There was a storm in the air and Harm was in a bitchy mood. The two were not mutually exclusive, but he'd lost his third case in a row - twice to Mac, once to Bud - so that definitely did not help. The morning's summer heat had been nearly unbearable, making way to a windy, chilly afternoon with the threat of a thunderstorm. Of course, he had gotten caught in the rain twice. Admiral Chegwidden had reamed him out, rightfully so, about a stupid, desperate stunt Harm had pulled in court, and then he lost the case anyway. Also, as he left JAG HQ he had the misfortune to run into Clayton Webb who was all over him about how a JAGman investigation had overlapped and ultimately fouled up a CIA operation. The worst thing was Harm was jumping out of his skin because he hadn't gotten laid in over three weeks. All he wanted to do was get out of his uniform, shower off the rotten day and go out to find himself a companion for the evening. Trouble was in his mood he would have to pay for his fun because no woman in her right mind would want to be with him without monetary reward. Not going there. The alternative would be to find a man... Nope. Not going there either. With the run of bad luck he was on he would be inflagrante delecto with some blond, well-muscled guy, and the CNO, the SecNav, and Admiral Chegwidden would walk in on them. He was screwed and not the way he wanted to be. Looked like another date with Mr. Right. Mr. Right Hand, that is.

He was so consumed by his dark mood that he failed to hear the car door slam behind him, the footsteps quickly approaching, or the man striding up to walk beside him, before he heard the voice speak his name, dimly realizing that it was the second or third time.

"Rabb, are you deaf? I called to you to wait up."

Turning, Harm saw the dark haired CIA Deputy Director looking up at him with annoyance written all over his face. Just then thunder rumbled in the distance and rain began to fall in fat drops spotting Harm's uniform. He tugged his cover down a little lower over his eyes, partially to ward off the rain and partially as a defence against the man approaching him.

"Webb," he sighed. "What do you want?"

"You walked out in the middle of our argument earlier."

Pulling the door to his building open, Harm said, "Yeah, I did. I got tired of listening to you."

Webb followed him inside. "It's important that you understand just how much hard work, Company manpower and time you threw away by butting your nose into business where it didn't belong."

"We've worked together in the past, Webb. We both know it is possible for us to get along but this time my case took precedence."

"Really? That's funny, because I was under the impression that my operation was more important."

"Yeah. Funny." Harm stepped into the elevator and Webb walked in after him. Surprised, Harm asked, "Going up?"

"We're not finished. You need to hear a few things, Rabb. You can't just waltz in where you're not wanted and arrogantly assume..."

"Arrogant? Look in the mirror and you'll see arrogance."

Webb ignored the jibe. Too bad, Harm was spoiling for a fight. "Some things are more important than keeping a Second Lieutenant out of jail for theft."

"That's not how I see it. All of my clients are important."

"Apparently, though, not all of them are innocent."

Harm whirled on him just as the elevator door opened. Webb wore that patented smug look of his. Harm hated that look. All he could do, however, was glare.

"How did you find out?"

"Scuttlebutt isn't exclusive to the Navy. Losing three in a row, Harm... Not good for your rep as JAG's star attorney."

Harm growled.

The astonished laugh that burst from Webb alerted Harm to the fact that he must have made that sound aloud. He rolled his eyes heavenward. Of all the stupid things to do, he had to growl in front of Clayton Webb. He strode to the door of his loft and jammed the key in the lock, giving it a vicious twist. As the door swung inward he shoved his way inside, turning to close it in Webb's face. The spy was quicker, however, slipping into the apartment with a swish of his trench coat before Harm could react.

"Do come in, Webb," he said to the door as it shut. "Make yourself at home."

When he turned around he saw that Webb had gone to the window and was peering out through the Levellor blinds. Lightning flashed and they could see the inevitable rain begin to splash against the windowpane.

"Were you followed?" Harm inquired, putting just enough concern into his voice to catch Webb off guard.

"I don't think so... Oh, very funny." The spy glared at him from across the room, reacting to the sarcastic look aimed his way.

Harm said, "Since you're here, maybe you'll be leaving soon? I've had a bad day - as you seem to know - and I just want to relax. I can't do that with you here."

Webb made a tut tut noise. "What happened to your manners?"

"I left them out on the street when you showed up."

Webb spread his fingers across his chest and affected a look of dismay. "Oh, Harm. I'm hurt that you would think that way about me."

"I try not to think about you at all, if I can help it."

"My, you are in a...growly mood tonight, aren't you?"

"Dammit!" Harm was across the room and in Webb's face so fast it made his own head spin. He grabbed the startled man by the upper arms, jerking him forward. "I am not in the mood for this!"

Webb's expression hardened. "Let go!" When Harm continued to hold him in a bruising grip, Webb placed both hands on Harm's chest and shoved. Hard. Rocking back a step, Harm hung onto the other man. He had no coherent explanation for what he was doing. He was past straight thinking. All he knew was that he was mad as hell, frustrated beyond reason, and the only person present on whom to take out his bad mood was this irritating, condescending man whose green eyes were flashing and snapping at him in a way that only served to further inflame him.

"Let go!" Webb repeated, his hand forming a fist at his side.

Harm only leaned in closer. "Look. You came here and picked a fight when you knew I had to be ripe for it, then you get what you deserve!"

"Fuck. You."

Harm's eyes widened.

Maybe it was the fact that he'd never heard fussy, overbearing, always composed, Clayton Webb use that word before. Maybe it was the word itself that set him off, spiralling through a dozen connotations before hitting on the most basic definition.

In any case, he was out of control now, his libido taking over. He did let go of Webb's arms, but then he grabbed the shorter man by the back of the head and dragged him closer. Harm bent his head. His lips descended on Webb's mouth, which, at first, remained stubbornly closed. The knuckles of balled fists were grinding into Harm's chest and shoulder as Webb tried to pull free and succeeded to a small degree. They separated as far as half the length of their arms, each of them gripping the other just above the elbows, and locked eyes, their breathing coming in awkward gasps. Webb had an unsettled look in his eyes and his hair seemed to take on a life of it's own, a hank of it flopping down over his right eyebrow. Harm thought the wildness of his expression, no, it was the uncertainty that made the other man look sexy, and then he wondered at his own sanity thinking such things about thorn-in-the-ass Clayton Webb.

"I've seen how you look at me when you think it's safe to stare," Harm accused. "Hell, once you checked out my ass in Admiral Chegwidden's office. You're just lucky he didn't notice you doing that."

"The Admiral is not my superior," Webb retorted. "Besides, you're imagining things."

"Interesting," Harm said. "I expected denial to be your first reaction, not your second one. What does that say about you?"

"You're the one who kissed me, Commander," Webb pointed out. "What does that say about you?"

Damn.

Not letting that deter him, Harm swept his tongue over the surprisingly soft lips under his. Again, Webb hesitated. Gradually he felt the resistance go out of the other man, his target opened, his tongue slid inside, and then Clayton Webb was kissing him back. Webb's mouth was hot and wet and he knew how to use it to his advantage. Harm moaned under the unexpectedly skilled, and very welcome, attack, as his already half-hard cock twitched.
 
Webb's fists opened and his fingers splayed across Harm's chest, kneading the cloth of his uniform. His expression altered and suddenly he wound his arms around Rabb's neck and back, holding him tightly, and pressed their bodies together from chest to groin to thigh. Harm felt the other's erection digging into his leg.

Tugging downward so their tongues could engage in battle, Webb muttered against Harm's mouth, "Too damn tall."

"So you have done this before with a man," Harm said.

Harm dropped one hand to Webb's hip under the trench coat, and then slipped it around to grip his firm ass and pull him closer so that their pelvises ground together. Webb's hand stole down to the front of Harm's uniform, going further until it was between Harm's legs, and then his fingers found the rock hard length and tugged on it, moving further down to cup and squeeze Harm's balls. A strangled gurgle sounded deep in Harm's throat. He wrenched away from the suction of their kiss and shoved Webb's coat off his shoulders and down his arms so that it pooled at their feet. Then he went after the suit jacket and the shirt underneath. It was, mercifully, a regular suit, not one of those three-pieces Webb favoured.

"Thank God you aren't wearing a vest today. Too many clothes as it is," he gasped, trembling fingers struggling with the tie. Then he paused, gazing into the green eyes, all traces of hazel gone as the irises grew darker and darker. "We are on the same page here, right?"

By answer, Webb reached for the buttons on Harm's uniform, undoing them with far more dexterity than Harm was showing with Webb's shirt buttons.

"Don't talk. You'll kill the mood." Then Webb silenced the protest forming on Harm's lips by covering his mouth with his own.

Finally, the top halves of their clothing were gone and they stood bare-chested in each other's arms, hands roving over skin, experiencing first touches. Webb's mouth latched onto a spot between neck and shoulder sending shivers of anticipation through the lawyer's body. Harm turned his head and buried his nose in Webb's soft hair taking in the scent of his herbal shampoo and picking up on the spicy cologne he wore. His hands slid downward until he could grab a double handful of firm flesh. The two men rocked together, rubbing their erections up and down through two layers of trousers and underwear.

Webb manoeuvred Harm until he was backed up against the counter in the kitchen area. Knowledgeable fingers unbuttoned and unzipped Harm's uniform, pulling the pants and boxer shorts down in one violent move so that the commander stood there completely exposed, his cock standing at attention. Webb wrapped his hand around the shaft and pumped it; while Harm's head fell back, low moans coming out of his throat. Using his free hand to rub up and down Harm's flat stomach before locating the lawyer's nipples and pulling on the right one until it peaked, Webb kept up his torment on the rigid flesh held captive in his other hand. He swept the ball of his thumb over the tip, gathering moisture and spreading it down the shaft. The pumping speeded up. Finding the presence of mind to act, Harm quickly got Webb's pants undone and half way down his legs. That's as far as he got before Webb lined his cock up alongside Harm's and took them both in hand, determinedly stroking the heated flesh. Harm wrapped his hand around the strong fingers holding him in their grip. Their eyes met and locked as they began to rub in tandem. The friction was unbearable and yet felt so good, and finally liquid heat covered their skin while their cries echoed around the loft.

Harm's legs wobbled but Webb caught and supported him, propping him against the counter. Sagging in his arms, Harm let the other man hold him, this enigma who alternately infuriated and, he admitted grudgingly, had exerted a pull on him for quite awhile. Why else would he have resolved their argument by kissing Webb? He rested his cheek against the side of the other man's head. After a few minutes Webb drew back with an odd look on his face, slowly releasing Harm as if uncertain whether his touch was still welcome. It was sort of funny considering how intimate they had been just moments ago, but Harm understood. He was also confused as to how they were supposed to act around each other now.

Webb reached down and pulled his shorts up and then his pants but left those unfastened, holding them up with one hand. His gaze flicked up and down Harm's body and the commander felt himself flush under the scrutiny. Again, it was weird to be feeling self-conscious now. Then those green eyes, now dark as jade, latched onto his and their connection was re-established. His hand stealing out, Webb's fingers brushed the skin of Harm's chest. They were warm and moved with curious hesitation. Then his touch grew bolder and caressing, and Webb slipped his hand behind Harm's neck, drawing him down into a light yet insistent kiss.

Taking the spy into his arms, Harm indulged him in the kiss for several minutes before lifting his head. "Will you stay?" he murmured.

"Is that an invitation?" Webb asked with a hint of humour.

"Absolutely." Harm felt obligated to clarify something. "You still piss me off nearly every time we meet."

"Good. My work here is done."

"Not hardly, Webb. I'm not done with you tonight."

"Figure of speech, Rabb. I'm not done with you yet, either."

A crack of thunder silenced them. They both looked involuntarily towards the windows where the rain beat a tattoo against the panes, tiny rivers rushing towards the sill.

Glancing around, Webb's eyes fixed on the concrete wall behind which lay Harm's bedroom. When he turned back Harm saw that the other man was half-hard again, his erection tenting the front of his loosely gathered pants, and Harm's own cock, not to be outdone, rose in response.

"Are you still angry?" Harm asked. He watched as Webb's expression darkened, then he gave his head a shake as if to chase away bad memories.

"Somewhat," he admitted, his face tight.

"Care to take it out on me again?" Harm raised his eyebrows, daring Webb to respond the way he wanted him to. He reached through the open front of Webb's trousers and roughly stroked him through the cloth. Webb bucked into the touch, eyes closed, his head falling forward so that it rested against Harm's shoulder. When he pulled back a few dark hairs stuck to Harm's sweat-soaked skin, parting from it with reluctance just like their owner.

Eyes half shut Webb smiled slowly, reminding Harm of a predator about to devour his quarry. Suppressing a shiver Harm said, "Do it."

"Do it or do you?"

"Dammit, Webb!"

"You might want to free yourself from your hobbles."

"What?" Harm followed the flicker of the gaze downward. His pants were still pooled around his ankles. Getting the message he kicked his feet free of his shoes and pants and stood there wearing only his black socks.

"Better." Webb grabbed him firmly by the dick and started walking toward the bedroom. Harm had the choice to follow or be separated from a vital part of his anatomy. He followed feeling like a dog on a leash, making no protest but only because he so badly wanted what Webb was offering.

When they got to the bedroom Webb gave him a shove sending him flailing backwards onto the bed. Fortunately, Webb let go of the leash first. Harm bounced once and then was on his feet again immediately. Webb shoved him back down.

"Stay."

"Despite appearances from a minute ago I am not a dog to be ordered around."

"Never said you were. I just want you where I can have you. You're too damn tall."

"What do you plan to do to me?" Maybe he was giving the other man too much control, but Harm knew what he wanted, Webb seemed willing to give it to him, and, yes, he trusted the spy not to hurt him. Despite their differences in temperament and goals he suspected Clayton Webb was a decent man at heart. If asked where those suspicions originated he wouldn't be able to answer.

Tilting his head to the side, Webb answered the question, "That depends. Got any lube?"

"Bathroom cabinet." Harm started to get up.

"Stay there and get comfortable. I'll be right back." He walked into the other room, returning a minute later completely nude. Harm paused in removing his socks to admire the sight.

Webb had a powerful and pleasing body, more fit and muscular than expected as those damn suits of his usually hid it and, as Harm had observed earlier while they were in the throes of lust, he was well equipped. Harm thought about having that equipment inside him. Right now it was jutting upwards, flushed and hard. A swirl of lust and need formed low in Harm's belly. The anticipation was almost too much to bear and he thought he might come just from that. He willed himself to calm down. This was something he wanted to experience with Webb and not fly solo. It was better with a partner.

Dropping the lube and a condom on the bed Webb knelt beside Harm and pulled off the second sock, dropping it on the floor. Then he ran his hands up Harm's legs to his knees and on to his thighs, pausing to rub circles on the sensitive inner part of the legs, all the while maintaining eye contact. Harm fell back against the pillows and spread his legs so that Webb could crawl up between them, which he did on all fours, that predatory look back in his eyes. Harm reached for him and Webb went willingly into his arms, lying down on top so that their erections were squashed between them and it actually felt good. Harm squirmed a bit getting pleasure from the pressure on his cock, the friction of it rubbing against their bellies. They kissed for a few minutes losing themselves in the activity. Webb was a good kisser but Harm knew he had talent in that area as well. He had been told as much many times.

When they broke apart, Webb remarked in a low voice, "I don't usually kiss the men I'm with but this is okay."

Chuckling, Harm asked, "Just okay?"

"Yeah. Just okay." But Webb wasn't serious, that was obvious when one side of his mouth lifted slightly. Then he lowered his head again, but instead of putting his mouth back on Harm's he twisted to the side and nuzzled the sensitive skin behind Harm's right ear, and then nipped at the place just above the collarbone making Harm suck in a sharp breath. When he could breathe again Harm rolled them both over so that he was on top. Pinning Webb to the bed, holding the spy's arms loosely above his head, he began sucking on an earlobe, the corner of Webb's mouth, and then worked his way down to the nipples that were already erect. The moment his teeth closed over the peaked flesh he suddenly found himself flat on his back once again, looking up in surprise into smirking green eyes. There was something very satisfying about being in bed with someone who was strong enough to manhandle him. It was just one of many reasons why he preferred to have sex with men more often than with women. The other primary reasons being that he liked the aesthetics of a male body, and men had the necessary accouterments to pleasure him the way he liked best. He relaxed against the pillows and waited to find out what the other man was going to do next.

Copying some of Harm's moves, Webb started at the earlobe and nibbled on the soft skin. Then he dropped a kiss on a closed eyelid, lingering there for a moment before traveling down to lick a path across Harm's chest and breastbone, making Harm writhe. There he stopped.

Harm felt Webb sit back and he opened his eyes to look questioningly at him. "What's wrong?" He had really liked what Webb had done to him.

Webb merely gazed down at him for a couple of heartbeats before shaking his head. "Nothing. I...nothing." Sitting back on his haunches, palms braced on Harm's knees, he closed his eyes, his mouth drawn into a thin, tight line.

Unsure how he knew what Webb was thinking, Harm suddenly understood what was happening here. They had gone from almost slugging each other in the jaw to a frenzied jerk off in the kitchen to taking their time and pleasing each other. How the hell did that happen? They didn't even like each other. This was supposed to be about taking selfish pleasure from the act of sex, get off and get on with their lives; their separate lives.

Nature chose that moment to slam their eardrums with a cacophony of thunder that startled them both. Heart pounding, Harm stared wild-eyed as flash after flash of jagged electricity lit the room. It wasn't until it stopped that he realized the lights had gone out, the room plunged into semi-darkness but lit by near-constant bursts across the night sky.

"Blackout," he announced unnecessarily.

Nodding slowly, Webb looked back at him, his silence eloquent. He was just as spooked.

"We don't need lights." Harm told him.

Webb's expression changed again. Turning serious, he said, "Shut up and get on your knees."

After the smallest of hesitations Harm did just that. There was a part of him that really resented this man giving him orders. Harm did not know him well enough yet, and especially in this kind of situation, to know if he was getting off on it or not. Harm pulled a pillow forward into his arms, knelt on the bed and stuck his ass in the air anyway. It was all about priorities. At first Webb did not move, but then he caressed Harm's backside, his hand trailing from his back to his ass to the back of his leg.

"Like what you see?" Harm asked, wriggling just a little. That small gesture on Webb's part made up for the bossiness of a minute ago.

A stinging slap on his right butt cheek was his answer.

"Hey! I'm not into spanking." He looked back over his shoulder.

"Neither am I."

"Then what the hell did you do that for?"

Webb's face gave nothing away. "Don't worry. I won't do it again."

"Okay. Just hurry up and fuck me. I'm dying here, Webb." Harm was getting angry again. This constant fluctuation of mood was grating on his nerves.

Leaning down to the side, Webb said, "You look pretty lively to me." He reached underneath and tugged on Harm's dick, twice, just enough to make Harm breathless with anticipation. Then he picked up the lube and stroked the cleft in front of him, his fingers skilfully preparing Harm. He put the condom on and then placed his hands on Harm's hips, the warmth soaking into the skin.

"Ready?"

On his knees, his forehead resting on his folded arms, Harm said, "Go ahead."

Looking between his legs, he could see Webb take himself in his hand. The blunt head of his cock pushed against the opening of Harm's body, slowly, slowly. Harm made himself relax and accept the intrusion. Then it was past the ring of muscle and deep inside. Harm pushed back so that Webb went even deeper and then they were one, connected in the most primal of ways.

Webb thrust forward while Harm rocked back aching, burning with the fullness inside him and racing towards that pinnacle he craved. No more words were spoken; only their grunts and the slap of flesh on flesh could be heard punctuated by the low rumble of the summer storm. As their movements climbed and surpassed the next peak, growing more frenzied, Webb leaned over Harm's back wrapping his arms around his waist. One hand flattened out and stroked Harm's chest and stomach in counterpoint to their rhythm, while the other took Harm's rigid cock and pumped it, fingers clamping tightly around it. Harm thrust into that hand and then slammed back onto the steel rod splitting him up the middle. They lost the rhythm right around then, but it didn't matter as the pressure Harm was experiencing reached the apex and he shot ribbons of semen over Webb's hand onto the mattress. Webb stopped moving and Harm felt hot pulses deep inside his body. His arms gave out then and he collapsed onto the bed with Webb following him down. The spy stayed where he fell, on top of Harm. They lay there in a sweaty, stinky heap. Webb's cheek rested on Harm's shoulder blade and Harm snuggled with his pillow enjoying the closeness front and back and happily glowing in the aftermath of his release, even if he was lying in the wet spot.

All too soon Webb stirred and sat up, sliding out of Harm as he moved.

"The trash can is in the bathroom," Harm mumbled into the pillow.

The bed shifted as Webb climbed off it. "Mind if I use your shower?"

"G'head. Can you see in there in the dark?"

"I'll manage."

Their conversation was strained, underlying emotions held back in their voices. Harm twisted his head to watch Webb's bare butt disappear into the bathroom and then he sighed. This was not the usual casual, impersonal sex with a stranger. This was Webb who had just fucked him. They had to work together occasionally. He could not deny that there had been an emotional connection made a few times tonight. He knew Webb felt it, too. Perhaps it was still there, complicating an already complicated relationship.

The shower started up. He noticed that Webb had left the door open partway and after several minutes steam billowed out. The water did not run long, however, before shutting off. A quick fuck - two, actually, a quick shower, and then he was out of there in typical Webb style. Harm snorted into the pillow.

Webb emerged from the bathroom towelling off his hair and blotting the water on his chest, shoulders and arms. He carried his clothes in his other hand, presumably because there was at least a little light out here while there was none in the bathroom. While Harm watched openly, enjoying the view, he dressed quickly in his shorts, trousers, socks and shoes. Turning to look down at Harm, his belt hanging open, Webb stared with something that appeared to be resignation. Harm waited to find out what he was going to say. The lights came back on at that moment making them both react, but with very little of the jumpiness of earlier.

Webb said nothing. Instead, he sat on the edge of the bed, leaned over and stroked the hair on the back of Harm's head, fingers smoothing the short strands.

Eyes closing, Harm asked in a low voice, "Why did you slap me on the ass?"

The fingers hesitated. When they resumed their caresses Webb replied, "I was trying not to do this, trying not to be gentle."

Harm waited. When nothing more was forthcoming he said, "I know the feeling."

"I wanted to."

Harm understood what he meant. "Me too."

"It wouldn't work," Webb said heavily.

"I know."

"I have to go now."

Harm raised his eyelids and looked straight into those eyes that were now more hazel than green and devastatingly, wrenchingly unguarded. He had never seen Webb flayed wide open this way before. It did not last. Almost as soon as he thought it the shutters crashed down, the mask settled into place, and Webb was once more the cold, single-minded CIA officer, all business with no room for personal involvement. He removed his hand leaving Harm bereft of the tender gesture, and stood up going out to the loft.

Harm gathered a sheet around his waist and followed him, trailing a few yards of cotton behind him. He tugged and lifted it up so that it wouldn't snag on anything. It occurred to him that he didn't need to hide behind the sheet. He had nothing left to hide now. He tightened his grip on the sheet anyway.

Webb bent to pick up his shirt from the floor and pulled it on. As he tucked it into his pants, Harm leaned against the island counter where they first had had sex, and watched him. The tie was next but he ended up stuffing it into the pocket of his suit jacket as he pulled that on. Then he picked his trench coat off the floor, grimacing at the wrinkles, shook it out and folded the garment over his arm. He looked directly at Harm but turned away without speaking. They had already said everything.

Webb went to the door, opened it and stopped, head down, his hand on the knob. "You're not my type, you know," he said without turning around.

"You're not mine either, Clay."

Webb walked out and closed the door behind him.

~ end ~