Adult-FanFiction.org : Television / Streaming

Beneath a Heart of Darkness	By : OpenPage Category: 1 through F > 21 Jump Street Views: 4657 -:- Recommendations : 1 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own 21JS or the characters. I do not make any money from the writing of this story. All characters and events in this story are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is coincidental.

Chapter List
- 52
- 53
- 54
From his vantage point behind his desk, Booker watched in surprise as Fuller entered the Chapel’s central hub, followed closely by Tom. While he knew Hanson had arranged to meet with their captain to discuss his resignation, he had expected the interview to take place in their home. Ever since his assault, Jump Street was a touchy subject for Tom, and he deflected all mention of it whenever he could. So, to see him walk through the door of the one place he avoided at all costs was a mystery. Something was going on.
With his curiosity now piqued, Booker attempted to catch his lover’s eye, but his not so subtle attempt went unnoticed. Tom’s gaze remained stubbornly fixed on the floor until the two men disappeared into Fuller’s office, the door slamming closed behind them.
“Whaddya think that’s about?”
The question startled Booker out of his trance and turning his head, he focused on Penhall’s worried face. Since getting caught naked in Tom’s apartment, he and Doug had managed to avoid each other. It was an unspoken arrangement designed to protect Tom, but it also forestalled the inevitable awkward conversation. For Penhall, the reasons behind his circumvention seemed obvious. The disturbing image of Booker’s family jewels swinging free in the breeze still haunted him, and he wished he could blank it from his memory forever. Therefore, staying away from the dark-haired officer seemed the easiest way to keep the vision at bay. At least, that was what he told himself. The truth was, he was still coming to terms with the idea his best friend was in a sexual relationship with Booker, and although nonjudgmental, he needed time to process the information.
In Booker’s case, his reasons were more emotive. The unique relationship Tom shared with Doug played on his insecurities, the instinctive emotion slowly eroding his belief in himself. While he knew he was behaving in an irrational manner, he could not curb his envy, thereby opening the floodgates of doubt and allowing the green waves of jealousy to flow freely. By disassociating himself from the root of his aggravation, he could effectively ignore the love Tom felt for another man and hold on to his sanity. Although he recognized the love for what it was, an affection built on friendship and not sexual chemistry, he found it difficult to separate the two. Therefore, it was easier to give Penhall the cold-shoulder and try to forget their relationship even existed.
However, despite his best efforts, he couldn’t ignore the two-hundred-and-fifty-pound officer when he was standing right in front of him, and pushing his paperwork to one side, he exhaled a heavy sigh. “I dunno. He had a meeting with Fuller about handing in his badge, but I’ve no idea why they’ve come back here.”
It took a moment for Doug to digest Booker’s words, but when he did, his eyes grew wide with disbelief. “Tommy’s quitting the force?”
The use of the affectionate pet name grated on Booker’s nerves, but he managed to maintain his cool. It appeared Tom hadn’t discussed his resignation with Doug, and the knowledge brought a smile to the dark-haired officer’s face. Maybe he was wrong, maybe Tom and Penhall weren’t as close as he first thought. The revelation sent a tingle of satisfaction down his spine, and hiding his smirk behind his hand, he raised his eyebrows in surprise. “What? He didn’t tell you? That’s weird, ‘cause I’ve known for a while.”
It was a low blow, but Booker couldn’t help himself. He wanted to hurt Penhall, and the easiest way was to prove Tom had confided in him his innermost thoughts. It was juvenile, but that was the nature of the beast. Jealousy made you do the wacky.
Harsh lines transformed Penhall’s face into a ghostly mask of torment. He couldn’t believe Tom had kept such a vital piece of information from him, and he found it difficult not to retaliate in the same immature way as Booker. “Yeah? Well, I guess Hanson’s judgment has become impaired since shacking up with you. Hardly surprising, assholedom can be contagious.”
The crudity of the comment shocked Booker into reevaluating his behavior. It was rare for Penhall to resort to petty insults, and he knew his words had hit the officer hard. By allowing his personal grievance to get the better of him, he had become blind to the one thing he and Doug had in common, Tom’s welfare. As much as it pained him to admit it, if his lover did find the inner courage to lay charges against the Pi Taus, he was going to need all the support he could get, and to deny Tom his friendship with Penhall was not only selfish but also irresponsible. The young officer had already suffered one breakdown, and Booker was determined to make sure it never happened again, even if that meant swallowing his pride and playing nice with a man he disliked.
And so, despite the childish animosity still smoldering beneath his skin, the dark-haired officer decided to take the high road, and with an apologetic smile, he offered an olive branch. “Hey, man, I didn’t mean to gloat. I’m sure Tom would have told you once he’d spoken to Fuller.”
Suspicion clouded Penhall’s eyes. “What’s with the sudden change of attitude? Two seconds ago, you couldn’t give a fuck about my feelings. Why are you being so considerate now?”
Booker gave a noncommittal shrug of his shoulders. “I dunno, I guess I thought it would help Tom. He’s dealing with a lot, and the last thing he needs is us acting like a couple of first graders.”
Unsure how to take Dennis’ about face, Penhall remained wary. “Are you saying you wanna call a truce?”
The question hung in the air for several seconds before Booker answered. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m saying. Tom’s your best friend, and I think we need to try to get along.”
Penhall continued to stare at Booker, his distrust evident in the stiffness of his stance. But eventually, his muscles relaxed, and he exhaled a sigh of resignation. “Okay, I’ll do it for Hanson. But I’m watching you, Booker. If you do anything to hurt him, I’ll—”
“Yeah, yeah,” Booker interjected, the derisive roll of his eyes adding substance to his bored tone. “You’ll kick my ass. I already got the memo.”
With the terms of their agreement now understood, Doug pulled up a chair and leaning forward, he spoke in a low, conspiratorial voice. “So, how is Tommy?”
The genuine concern reflected in the officer’s voice softened Booker’s irritation. But despite their armistice, he remained wary. “He’s doing okay, I guess.”
“Meaning?” Penhall pushed, his intense gaze searching for any hint of a lie.
Not wanting to give away too much information, Booker gave an evasive shrug. “Meaning he’s doing okay considering everything he’s been through.”
“And?”
Conscious of the police interview tactic used to gain information, Booker blew out his cheeks in frustration. “Look, Doug, I don’t feel comfortable talking about Tom’s private life, okay? Maybe the two of you should go out for a drink or something, then you can ask him yourself.”
Penhall snorted. “And you’d be okay with that? C’mon, Booker, even you’re not that good of a liar.”
Refusing to acknowledge the officer’s attempt to wind him up, Booker’s expression remained neutral. “Sure. I think it’ll be good for Tom.”
It was on the tip of Doug’s tongue to scream, ‘Bullshit!’ but he managed to bite down on his words just in time. For once in his life, Booker was trying hard not to be a complete pain in the ass, and the least he could do was acknowledge the effort. “Yeah, okay, maybe I will,” he muttered, and rising from his chair, he walked away.
**
By the time Tom emerged from Fuller’s office, Booker’s curiosity had reached fever pitch. Two hours behind closed doors was a long time to fill out the necessary resignation paperwork, and the only logical conclusion the dark-haired officer could come up with was that Tom had taken the ultimate step and pressed charges against the Pi Taus. While he hoped it was true, he also felt a little put out his lover hadn’t asked him to sit in on the interview. He wanted to support Tom any way he could, and he didn’t understand why the man he shared a bed with hadn’t wanted him by his side while making the most difficult statement of his young life. The not knowing made him nervous, and he could not help but wonder if his lover had said something about their forced coupling that put him in a bad light.
With his paranoia at an all-time high, he shoved back from his desk, the loud scrape of his chair turning several heads. Standing up, he hurried across the room, only just managing to accost Tom before he could enter the stairwell. “That took a long time. Is there something you wanna tell me?”
Tom pushed rudely past his lover, a dark scowl marring his attractive features. “Like what?”
“Are you really gonna act dumb?” Booker hissed as he followed Tom down the stairs. “Okay, I’ll play along. How ‘bout, ‘Hey Booker, I resigned, but I also told Fuller I want to press charges against the Pi Taus. But I didn’t want you there during my deposition because I swore to tell the truth and the reality is, I hate you for what you did to me in that basement, even though I pretend I don’t.’ Am I close, huh? Am I in the fucking ballpark?”
Walking outside, Tom headed toward his car. “How do you know I gave a statement?” he muttered, his tone belligerent.
Frustrated, Booker grabbed hold of Tom’s upper arm, pulling him to a stop. “So, are you telling me you didn’t?”
“I’M TELLING YOU, IT’S NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS!”
Shocked, Booker pulled back with a start. “My God, Tom, what’s wrong with you? Why are you attacking me?”
Tom’s shoulders sagged, his combative attitude visibly fading along with dusk’s waning light. “I didn’t think it would be this hard,” he whispered, his eyes shining with pain. “Jesus, Dennis, I don’t know if I can do this?”
Ashamed of his actions, Booker wrapped his arms around Tom and pulled him into a tight hug. “Oh, baby, no one said it would be easy. But you can do this, and just remember, you’re not alone. You’ve got me, and Penhall, and—”
“Penhall?” Tom queried in surprise, his chin tilting up to meet Booker’s loving gaze. “You hate Penhall. How can he be a part of my life when you can’t stand being in the same room with him?”
Uncomfortable with the role he’d played in keeping Tom from his best friend, Booker had the grace to blush. “Yeah, well, let’s just say I’ve had a change of heart. Doug and I talked, and we’re cool. If you need him, he’s there for you, just like I am, okay?”
A devious smile tweaked the corners of Tom’s lips. “Are you actually admitting you were wrong?”
Pleased Tom could still see the funny side of what was a serious situation, Booker grinned. “No, I’m just saying you were right.”
Although relieved the two most important people in his life had resolved their differences, it didn’t take long for the spark to fade from Tom’s eyes. “Do you really think I can do this?” he whispered, drawing comfort from the protective aura of his lover’s warm embrace. “Do you really think a jury will believe me?”
They were the same words uttered by almost every rape survivor when confronted with the prospect of a lengthy trial. Sexual assault not only stripped away a person’s dignity, it slowly chipped at their confidence to the point where they doubted anybody would take their testimony seriously. It was one of the reasons many survivors refused to lay charges, leaving rapists to walk free. But for Booker, he would die before he let that happen. Ever since Tom had voiced a desire to take the Pi Taus down, he had made it his personal mission not to let the topic drop. He brought it up as often as he could, gently prompting and encouraging his lover to take the first step and file a report. And while it now appeared his persistence had paid off, he knew it was only the beginning of a very long, difficult road toward justice. Tom would face many highs and lows throughout the lengthy legal process, all of which would put a strain on their relationship. But after all they had endured, he was confident their partnership would survive. All they had to do was believe in what they had, and everything else would fall into place. The universe had brought them together, and he doubted it had any intention of tearing them apart. What they had was meant to be, and nothing, not even the Pi Taus could destroy the love they felt for each other. It was eternal.
Releasing Tom from his arms, he rested his hands on his lover’s shoulders. “Baby, you’re the strongest person I know. You can do anything you set your mind to. And you’re forgetting one vital piece of information. Jorge is pressing charges against Holland, and I’m prepared to tell my story about what he did to me. And we have Harold as a witness, and he can attest to the abuse the Pi Taus inflicted on you. You have a strong case, and I think the only way you’re going to heal is to keep pushing forward, whatever the outcome. You can do this, you just have to believe in yourself.”
Booker was not one for speeches, and Tom took a moment to absorb his words. Gradually, a shy smile curved his lips. “I believe in you,” he confessed quietly.
Touched by the sentiment, Booker smiled back. “Then you’ve nothing to worry about.”
Platitudes did not normally sit well with Tom, but for once, he allowed himself to take comfort from the empty words. He was terrified of what lay ahead, and he knew if he didn’t try to keep a small glimmer of hope alive, he would buckle beneath the burden of his adversity.
- 52
- 53
- 54
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Beneath a Heart of Darkness