simon's head so that he could latch on to one of his favourite spots on the man's body. "Sorry, Love. That is definitely a pulse I'm feeling."

In his best Monty Python voice, the captain intoned, "I got better." As his heartbeat finally resumed its normal rhythm, Simon couldn't contain his laughter. "Do you realise we have to be in Perry's office at eight sharp?"

"So?"

"So, how on earth do you expect me to carry on a normal conversation in less than five hours after you just totally and completely fucked my brains out?"

Drew's eyes sparkled as he gave his lover a wicked grin. "It was good, wasn't it?"

"Well, Dr. Perry?"

"Well, you're healthy, Captain Banks, so I can't see why we can't deliver that baby just fine in about eight months."

Drew was in shock. "You mean we actually did it? Simon's really pregnant?"

"Yessir. So, I'd start thinking of names. It'll be time before you know it."

Drew hadn't heard a word past the "Yessir" as he gathered his love into his arms and shared the tears.

Jim and Blair almost couldn't contain their excitement as they watched their two friends happily bicker over Simon's diet. Though neither man had said anything, the two younger men could feel the joy in the air.

"No, Love, I don't think you should get that. You know how too much garlic keeps you up and I'm sure that's going to be doubled now."

"But I'm sorta craving garlic."

"Simon."

"Come on, D, what's it gonna hurt?"

Blair couldn't wait any longer. "Okay, guys, that's enough. Either spill now or dinner's on you."

Drew chuckled, "Dinner was on me anyway, but since you did ask nicely."

Simon snorted, "He didn't ask. He demanded. If I were you, I wouldn't tell him."

"But you're not me, Love."

"My tailor's thankful."

"Not for too much longer. I'm sure with the changes to come, he'll probably be threatening to quit like you wouldn't believe."

Now, it was Jim's turn, "Guys, will you cut the suspense? Are we celebrating or not?"

Simon had known Jim and Blair wouldn't be able to wait on the announcement and he'd just won a foot massage for his trouble. With his win under his belt, among other things, the captain decided it was time to end his fun. "We're celebrating."

Congratulations and back slaps - pats for Simon - went around the table until dinner arrived and then conversation settled down to the everyday.

"So, are you gonna make an announcement at work soon?"

Simon shook his head, "Not just yet. I'll probably make some type of announcement closer to my second trimester. I'd rather wait a bit longer - in case something happens."

"Which it won't," Drew interrupted.

"We hope." Simon chuckled as his mate pouted, "So, you should count yourselves lucky. Outside of my folks and his sister, no one else knows."

Blair was confused, "But what about Daryl. Isn't he a part of the select group?"

A hush fell over the small table as Simon lowered his head and focused on his meal. Drew answered for them as he rubbed the shoulders of his mate. "Daryl hasn't really had much to do with his Dad since he and I became a couple. I don't think he approves of me."

"Oh, man, I'm sorry. I just thought ... He's always been a sensible kid." The younger man grasped the joined hands of his friends, "If you like, I can talk to him. Try to find where he's coming from."

Simon's eyes raised to meet the blue ones of his friend, "Thanks, but no thanks, Sandburg. If he doesn't want to think about my life with Drew then the baby will just be one more thing for him to hold against me. We don't need that kind of hassle - not now, anyway." He kissed the hand of his mate which held his and smiled shakily at him, "If he doesn't want to be a part of this, I won't force him because it's his loss. He's the one missing out on getting to know two wonderful people."

Blair, ever hopeful, couldn't help but add, "It'll all work out, I'm sure."

Brown and Rafe stood behind Ellison and Sandburg and watched as the two men slowly turned red with anger at what they were reading.

Brown, being the braver of the two detectives, caught the attention of the dynamic duo and asked, "Is it true? Is Simon actually pregnant by Drew?"

Ellison's ice-blue eyes glared into his co-worker. "And what if it is? What difference will it make? What right does it give anyone to plaster their personal lives all over the society page supposedly in the name of news?"

"Hey, Jim. It makes no difference to us," Rafe quickly added in an attempt to reason with the soon-to-be-rampaging detective. "We just wanted to be in the loop - that's all. Simon's always been fair with us - we owe him at least that much."

Jim was saved from commenting when a weary Simon, with Drew close behind him, entered the bullpen. As if a switch had been thrown, he was greeted with utter silence where earlier there had been the constant hustle and bustle of an active department. The tall captain cleared his throat, stood at his full height squaring his shoulders and addressed his men as only a true leader could. "Judging by the silence now, I'm going to assume most of you have either read the article or had someone tell you about it. So that there won't be any misconceptions or false reports, I'm here to tell you that the article is true." The soft buzz of shocked whispers started up with the announcement and only the glares of Ellison, Sandburg, Brown and Rafe stopped them. "I was not trying to hide this from you - I was preferring to wait until the pregnancy had progressed to a point where I was more comfortable. But, obviously Ms. Monroe had other ideas.

"For the record, I am exactly nine-and-a-half weeks pregnant through a procedure perfected by Dr. Perry and D.A. Jessamin is the father - well, the other one anyway." A few chuckles came forth at Simon's small funny and a tiny smile touched his lips. "I have discussed the situation with the police chief, the police commissioner as well as the Mayor and we have all come to the agreement that this in no way affects my job. I am still the Captain of Major Crimes - your Captain." Now came the hard part. "But, in case any of you have a problem with this, transfers will be allowed with no recriminations. Just see Rhonda for the paperwork and I'll sign off on it."

Without another word, Simon headed for his office, again with Drew in tow, and closed the door.

Brown watched as his superior took his seat until Drew closed the blinds to the room and shook his head. "You've got to admit, that man has style ... and balls of steel." He chuckled. "Too bad he won't be seeing either of those for the next few months. My brother and his mate did this a few months back and he complained about the maternity fashions for men like you wouldn't believe - said his sense of style was lost to bell tops and elastic waistbands. And his balls were something he knew were there but couldn't find because of his belly." He shook his head as he smiled. "But every time he looks at my niece, he doesn't regret a thing." Nodding toward the secluded office, his eyes filled with admiration. "He'll find out soon enough. It's a pretty fair trade. If I were a stronger man..." he stopped abruptly. "I mean, if I were ga-," he flustered at the words. The identical, shit-eating grins Jim and Blair were giving him weren't helping. "Aw hell. You guys know what I mean."

Rafe pouted and fluttered his eyelids. "Does that mean the wedding's off?" He simpered. He ducked the paper wad aimed at him, which flew over his head and hit Joel.

"Hey!"

"Sorry man, " Blair snickered. "H's just having some problems with his sexuality."

"Whatever."

Brown glowered at the anthropologist. "Basketball tonight, your ass is mine Sandburg," he threatened.

"Is that a promise?"

Not everyone was pleased with their Captain's newfound sexual freedom and pregnancy, and three officers requested transfers.

No one missed them.

"SANDBURG!"

Blair winced as the bellow echoed through the bullpen. "Gee, gotta good set of lungs for a pregnant man, doesn't he? I wonder when the 'breathless' part kicks in?"

"I DON'T SEE YOU IN MY OFFICE, SANDBURG!"

"Uuups, better get going before he pops something." Ducking the swat his lover aimed at him, Blair entered the glassed office.

"Do you mind telling me where the paperwork for the Bento case is? Records called up looking for it." The Captain added in a voice like silk.

"Bento?" Blair stalled for a moment, shifting from foot to foot. "Ummm, the mob guy you've been chasing and finally caught, right?"

"Yes, Sandburg. That would be the case." Simon looked like a cat about to pounce.

"Oh those. I took those," Blair babbled. "I mean, I thought the case would be a good opportunity to test Jim's senses for something you guys might have missed, and seeing as you're, um, um, busy I thought - "

"I want them back on my desk, Sandburg," Simon still kept the same, cool, neutral tone in his voice that was scaring Blair more than being yelled at.

"Sir, I -"

"Now."

"Yessir!" Blair gulped and darted out into the bullpen.

Who said pregnancy made people any softer?

"Simon if it's a boy and Simone if it's a girl?"

"Why in God's heaven would you want to give him/her my name?"

"Well, you are carrying our son or daughter. I thought it would only be fair he/she have something from you."

"Nine out of ten, he/she will have my attitude - my name won't be needed to mark him/her as half mine."

Drew rolled his eyes at his mate, "Okay, then. Basil Clifton if it's a boy and Tressa Lynn if it's a girl?"

Simon frowned, "Your parents' names? I know they'd have loved it, but at my family reunions it wouldn't fly. Basil is not normally on the list for acceptable ethnic names."

"Okay, so no namesakes." He thought for a moment. "How about Charity for a girl? I mean, after all, we did first meet at a charity function." The handsome man smiled with a hint of devilry.

"How about 'no way in Hell'?" Simon snorted. "I am not sticking our daughter with a name like that in this day and time." The big, dark man glared at his lover. "She wouldn't stand a chance."

Drew took a deep breath and blew it out in frustration. "Come on, Simon. Help me out here. You keep shooting down the names I pick, but you refuse to offer any. How are we supposed to do this without your input?"

"You have my input." Looking down towards his stomach, he pushed slightly away from the table hoping to get more comfortable. "Without my input, this whole discussion wouldn't even be necessary."

"I know that, Love. I was thinking more along the lines of your input in the name selection." He gifted his lover with his million-dollar smile that had held juries enthralled. "I can't explain how proud I am knowing that our child is growing within you and I want you to feel that same pride at the name we choose for him or her."

"And like I've tried telling you, D, my pride in this child is not limited to a name."

"Then why have you kibboshed every one I've suggested?" He asked with a slight pout.

Simon smiled smugly, "Because you said and I quote, 'If this works, I'll let you have whatever you want' and knowing how fanciful you are when it comes to naming cars and boats and pets, I reserved the right to throw peanuts at any name you came up with. You agreed and the rest is history."

"Well, I still don't think this is right."

Exasperated, "D." Caressing the other man's hand, he brought it up to his mouth and kissed it, "Whadya say we just try to get through the next seven months as best we can and let the whole name thing rest for a while? There are so many new things waiting for us with this whole experience and I know the perfect name is right in there with the rest of the stuff. We just have to be patient."

Drew chuckled. "Since when have you been the reasonable one in this relationship?"

"Since these damn hormones kicked in, you bastard." Simon winked at his companion to let him know he was teasing him and then started looking around the restaurant. "Think you can find our waiter quickly so that you can take me home to have your wicked way with me?"

"Wicked as in wild, monkey sex?" Drew's eyes lit up.

The captain simply smiled, "I'm in a mood."

Within minutes, the check was paid and the men were on their way to the front door, both thankful that they had worn their long overcoats which just so happened to cover a lot of things.

Outside, they found themselves waiting under the awning for the valet to return. As time passed, Drew became more agitated until finally he released a breath with impatience. "That's it. I'm going after the car myself."

"Why? It's only been ten minutes. I'm sure he's on his way back right now," Simon offered. "You can wait a little while longer."

"Like hell I can. From everything Chelsea told me, I should take these lovemaking offers at every opportunity during the next few months because too soon, I'll be suffering with cold showers. If your hormones are anything like hers, the next five minutes could change everything." Drew raised the collar on his overcoat and turned to his lover. "It's kind of chilly out here with the rain and all. Why don't you go back in and wait for me to bring the car up? I don't want you to catch a chill."

Simon glared at the man. "Don't start with that, Andrew. I am not going to tolerate you treating me like some delicate piece of glass."

"I know, Love, but I'd just feel better if you were inside where it's warm." He gave him his best begging face. "Please, Love, for me."

The captain sighed and rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'll do it this time, but D..."

"I know. I better not try this again." He smiled. "I promise, Scout's Honour. Now, get inside so that I can wade through these torrential floods to find our car." Drew waited until his mate was back inside the restaurant doors before whispering to no one as he headed out into the rain, "I love you, Simon. I'm just looking out for you and our baby."

Simon, of course, had other plans. "I can't believe he's trying to pull something like this on me. He's two inches taller than I am, and he thinks I'm going to take the submissive role just because I'm pregnant. I don't think so." After waiting for about twenty seconds, the big man left the restaurant heading in the direction of their car and muttering all the way. "Women have been having babies since the beginning of time and men have been successfully doing this for a couple of years now without any problems. I'm sure they all had to deal with a little rain and cold, so I sure as hell can."

Continuing his muttering, Simon had just rounded a van where he could see Drew climbing into their car. He was just close enough to hear the power locks engage when suddenly a bright light mixed with heat and sound flashed before him knocking him down with its force. Then, there was nothing.

Jim registered the awakening of his friend and captain well before the monitors. He quietly moved forward in the seat beside the bed and grabbed the hand in front of him. He had been both dreading and waiting for this moment since he'd told Blair he wanted to be there for Simon.

"Drew?" The scratchy voice called from the bed - the usual rich timbre of Simon's voice stolen by weakness.

Jim closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he gently squeezed the hand he held. "Simon. It's Jim. I need you to open your eyes for me."

For a brief moment, Simon opened his eyes, squinting in his attempt to make out the man leaning over him. "Drew?" The plaintive cry came again, his head tossing restlessly against the pillows as his pained eyes closed again.

Jim tightened his grip on the questing hand. "No, Simon. It's Jim. Come on, buddy, I need you to stay awake so that we can prove to these white-coats that you're okay."

The dark brow creased as the large man fought his way back to consciousness. Finally, confused deep-brown eyes met troubled sky-blue ones as awareness kicked in, "Jim? What's ... what's going on?"

Jim gifted his friend with one of his rare smiles, "You sort of had us worried there for a while. Didn't think you'd ever wake up."

Simon quickly glanced around the room, "This is a hospital. What am I doing in a hospital?" Fear overtook the normally strong, handsome features as a tiny memory surfaced and he jerked his free hand to his almost flat stomach. "God, no. Please tell me nothing's wrong with the baby!" Simon began to struggle as terror gripped him, "Jim, please! The baby..."

Ellison released the hand he'd been holding and grabbed his friend's arms trying to stop the struggles before they did damage, knowing this was only the beginning.

"The baby's fine, Simon!" The tiny battle continued, the Captain frantic, "Simon! Calm down!" At the yelled words, the movements ceased and Jim pressed his advantage. "Dr. Perry said the baby's fine - none the worse for wear. He was more concerned that you hadn't awakened."

"Then why..." Again, he looked around the room, noting an important absence. "Jim, where's Drew?"

The detective stiffened in his seat even though he'd been expecting it. "Sir, I ... I think I should let your doctor know you're awake." He stood quickly and headed for the door before stopping at Simon's call.

"Jim!" Ellison squared his shoulders and turned to face his superior. "The doctor can wait, but I can't. Where's Drew?"

The younger man moved back to the bed all the while hoping that Blair hadn't listened to him and was about to save him from destroying the world of his dear friend. When he found himself in his original spot with no sign of the cavalry, he knew his time was up. "Sir, I want you to try to stay calm. Getting upset won't help you or the baby."

"Dammit, man, don't tell me to stay calm! I asked you a question and I fucking expect an answer as of yesterday, Detective! Now, where's Drew?" Simon looked ready to haul himself up out of the bed and go in search of his errant lover, but fell back with a gasp as all his aches and pains made themselves known.

Keeping his voice low, Jim prayed for some noise to cover the words he had to impart, but the gods didn't seem to be listening. "Sir ... Simon, ... there was an explosion. You were thrown clear of the blast, but Drew..." Pain-filled eyes turned to stare at the floor, "Drew didn't make it."

"What? Stop talking to the floor. I need to know what happened to Drew. Is he here? Do they have him confined to another wing?" Simon was trying hard to convince himself, but it was a failed effort as his hand began to tremble - his chest hitching in frantic breaths. "That has to be it. That or he's unconscious. As much as he loves me and the baby, nothing short of a coma would keep him away." He pushed the covers off of him and tried to manoeuvre his tortured body out of the bed, but Jim's hands stopped him. "Lemme go, Ellison. I know you're trying to help, but I really need to go to him. We've wasted enough time with all of this as it is. He needs me and I need to be with him. So, either get out of my way so that I can do this myself or take me to him!"

"Simon, you can't know how much I wish..." He took a steadying breath and then raised his eyes to his friend's, shaking with what he had to say. "I can't take you to him, Sir, because he didn't make it. He's dead, Simon." He emphasised the words softly, each syllable tearing at his heart.

And, finally, Simon believed.

"Oh god." Before Jim had a clue of what was happening, the larger man was crumpling towards the floor as the most soul-wrenching wail echoed off the walls. "NOOOOOO!"

Reflexes kicking into action, Ellison managed to catch his boss before he hit the floor, but with the contact, Banks started fighting with some unknown strength. "You're lying! He's not dead! I'd know if he were dead! Why are you doing this? Why do you hate me like this?" With each word a blow followed until Jim's upper body felt like he'd been run over, but still he hung on as if his life depended on it because Simon's did. "He's not dead. No! You're lying! You have to be! He wouldn't leave me like this ... he said he ... he said he loved me. He wouldn't leave me. Not like this. No."

Slowly, the fight left the weakening body and with the last of the draining strength, the tears came. Jim felt his friend's pain and he ached with the knowledge that he'd be the same way if something ever happened to Blair and, so, he held on - trying to help Simon as best he could. Knowing it wasn't enough.

The more he tried to accept his lover was gone, the more Simon's heart denied it. Drew wouldn't leave him pregnant and alone. It just couldn't be true.

He knew he wouldn't believe it until he had hard-core, indisputable proof and the only way he was going to get that was if he went to the funeral. Chelsea would set him straight. Depending on her reactions, that's how Simon would play it.

Dr. Perry be damned! The man had restricted his visitors out of fear for his health and Chelsea hadn't been on the list since she was almost the female version of her brother and they weren't sure how that would affect Simon. He didn't care what the quack said - he was going to that funeral to see her if he had to crawl there on his hands and knees.

Carefully, he manoeuvred out of the bed stifling moans as his feet touched the floor. The room spun for a minute, but Simon found if he took deep breaths and didn't move too quickly, it would right itself. At a snail's pace, he managed to reach the closet and grab his clothes, but the short movement had taken what strength he had and he could only stand there looking at them.

He had just decided to return to the bed and use it to support his dressing when the door opened and a furious Jim rushed in. "What the hell do you think you're doing? You shouldn't be out of bed! I heard you gasping all the way at the end of the hall."

By sheer willpower, Simon managed to rise to his full height and coldly stare at his detective. "Don't mess with me, Ellison! I am getting dressed and I am going to Drew's funeral and there's not a damn thing you can do about it!"

"Yeah, you and who's army? The way I see it, you've got to get by me first and I don't think you have it in you!"

A sudden fury swept over the larger man and within a blink of an eye he was sending a punch straight towards his detective. Only Jim's excellent reflexes helped him bypass the punch and catch his now-falling superior as the last of his strength went into the intended hit.

As he lay in his friend's arms, Simon put up a token struggle but he had nothing to back it up with, "Fuck off, Ellison! I don't need this and I don't need you!"

"No, what you need are some nice five-point restraints." Lowering them both to the floor, Jim refused to relinquish his hold. "What were you thinking trying to pull a stunt like that? Where is your head, man?"

"The same place my heart is - in a box about to be buried. Or so everyone keeps telling me."

"Oh, Simon. I know this has got to be tearing you apart, but you just can't be there. Everyone understands and for those that don't, Blair's there in your place to set 'em straight." Jim tightened his arms trying to make his point. "This was stupid and extremely dangerous for you and the baby. If you can't recognise that, then I'll make sure you don't get the chance to try anything else again."

Simon Banks had never been a man who enjoyed being told what he could and could not do and this was not an exception. Finding the strength somewhere, he pushed away from Ellison and started trying to rise. "I don't care! I need to be there and nothing is going to stop me. Not this hospital, not you and not this damn ba..." Before he could finish, a stricken look came over him and all the fight left him as he dropped the small space to the floor. Big hands that were usually so steady shook as they reached down to his stomach, "Oh God, I didn't mean it. I didn't mean it! Please God, believe me, I didn't mean it!" Brown eyes pleaded with blue ones, "Jim, you know I-I couldn't mean that. This baby is all I have left of ..."

Jim pulled his distraught friend back into his arms as he tried to offer what little comfort he had. "I know, Simon. I know."

It was an extremely solemn and subdued group that listened to the monotone of the lawyer as he droned on about the many inconsequential bequeaths.

Directly in front of the huge mahogany desk Simon sat - ramrod stiff and expressionless - with his arms wrapped around a tall blonde woman with all of Drew's features only in a more feminine and flattering package. Jim sat beside his boss ready to help in any way his friend needed and Blair sat beside him in much the same capacity.

Though none of them really cared about what was being said, they sat and listened with half-an-ear and wished for a return to how things were ... before. Before everything went to hell.

"'To my sister, Chelsea Ames, I leave my share in the family holdings for her to do with as she sees fit. In addition, I would also like to...'" The lawyer continued to drone on with the details of the bequests for Drew's sister and her children trying not to focus too much on the silent tears of the woman before him.

"'To my friends, James Ellison and Blair Sandburg, I leave my boat, the Erasmus, as well as the benefits from a fund in which to maintain it. The storage facility and berth are paid for and I know you will take care of my favourite toy. Happy sailing, guys, and thanks for being there for me and mine.'"

"'To my domestic partner, Simon Banks, I leave the remainder of my estate including my share in my family's home to be held in trust until our child reaches his/her twenty-fifth birthday. I also...'" Again, the lawyer continued, only this time with no reaction from the person in question.

Finally, the man finished and looked at the people in front of him, "Mr. Jessamin left personal letters for each of you to be read at your leisure. If I can get you to sign a few papers, my assistant will distribute them." With the efficiency of the truly high-priced, in no time at all the papers had been signed and the letters delivered.

As if choreographed, each of the recipients opened his/her letter and read with varying results. Blair turned into Jim's arms relishing the life in his Sentinel. Jim held tightly to the one person that meant more to him than anything else. Chelsea ineffectually wiped the tears that continued to fall at the last words of her beloved brother and Simon stood as stiffly as a stone statue.

After a few minutes, Chelsea moved into the circle of arms she considered every bit as much her brother as her biological one. She hugged Simon tightly - but not so tightly as to exacerbate his injuries. "Are you going to be okay? I can go home with you if you need me."

Simon smiled - with no life in his eyes - and shook his head. "I'm fine, Chelsea. No need to change your plans for me."

"There's every need! You're not too long out of hospital and you still don't look well." Her hand cupped his face. "I'm worried about you." The tears returned. "I can't lose you too."

"You won't lose me, Baby. I'm here for the long run. If not for myself, then at least for Drew's child. I can't let him down."

"Simon, no matter what happens, the only way you'd let him down is if you give up. You gave him so much in the short time you guys had and you made him happy. Much happier than anything Court ever did. He loved you - you, Simon - the baby was just a bonus." Reaching up to kiss his cheek, "Promise me that if you need anything - even if it's just someone to rant to about swollen ankles and aching backs - you'll call me."

Not meaning a word of it, "I promise." He pulled away from her and wiped away the tears that had fallen down her pretty face. "Now go home to that family of yours. I'll be okay."

The tall woman smiled and nodded as she headed for the door. Before she reached it, she stepped over to the other two men talking amongst themselves and said something to them before kissing both of their cheeks and leaving. Jim and Blair moved quickly to their friend's side.

"You about ready to go, Simon?" Jim asked as he placed a supportive hand on his boss' shoulder.

Simon pulled away enough so that the hand fell and nodded. "Yeah." Looking at his companions, he gave them a half-hearted smile. "So, what did she tell you?"

Blair moved closer to the taller man. "She just asked us to watch out for you. We told her no problem; we had already been planning on it."

"I don't need a babysitter, Sandburg." No rancour, only resignation.

"I hear that, besides you're a bit big for my regular crowd. I wouldn't know how much to charge." Watching sadly as his friend quietly fiddled with the letter in his hand, he placed his hand on that of his captain's. "Simon?"

"He knew. Not the when or the how of it, but he knew." Holding up the paper. "He changed his will to include the baby just a couple of days before ..." Dragging air into his tired lungs. "He asked me not to hate him. He said he wanted t-to k-keep his promise to me, but he knew he couldn't." In a sudden move, Simon ripped the letter in half. "Damn you, Drew! Damn you!"

"Do you really think it's wise for you to be back to work so soon, Simon? I mean, Chief Warren said for you to take as much time as you needed..."

"I'm fine, Sandburg," the captain interrupted. "The doctor cleared me for duty and that's all that matters." Glaring at the younger man, "Is that clear?"

Jim decided it was time to intervene. "Simon, he's just..."

"I know what he's trying to do, Jim - what both of you are trying to do and I appreciate it. But, I think we need to get something clear. I. Don't. Need. It."

Before either man could comment, the door opened and Daryl barrelled in slamming the door behind him. Simon sighed as he stood. "Hello, son. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

"So, he's dead, huh?"

The captain shuddered at the callous way his child asked. "I'm sure you've kept abreast of things and your mother has helped with any gaps."

Daryl ignored the sarcasm behind the words and moved around the desk ignoring the other two men in the room. "Yeah, I'd heard." Pointing to his father's stomach. "So, now that he's gone are you gonna get rid of it?"

"What?"

"Well, since whatever hoodoo he used to get you to turn is as dead as he is, there's nothing stopping you from getting rid of it. Is there?"

"Daryl!" Blair yelled as he tried to get to the younger man. Jim held him back and shook his head waiting for Simon to show them how to play it.

Neither of the Banks noticed. "How dare you come in here and spout off this nonsense! Everything between us was said when you found out about the pregnancy. You and I have nothing else to talk about."

"You're gonna keep it! I don't believe you!" Shaking his head in disbelief, his voice raised. "How dare I? You're blowing off your whole life and how dare I?" Daryl moved further into his father's space. "What happened to you? Where's my dad - the one I grew up wanting to be just like? The one I admired because he didn't take any shit from anybody. The man who wouldn't roll over for anyone or anything. I looked up to you."

"If you'd get your head out of your ass, you'd see I'm still your dad - no matter what my choices."

"My ass? Oh no, I'm not the one who's had something up his ass." Clenching his hands. "Do you know what it's been like reading that stuff about you and knowing what you'd become? Do you know how hard it's been facing my friends every time you and that ... you made the paper as a couple - all happy and gay? Do you know how it feels to have people look at you and see nothing but 'that faggot captain's son'? Do you?"

All of the pain that Simon was feeling at his son's words was clearly showing on his face but Daryl was either ignoring it or couldn't see it. "But, see, you could fix things, now. With him gone, you could go in and ... get that thing out of you and we could try ... We could start over. Dad, I'm begging you. Please."

The elder Banks struggled to find the words to explain, but as he brought his hands up to rest them on his son's shoulders, he knew they weren't what the boy wanted to hear. "Daryl, I can't. I won't do that to Drew or our child. I love them both too much to destroy what we had."

Daryl knocked his father's hands off of him. "You love them! You love your dead lover and his unborn bastard more than you love me? How could you?"

Wanting to comfort his son even after the harsh words, Simon moved to wrap his arms around him only to have Daryl push him away. Not expecting the move, the larger man stumbled on his desk chair and started falling - hitting his head on the edge of his desk on the way down.

For a split second, no movement or sound could be heard as disbelief filled the room. Finally, Jim sprang into action reaching his friend in seconds and surveying the damage. "Simon? Can you hear me? Simon!"

Hearing his father's moan, the stricken look on Daryl's face congealed into a mask of uncaring as he watched Jim helping the older man to sit up as he covered the gash on his head. Under his breath, he whispered, "Maybe it knocked some sense into him. Better yet, maybe he lost it."

Pure rage shook the Sentinel as he heard the softly uttered words. Not wanting to kill Simon's son and add to the already heavy burden of his friend, he instead yelled to Blair, "Get him out of my sight!" To Daryl, "If I even suspect you're thinking of saying anything to your dad, I promise you nothing will save your ass."

Daryl had been surprised at the strength Blair used on him when he pulled him from his father's office. He'd had no idea that under all of those layers of clothes was a strength that rivalled his own. As they finally stopped in the break room and he pushed him into a chair, the older man could only stare at him. "What?"

"After what you just did, you can actually ask me that!"

Daryl shrugged, "It was an accident. I didn't mean for him to fall."

Blair shook his head. "And what about all of that other shit? Did you not mean that either?"

"I meant that," the younger Banks answered as his eyes hardened. "He's choosing them over me and I refuse to apologise for anything I said."

"He's your father, Daryl - he's done everything he could possibly do for you. Even with his choices, that doesn't change. You owe him respect for that at least."

"Because of his choices, I can't respect him."

"What about me?" Blair shook Daryl's shoulders. "What about me? Do you like me? Respect me?"

"Yeah, but you -"

Blair stepped back and threw his arms wide, defenceless. "Then look at me. Look at me. I'm a man, right? And Jim, huh? What about Jim? He's a man, too, right? And I love him." He leaned closer to the chair. "I fuck Jim," he said clearly, deliberately using coarse words to get his point across to the sullen teen. "I fuck him. And I let him do it to me. Did you know that?"

Daryl twisted uneasily in his seat. "Yeah but -"

"But what?"

"You're not my father." Daryl blurted out harshly.

Blair sighed. "Daryl-"

"You're not my father." The teenager got off the chair. "And neither is he. Not any more."

Simon rubbed absently at the itchy bandage on his head as he looked around the large space he'd designated for his son when he moved into the house with Drew.

Everything was gone.

Everything of Daryl's, that was. He was gone, back to his mothers. The room was empty, too clean, bare even of the little things his son liked to keep at his father's place. The basketball he kept rolled behind the door, the old Lego figurines, posters, battered CD's, a few well-thumbed books. Gone. Even the bed was stripped of coverings, the empty mattress mocking him.

In the centre of the bed was a teddy bear. Simon felt tears gathering in the corners of his eyes as he reverently bent and picked it up. An old toy, much loved - he'd won it for Daryl an aeon ago, one of those cheap shooting galleries, his five year old son bouncing in place...//That one, daddy!! I want that one!//

The one thing that had ever meant more to his son than the fancy games Joan had bought him, the CD's, anything else he had owned. A single, tattered link back to when his parents were married, when they'd been a family.

The only thing Daryl had left behind.

The message was clear, striking deep into his heart and tearing it in two. His son was punishing him for his choices - damning him for his love for Drew and their child.

Simon's fingers worried at the rough covering, then he brought the bear up to his chest, holding it in his arms, letting his tears fall onto the soft fur, the toy his only company in the big, lonely house.

"This isn't natural!" Blair yelled as he paced. "He's cut off all contact with everyone - even Joel and they've been friends forever. Ever since he was released from the hospital, he's been a virtual hermit - only coming out of their house for work. He hasn't returned anyone's calls and he just sits in his office working everyday. It's not good for him or the baby." Looking to his mate for the answers, "Why won't he let us help him through this, Jim? We're his friends and we've tried telling him we're here for him. Why won't he listen?"

Jim pulled his lover close and dropped a light kiss on the riotous curls. "I wish I knew, Chief. All I can do to try and understand his behaviour is think how I'd be in his place. I know if I lost you, I'd probably be in the same shape. We just have to be there for him when he decides he needs us and support him as much as we can."

"I guess. But I just feel like we should be doing more." Blair tilted his head back to look into his partner's eyes as he dropped into a chair. "He's our friend."

"Simon knows that and he knows all he has to do is ask. We just have to hope he remembers that soon."

"To hell with that." Blair got to his feet. "I'm going in. He's going to listen to reason, even if I have to sit on him."

"You want a white casket or wood?"

Simon rubbed the bridge of his nose with his fingers and tried to ignore the annoying mop-haired mosquito buzzing on the other side of his desk. He could toss the observer out of his office, but then he'd just have to put up with the lecture at a later date. Maybe if he endured it now, the smaller man would leave him the hell alone. He tuned vaguely into the conversation and tried to appear if not interested, then at least as though he was listening.

"Maybe you should try one of these support groups," Blair was pressing him. Again with the support groups. 12 fat men wallowing in their own self-pity was not his idea of spending his evenings. "I mean, come on Simon, maybe -"

"I've told you about calling me Simon," the Captain said shifting in his chair again. He briefly rested his head in his hands and reached for another folder, the movement faltering as his hand started to tremble.

"Sir?" Blair took in the sudden pallor of the other man's face. "Are you all right?"

Simon clenched his hand into a fist, stilling the tremors. "Fine, Sandburg," he said wearily, getting to his feet. "I just -"

"SIMON!!" Blair darted forward and caught the Captain as he toppled, the larger man's weight nearly crushing him as they fell to the floor in a tangle of arms and legs. "Jim!" he quickly squirmed out from underneath the unconscious man, carefully supporting his head. Remembering his first aid classes, he loosened Simon's tie, paused, then removed it entirely as Jim charged into the room.

"What happened?"

"I don't know!" Blair shrugged out of his ever-present jacket and used it to elevate the Captain's legs as Jim checked his pulse and breathing. "One minute I'm talking to him then he gets up and bang!" He snagged the phone from the desk and dialled 911.

Undoing the top button of Simon's pants, Jim carefully felt the older man's stomach, senses stretching out.

"Ambulance'll be here in five." Blair dumped the phone and cradled Simon's head in his lap. "Is the baby all right?" He asked worriedly, focused on his lover's hands

Jim nodded shortly and tugged Simon's top back down as Blair sighed with relief. "Oh man, that's good. God only knows what Simon would do if he lost Drew junior as well..." He cut himself off. Neither of them wanted to go there.

"What happened?" Jim hovered protectively near the door to Simon's room.

"Hypertension," the doctor replied, making a few more notes on the chart in his hands. "It's not uncommon during pregnancy, although it does tend to happen more often at a later stage of foetal development. "

"The baby?" Blair whispered.

"We did an amniocentesis, and an ultrasound. The foetus was showing some signs of distress, probably mirroring Mr. Banks'. He can go home tomorrow, but I've prescribed complete bed rest for at least the next two weeks. Is there anyone who can help enforce this?"

Jim shook his head, "He lives alone since his life-partner passed away and his sister-in-law is out of the country visiting her husband's relatives. His folks are older and his mom's recovering from a nasty bout of pneumonia." He had definitely been thorough in his search for Simon's loved ones.

"Well, I can't honestly release him if there's no one to take care of him. This is a very serious situation that could cause Mr. Banks to miscarry and possibly endanger his life as well." Glancing at his watch, "I'll go and set him up a room for a couple of weeks. If you like, you can go in and keep him company while I arrange things."

Blair put out his hand to stop the doctor as he turned to leave, "Wait. We can watch him. It's not really a problem for us to go home with him."

The detective grabbed his partner's arm and excused them from the doctor as he pulled him to a corner. "Chief, are you sure you know what you're volunteering us for? This would be a day-in, day-out kind of thing that would greatly limit us."

"I know, Jim. But do you really want Simon stuck here for a few weeks. I mean, if he even stayed without breaking free - which, face it man, is highly doubtful - he'd be miserable and that on top of everything else couldn't be good for him or the baby." Blair squeezed his lover's hand. "After all he's done for us and the friend he's been, can we honestly say no?"

The doctor cleared his throat and Jim pulled his mate back over to the man, "We'll take care of him, Doc."

"Good." The doctor handed them both a care sheet and went through it. "Contrary to popular opinion, bed rest does not mean sitting up in bed. As he's going to be in bed for an extended period, Mr. Banks may find it more comfortable to rest on his left side or in the knee-elbow position. Both of these take some of the pressure off the spine and stomach." His eyes softened. "Give him lots of pillows and lots of pampering. He won't need a urinal - occasional trips to the toilet are all right - but no paperwork is to touch that bed."

Blair nodded seriously, glasses sitting on his nose and looked up from studying the care sheet. "What about diet? Any special restrictions?"

"Nothing really, a diet high in iron - I've noticed that Mr. Banks is borderline anaemic, another common complaint during pregnancy, but I've prescribed some iron supplements that should take care of that problem. Cut down on caffeine, and lots of fresh fruit and fresh air. Apart from that, I think that Mr. Banks is in incredible condition for someone his age."

"I still don't understand all of this," Simon groused as Jim and Blair helped him into his bedroom and settled him in the bed.

"What's there not to understand?" Blair shot back as he shook his head in disgust at the piles of papers he was removing from the bed.

"Why are you guys here?"

Jim grabbed an extra pillow from the closet and placed it beside his friend on the bed before he took a seat next to him. "The doctor wasn't going to release you if we hadn't agreed to take care of you. God knows you weren't taking care of yourself while you were alone."

"I was managing just fine by myself, thank you very much."

Blair rolled his eyes and moved beside his lover. "Yeah, and that's why you ended up in hospital and on bed rest for the next few weeks. If this is your idea of taking care of yourself, I'd hate to see what shape you'd be in if you were letting yourself go."

Simon had no answer to that and so he did the only thing a man in his position could do - he retreated, grudgingly. "Whatever, Sandburg." Grabbing the pillow and using it for the much-needed support, he let out a long, tired breath. "So, how long can I expect to enjoy your wonderful company?"

"As long as it takes, Simon. As long as it takes."

Text link to part two: http://www.squidge.org/archive/cgi-bin/convert.cgi?filename=au2/simpletwist_a.html