Silken lines & silver hooks

Note: This story first appeared in "Sinful Simon" published by Whatever you do, don't press.

Silken Lines and Silver Hooks
By: Stacy L.A. Stronach

Come live with me, and be my love,
And we will some new pleasures prove
of golden sands and crystal brooks
With silken lines and silver hooks
--John Donne

Simon Banks placed the plate on the table in front of his friend, and best detective, Jim Ellison,
before sitting down to his own meal.

"Mmm. This is great, Simon. Fresh salmon, vegetables you re a damn good cook," Jim
enthused as he ate his meal.

"Thanks, Jim. It is good, isn t it?" Simon agreed, as he looked at the other man. The two men
were staying at Simon's cousin's cabin for a week of fishing and relaxing. Simon had reluctantly
invited Sandburg as well, but luckily, the young anthropology grad student couldn't get the time
off. It wasn't that he disliked Sandburg, it was just that Simon wanted to spend some time with
Jim, alone. Not that he figured much would come of it, Jim seemed to be as straight as they
came. Although there were rumors about him and Sandburg, Simon was certain they were just
that rumors. Simon had been attracted to Jim from the first time they'd met, but had never
pursued him, for several reasons. First of all, he and Joan had still been married, still trying to
make a go of it. Secondly, he was Jim's boss, and finally, he didn't know how Jim would react.
Jim had just spoken to him and he hadn't heard a word.

"I'm sorry, Jim, I didn't catch that," Simon said,

Jim laughed. "Really? I just said that it was good of Albert to let us use his cabin. I really needed
a break."

"Yeah, I know what you mean, buddy. Too bad Sandburg couldn't come up with us," Simon
replied, and was surprised to see Jim's face darken slightly at the mention of the younger man.

"Whatever, man. It doesn't make much difference to me," Jim said, as he stood up, taking his
dishes into the kitchen.

Simon did so, as well, trying to hide his surprise, wondering what had happened between Jim
and Blair. "What, did you two have a fight or something?"

"Or something. I'll clean up the dishes, Simon, since you cooked dinner," Jim offered, trying to
steer the conversation away from Blair.

"C'mon, Jim, you can tell "

"Dammit, Simon, I really don't want to talk about it, okay?" Jim hissed, trying not to throw the
dishes into the sink.

Simon raised his hands in front of him. "Okay, Jim. Fine. Just trying to be a friend." He grabbed
a beer from the fridge before going to sit in the living room. Jim's reaction made Simon even
more curious as to what was going on. He wondered if he'd ever find out.

As Jim washed the dishes, his mind wandered back to the day, almost three weeks ago now, that
his world had shifted.

He paused outside the door to the loft, taking a deep breath. All he wanted to do was go in,
crawl
into bed and never come out again. He'd been on a stakeout overnight and about an hour before
he was due to go off duty, the bust had gone down, which had meant several hours at the
station,
interrogating the subject, filling out the paper work. Now, as well as being tired, he had a
massive headache. As he reached for the door handle, he heard voices Blair's and a woman's.

"No, no, I'm not sure, but "

"But nothing, Blair. I mean, have you asked him how he feels about you? Or are you going on a
gut feeling here?" a female voice asked.

"Look, Syd, I know when someone is attracted to me. I can tell. The way he stares at me
sometimes, especially when he thinks I don't notice, and he's more touchy-feely than usual.
Before, it would be just a quick pat, but now he lets his hand linger. I just know he's got a thing
for me, and I don't know how to handle it. It doesn't bother me, but I've never really been
interested in guys. I just don't want to hurt Jim, even indirectly."

"Well, talk to him about it, get it out in the open. Then you'll know if you're right or not. I don't
know what else to tell you, Blair. I really don't."

"Yeah, but if I am wrong?"

Jim didn't hear any more of the conversation, he was too busy focusing on keeping himself from
dropping to the floor. He couldn't believe he'd been that obvious about his attraction to Blair, and
now to find out he didn't have a chance... It hurt too much. Jim found that he didn't want to go in
there right now, knowing what he did. Even though Blair wouldn't know what Jim had heard,
Jim would. Pushing aside his fear, Jim opened the door and walked into the apartment.

He was nearly blinded by the beautiful smile Blair gave him. "Hey, Jim, you're finally home! Oh,
I'd like you to meet my good friend, Sydney Lewis. Syd, this is my partner, Jim Ellison," Blair
made the introductions.

Jim tried to smile, but it did not reach his eyes, which reflected jealousy. He shook, Syd's hand,
mumbling pleasantries. "Nice to meet you. Look, Blair, I've gotta hit the sack, I've
been awake way too long and I need to sleep," he said, heading for the stairs to his bedroom.

"Okay, man, I'm heading off to school in a few. See you later," Blair said, watching as his friend
walked heavily upstairs.

Jim almost dropped the plate he was holding when he felt Simon's hand on his shoulder. "You
know, Jim, it's easier to wash them with the cloth than your eyes," Simon teased gently.

"Sorry, I was just a little.. .Iost in thought," Jim said, smiling sadly. Blair never had asked Jim
what sort of feelings he had for him and Jim had backed off a little bit. He stopped himself from
staring so much, and didn't touch the younger man as much as he used to. Jim hadn't wanted to
change his behavior too radically he didn't want to make Blair suspicious. He hoped that the
younger man wouldn't ask now because if he did, Jim knew that he would lie. He didn't want
Blair to leave.

The two men finished the dishes in companionable silence. When Jim turned away from the
sink, Simon placed a hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eyes. "Jim, I know you said you
didn't want to talk about it, but if you change your mind, I'm here. I'm your friend, don't ever
forget that, okay?"

"I know, Simon and I won't forget it. Thanks," Jim replied before grabbing a beer out of the
fridge. They went into the living room where Jim sat down in front of the fire while Simon sat in
a chair facing his friend. Silence again settled between them as Jim sat there, contemplating
what the repercussions would be if he shared his problem with the other man. He sure as hell
couldn't talk to Sandburg about it and keeping everything to himself was becoming more and
more difficult to do. Jim looked at Simon, searching the other man's eyes, and seeing the
compassion and friendship there, decided to trust.

"Simon, have you ever had feelings for someone.. .feelings that weren't returned?"

"Yeah, I have. I think most of us have. Is it Blair?" he asked, already sure of, but almost fearing,
the answer. If Jim had a thing for Sandburg, Simon didn't figure he stood a chance.

"I Yeah, it is. Christ, is it that obvious?"

"No I don't think so. Just the way you reacted tonight when I mentioned him."

"Oh." Jim snorted. "I guess it would be. I don't know when my feelings for him changed from
friendship to something more. I never acted on it, I didn't want to scare him away. And I was
fairly sure he didn't go for men."

"What about you? Didn't it bother you that you had feelings for him?"

"Hell, no. I've swung both ways," Jim said, and watched his captain's face for a reaction, hoping
he wouldn't lose a friend over this. When Simon didn't react with disgust or horror, but with
what
Jim perceived as acceptance, he continued. "So, that wasn't a problem for me. What was a
problem was not being sure how he'd react if I made a pass at him. Then, about three weeks ago,
I found out. It was after the O'Malley bust. I went back to the loft after I'd done the paperwork.
Before I walked in, I checked to see if he was home and heard him talking to a woman. About
me. I knew it was wrong to listen, but I couldn't help myself, I had to know what he'd say. I
found out. He told her that he was pretty sure I was attracted to him, and that he wasn't
interested
in guys, but he wanted to let me know that without hurting me. I didn't hear much after that, I
was too busy hoping the earth would open up and swallow me whole. It just hurt so damn
much," Jim finished, turning to look into the fireplace again.

"Does he know that you overheard them?"

"No. I'm not going to tell him, either. His friendship is too important to me to lose it. I'll always
care for him, but..."

"You'll get on with your life?" Simon asked.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that," Jim replied through a yawn. "Oh, man, I think I'm gonna hit
the sack. All this fresh air has done me in," he said as he stood up.

"Sounds like a plan, my friend, sounds like a damn fine plan," Simon replied.

Jim turned his head when he heard the front door to the cabin open and tried not to laugh as a
bedraggled Simon made his way inside. When Jim opened his mouth to speak, his captain glared
at him.

"Don't say it, Ellison. Just don't say it," he growled.

"What would I say? Something like, 'I told you so?"' Jim asked, a look of innocence on his face.
The two men had been fishing in a stream that was a good twenty minutes' walk from the cabin
when Jim had heard a thunder storm in the distance. He could tell it was travelling fairly fast, so
he had tried to warn Simon that they should head out if they didn't want to get soaked. Simon
had ignored Jim, certain that he had plenty of time, and had laughed as his friend had headed
back. Now, he stood there, dripping water all over the floor.

"Simon, you'd probably be more comfortable if you got out of those wet clothes, don'tcha think?"

"Yeah, yeah, damn smart ass Sentinel detectives..." Simon muttered as he went into his bedroom
to get changed.

Jim chuckled as he made some cocoa for them. He was glad he'd started a fire when he returned,
it would help warm Simon up. He sat down in front of the fire and thought back over the last few
days he'd needed this break from work and even from Blair. Jim had found himself dwelling
less and less upon his young friend. He still loved Blair, but now he knew he could survive
without that love being returned on the same level.

Jim turned his head when he heard Simon come out of his bedroom and had to smile. Simon was
the only man he knew who would bring a silk robe with him to a cabin out in the middle of
nowhere. He handed a mug of the cocoa to Simon when he sat down next to him.

"Thanks," Simon said, sipping at his drink as he tried to warm himself by the fire.

Neither man spoke and a comfortable silence descended in the room, both men staring into the
fire, each thinking. Simon glanced at Jim, not wanting to stare at him. For the last three days,
since Jim had told him what had happened with Sandburg and had also revealed that he "swung
both ways," Simon had been trying to get up the nerve to make a move on the younger man.

However, indecision and not a little bit of fear had overridden his desire to be with Jim. He was
scared that Jim would reject him, or be with him just to help himself get over Blair and Simon
knew that would hurt worse than outright rejection.

Come on, Banks, be a man. Tell him how you feel, let him know you're interested. The worst he
could do is say no. No, the worst that could happen is that I'd lose his friendship, Simon thought.
Then he looked at Jim and knew that no matter what, Jim would always be his friend, even if he
wasn't interested in Simon 'that way.

Simon watched Jim for a few moments, admiring the beauty of the other man, and when Jim
turned to glance at Simon, he didn't look away. They stared into each other's eyes, ice blue and
dark brown, the tension building between them almost becoming a force of its own. Finally,
Simon reached out to cup Jim's face, his fingers splayed across the cheek, his thumb brushing
across Jim's lips. The younger man gasped at the contact, closing his eyes to enjoy the touch.

Jim flicked his tongue against the thumb before sucking it into his mouth, hearing Simon gasp.
Oh, God, now he could smell Simon's arousal and Jim could feel his cock starting to get hard in
response. His surprise at the turn events had taken was quickly fading, replaced by desire and
longing.

Simon moved his hand down to Jim's neck and the Sentinel could sense the other man's body
heat moving closer and knew Simon was leaning towards him. Now he could feel the warmth of
Simon's breath on his face, then the gentlest of kisses against his lips, quickly gone. Jim waited,
he could still feel the warm breath across his face, and was rewarded with a much harder, more
passionate kiss. This time, he reached out, his hands grasping Simon's waist, while he opened his
mouth to the tongue which was demanding entry. Both men groaned as they tasted each other
for
the first time, tongues playing with each other before Simon plundered Jim's mouth, tasting all
he could. The two men pulled away from the kiss both breathless, both panting for air. Jim
opened his eyes and felt desire course through his body as he saw the look of hunger in Simon's
eyes.

Simon gently pushed the younger man onto his back on the floor before moving to lay on top of
him, his hands holding onto Jim's face. He smiled as he felt Jim's arms wrap around him, hands
caressing his back. Staring down at Jim, Simon almost couldn't believe he had what he'd wanted
for so long, here in his arms. He claimed Jim's mouth again, only this time, Jim's tongue savored
his mouth, tasting everything. They kissed until the need for air forced them apart again. Simon
moved his mouth to nuzzle the younger man's neck, enjoying the gasps of pleasure his lover
made.

Sliding his hands down Simon's silk covered body, Jim smiled as he cupped Simon's ass,
realizing the big man was naked beneath the robe. He raised his hips as he held onto Simon, both
men groaning as their hard cocks rubbed against one another, the layers of denim and silk
increasing the friction.

Simon started to undo the buttons on Jim's shirt, then stopped, looking down into his lover's face.
"Jim, I want you, but I don't want our first time together to be on the floor," he said quietly.

Jim brought a hand up to cup Simon's face. "Um you have a point there," he answered.

Both men moaned at the loss of bodily contact when Simon moved off the younger man. They
made their way into the main bedroom, slowly, stopping frequently to kiss or stroke one another.

The two men stood staring at one another once they were in the bedroom, and Jim was
amazed that Simon's robe had come open and he idly wondered if it had snaps or something.

When he reached out to undo the belt of the robe, Simon gently slapped at his hands, stopping
him. Jim let his hands fall back by his sides and watched as his shirt was slowly unbuttoned by
his lover. Simon was careful, making sure he didn't touch Jim's flesh, and when it was undone,
he helped Jim take it off before throwing it on a chair in the corner. Next, Simon went to work
on Jim's jeans, still trying not to touch his lover's body too much. Jim thought about turning up
his sense of touch but didn't he sure as hell didn't want to zone out on his lover at a time like
this. He watched as Simon knelt on the floor in front of him, reaching up to pull Jim's pants and
boxers down, then helping his lover step out of the remainder of his clothes.

Simon stood up again, and this time didn't stop Jim from undoing the robe and pushing it over
his shoulders. He pulled Jim into his arms, kissing him again as their bodies met skin to skin for
the first time, their hard cocks brushing against each other. Both men moaned as their hands
moved up and down the other's body, mouths still locked in a kiss.

Breaking from the kiss, Simon trailed a line of kisses along Jim's jaw to his ear, sucking the lobe
into his mouth, tongue flicking against it. Jim gripped Simon's head in his hands, groaning at the
feel of Simon's mouth and tongue against his skin. Simon made his way down Jim's neck,
kissing, licking and nipping as he went, down across his chest to suck one of the dusky nipples
into his mouth. Jim gasped as he felt the roughness of Simon's tongue caressing his sensitive
nipple, gasping louder as Simon gently nipped the hard bud before sucking on it again. Moving
and taking the other nipple into his mouth, Simon lavished it with the same attention.

Simon slowly sank to his knees as he kissed his way down Jim's body, feeling the tremors that
shook Jim's body, knowing that he was the cause of it. He knelt in front of Jim, leaning forward
to gently lap the pre-cum from the tip of Jim's engorged cock and smiling as Jim jerked his hips
towards him, trying to show him with actions what he wanted. Urging Jim to spread his legs a
little, Simon sucked one of his own fingers into his mouth, coating it with his saliva. As Simon
slowly worked the length of Jim's cock into his mouth, he gently pushed a finger into Jim's anus.
Jim cried out at the dual sensation, his hands once again gripping Simon's head.

"Oh, God, Simon, more... yes, yes, yes..." he panted.

Jim closed his eyes, his head falling back as Simon sucked his cock and finger-fucked him at the
same time. It had been a long time since Jim had been with anyone this good and he knew he
wouldn't last long. He could feel the tension building in his body as it raced to completion. The
only warning of his release was a hoarsely whispered, "Simon!" before he came, his cum
spurting down the other man's throat. Simon swallowed every drop, enjoying this taste of his
lover.

Standing up, Simon pulled Jim to him for a long, hot kiss, pushing his erection against the other
man's hip. Jim moaned and started to reach down to stroke Simon's cock, but a hand stopped
him.

"No, Jim, I want you, want you now," Simon said, leading the younger man over to the bed.

Jim shivered at the thought of being fucked by the larger man. "Take me, I want you to."

"Oh, I will. Get on the bed, on your hands and knees, babe," Simon said.

While Jim assumed the position, Simon opened the nightstand drawer, looking for the hand
cream he'd seen there the other day. He found it, and looked at the small bottle, which looked
like it had never been opened. He squeezed a small amount onto his fingers, testing it. It seemed
okay; he didn't think hand cream went bad if it was sealed up. It would have to do.

He climbed onto the bed, settling on his knees behind Jim, then leaning forward to place kisses
on his neck. Jim moved back, rubbing his ass against Simon's erection, and both men moaned at
the contact. He put more of the cream on his fingers, then quickly slid two of them into Jim,
stretching him. Jim pushed back against the fingers, wanting more, wanting Simon's cock to be
deep inside him. He gasped when he felt the third finger enter him.

"Simon, please, do it, please," he begged.

"Patience, babe," Simon replied, as he spread the cream over his erection before putting the tip
against Jim's anus. He pushed in slowly, giving his lover time to get used to the sensation, and
gasped as Jim moved back against him, impaling himself on Simon's cock. Simon grabbed Jim's
hips, holding the smaller man still, as he relished the tight heat his cock was sheathed in. He
started to stroke in and out of his lover, setting a hard rhythm. Reaching around, Simon grabbed
Jim's cock, which was starting to get hard again, caressing it roughly in time with his thrusts into
the other man.

Jim was almost overwhelmed by sensations. The heat and scent of Simon's body, of his arousal,
the sound of Simon's heavy breathing, the feeling of Simon's cock in his ass, of his hand on Jim's
cock. Jim could feel himself moving closer and closer to the edge, until finally, crying out, he
spilled over it.

Simon thrust into his lover thrice more before he came, the spasming muscles milking his cock.
He collapsed on top of Jim, neither man moving as they panted, waiting for their bodies to return
to normal. Simon moaned as his now soft cock slid out of Jim's body.

When his lover rolled off of him, Jim turned over and cuddled up next to the bigger man, his
head on Simon's shoulder. "Oh, Simon," he whispered sleepily against his lover's skin.

Simon smiled as he wrapped his arms around Jim, holding this most precious man close to him,
never wanting to let him go. He hoped he'd never have to.

Simon awoke early the next morning with his arms around Jim, the younger man still asleep. He
watched Jim sleep, amazed at what had happened the night before. Sighing, he closed his eyes as
he started to think about it what if last night was all that happened? What if Jim was just on the
rebound from Blair? What if he didn't want a relationship? What if His train of thought was
interrupted when he felt a gentle kiss against his lips. Hell, he hadn't heard Jim move. Simon
opened his eyes and looked up at his lover.

"Morning, Simon. What's wrong?" Jim said.

"Morning. Nothing's wrong, I was just thinking," Simon replied.

Jim moved so he was lying on top of Simon and kissed him, more insistently this time, his
tongue sliding into Simon's mouth. He broke the kiss. "What were you thinking about? From the
look on your face, it was pretty serious."

"I was wondering what last night meant to you," Simon answered honestly, sliding his hands
down to caress Jim's ass.

Jim looked down at his lover. "It meant.. .a lot to me, Simon. I've always cared for you as one of
my best friends. Now, I think maybe I can care for you even more. I mean, if that's what you
want..." he said quietly.

"Yes, I do. I've had feelings for you for a little while. I was just too chickenshit to do anything
about it. I'd like to give it a go, Jim."

"Hmm, so would I," Jim answered, smiling at the other man.

Simon kissed him again. "You know, Jim, it would be nice if we could spend another week out
here. I could take the time off."

"Yeah, but my boss is a real hardass. I doubt he'd give me the time off," Jim answered, grinning.

"Well, you'll just have to stroke him the right way, convince him that you need this time
off ohhhh, yessss, baby, that's it," Simon finished hoarsely, as Jim reached down between them
and started stroking his lover's cock.

"Hmmm, you think this will work, lover?" Jim murmured, enjoying being in Simon's arms.

"Most definitely, my love," Simon replied before Jim's mouth claimed his.

//**the end**\\