rpg_palace | And the plot thickens… (Reply)

David explains the investigation to Craig in his effort to not hide things from Craig, and finds out Dafoe Industries are always up to no good. David asks Craig to help with the legal issues surrounding the case…

David approached the door to his and Craig's room and sighed. It's been a hell of a day and it still wasn't over. He promised not to keep things from Craig...but he wasn't looking forward to sharing this one. He turned the handle on the door and stepped inside. Craig wasn't in the living area so he wandered into the kitchen where he heard noise. He saw Craig standing in front of a cabinet looking inside and walked up behind him, wrapping his arms around his waist and kissed his neck. "Hey there," he said softly, "Sorry I'm so late."

Craig sighed happily as the familiar arms wrapped around him and the sweet kisses rained down on his skin. Turning around slowly, he smiled and wrapped his arms around his lover's neck. "Hey, yourself, sweetheart," he said in a low voice, leaning over to place a long, tender kiss on David's lips. Drawing back slightly, he let his hands trail down the tense muscles underneath his fingers, kneading them gently. "Long day?"

David allowed himself to push some of the thoughts aside when Craig kissed him, but when Craig drew away he knew he needed to get this out before he waited too long. "You have no idea...come sit down with me? I need to talk to you about it," David asked, taking Craig's hand in his own and walking backwards a bit before Craig followed and then turned to walk to the living area leading Craig to the couch.

Craig felt his heart contract at David's worried expression, but allowed himself to be led into the other room, where he sat next to David. He felt a cold sweat cover his back and he looked pleadingly at his lover. "Oh, Gods, David. It's not Jake is it? Please, tell me it's anything but Jake."

David frowned, "No, honey, it's not Jake."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Craig allowed himself to relax. "Thank God." Taking a deep breath, he reached out to take David's hand, squeezing gently. "Ok. Tell me what's happened. Are you ok?"

'Better than William Morris that's for damn sure.' he thought wincing at his own horribly crude joke. He really was tired. "I got a visit this morning from an Investigator from Central named William Smith, he came to inform me about a murder and talk to me about it," David began knowing he needed to take this slowly and explain it all clearly but having no clue where to start.

Craig's eyes grew large and he furrowed his brow. "A *murder*? Why would he need to talk to you about a murder?" Shaking his head in confusion, he studied his lover's face, trying not to worry until he had all the facts, knowing that David would be able to explain everything if he were given the chance.

"You know the girl Amy I told you about? The girl that gave me the headache? Looks like I'm in store for more but of a different nature. Harry knew about her background when he brought her to Palace but Central had closed her case over a year ago. Figured it was over with...but the last few weeks I've been puzzling over it. That is the file you've seen me bring home every night...something was out of place and driving me crazy. I'm sad to know I was right. The man who contacted Harry...his name was William Morris and a friend of Harry's---they'd worked a few retrievals before. Last night William was murdered...or more accurately executed in his office. Amy's file was the only one taken, since I signed her paperwork, the Investigator naturally came to inform me of it." David explained.

"Executed? My God, David!" Craig shook his head in disbelief. "Does this Amy know? Poor girl, I know just what she'll feel like, knowing that she had something to do with someone's murder." Pushing away his memories, he looked into David's eyes. "Wait......surely she didn't.........couldn't.......have anything to do with the murder, right? I know she can't get out of here, but could she have paid someone? I mean, really, love, how much do you know about her background? If you trust her, then I will too, but I want you to be sure she's worthy of that trust."

"Gods no, she's been cleared of anything. She's a sweetheart of a girl, really. Broke my heart telling her this afternoon about Morris’ death. Do you remember that family that was killed several years ago in Semlaton? Was all over the news...that was Amy's family, they never reported about her because she was under the age of Majority at the time and suffering memory loss. She still can't remember what the hell happened. Someone obviously thinks she knows something, or saw something. I assigned her a bodyguard today, and I've...well I've sort of gotten more than a little involved in the case on behalf of Palace. I was all but asked by the Investigator who keeps running into dead ends. There is something really deep going on here...more than just a murder and possibly delving into organized crime if the notes I lifted from the file he showed me are an indicator," David explained further waiting for Craig to ask more...he knew his lover's brain had gone from concerned partner to lawyer by now. He was ready for the barrage of questions and reprimands for lifting the Investigators notes. He wanted to explain that; he just needed to sort his thoughts so he could.

Craig sat back, processing David's words bit by bit. "Well, ok. If you trust her, then I'll take your word at her innocence. But.....you're getting involved in the investigation? How so? And, funny.........I thought you said you "lifted" some notes from the investigator." Sticking a finger in his ear, he shook it around, nodding his head to one side. "But I KNOW you would never do that. That would be *wrong*---AND illegal! Blinking innocently, he formed a mental list of the questions he needed to ask, waiting for David to proclaim his note-stealing innocence.

David bit his bottom lip and gave Craig a look that smacked of guilt, "Uh...actually before you get upset...yes I did take some of his notes...but he wanted me to. He didn't say it but I *felt* that Will had wanted me to do it. Besides why have two copies of the same handwritten notes, and why turn his back for long enough? He fully expected me to take the notes or he wouldn't have left them in the file. Plus I could tell he was lying when he'd said he was forgetful when I told him he nearly forgot his file. I could see it in his eyes and *feel* that he wanted it done. He complained that he was having trouble at Central getting information. Records sealed that he couldn't get into, and people not cooperating with him because he carries a badge...he was basically asking without words for Palace Security to help or for me to hire a private agency. So...I got someone," David said waiting for Craig to take it all in and praying he trusted David's instincts on this.

"Oh, well, by all means, if he *wanted* you to take it, then it's perfectly fine." Craig ran a hand over his face, trying to hide his grin. "You, my love, are too inquisitive for your own good." Sighing, he chewed on his bottom lip, processing the legalities of Palace's involvement with a murder investigation. "So. Now Palace is involved. I guess that won't kill us. But you're holding something back. Tell me the rest of it."

"Not exactly...well not yet. I asked someone who does work at Palace but not for Palace?" David said smiling innocently. "Although I'm considering going ahead and backing him financially via Palace should he want it, though knowing him, he won't accept anyway." David looked away for a moment and took a deep breath trying to figure out exactly how he was going to tell Craig his brother's lover Harry was involved. Gods he and Harry always seemed to get in one mess or another…and lately---usually together!

Craig pulled his hand away and crossed his arms over his chest, trying to speak in his most official sounding voice. "Spill it, Wenham. I know there's more to this story, and you're talking in circles. And that innocent smile does NOT fool me for one second. FULL DISCLOSURE, remember? Who did you get? And what aren't you telling me?"

David looked at the floor for a moment and then murmured, "Harry?"

Craig blinked, the smile leaving his face. "Harry? As in our friend, Harry? As in my brother's lover - Harry? You canNOT be serious. What if he gets hurt? This is nothing to take lightly, love. I mean, Harry is family. How did you get him to agree to this? And *why* would he take this kind of chance?"

David sighed expecting as much, "Well...first of all Morris was Harry's friend, I felt I needed to tell him. Second there isn't anyone else I trust with this...I...oh hell," David said looking away this was going to get him in all sorts of shit but he promised honesty, "I...well at first I was going to do it myself, but I knew that would not fly with you, or your family, or Nic. Harry agreed on that. Plus he...he could use the time away from Palace right now I think. You saw him the other night at the party, that fucking raid did something to him. I think this will help...Harry's smart and careful. He's not going to get hurt, all he is gona do is a bit of snooping around for me. He's not going to go hunting any guys in dark alley's. He's just going to see what someone without a badge can dig up. That's all." David explained.

Craig studied David silently. He knew that opening up about this whole investigation was not in David's nature, so he quelled his first reaction, trying to think logically. Above all else, he needed honesty, and he never wanted to make this man he was about to marry feel that he had to hide anything, ever. Nodding his head, he reached back out to take David's hand. "Ok, love. If you're sure. I trust you, you know. And I know Harry can take care of himself. I'm behind you all the way. If I can help in any way at all, promise you'll tell me, ok?"

David looked up at Craig not exactly expecting his reaction. He had already been preparing more of a defense in his mind but Craig's words changed that. "I will...I promise anything at all, I will tell you," David said grateful he was no longer on the defensive. His head hurt enough and every time he closed his eyes he saw those damned photographs that had been stuck in his face. He winced slightly at the memory of them.

Craig smiled at the relief in his lover's eyes and pulled him close, placing a light kiss on his temple. "I'll do whatever I can for you, you know. I always will. I'm just happy you're finally talking to me." Tilting David's face up with a gentle finger, he stared into his eyes. "I can see something else though. Something is still on your mind. I can see it in your eyes. Tell me please? Let me help you?"

Staring into Craig's eyes he had a hard time looking away, "It's...nothing really...just. Well he showed me the photos of the crime scene is all, can't quite get those out of my head, but I'll be ok." David said softly. Then suddenly he jerked slightly and looked back at Craig when he remembered the first item on the notes. Dafoe Industries. Craig was a business lawyer for Council doing mediations - of course he could help in that way if he wanted...if it wasn't a breach of ethics for him. "Actually...there is something you can do...if you don't mind getting involved. What do you know about Dafoe Industries? I mean business wise? Have they always been on the up and up, or have they had some issues before? Law suits? Any investigations or allegations against them?"

"Oh, Honey, I'm so sorry," Craig whispered, hating to see the haunted look in David's eyes when he spoke of the photos. At the mention of Dafoe Industries, his eyes narrowed. "Dafoe? Dafoe Industries is involved in this shit? Oh, Gods, love. I know more than I want to about them. They've been a shady lot since the first day they opened their doors. There have been hundreds of cases against them dropped hours after the charges were filed, and just as many investigations ending before they barely had a chance to be assigned to a detective. No one will talk about them, and more than one person has conveniently disappeared after making any kind of public threat against them. You can’t mean that this Amy was involved somehow with them, can you?"

"Her father was, from what I could tell - he worked for them...but there is something about that not quite figuring right. Has Central or the Council ever planted people at Dafoe Industries to try and get on the inside and learn more? Whenever I read over the original case file on Amy, there seems to be holes the Investigators never filled in. That’s the one Morris had which was stolen the night he was killed…he’d given a copy of it to Harry and Harry gave it to me, and now I've given a copy to the Investigator because even *he* couldn't get it. Craig, something is going on...something that goes very high up either at Central...." he trailed off not wanting to say at Council. He didn't want to imagine what that could mean.

Craig let his mind wonder back to a similar discussion he'd had with a colleague a few years ago. The young woman was new, highly intelligent, and highly suspicious of Dafoe Industries. Not long after her arrival, she had brought up the topic of Dafoe Industries at a meeting, and was met with a roomful of silent stares. She's pointed out that there had been too many coincidences and disappearances connected to the Dafoe name, and that a thorough investigation should be carried out. That day was the last time Craig had seen her. When he'd asked around, he was told simply that she had family troubles, and had to return to the place of her birth. No one was willing, or able, to tell him anything else. "I've had my suspicions before, but nothing has ever been proven. I do know a few people that might be able to help though. Let me ask around tomorrow."

"Be careful, Craig, don't push too much. I don't want you to get in trouble, if they are what I suspect you need to be careful who you trust," David said softly. "This Investigator I talked to today is new, not been with Central long, and he doesn't trust his partner...and he thinks some people at Central are corrupt. There is no telling who all could be involved, you know what money can do to people...especially those with high debts."

"I'll be careful, love. Remember, I don't trust many people at all. I'll just ask a few general questions. But you need to practice what you preach, and not step on any toes yourself. And if you even *try* to give Brett the slip, I'll make you sorry." Wrapping his arms around David and pulling him closer, he let his fingers trail up to massage his temples. "Not trying to nag, love, I just worry about you, you know. I just want to make sure you come home to me every night."

David smiled and closed his eyes enjoying Craig's soothing touch. "I know better than trying to slip away from Bret, he used to work at Central for ten years before coming to work for Palace Security...he may actually be very helpful. And you aren't a nag, I worry about you too and I will *always* come home to you," he said softly.

"Good," whispered Craig softly. "That's all I could ever wish for." His fingers gently carded through David's hair, smiling as his lover relaxed slowly under his touch. "Any other deep, dark confession, you need to share with me? Now's the time. You have my full and devoted attention."

David opened one eye and grinned, "I stole a pack of baseball cards when I was seven...that count? Course I got caught, thought Aunt Mary was gona beat me to death, hid up a tree in the back yard till after midnight. Fell asleep and she got Mr. Davis to come over and get me down. I was out like a light. Woke up in my bed the next day had no clue how I got there....was convinced Aunt Mary had magical powers for a while," he laughed softly at the grin he saw on Craig's face.

Craig laughed and leaned down to place a soft kiss on David's lips. "Yeah. That counts”, he smiled, leaning back slowly. "I hope you at least got some valuable cards to make up for your sins?" Craig snorted at the thought of David stealing anything before he continued. "My Gods, love. I'm not getting married to a career criminal, am I? First the cards, and now a file from Central? This "won't* be good for my image, you know."

David laughed, "Nope, didn’t even open them. I took the cards back to the store the next day and apologized. Ended up the shopkeeper hired me to sweep his storeroom that entire summer and I did it for free because, I felt so guilty. Only thing I ever stole until today...and I didn't *steal* that paper...it was offered in a strange way."

While David told his story Craig grinned picturing a 7 year old David with strawberry hair scuffing his shoe along the floor and handing back a pack of unopened cards ducking his head and blushing while he tried to say he was sorry. He breathed out a mock sigh of relief. "Thank the Gods, love. I thought we were just going to have to live a life on the run there for a minute!" Biting back his laughter, he kissed David's nose. "And, yes, I guess your paper was *offered* in a way, so I can't fault you for that. So there.......back to being my perfect, sweet, pure-as-snow fiancé again. That's a load off my mind, let me tell you." Craig grinned as David smiled up at him, loving to see the way his eyes sparkled and the corners of his mouth turned up so naturally. "You are so perfect love. I'm not kidding now. You are just......perfect."

David blushed at Craig's praise and smiled running his hands through soft dark hair, "As are you, love. Perfect. I wonder how I could have been so lucky to find you," he said softly kissing him tenderly.

Sighing blissfully into the kiss, Craig closed his eyes and gave in to the sensation of his lover's tongue softly exploring his mouth. Pulling back to look at David, he smiled. "I'm the one you found, broken and hurt and unhappy, and far, far from perfect," he whispered. "And you picked up the pieces one by one, cared for them, and gently put them back together to make me whole again. To make me see how love can really be. To learn to trust and laugh and love and be happy. So you see, love, I'm the lucky one here. You've just had to do all the work."

David looked at Craig seriously, "You just didn't know you were perfect up here," he said lightly touching Craig's forehead, "but you were always perfect, in here," he continued placing his hand over his lover's heart feeling it beat against his palm.

Craig's eyes shimmered at David's words, and he placed both hands on the sides of his lover's face. "You always know the right thing to say, my love. You make me feel so loved, so cherished. I only hope you know how much I love you. Sometimes I can't find the words, but I feel it in my heart, in my very soul every time I look at you. I. Love. You. Everything about you. And that will never change." He leaned in to place soft kisses over David's face and neck, leaving no exposed skin untouched by his lips. "Forever, love," he whispered.

David smiled softly at Craig's words...he always did find the words to make his heart soar. He closed his eyes and sighed softly as Craig's lips traveled across his skin. When he whispered, "Forever, love." David opened his eyes and smiled pulling his love closer, "I am yours, forever. You make me crazy just with a kiss you know that? I don't think you realize that your smile makes me weak in the knees. I look forward to waking up every day by your side and ending every day wrapped in your love."

Craig felt his heart fill with happiness at David's words and his skin electrified as David pulled him closer. "Every second of every day, you'll be wrapped in my love, sweetheart," Craig smiled. "And my kisses make you crazy? That's good to know." Grinning wickedly, he reached down to unbutton David's shirt, his eyes gleaming and darkened with lust. "So....if I kiss you here...." His lips trailed down to the hollow of his lover's throat before he continued..."Then.....you'd be.......a little crazy? Or a lot crazy?" His tongue lazily traced circles over David's skin as he shifted and leaned back, pulling David on top of him.

David laughed softly at Craig's question and barely managed to catch himself from crushing Craig under him when he shifted and pulled David down on top of him. "A little...think you need to keep going," he teased, smiling before leaning down to kiss Craig himself, his tongue exploring and savoring. David broke the kiss when the need for air became too much, shifting his weight he used one hand to unbutton Craig's shirt, planting a soft kiss on every bit of newly exposed skin.

Craig was now breathing heavily as he surrendered to his lover, his hands reaching up to unbutton and slide the shirt from David's body. Arching up, he quickly divested himself of his own shirt, and wrapped his arms around his lover, feeling the heady slide of skin on skin as their torsos glided against each other in a soft, familiar rhythm that made his head spin and his groin ache. "I want you, love. I need you," he whispered softly, nipping at David's ear. "Make love to me, please?"

His breath hitching at Craig's soft words David kissed him again a long slow lingering kiss, before sliding his lips down Craig's jaw line to his neck, nibbling softly then soothing with his tongue before moving slowly to the juncture of his neck and shoulder. Little by little he moved down kissing his lover's chest his teeth lightly teasing a nipple to hardness before continuing his slow exploration of his lover's body. David's tongue danced around his navel before looking up to see Craig's eyes sparkling with love and darkened by lust watching him. David smiled as his hand unbuttoned Craig's pants and tugged the zipper down slowly releasing his hard cock from its confinement. David glanced back up and locked eyes with Craig again, as he first wrapped his fingers around the hard length then took only the head into his mouth teasing the slit with his tongue before taking him in fully and swallowing around the hard hot flesh.

Craig whimpered softly as he felt his lover's warm tongue tease a slow trail down his body. Biting at his bottom lip, he watched as David looked up at him with such intense passion, Craig felt his heart soar within his chest and butterflies gather in his stomach. Moaning loudly as he watched the head of his leaking cock disappear between kiss-swollen lips, he felt his legs stiffen and his hips arch of their own accord. Tangling his fingers softly in his lover's hair he arched his back and thrust his hips forward jerkily, trying to bury himself deeper in the heaven surrounding him. "Gods, David," he cried, "Gods......the way you make me feel.....Yes, love.........yes....."

Hearing and feeling his lover's reaction David increased his attentions breathing deeply he pulled back until only the head was still in his mouth pressing his tongue against the underside teasingly before he took him deeply again and set a slow rhythmic pace. He shifted slightly without changing his pace, and managed to pull a packet of lube from his jeans which had become almost uncomfortably tight. Working quickly he opened the lube and slicked his fingers then slowly one finger teased and then slid inside the tight hot channel, curling his finger to tease the tiny bundle of nerves he began to hum around the throbbing shaft in his mouth.

Craig lost all control over his body as David's mouth worked it's magic on his cock. As he watched David tear open the packet of lube, he felt his legs tense in anticipation and drew in a shaking breath. Feeling the slick finger enter him smoothly, he released the breath in a long hiss, twisting his head from side to side, moaning his lover's name. He was so close - he could no longer think coherently, he just knew that each tender thrust against his prostate sent new waves of pleasure through his body and the vibrations of David's throat around the head of his cock would surely make him lose his mind. "David, I'm close - I can't wait much longer, love - I’m too close." Needing to be taken - taken into his lover or taken by his lover - neither mattered, he only needed to be joined
together in their perfect love, the union of their bodies a testimony to their undying devotion. "Please, love...." he murmured, not sure what he was asking for. "Just......Please...:"

David pulled away slowly releasing Craig's throbbing cock as he worked a second finger inside his lover. "Yes, soon...want you so much," he whispered huskily. Shifting, he unbuttoned his jeans and nearly sighed in relief when his aching cock was free from the tight confines. He slowly withdrew his fingers to apply lube to his aching flesh nearly gasping at the contact to his neglected cock. He removed his own pants and then moved back onto the couch where he shifted slightly and pulled Craig's pants off the rest of the way. Then moving forward again he wrapped his lover's legs around him as he positioned against the tight opening and thrust forward slightly the head of his cock breaching his lover’s body.

Craig pressed down onto the two gentle fingers inside him, feeling David's words cover him like a warm blanket. He still had trouble believing this beautiful man wanted him, but there was no mistaking the need in his voice and the love in his eyes as he shifted up to remove his own pants, then reached out to remove Craig's. As David positioned himself between his legs, Craig felt his muscles contract, ready to welcome his lover to sink deeply into his body. As David pressed forward, Craig's legs tightened around his waist, urging him to give in and bury himself to the hilt. "Don't wait love. I'm too close. I want to feel you lose yourself in my body. I want to feel you deep inside me."

David's control snapped when he felt Craig's legs tighten around him and heard his words. With a low rumbling moan he thrust forward fully burying himself within the tight heat. He looked down into Craig's eyes as he began to pull back only to thrust deeply again. "Gods, Craig," he moaned his hand moving to caress his lover's face tenderly. "I love you," he whispered before setting a slow pace that quickly sped up as he moved into him and with him. As their bodies merged as one their hearts, their souls entwined.

His body trembling as David slid into him, stretching and filling him fully, Craig tried to maintain control for just a little longer, knowing it was useless. He had lost his ability to hold back anything where David was concerned, and his release was coming quickly upon him. Turning his face into his lover's touch, he locked their eyes, and clenched his muscles around the thrusting organ inside him. "I love you, David," he cried out softly, lifting his hips and meeting his lover thrust for thrust. He felt his cock leaking onto his abdomen and reached down to stroke himself, his eyes never leaving David's. "I'm coming, love. Oh, Gods, I'm coming...." he whimpered.

Feeling muscles clench around him David moaned and threw his head back thrusting faster and deeper feeling as if a fire was racing through him he cried out as his own muscles tightened and he spilled deep inside his lover. He collapsed on top of Craig unable to do more than pant heavily as he tried to catch his breath. He kissed Craig's neck softly before shifting and slipping from his lover. He sighed softly and nestled his head against Craig's shoulder as his hand brushed through dark hair. "I love you," he murmured softly closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. This was where he would always belong.

As David collapsed onto him, Craig wrapped his arms and legs around his lover, feeling their bodies relax into each other and their breathing return to normal. Unable, and unwilling, to move, he turned his head slightly to kiss David's lips. "Love you too, sweetheart," he whispered, running his fingers through David's sweat dampened hair. "You make me feel so........Gods....you just make me *feel*, love. You have no idea how much I love you."

David smiled and wrapped his arm tighter around Craig as his heart rate began to return to normal. "I think I do...because I feel the same way. Until I met you I'd never really known love before, not truly," he said softly. "Gods, I feel like my bones have melted," he grinned, "When they decide to reform again want to join me in the shower and then get some dinner?"

"I know what you mean, love. I don't even think I can stand up." Running his hands down David's back he nuzzled his face into the nape of his neck. "Give me 5 more minutes right here, where we don't have to move, and I’ll soap your back in the shower, how's that? Then dinner it is, and I want to come back and wrap my arms around you all night long. Sound like a deal?"

"Mmmm, yeah...I like that idea," David said snuggling closer. This day ended a hell of a lot better than the way it had started at work.