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Two Weeks Later...

Sitting in the chaise on the back deck was just what he needed. With his face in the shade and holding an iced tea instead of a beer, Jack eased back and watched as Jason directed Daniel through the Tai Chi exercises.

Jack took a sip from the tea as he watched the concentration on Daniel's face. His lover normally found the exercises deeply erotic, but for once, Daniel was paying more attention to the exercises then on Jason's body. Their sex-filled days had worn him to the point that Daniel's mind had finally relaxed; took a lot to do that. At least now he could concentrate and not get distracted. Jack could relate, although sitting and watching wasn't much of a comparison.

Jack's attention was abruptly returned to the here and now when his lovers' exercises turned from exercise to practice. He grinned as Daniel bested Jason with a move and set him on his ass. It was usually the other way around--and for a quick moment, Jack wondered if Jason's mind was on the practice or on Daniel. The next moment discouraged that however when Daniel's next attempt had Jason putting him on his back.

As they sparred, Jack's thoughts inevitably went to Stef. They had had their own sparring bouts a long time ago, though those had been normal hand-to-hand. They'd developed a strong bond back then. Stef had helped him and had done it in differing ways, some subtle, some overt. Yet all that time, there had never been an acknowledgment of attraction. Of course, back then, it had been because Jack's mind had been messed up... and because he'd been married.

Jack wondered how they would get along now--if there would be that same underlying current between them, especially in this Fantasy Island setting. He could speculate, of course, using past memory, but he'd been resisting the impulse to do that because his mind seemed to focus on moments when he'd seen Stef naked--and Stef had seen him. It hadn't been sexual; Stef simply didn't have a modest bone in his body, and Jack... well, he never did care about covering up after a shower. When he was home anyway.

How would his lovers take to Stef, and how would they take to having a Dom around? Fifteen years ago, Stef had been practicing, using his nature and abilities. Jack hadn't been unaware of Stef using them on him, helping him heal, and it had never had a sexual base, but now he had a feeling that that was about to change... especially since he'd revealed to Stef the new found spanking kink.

It was, perhaps, one of the reasons Jack both dreaded and looked forward to seeing his friend. Like his lovers, Stef was like a dog with a bone when he wanted to know something--only he went about the gnawing differently. He'd ask his questions; he'd observe. Whatever he'd divine from them, Jack still wasn't sure he wanted to know the answers. The man was a brilliant interpreter of human behavior. It's what made him an excellent Dom, Jack supposed, but it still made him nervous.

Stef loved exposing what people hid from themselves. He tended to reach in and yank out whatever lay hidden. Jack hoped that wasn't going to be the case where his lovers were concerned. He wasn't all that certain he wanted to know what lay hidden within himself, never mind his lovers. He had to know, however; Jack simply didn't want it to change anything.

Besides, what could there possibly be to expose?

Turning his thoughts from guesswork, Jack focused on the bout before him. It lasted for another five minutes before Daniel broke it off with a tagging slap on Jason's ass and dashed for the deck. He ran around behind Jack, gauging where Jason would go as the man jumped over the rail and onto the deck to stand just beyond Jack's feet.

Smirking at the gleam in Jason's eyes, Jack commented, "I think you two should just fuck and get it over with." Behind him, Daniel laughed and pushed at his head before coming around to stand next to Jason, leaning in for a sweaty kiss.

"So states Mister Voyeurism."

Jason laughed softly, hand traveling lazily to Daniel's ass for a squeeze. He could feel a bit of arousal, but it was as slow as the humidity. "Maybe later."

Daniel wrinkled his nose in a silly grin, agreeing.

A second later, they were startled by a deep bass horn sounding off in the distance. A distance, however, not from around the bend of the island but from just offshore.

Jack pushed out of the chaise before his lovers even moved. "Fuck. He's a day early."

"Good thing we cleaned up already," Daniel murmured as he and Jason quickly followed Jack to the front of the house and were forced to come to a dead stop beside him.

Shading his eyes for a better look, Jason let his mouth hang open, as did Daniel.

"Christ, that's a big boat," Daniel said quietly.

"And one hell of a big compensation tool if he were anyone other than who Jack says he is."

"What's that mean exactly?" Jack asked, frowning at him.

"Just what it sounds like, Jack. Guys who buy boats that cost more than the GNP of Paraguay tend to have huge insecurity issues and little dicks. Or they don't know how to fuck. Neither of which fits your description of Stef so I'm thinking that the other possibility is that this guy has a serious hard-on for living on the water, and judging by the size of that yacht, it's one hell of a hard-on."

Jack smiled. "Okay, yeah, Stef does like the water, as if this property didn't tell you that."

Jason tried not to look too smug at the triumph in goading his lover. "No, the property speaks of privacy, not the love of the water."

"That too, smart ass." Jack sighed as he looked the ship over. "Hundred footer, give or take five," and he shook his head at Stef's obvious accumulation of wealth, as if the property weren't enough. "Good thing I moved the goddamn plane up to the shoreline." He also realized that there, in the presence of the boat, was the reason why the dock was built so long. It'd been shorter fifteen years before but he hadn't figured it worth mentioning. It was one hell of an upgrade.

They got to the dock and walked toward the end before it cut off abruptly and stairs led to the beach. The yacht's bow reached them a moment later and as it moved further in, Daniel, Jack, and Jason walked with it, all three of them ready for the anchor lines to be thrown down.

Looking up to the top of the cockpit motor yacht, Jack caught the first glimpse of his friend behind the wheel and felt a sudden, and surprising, thrill surge through him. The next thought made him snort with amusement.

"What?" Daniel and Jason asked, flanking him.

"He's grown his hair out."

"You didn't know that?" Jason asked.

"No," Jack drawled with feigned annoyance. "We weren't exactly sharing photos over emails."

Daniel bit his lip and winked at Jason. "Jack's got a hippie boyfriend."

"Daniel--" Jack warned.

"He'll have beads and hookahs," Jason added, stepping closer to Daniel as they both crossed their arms and appeared to be 'in conference.'  "He's got weed stashed inside."

Daniel nodded in agreement. "Though it's probably old so he's undoubtedly brought fresh supplies. We should be careful though. The cops might be looking for him."

"Why do you say that?" Jason said, acting affronted. "He's Jack's boyfriend, he wouldn't be in any trouble with the law."

"Long hair, dope smoker, large yacht."

"Point," Jason conceded.

Jack stared at them, his mouth twisting sarcastically. "And just what will be your excuse, Jason, when your hair's down to your ass and you've got gramps' pipe sitting nearby?"

"That I need all the help I can get?" Jason answered.

Daniel snickered.

"You already do," Jack replied, eyeing Daniel, who was now laughing outright.

As Jack narrowed his eyes at him, Daniel swallowed the laugh. "What?" he asked innocently.

"I'm visualizing a old man groping about for his... glasses," Jack mocked around his grin.

"I'm visualizing that's the only thing I'd find hard in bed with you," Daniel shot back dryly.

"Where you're concerned. You might also remember that it takes two, sometimes three, for that."

"Last I checked, I only had two hands."

Jason's laughter received a cuff from Jack, which made it worse.

Above them, Stef disappeared from sight and a second later, reappeared on the exterior part of the flybridge behind the cockpit. Jack suddenly waved... as if Stef didn't belong there.

"'Scuse me, but you can't park this thing here! I believe the Carnival Cruise fleet is the next island over!"

Daniel and Jason hid their grins but Jack's grew broader in response to the bright smile from the tiny person high above them.

"I thought this place looked a little too small for the Operations office," Stef called down. "You don't mind if we take a breather here, do you?"

"Mi casa est su casa!"

"You're a peach!" Stef called back. "Think you can tie me down?" and he tossed down two lines.

Jack caught one, and yelled back, "Not without dinner and flowers first. I'm not that easy!"

"That's not what I heard!" Stef replied, and Jack grinned fiendishly.

"People have been killed for less, you know!"

"Ah, a man after my own heart!"

"It's not your heart I was thinking of!"

"It's not? I'm shocked!"

"You wanted to be tied down!" Jack called back.

"You have a point!" Stef answered, disappearing again.

Daniel grabbed the second line, biting his lip against his comments. A tall blond appeared halfway down the boat and threw down another line. Jason jogged over quickly to catch it and tied it securely to the mooring plate on the dock just as his lovers were doing.

Daniel couldn't see any ladders and was about to ask when Stef reappeared on the main deck and opened a section of the boat's wale, revealing a sophisticated ladder, more akin to a set of stairs than anything else, that unfolded to the dock. Hands on the railings, he backed down the ladder and jumped the last foot of free space to the deck to unfold the remaining section. With a kick of his foot, the ladder locked into place.

Jason noted with cautious attention that the blond who'd appeared before was now nowhere in sight. He wondered if he planned on coming down or if he was seeing to the rest of the ship's anchoring, and dismissed the questions he had when Stef started down the ladder. He quickly joined his lovers to greet the man.

Jack cocked his head, staring at his friend as Stef turned round to look at him. His previously short hair was shoulder length now and Jack noted with envy how it was highlighted by only a few silver streaks that ran through the sable color. Most of those streaks seamed to frame his handsome, tanned face. Smile lines around the eyes and corners of his mouth had increased, though it didn't really age him one bit.

Jack wasn't surprised by what he saw, though. His lithe, muscular body hadn't changed too much; from what Jack could tell under the burgundy cotton shirt and ivory-colored trousers, he seemed to have acquired more definition, witnessed by his bared forearms. Jack idly flipped back through his mental photo album, trying to remember if the man's forearms had ever been as tanned.

One thing he noticed right off as Stef walked toward them was that he was taking them in as a unit, viewing with that keen observational ability he owned. Jack couldn't help but wonder what it was he saw.

Clearing his throat, he caught the dark blue eyes smiling at him and held out his hand as Stef reached them. "I can't promise to tie you down," he said with a cheeky grin, "but we do have a few amenities that you can help yourself to."

Stef grinned and took Jack's hand in a firm grip. "It's good to see you, Jack," and smiling wider as he looked over Jack's face and eyes, he pulled him in for a warm, body-embracing hug. Stepping back, he added, "You haven't changed... much," and his free hand reached up to play at a few strands of silver hair.

Jack snorted. "Got old, that's all."

"Not that old," Stef corrected with mock-scolding, gesturing at his own face. "You're as handsome as ever."

Jack's Cheshire cat grin appeared. "Flattery will get you anything." He took a step back, quickly looking left and right at his lovers. "Stef, this is Daniel Jackson and Jason Coburn. My better halves. Daniel, Jason... Stefan MacIntosh."

They shook Stef's hand warmly and Jason pointed at the boat. "That's one hell of a ship you have there." He was beginning to feel a little out of sorts. The man was a few inches shorter than he was, yet his presence gave him greater height. Jason very rarely met people like that.

"Thanks," Stef replied, looking back at it for a second. "It's my boat."

"This place is amazing as well as a lifesaver," Daniel told him. "Thank you for letting us vacation here. We really needed it."

"So Jack was telling me over a month ago," Stef replied, indicating that they walk up to the house. "And you're quite welcome. You three certainly look rested so I'm pleased that I was able to do something for the old man here."

Jason coughed behind his hand and Jack gave him a look before saying, "You've lost your sense of humor. I'm terribly sorry. Used to be so sharp," and gifted Stef with a challenging look.

"Comes from talking to you for fifteen years."

Jack grinned his head off as he followed Stef through the kitchen entrance of the main house. His friend looked around and with a quick dart of his eyes at the bedroom doorway, asked, "You didn't move your things to the other bungalow, did you?"

"No, we just cleaned up. You said you were staying on the boat while we were here so..."

Stef nodded. "Good, good. And yes, I'm staying aboard that floating pleasure palace."

The nickname had Daniel, Jason and Jack exchanging quick glances.

"Something I said?" Stef asked, watching them.

"No, just a nickname we had to one of our missions," Jack explained casually. "A bit of a joke in that the place was the opposite, despite its nice appearance."

"Gotcha," Stef answered, although he didn't really. He could only guess they meant it was a shady op.

After a few more pleasantries, Jason and Daniel left Jack alone with Stef, staying in the kitchen, observing while the two men strolled through the house and out back.

Catching sight of them through one of the windows behind the dining room, Daniel folded his arms and sighed.

"What?" Jason asked.

"Jack was understating his friend's looks. That man is nice."

Jason nodded in agreement and turned away from the window to grab the pitcher of tea from the fridge. "Want some more?" he asked and when Daniel nodded, filled his glass, too. "Did you notice the way he looked at us?"

Daniel let out a brief snort. "Yeah, it wasn't hard to miss. Proprietary. Not surprising since this is his property."

"It looked more... responsible, as if he was looking at us the way Jack does when we're all in the field and he's in charge of the mission."

"Because we're his guests," Daniel figured.

"Likely."

Stef appeared in the kitchen doorway just then with Jack nowhere to be seen. Daniel and Jason immediately looked around and Jason took the few steps to the living room entrance.

Stef's pleasant expression hid nothing. "I haven't secreted him off anywhere. Jack's gone next door to grab something for me."

Despite liking this man, Daniel felt defensive and didn't like Jack being ordered anywhere, but at the same time, he knew he was overreacting. Jack trusted his long time friend and while Daniel had to make up his own mind about that, he trusted Jack and his instincts. Besides, fifteen years, even at a distance, should be long enough to get to know someone, especially since Jack had initially spent some time with his friend.

Jason's hand was on his shoulder, startling Daniel just a bit. When he looked over, he found Jason's expression was like his own; concerned.

"Have I just passed a test of some sort?" Stef asked, made curious by the lovers' silent exchange.

Daniel sighed as he crossed his arms. "You did. Or rather, we just did," and he gestured between himself and Jason. "So what's Jack doing for you?"

"You've undoubtedly seen the pharmaceutical supply in what Jack says you all refer to as the fetish room?"

They gave him a nod.

"My companion, Malcolm, suffers from periodic migraines. The stress of being seasick brought this one on, I'm afraid. Jack offered to grab a bottle of his medicine from the cabinet and bring it to him after I mentioned that I wanted to talk to you two."

"That explains the prescription meds I saw," Daniel mused.

"Yeah. Malcolm'll be okay. Whether it's a fortuitous sign or not, he wasn't all that ready to meet you anyway. He's kind of shy. He'll be staying aboard the Cassiopeia with me, as coming onto dry land will only make the seasickness worse after such a long spell on the water. I'm used to going back and forth, but he isn't. He usually stays at the villa."

"And where's that?" Daniel asked, a smile forming as he remembered his and Jason's tease about Stef being a dope smuggler.

"On Catalina Island," Stef thumbed in the general direction of the island to the west.

"He won't mind seeing Jack?"

"Yeah, he will, but because he's waiting for the pills, he'll wait before hiding in the bedroom with the lights off."

Jason pointed in the direction of the ship. "Don't you want to go be with him? Daniel gets migraines sometimes. He doesn't mind someone being with him as long as we're quiet."

"I'm afraid Malcolm minds. He has his own routine in dealing with his migraines. So I'll leave him alone for a few days."

"Days?" Daniel asked, alarmed.

Stef nodded worriedly. "The meds work, but once one comes on him, it comes back in smaller forms until it goes completely away. Usually takes a week. So, as I said, fortuitous because I've..." and he gave them a knowing smile, "got other things to do here. I've been looking forward to seeing Jack for a long time. And you two, as well. He talks a lot about you."

"He does, huh?" Daniel half-asked, and though he wasn't surprised, he was a little embarrassed. What the hell was there to talk about? He again pointed in the direction of the yacht, changing the subject. "You said the Cassiopeia. Why that name?" Knowing why Stef had chosen the name might help him the man's mind, or so he hoped. Having a private discussion with him still felt somewhat intimidating, despite the glowing report Jack had given about the man.

"I'm a fan of both Greek myth and irony, Daniel. I thought to name a yacht after the woman who dared to piss off the daughters of Poseidon and as a result, incurred his wrath."

Daniel nodded silently, thinking that he shared the same reason for liking the Cassiopeia character, though her myths hardly placed her in good favor.

"Were you expecting another reason?" Stef asked him as he moved over and leaned against one side of the kitchen's island, facing them.

Daniel shook his head, taking a deep breath. "I... have to admit that I'm a little wary of you. Though Jack's said nothing but good things about you, he hasn't actually said all that much, other than you're a Dom, and that you're good at reading people. Jack means well in having us talk to you, get to know you, but I don't really see the relevance in being read. No offense but we're not into your Lifestyle so I don't see the point in wasting your time."

Stef sighed, crossing his arms and ankles. Staring at the floor, he said, "I was afraid that might come across wrong," then looked up to meet their eyes.

Daniel and Jason grimaced, and Daniel spoke first in apology. "We meant no offense," Daniel said. "It's just that we're used to secrecy in our lives--and I don't mean classified information. Having someone around who is used to exposing secrets, I'm sure you can see how we might be a bit worried."

"I understand that," Stef said, relaxing a bit, "but being a reader of people isn't a matter of exposing secrets but finding out things the person being read isn't aware of, things that will help, not hinder. I'll tell you what I've observed so far, just on general view. You really needed this vacation. I can see the stress in your body language that has nothing to do with me and more to do with not wanting to leave. You could do with another month here, I think."

"Amen to that," Jason said and Daniel tended to agree.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is what good will you be able to do us that we haven't already done for ourselves? We don't..."

"Need a shrink?" Stef asked, grinning. "I understand that, Daniel. From what Jack's told me, the two of you aren't ignorant about psychological matters. You're very introspective, whereas Jack tends to just let things be. But you know that old axiom about doctors making the worst patients. You can see some things about yourselves and be oblivious to others. Having an outside point of view may simply make your future stresses less taxing. Internal understanding always sharpens the mind."

Jason gave him an appraising look. "We know you helped him get over the scars from Iraq, and we're glad that happened, but neither of us," and he gestured at himself and Daniel, "have that much we don't know about ourselves. I have a few questions, of course, but... I don't really consider them important."

Stef nodded, then said with an air of mystery, "Yet it's those that should be looked at. You both know, as well as I do, that it's the smaller details that often produce the more significant results."

Daniel's eyes widened. "In terms of science, yeah, you're right, but about ourselves?"

Jason nudged him. "He's right. Sand castles, Daniel."

Daniel thought about that and the realization hit home. "Yeah, he is."

"But where does that leave us, leave Jack? What else is there to help with?"

"Jack's mentioned a few leftover things, but nothing important. He attributes most of his healing to time and you two, especially Daniel, who saved him from suicide."

Daniel abruptly colored. He didn't blush that often but when he did... "I only showed him that destroying himself wasn't the answer. I never talked to him about it, I just said that it didn't seem like the right answer."

"And you saved his life. From what I hear, he said that he'd thought you were dead, till he saw you alive and well after that first mission, whatever it was."

Daniel suddenly wished he could tell Stef everything. The amount of insight he could share would probably be extremely useful. With a sigh of regret, he said, "Point is, I don't like to think that I did all that much, but I'm very glad I could help him."

"He said you had let him stay here," Jason carried on, "and didn't interfere with his own methods of dealing with his demons."

"It was hard not to, for obvious reasons," Stef said with a hint of impatience. "I let him be for the most part and drew him out of his shell when I felt he was withdrawing too much." Stef paused, his own wariness showing just then. "Did he tell you... that he observed me, both by myself and with my lovers?"

"Observed?" Jason asked. "Watched you mean?"

A gentle smile appeared on Stef's lips. "Yes, but observed is more appropriate. Watching, from my perspective anyway, means being included in whatever you're watching. Jack kept himself purposely apart. But from what he'd shared with me afterwards, it helped. Do you two think it did, after all these years?"

"I can't say. I have nothing to compare it to," Jason answered.

"To what are you referring?" Daniel asked. "Sex?"

Stef's smile broadened slightly. "Sex? Well... sort of. Giving pleasure and release. Over the time he was here, Jack observed The Scene. He seemed to enjoy what he saw. Well, enjoy in that it brought him satisfaction, healing some of the emotional wounds that that prison created in him. The physical ones were long since gone. Is he still having nightmares? He's said he hasn't been, but you know how he downplays things."

"He hasn't had any for quite a while," Daniel answered carefully.

Stef's pleased expression altered slightly around his eyes. "If I'm right, that's very likely your doing."

Bewildered for a moment, they both refused responsibility. "It's Jack's doing," Daniel said, shaking his head.

Stef disagreed with a little more firmness to his tone. "I'm pretty sure it was you. From our phone calls and emails, he's told me a lot about you. He brags, do you know that?"

They were dumbfounded. "He does?" the two men asked.

"He loves the two of you very much and places a lot of trust in you. Nightmares from trauma don't disappear that easily until the person feels secure in their surroundings."

"I understand that very well," Daniel said clearing his throat while it was Jason who chose to remain silent.

"Do you know what it means to him to have you two?"

Daniel nodded once. He got up then and went to grab his tea, taking a long swallow. He turned back and found Stef's eyes on him.

"It's a little daunting to have that responsibility, but I wouldn't change having it. I'm glad I was able to break through his defenses and help. I have a question now. Is Jack the reason you wanted to talk to us, because if you want to talk about him..."

Jason caught on and nodded quickly. "We'd rather he was here."

"No offense is intended. I am here for his sake because he's my friend and I don't use the term lightly. I wanted the chance to talk to you, to feel you out, if you'll pardon the expression. Jack said that if you wanted my help with anything personal, that I should do what I can... if anything."

Jack had told them that, too, but it still felt... strange, although they couldn't find anything wrong with talking to Stef.

"In what way would you help?" Jason asked, folding his arms.

"Self-knowledge, making yourselves and Jack happy."

"Self-knowledge?" Daniel asked. "At the risk of repeating myself, what could you tell us that we don't already know?"

"If you like, I can read for you, let you decide if whatever I see helps or not. In the end, it's just a little extra knowledge and that never hurt. Even if it's just simple sexual tools to enhance your relationship."

Jason snorted. "Do you think we need help there?"

Stef gave him a stern look. "No, I don't. What I meant was enhancement. Something that's fun to know but wouldn't change the nature of your relationship as it is."

"Stef, what're you up to?" Jack asked from the door, taking in the silence.

"What you surmised he'd be up to," Daniel said, looking at Jack over the rim of his glass. Inside, he felt both anticipation and fear, but he didn't have a clue where the fear was coming from.

Jack leaned against the counter, shoving his hands in the front pockets of his shorts. "Don't waste much time, do you?" he quipped, giving Stef a curious look.

Stef shrugged. "Strike while the iron is hot and all that."

"We have more than a few days, Stef."

"It may take that long for your lovers to trust me."

"Maybe not," Jason said as he brought his eyes back to Stef's, his intense gaze forcing the man to look at him. He was very curious in what this man could possibly divine that he hadn't. "I'm interested. When?"

"Jason?" Jack asked, admittedly surprised, though he should have known since Jason was more introspective than he or Daniel.

"I'm interested in what he could possibly intuit, Jack. Stef?"

"I'd like to invite you all for lunch, so after that?"

Jason agreed with a nod. "And the... talk would happen where?"

"I'd suggest the guest bungalow, but the location is up to you," Stef answered diplomatically.

Daniel stared into his tea before looking into Stef's eyes. "How long will it take?"

"That will be up to you," Stef said, then offered, "It depends on what I may or may not be able to help you with, if you should need it, that is. Sometimes it takes a few hours, sometimes a few days."

Daniel swallowed, and with just the briefest glances at his lovers, said, "Jason, you want to go first, or shall I?"

Jason nodded. "I'll go first."

Stef sighed, a little disappointed at Jason's and Daniel's attitudes although he wasn't surprised by them. Facing your own secrets was more than a little intimidating. Giving Jack his full attention, he said, "Looks like you're last, laddiebuck."

"Save the best for--" Jack started in his mimicry of an Irish accent and Daniel's hand shot out over his mouth.

"Jack..."

Jack grabbed his hand. "It's not that bad."

.

On their way through the salon to the dining area, with his lovers' eyes wide and appreciatively looking around, Jack slipped an arm around Jason's waist and pressed in behind him. "You ready for him?" he asked, knowing Jason knew what he meant.

Jason squeezed his arm about him. "I think I can handle whatever he can throw at me."

"You're curious, aren't you?" Jack pushed.

Jason looked over his shoulder, eyes not fixed on anything. "Yes." He turned then, eyes fixed on Jack's with a hard intensity. "If it should lead to... doing something more than talking, how would you feel about that?" Daniel was suddenly behind him, chin resting on his shoulder. "You, too."

Daniel kissed his jaw. "If it goes there, Jason, I'm okay with it because it's something you want. But you knew that."

"I had to ask."

"I know."

"Jack?"

"It's fine with me," Jack told him quietly. "Does that go for me, as well?"

"Not necessary to ask, Jack," Jason replied.

"If I'm fine with Jason, I'm fine with you," Daniel told him with mild annoyance. "Why wouldn't it be the same?"

"Just asking, Daniel."

"Ah huh, well then, as Juliet said to Romeo, I gave thee mine before thou didst request it."

Jason sniggered at the grimace on Jack's face. "You know you liked it," he said, grabbing Jack around the neck with one arm and kissing him quickly, still laughing at his lover's usual dislike of romantic quotes. If they'd been in bed, Jack wouldn't have had a problem.

Jack pushed Jason fondly away from him. "Yeah, but Juliet? You know what happened between those two."

"Yeah, but it's a great line, Jack."

Jack conceded that with a grumble.

"Sorry to interrupt," Stef said, walking in from the galley, "but would..." He paused and took in Jack's expression. "Is everything okay?"

"It's fine, Stef. Just my guys giving me a hard time."

Stef's lips quirked with the hint of a smile. "Are you giving him a hard time?"

"As often as I possibly can, Stef," Daniel answered.

Stef winked at Jack, then asked, "Instead of having all of you wait, would you like to help with lunch?"

"Sure," Jack offered, echoed by his lovers.

As Jason and Daniel spent more time with the man, watching and listening as he joked and traded stories with Jack, they gauged the quiet tenor of his voice, his handsome appearance, and the general pleasing demeanor of his character. In the end, they decided that they trusted him a lot more than they had only a few hours earlier. Anything more would have to be played by ear.

With lunch finished, Stef served a special cognac in the salon. Arranged on two long sofas, Daniel and Jason sat on one, Jack and Stef on the other.

"I know you're worried about to talking to me," Stef said, bluntly getting to the subject on everyone's mind.

"I don't have a problem talking to you, Stef," Jason told him. "It's just that I'm not sure what exactly to talk to you about. I have my own issues, sure, and even though I agree that small issues tend to solve large problems, I'm not sure the ones I have are worth talking about. I'd like to know a few things, so talking with you won't hurt."

"Daniel?" Stef asked.

"I agree with Jason. Learning is never a waste of time."

After a moment's hesitation, Stef said to all three of them, "What I've noticed so far is that there seems to be a bit of discomfort about dominance and submission, and they've become issues. Jack's already confirmed this, but does anyone want to talk about that now?"

Jack glanced at his lovers. "Maybe it would be better to talk to us individually first, then we can talk about it as a whole."

"Why?" Daniel asked.

"Because I think there're things Stef might say to us singly that he wouldn't want to say openly just yet."

"Jack!" Daniel scowled. "What difference does that make? I've nothing to hide from you and Jason."

"I think you might find some subjects easier to talk about in private, Daniel."

"Such as?" Daniel asked just a little louder. He didn't like the idea of hiding. Jack had been right about not wanting to hide their physical relations but now Daniel didn't want to hide the emotional. It bothered him that it was necessary. What could there be to hide? They knew everything. Well, a lot, anyway. There was nothing he'd keep back though.

Jason touched his knee at that moment, a sign for Daniel to calm down and it confused him. Was he upset? Daniel took a deep breath and looked at him, seeing the worry. "I'm fine," he answered automatically, his hand going over Jason's. Then Jason leaned over and whispered in his ear. "Jack's talking about Hathor, Daniel."

Daniel suddenly colored, cheeks going flame red. "Oh." He grimaced, hating that her name had come up. "Okay, I admit there's some things I rather not discuss," he said, looking across at Stef, then said to Jack, "but it doesn't mean I won't if they're necessary. That post-trauma is under control, Jack. I know it won't ever go away, but I've got it handled."

Jack gave him an acquiescent nod. "I'm just sayin'."

"I know. It's appreciated."

Stef knew right then and there that whatever had happened wasn't being handled. It was being repressed. It wasn't his responsibility, however, to discuss whatever it was, nor did he plan to just yet. Not until after his first talk with Daniel; that way he could gauge the emotional temperature--so to speak. Whatever it was, he felt this deep need to ease whatever pain Daniel was shielding himself from.

Right now, Daniel's private issue included, what Stef could see were issues of control and levels of submission that had little to do with overt D/S, but it was there. He wanted to help them all, though Jack had been right. They could certainly be happy enough in their lives without getting, as Jack called it, their heads shrunk.

"In deference to Daniel's curiosity, I'll tell you what I've observed so far--and it'll probably sound stupid in that the answers are already known. What I'm doing is kind of reconfirming them. So... here we go. None of you, Jack included, have any desire to participate in the Lifestyle, but each of you have your own levels of power exchange that you may or may not wish to explore further. I'll explain what I mean later. One more thing. Whether you acknowledge it or not, the three of you already live a very mild version of the D/S Lifestyle."

Daniel laughed. "That could apply to just about everyone, Stef. We all have our power exchanges."

"Yes, but the difference is in acknowledging and acting on them. It might be more appropriate for you three to use the biological terms of alpha and beta, rather than the D/S terms Dom and Sub, but both are interchangeable in my experience."

Jason's smile was sardonic. They all knew, but they didn't know. "Daniel would be considered our Dom, wouldn't he?"

Daniel stared at him, startled. "I don't want to be a Dom," he refuted.

Jason shook his head. "You're a subtle one anyway, Daniel. That puts Jack and I as Subs, though I have trouble swallowing that, even with the spanking."

Jack grinned at him, but furrowed his brow in concentration as he thought of the information he'd recently learned about the spanking subject. "I agree. I don't feel that my attraction to spanking is a submissive quality, but it might be." He shrugged and looked at Stef, who smiled back.

"Do you want to talk about that now, or wait till later?"

Jack gave his lovers an apologetic look. "Is later okay with you?"

"Why are you asking us?" Daniel asked, confused.

"Because you're his lovers and he respects your opinions," Stef clarified, slightly chiding. "Or aren't either of you aware of that?"

Daniel flinched. "I'm aware, but it's that I'm too used to making sure what we do is independent of each other so we don't get bogged down on what the others think. Hasn't turned out that way, but it doesn't keep me from trying. Overcompensating for the triad relationship, I guess."

"You love them, Daniel, that's all."

"I know."

"He's as stubborn as Jack is," Jason had to comment.

"And you're not?" Daniel asked, brows going up. "You're also as overprotective."

"No comment," Jason replied, getting a gentle laugh from his lovers concerning recent events with Alex.

"From what I've learned over the years," Stef went on, "Jack's ability to communicate is definitely due to you two, though mostly, it's Daniel. He's more open than he used to be, though he still gets quite stubborn about things."

"I do," Jack grinned, "and specifically, let's change the subject to something trivial, shall we? For instance, where you got some of those porn movies..."

.

On the way back to the main bungalow, Jack asked, "Are you guys going to be okay with talking to him?"

"I'm starting to trust him, Jack," Jason said simply.

"Daniel?"

"I'm... getting there."

"Listen, I know you have to make up your own mind, but trust me?"

"That's not a problem, Jack."

.

Stef left Jason waiting inside the fetish room while he went to fetch a pitcher of ice water and a couple of glasses. Jason looked around idly, staring at the obvious sexual nature of the room, even though most of the items he knew had very little to do with sex itself. It was more that sex was just another tool of release, the other tools the methods in getting there.

With a sigh, he turned to the doll, looking at it more closely, though with nothing like Daniel's interest. Turning away to make a circuit of the room, examining the other pieces of furniture with the same half-hearted interest, Jason suddenly found himself standing before the sling in the far corner of the room. While in a corner, it was hardly a small space. Suspended from the ceiling, the chains were strong, well-anchored, with a set around two pulleys that Jason figured were designed to adjust height.

Above were additional chains and small restraints, meant for wrists and ankles. This was another form of bondage, Jason knew, but one he'd never tried. It did give him a strange, bewildered thrill looking at it, trying to picture himself lying on the criss-cross leather straps that made up the sling body itself. His legs and arms tingled, and his balls tightened a little as he thought of being held here, hanging in mid-air, being fucked, and fucked again, rendering him senseless. He suddenly wished Jack and Daniel were there. With them, he'd try this, although with Stef...

Jason did have to admit that if anything sexual happened between him and Stef, he certainly wouldn't object, it was just that other than surrendering to lust, he wasn't sure what the point would be. The only thing he expected to happen was that Jack's enigmatic friend would sit, listen, and observe, then dole out some wisdom designed to make his life with his lovers better.

Throughout lunch, Jason had discerned just how intelligent, insightful and intuitive the man was. It made him all the more alluring and made Jason all the more nervous because he had no clue how to read the man in return. It put him on his guard as a result and Jason couldn't relax, despite Stef's calm and reassuring tone. He figured that Stef spoke that way on purpose, unless the man did it by habit, which was entirely possible.

Jason reached out and passed his hand over the cold metal links of one chain when Stef's voice made him jump.

"Does that interest you?" Stef asked as he set the tray of water down on a small table by the window.

"A little, I have to admit."

Jason's nervousness increased as Stef closed and locked the door, drew the blinds closed, then moved to a panel next to the chiffonier. "I plan on enlarging this room. Adding some medical items, and I don't mean treatment for injuries. That's prohibited in my Scenes."

"So the medical items are?" Jason asked.

Stef opened the panel and flicked some switches. Power hummed softly and the air began to circulate. It was slightly cool, but that was okay. "A bed with thigh and feet stirrups. Medical tools. I'm sure you've heard of that kink."

"I have," Jason nodded as the next flick of a switch brought a change in lighting. The harsh overheads were switched off and a dozen recessed lights came on instead, reflecting their golden hue throughout the room. Jason hadn't realized it but now recognized that he'd expected the stereotypical red lights to come on. He was thankful that there weren't any.

Next came the filtering of instrumental music. It held a familiar drum beat and the music played as if the voice tracks had been removed. Jason recognized the tune and smirked as he sat on the edge of the cross table, folding his arms.

"Secret. Nice touch."

"Thanks. It has a nicely erotic drum beat that's also relaxing. Is that where you want to sit?"

Jason hadn't paid attention but he'd sat down on the cross table. He stood, waving absently at it. "Sorry."

"Don't be. Jack said that this room makes you nervous as well as aroused."

"Yeah, I'm not used to that so it only makes it worse. That is, not knowing exactly why I'm nervous, but it might be the chains."

"Jack agrees with you. The chains bother him, and understandably so, and likely the reason why none of you explored what's in here, like that table you were sitting on."

"Right," Jason said, wishing to move on. "So, where should I sit?"

"There's a more comfortable place," Stef said, stepping over between the chiffonier and the recessed alcove that held the manacles on the wall. He slid his fingers behind the tall dresser and Jason heard a click. The alcove wall moved slightly and Stef pushed against it, revealing that the alcove's 'wall' was in fact a 'door' to a small room.

Jason took a step, looking inside without actually going into the room. Stef was watching his reaction with a small flicker of amusement and Jason asked, annoyingly, "Your real name isn't Montresor is it?"

Stef grinned gently. "Nothing will hurt you here unless you want it to, Jason. There's also a release mechanism on the inside of the room."

Jason cringed. "I really am wound up, aren't I?"

Stef's hand came up, resting on his shoulder. "It's normal."

Swallowing, Jason nodded and took another step toward the room to get a better look. There was a long padded table against the back wall, like a massage table. Before it were two overstuffed chairs facing each other. That was all that occupied the room.

"A relaxation room?" he asked.

"Mostly. It's designed to make the person feel free to talk about anything they like." Stef walked away and retrieved the tray of ice water. Entering the room, he set it down on the massage table, but instead of sitting down he gestured Jason inside, then closed the door.

They were now enclosed in this small room and Jason felt a strange tension fill him that surprised him because it wasn't unpleasant. It was then that he realized that the walls were painted a pastel mauve color and combined with the golden recessed lighting, they room glowed slightly orange. It made him... hungry? He wasn't sure.

"Why the massage table?" he asked, turning just as Stef sat down.

"Sometimes a massage will work out a few knots of tension more than face to face talking."

"And the reason we're in here instead of the living room?"

"The living room is too large, too open. Not as intimate. It has too much a feeling of exposure."

Jason suddenly thought of the conversations he and his lovers had had with Alex. It made sense. With four people, the setting had been intimate, but with just two people... exposure was the word. Which might be exactly what a person wanted, but not for the sort of talking Stef had in mind. "Understood."

"Sit, please," Stef asked softly and gestured at the chair in front of him.

Jason swallowed, hesitated, then sat down, leaning forward on his knees. "Um, how do you want to start this?"

"Does this room make you nervous, too?"

Jason hated to admit it. "A little."

"We can leave," Stef offered, though he didn't move.

"No, it's okay. It's just... despite the furniture, it feels too closed-off. But then it's probably... nevermind, it's silly."

Stef nodded, eased out of his chair and went to another panel in the wall. Flicking a switch, a square in the center of the ceiling slid back and revealed a skylight. It brightened the room and altered the mood of the lighting. "How's that?" he asked.

Jason felt the muscles in his neck relax. "Better. That was pretty damn good. How'd you guess?" he had to ask.

"You aren't hiding yourself, like I think you can. You want to relax but something else is keeping you from doing that. You're acting like a person caught who doesn't want to be. Something a little close to claustrophobic."

Jason felt a little annoyed that Stef had zeroed in on it so fast. It might have taken himself a while to figure that out. "I haven't experienced claustrophobia that often."

"It's the unfamiliarity, I think. But I also think it's me. You don't know what to expect and you don't like that."

Jason gave a nod of acceptance. "Jack and I are both like that."

"Except this is you and me. Jack knows me, so he won't be as nervous. You and I can move to the living room or the bedroom, if you prefer."

"I'm okay," Jason said, shifting more comfortably, though he kept his arms on his knees.

"Does this dual sense of privacy and openness make you more relaxed then?"

"Yeah, it does. As you guessed, I don't like being closed in."

"Do you know why?"

"One pretty bad situation a while back has me leery of rooms without windows. I've gone through similar before. They add up. Although I work underground, that place is familiar. There's no threat there. This place..."

"Isn't a threat, but it's also not familiar. Trust hasn't been established with it as a place to feel secure."

"Exactly."

"Close your eyes, tell me how you feel."

Jason eyed Stef for a second, then did as requested. After a few long seconds, he said, "Relaxed, aroused a bit." He opened his eyes. "Though I think that's more you than the room."

"Thank you," Stef said, taken with the compliment. He pointed at the door, referring to the fetish room beyond. "And how did that room make you feel just before?"

Jason thought about it. "I don't really have a clue why that room both scares me and makes me hard, but Jack and I keep coming back to the chains as the reason for the negative reaction. We've both been at the wrong end of those."

"Yet you can take bondage with no problem."

Jason shook his head. "You know as well as I that the setting is the difference there."

"So it would be for chains, as well."

Jason considered that, then shrugged. "If you say so. I like the idea of that sling, but the chains..."

"Wouldn't bother you after you were in the sling. It's quite a different outlook."

"Have you used it?"

"Yes, but not often. Would you like to?"

Jason fidgeted. "I... don't know. Maybe if Daniel and Jack were here. You..." Jason cleared his throat. "I don't have any problems imagining myself fucking you or getting fucked by you, but..."

"Using something else," Stef finished for him.

"I think so," Jason answered, squashing down the guilt.

"It's not a bad thing."

"I wish you would quit doing that," Jason told him, a smile of annoyance twitching the corner of his lips upward.

"I hate to remind you, but that's why I'm with you right now." Jason's grumble made Stef smile. He contemplated the man for a moment, then asked, "Why don't you tell me about your relationship with Daniel and Jack. Start with a very brief bio of yourself. I don't need details. If I do, I'll ask, okay?"

"And the point of the history lesson would be?"

"To see if there's anything I can help you with, no matter what it is."

"I can think of one thing right off."

"Why don't you start with the history first, then we'll get to that."

Shrugging again, Jason started. He went through a brief family bio, then his meeting Daniel. He started to skip over his feelings, reciting as if dictating a chronological list, but Stef kept interrupting, asking about how he felt about this or that, including his time as a P.O.W. Jason had to be careful about what he spoke about, so it was a little frustrating for Stef not to know the details of their life. But it didn't stop him from asking for detailed feelings concerning Daniel or Jack.

When he came to the arrival on the island, Stef asked for more details on everything they did since arriving. Jason paused at the part about wrist-to-ankle restraints, wondering why Stef hadn't stopped him himself.

"What?" Stef asked.

"You don't want to talk about that?"

"We will. Please continue."

Annoyed, Jason continued, describing everything without getting into graphic detail. Stef preferred emotional feeling to physical detail anyway; or so it seemed.

When Jason was finally finished, Stef got up and refilled their glasses. Handing Jason his glass, he sat back down, but this time on the edge of his chair. "We don't need to talk about the wrist-ankle restraints, Jason. I think you already know why you fear them."

"Sort of. I have an idea, but it doesn't make sense why I like bondage at all if I don't like one version of it."

"You haven't figured it out?" Stef asked, surprised. He was, too, considering Jason's educational training.

"Not... really," Jason said, embarrassed, frowning that he couldn't nail it down. He hated being blindsided by his own mind. "I haven't examined it long enough. I think it's because I won't like the answer. I really do like bondage during sex. The idea of it is enough to get me hard. Makes sex hotter for me." He cleared his throat and shifted a little, making Stef grin.

"Apparently so." When Jason didn't appear to calm down any, he changed tactic slightly. "We're our own worst patients, you know. I have a fear of being hung upside down, yet I practice it on someone else. I can also fly a plane and turn it over without any problem."

Jason started to see what he was getting at but waited for Stef to continue in case he'd gotten it wrong.

"Point is, Jason. Your fear is just what you thought. The P.O.W. camp and being hog-tied. The reason you like most forms of bondage is that they're not restrictive."

"I'm sorry?" Jason frowned.

"You know what bondage is about, Jason. It's freeing most of the time. Some forms are less so, and the wrist-ankle restraints are the most confining of that type. Others, it's not about the restraint because you can get out of them if you have to. Your training has given you the painful ability to be able to dislocate your joints, yes?"

"Yeah," Jason drawled, finally seeing where he was going. "Except that would be exceedingly difficult to do with wrist-ankle, even on a bed, because of the angle."

"Yes, exactly. It's not impossible, but very difficult to do. Usually with another type of restraint, you can free one wrist, then free the other. In wrist-ankle, it's a little harder to get to your other wrist, even if you suspend your ankle over you. That only increases the hatred of the hog-tied position and reminds you of the P.O.W. experience. Because of that, it's unlikely that you'll ever get over your distaste for those particular restraints. You may, some day, but there's no way I'm going to suggest testing my theory. I'll leave that between you and your lovers when you're ready."

Stef paused with the sort of heaviness that told Jason he wanted to say more. Rubbing his palms on his legs, Jason wanted to get up and walk, feeling antsy and restless. He was already trusting Stef after that bit of help so he had no clue where the restlessness was coming from. Perhaps he was waiting for the other shoe to drop. There was always something else. People were always complicated, including himself.

"Jason, there is something else, but I'm wondering, if I say it, it might destroy the rapport we've established here."

Jason looked up from the absent-minded twisting of his pinkie ring. "Screw that. It can't happen now. Tell me."

"Okay. It's your insecurity."

Jason gave him a long look. "Easy to spot, is it?" he asked sarcastically, annoyed but not surprised that Stef had seen it, especially since he wasn't trying to close himself off. What would have been the point, anyway?

"Not really, but you've given it away as you talked about Daniel and Jack, and most especially, Alex. You need to be careful, Jason."

"Why?"

"Because when you told me about their presumed death and your subsequent reunion, I could see the fear that's still there. What I'm getting at is that you're still very afraid they'll die for real, and given your occupation, it's not an unrealistic fear, but your solution to that fear is."

"Solution?"

"It's subconscious. I can see you risking your life more than necessary just so you won't have to face that pain again. You'd rather die than lose them again."

Jason covered his eyes and shook his head, but at himself, not Stef. The man was right. He could very well go that way. "I haven't tried to do that, Stef. I can't leave them."

"Because you don't want to hurt them, so you won't. But even so, the subconscious need to protect yourself is there. Do me two favors?"

"What?" Jason asked, suddenly scared, feeling the tears that were there, unshed, glistening behind his lids.

Stef leaned forward and cupped his face in his hands, giving him a fond look. "The first is to promise yourself that you won't do anything to hasten your own death because of your insecurity."

Jason nodded and took a deep breath, blinking back the water. "I promise. And the second?"

"Don't tell them."

Jason frowned. "What?"

"What good will it do to tell them?"

"I don't lie to them, Stef," but Jason suddenly remembered his fib about Alex. "Well, mostly."

"Jason, you know as well as I that complete honesty is not only stupid but damaging. There are some things lovers don't need to know. This is one of them."

"I still don't like it," Jason sighed.

"I know. To prove it to yourself that it's not a good idea to say anything, answer yourself this: What will Daniel do when you tell him that you're considering killing yourself before he has the chance to die on you again?"

Jason scowled. "I'd never say that!"

"No, you wouldn't, but Daniel's extremely protective, more so than Jack, and he'll interpret it that way, won't he?"

Jason squeezed his eyes shut. "He would. Is he that easy to read?"

"No, he's definitely the most enigmatic of the three of you but there are things I can read that he makes no attempt to hide." Jason opened his eyes then, staring at Stef. "I see how he feels in the way he looks at you, in the way he stands near you. Body language, Jason. Reverse the situation and you'll see my point. If you tell him, Daniel will take it as failing you."

Jason frowned deeply, thinking it over. Stef was right. Daniel would. With a sign of resignation, he accepted Stef's suggestion. "I don't like it, but you're right. I won't tell them."

"Good," Stef replied softly. "Now, c'mere, I think you could use this," and he pulled Jason into a hug, rubbing his back, soothing for the longest time until Jason no longer felt the fear, until the emotion had been blunted.

Moving back, Stef cupped his face. "Feel any better?"

"A little," and he cracked a grin. "Nice job, Stef."

"Thanks. It is my job, one I set myself for my friends, which I consider you to be. Now..." and he moved his hands to the top of Jason's knees, thumbs rubbing lightly. "Is there anything else I could help with?"

Jason searched his mind and suddenly hit upon it. A tiny smile threatened the corner of his mouth and he could see Stef's body relax.

"What?"

"I was wondering... Spanking. I want to know how to do it, if there's a good way and a bad way. I don't want to screw it up. I can guess what needs to be done. All Daniel did before was use his hand on Jack's ass, but if Jack ever wants a paddle or something else, I'd like to know the basics in... well, the strength of the hits, where to apply them, what other things would add to his pleasure and... does any of this sound stupid?"

Stef smiled, shook his head and then surprised Jason by kissing him quickly.

Filled with a sudden high arousal that shocked him more than the surprise had, Jason asked, "What was that for?"

"For asking. A lot of people don't."

.

Stef tried to give Jason a stern look, but his mouth kept quivering at the edge of a smile, which only made things worse. "Jason, this is for demonstration purposes, so please, could you try not to laugh?"

Jason cleared his throat and bit his lips but Stef had that doll--the one from the closet portion of the chiffonier--over his lap and it was too funny. "Sorry."

"As I was trying to say, spanking is best done methodically and rhythmically." He started to spank the doll again. "Are you listening?"

"Yes," Jason replied, taking a deeper breath and trying very damned hard not to laugh because Stef was trying to be so serious.

"Keep a steady but--"

Stef stopped. This was not going to work. "Jason, you're going to take the doll's place so get over here."

Jason's eyes widened and he lost his urge to laugh. "What?"

"Do you want to learn or not?" Stef goaded, knowing that was the right lure. Stef set the doll on the floor and straddled one arm of the chair, with one foot on the floor and the other braced on the seat. "Over my lap."

Jason's urge to laugh started to reassert itself. "You're not serious are... you?" He could see that Stef was. Rubbing his ass beforehand, he took a large drink from his glass, set it on the tray next to the pitcher and returned to Stef. "Which side do you want me to face?"

"It doesn't matter, but for comfort's sake, bend over my legs with your head toward the seat."

Jason did so, hesitantly grabbing the back of the chair and the other arm, his feet planted squarely.

"Ready?"

"Yeah. If I get hard from this, I guess that'll tell me something won't it?" Jason commented dryly, then a slap came down on his right cheek, making him jump. Warmth spread everywhere, including the cheeks on his face.

"Now, where was I?" Stef said absently, thinking as he rubbed the muscle through Jason's shorts. "Oh, right. Keep a steady but not too intense pace and do not use too much force." He slapped again. "It is the quantity of slaps doing the trick, not so much the impact and force. You're not going to wale on him. Now, the lower part of his ass," and he slapped there, "close to the legs, is more sensitive and so are the rounder sides of his ass. Stay away from the tailbone and any region above that but the thighs and the backs of his upper legs are good."

Stef proceeded to slap him firmly, giving him the right idea.

He stopped, paused, forming a strange yet seductive smile. "One more area of interest in spanking is here." He rubbed between Jason's cheeks, right over his anus, and Jason inhaled sharply. "Softly spanking the anal area with two or three fingers and you'll see something very different in his reactions." With a smile, he added, "Do you want me to show you?"

Jason let out an incredulous laugh. "You're not serious?"

Stef was hoping for that reaction. "I am."

Jason swallowed. Hard. "Do it then," and he dropped his head down, his breath quickening. Stef pulled down his shorts, spread his cheeks, and tapped his hole. Jason couldn't help the groan escaping from his throat.

"I think you've a new kink, Jason," he said quietly, rubbing and caressing the full muscles of his cheeks. "Tied face down on a bed, with a soft set of lashes hitting your ass before Jack or Daniel fucks you. You'll like that, I think."

"Damn you, Stef," he groaned, pushing off his lap and bringing his shorts up in the process.

Standing as well, Stef grinned cheekily as he picked up the doll and took it back to the chiffonier.

"Thank for the spanking lesson," Jason called out as he walked over to refill his glass and drank it down. Turning, he walked out to join the man in the fetish room so he wouldn't have to yell. "I can pass the information on to Daniel."

"You can do that," Stef said, closing the dresser's doors and facing him, "but with it, I'll give you a book I have in the library. That will get you to understand the physical basics. You can ignore the rest because I agree with you. The emotional and psychological needs where Jack is concerned don't apply to the regular art form for spanking purists and non-purists. This form of spanking has little to do with punishment and very much to do with foreplay. Jack's never been into blaming himself for much of anything, except Charlie, and this is not something he'd develop in reaction to that. You're very astute when it comes to your lover's mind, Jason."

Jason felt his cheeks warm at the compliment. "Thanks. I try very much to understand him. He and I are a lot alike in some respects, mostly where the military is concerned."

"I find it odd, however, that you're not more the Alpha than he is when you're at home," Stef confided, giving Jason an appreciative once over. "Generally men in Jack's position, a Colonel in the Air Force and in charge of dangerous missions, are part-time Subs, wanting to have that power and responsibility taken from them from time to time without it having to hurt someone in the process. It's a great release valve. It's very likely that's how this spanking attraction evolved."

Jason swallowed again, nodding in agreement. "He's beginning to be that way with Daniel, but he's more into finding the equality of a situation, more interested in finding peace, fulfilling pleasure. He sets his own worries aside that way, although he doesn't seem to be able to let go of his protective nature. Even when Daniel's in charge," Jason added with quotation gestures, "he'll always be so protective. Jack's pretty much an enigma."

"So are you."

"Me?" he said, taking a step back and ran into the mechanical version of the doll behind him.

"All three of you, actually," Stef replied, laughing a little as he reached out and rubbed Jason's arm. "I know what you do is highly classified so I won't press, but how do you let off the steam inside the pressure-cooker you work in?"

Jason shrugged. "Sex, cuddling, arguing, eating, building, TV, exercise... life, basically. We have to live it, pretty much, is what I'm saying, or we'd self-destruct very fast."

"Is that why the two of you, Jack especially, have taken the risk in committing to your relationship regardless of the risks involved?"

"We take risks almost every day. Life-threatening ones. Facing charges at home if we're discovered is miniscule."

"Prison isn't miniscule."

"Neither is a life on the run, but I'd rather have that than live timid and miserable and at the whim of a bunch of homophobic lawmakers."

"Is that one of the reasons you're retiring?"

Jason's brow line went up. "One of them. The other is because of dreams I've had. Sort of a genetic thing. My grandfather has them. So do I. I've a question."

"Another one?" Stef teased.

"I've read up on submission and there's something I was wondering."

"Other than your fear that you are a submissive, you mean?" Stef teased again.

Jason made a growling sound and pushed at the man's shoulder. Stef caught his wrist quickly, surprising him, and pulled, bringing Jason close to his body. "Sorry. Ask your question."

"You're not that sorry," Jason jokingly chided, looking down into his eyes, finding it once again strange. Stef still seemed so much taller.

Stef only smiled up at him, and still, he didn't let him go. "Ask."

"I read that shaving your partner is considered a D/S act."

"It's part of it but it's not strictly D/S. Why?"

"I was reading how it's an act of trust when having something sharp placed against your skin."

"Yes," Stef agreed, waiting.

"I've a fetish for blade play."

Stef was pleasantly surprised. This he didn't know. "You left that out."

"I did, didn't I? Sorry about that."

"S'okay."

"What I want to know is, is the psychology the same, regardless of the implement? Blades, as in the feel of sharp, cold steel?"

"You're looking at your other fetishes and trying to see if they all point to D/S, too?"

Jason made a face and nodded. "Yeah, I am. I'm sorry if this is insulting you but--"

"It's not. Being submissive is an identity change, Jason, not a kink to explore."

"Is it?"

"It is."

"Oh."

"I'd say your blade fetish might be interpreted that way but you'll have to act it out to find out for certain."

"I kind of thought so."

Stef took in the disappointment and allowed himself to experience a measure of excitement. "You know, it's been a while since I've done that. Would you mind an experiment?"

Jason felt his entire body grow warm. "No. What's on your mind?"

"One, my own kink in blade play, and two, exploring your feelings as we go."

"What would signal the clear submission?"

"Would it be okay if we do this and talk at the same time?"

"Sure, I guess." Jason didn't have a problem with that if it gave him answers.

Stef paused, took a deep breath to quell his own interest, and said, "Jason, we don't have to do this. I can simply ask you direct questions and your answers will tell you what you need to know."

"Ask me," Jason answered, disappointed. "I wouldn't mind, though. The experiment, I mean."

Stef nodded, grinning. "I was hoping you'd say that. As I said, I haven't played in a while, and doing this as well as discovering something about yourself is a high for me. So, let's take off your shirt. You'll need your skin exposed," and he placed his hands on the bottom edge of Jason's shirt.

"Let me," Jason said, covering Stef's hands.

"Go ahead," and Stef started to let go, but Jason held them, then moved his own hands to Stef's shirt buttons, slowly opening.

"Return the favor?" Jason asked as he started to take his shirt off.

Stef paused and a wide, sexually alluring smile spread over his face as he stepped back and unbuttoned his own shirt. Jason frowned in confusion as he didn't miss a beat and pulled off his shirt, leaving his shorts on. If Stef wasn't stripping down, why should he?

"What's with the smile?" he asked.

"You've no idea the significance of what you've just said to me."

"I'm sorry?"

"You asked me to return the favor, Jason. A gesture of equality. Do you know what that means?"

Jason was distracted for a moment by the tanned chest and the way the shirt opened seductively. It reminded him of Alex's first night with him. Jason shook his head to knock the cobwebs loose. "Sorry, but..."

"Am I distracting you?" Stef asked, walking back up to him with a sly grin.

"You might say that."

"It might help if you kept your eyes on mine," he ribbed.

Jason smirked at him. "Yes, well, considering you're worth looking at..." and he cleared his throat. "Now, explain what you're talking about?"

"You're no more a Sub than I am, Jason. You have submissive qualities but that doesn't make you a Sub. I believe you're getting caught up in the label, which bothers you. That in itself is a clear sign, but I think you know that."

Jason's cheeks colored with embarrassment. "I did, but wasn't sure. I meant no disrespect, Stef."

Stef gave a short, breathless laugh as he reached up threaded his fingers through Jason's hair. "You enjoy rough, forceful sex. You enjoy bondage. You might even enjoy being flogged instead of being spanked," and he grinned as Jason's eyes widened. "But you don't have the submissive temperament." He withdrew his hand, stepped back, then gave him a very different look. Commanding. "Please get down on your knees."

Jason bristled. "Um, okay, but why?"

"There, you see?" Stef pointed, losing his commanding voice and expression. "You bristled, Jason. What's that tell you? What's the first thing that came out of your mouth when I asked you to get on your knees?"

"Why?"

"Yes. You see, Subs want their decisions made for them. Do you?"

"No," Jason said, surprised.

"They need their controls, the responsibility taken off their shoulders. If I'd said that to Malcolm, he'd accept the order without question and drop to his knees. You question and resist. That's hardly submissive, is it?"

Jason laughed with guilty relief. "I guess not. I don't mean to sound... well, ungrateful or condescending or--"

"You're not coming across that way, Jason. You're attracted to elements of the Scene, or Lifestyle, but not the Lifestyle itself."

Jason nodded, then asked, "How'd you know about the rough, forceful sex? I thought Jack never went into detail?"

"He didn't. You told me that one of the fantasies you acted out with Daniel and Jack was with you tied to the bed, blindfolded, and that it was the first time you'd been gagged. Daniel had then told a story based on something real that had happened. Going by the tone of your voice, the look on your face, and your overall body language, what happened was a serious turn-on for you and you liked it. Being gagged is one very powerful act in a submissive role-play. I suspect you'd behave that way for Daniel and Jack only? Not Alex?"

"I... don't know," Jason shook his head, knowing that someday soon, he might dream of Alex doing that to him. He leaned into Stef's hand, chills running over his skin as his hair was continually petted. "You're distracting me again," he whispered.

"I know," Stef said quietly. "Where intimacy is concerned, Jason, you're a romantic. Sometimes a gothic romantic, but a romantic."

Jason laughed outright. "I'm not a goth, Stef." He had visions of black eyeliner, lipstick and nail polish. "Besides, I'm not into make-up."

"No, not all Iron Maiden or Edgar Allan with a pendulum swinging," Stef laughed. "It's my own term for roughness tinged with pain outside the Lifestyle." He paused, looking down at Jason's bared abdomen, his laughter dying slightly.

Jason couldn't help the surge of desire that swept through him at such a look. "What?" he asked.

"You have a navel ring but you're not wearing it right now. Why not?"

He shrugged. "I sometimes forget to wear it. Why?"

"Even if they're not in a Scene, Subs rarely forget their jewelry." Stef smiled slyly again. "You're distracting me. Weren't we going to go through a test?"

"I'd say that was one," Jason answered, his excitement rising again.

"But of a different sort." Stef went back to the chiffonier and opened a small drawer, withdrawing a long, curved dagger.

As he approached, Jason felt his skin flush and his entire body twitched as he resisted stepping back. He inhaled sharply as the flat of the dagger's cold steel was pressed over the fleshy curve of a pectoral and slid down across his stomach, turned over and brought back up to the other pectoral. Stef had made an artistic V motion, and repeated it, going back to where he'd started.

Jason's reaction was to bite his lower lip and close his eyes, trying to control the urge to moan.

Stef smiled. "Has Daniel or Jack ever shaved you?"

"A few times." Jason paused, sucked in a breath, and went on. "I keep my hair pretty closely groomed but I let them do that occasionally."

"Good," Stef said, pressing the blade hard against his nipple, grazing it with the blunt edge. "It's amazing, isn't it?"

Jason couldn't move or answer for the moment. He wanted to say something but his eyes were half-focused on Stef's face and his cock twitched maddeningly. Stef brought the blade slowly upward, gliding over his throat and chin. His eyes were fixed on the blade as he moved it over Jason's skin, seemingly mesmerized by the play of silver against darkly tanned skin.

"Tell me," Stef said quietly. "If Jack or Daniel told you to get on your knees, would you do it without question?"

"Um, not necessarily," Jason answered, swallowing as Stef moved the blade down, resting over his navel. "I'd grab them and bring them with me if they asked outright like you did."

"And there you have one answer." Stef slowly moved the blade over the waistband of his shorts, slowing over his hip. His free hand moved back up into Jason's hair and tightened slightly. "Tell me, what are you feeling? Do I have your power right now? Are you freely giving it to me? Or is it just the danger of the blade, the trust you're lending me to do this for you?"

"That last one," Jason whispered, closing his eyes.

Stef purposely slid the blade's blunt edge over his covered erection. "What's this doing to you, aside from making you hard?"

Jason started to answer but couldn't. The blade was too damned distracting.

"Do you want me to fuck you?" Stef asked softly.

Another swallow and Jason felt the heat coil in his balls. "Yes."

"Restrained?"

"No," Jason answered.

"No?"

"No."

"But you're feeling it now, aren't you? You're letting me lead. You won't move until I stop."

"I... no, I can't move."

"You can, but you won't."

"No, I won't move."

"But if I ask you to drop to your knees now and suck me, will you?"

Jason faltered and didn't answer.

"You want to, but not by order."

"Yes."

Stef smiled, bringing the blade back up to his chest, flat side down once more. "Open your eyes, Jason."

Jason opened them and found that Stef had moved the dagger away. Strange. He could still feel the blade.

"If we were to take this to the bedroom, what would you want to happen? I don't have the knife on you anymore. Do you still want to suck me? Do you still want me to fuck you?"

Jason found, to his surprise, that while those ideas were a turn-on, he didn't want to be asked. He simply wanted to do.

"What do you want?" Stef asked, stepping forward, moving Jason back against the wall between two shelves.

"I don't know."

"Yes, you do. Tell me."

"I can't."

"Can't or don't want to?"

Jason swallowed yet again, alarmed that Stef seemed to be reading his mind.

Stef set the dagger down on the shelf to Jason's right. "Look up."

Jason looked up, and on the wall over his head, between sections of shelving, were two rings. He looked back down at Stef, then around him, realizing that he'd been maneuvered here on purpose. He wasn't angry. He wasn't disappointed. He was hard and turned-on and liked that Stef had intuited what he'd wanted without Jason having to say a word.

"Would like to give yourself over to me for a little while?"

In answer, Jason reached up without being told and grabbed hold of the thick silver rings, his dark eyes letting Stef know his desire.

Stef's brow rose questioningly, and with a little surprise, or so Jason hoped. "You want it?" Stef asked, moving away and returning with a bottle of oil, turning it over in his hands as if it were something to fiddle with. "You don't want me to ask," and he emphasized it by setting the lube on the shelf and taking the dagger in hand. Flashing it before him, Stef slowly moved it down and pulled open the waistband of Jason's shorts before deftly slicing, twice, and ripping the front of his shorts downward. Jason gasped as his cock sprang free, then frowned in confusion when Stef returned the dagger to the shelf and took the lube in hand. Popping open the pour spout, Stef squeezed a measure of lube onto his hand and applied the cool liquid to Jason's cock.

Which quickly warmed. And warmed some more. Jason's eyes widened. Heating oil. He squirmed and Stef brought his hand back up into his hair, gently threading his fingers through it while he began to slowly jack him. "You don't want me to tell you what I'm going to do. You just want me to do it. This is one of your fantasy turn-ons. You like the raw lust of it. The physical act, taken just for what it is, no matter what it is. I do have one... request that you'd do well to follow. Do not move your hands from the rings."

What followed for the next half hour was Jason's hands clenching and unclenching around the rings as Stef reminded him of techniques he hadn't used on his lovers in a long time, ones he now wanted to reacquaint them with. Desperately. Stef repeatedly brought him to the brink, pushing him to feel the smaller, tighter orgasms, before he'd back off and start again. This was also something Jason wanted Jack and Daniel to do to him. Without asking.

Stef was right. He had the qualities, but not the personality. Except possibly, right now, with Stef controlling him with his hand. Correction. With him giving Stef control. He wanted to be fucked. Hard. And what made his balls draw up tight was that Stef knew it too and didn't oblige him.

"There's one thing I should make you aware of before I end this for you," Stef whispered as the knuckles of his fist that had been firmly rubbing over his perineum ceased. He reached up and caught Jason once more by the hair and the hand around his cock slowly drew up the shaft, thumb finally touching the head to rub in quick, tight circles.

"What?" Jason asked, moaning as the sharp tingling heat below his balls began to increase.

"Chains don't bother you in bed, Jason. You can get past your fear of them--and Jack and Daniel can fuck you damn good and hard in a sling placed over your bed."

The realization--and subsequent hot image--was combined with Stef's suddenly rapid twists and pulls, his hand a blur on his cock creating one ceaselessly moving pleasure. As Jason came for the last time, Stef took his mouth, swallowing the cries of pleasure they both made.

.

Dressed in another pair of shorts, Jason paused in the front doorway as Stef pulled him down for a soft, brief kiss.

"Did our time together help?" he asked.

Jason noted the very real concern and after what Stef had told him about Doms being givers, he understood better than he had. "Yes, it did." He pulled the man into a hug and whispered, "Thanks."

"I hope I can help Daniel, if he needs it."

Jason nodded as they made their way along the path to the main house. "Providing he lets you. You think Jack's stubborn? He's a kitten compared to Daniel."

"I look forward to it."

"It should be interesting," Jason said with wry amusement.

"How's that?" Stef asked as they stepped onto the deck.

"Because of what you said about Daniel being our Dom."

"And?" Stef asked.

"Just reminds me of putting two roosters in the same hen house."

Stef laughed softly. "You've a suggestion, I take it?"

Jason smiled and whispered, "Only that I think he'd like to know what that doll really feels like."

"Why weren't you interested?" Stef asked.

"I think you know the answer."

"Tell me anyway. Dom's can be wrong, you know."

Jason laughed softly. "Like everyone else, Stef." Then he slipped and arm around Stef's waist and whispered in his ear.

The resulting return growl was a warning. Or a promise.

"I'm going up to check on Malcolm. Tell Daniel I'll meet him in about half an hour?"

"Sure."

Jason felt a shiver as the man walked off toward the dock. There was nothing wrong, but it was just... too easy. He had an unpleasant expression when he found Jack and Daniel sitting on the bed, playing chess. The look on his face changed to a grin when they saw him and put aside their game, sliding it under the bed.

"God, Daniel's playing chess with you?" he asked Jack as he sat on the foot of the bed.

"Don't be a wise-ass," Jack told him.

Jason snickered and stretched out on his side across the foot of the bed. He could see they were curious about the 'reading' but he'd make them wait for it.  "Stef's gone to check on Malcolm. He said he'd meet you in half an hour."

Daniel nodded in acknowledgment, then brought his knees up and clasped his arms around them, giving Jason a thoughtful look. Jack did the same, only he stretched out on his side at a ninety degree angle to Jason, his head close to his lover's.

Jack didn't wait long.  "Well?"

Jason took a break and said, "I'm not a Sub."

Daniel rolled his eyes. "I could've told you that."

"Yes, but I wasn't sure, Daniel."

"I was."

"So was I," Jack seconded. "But..." and he smiled mischievously, "how did Stef determine that?"

"By trapping me with his questions," Jason answered. "We determined what I already knew."

"Which is?" Daniel asked, straightening his legs and coming forward to lie on his stomach, expression full of mischief and curiosity. He rested his chin in his hands, elbows pressing into the mattress. "That you're a scoundrel? That you'll sleep with anyone?" It was a deliberate taunt, a reminder of Jack's words over two months before. Only this time, the words didn't hurt.

Jason growled and shot out his hand, fingers finding and digging into the juncture between neck and collarbone, a particularly ticklish spot when Daniel was in that position. Daniel laughed loudly and shoved Jason's hands off.

"Which is... that I like to both bottom and top with you," Jason answered, cuffing him, making Daniel duck and laugh. Jason desisted and leaned toward Jack, brushing an airy kiss over his lips, saying seductively, "And that I prefer to bottom with you."

Before Jason could pull back, Jack grabbed him by the back of the head and pulled him in for a rough, searing kiss. Jason couldn't help the throaty moan, nor his hand through Jack's hair, pulling him in harder, wanting his tongue deep in his mouth; he couldn't help the fiery need inside him, either--the one that made him want to turn onto his back and let Jack have him, proving Stef's conclusions.

Jason broke off, panting, feeling Daniel's fingers under his jaw, then his lips were on his own, taking Jack's place. It hadn't been that long since Stef had gotten him off but damn if his lovers weren't making him hard again. All he wanted at that moment was to kiss and touch and feel nothing more than their hands and mouths and their heavy weight pressing him down. Jason may not be a Sub, but he was close enough to something like it with his lovers.

Eventually Daniel let him go, leaving Jason gasping. Not that he minded the attention from his lovers, but he knew them very well. "Okay, and all that kissing was for?"

"What else happened?" Daniel asked pointedly, flicking a finger under Jason's jaw as a scold for making him wait.

Jason frowned and searched through what he and Stef had talked about. "Oh, right. Um, those ankle restraints are exactly what we thought. Reminders of my P.O.W. experience. Stef wasn't about to try and desensitize me to them, saying it was better done between us," and he added with a small, uncomfortable grin, "and I tend to agree." He could see that they believed him, that there was nothing else but the restraint issue. It was a bit sad, really, having to hide from them.

"So..." Daniel began, hand going to the waistband of his shorts and snapping it against his skin. "Nothing else happened?"

"Well..." Jason grinned, remembering Stef's touch with vivid sense memory. "He jerked me off."

Jack started laughing, shaking his head. "And that wasn't anything you started?"

"With a Dom?" Jason asked, eyes widening. "No, he started that one, Jack. He was making a point."

"Which was?" Jack asked.

Stef cleared his throat from the doorway. "Sorry to interrupt."

"You're not," Jack automatically said, sitting up, noticing that his friend was barefoot and had changed into light blue jeans and a white sleeveless shirt, untucked and unbuttoned halfway. His wavy hair hung about his shoulders, contrasting nicely in the overall effect.

Nice touch, Jack mused appreciatively. The shirt itself was thin so his tan shadowed the fabric. The dark hair on his chest was easily seen, sparking Jack's memories of the fine hair that grew in an outward pattern flat against his skin. He cleared his throat, wondering just how much Stef would allow him to keep his hands off him. When the time came, Jack knew he'd go after the man; he knew it like breathing.

"Thought I was meeting you?" Daniel asked, catching Jack's once-over. He wanted to tease but refrained as he found himself giving his lover's friend the same once-over. What made him smile was Jason's deliberate avoidance of looking directly at the man. Interesting, Daniel thought.

Stef approached them and sat down near Jason's feet, his hand out to keep Daniel where he was. "Anytime you're ready but you don't need be in a rush. Mind if I butt into the conversation?"

Jason grinned and gestured at him. "Be my guest. You heard?"

"That last part, yes."

"Enlighten us then," Jack said with typically good-natured sarcasm and Daniel couldn't keep the grin off his face.

Stef regarded them both thoughtfully. "Jason's bondage needs have nothing whatsoever to do with being a Submissive. There is a need for force, and in so saying, you should understand that there's a big difference between succumbing to force and voluntarily submitting to a Dom." He paused and stared intently at Jason. "What I did to emphasize this was gently force him against the wall, then I told him to grab the rings in the wall overhead." He glanced at Jason's lovers before saying, "While he held on, I ripped the front of his shorts down... using a dagger, by the way... and then proceeded to jerk him off."

Jason colored, despite himself, and added, "For half an hour, give or take."

The words were met with aroused silence and with a mischievous grin, Stef rose and held out his hand. "Shall we go, Daniel?"

.

After Daniel left with Stef, casting a strange look back at them before disappearing, Jack moved off the bed and walked toward the chiffonier. "With a dagger, eh?" he asked.

Jason had moved to lean back against the pillows but Jack's question put him on alert. He pushed off the bed and looked across the room, watching Jack warily. "Yeah, with a dagger," he said as he felt his balls tingle with arousal. "You know how I am about sharp metal blades."

Jack grinned to himself as the desire to do this increased. He figured this was as good a time as any to do what he'd been planning, and it would also keep his mind off whatever Stef had planned for Daniel. The way the man looked... Jack wouldn't be surprised if Daniel wasn't curious in touching that man's body hair.

He opened the upper portion of the chiffonier and then the small cover door that hid the shelves on the left. Just what he'd hoped. A dagger sat on the second shelf and it gleamed like a beacon. Picking it up, he turned.

Jason took a step and froze. His heart began to race slightly, and he knew it'd get faster if Jack went through with this and weren't just teasing him.

"Jack?"

Jack waved the blade in front of him, watching the metal reflect off the light. He thumbed the edge, testing the sharpness, moving to the tip. "Nice." Looking up abruptly--without moving his head--he said, "Get on the bed, Jason."

"The bed?" Jason asked, knowing what it meant, and something compelled him to take a step back.

"Well, it's the most comfortable," Jack said casually, watching Jason carefully as he flashed the blade back and forth. "Unless you'd rather do this on the floor, in the kitchen or... out in front of the yacht."

Jason felt the sweat rise on his skin as he backed up toward the bed. Fun as those other suggestions sounded, he needed to be where the supplies were handy. The bed actually surprised him as it hit the back of his legs and he pushed backward over the mattress as Jack closed in and crawled over him. He felt his heartbeat quicken, his balls tighten. Jack hadn't even touched him yet.

Jack brought the knife close, presenting it over Jason's face before he lowered it, whispering the surface of the cold steel over Jason's chin. His lover quietly inhaled and craned his neck, giving Jack access, and he took it, sliding the blunt edge over his skin, moving over his Adam's apple to the hollow. He watched with rising lust as Jason swallowed hard, his eyes rolled back into his head, hands fisting the quilt.

"God, look at you," he whispered, amazed at what this did to Jason. "You're mine now, do you know that?"

"Yes," Jason breathed, closing his eyes.

Jack brought the tip of the knife just under the collar of his tank top and nicked it, the sharpness of the blade easily slicing it open like a hot knife through butter. Jason hitched a breathy moan and Jack continued, going over his sternum, slicing the cotton down the center, all the while watching Jason's beautiful, seductive reactions to the knife.

Not bothering to spoil the moment with words just yet, he sat up and set the dagger down, grabbed the open ends of the torn shirt and ripped outward, pulling it from Jason's shorts, revealing his chest and abdomen, and finding that Jason had found his navel ring on the dresser in the other bungalow--the new one that Jack had gotten him before coming to the island.

"You found the ring, I see," Jack whispered, pulling Jason's shorts down. "Please keep it on for a while, okay?"

"I would but you keep biting it off."

Jack sniggered. "It feels good, doesn't it?"

"Yes."  Panting, Jason forced his eyes open as he lifted his hips, allowing Jack to strip him of his shorts while he tossed the remains of his own shirt to the floor.

"When you wear it, you're mine," Jack told him, leaning down to tongue the small gold ring with the diamond bead.

"Except that I always have been," Jason whispered and sat up halfway to grab Jack and pull him down on top of him, kissing him deeply, hands hungrily seeking fistfuls of shirt and ripping it open across Jack's back. Jack growled in his mouth and kissed him more wildly, hips thrusting with maddening need.

Breaking off, panting for breath, Jack left red bite marks over his throat as his hands moved everywhere, searching for places to bruise while Jason tore off the remains of his shirt and tossed it to the floor with the other casualties. Pulling back, eyes dark and heavy with ideas, Jack straddled his lover's thighs and picked up the dagger. Looking over Jason's body, he mused aloud, "Where to begin," and toyed at the navel ring with the sharp tip of the blade.

.

Stef refilled the pitcher and returned to the small alcove room, pouring a glass for Daniel while his guest still looked around the fetish room, examining the items on the shelves. Stef hadn't missed Daniel's obvious nervousness, though the man hid it fairly well, but he did know that that nervousness was aimed at him, not so much anything inside the room itself. Standing in the alcove's doorway, he watched Daniel moved around the room, taking the time to look and admire what he saw.

Daniel turned his head at that moment, and glanced twice when he realized that Stef was looking him over. With a tiny grin, he decided to start this off with something Stef had said in the bedroom. "So you found Jason's weakness for force. That's pretty good. Jack and I know, so we're used to reading him, but he hides it well. You're very astute in reading him."

Stef shrugged. "Maybe he just wanted me to see it."

The corner of Daniel's mouth twitched as he replied, "Perhaps."

"Mind if I make a personal observation at the outset?" Stef asked him.

Daniel gave him high-browed expression, as if Stef should know better than to ask something so obvious. Stef returned it with a smirk. "Jason's not the only one who has an attraction to force, Daniel."

Daniel set down the short, thick, and slightly curved glass dildo and turned to him. "Really?"

Stef couldn't help but smile. Jason was right. This was going to be very interesting. "Are you interested in that?" he asked, walking over, gesturing the dildo with his eyes.

Daniel betrayed his interest by touching the smooth surface with a fingertip. "I've used straight ones, ribbed ones, but never one as short or thick like this one is. I've heard about these, but never seen one. It's surprisingly light. Aren't these meant specifically for women?"

Stef reached across his hand and picked up the toy. "The thinner ones can be. Not this one. I had it made."

Daniel couldn't help the sneaky grin. "For yourself?"

"That, too," Stef added, his smile leaving his mouth but not his eyes. "Would you care to try it?"

Daniel stared back at him, trying to read him in his own way. He sensed desire and curiosity. "With you or with Jack and Jason?"

"That's up to you," Stef replied cheekily. "Come, let's have a seat."

Daniel felt his own curiosity step up a notch as he followed Stef into the small room and sat down. Stef handed him the glass of water he'd poured and sat down with his own.

"I'd like to ask you about force, if that's okay?"

"What, no history?" Daniel asked brashly over the rim of his glass.

Stef paused as he swallowed a mouthful of water, eyeing him carefully before chuckling. "Do you know that you do that on purpose?"

"What, look over the rim of my glass?" he asked. It was purposely rhetorical. Yes, Daniel knew. With another bold grin, he asked, "Are you going to tell me why I do it?"

Stef shook his head and set his glass down in his lap, feeling the cold hardness of the glass nicely arousing his cock. It made a slightly darker stain against his jeans and he held back the grin when Daniel's eyes traveled down.

"I asked Jason about your relationship."

"So he said."

"His descriptions of certain fantasies got me thinking."

"About?" Daniel asked, sipping at his water, sucking in a small ice cube to crunch.

"First let me say that the only reason I bring this up is to enhance your relationship... well, mentally. It doesn't need it but I thought if I could help, I'd like to."

Daniel grinned, though he shook his head. "And there's nothing in it for you?"

"I love to give, Daniel. If I can help, I would love it if you'd let me."

"And that would mean what?" Daniel couldn't help asking. "Seducing me perhaps?"

"I don't think you need seducing, Daniel," Stef replied with a small laugh.

"Or want?" Daniel offered.

"Ah, want, on the other hand, is a horse of a different color, if you'll pardon the expression."

"I'm somehow getting the idea that you're not talking about seduction."

"Force is a kind of seduction, but wanting to be forced is a form of seducing yourself, and it's intensified when the other person obliges." Stef sat forward, his knees outside Daniel's; he could feel a shiver of excitement run through him as the heat from Daniel zipped through his legs and straight to his groin. "A person shows a lot through body language and action. I read between the lines."

"Really. And those lines tell you what?"  Stef didn't answer. Instead he brought his glass to the inside of Daniel's right knee, the cold making Daniel suck in a breath, but he didn't move; he didn't dare. He wanted this to happen.

Stef slid the glass up the inside of his naked thigh, and all the while, he watched Daniel's eyes. Leaning forward even further, he brought the glass to his groin, rubbing the edge of the bottom part of the glass against his balls and up along the shaft of his slowly stiffening cock.

Daniel bit his lip and gripped his glass tighter while his free hand dug into the arm of the chair. Stef slid the hard edge of the glass up and down his erection and Daniel couldn't help the small movements of his hips that lifted to meet the caress. "This isn't force," he said quietly.

Stef smiled and shook his head slightly. "No, it isn't. But you didn't ask, did you?"

"No," Daniel answered with a sly smile. "I didn't."

"There are levels. This is mild. The seduction." He pushed the glass down a little harder as he moved it so that the cold sweat darkened Daniel's shorts, showing a little more of what lay underneath. Moving the glass away, he said, "If I do this," and he removed a cube of ice, "and placed it against your cock, sliding it up and down..." He followed words with action, but through Daniel's shorts, not over his bared skin.

Daniel sat forward slowly and leaned to the side to place his own glass on the floor. Stef pressed harder, making him inhale, and Daniel had to have that ice on him. Now. He grabbed the waistband and pushed them down, revealing his cock, but at that point, Stef moved back. Dropping the ice cube back in his glass, he set it on the floor and pulled Daniel's shorts down the rest of the way.

They were silent, rarely looking away from each other's eyes as Daniel lifted one leg, then the other, assisting Stef, who dropped his shorts on the floor. When he started to drop his feet back down, Stef stopped him, moving them instead to drape over the arms of the chair. Leaving him open.

Daniel gripped the chair's arms, waiting for whatever came next. When Stef stood up, he met his gaze squarely, but felt somehow exposed because he'd left his shirt on. With a quick crossing motion, he pulled off his shirt and flung it next to his shorts, daring Stef to take the next step.

"Don't move," Stef told him with an aroused smile, looking him over before he left the room. When he returned, he held the glass dildo and a bottle of lube. Daniel's eyes locked on it, ignoring the lube, excitement spreading through him. Stef set the items on the table, then slowly unbuttoned his shirt.

Daniel couldn't sit there. Whatever Stef planned, he'd have to adjust it. Standing, he moved in behind him. "Leave it on," he asked. He could have made it a question, but that would go against the point of this little... exercise. Reaching around, he unbuttoned Stef's jeans and pushed them down, grinning to himself that the man had gone commando. Letting them drop, Stef stepped out of them, then turned swiftly and grabbed Daniel by the hair, hand at his hip.

"What do you want?" he asked, his eyes nearly black with desire.

"Whatever you can give me," Daniel answered, somehow knowing it was the right answer at this point.

Grabbing the dildo and lube with one hand, and Daniel's hand in the other, Stef led him out of the room and toward the half-moon bed-table. Setting the dildo and lube on a shelf, he placed his hands on his shoulders and turned Daniel to face the doll. Daniel shivered at the breath at the nape of his neck, and at the sight of the doll.

"Another type of force, isn't it?" Stef asked him, kissing his neck softly before suddenly spinning him around, grabbing hold of him, kissing him hard.

Though surprised, Daniel started to kiss him back, but Stef broke away and pulled him over to the bed. "Feet spread, hands on the bed," he said softly, and though the words were like an order, their tone was not. Daniel got into position, breathing hard, thinking, was he really going to do this? He'd fantasized about it, gotten hard by it when he'd played around with it. But he'd been clothed then. He was naked now. He curled his fingers, pressing the tips into the black leather padding and looked down. God, he was so hard.

Stef was behind him somewhere and Daniel didn't look to find out where. He liked not knowing; liked the surprise. Was that it? "Surprise is part of it."

"Yes," Stef said, making Daniel jump when he touched him, one hand on his ass, the other on his lower back. The cold of the lubed dildo was against his skin, pushing inside, turning, and Daniel gasped as his gland was hit.

"Just ride it out," Stef whispered, hand holding him as he moved the dildo back and forth in a strange, curved thrusting.

It was good, new, and Daniel couldn't stop the twitching of his body as it burned with pleasure. Please, he thought. More. He didn't want to ask for the doll. He wanted...

He wanted...

Just as the realization hit him, Stef slowly slid the dildo from him and eased him back, making him straighten.

"I think maybe you missed this before," Stef told him, and reached around in front of him. Daniel looked down and watched in surprise as Stef peeled back a square flap of leather, attached to the bed with velcro at one end. Underneath was what looked like a glory hole only Daniel couldn't see what lay beyond. He was suddenly aware that sweat had risen all over his body and staring at the hole, and why Stef had revealed it... He grew lightheaded from both exhilaration and apprehension.

Stef startled him, interrupting his focus as he took hold of his cock and placed the head at the entrance. "Slide inside," he whispered. Daniel pushed in, gasping in surprise by the tight fit. He thrust his arms out, elbows locking, his fists grabbing at the overstuffed padding. "Wow."

"Just wait. Now it gets better," and Stef pulled his hips back. The suction was extraordinary.

"Oh fuck," he groaned, his breath stolen from him by the amazing sensation.

"Fuck it," Stef told him, lips at his ear, speaking seductively, and without question, Daniel plunged in and pulled out, again and again.

"God, this is fucking amazing," he breathed, and he kept thrusting, fucking the hole. It was weird and bizarre and it felt so damn good. He wanted to ask how this worked, but told his brain to shut the hell up. Right now, he didn't care. Even the hum of the motor behind him didn't stop him from riding the pleasure the sleeve gave him. It was a surprise, and it was different and good and the best startling feeling he'd ever had. He kept fucking it, thrusting in and pulling back just so he could get that wonderful sucking motion around his cock. He was so preoccupied with it that he didn't hear the hum coming closer.

Then Stef's hands were on his hips, stopping him as Daniel thrust deep.

"Stop, don't move."

Daniel wanted to fight him, doing this his own way, but he wouldn't. The next thing he felt was a solid weight pressing against his anus, pushing, breaching, and his eyes widened. It was hot and hard and it... wasn't alive. The doll.

"Push back," Stef told him.

Daniel heard the hum then and pushed back, pulling out of the sleeve, feeling a combination of sucking and being fucked. Like being in a sandwich with his lovers. But was this an issue of force? He wanted it, wasn't about to stop, so was it?

Right now, he didn't care. He knew what Stef was doing now. He thrust forward, then backward, double-fucking himself. The doll's cock wasn't in deep, but it didn't need to be. This was so much better. It also occurred to him that Stef had intuited that he would like this. Daniel knew that he did, and fuck, Stef was good.

Keeping his arms locked, Daniel kept going, giving himself a slow and easy rhythm, driving himself insane with build-up, not wanting to come. It was too good.

"Enjoy the ride, Daniel," Stef said, hand caressing his back, tongue licking his shoulder, his neck.

"God, yes," Daniel whispered and closed his eyes.

.

Jack drew the blunt edge of the knife along the sweat-damp skin of his lover's jaw, mesmerized by how he made Jason arch back, eyes half-closed. He drew the blade downward, over breastbone and stomach, over the gold ring. Jason inhaled, breath hitching, his lust drawn higher by the dangerous play.

Jack rocked his hips back, pulling out just enough, enjoying how the friction caused by Jason's body sent pin pricks of pleasure over his skin. "You look so good this way," he murmured, bending down for a kiss as he slid the cold steel up and over a sweaty nipple, rewarded with a moan. He kissed harder, loving the knowledge that he'd driven Jason wild, turning him into a type of paradox--unresistant, boneless, yet his body was tight with tension as he was wound toward final release.

"Jack," Jason whispered, curling his fingers around his cock, stroking himself. "I can't... I need..."

Jack gave him a predatory smile. "Feel too good?"

"Yes," his lover complained, a smile showing.

"You need to wait a little longer," Jack told him and rubbed the dull end of the blade back and forth over the other nipple, making Jason groan loudly. "Yes, c'mon, give it up for me," and he thrust three times, deep, fast, then forced himself to stop. He was beginning to agree with Jason. This teasing, drawing out of pleasure, couldn't go on much longer. His balls were practically screaming at him. But there was one thing he had yet to do.

Sliding the knife back down his body, Jack slowed and watched Jason's face as he rubbed the steel firmly down the length of Jason's cock.

"Jesus," Jason gasped, closing his eyes. "Jack, I can't hang on if you keep doing that."

Bringing the blade up slowly, Jack moved his knife hand to rest beside Jason's face. "Too much for you?"

"Fucking bastard," Jason grated as he grabbed Jack by the nape and pulled him down for another lip-bruising kiss. His hips took over, thrusting upward rapidly; his free hand on Jack's ass, holding him as Jason tried to force Jack to finish him.

"Then take it," Jack growled, dropping the knife to loop his arms under his lover's knees, holding Jason open as he drove them both over the proverbial cliff.

.

The double fuck was so good but Daniel couldn't take much more. It was too damn good, the pleasure becoming acute, and just as he was about to say something, despite his unwillingness to actually stop, Stef was doing it for him. The doll was pulling away, pulling out, and the loss was almost painful.

Daniel groaned. "Stef--"

But he didn't finish his sentence before Stef shoved him down, pressing his chest against the leather of the bed, hands on his shoulders.

"This is what you really like, Daniel," Stef was saying as he pushed his lubed cock inside him.

Daniel gasped, feeling the difference immediately and he hands scrambled for purchase on the bed as his body was awakened with lust. "Fuck!"

"Yes, Daniel."

"But it's not force," Daniel gasped, closing his eyes.

"No, Daniel, it isn't. You like the force, but what you really love is the surprise."

"God," Daniel said, realizing how true it was. He held on, needing to be finished, hearing himself growl at Stef not to stop. Stef's fingers dug into his hips as he pushed and pulled at him, keeping the rhythm aggravatingly slow.

"This is what you love, Daniel," Stef told him. "Controlled force combined with surprise--and always with someone you trust."

Daniel was only half-listening but he understood Stef's words. The only question that came to him was, when had he decided to trust Stef? Was it because of Jack's belief in the man? At the moment, it didn't matter. His need took precedence. "Surprise me then," he challenged. "That is, if you can."

"Are you familiar with tantric practice?" Stef asked as he slowly pulled his cock free, his body shaking with pleasure.

"A little, why?"

.

Daniel was met with one surprise after another. Stef had stopped everything, yet somehow kept him hard as he led him by the hand to the shower--to wash him. His hands were erotic and thorough, slowly moving over every inch of him--and letting Daniel do the same.

It had been a long time since Daniel had been with anyone with hair on his chest. Wet, Stef's hair laid even flatter against his skin, revealing a pattern of growth like an erotic map. Daniel followed the trail with his tongue, seeking out nipples to bite, a navel to tease, a new cock to taste. The next surprise was in remembering the bars overhead when Stef told him to take hold of them and not let go for any reason.

Disappearing for a moment, Stef said from outside the shower, "Close your eyes, Daniel, and keep them closed."

Without questioning that he was taking orders from a Dom, Daniel closed his eyes. He felt Stef's presence as he returned, heard him make a small growl in his throat that made Daniel smile. Then Stef brought another surprise when he asked, "How much pain do you like with sex, Daniel?"

The shock of the question had Daniel floundering. "I've never really thought about it."

He could feel Stef close to him now, his heat seemingly higher than the hot water that splashed against his body from the shower head.

"You like to be bitten," Stef told him, biting the fleshy underside of his right pec.

Daniel bit his lip and nodded, making a small moaning sound.

"You like to be pinched," Stef went on, pinching Daniel's nipples, rolling them back and forth between the fingers.

Daniel made another sound, nodding in answer.

"How much have you explored of your threshold?" he asked, pinching hard, then releasing, only to pinch yet again but much harder.

"No... not really," Daniel squirmed, and remembered Stef asking him not to let go of the bars. They became a sort of focus, as he held his weight with his hands, lifting his body every time Stef pinched. Soon his nipples were numb and his cock amazingly harder. Stef brushed against him with his body, making his balls ache.

"Stef," he whispered, "I can't feel anything."

"You will," Stef told him, his lips suddenly on Daniel's, kissing him lightly, teasingly, as a thumb rubbed over a nipple. A strange fire ran through him and Daniel was shown that his nipples were not, in fact, numb. At all.

He groaned loudly, his cock twitching as his nerve endings sang. "God," he said.

"Keep your eyes closed, Daniel," Stef advised, his voice deep and husky. It sent a chill through Daniel, already used to hearing the warning in the tone.

"What if I can't?" he asked.

"Then I'll have to blindfold you," Stef answered quietly.

Daniel stilled... then said, "Do it."

"You can't control yourself then?" Stef asked.

Daniel clenched his jaws, working them back and forth. "Yes, I can," he said finally, meeting Stef's challenge.

"Good," Stef said, breathing against his lips, "then I won't have to leave you," and he slipped his tongue into Daniel's mouth, kissing him passionately, winding him up even further.

The next thing Daniel knew was that his love of surprise was fed with something approaching alarm.

Stef twisted and rubbed his nipples for what seemed like endless minutes, concentrating only on that part of his body. When he stopped, there were seconds of nothing--then bright heat, a flare of pleasure and pain as Stef applied something slightly heavy to his nipples. The toys bounced slightly against his body; they were hard, and the pain-pleasure wouldn't allow Daniel to focus.

The next thing he knew, Stef was kissing him, pressing harder over whatever it was clamping his nipples--Daniel tore his mouth from the kiss, hips thrusting forward involuntarily, and he shook the bars above him in a death grip, trying to hold on.

"Fuckohfuck!" he cried out.

"Do you want me to stop?" Stef asked.

Resolutely, Daniel shook his head. "No! Ohfuckohfuck!"

Stef took hold of his face and kissed him deeply, rubbing only their cocks together. Daniel fought against the sudden threat of orgasm and tried to pull it back, to tell his balls to uncoil. When Stef released his mouth, his face, he gasped, "Fuck, what is that?"

"Clothespins. Do you like what they're doing to you?" Stef asked.

Like it? Daniel asked himself. He didn't like hard pain, and this was hard... but it wasn't unbearable; it wasn't the wrong sort of pain. "Yes," he breathed with astonishment. "Yes, I like it. God, I like it."

Stef kissed him again, passionately, moaning into his throat as his hands caressed up and down the sides of his body before moving down, drawing fingernails over his ribs. He grazed his teeth across Daniel's body as he dropped down, biting over a hip bone and inner thigh before licking a stripe up Daniel's cock and taking him into his mouth.

It didn't take Stef too long but it seemed an eternity. The new combination of pleasure and pain brought Daniel his release, and when he came, he was surprised yet again when he realized that he was screaming Stef's name with praise.

.

Daniel couldn't help but feel embarrassed. He'd greyed out, coming back to full awareness with the knowledge that he now sat between Stef's legs before the beat of the shower. He could also feel something very distinctive against his back. Stef was still hard.

A surge went through Daniel--something like rebellion. It was a personal challenge, goaded by his need to give back, so without even the barest hint of what he was going to do, Daniel decided it was his turn to surprise Stef. Turning over, he pulled Stef onto his back, sliding him over the shower floor, and dropped down between his legs, taking his cock into his mouth.

He was enormously gratified by the shocked yell, by the hands in his hair, the thrusting, the words and whimpers and moans. But mostly... that Stef didn't resist. Daniel didn't need finesse or special technique; all he needed was his skillful mouth and one of his inquisitive fingers before he had Stef returning the favor and screaming his name as he pulsed forever down his throat.

.

"How do you feel?" Stef asked, finishing Daniel's back with the towel.

Daniel turned round. "Don't tell me you don't know."

Stef gave him a cheeky grin. "Well, I know you were pleased, but I mean the rest of it."

"Fine," Daniel said hesitantly, looking into Stef's eyes. He wasn't used to finding out new things without his lovers. "I feel good, Stef, but kind of incomplete without Jack and Jason."

"I understand," Stef said, nodding, scanning his face. "There's more to it than that, I think. What is it?"

"It's just I get the feeling that you didn't enjoy yourself as much as you let on."

Stef sighed and rubbed Daniel's arm. "I did, Daniel. Very much."

"But?"

Stef looked down, wiping up a stray droplet from Daniel's breastbone. "Emotionally, I feel as incomplete as you do."

Daniel palmed the cheek of this older, handsome face before him. "And... you want to be with him, not me, not Jason, but you do this for Jack, right?"

Stef frowned slightly and grabbed Daniel's hand, squeezing firmly. "Listen to me, Daniel. I never do anything I don't want to do. If I didn't want to have sex with you, I wouldn't have. Jack asked me if I might help, so I tried. I didn't need to turn it sexual. Do you understand?"

Daniel smirked, hiding the pleasure the words gave him. "I understand."

"I want to be with him, Daniel. There's no denying that. It'll end fifteen years of foreplay... so to speak."

Daniel gave him a strange smile, feeling an odd tug of protectiveness. He shook his head.

"What is it?"

With a sigh, Daniel answered, "Just my protectiveness, that's all. Listen, if Jack makes you feel the way he makes me feel, it'll have been worth the wait."

Stef's mouth twitched as he ran his fingers admiringly through Daniel's wet hair. "Don't worry. I don't plan on surprising Jack with anything. He doesn't like surprises, unless they're ones he's initiated."

Daniel smiled with relief. "I think you're right."

.

Three hours and a dinner meal later, Jack followed Stef down the path on the way to the guest house, looking over his shoulder as his lovers watched him with interest from the main house's front door. Like useless guard dogs or something, Jack thought.

Stef glanced at him and slowed to walk beside him. "Nervous, I take it?"

"Ya think?"

"I feel silly now, since I told Jason that you wouldn't be as nervous as he was."

"Calming him down, were you?"

"I succeeded I think." At Jack's wry expression, he added, "We'll be fine, Jack," Stef said softly and pointedly took Jack's hand in his, as if they were going for a stroll.

Jack resisted for a nanosecond, then squeezed his friend's hand and took a big breath. "Question is, is that good or bad?"

Stef paused, giving him a strange look, then led Jack into the house. When he turned right, not left, Jack pulled him to a stop. "Wait... aren't we going in that room?" Jack asked, waving toward the fetish room.

Stef inclined his head and smiled, pulling Jack toward the bedroom. "With you referring to it like that? I don't think so. Besides, for you and me... I think it's better in the bedroom."

Jack felt his own excitement growing, but he frowned, confused. "I thought," he said, looking over his shoulder at the fetish room door before crossing the threshold into the bedroom, "that we were supposed to...whatever... in there?"

Stef raised a brow. "Whatever?" He shook his head and said simply, "Jack."

Jack cleared his throat and stuffed his hands in his pockets as Stef led him to the bed and motioned him to sit down next to him. "Well... it's just... I thought... there are certain toys in there. This is about spanking, right?"

"Do you want to delve into the active part of spanking right away or would you like to talk about it first?"

Jack rose, needing to pace to do his thinking, and found Stef had followed. His hands were on his arms, turning him around, stopping him.

"Talk to me," Stef said quietly.

Jack gave Stef a long look. "This feels... weird."

Stef smiled gently at him and reached up to stroke his cheek. "Would it be easier if I did this first?" Sliding his hand behind his neck, he pulled Jack down as he tilted his face up to bring their mouths together in their first--ever--kiss. It was at that moment that Jack knew why being with Stef, in this manner, felt weird.

"This shouldn't be a reading," he murmured, pursing his lips. "You already know me."

"Yes, but not as I'd like, and you don't know me as well as you'd like. Let's start with that, shall we," and Stef kissed him firmly.

Jack felt the surge of adrenalin and opened his mouth as his arms went around Stef's waist, hauling him against him. He kissed Stef back, firm and hard, and deepened the kiss when he felt fingers moving through his hair and Stef's arm sliding up his back--his well-groomed nails scratching possessively through the shirt.

He was aware that Stef was leading them back to the bed, and then across the mattress. There was the surprise that Stef was the one on his back, drawing Jack over him. Jack felt the man's legs part, his own body falling perfectly between them, riding cock against cock, both of them hard. One hand sought out Stef's long hair while the other searched his body in hard caresses long overdue.

Breaking the kiss, Stef panted, looking up at him, then whispered, "Perfect," before he brought Jack back down into a hungry, demanding kiss.

Jack experienced a high that he hadn't felt in a long time, not since he'd first been with Daniel and Jason on that one birthday ages ago--or so it seemed. He rolled over, pulling Stef on top of him, returning the scratching, finding skin as shirts were removed. They switched places again and again, taking turns who was on top, removing the rest of their clothing. Touch and taste were paramount. Stef's words about knowing each other came back to him as their bodies, at long last, rubbed naked together, learning.

Jack reached that certain plateau, where pleasure still rode high but leveled off, enough to dampen the urgency, to allow him to slow down and breathe, enough to allow them both to talk. With the nervousness and apprehension gone, Jack dipped down, lips and tongue not getting enough of the dark silky chest hair. It was a rush, feeling hair next to his own; not something he got with Jason and Daniel.

Stef laughed as Jack's nose tickled him and he pushed him off, creating half an arm's distance as they lay on their sides. "I take it there's no more nervousness?"

"This... was what I needed, Stef."

"I know. It's what we both needed. I've kept my distance on purpose but no longer."

"Why?" Jack had to ask.

"Because..." Stef began, taking a deep breath. "I want to keep you in bed all day, all night. I want you here until we get sick of each other."

"That could take a while," Jack grinned, passing a fingertip over Stef's lips, and grinning wider as Stef caught it between his teeth and bit gently.

"Let it take a while. You have the time."

"But what about Daniel and Jason? Malcolm?" Jack asked, frowning--but the frown was guilty, because he wanted what Stef wanted. To get sick of him.

"I'd welcome them to join us... but later. I've looked forward to this for a long time," and he took Jack's cock in his hand, loving how Jack kept his eyes on his while he thrust distractedly through Stef's fingers. "And by the way, any talk of spanking is an added benefit. I can show you things, and we can discuss them, but I want that in bed."

"Agreed," Jack said as he brushed his knuckles over Stef's erection. "Although if you make me feel anything like that expression you gave Daniel, I'm likely going to respond with babbling."

Stef snickered. "I hope not. Right now, I want to do things to arouse you, new things. If you don't like them, you tell me. If you want more, you can have it. Will that do you?"

"That'll do me fine," Jack answered with a cheeky grin at the double entendre. He was so caught up with the joke and the arousal, in fact, that he didn't pay attention to what Stef was up to.

"Now, just do me a favor and relax some more. Close your eyes."

Jack grinned suspiciously. "What're you up to?"

"Close your eyes, Jack. Leave the rest to me."

Taking a deep breath, Jack closed his eyes. It felt good as Stef passed his hand over his ass, moving slowly in long, sweeping caresses. Stef scooted closer, groin to groin, and kept caressing his ass and the backs of his thighs, occasionally slipping between them like an illicit grope. He nuzzled Jack's face, his lips, his throat, licking thin stripes along his jaw, nipping once in a while.

When the slap came on his right buttock, Jack's body stiffened with surprise, his eyes went round as dinner plates, and inside, he felt the very specific burn of pleasure spreading from his ass, over his thighs, his balls, and up his dick and spine. Hell, even his fingers started tingling.

Stef watched him, eyelids slightly lowered in concentration as his hand rubbed the affected skin. "You liked that."

"Yes."

"More?"

"Yes."

Stef kissed him, teasing with the briefest bit of tongue and Jack kissed him harder, diving in after it. Laughing softly and separating enough to speak, Stef said, "Good," and followed it with a slap on the other cheek, grinning wickedly at him when Jack thrust.

Jack's mind was suddenly distracted with a strange thought. Naughty boy.

It was a guilty feeling. A fun feeling. Like stealing Daniel's Oreos and blaming it on Jason. Jack started to snigger and Stef's smile turned suspicious.

"What're you thinking?"

"Of being naughty."

Stef grinned broadly at him. "Really?"

"Yes, except," and Jack paused, giving Stef his filthiest smile as he pushed him on his back and rolled on top of him. "This time, it wasn't about me, but you."

From below, Stef rubbed Jack's ass with his hands before he slapped again. It wasn't hard, given his position, but Jack jerked his body anyway. "How do you feel?"

Jack hesitated as he pushed up, locking his elbows as he rocked his hips, creating a rhythm as he rubbed against Stef's body.

"Truth?"

"Of course, Jack. Don't hold back."

"When you do that..." he managed as Stef spread his legs wide, both hands coming down hard on Jack's ass. "I want... you to do that while I fuck you."

Stef's eyes closed slowly as he groaned. "We'll get there," he whispered, "but first..." and he rolled them to the side before moving and getting to his knees, biting Jack's nipple when he groaned a complaint. "I'm having fun with your reactions. How much you like doing this. So, I ask again, how do you feel?"

"I like it," Jack shrugged, rolling onto his stomach. He crossed his arms and rested his head on them. "But I need more."

"You're certain?" Stef asked, straddling the back of Jack's knees and massaging his thighs and ass.  Jack groaned and nodded assent. "Then let's see how you like this."

Stef massaged and slapped his ass and thighs, repeating time and again, barely using any force but the sensitivity of Jack's skin became tender, the color bright pink. Jack began to squirm, rubbing his cock into the bed, and Stef needed to see him react more. Separating his cheeks, and with three spit-slick fingers, he slapped the puckered muscle. Jack's reaction was perfect so Stef did it again and again. Ass cheeks blushing red and anus sensitive to touch, Stef spread him again and leaned down, flicking his tongue over the contracting muscle.

Jack groaned and buried his face into the gathered quilt, arms surrounding his head, hands fisting tightly in the material. He began to rub into the bed, growling when Stef would back off. He was in heaven, spreading his legs to feel more, to give access. He felt Stef move away and heard the bedside drawer open and close. He knew what was coming but he wanted to fuck him, too.

"And after?" he asked, reminding Stef.

"As hard as you want," Stef promised. "And that goes for me, too."

"Yes," Jack hissed with lust, pulling at the back of Stef's thigh when the man drew near enough.

"You don't even know what I'm going to do," Stef responded with amusement, regaining his balance when Jack's impatience nearly forced him to collapse on top of him.

"You'd better be planning to fuck me as hard as you just said," Jack snarled.

"My, my," Stef whispered, teasing. "This does work you up, doesn't it?"

Jack started to turn over, grabbing at him, but Stef stopped him, one hand on Jack's hip. "What if I'm not planning to fuck you?" he asked, rubbing a lubed thumb in circles over Jack's entrance.

Jack lifted his ass, despite the pressure on one hip, and groaned, "Feels like you are."

"And if I plan to fuck you only with my thumb?" he asked and slipped his thumb inside while his free hand came down on a butt cheek.

Jack bucked, twice. Once at the slap, once at the pressure of Stef's thumb as he rubbed down, finding the small, hard dome inside. Stef repeated his slap and caress several times until Jack could've sworn the heat matched both inside and out. He couldn't keep from twitching at every sensation, but he somehow refrained from cursing, yelling at the man to give him what he'd fantasized about for years.

And yet, Stef was giving him what he'd wanted, and only now was Jack realizing that. Clutching fistfuls of comforter underneath, he gave into accepting only what he got at the moment, trying not to focus on anything else to come. When his balls were slapped ever so lightly, however, he jumped and felt the pre-come leak from his cock as if he were having a small orgasm. Hell, for all he knew, he was. It felt too good, too familiar.

When Stef pulled his thumb from his ass, Jack thought this was it. It was time. But Stef only leaned against the backs of this wide-spread legs and began to caress his skin instead, from back to ass. Jack twitched again and again, his skin now over-sensitive. He gave into that, too, certain that Stef meant to drag this out... until he felt the hot, blunt nudge of a lubed cock push past the barriers in a firm stroke that stole the breath from him.

He dropped his forehead to the bed, groaning as Stef pulled back and pushed in, concentrating on the nerves of his anus and not the duller sensation further inside. He could feel Stef leaning over him, angling his body, and then came the hot feel of his cockhead riding over his gland. He moaned loudly, gripping the blanket tighter, bracing himself for the hard fucking he thought would come... he hoped would come. But Stef had other plans.

Jack was fucked excruciatingly slowly, and the only part of Stef that touched him, aside from his cock, were his thighs planted behind his own, keeping him spread, and his hands at Jack's waist. He wished there were a mirror in front of him, so that he could see what Stef looked like; so that he could watch.

A moment later, Jack forgot all about that. Stef increased the rhythm, moving deeper, occasionally slapping his burning ass and thighs. Jack marvelled at the way his body trembled, thinking he'd only ever get that feeling from his lovers. Stef was giving him everything, that much was certain. Jack tried to give back, to meet the thrusts, but Stef kept control... and Jack let him have it. Stef seemed to feel it, know it, and he sped up using short, rapid strokes, creating the only sound next to the harsh panting that filled the room.

There was a sound, a hitched gasp... and it was one Jack recognized. It came from Jason and it was the exact sound he made when he was being fucked and his orgasm came by surprise. Jack lifted his head and looked to his right.

"They've been watching us for a while," Stef whispered, thrusting harder, quicker. Jack knew they were heading off that certain cliff the moment he caught sight of his lovers through the bedroom doorway, in front of the main doors, watching Stef fuck him.

It was different. With Alex, he'd been the one fucking. But this was Stef fucking him, and his lovers were so getting off on it. Just as Jack was getting off on their watching him. God, with Jason on his hands and knees, and Daniel behind him, matching Stef's rhythm, fucking Jason for all he was worth.

Jack couldn't be annoyed that they hadn't left him alone; he knew they had to see, just as he would have under similar circumstances--as he had, with Jason and Alex. Partly for protectiveness, but mostly because it was fucking hot to watch. And now, just as hot to see them fucking and watching him.

The thought came, of being fucked like this while Stef watched. Memories came back, and all of it combined to drop Jack into the chasm. He arched, throwing his head back, feeling his orgasm explode, spreading through him, bolts of pleasure pulsing endlessly.

There was the barest awareness that Stef was lying over him, biting his shoulder as he came, and Jack felt a surge of pleasure and smug pride.

Afterglow slowed time down, as it always seemed to do. Jack lay on his side, facing the door, eyes blurry and only just able to see that his lovers were slumped on the floor in the next room, all boneless limbs.

Behind him, Stef felt just like that, and Jack smiled.

.

"How was it?"

Jack lay on his back, dozing. Sometimes he'd wake, stare at the ceiling, think of absolutely nothing, and close his eyes again.

Stef's question roused him and he groaned, not wanting to answer, preferring to lie there and sleep. But the question made him aware of his body now, and how his skin tingled and his ass burned in that good way. He turned his head and gave Stef a smile. "Good."

Stef smiled back, pleased. "I'm glad. Anything else you'd like to experiment with?"

"I'm good," Jack replied, seeking out Stef's skin with his fingers, caressing a 'thank you.'

"Me, too," Stef said as he laid his head down and closed his eyes, then with a devious smile, added, "For now."

.

Jack found it amusing that his lovers took to Stef like ducks to water. Just as he had all those years ago. Except now it was better, Jack mused as he set about fixing breakfast the next morning. Inevitable. Educational and inspirational, too.

He started slightly as Daniel, Jason, and Stef came into the kitchen, each coming up to give him a kiss on the neck or the shoulder, though Stef lingered, holding Jack about the waist from behind.

"Something on your mind?" Jack asked, whisking the eggs.

Stef leaned in, one hand around Jack's right wrist -- the one with the whisk -- and his lips against his ear. "I think it's a good day to show you the many artful uses of kitchen implements."

"Careful!" Jack deflected as his own surprise caused whipped egg to slosh onto the counter.

Snickering, Daniel grabbed a paper towel to wipe it up and winked at Stef when Jason growled. He'd bet them that Stef's suggestion would surprise Jack. Jason had been the only one to bet opposite and he'd just lost.

"Toldja," Daniel taunted.

Jason went to a drawer and pulled out a clean spatula, waving it threateningly. "You are hereby designated as the object d'art for Stef's Lesson Number One:  How to get Daniel fucked and spanked stupid over the butcher block in five easy steps."

Daniel's eyes went round as the three men stared at him. "You... wouldn't."

The hell they wouldn't. All Daniel had to do now was decide whether or not to say yes by staying exactly where he was.

Like there was actually a chance he'd say no?

---

"Some day when we're dreaming,
deep in love, not a lot to say,
then we will remember
things we said today."

 

The next few days were strangely unremarkable--not that sex was ever unremarkable between them. The day before their departure, they sat on the front deck, chilling in the shade from a particularly warm winter's day. Stef had left them earlier, telling them that it was time to see to Malcolm's needs now that his migraine had ceased.

Jason and Daniel had thought they'd known what Stef had meant until Stef and Malcolm approached from the dock path.

Jack shifted a little, clearing his throat.

"What?" Daniel asked.

"Just remembering," Jack replied, and it was obvious that he wasn't going to explain further, but he didn't need to. Jack's ass cheeks had been sensitive for three days.

As Stef and his partner passed, Stef suddenly looked over his shoulder, then paused and passed his hand lovingly over Malcolm's ass. "I'll be there shortly," he said quietly and Malcolm walked on ahead, a slightly embarrassed flush to his face as he looked back at the trio on the deck.

Stef approached and Daniel pointed in Malcolm's direction. "Is he your Sub?"

"Yeah, Malcolm's my Sub," he said casually as he went to the edge of the dock in front of the guys and pulled out a clear vinyl CD sleeve from the pocket of his shorts before sitting down.

Jack frowned, interrupting. "Wait, I thought you said he was just a friend."

"No, I said he was a friend, Jack, and he is. But he's also my Sub on occasion."

"On occasion?" Jack went on.

"He has other needs I don't practice, so he goes to another friend of mine for those."

"May I ask what those are?" Jason said, curious.

"His business, Jason, sorry."

"Right, but I thought I'd ask. No offense."

"None taken. Those in the lifestyle tend to be even more private than those outside of it."

"Gotcha. You wanted to ask us something...or?"

Stef smiled. "You'd make a good reader, Jason, if you ever decided to become a Dom. Daniel, too."

Daniel smirked at Jason's look of surprise. "That's all he needs," he joked, winking at Jason.

"You're one to talk," Jason teased back. "So, what is it, Stef?"

"A request. I wanted to ask that we have our privacy. Normally, I wouldn't mind the audience, because I think everyone new deserves a good look... so to speak. But Malcolm is very private, so I'll have the blinds closed. As you know, I haven't sound-proofed the room, so if you hear something, don't get curious enough to come take a peek. So, if you would stay here?"

"Our voyeurism doesn't involve violation of privacy," Jack explained quickly as he and his lovers agreed.

Stef nodded. "I know, but you didn't know this about Malcolm, so I thought I'd give you a head's up."

"No problem," Jack answered.

"Mind if I ask a question?" Daniel asked.

"Go ahead," Stef answered with an expectant grin.

"Is Malcolm's ankle tattoo called a brand?" Jack and Jason's brows shot up. They hadn't thought of that even as they'd looked at the tattooed chain around his right ankle.

Stef grinned and stood up, brushing the CD sleeve with his thumb, like a caress, as if using it to focus, but his eyes were on the three men. "Not in this case. He's not my slave, Daniel. This one denotes a certain type of understanding between a Dom and Sub, but one that signifies a reciprocal emotional bond, which is why it goes all the way around the ankle so there are no broken links." He turned away, and with an amused glance back, added, "I'll be occupied the rest of the day but I'll be available tonight if you need me for... anything." He paused, then handed it to Jack.

"What's this?" Jack asked, looking at the disc inside with curiosity.

"This is you," he said with an enigmatic smile. "Have a good afternoon gentlemen." He proceeded down the path, looking over his shoulder once, giving a two-fingered wave over his brow, like a salute.

Daniel frowned and looked at Jack. "You picked that up from Stef."

Jack grinned a shrug as he looked at the disc, wondering what it was on it. He was about to suggest they go find out when Daniel interrupted.

Twisting his ring around his pinky, Daniel asked, "Did you guys notice that he avoided answering whether or not that tattoo was his?"

Jack nodded; so did Jason. "His business," Jack said with a shrug.

Daniel took a deep breath. "Yeah. Speaking of that business, I was going to ask you two if you think we should get something like that tattoo but..."  He held up his left pinky, showing his trefoil ring--one of the three Jason had gotten from his grandfather. "I don't think I need to."

Grinning with agreement, Daniel's lovers hooked their fingers with his.

Breaking off, Jack stood and waved the CD sleeve at them. "Let's go check out the CD."

In the bedroom, they found it wasn't a video but an audio CD. One song. Jack frowned, listening. "That's supposed to be us?"

Jason smiled widely, staring unfocused as he listened. "Oh yeah. That's us, alright. Man's brilliant."

"Who is that?" Jack asked.

"You don't like it?" Daniel asked.

"I like it fine. It's just that I never figured Stef for a romantic."

"More than a romantic, Jack," Daniel said, and hunted down the full CD in the stereo cabinet. Handing it to him, he said, "Read the lyrics. Stef was right in that this song is you, and while he may have meant us as a whole, I think this song is you."

"Oh, c'mon, Daniel--"

"You know, if you need help comprehending the words, I can probably manage a translation."

Jack cuffed him. "This coming from a man who has trouble understanding The Simpsons."

"Only Patti and Selma, because I don't get the MacGyver references."

"You had trouble with the time travel references."

"Who doesn't?"

.

They weren't scheduled to leave till late that afternoon, but that morning, Stef invited Daniel for a walk on the beach and Daniel found himself distracted by whatever was on the man's mind. What else could he possibly want to talk about? he asked himself. After a few minutes of small talk and listening to the ocean and the few gulls, Stef turned to him, the dark blue of his eyes looking troubled, hesitant. Daniel kept himself from reading why.

"What is it? I know you brought me down here for a reason."

Stef swallowed. "Remember the issue of force we'd talked about?"

"Yeah, I have some vague recollection," Daniel replied, that half-smile appearing.

Now was the time, Stef ordered himself. He took a deep breath and rubbed his lips together before saying carefully, "Outside of your relationship and those others you trust, the use of force is a particularly sensitive issue, wouldn't you agree?"

Daniel frowned at him, hating the sudden drop in his stomach and the shift from relaxed tension into the defensive. He suddenly knew without reading Stef what the man meant. Daniel colored with embarrassment and leftover shame, shifting uncomfortably. "There's a great deal of difference, Stef, between force and what I think you're alluding to, and I don't think that this is a fruitful line of discussion."

He turned abruptly on his heel and started to walk away, but suddenly stopped. He was so tired of running. Turned swiftly, feeling the anger well up, he crossed his arms and spat out, "How the hell did you pick up on that? Jason and Jack would never have said anything."

Stef cleared his throat, hating himself for bringing up the subject, but he felt he had to. He went to Daniel and touched his elbow, careful not to touch him anywhere else until the protective walls Daniel just threw up around himself were taken back down.

"I'm sorry, Daniel, but I mention this because I think I had to."

Daniel turned away with a snort of disgust. "I don't know what kind of game this is--"

"Daniel, you know this isn't a game. I wanted to let you know that if you were ever willing to talk, you could talk to me. If you ever need an ear, if you ever need any... help..."

"Who are you to say I need help?" Daniel asked as he stared out at the ocean.

"Daniel, look at me. Please." He hated himself even more for the hard reflection that was now in Daniel's eyes as the man turned and looked at him.

Daniel took a deep breath, stuffing down his anger. He wondered for a moment if the pain in Stef's eyes was out of guilt. Without thinking, he stretched out with his mind and touched Stef's emotional core. A second later, he took a step back in horrified shock.

"You?"

Stef nodded slowly, frowning, wondering just what exactly Daniel had seen. The man couldn't possibly be telepathic. Empathically intuitive? Interesting. And very rare. "You've a special gift for insight, Daniel. Yes. A long time ago. I never told Jack. There was no reason to. I never meant to imply that you needed help, it's just that I've been through it and I sense that certain kind of loneliness in thinking you're alone with your feelings. Jason and Jack have never been... well, brutalized like that, anyway. I don't think you can talk to them because they'll only get mad and overprotective, right?"

Daniel nodded but said nothing.

"What happened with me was especially hard for someone with my temperament. Can you imagine the conflict and emotional impact for a Dom who's been raped?"

Daniel studied him closely, not believing anyone could ever... but... everyone was vulnerable under the right circumstances. The thought sent a cold shiver through him and his throat closed for a moment.

"I think so. Can you imagine being raped by a woman much smaller than you are?" he asked slowly.

Stef was careful not to show the wrong sort of surprise. "Drugged?" he asked.

Daniel snorted with sour amusement. "You're as astute as I am, it seems. Yes, drugged. How did you know about the...?"

"They didn't tell me."

"No, I didn't think they had."

"Body language, Daniel. Are you aware that aside from the possessiveness you show toward Jack and Jason, that you also show a distancing from everyone else?" Daniel shook his head slowly, but as if he weren't sure. "You put up walls that tell people to back off. You self-hug, and while that could be from abandonment issues, yours is deeper than that. It's the way you hold yourself."

Strangely, Daniel felt himself relax as he became aware of the tension in his body... and the fact that he was now self-hugging himself. He folded his arms again.

"You have to have something in your hands at all times, don't you?"

"What?" Daniel asked, as if he'd had his mind read. He wanted to ask how Stef had seen that, but he didn't need to. He knew. "I hug or cross my arms. I gesture with my hands as I talk. And I always have to fiddle with something. It... could just be my nervous disposition, or the fact that I'm a caffeine addict, but..." He gave Stef a sheepish look. "I guess it's more than that isn't it?" Without thinking he shoved his hands in his front pockets, hands forming fists, tightening the fabric but creating a protective tent.

It told Stef that what had happened hadn't been that long ago. "How long ago?"

"Six years," Daniel said, glancing once at him before searching for the sea again.

Stef sighed and reached out, brushing two fingers along Daniel's bicep, withdrawing when Daniel tensed, but was pleasantly surprised when Daniel abruptly turned and grabbed his hand as if in apology. "Jack's a very tactile man," Stef observed. "I'm surprised that you allowed him his friendly touches, even after. It says a lot about your strength."

Daniel shook his head. "I was forced to deal, that's all."

Stef allowed a smile, trying to gentle Daniel down from his anger. "So was I. I think I brought this up because you remind me too much of the way I used to be. You do the same things I used to do and still do."

"Is there anything else that gives me away?" Daniel asked sarcastically.

"Gives you away?" Stef asked. "No. I see it because I've trained myself to see it. You know, at first, a long time ago, I learned how to read body language as a defense mechanism from this. The only other thing I see right now is that you keep yourself at a slight angle instead of facing someone straight on--that applies to people you don't trust. It's a martial stance, used by many in the defensive arts. I don't think anyone would notice that if they weren't already knowledgeable about body language. I'm not surprised that Jason and Jack haven't picked up on it. They tend to avoid thinking in that direction."

Daniel winced, agreeing. "My fault--"

"No," Stef cut him off quickly, taking his arm more firmly and even more gratified when Daniel didn't pull away. It meant he trusted him. "Not your fault. You have every right to deal with the trauma however you see fit. To have dealt with it as well as you have shows, as I said, a surprising strength. I'm offering help only because I share it, and because I hope you haven't repressed all the anger. Were you ever able to talk about it?"

Daniel stared at him. "What do you think?"

Stef frowned. "Not even with Jason and Jack?"

"Later on, yeah, I've talked about it, but I've never discussed what actually happened because I can't. Not without feeling this tremendous anger, this urge to..."

Stef inclined his head in understanding. "To kill."

Daniel breathed in deeply through his nose. "It's been six years. You'd think I'd stop thinking about violence whenever I think about what she did, or when it happens to someone else."

"Look at me," Stef asked gently and Daniel turned to him finally. "It's been twenty-five years for me, Daniel. I still get mad enough to kill. Maybe it's because I never had anyone to talk to. I wouldn't mind talking to you... if you're willing, that is. I won't blame you if you choose not to. I'm just saying that if you ever want to, get a hold of me any time, okay?"

Daniel studied him for a long silent moment and knew that Stef was quite serious. He felt the sympathy and almost-love for him coming from... his friend. The man was so gifted, especially after knowing what he'd been through. Daniel didn't want to ask what had happened. He didn't need to. Ever. "Thanks," he said finally and reached out, took Stef's hand in his, and pulled him into an embrace that seemed to last forever.

When they parted, Stef said, "Talk to them?"

Daniel shrugged. "What good will it do? They're overprotective enough."

"They will understand and give you the emotional strength you need. I don't know the details about Jason's traumas, but Jack's been close enough. Trust them."

"I trust them, Stef," Daniel admonished.

"You hold back. Trust them."

Grudgingly, Daniel gave him a single nod and Stef took his hand and kissed the palm. "Good. Now let's finish our walk, shall we?"

On the lookout above, Jack watched worriedly, smiling when they hugged. Jason startled him a little when he grabbed his hand and dragged him away. "Whatever the reason Stef asked him down there, we'll find out soon enough. Stop hovering."

"Like you're not as bad," Jack countered, following Jason into the main house.

"From what I saw," Jason went on finally, not letting go of Jack's hand, "Daniel wasn't altogether happy with whatever Stef was talking to him about."

"No," Jack mused, his worry lines showing. "But it looked okay there at the end. Whatever it was, I think he was helping Daniel." He shrugged helplessly, hating it that he wasn't the one who was on the giving end of that.

"Agreed," Jason replied slowly, reading Jack's face. "Demons."

Jack tried to pull away but Jason wouldn't let him, making his lover face him. "I can pretty much guess what kind," Jack said eventually.

Jason's eyes became dark with concern, like Jack's. "Hathor."

"Yeah. I... wasn't there for him. I didn't know how to be."

Jason sighed, rubbing Jack's knuckles with his free hand. "Which means that perhaps Stef has more of an understanding than we do. We've come close, Jack, but not that close."

"Yeah," Jack said sadly. "We can be there this time though... if he lets us."

"If he lets us."

When Stef and Daniel returned, Daniel caught his lovers' worried looks from the kitchen as they prepared a light afternoon snack. "At home, I promise," was all he said as he walked in to help. When they simply nodded acceptance and went on about their business, not smothering him, Daniel felt a great weight fall from his shoulders.

Behind him, Stef smiled and winked at Jack. Everything would be fine.

.

Meeting Stef on the dock, Jason, Jack, and Daniel said their goodbyes rather awkwardly; they didn't want to leave.

Jason was first and he gave the man a hug before stepping back. Before he moved away, Stef held out his hand, presenting Jason with a book. Jason took it and stared at it, the cover showing a nude, kneeling body, bound artfully with rope. He looked up at Stef questioningly.

"If you ever decide to venture into bondage that doesn't require sex, I suggest you try the Japanese art of rope bondage. However, you can't do this without a knowledgeable person so give me a call and I'll see if I can't arrange a visit. There are a few people you could call, of course, but you need a lot of trust established for this sort of thing."

"If I need you or another experienced teacher, then what's the purpose of the book?"

"To familiarize yourself and see if it's something you'd like to try."

Jason liked the knotwork but... without sex? He couldn't see the point, but he took Stef's advice to heart anyway. One never knew. "Thanks."

"You're welcome."

Turning away, Jason headed toward the plane, now tied once more against the dock after Stef had moved the yacht further out.

Daniel stepped up and hugged Stef before he was ready--and hugged him tight. "You'll talk to them?" he asked Daniel quietly.

"I will."

"And me, anytime, remember?"

"I'll take you up on that."

"Good," and Stef hugged him hard, then let him go. But like Jason, he handed Daniel something. A bag. "A little something for you and your guys." His grin was wicked and Daniel knew that Stef had filled the bag with his privately-made requests. Daniel smiled back and followed Jason to the plane.

Lastly, Jack came up to him, having stood a respectful (and non-hovering) distance away. Stef grinned at him. "I'll come for a visit. How's that?"

Jack nodded slowly. "Except you won't be able to do so with the element of surprise. You may just catch us out."

"I know, I remember." He handed Jack a bag as well. A small, red tote. Inside were a few paddles, along with some other items, one of them being a leather flogger. The imagined sting it would give sent a body tingle over Jack's skin. "Thanks," he said quietly.

The silence was strange, the goodbye even more awkward, then Stef suddenly pulled Jack's head down and kissed him roughly and hungrily. When he let him go, Jack saw the emotion in his friend's eyes.

"Stef, I'll be fine."

"Make sure you stay that way, and your lovers as well."

Jack couldn't help but grin. "They're a handful, but I'll try."

"A damn lucky handful," Stef told him quietly before kissing him again and letting him go.

.

"Okay, got the gear stowed. Let's go," Daniel said, shutting the passenger door behind him. He casually set down the bag that Stef had given him between the pilot seats as he went to his own seat, but there was nothing casual in the reason for leaving the bag unzipped and open.

Jack and Jason peered into it--taking in the assortment of toys and accessories. With a look over their shoulders, they caught the wicked gleam in Daniel's eyes as he buckled in.

"Jack, you think we could get a few more days out of Hammond?" Jason asked as he got up, picked up the bag, zipped it up, and shoved it under Daniel's seat, eyeing him with an unspoken promise as he handed Daniel the book Stef had given him.

Jack's mind was still whirling with the image of a glass dildo. "Oh, not a chance in hell."

"But that's something we can definitely work around."

"That's the plan," Jack said with a bit of anticipation. A few seconds later, his tone altered, his expression becoming a different version of serious as he picked up the radio mic. "Let's get this tub off the water. Jace, check the gauges..."

Behind them, Daniel watched his lovers go through their pre-flight procedures, he went over the last thirty days--indeed, the last three years. Smiling to himself, he couldn't imagine having anything better in his life than exactly what he had.

Special Note 1:  To Dangermouse -- thanks for being there for me when I started writing this.   Thanks to Cats, who came into this late in the game but was no less interested in helping me improve. :)  Thanks to you both for putting up with my numerous drafts and last minute "Wait!" emails, and then my subsequent arguing and my own much-needed re-edits.  Also, thanks to my other betas.  Three pairs of eyes are apparently needed to wade through all this.

Special Note 2:  To all the readers of Trinity -- thanks for sticking with me through the chapters while I attempted to learn how to write--and am still learning, quite obviously.  I hope you will stick around for the triad's next set of adventures in Trilogy.

Song Quotes for Trinity XXX:  Part one is from Jim Croce's Time in a Bottle; part two is from Peggy Lee's Fever; part three is from The Scorpions' Rhythm of Love; part four is from Madonna's Crazy For You. In this last chapter, the first quote is from, Kiss from a Rose, by Seal. The second from The Beatles' Things We Said Today.

This universe is continued in the series, Trilogy.

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