TITLE; Still no name - Any suggestions ?

AUTHOR; Kandy

FANDOM; "The Bill"

RATING; NC-17. For those of us who are not American, that’s 18 years old and up. This is a slash story (i.e. people of the same sex enjoying their relationships)

DISCLAIMER; "The Bill" and its characters belong to Thames Television, (or is it Carlton Productions now ?) Whatever, any characters that are recognisable to you from the telly, are not mine.

NOTE; If you are unfamiliar with "The Bill", it’s a long-running Police show in the UK. Just think - crisp, white shirts and severe black trousers with a straight crease you could ski down, - and you won’t go far wrong !

This series (!) may sometimes follow "The Bill" canon, sometimes not, depends on what is showing on UK GOLD and my inclination !

***

Eight months ! Eight glorious months !

Nick Slater smiled as he stretched in the bed. This was, now, officially, his longest lasting relationship.

It hadn’t been easy.

At first, he and Steve Loxton had seemed better suited to antagonising one another than loving each other.

They had argued constantly, about procedure, about suspects, and when they weren’t arguing, they were bickering - who was the better driver, who was a greater ladies’ man, who had had garlic in their lunch, ...

But that had all changed the night they lost Kathy Marshall.

Nick had blamed himself. Truth be told, most of the relief had blamed him. Not out loud, not to his face. But sudden silences when he approached, overheard snippets of conversation, ...

"He’s new, just a probationer, ..."

"They should never have split up, ..."

"... he’s a trouble-magnet."

"... couldn’t handle himself, ..."

"Could only happen to Slater."

"Not fit, ..."

Only Steve Loxton had shown any understanding. Only he had offered comfort. Only he had encouraged Nick, until now he could finish his probationary period with pride.

***

Nick glanced around the games hall. Were all "Probationer Coming Out" parties like this ?

Quinnan and Stamp were doing the Tango despite the fact "Wonderwall" by "Oasis" was playing. Reg Hollis had cornered Sergeant Ackland and seemed to be trying to explain the ‘cup and balls’ trick, either that or he really needed to take lessons in dancing - any kind of dancing. CID were grouped in a corner, disdainful expressions on their faces - as if they’d never been probationers ! Garfield and McCann whispering intently in a corner, ... and then a drunken spotlight searching for Debbie Keene and himself, strong hands pushing him forward, and Debbie catching his elbow with a delighted grin.

"We made it, Nick !"

Nick smiled, and allowed the crowd to push him forward, eyes scanning for the one face he wanted to see.

"Ladies and Gentlemen !" boomed a voice.

Nick tore his gaze away from the onlookers.

Sergeant Cryer hoisted the microphone . "Tonight, we welcome two more relative innocents to the rough and tumble of the policeman’s lot. Over the past two years, we have witnessed their triumphs and their mistakes, but all of us knew this day would come, ..."

"Shame !" cried an anonymous voice from the back.

Cryer gestured with the microphone, "Yes, Thankyou, Rod." He took a breath, and raising his voice slightly, he said, "Fellow Officers, it gives me great pleasure to give you, WPC Deborah Keene, and PC Nicholas Slater !" Cryer raised his hands above his head and clapped vigorously. The crowd followed. Nick and Debbie found themselves within a growing circle of space.

Debbie was kissing her hands to her lips in the manner of an old-style actress. Nick, feeling slightly foolish in the face of so much attention, gave a restrained Royal wave, then saw the figure in uniform, standing as unobtrusively as possible by the doors.

Steve !

Nick quickly turned to Debbie and gave her a hug, before gently forcing his way through the crowd of well-wishers.

***

At last he was out in the cold air. He looked left and right, but could only see the Police Fiesta parked beside the Sectionhouse.

Slowly Nick moved towards the car.

"Looking for me ?"

Nick whirled around, "You betcha !"

Grinning, Loxton emerged from the shadows. With a quick glance to make sure they were not observed, Steve caught the shorter man in his arms and spun him round.

Nick laughed, then quickly stifled it, aware of the possibly, unwelcome scrutiny from their colleagues.

"I have a special graduation present for you" whispered Steve, huskily.

Nick looked up at him, his arms around Steve’s waist.

"Can’t wait." he replied.

Steve smiled, "You’ll have to, I finish my shift at six." He withdrew his house keys from his pocket, "Wait for me ?"

Nick swallowed and nodded, accepting the keys. Steve had never given him the keys to his house before.

Steve grinned. "Enjoy yourself." He planted a quick kiss on Nick’s cheek before heading back to the car.

Nick watched until the brake lights winked out around the corner before heading back into the party, keys resting safely in his pocket.

***

Rod Skase watched from the shadow of an oversized Rhododendron bush as Slater went back into the section house. Thoughtfully, he lit his cigarette. This was a turn up for the books and no mistake !

***

PART 4

See Part 1 for Warnings and Disclaimers

__________________________________

Steve Loxton killed the engine of his car and looked up at his house.

Good, the bedroom curtains were drawn, Nick had obviously used the keys.

Steve straightened his shoulders.

The worst thing about the night shift was that when it was finished he still felt wide awake. Hopefully, Nick would be able to help with that.

Quickly, Steve let himself in, using his own keys. Silently he ran up the stairs and pushed open the bedroom door.

He smiled affectionately at the sight.

Nick lay curled up, clutching Steve’s pillow to him, his breathing soft and deep.

Steve glanced at the bedside cabinet, and a warm feeling suffused his skin.

Nick had set the alarm to wake him just before Steve arrived home. He obviously hadn’t taken account of the light Bank Holiday traffic in office-worker Suburbia.

Steve clicked off the alarm and took a moment to gaze down on his sleeping lover. It was almost too perfect.

Steve lightly kissed Nick’s forehead.

Nick muttered unintelligibly and nuzzled the pillow. Steve grinned and settled himself on the side of the bed. With light strokes he patted Nick’s head and shoulder until the sleepy eyes opened.

"Steve ?"

"Hi," Steve bent forward to kiss Nick again, "Ready for your present ?"

Nick settled back into the bed, "I was hoping you were my present."

"I am, kind of."

Steve caught Nick’s left wrist in his own and jingled his police issue handcuffs in Nick’s view, "I was going to go for leather or silk, but I didn’t have time." He clipped the metal round Nick’s wrist.

Nick swallowed and blinked the sleep from his eyes, "Steel is fine by me."

Steve reached forward and kissed Nick deeply. While their tongues were engaged, Steve raised Nick’s arms until he could thread the short chain of the cuffs through the head-board and click the second circlet of metal around Nick’s right wrist. Then he drew back and surveyed his prize.

"You said something about giving me a present ?" said Nick plaintively as he rattled the cuffs.

"So I did."

Steve quickly stripped off his uniform and laid himself down beside Nick. Slowly he trailed his fingers up and down the raised arms. "It was a tough decision," he whispered, "What do you get the ex-probationer who has everything ?"

Steve switched his strokes from Nick’s arms to his sides. Nick moaned and arched his back. "I don’t know, what do you get the ex-probationer who has everything ?" he gasped.

"You get him all hot and bothered," smiled Steve, "... and then," Steve kissed his way down Nick’s chest.

"And then ?" panted Nick.

Steve sat up and locked his gaze with Nick, "... and then you love every inch of his body, up and down ...," Nick groaned as Steve cupped his cheek, "... and inside and out," Nick tensed slightly as Steve’s finger penetrated his anus, then relaxed.

"Just what I’ve always wanted." Nick muttered, as he closed his eyes.

Steve chuckled, "That’s a relief, it was a bugger trying to gift wrap it."

Nick’s eyes opened, and he gazed up at Steve, "So quit trying already." Deliberately, he slid down the bed as far as the cuffs would allow him and turned onto his stomach.

Steve grinned and straddled the top of Nick’s thighs. He clasped the metal of the cuffs and ran his fingers into the gap, tickling the hairs on Nick’s wrists. Using his knees, Steve teased Nick’s legs further apart. He leaned forward and nuzzled Nick’s neck.

"Welcome to the Met !"

Nick sighed, contentedly. "Happy, happy day !"

________________________________________

FEEDBACK ALWAYS REPLIED TO, EVEN FLAMES, ‘THO I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO GO MY OWN SWEET WAY !