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Earthquakes	By : Macx Category: S through Z > Tremors Views: 2070 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Tremors, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Earthquakes
- 1
Earthquakes

by Macx and Lara Bee
Apparently AdultFFNet's latest problems erased a lot of my stories
and part of them, because all of the uploads had been complete. Suddenly
there were a ton of spelling mistakes and so forth, so all stories I could
check have been reuploaded... Sorry for the inconvenience.

W.D. Twitchell was in his element, addressing a crowd of thankful citizens
who had no idea what exactly had happened. All they knew was that their
little Pioneer Day celebration had been overrun by a bunch of Shriekers
and that someone had saved the day. That Twitchell was that someone...
well, Burt Gummer wasn't the one to argue. He didn't like to be in the
spotlight.

Pulling his cap further down to hide his face, he turned to his partner.
Tyler Reed, like himself, was keeping back, leaving Twitchell to rake in
the triumph.

"Let's get out of here. I need a beer."

Tyler grinned. "Damn good idea."

They made a quiet and undetected exit -- which was only interrupted
by a last minute shoot Tyler insisted he needed for Jodi's video, and which
earned him a black eye -- and Gummer drove the truck into Juniper, looking
for a bar. They found a quaint little place, which wasn't overcrowded and
in walking distance to the hotel Twitchell had booked them in for a night.
With most folks at the fair, it was rather quiet in the bar. Burt liked
it immediately.

Maybe it was the slowly ebbing adrenaline or just the satisfaction of
a job well-done despite complications and stupid people, but Burt drank
more than he usually allowed himself to have. Tyler was no exception, matching
his alcohol intake glass for glass. Both men talked little, watching the
TV newsbreaks, the interviews, chuckling at Twitchell or the witnesses,
who gave reports of giant monsters chasing them. Clean-up crews were taking
care of the Shrieker bodies and the other damage, but soon Juniper would
be back to normality.

"How's the eye?" Gummer asked, looking at his friend.

Tyler grunted. "Hurts. Damn. That guy had no reason to slug me."

"You were checking out his girl."

"No, I was filmin' the fair," the younger man protested, his speech
slightly slurred already. "She was part of it."

Gummer emptied his beer and ordered a refill, which he got. Reed's
next shot was something stronger, a double of it, too. He morosely looked
at the empty shot glass.

"Who needs women anyway?" he muttered after a while, a lot more intoxicated
than before. "Just -- look at 'em, Burt. Why can't women be more like men?"

"Know what you mean, Tyler."

"I mean, why can't a woman be more like ... like you, Burt. That'd
be nice 'n easy... wouldn't it? I mean, we get along just fine, don't we,
and ... and ... "

"Tyler?"

"What?"

"You're drunk."

Reed smiled stupidly. "So are you, buddy."

"Yep. Let's go to bed."

Tyler shot him an unreadable look. "Besht idea you had t'night."
* * *
They walked, well, stumbled, the block down to the hotel and managed
to get into the elevator and up to the fourth floor where their rooms were
located. Tyler was mumbling about women and how it was unfair. Whatever
it was that had to be unfair; Burt had no idea. The older man was unsteady
on his feet, too, but a lot more aware of his surroundings. Even a dead
drunk Burt Gummer was an alert Burt Gummer.

"'Kay, here we are."

Tyler looked at the door, smiling. "Cool. So, you ready for the night
of your life, buddy?"

He leaned over to Burt and Gummer was just fast enough to keep him
from hitting his head on the door jamb as he missed Burt's shoulder.

"Tyler..."

"Never ever kissed a guy with a mustache before," Reed went on, looking
closely at Burt's mouth. "Been told it tickles." And with that he pressed
their lips together, catching Burt off guard.

It was a sloppy kiss. From a very drunk friend. A very determined drunk
friend, who pushed the other man against the door and tried to get inside
his pants.

Burt had only one choice and when Tyler sagged slightly, he unlocked
the door and dragged the younger man inside.

"Man, you're hot," Tyler slurred, weaving more as he immediately stripped
off the dark red shirt.

He threw it away and it landed haphazardly on the chair.

Burt, feeling the effects of the alcohol only too much, sighed as he
looked at his bare-chested partner. He was tired, he wanted to go to bed
-- but not with Tyler. Not in that way. Well, at least not in the drunk
state he was in.

"Tyler..."

Tyler, who had undone his jeans and was stripping them off together
with his underpants, grinned at him. "Comin'."

Burt took a look at the nicely shaped body, his intoxicated brain telling
him all kinds of inappropriate things, then suddenly found himself with
an armful of naked Tyler.

Okay.

Bed.

And sleep.

Tyler made a happy little noise as he was placed onto the mattress
and Burt stripped the pants all the way off, since they had become stuck
around at the other man's ankles. He threw the clothing aside, not caring
where it landed and then undressed himself -- except for the underwear,
and climbed in, too.

Reed mumbled something and wrapped himself around Gummer, then dropped
off like a stone. Burt sighed again, then closed his eyes.
* * *
Burt Gummer woke slowly and asked himself what had been in his last
drink, and why the hell had he taken a woman into bed with him? Moreover,
why did said woman snore and had an uncanny resemblance to one Tyler Reed?

Answer: because he was in bed with Tyler Reed. Not a woman. His friend
and partner Tyler Reed.

Wonderful.

Must have been an interesting night.

And from the soft sounds Tyler was making, it would get even more interesting
soon. The other man was waking up.

Tyler slowly came around to the mother of all headaches. Gawd, he had
really given it to himself last night. Must have been one heck of a party.
At least, he thought fuzzily as his senses slowly booted, he had managed
to get into bed.

The mattress moved.

Uh, with someone else?

Cracking an eye open he blinked, trying to clear his vision. This looked
like a hotel room, so he had staggered back to the hotel all right. But
everything even remotely connected as to how, when and with whom was a
complete blank.

"Good morning."

Tyler's eyes snapped open wide and he turned his head. He really wasn't
alone in bed, but where he might have expected a girl from the fair, there
was... Burt Gummer?

Reed made an incoherent noise and bolted. At least he tried. All he
managed was to fall out of bed and land on his butt.

His naked butt.

His...

Head spinning, nausea hammering away at his stomach, he realized one
important fact. He was naked. Completely, utterly naked like the day he
come into this world.

And he had woken next to Burt Gummer, who was... only wearing his underpants.

Tyler panicked and groped for the blanket, trying for some modesty.
"What the hell happened?" he almost squeaked, pulling the bed cover down
over his exposed nether regions. "No, skip that - nothing's happened here.
Nothing at all!"

His stomach decided now was as good as any time to announce the
fact that it didn't really take to all the upset.

Burt watched Tyler pale considerably, his face turning into an interesting
shade of green, before he staggered into the bathroom -- blanket forgotten.
He was treated to a swift sight of a nicely muscled back, then the bathroom
door fell shut. Retching sounds followed.

Burt sank back into the pillows - it hadn't been him being stark naked
in bed with a guy after all - but Tyler had asked a valid question. What
*had* happened? Slowly, memories returned.

Them sitting in the bar, talking about women in general and in particular,
getting more and more drunk until - yes, until Tyler had started making
cryptic remarks that had ended with the other man coming on to him, surprising
him by kissing him in front of his door, and him... Burt groaned inwardly.
He hadn't done anything about it, nothing to discourage the younger man,
instead he had let him into his room and into his bed. Tyler had been drunk
like a skunk but damn, it had felt good.

Despite his current state a part of him announced a growing interest
in a repeat performance. What performance? Nothing had really happened.
There had been one drunken kiss, some fumbling, then a naked body in his
arms - and Tyler had fallen asleep the very next second. Nothing had happened
indeed.

And nothing ever would.

Tyler slowly walked back into the room, eyes evading him. He had wrapped
a towel around his hips and now began to collect his clothes that were
cluttering the floor.

"I need a coffee," he murmured.

"Good idea," Burt agreed and got out of bed.

Shower first, then coffee, and then... he would see.
* * *
The drive home was a very silent one, both men not really knowing what
to talk about. Tyler tried to initiate a conversation once, about the Shriekers
and the stupidity of the government when it came to those creatures, but
it soon tapered off into more silence.

They stopped at Jodi's store, answered everyone's questions, and Tyler
gave back the camcorder with its contents. Jodi had enough footage for
her next video tape to sell to the souvenir hunters. Of course, his black
eye aroused 'motherly' feelings -- but only until the women found out just
how he had gotten it.

Burt was a silent witness in the background, not commenting much, leaving
the stage, as it was, to Tyler. He left some time before dusk and Tyler
returned to his own humble abode, busying himself with his truck and checking
on further bookings for his tour.

Life went on.

For a week.

A whole week where business was slow and El Blanco didn't show as often
as Tyler wanted him to. Still, most customers were satisfied, Jodi sold
her souvenirs and made profit, and Nancy was soon out of Shrieker figurines.
The small trip over the border to Arizona had launched a new avalanche
of souvenir demands. Everyone was satisfied -- except Tyler Reed.

The single moment in Juniper, where he had found himself naked in bed
with Burt Gummer, had burned itself into his mind, was scorching fiery
trails through his memory, but he couldn't recall what exactly had happened
that night.

Nothing! he insisted. Absolutely nothing!

So why still carry it around with him? Burt didn't seem to be bothered
by it; he hadn't mentioned the incident ever since. He was his usual self
-- and that annoyed Tyler more than any strange looks could have.

He was reaching a breaking point.
* * *
In a way, he wasn't really surprised. The whole week had been leading
up to this point, but he hadn't expected Tyler Reed to come to his doorstep
halfway through a bottle. Drunk but not yet completely numbed, the younger
man swayed slightly as he made his way into the bunker, still clutching
the bottle.

"Hello, Tyler," Burt said calmly. "Come on in."

"Hey," came the mildly slurred reply as unsteady feet took the other
man into the large underground habitat.

"You drove here?"

"Yep."

"Under the influence of half a bottle of cheap whiskey?" Burt went
on.

"Seems like it." Tyler smiled and held up the bottle for Burt to see.
"Not so cheap either."

Medium-prized, Gummer decided.

"Might I ask why?"

"Nothin' happened."

He frowned. "Come again?"

"Nothin' happened!" Tyler repeated, sounding insistent.

"You came here because... nothing happened?"

"Yep."

Definitely too much alcohol in his blood.

"So... nothing happened when?"

Tyler gave him a frown. "Juniper," he then managed, waving with his
bottle. "Well, except for the Shriekers. The Shriekers happened, of course."

"Of course," Burt echoed, suddenly seeing the weaving road his friend
was driving down. "But nothing happened in the...?"

"Hotel room," Tyler finished happily. "Nothin' a'all!" He sounded almost
triumphant.

Well, nothing had happened except for Tyler coming on to him, kissing
him, ending up naked in his bed, Burt mused.

"How about you sit down?" he suggested.

"Good idea," the younger man murmured, staggering to the next best
place. It happened to be Burt's easy chair. "'Cause nothin' happened."

"Sure, Tyler."

"We din't sleep together. Well, 'course we slept together, but we didn't
sleep together, right? We shared bed space, but not in a sexual way!" Reed
took a sip from the bottle.

"You sure?" Burt inquired gently.

"Sure. I mean..." Tyler frowned at him. "You remember anythin' I don't?"

"Yes, actually I do."

"Then you musta been even more drunk 'n me," Tyler deducted. "I know
that nuthin' happened."

Burt sighed. "Tyler, that night... We were drunk."

"Yep."

"And you're drunk now?"

"Def'nitely."

"So, you'd say you're about as close to drunk as you were in Juniper?"

"Yes."

"And could you get it up now?"

Tyler frowned, then looked thoughtfully toward his groin. "Uh, no.
Not even for you, Burt."

Gummer's eyebrows shot up at the last remark. "Not even for me?"

"Nope, no chance, buddy. I mean, you could give it a try if ya like...
but I doubt it'll work." Tyler smiled drunkenly. "Wanna try?" he offered.

Good god! The man must have cleared most of the bottle just before
getting here because there was no chance Tyler could have driven the distance,
without killing himself, in that condition.

"No, I think you should get to bed, Tyler."

"You comin' too?"

Burt smiled slightly at the come-on as he gently steered his guest
toward the cot. "Later, Tyler." He took the bottle from the unresisting
fingers and pushed Reed onto the cot.

"Uh, y'know, Burt, this is all cozy 'n the like, but don't'cha think
it's a bit narrow for the two of us?"

"Tyler? Go to sleep."

And he obeyed.

Burt straightened and looked down at him, then shook his head and sighed.
This would get interesting.
* * *
Tyler woke to a killer head-ache. The second one in just seven days.
He rolled around, feeling the nausea roll with him, the hammering increase,
and he moaned softly.

Damn.

What had he been thinking?

Nothing, the reasonably coherent part decided. It was a small part,
but at least it was there. It gave him hope that he could get sober again.

His ears registered a sizzling noise and Tyler cracked open an eye.
A glass of water had magically appeared at his eye level, and it contained
a tablet of alca seltzer bubbling in its depths. He managed to work his
hand out from under his body. He took the glass and croaked a word that
should have been 'thank you'.

"You're welcome," came the reply.

The water felt wonderful in his rough throat and he handed the glass
back, closing his eyes.

The same kind soul held out a mug of coffee not much later. Damn, he
was in heaven. Or somewhere where someone knew a lot about his hangovers.

Strong hands helped him carefully up into a sitting position.

"You need a bucket?"

"No," he moaned.

Not just yet anyway.

And damn, when would the world stop spinning around him? He screwed
his eyes shut and concentrated on not embarrassing himself in front of
whoever the kind soul taking care of him was. He didn't really want to
throw up on someone.

It took him a while to get his senses back together, but when he finally
squinted up and looked around, Tyler discovered that, of all places he
could wake up after having too much to drink, it had to be the bunker.
So that meant his caretaker had to be...

"Hi Burt," he murmured.

Burt Gummer just looked grimly at him. "You know that you drove here
dead drunk?" he asked, voice slightly too loud for Tyler's overtaxed senses.

"Yeah, well..."

"You could have ended up in a ditch! You could have ended up dead!
You could have been eaten by El Blanco!"

Reed winced with every word and ducked his head. "Burt, please. Not
so loud."

"I yell at you as loudly as I want, Tyler! It was irresponsible!"

"I know."

"Not only that, it was foolish, too! I thought you were better than
that!"

Tyler looked up and saw real anger in the other man's eyes. "Sorry."

"And why the heck did you get drunk anyway? Just to tell me that nothing
happened in Juniper?"

Juniper? Tyler opened his mouth, then shut it again. Ah hell! Juniper!

"I'll tell you what, Tyler. Something did happen. You came on to me
is what happened. You kissed me and we ended up in bed is what happened!"

Tyler blanched. "No..."

"Yes. You, Tyler Reed, offered yourself for a night," Burt went on,
now clearly on a roll. "And guess what! Last night, when you came here?
You did it again."

Tyler felt like losing his stomach contents for real now and he barely
made it to the bathroom.

He had... He had... Oh god...

Resting his head against the cool concrete wall, he closed his eyes
and fought against another kind of nausea. Please no. He couldn't have.
But Burt Gummer wasn't the man to joke about this.

Okay, Tyler. Take it like a man. Go out there and face the firing squad.

When he reentered the main room of the bunker, Gummer was nowhere to
be seen, but reappeared just seconds later, carrying more coffee and a
plate with sandwiches. Just the thought of food made Tyler's stomach queasy.

"Burt, I..."

The older man set down the plate and held out the coffee, which Tyler
took carefully.

"Why?" Burt asked quietly.

Tyler nearly choked on his first sip. "Huh?"

"You came on to me twice, wanted to sleep with me twice, and there
has to be a reason for it," Burt told him calmly. "You lost your inhibitions,
which means you had the idea all along."

Reed clutched the mug. "No," he protested weakly.

Burt sat down and looked at him like he would at a particularly fascinating
piece of wildlife. "Yes," he corrected. "Tell me, Tyler, why did you come
out here in the first place? And I don't mean the bunker. Why did you move
to Perfection?"

"You know why. I crashed my car and lost my sponsorship. And I bought
the Graboid Adventure Tours from Jack."

Gummer nodded. "That's the official version. Now for yours?"

Reed evaded the piercing eyes and studied his mug. "There is none."

"There always is. All of us have a reason to be out, to be away from
the world, from civilization... Even you, Tyler."

He chewed on his lower lip, not looking at the other man. Yes, everyone
had a secret or a piece of his past that wasn't anyone else's business.
But here he was, again with a hangover, facing Burt Gummer, who wanted
to know about something he wasn't comfortable telling.

Still, he did.

"I did crash the car. I did lose my sponsorship. But one wasn't the
reason for the other."

Burt was silent, just listening.

"I... made a mistake. I fell for someone. The wrong someone." Tyler
turned the mug in his hands, never looking up. "A man." Now he did glance
at the older man, but Gummer's face was unreadable. "He was a mechanic.
He made the first step, approached me, and I reacted. He wasn't on my team
-- actually he was from my opponent's team, the one closest behind me for
the championship. We... ended up together one night, in a hotel room. I
dunno... we both had a bit to drink, but we weren't that far gone. I knew
what I was doing. Unlike, y'know, in Juniper. Or yesterday."

He fell silent for a while, but Burt didn't push.

"It was nice. Really nice. I mean, he didn't help me win any races;
we could tell work and private life apart. But it leaked. Somehow, people
found out. Never the press, of course." Tyler laughed humorlessly. "It
was enough, though. No more sponsoring for the gay driver. You know how
it is, Burt: you can do everything in this Land of the Free as long as
they don't catch you. Guess what, I got caught in the act. They gave me
a choice -- the press or a silent withdrawal from the racing circle. I
took the last option." Tyler emptied the mug. "My opponent won after that
and I announced my leaving. No reasons whatsoever, just that I had enough.
It was only a while later that I found out that it had all been a set-up.
I had been used."

Burt leaned forward, brows drawing down.

"Thing is... I really liked the guy. I fell for him. L..." He stopped
and shook his head. "I liked him," he repeated. "I paid for it. Big time.
Out of luck, out of a job, and dumped by someone who had been told to...
seduce me. Getting the business from Jack was my jackpot. No one knew me
here. I could start again. So I came here in the last piece that meant
anything to me, my car. Lost that too. To a worm." Tyler laughed darkly,
shaking his head at his own foolishness.

Silence descended after that. No lectures, no questions, not even a
grunt of acknowledgment.

Finally Reed couldn't take it anymore. Without looking at Gummer, he
put the mug down and got up, almost running from the bunker. He didn't
get far. Actually, he hadn't really thought about where to go after escaping
from the oppressive silence. So he just stood there, squinting into the
sunlight.

It was past noon time. Damn, how long had he been asleep?

Sinking down on the low concrete wall that surrounded Gummer's habitat,
he stared out over the desert landscape, losing himself in his thoughts.

He had really blown it. Utterly and completely. He had probably alienated
the one person in this valley he most relied on for friendship, and there
was no going back and erasing his words. Or his deeds.

Face it, Ty, he told himself. You made a pass at the antisocial paramilitary
paranoid. Twice. It's a miracle you aren't dead, six feet underground.
You blew your chances -- after a year of having the best time of his life.

He couldn't go back into the NASCAR circle, he didn't want to move
to Bixby or Vegas, but he probably couldn't stay here either. Burt Gummer
was their protection, their suspicion, their weapon, and he was the watchful
guard. He was part of this tight-knit group and if push came to shove,
Tyler knew he would be the one losing.

After some time into his morose thoughts, someone joined him. Tyler
didn't have to turn his head to know it was Burt. Who else was out here
except for them? Gummer just sat there, equally silent.

"I'm sorry," Tyler said after some time, his voice sounding strange
to his own ears.

Burt turned his head, his eyes unreadable behind the sunglasses. "Are
you really?"

Reed bit his lower lip, trying not to make eye-contact. This might
be his only chance to rectify some of the mistakes he had made, try for
normalcy, hope for Burt's forgiveness.

"Yeah. I mean, making a pass at you like this in Juniper was one thing.
We were both drunk. We both had an excuse. But yesterday, it was just me.
I came on to you. I would have expected to have your fist in my face this
time."

"I'm not a violent man, Tyler."

He laughed wryly. No, actually, Gummer wasn't. He refused to point
his gun at people and he only shot to defend himself. He knew his weaponry
inside out, was a walking encyclopedia on armory, but all that skill was
used to defend and survive, not to attack. He used deadly force against
Shriekers, but never against humans.

"Yeah, well... I wouldn't have blamed you, Burt. Not at all."

Burt watched him silently and Tyler sighed.

"I've got another question," the older man said after a while. "Why
me?"

Tyler swallowed hard. Great. He wouldn't let it go. Oh well, it was
a valid question. Why him? Why this man and why now? He had been here for
nearly a year and he had never lost more than a thought about the possibility...

And he was saved from having to answer by the crackle of the walkie-talkie.

"Burt, come in, this is Jodi."

Burt grabbed the small device. "I read you."

"You better come down here. We got a missing hiker."

Burt grunted in annoyance. "I knew having them would be nothing but
trouble," he muttered. "I'm on my way," he then spoke into the walkie-talkie
and rose. "Tyler?"

Tyler pushed himself up and walked over to his car. "I'll go back,
too. I need to check for possible bookings."

And he was glad he had an excuse. For now, he needed space -- and time
to think up an answer to Burt's question.
* * *
Burt found the hiker within two hours. The poor guy had lost his map
and had wandered into the wrong direction, then fallen down a small incline.
He was happy to be saved and Burt was only too glad to have him out of
his 'territory'. Tyler kept himself busy with his tour, which was mostly
booked up to five people at the moment. Cash came in and he was out and
about, away from Burt. Whenever Gummer came into town, Tyler tried not
to be there, and if they had to interact, it was rather matter-of-fact
-- as if nothing had happened; as if Tyler had never spilled his soul to
him.

It confused the younger man, but it was also safe.

He felt... safe.

And very much at a loss.

Three days passed and the confusion didn't abate; it grew more. Because
Tyler still had no answer to Burt's question and he was wreaking his mind
for one.

Why had he made a pass on Gummer? No, scratch that. Why had he tried
to get into bed with him? Twice!

Sitting on some old tires, Tyler wondered when his taste had shifted
to find Burt Gummer attractive enough to offer himself to the other man,
because what Burt had said was right. The alcohol had eradicated his inhibitions,
so there must have been something there before. Or was he just that desperate
for a partner? Since Rosalita resisted his charm, Nancy was too old and
Jodi quite clearly lived her business with no time for that kind of relationship,
there was only one person left -- the paramilitary survivalist. Right?

Right...

No!

Tyler buried his head in his hands. No, no, no. It hadn't been an act
of drunken desperation. No way. He wasn't trying to break a dry spell by
throwing himself at Burt. He could have driven into Bixby for some fun,
he could have let a flirting tourist give him some action, but no, it had
been Gummer. Early fantasies about a naked Rosalita Sanchez had turned
into a hunger for the tough military guy. Great! What did that say about
him?

Actually...

The sound of the garage door opening let Tyler look up and he groaned
softly.

Of all the people walking into his home, it had to be the one he didn't
really want to talk to, but who he had been thinking about.

"Tyler," Burt greeted him.

"Hey, Burt," he tried for normalcy.

The older man stopped halfway into the room, looking at him. "I haven't
seen much of you lately," he remarked.

"Uh, I was busy."

"Yes. The tour."

Tyler nodded, fidgeting. "Listen, Burt... about what happened... I...
I don't know why. You see, I thought about it... I really did. I gave it
a lot of thought. I know what you said. I was drunk... really, really drunk.
Absolutely stinking drunk. And I had no control. I was..." Tyler gestured
vaguely. "I followed an idea."

Gummer cocked his head.

"I think I did. I mean, there has to be something that started this,
right? I've been here for a year and suddenly, kawoom! A little field trip,
too much alcohol, and I'm trying to sleep with my partner! I... I don't
know why, Burt. I really don't. I kissed you... I wanted to sleep with
you!"

Burt's eyebrows rose.

"Not with Rosalita, and damn, I was really trying to! Don't get me
wrong! She's a nice-looking girl and I'd be blind not to try it. Then there's
Jodi, but she's more like a sister, actually. And I wouldn't make passes
on my sister. In the beginning I might have been interested, but now? No
way. I won't mention Nancy. Nuh-uh. And that scientist? Casey Matthews?
She's good on the eye, but I don't do well with scientists. They soon point
out all my flaws and I don't need that. So I probably decided to make a
pass on you. Had to be this way. Told you I'm bi, right? I mean, I had
a guy. We did more than just kiss. Not like us. I mean, you're an attractive
man, Burt. You really are. I just never thought about it more than once
or twice."

Gummer watched the pacing and babbling young man, and he felt his patience
wither away slowly. He had come to the garage for one reason: Tyler was
clearly evading him and they needed to settle this before it either blew
out of proportion or developed into something ugly. So since Mohammed wasn't
coming to the mountain, Burt Gummer had blown up the piece of rock and
was looking through the rubble.

He had done some of his own thinking and while there were many unknowns,
there were also the facts, and they spoke quite clearly. It wasn't just
a theory, it was knowledge, and he was here to knock Tyler's head straight.

What he found was a heap of misery and confusion, large gray eyes radiating
his inner feelings, and Burt couldn't but help notice that the eyes belonged
to a nicely shaped body. Tyler had a liking for figure-hugging shirts and
jeans; one couldn't but notice he was pretty well-muscled.

"Tyler! Stop babbling. You're making me dizzy," he finally interrupted
the agitated man.

Reed stopped for a brief second, glanced at him, then continued pacing.
And babbling.

"It's not that I don't know nothing about it - I do - but ... and we're
friends, right? We can't... I couldn't do that... Even if I wanted to.
I just couldn't... I won't. I..."

Burt sighed and reached out to wrap a hand around the younger man's
upper arm, stopping both the movement and the noise successfully.

"Tyler, you came on to me twice. You admitted you wanted to sleep with
me. And from the babbling, you still do. So tell me, what do you want?"

Reed's eyes had an almost wild look. "Burt, it's not... I mean, I did
all that. And... and..."

"Tyler, I ain't gettin' any younger here, so you better give me an
honest answer. What. Do. *You*. Want?"

There was a longer moment of silence until Tyler looked up into his
eyes. Burt could see everything in there, the younger man was wide open
and vulnerable, and he almost regretted forcing his hand. But they had
to deal with this now; he couldn't let it go on any longer. It would self-destruct
in Reed and it wouldn't be pretty.

"You." The voice was wobbly, full of wonder, and laced with a panicky
fear that had Burt wince in sympathy.

But it was as simple as that. Burt let go of him.

"Well, here I am."

Tyler blinked at him in confusion, and Burt just waited for the other
man to fully register the true meaning of his words.

"Burt? I don't ... "

Oh for goodness sake!

This was it. It would end here and now.

Burt grabbed the younger man's blue t-shirt and pulled him close, effectively
shutting him up by pressing their lips together. Tyler's body froze and
Burt let go of the other man before he would bolt again. Wide gray
eyes stared at him in shock.

"Burt?" he stuttered.

He raised his eyebrows. "Tyler?"

And then Tyler was back, his body melting against Gummer's, and this
time the kiss was as sweet as he remembered it - no, even better. This
time Tyler was sober. He answered the questing lips, opened up to let him
in deeper, and was rewarded with a very hot variation of what he had expected.
Bodies pressed against each other he couldn't but run his hands over the
slender form as Tyler almost performed a tonsillectomy on him.

Damn, the man was enthusiastic.

And who was he to refuse?

Separating from the delicious kiss, Tyler stumbled back from the older
man, eyes still wide, and he unconsciously licked his lips. His whole body
was throbbing in response to the simple but very deep contact, and it was
tingling in odd places.

"Wow..." he murmured.

"Wow?" Burt repeated, raising his brows.

"Uh, well... I didn't expect that. Not from you anyway. I mean..."
He gestured at Gummer. "The All-American straight guy."

A guy who had kissed him back with everything he got, countered his
moves, opening up for him to apply his tongue, too. A guy who French-kissed
quite hotly, Tyler's brain informed him. And who had touched him.

"Who said I'm straight?"

Brain short-circuit now.

"You were married," Tyler blurted.

Burt smiled slightly. "You talked to Nancy, right?"

"That's not important. You're... you're..." Tyler groped for words.

"Walking both sides of the fence? Yep."

"But.. you were in the military!"

Burt ran a finger over his mustache, sighed and barely refrained from
rolling his eyes. Sometimes... He really had to talk to Reed about pre-conceived
concepts of closed societies within a modern social structures. "Tyler..."

"And your wife?"

So now it was back to the wife. Only because a man had been or was
still married didn't necessarily speak lengths about his sexuality. In
Burt's case, the marriage also hadn't been divorced because of his sexual
orientation. There had been other factors.

"Heather and I had a wonderful time, but we finally decided that our
lives differed too much. We divorced. And may I remind you of your flirtings
with none other than Rosalita Sanchez. Don't tell me that was just for
show, Tyler. You were serious."

Tyler opened his mouth, then shut it again.

Good impression of a goldfish, Gummer thought. "You're not the only
bi man on this planet, buddy," he said out loud. "So, what now? Your offer
still standing?"

"What?"

"Well, you made me an offer. Twice. Granted, you were drunk both times."
Burt smiled slightly.

"I..."

"Let me make you an offer now, Tyler. Come out to the bunker after
the last tour."

"I..."

"Sober."

"Okay," was all Tyler said, still looking like a stunned rabbit.

Well, that was settled, Burt decided and walked out of the garage.
Now to wait and see whether Tyler would have the courage to make good on
his promises.
* * *
Tyler came that evening, and he was sober. Completely and utterly sober.
Dressed in his trademark jeans and a long-sleeved, dark red shirt, he nervously
entered the bunker. The whole day had passed in a blur. He had had two
tours, but no bookings for the moonlight one, so he had had no further
excuses not to come. Tyler had argued with himself about this invitation
the whole day. He had agreed to come and he really did want to, but there
was also the subliminal fear.

Of what?

He had made the offer twice, he really did think Burt was a good-looking
man underneath all that military gear, but was he ready to actually take
the last step... while he was *sober*?

Tyler found that, yes, he did. He wasn't shy about his sexuality, he
had slept with men, but this was Burt. Even now he had no clear idea why
Gummer. Just because Rosalita hadn't responded? Or because he found he
looked good in a ruggedly outdoors way? Why?

Sometimes, Tyler mused, I think too much. Just go with the flow. See
what happens.

Well, the last time he had done that, he had been forced to abandon
a life he had loved. He had come here, created a new existence, had made
friends that were almost a family, right down to Twitchell -- in an annoying
way -- and was he ready to risk it all for a roll in the hay?

Was he ready to risk a friendship and partnership for this?

He never got to answer his own questions because it was the moment
Burt Gummer opened the door. He felt awkward as he stood there, then walked
past the older man. He waited until Burt had closed the door.

"Hi," he said, feeling slightly stupid.

Burt smiled. "Hello." And then he was up close and personal, and Tyler
felt lips on his own, initiating a kiss.

He went with the flow. He kissed back.

"Nice welcome," he managed and Burt smiled.

"Beer?" the older man offered.

"Uhm, better not." He smiled sheepishly. "One might lead to another
and� I'm not going to get drink again."

Burt nodded appreciatively. "Good decision."

Tyler looked around and his eyes fell on the cot. Oh... well... a bit
cramped. Gummer's eyes followed his gaze and he chuckled.

"That's just for show. Follow me."

Tyler did -- only to stop and gape. 'And behind door number three',
he thought, dumbstruck. Well, behind that door was a bedroom. A real, honest
to god bedroom with a real bed that was large enough for the two of them,
and another bathroom off to one side.

"Jeezus, Burt! You have a bed?" he blurted.

A chuckle could be heard. "Yes. Among the things outside, this is all
I could save from my house after I had to blow it up."

"Wow. That would really give your tough-guy image a few cracks if the
girls knew."

Arms wrapped around his waist and while it was strange, it was also
kind of nice. "Let's not tell them then."

"Let's not," Tyler agreed and turned in the embrace. He started to
pull the other man toward the bed, undoing the first buttons in the process.

"Tyler? What're you doing?"

"I thought it was clear. Why I came here, that is."

Dark eyes met his and for a moment, Tyler wondered if he hadn't misinterpreted
something.

"Yes, you came here," Gummer said, voice soft, thoughtful.

He really must have misinterpreted something. "I thought... You wanted
me."

Burt released him and stepped back. "No, Tyler, you made an offer.
It was quite clear to my ears, quite straight-forward. I was just hoping
that there was something else, too."

Tyler felt his mouth go dry. Something else...? Burt didn't just want
him to spread his legs and be done with it? He really had misunderstood
Gummer then... Closing the sudden distance, he looked into the dark eyes.

"Me too," he murmured. And then he leaned up for a kiss.

Their lips brushed and Burt wrapped his arms around him once more,
deepening the contact. Tyler closed his eyes and opened his mouth to let
Burt in. The other man took the invitation and Tyler felt a surge race
through him. Oh hell, the man could kiss.

"So," he managed after they separated again. "What's your idea how
this should work?"

Gummer's eyebrows rose slightly. "Whatever happened to dinner first?"

"Cactus and candles?" Tyler teased.

"If you insist."

"Well... Don't get me wrong here, Burt, but I do like this room here
a whole lot more than the one outside."

Burt shot him an incredulous look. "You criticizing my home?"

"Nope, just your style, Burt."

Burt pushed him back against the bed and Tyler fell onto it, chuckling.
Propping himself up on his elbows he watched the older man standing there
in front of the bed.

"Made up your mind?" he smirked, spreading his legs slightly. He was
regarded from heated dark eyes.

"Apparently you did it for me," Burt smiled. And joined Tyler on the
bed. "I do like the idea of you and me in this bed -- together. Sober."

"Good. Me too."

Reed came closer again, kissing Burt passionately, starting to pull
at the clothes. This time, there was no resistance from the older man as
buttons popped open and questing fingers slipped underneath layers of clothes,
which soon sailed onto the floor.

Tyler touched Burt's chest for the first time, pulling the older man
close into a kiss while taking in the firm muscles moving under the t-shirt
that was the last obstacle between his hands and Gummer's skin. He had
known Burt was a very fit man - he had to be in his line of work - but
obviously Gummer was working out on a regular basis. He wasn't your stereotypical
buff military guy though, more the trim and slender variation.

Slipping one hand under the undershirt he felt warm skin and taut muscles.
Burt sighed a little and started to nuzzle his neck, almost making him
giggle because of the tickling mustache. Tyler gasped when he felt a warm
hand under his own shirt, caressing his skin in a surprisingly tender way.

"Get rid of this," Burt murmured, and Tyler saw no reason not to obey.

He had been touched by Burt before - friendly pats on the shoulder
or chest. Hell, the man had trusted him with his car after knowing him
for only about one day. So much for antisocial. But he had never been caressed,
stroked, petted in a sexual way, and it was a new and wildly comfortable
sensation.

Warm skin touched his and he realized Burt had shed his t-shirt as
well and was lying beside him, stroking his skin and watching him closely.

"You can back out anytime," he said quietly.

"You, too."

"Don't want to."

Burt slipped a leg between his thighs and rolled over until he was
blanketing the smaller man, his leg rubbing against Tyler's more southern
areas which made the younger man twitch and moan. Gummer took one of his
hands and slipped it between their aligned bodies.

"You wanted to go there once."

"I did?"

"Uhm-hm."

Tyler rolled them both over until he was the one blanketing the other
man and ran his fingertips over the hardness he found there. Hadn't it
been for this physical evidence of arousal he could have thought his lover
- wow, Burt Gummer his lover? - wasn't exactly with him, he was that calm
and collected. Well, he had every intention of changing that.

He experimentally rubbed his hand more forcefully over the hidden arousal
and Burt bit his lower lip, eyes darkening. Tyler didn't need a command
from the other man to undo the zipper and push down the pants and briefs
until Burt Gummer lay naked before him in all his glory. They kissed again,
Tyler languidly rubbing himself against the nude man, feeling him bite
back a hiss as he bucked once.

Needing to feel skin against skin, Tyler quickly unbuckled his belt,
Burt's helping hands more arousing than helping, and he was finally free
of the last restrictions. Strong hands cupped his butt cheeks, aligning
their bodies, and both men lost themselves in the hungry, needy kisses.
It was an almost frenetic way the two men nipped and licked and bit at
each other, Gummer freely plundering Tyler's mouth, fingers weaving into
his hair, holding him in place. Long legs wrapped around his own and Reed
was almost helpless under the surge of emotions.

This was what he had wanted, what he had dreamed of.

Finally working himself down the lithe form, nibbling and teething,
goal clear, he heard Burt gasp every now and then when an especially sensitive
spot was hit. He was drawn between playing and serious business. He wanted
to make the other man come, but he also wanted to have as much of him as
possible.

Reaching his goal Tyler hesitated for a brief second - Christ, I'm
giving head to Burt Gummer here - before he proceeded. Burt spread his
legs further to grant him more access and Tyler followed the silent request.
It didn't take long before he felt the body beneath him stiffen, a single
sharp intake of breath the only sign to Burt's climax.

Tyler raised himself and looked down at his lover, smiling at the expression
of sated pleasure. He crawled closer and kissed him, delighted at the enthusiastic
response. A strong hand cupped his neck, holding him in place as Burt explored
his mouth, and the other glided down south.

"Burt, you don't have to," he whispered breathlessly when his mouth
was freed.

"Don't tell me you don't want it."

Gummer's hand closed around his evident arousal and Tyler gave an appreciative
moan. Damn, it felt good. So good. His hips moved into the wonderful friction
and when a wet heat engulfed one nipple, he knew he was a lost cause.

"Oh yeah," he breathed.

Each stroke evoked a vocal response and he pumped his hips faster,
needing more stimulation. Teeth scraped over the hard buds and he shuddered.
The gentle torture was more than he could take. Climax came much faster
than Tyler wanted it, but it felt incredibly good and he cried out in relief.

He collapsed at the other man's side, feeling callused hands run over
his back in a soothing manner. It felt nice, but also confused him and
his passion-hazed mind was hard-pressed to think clearly. What now? Did
Burt expect him to cuddle? Or would he want him to leave? And what had
he meant that he was hoping for something else? What now?

The confusion mounted and when the hand stilled, Tyler rolled around.
Dark brown eyes regarded him silently, calmly, and it confused him even
more.

"I... gotta go," he murmured.

He was running, part of him told him as he grabbed his clothes and
slipped into his pants. But damn, he couldn't deal with this now. He needed
time to think and being close to Burt... well, it didn't really help.

Burt watched the other man go, not saying a word, not holding him back.
A thoughtful expression graced his features. Finally, he rose from the
bed and walked into the shower.
* * *
What was this? Tyler wondered as he cleaned the truck.

He knew what had happened, had been a willing and enthusiastic participant,
and if it was up to his more southern part, he would happily do it again.
Very happily.

The events of that encounter replayed before his inner eye again and
again. Damn, it had been good. A relief, a seduction, a beginning addiction.

But what now? What did Burt expect? He knew what he wanted. He wanted
to be in that bed again. He wanted to be touched and kissed by that man.
He wanted to feel that body again.

You had unprotected sex with a man you know nothing about, a new part
of him suddenly reared its ugly head.

Yeah. That too.

Shit.

What had he been thinking?

Answer: not enough. His brain had shut down for the time and his instincts
had taken over.

And damn, he wanted to again. Not unprotected, sure, but the sex part.
Definitely the sex part.

The deep sound of Burt's truck engine alerted him to the man's arrival
and he watched the camouflage painted vehicle pull up outside the store.
Burt got out and started to fill the tank, then two canister, with gasoline.
Tyler watched him.

Coward, he chided himself. Go over there as you usual do.

And he did.

"Hey, Burt," he called.

The older man looked up and nodded a greeting. "Tyler."

Awkwardness settled in again, broken only by Jodi's exit from the store.
"Hey, guys. Coffee? I'm trying out a new flavor."

A cup was thrust under Tyler's nose and he took it. It smelled good.
"Thanks, Jodi."

Burt took his own cup and tried a sip. "Hm, good stuff."

Jodi smiled brightly. "Latte Grabiatto. It'll be a hit."

They made small talk and Jodi finally walked back into the store, but
instead of staying with Tyler, Burt just followed her. Tyler walked after
him, wondering what this really was. Gummer behaved... just as usual. As
if last night hadn't happened. And he'd be damned if the night had been
'nothing'. It had been something, even thought he still had no idea what
to call it.

The morning passed in a haze of normality. Burt read his paper, checked
the equipment, then Tyler went to run his first tour when three tourists
arrived. He came back around noon, but Burt was already gone and only returned
right before the next one. Unloading some form of equipment, he looked
up when Tyler pulled in beside his truck.

"Anything unusual today?"

"Nope," Reed answered. "Saw El Blanco twice. Kept the folks happy."

Burt fastened the last straps over his load. "You coming over tonight?"

It was such a casual question, so normal, and it could mean anything
from having a late beer to... having wild sex. Tyler swallowed, almost
frozen in spot.

"Sure," he heard himself answer, convinced it was someone else's voice.

Burt nodded. "Good. See you then, Tyler."

The truck pulled out and Tyler stood rooted to the spot, enveloped
in a cloud of dust.
* * *
They started to meet on a regular basis, though the encounters were
limited to hand- and blowjobs. A part of Tyler's mind wondered how the
real thing would be, how it would feel to actually... well, feel Burt,
but he shied away from the thought immediately. Too soon. And he had no
idea if his lover wanted to.

They sometimes met before Tyler's moonlight tour, sometimes after that,
and always at Burt's. Tyler discovered that while Burt was a very active
partner, he wasn't vocal. There was a hiss or a stifled moan, but never
a cry, never a loud noise. Tyler was the complete opposite. He knew he
was vocal in bed and he wasn't ashamed of it.

But he never stayed the night. When he had his moonlight tour, it was
clear he had to leave. When there was no booking, he made up an excuse.
As much as he wanted to wake up next to the man, he wasn't sure this was
what Burt wanted. He liked to touch Tyler after sex, but would he want
to cuddle closer? Would he want to see him in the morning? Gummer had never
said anything to him; he just let him go. There was no indication as to
what his feelings were regarding their... interaction. Tyler was reluctant
to call it a relationship.

Outside the walls of the bunker, everything was as normal as if they
had never started to sleep together. No soft looks, no touches other than
between good friends and partners. It was all too confusing for Tyler whose
last relationship -- okay, there was that word -- had been quite different.

Still, he came back for the encounters; he enjoyed them.

Rolling away from the sated form of his lover, Tyler started to sit
up to yet again leave, but an arm around his waist pulled him back down
again. Serious eyes met his startled gaze.

"Tyler?"

"Yeah?"

"Stay?"

So simple. So very simple. Just one word.

And he had no excuses, no arguments against the warmth he saw in that
gaze, the silent plea.

"Okay."

And such a crude word. So inappropriate to answer the question, the
offer.

Burt pulled him close, giving Tyler another answer. Physical nearness
was encouraged, even after the actual act had been completed. Relaxing
against the taller form, he wrapped a careful arm around Burt's chest and
when that move wasn't discouraged, he closed his eyes, dozing off.

Burt watched the younger man fall asleep, studying the relaxed features,
and he smiled to himself. Well, that hadn't been so hard. Just one word,
asking a simple question -- and offering Tyler what he had been looking
for. There had been no phony excuses, no made-up tours. Just a sudden need
Burt had detected lately. He ran his hands over the longish hair, finger-combing
it gently. And he had found the right way to answer it.
* * *
It was just the first night of many from then on that Tyler stayed afterwards,
and slowly the awkwardness, the proverbial 'morning after' feeling had
subsided. Tyler had enjoyed getting a glimpse of the other man's private
life from a point of view he was pretty sure nobody else in Perfection
had ever had. Gummer had no problem letting his friends and neighbors stay
over night should the need for that arise, but Tyler seriously doubted
any one of them had ever been woken with a soft kiss. This was an aspect
of his lover that managed to surprise Tyler every time it showed: as gruff
and grumpy Burt Gummer appeared to the world, he was actually an unexpectedly
tender man. During sex and afterwards, when he pulled Tyler close and just
held him, or running a hand over his back while the younger man was slowly
dozing off. It was - nice. Real nice.

But the inquisitive little voice in Tyler's mind grew louder every
time. And then came the night he had to answer it.

Tyler felt the strong arms embrace him from behind when Burt's hands
slipped under his shirt, pulling it over his head and tossing it away.
He was pressed against a hard chest, callused, knowing hands roaming slowly
over his body, finding all the right spots and places to make him shiver,
a pair of hot lips on his neck... and then he was horizontal, all his clothes
gone, the hard body pressed fully against him -- equally naked. Tyler moaned
and arched, clutching the sheets when he felt the mustache brush over his
nipples, followed by a slight scratching of teeth as Burt slid down south.
They hadn't been able to see each other properly in almost four days and
obviously Burt had missed him as much as he had missed his lover.

Oh hell, yeah, right there!

He hissed in pleasure.

Burt finally reached what he had been aiming for and was settling between
his legs, running his hands over the soft, sensitive skin of his inner
thighs when he spread them even further in a silent invitation. Tyler arched
into the touch of the stroking hands and the hot wet mouth, groaning with
the initial sensation of friction and the hot wet caress of a tongue. So
good. He had missed this, had wanted it for four days, and it was like
someone had dunked him into a bucket of pheromones that now played haywire
along his senses.

"Oh yeah," he breathed, pushing himself up on his elbows to watch.
It was an incredible turn-on to see himself disappear in that hot mouth,
in Burt Gummer's mouth...

But this time Burt didn't stop at simple oral pleasure. His finger
tips were running over the sensitive skin of Reed's scrotum and then even
further, teasing an equally sensitive area.

Tyler could have screamed when Burt applied just a little more pressure
against the resistance of a tight muscle, and then - god, Burt, yes - he
almost whimpered when said finger slowly slid into his body. He fell back
against the mattress, legs wide open, wanting, needing, demanding more.
Burt seemed to know exactly when to push and when to wait. And then his
lover brushed over the hidden spot that turned his spine into molten lava,
his wild bucking and a harsh cry a dead giveaway of his feelings.

Heaven.

Burt slid up his body again, meeting his lips in a fiery kiss. He might
be a silent lover, but he made that up when it came to passion, something
Tyler hadn't expected either.

"Tyler?" Burt's deep voice was even rougher than usual.

Tyler looked into the dark eyes, clouded with a desire one wouldn't
expect from Gummer. A desire for him, Tyler mused. Just for him.

"Yeah?"

"I want to be inside you. If you want me to, that is."

There. Burt had said it out loud, had asked the question Tyler had
been asking himself for months now. But now the answer was quite easy -
hell yes! He wanted this man -- badly.

"Condom?" Tyler managed to croak.

"Drawer. Or in the weapon's cabinet."

"You keep condoms where?" Tyler asked, startled.

Burt shrugged. "They're excellent when it comes to protecting a gun
barrel from desert sand. But trust me, I'll use a clean one."

"What?"

He pushed himself up and stared at his lover incredulously.

"Tyler, that was a joke."

"Gummer - did someone ever tell you that your timing in developing
a sense of humor really, really sucks?"

Burt looked at him thoughtfully. "Now that you mention it - no."

And then he was all over Tyler again and there was no further verbal
communication necessary. Tyler finally rolled onto his side, felt strong
arms wrap around his waist and a hot breath on his neck when Burt finally
slid into him, carefully and gently as not to hurt him in any way.

"God, yes," he hissed, bucking against the intruder and the arms tightened.
"More!"

Finally Burt settled against him, deeply sheathed, and he rested his
head against one shoulder, his breath coming short, controlled bursts.

"Okay?" he whispered, sounding strained.

"Burt," the younger man groaned. "Goddamnit, move. Please!"

Finally he did.

Slowly but steadily.

"Oh yeah. Like this," Reed encouraged him.

He had missed this. It felt incredible, wonderful, sensational, and
knowing it was Burt inside him doubled the pleasure.

Tyler's world twisted as Burt was hitting that exact same spot again
and again, tightening his hold on his lover, making him sob in need for
more. Tyler spread his legs as far as he could, needing more depth, more...
anything... Burt answered his wordlessly moaned request, reaching down
to wrap his fingers around the straining hardness, while his other hand
caressed his younger lover's chest. Tyler felt Burt's lips on his neck
and he turned his head to claim a kiss, feel that tongue glide into his
mouth like Burt was gliding into his body.

Gummer picked up the pace and Tyler closed his eyes, and then there
was nothing but the sensation of touch, heat, need, all flowing together
and finally releasing itself in an explosion of utter bliss as Tyler screamed
his lover's name. His world seemed to white out for a moment, then shrank
down to one single point of existence where it was just him and Burt, joined
together, and he sobbed hoarsely. Burt followed him over the edge only
seconds later, shuddering and tightening his hold of is lover - as silent
as ever. Just a sudden burst of air released, almost a sigh.

Tyler heard his hammering heartbeat, the blood rushing through his
ears, and he felt Burt's body blanketing his, harsh breathing caressing
his slick skin. The taller man was still deeply seated in him and he enjoyed
the sensation. When his lover pulled out, Reed moaned softly.

"Tyler?"

"I'm fine," he answered the unspoken question, aware of the mild burn
where he hadn't felt anything for way too long. "More than fine." Tyler
gave the older man a lazy, satisfied grin, then pulled him down into a
kiss.

Burt tenderly kissed him back, soothingly stroking over his sweaty
skin. Reed felt pleasantly exhausted and despite the knowledge that he
would be damned sore tomorrow, already felt sore, he couldn't think of
anything better than this moment. They rolled into a loose embrace and
Tyler soon felt himself doze off, safe and secure in his lover's arms.

Gummer watched the sleeping man at his side, now and then running a
caressing hand over the naked skin or through the tousled hair. He often
did it: sat and watched. It was so amazing to see Tyler lying there, relaxed,
asleep, so trusting and vulnerable.

Sitting propped up against the wall behind the head of the bed, Tyler
curled up close, he wondered when attraction had turned into such passion,
accompanied with emotions he had a hard time associating with himself and
another man. With Tyler Reed.

Their relationship had developed in strange leaps ever since he had
saved what he had assumed was just another stupid tourist from El Blanco.
Within twenty-four hours of arriving in Perfection, Reed had become a part
of the town, of their strange little world, and Burt had found himself
adopting the still rather innocent man into his circle. He had taught him
about survival, about the creatures that roamed around Perfection Valley,
about El Blanco in particular, and Reed had helped out Burt on more than
one occasion with his many instruments and surveillances. He was good with
technical stuff, knew his mechanics, and he could think on his feet. A
good survival trait out here.

His tour brought in tourists, which in turn brought in money. Reed
was an easy-going guy who had soon adapted to all the specialties of living
in this remote place, brought in his many talents as a mechanic, and as
he had once snapped at Gummer, he had made him 'user friendly'. Burt Gummer
and the outside world clashed on a regular basis, but Tyler had managed
to intervene on so many occasions, Gummer had stopped counting. He was
a buffer, a catalyst, and a translator.

They worked and lived off each other in Perfection, and it was no more
true than with the two men. Tyler had become a partner, someone he trusted,
someone who spent time out at the bunker now and then -- before they had
started to sleep together -- and who had slowly wormed himself under Burt's
skin.

Reed made a soft noise and moved sleepily, but he didn't wake. Burt
watched the play of muscle under the suntanned skin and smiled. Tyler was
a good-looking man with just the right amount of muscle in the right places.
He was athletic, enduring and still slender. He had the scruffy good looks
some women liked, and he knew it. At least he had thought it would work
on Rosalita.

Burt pursed his lips thoughtfully. Instead it had worked on him. Actually
from the first time he had laid eyes on the newcomer, sizing him up, categorizing
him as nice on the eyes but unattainable, and then he had gone on with
his life. Until now.

He had given in to his own needs and Tyler's rather bumbling come-ons.

But why? Had he been so desperate that he had finally lowered his guard?
Years with only his right hand to take care of himself had mellowed him
enough to accept the younger man as more than a business partner and friend?

No. No, that wasn't it.

There had to be more. Burt Gummer had lived alone long enough. He didn't
need that kind of companionship all of a sudden. And there were still the
women in town. Why not chose one of them?

Rosalita wasn't his type, neither was Jodi, really. And Nancy... well,
he had gone that road once before and in the end, they had come to the
conclusion that they were better friends than possible lovers.

So it was Tyler Reed who had overcome the last defenses and landed
in his bed -- on a regular basis. The man he had categorized as 'look but
don't touch' -- however tightly those t-shirts had clung to the defined
chest. A man who was not just enthusiastic when it came to hunting Shriekers
or any other kind of monster; no, he was also enthusiastic in bed. Vocal,
too. In the beginning, Burt had taken his cues from the moans and cries
when he had touched his lover, had applied his hands and lips and mouth
to hot spots, had driven him to completion. Later, he had absorbed each
noise like a sponge, needing to hear Tyler, wanting to hear him. And when
they had finally made the last step, it had been like a revelation.

Burt buried his hand in the longish hair. Tyler was an attractive man,
body and mind. No doubt about it. No sir. Just touching those sleek and
strong curves was addicting. He was charming, savvy, street-wise� combined
with the quick wit and the way he absorbed everything Gummer had to teach,
Tyler was...

Damn, he had really fallen for that man.

And it felt good.
* * *
Tyler walked into the store and over to the counter, feeling more sore
than he ever had; even that time he had gone for a ride after he hadn't
sat on a horse for a long time. Then again, this ride had been just like
it. He smiled to himself. Hard but enjoyable, and he was getting back into
the saddle. But for now, he had to suffer the small pains.

"Morning, Jodi," he called, feeling rather buoyant. Sex did that; hot
sex, too. Very hot sex.

"Morning, Tyler. Coffee?"

"Sure."

He slid onto the stool in front of the bar and immediately regretted
it as his sore behind made itself known with stabbing pains.

"You okay?" Jodi asked, a worried frown on her forehead.

"Uh, yeah. Sure." Tyler grimaced and took the mug, then made a run
for the outside.

"You want any breakfast?" Jodi called after him.

"Later."

And with that he was outside, just as Burt passed him on his way into
the store.

Jodi shook her head and turned to Nancy, who was unpacking her latest
action figures and stocking the shelves.

"Don't you think that Tyler's behaving odd as of late?"

Nancy smiled tolerantly. "Jodi, we're all odd, one way or another.
Oh hi, Burt."

Gummer took a newspaper and accepted a cup of coffee, then settled
down at his usual table.

"Breakfast?" Jodi offered.

"Yes. The usual."

She nodded and went to work. "I mean," she continued, still talking
to Nancy, "I know we all have our odd moments, but have you seen him lately?
He's... like a new man. More... I don't know."

Nancy stopped in her work. "Well, yes, he's become more... centered,"
she said thoughtfully.

"Centered!" Jodi echoed. "Yeah! That's what I've been looking for.
He's centered."

Nancy shrugged. "Well, maybe he found something he didn't know that
he was looking for."

Burt looked over the rim of his coffee cup, then went back to reading
the paper.

"Burt?" Jodi called. "You got any idea what's up with Tyler?"

"Yes."

Both women looked at him.

"You do?" the store owner echoed. "So, what is it?"

"We're sleeping together."

There was a clutter as Nancy lost hold of a new mug, which luckily
didn't break. Jodi stared open-mouthed at their friend, not sure whether
this was a joke or not.

"You're... sleeping together?" she finally managed.

"Yes."

"As in... the same bed."

"Usually."

"Sex?" Jodi's voice climbed in disbelief.

"Affirmative."

Gummer was still studying the pages, not the least perturbed by his
revelation or their reaction.

"Burt!" Nancy finally cried.

He looked up. "Yes?"

"How long has that been going on?"

"Three months," was the calm, conversational reply.

"Three months?" Jodi gaped. "Damn! Why didn't you tell us?"

"You never asked."

"Oh, come on, Burt! That's no reason, that's an excuse."

Nancy shook her head, surprise still written all over her features,
then she broke into a smile. "Well, good for you."

Burt looked at her, suspicion in his eyes.

"I mean, human contact?" She smiled. "It's good for the psyche."

"My psyche is fine, thank you very much," was the gruff reply.

"Sure."

He gave her a dark look, which glanced off the woman.

"So..." Jodi started. "You and Tyler. You're together? An item?"

Burt emptied his mug and rose, taking the egg and bacon sandwich off
the plate she was carrying. "Affirmative," he answered before taking a
bite and leaving.

"Well, figure that," Jodi murmured. Then she shrugged. "Oh well."

"Don't tell me you had your sights set on Tyler," Nancy teased, checking
her mug for chipping.

"No! How about you and Burt?"

"No, we cleared that a long time ago. And before you ask, Tyler's cute,
but he's a bit too young for me."

"He's not too young for Burt."

Nancy chuckled but didn't comment. She simply resumed her work.
* * *
News traveled fast in Perfection Valley. Any kind of news. It didn't
even need the walkie-talkies, which were monitored by Burt. News just found
a way.

Tyler had come out to Rosalita's ranch to fix one of the generators
that had died a quick and painful death just three days ago. While the
back-up was working fine, it was important to get the broken one fixed.
So, armed with his toolbox and a smile, he took a look at the old machine.
It would be a patchwork job, but whatever Reed did, whatever he repaired,
it was never below excellent working condition afterwards. An hour into
the repair work, Rosalita came out to him, carrying something to drink.
Resting his arms on the metal cover of the machine, Tyler took the glass
of ice tea.

"Hey, thanks."

Rosalita watched him drink, a strange expression in her eyes.

"What? Something on my nose?" he wanted to know.

She put her hands on her hips, a clear sign she was annoyed, pursing
her lips. "I could kick your butt from here to Vegas for keeping it a secret,
Tyler, but... congrats."

"Uh. What?"

"I heard about it from Jodi, of all people!" she went on. "I thought
we were friends. I thought this was a family. Did you think I'd rip your
head off or something? Give you a speech? Boy, you really don't know me,
right?"

"Uh, Rosalita...? What are you talking about?"

"You and Burt of course!"

Tyler knew his jaw had hit the floor and he was gaping. No sound left
his mouth and he felt panic run through him. Rosalita knew. And she had
it from... Jodi?

"Jodi told you?" he croaked, fumbling for sanity.

"Yeah. And don't deny it, Tyler, okay? Jodi got it right from the horse's
mouth. Burt."

"Burt," he echoed, sanity making a run again. "Burt told Jodi."

"And Nancy. I know he doesn't joke around, so it's the truth. I've
known the guy long enough anyway." Rosalita narrowed her eyes dangerously.
"I thought I was your friend, too. Why keep it a secret?"

"It's personal?" Tyler rallied.

"Right..."

"Listen, I... ah..."

She threw her hands up. "Men!" she addressed the world in general and
the sky in particular. "You're all the same! Find a pretty woman and you
paint it on walls. But god beware should you find something special! You
make a really big secret out of it." She stalked off to the house, leaving
a dumbstruck Tyler Reed behind.
* * *
Tyler found Burt with one of his geophones. He was checking them on
a daily basis; they were their safety net. Parking the tour truck next
to Gummer's own vehicle he got out

"Burt!" he nearly yelled.

Burt looked up from the device and pushed back his baseball cap. "Hello,
Tyler."

"What the fuck did you think you were doing?"

Gummer frowned and straightened from his crouch.

"You told Jodi! Now Rosalita knows. I won't even mention Nancy. What
about Harlow and Dr. Matthews? You brought them in on it, too?" Now he
was yelling.

Burt's eyebrows rose. "Information in a controlled environment," he
just quoted himself.

"Wonderful! What happened to 'don't ask, don't tell'?"

"It's important to know who to trust out here, Tyler," Gummer said
reasonably. "Every change in the team dynamics is important, for all participants."

"So you decided to just walk into the store and announce that we're
sleeping together?"

"No. They actually did ask, and I told. Simple as that."

"In your head maybe! It's never simple with you, right? You don't answer
all the question anyone asks! You obfuscate, you circumvent. You're damn
good at that!" Reed snapped. "Why not use that skill instead of putting
our private life out on the front porch!"

"Like I said, it's important for everyone here to know. We depend on
each other for survival."

"So who's next? Twitchell? The science club at the lab? Why not tell
every fucking tourist I drive around!"

"They are all on a need to know basis. And they don't need to know,"
was the reasonable answer.

"Great! Next thing I know, Nancy's giving me motherly advice and everyone
wants to know if you're a good lay!"

Burt tilted his head. "So, am I?"

"What?" Tyler's voice was laced with confusion now.

"Am I a good lay?" Gummer reiterated.

Reed's mouth worked, but no sound came out again. "You know the most
inappropriate moments to throw something in one's face!" he accused.

Burt stepped closer, smiling. "Am I?"

Like a dog with a bone...

"You...I wouldn't put it like that, but hell... yeah... It's no reason
to tell everyone though!" he tried it one last time, his voice no longer
loud and his anger past. "It's... y'know... private."

"My reasoning still stands."

"Burt..."

And then Tyler was silenced by a pair of strong lips on his, effectively
shutting him up. Arms curled around his waist, pulling him closer and he
went with the flow willingly, holding on to the taller man. Burt skillfully
manipulated him into opening his mouth and their tongues met. Tyler heard
himself groan as his mouth was plundered. He staggered a little when they
separated, blinking up at Gummer.

"I'm not ashamed of us," Burt said seriously.

"Oh." Tyler had yet to disentangle himself from the other man. His
mind had momentarily turned to mush. "Good."

Another kiss, a very brief one, was placed on his lips, then Burt stepped
back. "And I could use some help checking the geophones."

"Oh." Lot's of mush. "Okay."

And they went to work. Just like that. Tyler was still digesting the
latest news that now the whole of Perfection knew about him and Burt --
and that Burt had actually been the one to divulge that information. The
man was full of surprises.
* * *
In the weeks that followed, both men slowly but surely got to know each
other better. Not just sexually. Sexually was just fine, but Tyler found
out about the man behind the military facade after a while, and it was
a fascinating journey. Burt wasn't the one to spill his heart, neither
was Tyler, so it was a collection of fact fragments, piecing them together,
and feeling surprise at each revelation.

Sexually, one such revelation was that Tyler did enjoy being the bottom.
In his last relationship with a man, they had switched now and then, but
he was the most comfortable this way. Burt didn't argue the point and somehow
Reed had never seen him as anything but a top. A silent top, but a top
nevertheless. Well, Tyler made up for the silence; he really did.

Some topics they didn't touch, like Tyler's reason he had left the
big city, for instance. Burt knew the rough sketching, but he didn't inquire
into the finer details. Neither did Tyler dig into the Gummer's military
past, what kind of operations he had run and the like. If Burt told him
by himself, okay. But he didn't want to pry.

As for the women. Well, Tyler had expected more of an upheaval, even
if they had all taken it almost stoically. He had thought there would be
teasing, maybe some poking and prodding into their relationship, but except
for a friendly remark here or there, nothing else occurred. He was thankful
that their little group was so eccentric that they didn't make a big deal
out of a gay relationship. Twitchell had no idea. Harlow, well, it was
anyone's guess. He sure hadn't changed his attitude when talking to either
man. It was fine by Tyler.

Their rhythm had changed a little. Driving out each night to Burt's
place, even if they didn't have sex, had taken its toll on Reed, and his
lover had seen it much earlier than Tyler himself. While it was nice to
wake up each morning with the other man -- sex or no sex since cuddling
was just fine with Tyler as well -- it was also a strain because he had
to drive into town every day. Thirty minutes or more of bumpy road were
not something he enjoyed just after breakfast. Burt started to stay at
the garage, but Tyler knew he was uncomfortable with leaving his bunker
alone, unable to have access to his equipment whenever he needed it, so
they came up with an oddly alternating system. If it was a system at all.
Tyler stayed at Burt's when there was no moonlight tour and no other pressing
matters for him to take care of in town, like repairs, or when the two
men planned to make their rounds to test night vision equipment.

Burt, in turn, made up camp in the garage when he was in the area to
check the geophones or other seismic devices, or when he had nothing else
coming up on his schedule. It worked, it eased on the stress of driving
home each morning, and both men soon grew accustomed to it. Out here, odd
and ever-changing was part of life; you either worked with it or moved
on. Tyler had found this life to be more relaxing than anything he had
ever tried before, and while the dangers out here were very real, very
extreme, they weren't any worse than a life racing cars and talking to
sponsors. With El Blanco you knew where he was coming from, with managers
and promoters you didn't.

Tyler looked at the nightstand clock and sighed softly. It was only
six in the morning and way too early to get up, but he had promised Rosalita
to be out on the pastures at eight to help her with some fences. Harlow
was gone for two days and she really needed to set up the new fencing.
It was close to forty minutes from the bunker, so he had to get going if
he wanted a shower and breakfast.

Looking at the sleeping man at his side, Tyler smiled softly. His back
gave off little twinges from the hot encounter last night, reminding him
of the passionate lovemaking. He would have really loved to continue it
this morning, but Rosalita might skin him alive. Well, there was always
another night and he was looking forward to it.

Leaning over, he placed a little kiss on the sleeping man's lips as
he ran a caressing hand over the strong chest.

"Love you," he whispered, then slid out of bed, padding over to the
shower.

Dark brown eyes opened as the shower started and Burt Gummer pushed
himself up on his elbows, a thoughtful expression on his face. He listened
to the noises from the bathroom, then got out of bed, slipped into a pair
of pants, and silently walked through the main room of the bunker into
the kitchen to make coffee. It didn't take long for Tyler for finish and
the sight of his lover, hair wet, freshly shaved and his shirt still hanging
open over the nicely muscled chest, was enticing.

"Hey, you're up," Tyler called and joined him at the makeshift kitchen
table.

He slipped an arm around Burt's waist and claimed a kiss that Gummer
was only too happy to give. Reed smelled fresh and clean, and the absence
of his scruff left Burt to touch a smooth cheek, caressing it.

"You're heading for Rosalita's?" he asked matter-of-factly.

"Yep."

Tyler popped a piece of toast into his mouth. One change that had been
the most pronounced was Burt's suddenly better-stocked kitchen. It wasn't
just his income from the survival classes that had replaced many cactus
dishes with a less desert plant oriented cuisine; it had also been this
man staying here regularly.

"Good."

Tyler started to button up the shirt, much to Burt's dismay, and the
younger man smiled as he saw the eyes on him. Grabbing a few more slices
of toast and the coffee in the large walk-out mug, he gave Burt a quick
kiss.

"See ya."

"Be careful."

"Always."

And with that he was gone. Burt looked at the stairs leading up and
outside. Tyler had no idea that he had heard him, had been awake when the
two words had been uttered softly.

'Love you.'

Lost in thought, Burt took his own coffee and walked over to the monitor
to run his usual, early morning checks on what El Blanco had been up to
last night.
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