• 1-Not My Momma's Fairytales
• 2-Maybe...Maybe I Won't Have The Meatloaf
• 3-Indecision
• 4-Meeting Billy Black
• 5-Sunday Supper
• 6-Moving Forward

Thoughts in italics

It took a little effort, but Charlie kept his focus on work the rest of the afternoon that first day. When Tina had called to explain exactly who his new neighbor was Charlie was glad he hadn't made a fool of himself asking the guy if he wanted to hang out; the thought had crossed his mind but he'd ignored it for several reasons. And now it was Friday, a week and a day since Harry had come to town, and Charlie had only seen the other man in passing since then. He may have had the looks of a high fashion model but he dressed like everyone else; jeans, t-shirts, maybe a polo one day. Charlie had seen Harry but hadn't stopped to do more than give a cursory wave hello. It wasn't that he didn't have the time.

Charlie was still in a rut, and while he may have changed his eating habits (he hadn't had the special once since that lunch with Harry) he still wanted to change things. Specifically he wanted to change the nature of his relationship with his new neighbor.

Of course that would never happen so long as he didn't even stop to say hello to the man. But how could he? Charlie got up from his desk to leave for lunch, deep in thought.

Indecision.

He would need a relationship with the man at all in order to change the nature of it, for starters. Maybe he could invite to join he and Billy for a game? There was one that night, he could always stop by on his way to the diner and make it seem like a spur of the moment decision. Or maybe make it seem like he'd been planning on it, but couldn't call since he didn't have Harry's phone number. Or maybe I'm just over thinking things and I should just knock on his door one night after work and see if he wants to hang out for awhile.

That last one sounded like a good one and Charlie was determined to go with it...until he realized that he'd already driven past the diner and turned onto his street. Charlie parked in front of his own house, gazing down the street; gazing toward Harry.

Indecision.

"Hey Charlie, where are you, man? We saw you drive right past the diner."

After a moment of hesitation Charlie reached for the microphone for the police radio.

"I'm fine, Dirk, don't worry about me. Just came by my place for a minute, thought I might check and see how the new guy's doing while I'm over here. You guys go head and order, I might just grab a sandwich here."

Dirk's voice was garbled as he gave his 'ten-four'. Charlie carefully replaced the microphone, removed his keys, locked his door. He took a series of deep breaths as he walked the short distance from his house to Harry's; why was he so nervous? He was just asking a new buddy to hang out and watch a game. No big deal. Right, no big deal. Now just go knock on his door an..

Charlie's thoughts were cut off when Harry came outside wearing worn jeans and a white t-shirt while Charlie was still only half-way up the drive. He was covered in a fine layer of sweat and sawdust and carrying a garbage bag. The smile Harry shot him when he was noticed was breathtaking. This did nothing to calm Charlie's nerves-or convince him that this was just a friend inviting a friend for a casual get together.

"Well hey there, stranger! How are you?"

Charlie took a deep breath and tried to keep his voice calm while he watched Harry put the bag in the can and walk toward him.

"Good, I'm good. Came to see how you're settling in. Thought maybe I'd see if you wanted to grab some lunch."

What did I just say? Where the hell did that come from? That was not the plan! Harry bit the edge of his lip and cut his eyes to the side in consideration while Charlie mentally beat himself with a pipe bomb.

"Have you got time for me to rinse off and toss on something clean? Say, maybe ten minutes?"

Charlie nodded easily, deciding to radio Dirk that he'd be late back from lunch and he could have the desk for the afternoon; Dirk loved getting the desk, saw it as practice for the future.

"It's not a problem at all. I'm just going to run home and grab something. I also need to leave a note for my daughter, tell her Billy and his son Jake are coming over to watch the game tonight. You wanna come? We'll probably order a pizza or make sandwiches or something for dinner."

"That sounds great!"

Harry seemed genuinely excited so Charlie decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth; he was probably just lonely.

"Alright, well you go ahead and change and I'll write Bella that the three of you are coming over tonight. Just come on in if you get done before me, don't bother knocking."

Harry extended the same invitation and jogged toward his house. Charlie took his time walking back to his car, mentally deciding what he was going to say. He had a pretty good idea he'd have to go through Tabby, their emergency dispatch woman. They'd done this before; she would call the diner and tell Dirk to get on his radio. This also meant that she could interject an opinion, one of the more annoying aspects of small town life.

"This is Charlie, come in."

The requisite sixty seconds of silence, sixty seconds where Charlie wondered what he was doing. He was too old for this, too old to change horses midstream. So what if the man was a walking orgasm waiting to happen? Charlie was pretty sure Billy would figure out right away what Charlie was thinking; maybe there was still time to get out of the game tonight. What did it matter if Harry's ass had looked really good in those jeans when he'd turned around to run into the house...

"Hey Chief, it's Tabby. How can I help?"

Charlie brought his mind back to task, trying to ignore his body's delayed reaction.

"Dirk's over at the diner, could you call please?"

She did and he waited almost two full minutes for the man to respond.

"What's up, Charlie? Is there a problem? Is somebody giving the new guy trouble?"

Charlie had to smile at that; Dirk made a great small town Deputy because he put his heart into the job.

"No, nothing like that. Least not that I know of. Just wanted to let you know you could take the desk this afternoon. I'm going to be late from lunch. Harry and I decided to grab a bite from the diner, so we'll be there soon."

Silence; Charlie knew it wouldn't last so he got to counting. At 312 overlapping voices came through.

"I can have..."

"He's going in...

Charlie laughed to himself at the garbled nonsense before answering.

"Yeah, Dirk, you can have the desk and I'll drive patrol. Yes, Tabby, he's going to the diner which is in public. Reminds me, can you see if some of the worst stalker types would be willing to clear out soon, Dirk?"

"Already have except Tina."

Charlie listened to the two banter for a minute or so, firmly refusing to ask Harry for a signed copy of his Calvin Klein photo (Charlie made a mental note to look that up as soon as possible) when Tabby asked for one. Realizing he only had a few minutes before Harry was supposed to meet him, Charlie signed off and went into the house. He walked straight to the kitchen and tore a sheet of paper off the pad by the phone, grabbing the pen that sat beside it.

Just as he was finishing up (and wondering if he was being too lenient) there was a quiet knock on the front door before it opened.

"Charlie?"

The door closed and Charlie took a deep breath, facing the wall to the back of the house.

"In the kitchen!"

There was a chuckle that had Charlie gritting his teeth just a bit-how was he so attracted to the man this quickly?

"That would be just a bit more helpful if I knew where the kitchen was, ducks."

Charlie laughed in response, turning and heading for the table.

"It's straight back."

Harry was there before he had the note secured under the salt shaker, grinning and leaning against the door frame with arms crossed. He watched while Charlie completed his task, not moving when Charlie straightened up and turned to face him fully.

"You ready to go?"

Harry seemed to consider the question for a moment while Charlie's eyes ran over Harry's body helplessly. Another t-shirt, this one dark purple with green letters that Charlie couldn't quite make out clinging to his chest. More jeans but these molded to his body in a way Charlie was suddenly glad was legal. Boots instead of sneakers, black...and they looked like leather but had more of a sheen than a shine.

Indecision.

"Can I do something without you arresting me?"

Charlie's eyes jerked up to meet Harry's in shock just in time to see Harry's eyes pop down to his gun and back.

"Or shooting me? I'd really rather not get shot for it."

Charlie blinked a few times in astonishment before answering.

"If it's illegal I'll have to arrest you. I won't shoot you unless I don't have any other choice, and even then I'll still try and find another way."

Harry nodded seriously.

"I'm pretty sure it's legal."

Charlie nodded in response and told him to go ahead. He was not expecting Harry to cross the room.

He definitely wasn't expecting Harry to kiss him.

It wasn't rough or full of passionate lust, this was a gentle kiss; questioning, almost seeming to ask permission just as much as Harry's questions had. Charlie responded without hesitation, raising one hand to Harry's neck; Harry's hand raised in response, curving just the fingers to fit the side of Charlie's throat. Harry's mouth opened just a bit and Charlie's followed and then there was passion but still it was a gentle passion; no longer questioning, their kiss became an exploration of what the other liked, what they felt like, their unique tastes. Charlie's free hand found the slight curve of Harry's side and slid to the small of his back, pulling the other man gently closer without being demanding. Harry's free hand came up to rest on Charlie's side just above his utility belt; Charlie would have taken the damn thing off if it hadn't meant ending this kiss. Finally Harry's body was pressed against his and Charlie marveled that this was everything he remembered a kiss to be and like nothing he'd ever experienced in his life.

When the kiss was over they stayed as they were, Charlie holding Harry close, both taking deep breaths while their eyes came open. Those eyes caught and Charlie, bolder now, leaned down just slightly for another kiss. This time it was Harry not hesitating, Harry's mouth following Charlie's. There was more passion but it still wasn't the rough demand so many kisses could be. This was more establishing a connection than making a claim. Then it was over and their breathing was heavier and still they stayed as they were, Harry held fast against Charlie's warm body. Finally Charlie spoke softly, not breaking the mood they'd set.

"I will never arrest you for doing that. In fact I encourage that."

Charlie could feel Harry's chuckle vibrate through his hand and it was surprisingly intimate.

"I'll keep that in mind."

They stood together for a moment more before Charlie began to remove his hands from Harry's body; he moved with visible reluctance. The civil servant wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of the day getting lost in the taste of Harry's mouth but he knew that he couldn't. He had a job to do and a Deputy clearing out a diner for him. He said as much to Harry, who chuckled again and mentioned needing to thank the man. They headed for the door and Charlie stopped just on the inside. He looked at Harry again and leaned in for another kiss; quick, just a pressing of lips, but it was enough.

For now.