Hayes had not really expected Danyel to contact him at the Blue Nova, nor was he at all certain that he would see him if he called around to the apartment, but he went anyway and found himself once again kicking his heels outside the door.

Inside the apartment, "What do you want to do?" Matthew was asking King. "Dan and I can go out if you want to see him in here. Far be it from me to tell you what to do, but speaking from personal experience, it would probably be better to at least hear what he has to say. Otherwise you'll always be wondering. But it's your choice. If you've drawn a line through his name and moved on, I won't say another word on the subject."

"Huh!" King gave a sceptical snort, they both knew he was still obsessing over the Captain. "But you're right, I can't keep hiding for ever. I'll see him, but not in here. I want to be able to walk away if I have to. I'll go out there." He went to the door and opened it.

He came face to face with Hayes who was standing there, staring as if he hadn't expected him to come out.

Danyel looked incredibly hot in black jeans, a white shirt made of some soft, silky material and a dark grey denim jacket. His black hair was thick and glossy, falling forward into his beautiful hazel eyes. The only cold thing about him was his mouth, which was set in a tight line. Hayes swallowed. Had he really had this man in his arms and then been fool enough to let him walk out of his life?

"Let's go," King said. "There's a bar down the road. We can talk there."

Hayes looked up at his forbidding expression, he didn't want to talk to him in a public bar. "Would it be okay with you if we went to my room at the Blue Nova? Just to talk," he added quickly. He thought Danyel was going to refuse, "I promise, just to talk. Please?"

"All right," King agreed, reluctantly.

They strode along in silence, Hayes thankful the hotel wasn't far away. He feared Danyel was just about to change his mind, when they arrived. They both climbed the stairs to his room and he opened the door and waited while Danyel went hesitantly inside, rather like a wild animal entering a cage.

"Would you like a drink?" Hayes asked, trying to break the rising tension.

"Brandy. Please. Orion if you've got it."

Hayes couldn't believe this grim man was the same person who had been so compliant and yielding in his bed a couple of weeks ago. He had really blown it. He poured them both a drink, best get his apology over and done with so King could leave. There wasn't going to be any reconciliation here tonight.

He took a deep breath, "I'm sorry, Danyel. I was incredibly rude to you. I honestly did not mean to say I only thought of you as a sex object, although," he ventured a small smile, "sex with you was the best sex of my life. I didn't mean to offend you so much you felt obliged to transfer out." He looked at Danyel's uncompromising expression. His voice changed to rueful acknowledgement. "But none of this is making you change your mind is it? You're still going to leave me."

"Excuse me?" King slammed his glass down in disbelief and stood up. He strode over to Hayes and hauled him to his feet in one powerful motion before he was even aware of being under attack. He pulled his hips hard against his own with both hands gripping his buttocks and dropped his mouth down on his, forcing his lips open with his tongue, the thrust of his momentum carrying them across the room so that Hayes was slammed back against the wall. King withdrew one hand and slid it between them, grabbing Hayes through his uniform, feeling him already hardening.

He softened the kiss for a minute until he felt Hayes hesitantly start to kiss him back. Then he drew away, leaving Hayes staring at him wide eyed, his breath coming in rough gasps. "Let's get this clear. That's what you are leaving! Good night, Simon."

King walked out, leaving the Captain still backed against the wall, his hand going to his bruised lips.