In Danger and Falling Fast

“So tell me why the hell there’s this kelp stuff all over the beach.” Maggie Degginger jogged along one of the San Diego beaches beside Mike Rousseau. He laughed and let his gaze rove across her toned muscular body. Her long dark braid swung from side to side with her steps. He’d lived in the area for more than a decade and gotten used to the large rubbery fronds that washed up. “It’s a west coast thing, or maybe more of a southern California thing. I’m no marine biologist but I think it has something or other to do with the water temperature. You should probably Google it.” “It’s alien life form type of creepy.” Mike grabbed up a stalk and waved it at her. “Ew, just ew. What are you, fourteen? No, maybe ten.” She rolled her eyes at him and veered sideways. “Naval officer.” He pointed a finger at his chest. He spent a good deal of time in the gym and working out, so a layer of ropy muscle covered his blond six-foot frame. “Military intel data weenie,” she teased. “Enh, guilty…” He tossed the kelp stalk into the surf. They both slowed to a walk. “Did your furniture ever show up?” Maggie had been reassigned from DHS in Washington D.C. to a SPAWAR office in San Diego. The cross-country move had occurred over the past few days. “Finally. They promised Tuesday, which turned into Wednesday and it finally showed up yesterday, Thursday.” “You know you could have stayed with us the past couple of nights,” Mike said. He and his work partner and lover shared a large house in the suburbs of San Diego. Maggie was a very welcome addition to the relationship. “Yeah, I guess I could have, but I was apparently way too optimistic.” Mike picked her up and swung her around, eventually setting her back on her feet and kissing her. “You don’t really need that apartment at all. Kurt would be just as happy as I would to have you share the house with us.” Kurt Halstead was, until recently, Mike’s field assignment partner. Now he was Mike’s roommate and in truth, a great deal more. “But…” She poked him in the chest with a finger. “There’s a limit to how much I want to tip off the command as to what I do on my down time.” “Mmm, okay, I get it. The offer still stands if you change your mind. Did everything show up? You implied there were two parts to the moving shipment.” “It all seems to be there, along with fifty boxes of my crap. I unpacked the coffee maker and some extra clothes. That’s about it.” “You want some help?” “Maybe. I’ll let you know.” She looked up at him. Mike smiled. Despite the fact she was soon to be involved in a risky assignment, he was glad of her presence. There had been attraction between them since day one, which was somewhat different from his relationship with Kurt. That one had started out tense, evolved into a deep friendship, and eventually crossed the line into something far more. “Are you ready for the mission start-up briefing tomorrow?” “I guess. Did Admiral Lang decide on a replacement for Mr.-let’s- commit-treason- and-kill-our- own people?” She referred to the commanding officer who had tried to kill Kurt as part of a complicated assignment in Iraq about four months before. “So I’ve heard. It’s a woman. Captain Jill Hubert.” “Do you know anything about her?” “No, not really. A spotless record is the only thing I’ve heard.” “I guess that’s good, but what about Kurt? He trusted Givens.” Maggie trailed a finger down Mike’s cheek. “You’ll have to ask him. That’s the one thing about that event I can’t get him to talk about.” “I wish I knew if that was going to be a problem.” * * * * Talk about skin of your teeth timing. Maggie saw Kurt Halstead dart into the briefing room and snag a seat near the far end of the long conference table. She raised an eyebrow as she met his gaze. He just shrugged and smiled. The stockily-built ex-Navy SEAL was freshly shaved for a change. He had dark hair, buzzed to about an inch long, and intense blue eyes. A short woman with slightly graying light brown hair stood at the head of the table. She wore the standard khaki skirt and blouse uniform. “For those of you I have not met with individually yet, I’m Captain Jill Hubert. Admiral Lang has appointed me as the new commanding officer of this unit. I confess I am new to SPAWAR but most definitely not to the naval intelligence business. I wish we had weeks, even months to settle into a comfortable working relationship but unfortunately, the world is unwilling to grant us that kind of time. We have somewhere between a week and ten days to get up to speed. Rousseau, present the Intel that was acquired just two days ago.” Mike stood up and picked up the remote for the video screen on the wall. Maggie had only seen him in his khaki officer’s uniform a couple of times before and she let herself admire the whole package for one long moment. Blond hair, cut high and tight, and the way the crisp lines set off his muscular form was practically a “Go Navy” advertisement. “We’ve been actively tracking suspects affiliated with the Paris bombing for several months now,” Mike began. “Everything went very quiet for two months after the event, then tidbits of Intel began popping up again. ISIS has a number of operators scattered through a handful of different countries. There’s a rumor going around that a Rwandan named either Hermann or Herve may be setting up a meeting with a Swedish citizen in Syria. I know that sounds vague. It does get better.” He pushed the button on the remote. A slightly grainy photo was displayed of three men about to get into a car on a European street. “The tallest is the Rwandan. The man to his left is Salah Abdeslam, ISIS logistics chief. The photo was taken three days before Abdeslam’s arrest. We don’t have a name yet for the third man. He’s estimated to be in his late twenties or early thirties. The photo was taken in Manchester in the UK, and we think he may be traveling under a Moroccan passport with the name Omar Harrak. There are indications this may not be his real name.” Mike triggered the remote to show another picture. This one was of an import document. “Harrak orchestrated the shipment of hydrogen peroxide to a warehouse on the west side of Prague near the Vltava River. The document lists a professional laundry company as the recipient of the peroxide. We think it may be destined to be a component of TATP, triacetone triperoxide, one of the most volatile and unstable explosives currently being used in terrorist activities. The shipment is in transit right now and as far as we know scheduled to arrive in nine days.” Mike sat down. Captain Hubert stepped forward again. “So, here’s our game plan. Morido and Harrison are being sent to Prague tomorrow, so we can get eyes on the location of the warehouse. Yes, we viewed it with satellite imaging already, but so far, that hasn’t yielded much information. While Morido and Harrison are there, they’ll secure a location, apartment or hotel, which ever seems most appropriate for setting up long-term surveillance. Halstead and Degginger will follow in one week to replace them and hypothetically be present for the delivery of the peroxide. I want everybody present to read through the full Intel package we have so far. We’ll meet again tomorrow morning at ten, before Morido and Harrison leave. Questions?” There appeared to be none. Hubert continued. “Halstead and Degginger, hang around. I have some details to discuss.” Maggie ground her teeth a little. Did details translate to a dressing down because word had filtered around that she had a relationship with Kurt and Mike? Or was it really just details of their upcoming assignment? She exchanged a glance with Kurt, but he didn’t indicate he knew any more than her. The rest of the unit filtered out of the conference room. Kurt and Maggie stayed, but got to their feet. Captain Hubert held out her hand to Kurt. “I feel like I should make a personal assurance to you that none of the things that happened with Givens will happen with me. I read through the dossier of the events. I know you trusted him and he tried to have you killed.” Kurt shook Hubert’s hand. “Ma’am.” Hubert turned to Maggie. “I know you’re new to this unit. Admiral Lang speaks very highly of you as do your previous superiors in Homeland Security.” “Thank you.” Maggie shook hands with Hubert. “We have one week for the two of you to get up to speed with working together. I saw the notes that said you’d been to the shooting range and begun some other simulation practices over the past three weeks. How’s it progressing?” “Fine, ma’am. We both have fairly extensive field backgrounds.” Maggie looked at Kurt. “Do you think you’ll be ready for Prague?” Hubert asked. “It shouldn’t be a problem,” Kurt said. “Your cover is probably going to involve the two of you sharing a room, depending on what Morido and Harrison pick for a local address,” Hubert said. “Any problem with that?” “We’re adults. We can handle it,” Maggie said. “Okay, keep training, read the Intel, see you tomorrow.” Hubert gave them both a brief nod and departed. After Hubert was out of the room and down the hall, Kurt leaned in and whispered, “Because sharing a bed with you would be such a hardship.” Maggie gave him a look and made a middle finger gesture. Kurt just grinned. * * * * “You haven’t unpacked anything other than the coffeepot and the mugs,” Mike said. “And your fridge has exactly two things in it.” He peered into the near vacant space inside the refrigerator. He had arranged to meet Maggie at her new apartment after work. Originally, Kurt had been slated to follow but he had been pulled away by Harrison to discuss what type of location might serve them best in Prague. “Does this mean I can convince you to take me out to dinner, or at least order something to be delivered?” Maggie said from the den. “Do you want to wait on Kurt? Or let him fend for himself?” “We can wait. I’m not starving. I am never ever gonna get all this s**t unpacked before going to Prague. Well…whatever.” Maggie came into the kitchen. “Speaking of coffee…” “Are you planning on making a pot? You rival Kurt in caffeine consumption, and considering he’s a SEAL…” Maggie put a finger against Mike’s mouth. “Caffeine makes the world go ‘round.” Mike licked Maggie’s finger. “So do other things. Horizontal things.” “Why does it have to be horizontal?” she teased him. “It doesn’t.” Mike lifted her and pressed her back against the wall. Maggie wound her legs around his hips. He ground himself against her and indulged in a kiss, swiping his tongue along her teeth as she opened her mouth to him. The two of them groped and rutted for several minutes, before Mike asked, “Up against the wall okay by you?” “Uh-huh.” Mike eased her to the floor and she immediately began unzipping her slacks, pushing them down and stepping out of them. Mike hurried through a similar motion, only shoving his own slacks down around his thighs. He didn’t even have to go hunting for a condom. One outcome of a long late-night talk between him, Kurt and Maggie was that they had all agreed to blood testing and exclusivity. Spreading her legs, Maggie leaned back against the wall, both hands on Mike’s shoulders. Mike pushed into the slick heat of her body and Maggie made a low sound of pleasure. He gripped her hips and thrust in again. Within moments, she had her legs wound around his body again. He kissed her hard and sloppy and she just laughed. * * * * Kurt let himself into Maggie’s apartment. One of the first things she had done when she moved in was get extra keys cut for him and Mike. He shut the door behind him. Off to his left, he heard sounds in the vicinity of the kitchen, sounds like…sex. He wandered in that direction. Standing in the doorway of the kitchen, he saw Maggie pinned against the wall by Mike. Her legs were crossed behind Mike’s ass and he was actively pounding into her. Maggie’s arms were wound around his neck and the two of them were breathing hard. Watching them made Kurt’s prick begin to fill. The flex and clench of Mike’s ass was a thing of beauty to watch. Maggie’s flushed face and parted lips were pretty hot, too. She met Kurt’s gaze and crooked a finger, beckoning him closer. Kurt stepped up behind Mike and patted his partner’s ass. “Having fun?” Mike’s motion stilled for a moment and he twisted his head to glance at Kurt. “You’re late.” “And apparently missing out.” Kurt licked a finger and pressed it between Mike’s butt cheeks, teasing at the opening there. “Oh God…” Mike muttered. “You’re going make me drop her.” “Then you better finish up.” Kurt nipped at the side of Mike’s neck and reached out to stroke Maggie’s face. “f**k you,” Mike said. “Yes please, later,” Kurt replied. He leaned back on the counter and watched the end game. Mike drove into Maggie another dozen times or so as she squirmed against the wall, finally groaning, his whole body tensing as he blew his load. Mike eased Maggie’s feet back to the floor and she kissed him, before sauntering across the kitchen to kiss Kurt too. Kurt looked down into her eyes. Her pupils were blown wide and she gave him a slow smile. Maggie palmed the front of his uniform slacks. “I guess you enjoyed the show?” “Always. I’d prefer if you didn’t make me wreck my work pants.” “The solution to that would be to take them off,” Maggie teased him. “Oh, did you have something in mind?” Kurt grinned at her. “How ‘bout something in my mouth?” Maggie lowered his fly. Kurt looked across the small kitchen at Mike. Mike had hitched up his underwear and jeans but hadn’t gotten so far as dealing with his zipper and belt. He sauntered over to Kurt. “My turn to watch?” “Mmm, yes,” Kurt answered. Maggie unbuckled Kurt’s belt and pushed his pants and skivvies down far enough to expose his prick, which jutted out stiffly. She dropped to her knees and licked along the length of Kurt’s c**k. Kurt gripped the edge of the counter in a somewhat futile gesture of self-restraint. He groaned as she stroked him, then began to suck. The wet heat of her mouth and the way she fondled his balls made his pulse accelerate. “Jesus God, Maggie…” She gave him a naughty look, mouth full. Oh hell. How had he ever lucked into two lovers like this? He gasped as her tongue skated around the tip of his d**k. He felt that momentary tightening, the impending climax, and put a hand on her shoulder in warning. His opposite hand clutched the counter still as he came in her mouth. She stood up and spit in the sink. Kurt had always thought it was funny that as sexually aggressive as Maggie was, she wasn’t much into the swallow thing. As Maggie moved out of the way, Mike leaned in and kissed Kurt. “We were just killing time until dinner.” “Prat.” Kurt skimmed a hand along the exposed skin just above Mike’s underwear. “I’m starving. What are we doing for dinner?” “Delivery,” said Maggie as she picked her pants and panties up off the floor. “Mostly because I haven’t figured out which box has the pots and pans yet. I’m going to go jump in the shower. Order me some moo goo gai pan and steamed dumplings.” She handed Mike a takeout menu. Kurt watched her walk out of the kitchen, torn between the temptation to follow and the need to look at the menu. He tucked himself back in and zipped up. “Why isn’t she living with us?” Kurt asked. “Rhetorical question, dude, she’s trying to protect her career, especially being the new kid on the block.” “Yeah, okay, I get it. I do. You and I tread a fine line. I still haven’t figured out if the brass would go ahead and process me out if they could prove our relationship.” Mike tapped his fist lightly on Kurt’s chest. “On that note, what did the neurologist’s office say? You went there yesterday right?” “Yeah, they want me to cut the dosage of the meds, but not to do it until I had a day when I wouldn’t be alone. Just in case…” “In case you have a seizure.” “Yes. I am so thrilled by that possibility.” “Hey.” Kurt hooked a finger in Mike’s belt loop and dragged him closer. “If it happens, it happens, we’ll deal. It’s been nearly three months since you had one. At least we know the meds at that dosage keep them under control.” Mike closed his eyes and rested his forehead against Kurt’s. “Weekend,” he murmured. “That sounds like a plan. Maggie and I can take turns keeping you company. I know we’ll both have a little work to do regarding the upcoming trip to Prague, but we’ll work around it.” Mike nodded.