Johnny grinned over at Bruce who was, as usual, oblivious to him while Walt and the other men had him cornered by the grill. Though, really, cornered probably wasn't that accurate since Bruce was holding his own about the best way to cook a steak on the grill. He'd told Johnny earlier in the day, and in no uncertain terms, that the grill was his and his alone. Johnny had laughed and given him a mocking bow.

Now, however, watching the way his neighbors were interacting with Bruce, he knew that Bruce had done this to make things easier for him. Because even after about a year of knowing who and what Johnny was, many of them were uncomfortable with him. Certainly, none of them touched him, not even accidentally. They could all understand and interact with Bruce, though, on almost every level. Especially when Bruce was at his most charming, keeping everyone laughing and a drink on hand.

Lindsay hopped onto the wooden picnic table almost directly in front of him and Johnny blinked in surprise. "Hey, Linds. What's up?"

"JJ's being a dork," Lindsay complained.

Like father, like son, Johnny thought, almost wistfully. Aloud, he just grinned and said, "I thought all boys that age were."

Lindsay grimaced. "Well yeah, but, you know, more than usual."

"Don't worry, he'll outgrow it," Johnny assured her.

She looked at him, almost accusing, and demanded, "Are you sure?"

Before he could answer, Sarah joined them, sitting in the chair beside him and nudging him, motioning towards the grill.

"It's like watching cavemen ten thousand years ago, isn't it?" Sarah observed conspiratorially.

Johnny laughed outright at that and nodded. "There's just something about an open flame, a side of beef, and men."

"So why aren't you over there?" Lindsay asked curiously, leaning against him.

Ruffling the young girl's hair, which she protested by swatting his hand, Johnny answered, "Because I know better than to come between Bruce and his tongs."

Sarah laughed softly. "So what are you doing for summer vacation, Lindsay?"

"Mom and Dad want to take me to see my cousins in Springfield."

A Fate Worse Then Death, from her tone of voice. Johnny hid a smile and met Sarah's twinkling eyes as he said, "I'm very sorry to hear that."

"Linds! Linds, c'mere!" JJ shouted across the yard.

Lindsay turned to find the younger boy poking at something on the ground with a long stick. She heaved a long suffering sigh and ran off to join him and the other kids.

Johnny watched for a few seconds, grinning broadly, then said, "This was a good idea, Sarah."

Breathing on her nails, then polishing them on her shirt, Sarah winked and replied, "I do have them on occasion."

"Hey, you have them all the time," Johnny countered, poking her shoulder lightly.

He was so glad that they'd settled into the friendship that had drawn them together in the first place as kids. It had been so awkward and painful after they'd slept together that he was surprised there hadn't been some kind of neon sign flashing that said, 'We Slept Together.' Call it the old New England Puritan streak, but Johnny had really been waiting for the red A to be emblazoned across his shirt at some point.

Still was, come to think of it.

"John!"

Johnny's eyes automatically locked onto Bruce at the call and he raised his eyebrows in question.

"We need the plates!"

Nodding, Johnny got his cane and stood, as did Sarah, and headed into the kitchen. The sun was just getting ready to set, a beautiful blaze of orange, red, and purple and he took a second to gaze on it before going inside. The difference between in and outside was palpable and Johnny shivered in the artificially cool air as he headed for the table.

"So are you going to tell me who it is?" Sarah asked, stopping and gently hip-checking Johnny.

"Excuse me?" Johnny asked, startled. He opened a soda and took a sip, appreciating the cold liquid on such a hot day.

Sarah made a face. "The new person in your life. You're far too relaxed, unless Bruce has been slipping you something?"

Johnny choked on the soda at her unintended innuendo and struggled to draw in a breath. Concerned, she patted his back while he got his breathing under control. He waved her off, clearing his throat, and stalled by taking a slow drink of the Coke. Sarah knew him well enough to know when he was lying, so he couldn't deny that he was in a new relationship.

Grinning, Sarah pointed out, "You're stalling, Johnny."

Bruce poked his head into the kitchen with an impatient, "Yo, John! Before they burn, man!"

Ignoring the amused look on Sarah's face, Johnny grabbed the plates on the table and headed back outside without answering. Leaning in close to Bruce, he warned, "Sarah's nosing around, so she might ask you something later. She wanted to know if you were...slipping me something because I was so relaxed."

Bruce almost dropped the plates at his suggestive tone and Johnny laughed loudly. Wagging a finger at the other man, Bruce complained, "Not cool, man, very not cool."

Still laughing, Johnny followed Bruce to the grill where the men were gathered. Walt and a couple of deputies were holding court about an old, gruesome case while the others listened in horrified fascination. The women were gathered on the lawn, talking around the tables about whatever it was that women talked about. Sarah settled down next to Lindsay's mother, winking at Johnny when she caught his gaze, and the two women started talking.

All in all, it was a great Saturday.

* * * *

"God. I can't believe how much clean-up these things need," Johnny complained, piling up the plates. "You'd think there'd been an army, instead of twenty-odd people!"

Bruce sidled up behind him and rested his chin on Johnny's shoulder, "That's why you should've catered the damn thing."

"Very funny."

"Who's being funny?" Bruce asked, slipping his arm around Johnny's waist. "If it'd been catered, we could've already been upstairs enjoying ourselves while others cleaned up."

Turning in Bruce's arms, Johnny grinned at the other man and observed, "Good point. Okay. All future parties will be catered."

Bruce chuckled and captured his lips in a long, slow kiss, his hands gripping Johnny's hips to keep him close. It had been a couple of weeks since getting back from Boston, but with the insanity that was their lives, this was actually the first time they'd had alone together since their aborted make-out session on the couch back in the hotel. Johnny relaxed into his arms, leaning on Bruce, and opening his mouth further.

It was a few minutes later that Bruce finally pulled back, breathing heavy and feeling restraint fluttering vainly in the wind. "We ah...we should finish cleaning up."

Johnny wrapped his hands in Bruce's shirt and, just before hauling him in again, muttered, "Fuck it."

In seconds, Bruce had him backed up against one of the picnic tables and Johnny sat on the table, wrapping his legs around Bruce's hips as their tongues got reacquainted. Bruce leaned forward, pushing Johnny back, not breaking the kiss that was getting wetter and deeper by the moment. His hands roamed over the broad chest, feeling the muscles even through the damp t-shirt.

Then Johnny froze completely, uttering a moan that had nothing to do with pleasure, and his legs fell away.

"Shit! Johnny, what's wrong?" Bruce demanded, instantly straightening up.

Johnny gritted out, "Cramp. Charlie horse from the feel of it. Left leg."

Wincing, Bruce muttered, "Oh crap." and started feeling around Johnny's calf for the right pressure point. There was a hitch of breath as he found it, and Johnny's face scrunched up in agony that was downright painful to witness. After an eternity, Johnny started breathing normally again and Bruce knew that he'd massaged the cramp out of the muscle. "C'mon, let's get you inside."

Mutinous, Johnny pushed up into a sitting position and exclaimed, "It's not fair!"

Bruce knew instinctively what Johnny was talking about and cupped his face, brushing fingers across the tense forehead to soothe. "I know, Angel, I know. But we're working on it."

"It's never going to be normal," Johnny muttered, scrubbing fingertips through his hair, obviously worn out.

Smirking slightly to lighten the mood, Bruce teased, "Neither will your taste in music, but I love you anyhow."

"Smartass."

But Johnny was trying not to smile as he said it, so Bruce ignored the tone and slid his arm around the other man's waist and they started inside.

* * * *

"Oh damn."

Walt looked over at Sarah and asked, "What?"

"I forgot Johnny's book-bag back at the house," Sarah exclaimed softly, glancing back at their sleeping son.

Grinning faintly, Walt pulled over, then turned the car around with, "You owe me for this. And we are not sticking around to help clean up. I've got an early shift tomorrow."

Sarah gave him an innocent look. "Would I do that to you?"

He snorted. "Every chance you get."

Chuckling, Sarah rested her hand against the back of his neck. She would never tell him what happened between her and Johnny, not even when they were old and gray. Honesty wasn't worth the price of their marriage and she knew Walt well enough to know that's what it would cost. Maybe, if it had happened when Johnny had first come out of the coma, that would be a different story. But almost a year later? No chance.

Besides, things had changed between them and now she knew there was no going back, even if she wanted to; which she didn't. Aside from the fact that she loved her family, Sarah knew for sure that someone new was in Johnny's life. She hadn't seen him so comfortable with himself, or the world around him, since before the accident.

Walt pulled up to the long driveway and tapped in the security code that would let them in. It was known only to a few, select people and he felt good to be included in that. He knew it was because he and Johnny were friends now, if not close ones, and not because he was Sheriff. Stopping the car at the front stairs, he cautioned, "Don't be all night."

Sarah leaned over and kissed his cheek then headed out of the car.

* * * *

Johnny looked up from his spot on the couch in surprise as the front door opened. He was sure that Bruce had already gone around and locked it. Then Sarah showed up and he grinned, waving her the rest of the way in. "Forget something?"

"Yes. Little Johnny's backpack. It has all his Harry Potter stuff in it and he will be an absolute bear if he doesn't have it with him tomorrow," Sarah answered, eyes rolling dramatically.

And then life seemed to go into slow motion for Johnny as Bruce called out, "You know what, Angel? I was thinking that we should get you into the tub and make sure that cramp doesn't...come...back...oh fuck. Uh. Sarah. Hi."

Sarah's face showed shock as she instantly understood that there had been no teasing involved in the nickname or the suggestion. For a few seconds her mouth opened and closed, but nothing came out.

Meeting Bruce's gaze, Johnny shrugged helplessly as to what to do. Bruce's lips twisted a little bitterly as he said, "I'll leave you two alone to talk. John, call me when you need to go upstairs."

Johnny nodded, wishing that he could do something to erase the pained look from Bruce's face. Then his eyes returned to Sarah who was, apparently, still working over her shock. "Uh, you okay?"

"You and, and, and Bruce?" she demanded at last. "When?"

Uncomfortable with the betrayed look, Johnny answered, "Um, couple weeks now."

Shaking her head, Sarah exclaimed, "Johnny, I know you. This, this isn't you!"

Keeping his voice steady, though he felt more than a little ticked that people kept automatically assuming he didn't know what he wanted, Johnny stated, "Sarah, I know this is a shock for you, but I love him."

"Were you going to tell me?"

"Yeah. Eventually."

"Eventually?"

"Jesus, Sarah, it's only been a couple of weeks since we told each other how we felt! And with everything going on, we haven't even had any time together!" Johnny exclaimed. "Yeah, I was going to tell you but no, it wasn't on the list of priorities. I'm sorry if that hurts you, but it's not like we're together any more."

She took an actual step back at his harsh words, hand to her throat, then straightened defensively. "Of course not. But I thought we were friends again."

Johnny sighed. "We are. But you don't tell me everything that goes on between you and Walt."

"You're not married," she snapped.

Johnny took a breath, stiffening at the implication that what Bruce and he had wasn't as real. It was probably just the emotion, and the long day, and fuck, his leg still ached really badly, that was making him blow that simple statement all out of proportion. After letting the air out slowly, he warned, "I think you need to be really careful here, Sarah."

The look on her face, like she suddenly realized how Johnny had taken her words, was akin to horror, and definitely held apology as she exclaimed, "I'm sorry, Johnny! I didn't mean it like that, I really didn't. It's, it's just a shock."

Forcing a smile, though he knew it had to look pathetic, Johnny asked, "A happy one, I hope?"

Sarah crossed to him, sitting on the couch and taking his hand with, "Definitely a happy one. If this is what you want...?"

"It is," Johnny answered firmly.

"Then good. I'm glad it happened. Bruce is a great guy."

There was still that look on her face that said she wasn't really glad, but Johnny doesn't question it. He knew that it was way the hell too new of even a concept for her to wrap her mind around. She patted his thigh and then got up, looking around. Realizing what she was looking for, Johnny said, "Oh. It's in the foyer, you probably walked right past it."

Sarah walked the short distance away, then held it up in triumph. "Got it. Um. I'll see you later?"

He'd barely nodded before she was gone. He sank back against the couch and damn, wasn't it just his luck that the first time he and Bruce had been making out, his, well, de facto father had burst in on them. And then the first time he and Bruce had been doing the domestic thing, his ex- had burst in on them.

Johnny was a little frightened to think about who might walk in on them if they ever actually got around to having sex. Given how many people seemed to show up during that event other times, even if it was in his head, Johnny was pretty sure he had a right to be scared.

* * * *

Bruce knew that he shouldn't eavesdrop, but just couldn't help himself. It wasn't like Sarah was some big threat to Johnny or anything, but ex-fiances were liable to do anything when they found out the ex was now dating another guy. And with the way Johnny's luck ran...

Most eavesdroppers didn't hear anything good, but when Johnny warned Sarah off in that tone of voice, Bruce's heart just skipped a beat.

Then the front door opened and closed and then Johnny called, "You can stop eavesdropping and come out now."

Snorting, Bruce entered the living room and demanded, "What makes you think I was eavesdropping?"

Johnny grinned. "The fact that I know you so well."

"Uh huh."

His grin got wider and Johnny asked, "So. You mentioned a bath?"

Reluctantly, Bruce said, "Yeah, but I've got an early shift tomorrow, so I need to hit the road soon. I think the best thing to do is get you in the tub, in a strictly medicinal fashion, by the way, and you can soak while I finish cleaning up."

"Bruce, you don't need to do that," Johnny protested.

Bruce smiled and sat on the edge of the couch. "I know."

Cupping Bruce's face, Johnny asked, "What did I do to deserve you?"

"You were really good in your last life," Bruce answered with a wink. The kiss was natural and sweet and far too short. Bruce pulled away reluctantly and continued, "C'mon. Let's get started."

* * * *

Walt stared at Sarah over the top of the newspaper, lips pursed thoughtfully. He ducked back behind it when she headed back towards the table from the stove. Something was definitely wrong and if he didn't want another sleepless night, he had to get her to talk about the problem. He was personally of the natural that not talking made things much better, but Sarah wasn't.

Glancing at Johnny, he said, "Hey, buddy. Don't you have a room to clean?"

Johnny groaned. "Dad. It's only like, seven. I have all day."

"And if you do it now, you'll have all day to play with your friends," Walt stated, his voice brooking no opposition.

Sighing, Johnny nodded and hopped out of his chair, heading for his room.

Sarah frowned at Walt and asked, "What was that all about?"

Hiding a grin, Walt answered, "I didn't think you'd want him around for whatever it is that you're bottling up."

For a second, Sarah looked like she was going to protest, but then she half-smiled and sat down. After taking a sip of her coffee, and looking to make sure that Johnny wasn't around, she said, "You can't tell anyone or I am dead meat."

Frowning now, Walt put aside the paper altogether. "That means it's something to do with Johnny. What's wrong?"

"It does not automatically mean that it's about Johnny. Or that anything is wrong," Sarah exclaimed.

Walt just looked at her.

With a groan, Sarah said, "It has to do with Johnny, but it's nothing wrong I don't think."

"You don't think?"

"It's Bruce."

Walt leaned forward, suddenly and intensely curious. "What about him?"

"Well, um, he and Johnny are...you know," Sarah finished emphatically.

Not completely clueless, but really needing Sarah to spell it out so there were no misunderstandings, Walt repeated, "You know...?"

"Together!"

Okay. That's what he thought she was getting at. Now for the fun part. "Well, uh, they are you know, best friends and close and um, all that."

"Johnny isn't gay!" Sarah snapped.

Right. Because all straight men know instinctively how to dress that well. Shaking the stereotype from his head, Walt replied, "But he's in love with Bruce, right? I mean, I'm assuming it's not just a, ah, lust thing since they're best friends and all."

The glare Sarah gave him as she got up again said that if he wasn't really careful, he'd be sleeping on the couch that night. Thinking briefly, Walt continued, "Look, Sarah, if they're in love, the best thing you can do is support him. I mean, Johnny's his own guy and knows his own mind. And from what you've told me about him when you were growing up, he always has been."

"You don't understand."

Hearing the hurt in her voice, Walt stood as well and walked up behind her, pulling her into his arms. Kissing the back of her neck, he asked, "If he'd fallen in love with Dana, would it have made you question what the two of you used to have, or is it just Bruce?"

She paused, then sighed heavily and answered, "Just Bruce. And that's stupid, I know, but..."

"Listen to me," he urged, turning her in his arm. Staring at her intently, he stated, "You are beautiful, smart, sexy and the kindest woman I've ever met. There is no reason to doubt yourself because of this. Would you rather that Johnny spent his entire life without someone in it to keep a torch burning for you?"

"No," Sarah agreed softly. "Of course not."

Walt hesitated before asked, "And you love me, right?"

Surprised, Sarah's eyes widened as she exclaimed, "Of course I do!"

Walt kissed her then, long and sweet, before saying, "Then be happy for Johnny."

Smiling now, Sarah nodded. "You're right, as usual."

With a grin, Walt kissed the tip of her nose and said, "And don't you forget it. And as much as I love needless angst before coffee, I really have to go."

Sarah's eyes rolled and she unexpectedly slapped his ass sharply. "Then get to it and bring the bacon home, Sheriff."

Laughing now, Walt pulled her in for another kiss, punctuality be damned.

* * * *

Johnny eyed Gene from his spot on the couch and wondered how long it would take the older man to bring up Bruce. So far they'd talked about everything but, and that included Stillson's latest political coup.

"I understand the party was quite a success last night," Gene commented, smiling.

Echoing the smile, Johnny nodded. "It was."

"And Bruce was there?"

There it was. Sighing to himself, Johnny replied, "Yes. He makes everyone else comfortable being here. I'm still a little out there for most of my neighbors."

"I suppose that's true," Gene agreed thoughtfully, as though that hadn't occurred to him. Then he shook his head and continued, "You do know how careful the two of you need to be, right? One wrong photograph could bring down the image of you we've created."

Johnny stared at Gene for a few moments, stomping down on the impulse to hit the other man with his cane. "We've already been through this. I am not going to hide this away. I don't care what it does to the Heritage PR. I'm sorry, Gene, but this isn't about you. Feel free to disavow yourself of me any time you like."

Gene's gaze narrowed as he replied, "Don't be deliberately antagonistic, Johnny. I'm only saying this for your own good."

"I'm sorry. When did I revert to being a teenager?" Johnny sniped.

Snorting, Gene pointed out, "About two minutes ago."

"And what about if Sarah and I had an affair and she and Walt broke up?" Johnny demanded recklessly, too angry to believe he'd even let the man back into his house. "How would your PR people spin that?"

Aghast, Gene leaned forward and asked, "Are you? Are they?"

Utterly frustrated, Johnny surged to his feet, wincing at the pain as he snapped, "Absolutely. I always declare undying love for one person while fucking another and breaking up a happy marriage."

Realizing what he'd done, Gene also stood and tried to apologize with, "Johnny, I'm sorry, I just..."

"You know what?" Johnny interrupted.

Gene stopped.

"Get out. I don't want to see you again. I know that you and Stillson had a little conference about me already and you were declaring how I could help his campaign."

"Johnny, wait, let me explain," Gene began.

Shaking his head, Johnny repeated quietly, "Get out. Say whatever you want to the press about me and Bruce, but get ready for it because we will be coming out one day. Probably one day soon."

Looking as though he'd swallowed something unpleasant, Gene nodded and left.

Johnny watched him go, then collapsed onto the couch, shaking from the emotion that had no outlet. When the door closed behind Gene, he screamed at the top of his lungs for as long as he had breath. Panting, Johnny paused for a second, then reached for the phone.

* * * *

Bruce yawned, rubbing his eyes as he tried to look at a patient report with complete disinterest.

"Hey Bruce. Your ten o'clock is here," one of the nurses said, poking her head into his office.

He smiled. "Thanks Andrea. I'll be out in a second."

She nodded and left just as the phone rang. Bruce hesitated, then picked it up. "Bruce Lewis speaking."

"Bruce."

That one word was so filled with frustration and misery that Bruce winced. "Johnny, hey. What's wrong, man?"

"Purdy was just here."

Oh fuck. This was at least a twenty minute conversation and he had no time for it. Mrs. Williams had serious pain management needs and he had to be on time for her appointment. Shit, shit, shit! Sighing, Bruce said, "I am so sorry, Johnny, but..."

"You've got a patient," the other man guessed heavily.

Thinking furiously about who else was on duty that could take the elderly woman, Bruce said, "Let me just find someone else who can..."

"No, Bruce, it's okay. Go do your thing. I can wait."

"Are you sure?" Bruce asked slowly.

"Yeah. No problem."

Snorting, Bruce accused, "You're such a liar, Angel."

That got a weary laugh and Johnny answered, "Yeah, well, punish me when you get home."

Bruce smiled and promised, "I will. Look. I'll come by for lunch, how's that?"

"Do you have time?"

"I'll make time."

"Oh. Um, thanks, Bruce."

The relief in Johnny's voice was more than enough justification. "All right. So I'll see you in a couple of hours?"

"I'll be here."

"Good. Love you," Bruce murmured into the phone.

A smile was audible in Johnny's voice as he replied, "I love you. Bye."

"Bye, man."

It practically hurt to hang up the phone, but Bruce did it. Shaking his head, Bruce hesitated against, then grabbed Mrs. Williams' folder and left his office.

* * * *

Impatient to see Johnny, Bruce's finger missed the security code and he had to start over again. Grimacing, he pushed the right sequence that time and the gate swung open. It only took another minute or so for Bruce to park and run up the front stairs. He was really surprised to find the door not only closed, but locked.

Frowning, Bruce pulled out his keys and unlocked the door, stepping inside and calling out, "Angel? Where are you?"

His heart stuttered when silence was his answer. Panic roared through him and he shouted this time, "Johnny!? John, where are you, man?"

Searching desperately from room to room in case Johnny had actually taken a pain killer and was knocked out somewhere produced no sign of the other man. There was no note, no sign of a struggle, no clothes were missing, and not a thing was out of place. It was in the bathroom that he found Johnny's cane and his knees went weak.

Heart thundering in fear, his mind repeated, over and over, No fucking way, not again! Not another kidnapping!

Hands shaking with fear, knowing that Johnny wouldn't have voluntarily gone anywhere without him this time, and sure as shit not without his cane, Bruce pulled out his phone and called Walt.