A Truths

God was staring blankly at the forms laid out on his desk. How the fuck was he supposed to do paperwork right now, when all he could think about was Day? The empty chair directly across from him didn’t help.

He almost felt like a kid being scolded by his teacher. “You can go out to play as soon as you finish your classwork.”

Several officers had stopped by to ask about Day, all of them avoided mentioning God’s psychotic threats against the kingpin. Hell, if his coworkers weren’t afraid of him before then, they sure as fuck were now.

Day had called him as soon as the doctor left his room and told him that Jaxson was already there and would take him home soon. He asked God to be home when he got there and God was not going to disappoint him. He drowned out the whispers and stares in his direction and focused on completing his paperwork.

He’d just closed the file and was putting it on his captain’s secretary’s desk when the captain yelled for him to come into his office.

Fuck. If he says Day and I have to split up, I’m going to flip his desk over on his head.

God walked in to the small corner office and dropped into the hard wooden chair. He dragged his hand tiredly through his hair before speaking with a sigh.

“Sir.”

“That was some performance you put on today.” His captain sat back in his squeaky chair and stared at him.

“If you say so, sir,” God responded.

“But it wasn’t a performance was it, Godfrey.”

God figured it wasn’t a question so he didn’t answer. He simply stared the man in his eyes until he spoke again.

“I think I’d know your response if I told you that I don’t let couples partner together in my precinct.” The captain leaned forward. “After what I witnessed today; you’d probably tell me to kiss your ass and no doubt Day would follow suit, and then I’d lose the best damn narcotics detectives in Georgia.”

The captain looked hard at him and pointed a thick finger in his direction.

“If I hear of any problems with you two that aren’t the usual headaches you numb-nuts give me… I mean any relationship problems, and I will split you up so fast you won’t know your ass from his.”

God couldn’t stop the sly smirk that appeared on his mouth.

“Oh get the fuck out,” the captain huffed, and God chuckled and stood to leave.

As God turned the knob to open the door, he paused.

“Any word on Vikki, Cap?” he asked.

God looked at his captain’s weathered face.

“She’s going to make a full recovery. She had to have a transfusion but she’ll regain full mobility of her arm after physical therapy.”

God was shaking his head at the good news when his captain added.

“By the way. You guys are both on leave for two weeks.”

God frowned.

“Day needs to talk with the department shrink and do the mandatory six sessions and so do you,” he ordered.

God opened his mouth to argue, but was silenced by a thick palm raised and a hard glare.

“This isn’t up for debate. It’s departmental procedure and you will both damn well follow it.”

God turned to leave again.

“Hey, God.”

God watched the captain stand, walk from behind his desk; and extend his hand to him.

“Damn good work today, son.”

God took his captain’s hand and gave it a firm shake. The wise man held his hand an extra second before releasing it. His captain didn’t need to say anything else. The man could’ve lost several detectives today, but they’d all come through… maybe with a few war wounds, but they’d survived. They’d survived to fight together another day.

God left the office. He stopped by his desk to grab his coat and walked through the bullpen and out the front doors. He stopped mid-step when he saw Ronowski leaning against the front of his truck looking dog-tired.

God approached the man and looked him in his eyes. He could see the battle fighting behinds those sparkling blue irises.

God decided to speak first. “Cap told me Vikki’s going to pull through. That’s good news, man. You saved her life.” God clapped the man on his back and moved past him to the driver’s door. He needed to get home.

“No.”

God turned at Ronowski’s lone response. “What?”

He finally let his eyes focus on God’s. “I didn’t save her.” Ronowski wrung his hands together. “Day did. He saved both of us. I treat him like shit all the time because he knows the truth about me and he almost got himself killed to save me.”

God slammed his truck door back and came back to stand in front of the young man. God called him young because he looked it. The boyish good looks and smooth, even-toned skin gave the man an innocent appearance. In all honesty Ronowski was gay-porn-star beautiful and any gay man would be very happy to satisfy him nightly… if the man would just be true to himself.

“Day did what any of us would’ve done if we’d been in his position. He was the only one that could see Hansen and his guard, so he reacted,” God tilted the man’s chin up to face him, “just like you would've done for him.”

God saw Ronowski’s eyes flutter before focusing on God’s lips as he kept a firm grip on his dimpled chin. God stepped in closer to the man and noticed the increased breathing and rosy flush that crept slowly up those tanned cheeks.

God’s voice was gruff, and he let it wash over the confused man.

“That feeling you’re having right now Ro? Stop fighting it. That’ll be a good way to thank Day.”

God was surprised when Ronowski nodded his head. God dropped his hand and looked up when he saw Detective Johnson exit the precinct, heading to his BMW. He called out to him and saw the tall man squint to see them in the dark parking lot and God waved him over.

Ronowski looked scared when he asked God what he was doing.

“You shouldn’t be alone tonight.” God's tone clearly indicated it was a command not a suggestion.

“Hey, God. I heard Day is doing good and headed home. That’s fuckin’ awesome, man.” Johnson stuck his hand out to shake God’s and God gave it a couple good pumps before he released it.

“You never have to worry about me overstepping my bounds again. I promise you that.” Johnson looked God in his eyes, and he knew the big man was giving him his respect.

“I appreciate that, Johnson,” God responded.

Johnson released a harsh breath. “Well. Guess I’ll go on home and see if a ball game is on. See ya.” Johnson turned to leave.

“The Braves are on tonight,” Ronowski called out to Johnson’s back.

God had to close his mouth, gaping open in surprise.

Johnson turned and wasted no time asking the blond beauty if he wanted to watch the game with him.

Ronowski flushed when all their attention was focused on him.

“Uhm. Sure. I just need to get my stuff. I’ll be r-right back,” he stammered and walked quickly toward the precinct.

God saw Johnson watch Ronowski’s ass move as he walked; not taking his eyes off him until he was inside the building.

Johnson turned back toward him and waggled his eyebrows. “Well my night is looking brighter.”

God just shook his head at the now extremely happy man. He looked in Johnson’s eyes and put on his serious face.

“You know that man’s story already. He’s just starting to believe what Day’s been saying to him for years, but he’s scared as fuck. If you hurt him in any way, Day will hurt you.”

Johnson stopped grinning and looked back at God. “I thought Day hated him?”

“Day is complex, Johnson. He’s crazy about Ronowski, that’s why he rides the man so hard.”

“I get that,” Johnson responded. “All right. I don’t mind doing the slow thing. We’ll start with wings and a game tonight.” Johnson shrugged and started inching toward his car. “Next week, maybe dinner and a movie.”

“Sounds good, bro.” God waved and climbed in his truck. Now that he was done playing Chuck Woolery and there were no more love connections to be made. He was going home to his sweetheart.