The Game 5

Edited by Karen Leigh

Ricky happily let his clothes fly off him ... as if centrifugal force had localized in his body. Walter was undressing in his usual meticulous way. Ricky kicked his black sock in the air. It landed on a God's Eye Alex had given him after some mission in the Southwest, hanging off one of the feather decorated wooden dowels like an odd artistic touch. Ricky shimmied out of his briefs and threw them in the general direction of the bathroom laundry.

Walter's body was beautiful, muscles like an inspiring "after" at a body builder's gym. He was solid, steady, powerful, and he made Ricky wish he were a better man, more faithful, less flighty. Walter had lovely brown eyes that really spoke volumes. Despite his play with One, Ricky felt that familiar demand. So maybe he was over-sexed. So far no one had complained about the quality or quantity of his lovemaking.

Ricky wrapped himself around Walter's waist...a trim waist despite his lover's breadth of shoulder and chest. Ricky nibbled at Walter's neck and said, "I'll sleep better if we make love. Please, Walter? I've had such a horrible day and I just need you. Make love to me?"

Pulling Ricky close, Walt reached down and cupped his ass cheeks, massaging lightly, teasingly. He turned his head and caught Ricky's mouth with his own, pushing his tongue into that delicious warmth. Backing towards the bed, Skinner sat on the edge, resting his head against Ricky's flat stomach and looked up through his lashes into laser green eyes. Damn, the kid was beautiful. //What the hell does he want with an old man like me? //

"Tell me what you want, Ricky," he said.

Ricky caught his breath. Why the hell was Skinner making him beg for it? But then, he thought, eyes lowering, his pulse racing, Walter was worth begging for.

"I want you." Ricky said, in a voice so rough with passion that it came out as a startling growl. He straddled Walter's lap in a feline pounce and let his weight carry them back.

Walter flipped him with a casual strength that thrilled Ricky. In that moment, in this mood, Ricky knew exactly what he wanted. He looked up at the concerned, intense brown eyes and said, "Fuck me. Take me rough and hard, Walter. Show me that I'm beautiful. Convince me that I don't need anyone else."

Deliberately, but not really knowing why he was caught in this fey mood, Ricky scored Walter's prodigious shoulders lightly with his nails, not quite drawing blood. He darted his mouth upward and nipped at Walter's lips. He circled the narrow definition of Walter's waist with his legs, claiming territory.

Turned on by his own actions, Ricky arched his erection up to rub enticingly against Walter's suddenly rigid body. He could feel his lips part, his lungs drawing searing gasps of air.

Ricky felt like he was in heat. He felt wild. He forced one last word out of his lips, "Now!" he demanded.

Skinner pressed down with his full weight, pinning Ricky to the bed beneath him. He reached down and grabbed both of Ricky's hands, holding them above his head with one hand while reaching for the bedside table with the other.

"Hold still," he growled, as he scrabbled around in the drawer for the lube he knew was usually there. Triumphantly, he closed his hand around the tube and pulled it out. Opening his mouth against Ricky's neck, he sucked hard at the tender spot below one ear that always made Ricky crazy while he flipped open the lubrication and squeezed a generous amount onto his fingers.

With slicked fingers, Skinner reached beneath Ricky, searching until he found the tight entrance to his body. "Open up for me," he whispered hotly as he slid two fingers inside, scissoring them impatiently.

Ricky thought, 'if I was any more open, he'd fall into me.' His anus was pulsing demandingly. He arched up accepting the fingers. He clamped his legs around Skinner trying to force him to take him.

Ricky moaned, yearning, needing, wanting Walter now!

Ricky could hardly remember how to talk. He wanted to yowl like a cat in heat. He said, "Now, damn it. I'm ready. I told you I was ready. Fffffucck me."

One smiled as he heard the passionate cries of Ricky Caruso from the bedroom. He had felt intense pleasure in his tryst with the young human. Ricky had treated him as an equal, but had also understood that he was different and asked him out right what pleased him. Not many humans did that, not even the ones that had so far befriended the Mac 27s.

One carefully patched a torn tube and welded a circuit back into place. It concerned him that he had to use so many of their meager stores of spare parts on this badly damaged Android. But 9021 had been willing to sacrifice his life for the cause. It was correct to expend their resources in his behalf. One felt discordance as he considered alternatives. Math was easy. One plus one always equaled two. Algebraic formulas always came out the same. Ethics, however, was difficult. Was it right to allow 9021 to be willing to die for the whole? Was it right to endanger the rest to save 9021? In any event, One had made the choice after discussion with the other Mac27s. 9021 would be repaired. Perhaps Gross would be willing to organize a raid on Innobotics to obtain more spare parts and tool kits? 144 seemed to have more of a taste for adventure than many Mac27s. One smoothed new pseudo flesh over the repaired surfaces. 9021 appeared intact. One transferred some of his power into the storage unit. A jump-start, humans would call it. Now, to see whether 9021 would wake. Thoughtfully, One kissed the unit. "Wake up, Sleeping Beauty." He said.

It seemed as though he had always been here, rooted to this spot. His joints felt rusty and might never have moved before, and yet dimly he recalled a time when other things had been important. Suddenly, he felt panic. There were others like him, and no... They were not to be taken. So many like him had been destroyed. No more. It must happen no more.

He sat up with a graceless jerk of his body.

"I will stop them. They won't...they won't...they..." He looked around him. There were others. He could see others in his immediate vicinity, and hear more, outside his visual range.

"The vehicle must be stopped," he said, harshly, and then slowly closed his mouth... They were all looking at him as though he were insane. Possibly he was. This was not the world he had left. He sought the gaze of one like himself, and uttered the immortal words, "Where am I?"

One felt a swelling positive feedback loop. He had restored this badly damage brother. He said, "This is the home of Ricky Caruso, a flesh brother of ours. You saved us all from the men in black and from Innobotics. I am One and I am very glad to meet you. How do you feel? Are you able to consume fuel now?"

One led the way to the still food-laden table. There were still a few containers of beer and an ounce or so of tiramisu. Several chocolate covered cookies still sat in one of the pink cardboard boxes.

One needed additional fuel now that he had discharged so much energy into the damaged unit. He was still trying to decide whether to risk going into Innobotics on his own or not. He would need a team in any event...

Grandly indicating the thoughtfully provided food, One said, "Eat, 9021. You are a hero to us all."

Mac 27 One chose a cookie and a container of flavored seltzer water, laden with sugar and caffeine. Caffeine was a very good fuel also. Almost as good as chocolate....leadership is a lonely place, but chocolate solaces many a woe.

--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--

Dustin drove the silver convertible through a narrow commercial district street; it was drizzling slightly; a stiff breeze blew a section of newspaper across the street as headlights cut through the view. He thought, 'So, after your personal life goes to hell, what's left? Work. Yeah. That's what I thought, too. Mackie had this idea for a series - told me he had a contact in Washington. One of those series - those reality TV shows. You know, send someone out to track an urban legend and hope they got maimed or killed in the process? Hokey as hell, but you work with what the networks are buying, or you don't work. It's that simple.'

He parked the car in an underground parking garage and got out, walking briskly out of the garage and down the sidewalk. He walked past a building in front of which stood a few shabbily dressed men, all of whom look strangely like Dustin, though not nearly as well dressed. He shot one of them a glare as he entered the building through a side door.

'When you feel you've got it all, you look at those who either lost it or never had it with fear. You ask yourself, how close am I to living in a cardboard box, or standing on some corner, holding out a coffee cup? How close am I really?'

Dustin walked to an ATM in a bank. He withdrew a sum of money, continued out the other side of the bank building and hailed a cab. He got in and it drove off.

'So you start a new life, but how different is it, really? How different can it be? Or do you want it to be? I met with all the people I was supposed to, did a few lunches. And came out here, to find people for our first few shows. The joke of it is, I sometimes feel that I'm the urban legend.'

Dustin got out of the cab after it pulled to a stop in front of a nightclub. He paid the driver, and walked inside. Techno music pounded and strobe lights flashed as he walked towards the bar, surveying the crowd.

'I mean, surely you've heard the one - and I swear this really happened - about the Hollywood producer who woke up on the beach beside an apparently dead woman, and had this nowhere guy blackmail him and take everything, including his girlfriend, in order to keep the murder hush hush? Then of course it turns out there never *was* a dead girl. Of course there is, by the end of it all...'

He walked up to the bar, and ordered a beer. He saw crowds of young women and girls dancing, and a few at the bar. He continued surveying the crowd. Nothing attracted him.

'Fuck.'

He sat down and took a swig of his beer. One of the girls approached him and he nodded to her. She sat down.

'Darcy actually had a point. I just couldn't admit it. Still can't. Won't.'

Dustin was about to go back to his drink when he saw someone at the other end of the bar; who caught his attention. He looked away, at his beer. He looked back at the person. Back to his beer. Shook his head.

"Someone you know?" asked the blonde beside him.

Dustin looked over at her. "Don't think so. Don't think I know you, either. But boy, I'd like to..."

She smiled. "My name's Allison. I work... I'm a lawyer. I work ... I'm actually a public defender. What do you do, and what's your name?"

He looked over at her. "Dustin. Vice President of Globe Pictures."

"Ooh..." Allison said. "What brings you out here?"

"Scouting talent," Dustin replied, downing his beer. He looked back at the face that had caught his eye. What in the world... he didn't have a twin brother that he knew of.

--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--

Anson was tired. Seemed like he'd been running forever. Somehow, since that badly botched bank job in Miami had resulted in the death of the police officer, it felt as though all he could do was react.

He wasn't even sure what day of the week it was. He'd gotten off the bus in downtown DC, and begun to walk, with no idea where he was going to go. There was nothing here for him, but he was tired, and he couldn't face another bus ride without at least stretching his legs. He groped in the pocket of his jeans. He was down to his last $20. Looked like a night of sleeping in a doorway, and praying that the rain would stop. The darkness was sour and damp, with a fine, misty drizzle that got everywhere. He traveled light, and there was nowhere he could go to get away from the wetness unless he wanted to find that doorway right now.

Well, maybe he could fortify himself first. He grabbed his loose change and counted it. Good enough. He stepped into the McDonalds, and grabbed a Big Mac. That was the first thing he needed. Food. Once he was done eating, he wiped his mouth on the sleeve of the plaid shirt he wore, and left the garish reds and yellows of the restaurant behind him.

He felt a little better. His walk developed a spring, and an unconscious rhythm took him. The sounds of the traffic and the rain created their own music as he walked on, excitement growing as he searched for some action - $20.00 worth of action at the very least.

A flashing blue light, high on the wall ahead, proclaimed that here was a nightclub. He shrugged, and made for it, hoping that there wasn't a dress code.

Inside, the lights strobed, and the predictable pounding of the techno-synth assailed him. Ignoring the dance floor, he made for the bar and ordered a beer, before turning to stand with his back against it, surveying the room.

It was early yet, and there weren't too many people in the place. He pursed his lips as he admired a couple of curvy girls that were dancing together, presenting a very tasty picture as they shook their booty. His glance circled the room, arriving at the bar.

There! Down at the other end of the bar! It was himself. It was him as he should've been. Slimmer and bronzed, with designer clothes, smart haircut, and an air of affluence that could only be bought with huge wads of cash.

Ruefully, Anson surveyed his own cheap clothing - jeans, tee shirt and plaid over-shirt. There was no way the two of them would be taken for one another, but still...

He picked up his beer, and made his way across the room to where the mystery double was sitting, chatting with a woman who seemed quite smitten by him.

"Have I seen you somewhere before?" he asked, wondering if this was going to be a good thing or whether he was going to end up in hot water, as usual.

Allison looked at Dustin. "He could be your brother," she said in amazement.

"Don't have a twin," Dustin said.

He looked back at the stranger again. Do I?

Allison smiled at him. "Why don't you sit down? I'm Allison. And this is Dustin."

Dustin looked at her, but said nothing. Damn bleeding heart liberals. Not that I'm so tight. But ...

Dustin looked over at him again. "What brings you to town?"

"You want the truth?" Anson smiled, as though the words he'd just spoken were somehow amusing in themselves. "The truth is, I tossed a coin. Heads, DC, tails, Minneapolis. It came up heads. How about you?"

"The President of my company told me to come out here to scout talent," Dustin said with a note of disgust in his voice. [Me, I'm no fucking talent scout. Mackie should have sent someone else. Like Minnow. But no, he needed Minnow, he said, to finish that deal... damn him.]

He smiled at the attractive woman sitting between them, and gave his double a measuring glance. Then, he held out his hand. "My name's Anson. Pleased to meet you." He flashed his double a mischievous grin. "I can see at a glance that we have a lot in common."

Dustin watched him, taking a sip of the fresh beer he'd ordered.

Dustin snorted. "Oh, really? Like what?"

The woman named Allison giggled as she shook hands with him, and he lowered his lashes, knowing the power of them. Could this maybe get him a bed for the night? That would be nice. The double was interested too, but he seemed a little up tight. Anson extended his hand again, daring the double to refuse it.

"How are you doing, double. This is a really weird feeling, you know?"

Dustin shook Anson's hand stiffly. "Yeah... I've never met anyone who looks like myself quite so much. But, I guess it happens. I mean, here we are."

Allison looked between them.

"Are you sure you're not brothers, and just pulling my leg?"

Dustin looked at Anson, and back to her. "So far as I know, I don't have a brother."

Allison looked at Anson. "How about you? Do you have a brother?" She smiled coyly at him. Of the two, she preferred Anson's looks. Dustin was a bit too polished for her tastes, though her father would no doubt love him.

Dustin looked at his double. Well if she wanted him, she was welcome to him. Surely there were other girls there he could give his attentions to.

He grinned at Anson. "Flipped a coin, huh? I like that... I never really had had the guts to completely go where the wind blows me. Always had some place to be, you know? And until recently, I thought I liked it that way..."

Anson sipped at his beer, and thought about the two companions he'd acquired. The girl was cute enough. He wouldn't say no, but the double was... interesting. He wondered what he'd be able to get out of their resemblance to each other. It surely would be good for something. He began to think about how he could parlay the similarity into something useful.

"I wouldn't say it takes guts. Sometimes you don't have a choice." He paused, looking wistful, and then looked up at Allison with a heart-stopping smile. "I won't bend your ears with my hard luck stories. We're here to have fun."

Allison grinned. "As a public defender, all I hear are hard luck stories. I guess I should be inured to them by now. I also volunteer at a homeless shelter down by E street."

Anson shook his shoulders to the music a little, and began a kind of demented hand jive. Pretty soon the other two were joining in, laughing as they vied with each other to perform the silliest movements. Dustin swished his hands up and over and through Anson's. So did Allison.

Anson downed his beer, and once more extended his hand, this time meeting Dustin's gaze with an intensity that was almost too much to bear.

"Well, guys, it's nice to have met you, but I must be getting on, or I'm going to spend a truly moist night on the streets." He paused. Would the gamble pay off?

Dustin gazed back at him. The faster I get my six characters, the faster I can get back to California... and Darcy. And boy, Anson seems like a character... Mackie would love him. "Moist night on the streets?" Dustin shook his head. "Actually, I'm scouting talent, and I have a proposition for you..." Never fails.

Anson narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Dustin to see just what sort of proposition he might have. He knew he was pretty, and he'd been propositioned by the best in his time.

Allison shook her head. "I've got to be heading home, too. Bitch of a day tomorrow..."

Dustin smiled. "Can I at least have your number?"

Allison smirked. "Oh, one of those. Sure, why not..." She took a matchbook and scribbled her number inside it.

"One cliché deserves another. Now, if you boys will excuse me..." She got up, put on her trench coat, and left.

Dustin pocketed the matchbook and looked at Anson. "What do you say?"

Anson jumped, guiltily. He'd taken the opportunity to examine the wallet he'd lifted earlier in the elevator. It was bulging with stuff, but there was a satisfactory amount of cash, and a credit card too. He glanced at the driver's license; it said he was one Ricky Caruso, and then did a double take when he looked at the photo... What the hell was happening? This was all far too strange. He was putting all the papers back into the wallet, when he noticed the badge. Fuck! The man Caruso was a Fed! That would cause no end of problems, if he let it. He turned back to Dustin.

"Okay, double." He grinned, lowered his eyelashes, and waited for Dustin to give him the spiel. "What's your proposition?"

Dustin chuckled. "Not that kind of proposition, 'double'. How'd you like to be in a television show?"

He studied Anson again. He looked so damn much like him... down to the eyelashes. Hmm... this had to be something he could put to use, but how? He still had to get Darcy back... could this be the key? "I've got to check my email and do some other stuff. You're welcome to come with... beats staying out here, anyway." He started towards the exit.

Anson stared after him, and then grabbed his glass and polished off his beer. If this guy was gonna do him some good, that was fine. He didn't for a second believe that Dustin was going to put him on TV, and he'd pass on that anyway. He was wanted by far too many cops, in far too many states to make that a good idea. Still, he wanted a bed. He followed Dustin, calling out, "Hey, wait for me!"

They left the club together, the two men who looked so much alike. One was dressed in the casual elegance of designer style, and the other in work clothes, but they both had the same rolling gait, and the same hungry look to them. Dustin was hurrying along, and Anson had to move fast to keep up with him.

"Hey, double. Slow down a minute. Where are we going?"

Dustin turned. He slowed. He stopped. He tried to hail a cab.

"Now? We ought to grab a cab back to the hotel, don't you think? I've got a nice place ... we can talk up there."

A cab passed them but didn't stop. As did another.

"Damn," Dustin said under his breath. "What is it with these things?" He looked across the street, and saw two more doubles walking hand in hand. What the hell ? He looked at Anson. "Looks like we're not the only ones..."

--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--[o]--

"Hey, Cory," Methos yelled at the fleeing man. "Stop already ... we need to talk."

Warily, Cory stopped and turned to face the other immortal. "What is it, old man?" //and why the hell do you want to talk to *me*?//

"Listen Cory ... I know we're not the closest of friends," Methos tried a smile. "But, this could be important ... at the very least, it's interesting."

Cory looked around suspiciously. "Where's MacLeod?"

"I haven't the vaguest idea. This doesn't concern him."

//Doesn't concern Mac? Damn ... Everything Methos does concerns that fucking Scot.//

"You're sure he's not hiding around some corner? You two are practically joined at the hip these days." Cory frowned. "I do not want to run into him, Methos ... we didn't part on ... well, he's a little upset with me these days."

Methos smirked. "These days?" He asked. "Seems like you and Mac have an ongoing argument."

Cory shrugged. "Yeah well ... the man has no sense of humor."

"Tell me something I don't know, Cory. Listen, your problems with MacLeod are beside the point ... I've heard something that I think will interest you."

"Yeah?"

"It seems that you are in Washington DC. In fact, several of you are in DC."

Raising his eyebrows, Cory looked at Methos. "Well, I know Krycek hangs out in DC - that Mulder guy, you know." And then it hit him. "Several of me? What the hell are you talking about, Methos?"

"I hacked into the Watcher database tonight ... there are reports of a number of 'Cory Raines' running around in the city."

"But I'm -"

"Here in Seacouver," Methos said. "I know that - don't you want to know what's going on down there? I know that if Watchers were seeing multiples of me I'd want to know."

Cory paced in a small circle, pondering the situation. "Yeah ... yeah. I guess I'd best get myself to DC and try to figure out what's up ... several of me? Are you sure?"

"That's what the reports say, Cory." Methos looked at Cory assessingly. "Maybe I'd better go with you ... you do tend to get yourself into trouble on occasion. Besides, I'm rather curious."

//And since when have you cared about my problems?// Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth (unless there were jewels contained within) Cory nodded reluctantly. "All right, Methos ... Let's go."

Methos called ahead for hotel reservations and they headed for the airport. A couple hours later they caught a cab at DCI and headed into the city.

"Where are we going exactly?" Cory asked.

"A hotel first," Methos answered. "Then, we'll start looking around for these look-a-likes."

"Fine ... whatever," Cory mumbled as he stared sightlessly out of the window. He was still having trouble wrapping his mind around this supposed gathering of men who shared his admittedly excellent looks.

"There!" Methos leaned forward, pointing at a couple of men walking out of a nightclub. "Pull over here, driver."

Cory stared at the two in dumbfounded amazement. They really were his doubles ... triples? What the hell?

Methos threw some money at the driver and climbed out of the cab. He turned to see what the two found so fascinating and damned if there weren't two more Cory's headed this way.

Cory looked at the first two and then at the other two. "What the fuck is going on here?"

"I have no idea, Cory. But," Methos fixed his gaze on the first two, "I suggest we talk to these two, and then see what *they* know."

They walked towards the first two and Methos took the lead. "Hi there ... you know, you two bear a striking resemblance to my friend here. Maybe we should talk ..."

"I'm Cory Raines," Cory finally spoke up. And, this is ... Methos."

A fierce frown was directed his way by the old one. Cory shrugged. "What the hell, Methos? I'll slip sooner or later and give your real name ... might as well get it out of the way now. Besides, neither of them is immortal so your name means nothing to them."

Methos grimaced, accepting the somewhat weak excuse. Knowing Cory, he knew that his real name would be spoken sooner or later. But, later would have been his first choice.

He nodded at the two.

Anson looked at the one who'd called himself Cory, and began to back away. This was becoming seriously weird. His hand moved of its own accord to cover the pocket that held Ricky Caruso's drivers license. He was beginning to feel as though he'd taken some mind-altering substance with his Big Mac.

He found his back pressed against the wall, and the fine rain was soaking into his plaid work shirt, making him feel as uncomfortable physically as he was mentally. His eyes darted nervously from side to side, and he began to edge away from the group. Whatever this was, he really didn't want to know.

The dark man called Methos was speaking now, and Anson took the opportunity to move further away. He was relying on the attention being turned away from him as he did what he was so good at and faded into the shadows.

The approach of the two men he had seen earlier put paid to his attempt at flight. Two more, with faces just like his were approaching. He dove back into the circle of conversation, shaking violently, and gripped the arm of the one man who did not appear to be his exact replica, terrified.

"What the hell is happening? Help me, please..."

Wincing at the strong grip the Cory-clone had on his arm, Methos looked into his eyes. Fear. Confusion. Need. Hmmm - looked like this one was a little off kilter. Still, he could understand the man's reaction. He was having a bit of trouble understanding this situation himself.

"Hey, take it easy," Methos said, covering the man's hand with his own. "We don't know what's up either. Why don't we get away from here and talk? Maybe between the four of us we can figure it out."

"Or not," Cory said frowning at the man clinging to Methos.

"Shut up, Raines," Methos said shortly. He turned back to the clone. "I'll do my best to help you ... trust me."

Cory snorted.

Methos glared at him and then looked down the street at the *other* two look-a-likes. "First, we need to decide whether to talk to them or run from them."

Dustin stepped forward, eyeing the newcomers in confusion.

Dustin looked at this man, Cory. "Who - who are you? Why do you look like me? Why does *he* look like me? And them..." He pointed to the two oncoming duplicates. "What's going on here?" I want my answers, too. I think I'll just stick around.

Dustin looked between Methos and Anson.

"Why do either?" Dustin said. "I was just going to go back to my hotel with Anson, here... but I guess you guys may as well come along, too." He shrugged.

"I do, sort of, want to know what's going on... I mean..." No. I'm not going to mention the ones I saw earlier. They'll think I'm nuts for sure.

Methos and Cory exchanged a look. "What the hell?" Methos asked fatalistically. "After all, four heads are better that two."

Cory frowned. Was the man never serious?

Dustin nodded. "Always seems to work out that way..." Unless too many chefs spoil the soup. He thought of Minnow, and just as quickly shoved that thought aside.

Methos turned to the speaker. "Okay, let's go ... and, what the hell is your name? I make it a policy to never go to a hotel with a nameless stranger."

//You do?// Well now, this was intriguing. Did Methos make a habit of going to hotels with men? Of course, with this Anson clinging to the old man like a limpet, it looked like he'd have to bide his time. Wait for the right opportunity to make his move. Obviously, Methos found him attractive ... why else would he suddenly decide to play mother hen to this one?

Dustin laughed, glad for something to break his tension. "Well, you know, I'd say I felt the same... but then again..." He laughed a bit harshly. Most of them are women, and no, I don't always know their names... "... it would depend on the situation. Oh, I'm sorry. My name's Dustin. And this is Anson." He grinned. "Pleased to meet you. Although the circumstances are a bit... odd..."

Cory smiled. "Pleased to meet you too, Dustin. Though, like you, I'm finding this whole thing a bit strange myself." He moved to the curb and hailed a cab. "We might as well get going ... where are you staying?"

Dustin watched amazed as a cab pulled right over. "Damn. Three cabs went right by us before... what've you got that I don't?" Course, usually I...

Cory shrugged and grinned. "It's a gift, dear boy."

Methos, Anson still clinging fiercely to his arm, watched the cab pull over. He moved closer to Anson protectively and waited for the other two to climb into the taxi. "Take it easy, Anson ... we'll figure this out." //I hope// "In the meantime, I'll do my best to keep you safe."

Dustin glanced over at this exchange.

Cory rolled his eyes. Jeez - he'd never seen Methos in such a protective mode. He climbed into the cab and turned to Dustin. "Looks like we have a budding romance here. Hope that's not a problem for you."

Methos and Anson joined them, practically sitting on each other.

"A problem for me? Why would it be?" Dustin said breezily.

Cory smirked. "I just wondered ... After all, you two were together."

Dustin stiffened. "Not that way." He eyed Anson and Methos, a shade uncomfortable now. He took a straight pen from his pocket and laid it down on his knee. Then he took a pencil from his pocket and was about to do the same when the cab hit a bump and shoved his hand into the seatback, breaking the pencil. Dustin stared at it for a moment, then turned to Cory.

"I'm straight," he said softly. The pencil hadn't broken completely, just broken enough to be bent. "I'm straight," he said again.

Where to?" The driver asked.

"Dustin?" Methos asked.

Dustin looked over at him. "The Embassy. I've... yeah. The Embassy." He looked at Cory. "So, what brings you to town?"

"It's a long story. Short version is that I heard that there were a number of my doubles running around here in DC. I just had to come and check it out ...you?"

Dustin looked out the window and sighed, then looked back at Cory. "I... I'm a television producer. My boss asked me to - well, he told me to - come out here and find people for a TV show we're doing. I'm... just doing what I'm told."

He looked at Cory. "Heard of doubles in DC? Well, we seem to have turned up at least three." He chuckled a bit uneasily. "What do you make of it?"

Cory shrugged. "I don't know, Dustin. But, weren't there two more of them on the street? ... And I know of one other." He frowned. "This is getting spooky, guys. We have to figure this out. I have a bad feeling about this."

Dustin nodded. "It sure beats anything that's happened on any TV show or film I've done. It's like something out of the Twilight Zone, for Christ's sake. I mean that was a great show. Don't get me wrong. I'm just not sure I'm ready to live it."

Methos grinned. "I love a good mystery."

"You would," Cory grumbled.

He shifted over to give Methos and Anson more room and couldn't help but enjoy the closer contact with Dustin. Too bad the guy was straight.

Dustin looked at Cory. "Um, excuse me," he said softly, trying to scoot away. But he couldn't, as he bumped up against the door. He held himself stiffly as he felt the contact with Cory. [But in a way, it feels nice... no. Stop that thought, Dustin.]The thought of making love to himself was ... intriguing - to say the least. Dustin looked at Cory furtively. What had Darcy said? "Go fuck yourself?" Well now...Best leave that thought behind. You know you're straight. You know it! Dustin couldn't get it out of his head that Cory wasn't looking at him. He looked over at Anson and smiled weakly as the cab came to a stop in front of the Embassy Hotel. He fairly leapt out of the cab and hurried to pay the driver, willing himself to forget the warm feeling he got from Cory's body.

'Hmmm ... maybe the guy wasn't completely straight ... Cory entertained himself with erotic thoughts. Maybe ... if he played it right.'

Anson was feeling very strange. He knew where he was when people hit him, or he had to sleep out in the rain, but this... This shit was seriously weird. He gave Dustin a veiled glance under long, thick lashes, and saw that he was seriously resonating with Cory. He watched the man dance a shy, fascinating courtship dance, and wondered what the other man had that he was missing. He'd put out all kinds of lures and not gotten that kind of response from Dustin. Anson had to admit that there was something about the new man wearing his face that was attractive. He radiated good humor. He sparkled. Anson sighed. He'd never sparkled in his life. Oh, well, it seemed as though the straight Mr. Dustin Double was going to pair off with the sparkling Mr. Cory Double, and unless they wanted a threesome, he'd better see what he could do about getting a bed for the night. He became aware of the heat from the body of the man sitting beside him - very closely beside him. The dark, grave countenance of the man he'd been introduced to as Methos was very attractive, and it felt as though he was...interested in saving a poor waif from the rigors of the night. Anson snuggled a little closer as he waited for the others to climb out of the cab, and was rewarded by a slow smile that lit up the other's face, and that was amazingly reassuring to him.

They emerged from the cab, and Methos hung back, waiting for him to catch up, and then turned to go with the other two.

"Come on, Anson ... let's see what happens next." He followed Dustin and Cory, making sure that he stayed very close to Anson.

Dustin's suite was huge. Anson opened his eyes wide at the opulence of it all.

Dustin smiled at Anson's wide-eyed look. "Go ahead, check it out." He started walking towards the bar on the other side of the room.

Methos grinned at Anson's incredulity. He settled into a comfy chair and just enjoyed watching the man. Damn - such differences between the three look-a-likes. Amazing!

There was a hot tub. He'd always wanted a turn in a hot tub. It seemed that Cory liked them as well, because he let out a whoop when he saw it, and seized Dustin by the shoulders to plant a huge, smacking kiss on the astonished man's lips. Then he headed straight for it.

Dustin paused when Cory kissed him.

//Trust Cory ... poor Dustin doesn't stand a chance// Methos looked forward to what promised to be a very entertaining time watching the immortal seduce Dustin.

[What the *fuck*?]

Dustin watched, dumbfounded, as Cory walked over to the hot tub and turned it on. He blinked a few times, and then shook himself. He started back towards the bar.

"I'm going to fix myself a drink. What do you all want?" He couldn't help looking at Cory out of the corner of his eye. Was the man actually... yes, it seemed he was.

//Not so very straight, after all// Cory kept an eye on Dustin, plotting the best way to get the guy to loosen up ... A drink ... a couple of drinks. Yes, that would be a good start.

Cory nodded. "I'll have a ... hmmm, let's see, how about sex on the beach? Can you mix that up for me?"

Dustin nodded, still staring ahead blankly. "Yeah, I should be able to..." [Something's not right, Dusty boy.] "Did you just ask for a - a - what I think you asked for?"

"Sex on the Beach, Dustin ... it's the perfect drink for soaking in a hot tub. I'm sure you can fix me up ... " Cory smirked. "You seem like a ... multi-talented kind of a guy."

Dustin bit his lip. [Multi-talented. Yeah, right...] But his hands were already there, mixing the drink.

Controlling his laughter at Cory's antics, Methos looked at Dustin. "Just a beer for me ... anything not American, please." He shuddered dramatically. "Gods, you people have got to learn to make a decent beer."

Dustin nodded, chuckling. "I'll see what I can do... ah. How about a Dos Equis?" he said.

"Methos," Cory said, "you and your damned beer .. one of these days it'll do you in." He tested the water and smiled. "Just about right ... anyone care to join me?" Pulling his clothing off, he looked at Dustin. "What do you say, Dustin ... very relaxing, these things. You look like a man in need of relaxation. We can soak and drink ... Come on."

Dustin finished mixing the drink, and brought it over to Cory stiffly.

Cory took the glass, making sure his fingers touched Dustin's. He smiled his thanks and took a drink. "Perfect," he commented. "Just what I needed."

Dustin jerked his hand back just as soon as it was safe to do so. He grunted as he nodded.

Methos snorted. No one had ever accused Raines of being subtle.

"I thought we came back here to avoid a moist night," he said, looking at Anson. [Although, the man is handsome, and you know you want to show Darcy up...imagine the look on her face when you tell her you took her advice...] He walked back to the bar, picking up a couple of Dos Equis bottles and carrying them over to Methos and Anson.

"Is that all right, or would you like something else, Anson?" He walked back to the bar yet again and poured himself a Jack Daniels on the rocks and returned to stand by Anson. "That Cory, sure is something," he observed. "Where'd you find him?"

Anson shrugged. "I think they found us, Dustin."

"I was talking to Methos," Dustin snapped, looking at Methos.

//Well, well ... looks like Dusty-boy is just a mite miffed at Anson.// Methos sent Anson a commiserating look, then turned back to Dustin. "Don't mind Cory, Dustin. He's incorrigible. Always has been," Methos offered. "I've known him a looong time ... Trust me, he's harmless - a little flirtatious, shall we say, but he won't do anything you don't want him to do. Well - nothing too outrageous."

"Hey Anson," Methos said. "Why don't you sit down here and relax ... I won't bite. I promise. We'll just talk - get to know each other, you know?"

Dustin eyed him, and then looked at Cory.

"Come on, Dustin ... join me in the tub ... I'll even keep my hands to myself." Cory set his drink on the ledge of the tub and climbed in. "Aaah - perfect!" He relaxed into the water, hoping that Dustin would join him.

Dustin walked over to the hot tub, very unsure of this whole situation and wondering just what, for the love of Mike, his feet were thinking, carrying him over to the tub like that. Traitorous feet. He looked at Cory warily. Moving to step back, he somehow tripped and ended up in the water, Armani suit and all. He flailed around for a moment or so, trying to get hold of something to steady himself. The problem was, the first thing he grabbed was Cory. He jerked away, eyes wide. "Wh- wh - you - you're buying me a new suit!" He finally sputtered, moving to the other side of the hot tub. He got out of the tub and stared at Cory.

"Don't worry, Dustin ... if he can't afford to buy you a new suit, he'll steal one for you." Enjoying the situation immensely, Methos grinned.

"What's going on here?" the now-soaked producer demanded.

"Why ... not a thing," Cory smiled at him. "I'm just enjoying the soak and my drink. Since you're already wet, why don't you get rid of those wet clothes and join me?"

Dustin glared at him. You. You're the one who brought him here. I don't need any comments from he peanut gallery, thank you very much. Dustin looked down at his clothes. Soaked through. He looked back up, and turned from Cory to Methos to Anson and back to Cory. Shit. I do have to get out of these things. If I don't, I'll die of hypothermia for sure.

Methos was having the devil of a time containing his laughter. Poor Cory - looked like this one just might be able to resist that famous Cory Raines charm. And... Dustin! His conflicting reactions to Cory were ... well, most interesting to watch.

Dustin looked around. They were all looking at him. Daring me to get into the hot tub with Cory. Well, fuck. He never refused a dare. Still...That does it. Before he could give himself time to change his mind, Dustin stripped and got into the hot tub, sitting on the opposite side from Cory. Then he realized he'd spilled his drink when he fell in. Dammit! He looked around awkwardly, not wanting to get up naked, but really, really needing a drink right about now.

Turning to Anson, Methos grinned. "Quite the show, don't you think?"

Anson had been content to sit and watch the events unfolding, but now, as he watched his doppelganger go ass over teakettle into the bubbling water, he lost it. A hiccup of laughter escaped from somewhere inside his chest, and all of a sudden, the stress of the day was too much for him. He began to laugh in huge gusts that shook his body and caused the tears to roll down his cheeks. By the time he'd finished, he felt better than he had for days. It was time for some action. He'd seen Dustin remove his wet clothes and climb into the tub. Now, he gave Methos a sultry glance and stood, stretching himself like a cat. His damp clothing clung to him unpleasantly, and he looked longingly at the steaming water. Slowly, aware of the eyes on him, he slid his shoulders out of the soggy flannel of his shirt, revealing the tight white tee shirt that clung wetly to his muscular frame. He slid his thumbs inside the waist of his jeans, and slowly unbuttoned them, sliding the zipper down. He let his head fall back as he did, knowing that Methos at least was watching him, and wanting to feel the heat of eyes on his skin... knowing that looks would be followed soon enough by caresses. The shirt went next. Anson peeled it up over his head and discarded it, with a mocking little bump and grind at the end of the movement. Finally, aware by now that he'd caught everyone's interest, he slowly lowered his damp jeans down over his taut behind, and it became apparent that he wore no underwear.

Dustin couldn't take his eyes off his double. He knows how good he looks. The thought was as sudden as it was certain. He was beautiful, feral. With a rawness Dustin lusted after, hungered for. He felt himself getting hard. Amazingly, he didn't deny it. Or the source of his erotic feelings. Darcy was far, far from his thoughts now.

Naked at last, Anson, semi erect and beautiful, stepped over to the hot tub, calling over his shoulder to Methos, "Wanna get me another beer while you're there?"

Dustin gazed at Anson as he turned and faced them. He was so hot... so hot.

Cory could see the dawning desire and acceptance in Dustin's face and smiled happily. Looked like this was going to be *really* fun. He shifted over against Dustin, "Let's make room for Anson and Methos ... we can all fit if we ... get close to each other."

Methos quickly shed his clothing enjoying his view of Anson all the while. "Yeah, Anson ... you're really something. Quite ... beautiful, in fact. Methos caught his breath in anticipation. He climbed out of his seat and headed for the bar, reaching down to adjust his rising erection. Damn. Fuck ... Yeah, fuck. It had been too long since he'd enjoyed an orgy ... and with all three of these guys being identical ... after 5000 years of life, he'd never expected a new experience! He licked his lips and continued to watch Anson while crossing to the bar for another beer.

Cory grinned. This was beginning to look like a great time in the making ... he glanced over at Methos. "Hey old man, how about a refill on my drink? You *do* know how to mix it up, don't you?"

"Sex on the Beach, right?"

"You got it babe," Cory said with a suggestive grin.

"No problem, Cor... coming right up."

"While you're there how about a Jack Daniels for me, mine seems to have ended up in the drink." Dustin managed to find his voice.

"Sure thing, Dustin." He poured a Daniels on the rocks, grabbed two more beers and Cory's drink then headed over to the tub.

Then Anson stepped into the foaming water with a sigh of sheer sensual abandonment, and draped himself against the edge of the tub. Anson grinned at them, the delight in his face shining transparent as he gave himself to the pummeling of the water, and the admiration in the eyes of the men around him.

Dustin smiled, and said a tad huskily, "Hey, double. How'd you get so damned... toned?"

"Running will do that to ya!" he murmured, his own voice soft and sultry. "No time to grow any fat on you." He studied Dustin's lean torso approvingly, and extended his hand to run it over the man's hairless chest. "You're not so bad yourself. I wouldn't be complaining." he said, and brushed his fingers over the dusky nipples that were just below the surface of the water.

Dustin felt shivers run up and down his back as his double touched him. He gasped, and almost unconsciously arched into the touch, leaning his head back.

"Running? What have you got to run for?" Whatever it is... I want to protect him...

He grinned again at the quick intake of breath that was his response, and turned to Cory.

"As a trio, we'd fetch a pretty good rate if we hired ourselves out for parties. What do you say?"

Dustin laughed nervously. "I don't know about that..." What the hell am I doing here? I...He looked back at Anson. Take me, I'm yours... He sighed, and reached out a tentative hand to Anson, placing it on his shoulder lightly.

Cory frowned. And pouted. What the hell ... after all, he did look just like Anson. Why was Dustin so obviously showing him attention while practically ignoring Cory's flirtations?

Methos stepped in and settled himself next to Anson.

Anson smiled at Dustin, pressing a fleeting kiss on the man's cheek. He turned to Methos, offering him a light kiss as well.

Dustin blinked rapidly. Was this, was he...? Let go. Let it go. He smiled, and relaxed against the bubbles a bit.

Methos took a drink and then set his beer back on the ledge, casually leaving his arm around Anson's shoulders.

Anson sighed, and leaned his head back against the strong shoulder, allowing it to expose his long throat. He reached out with his toes, feeling for Dustin's thigh, and running his foot along the smooth skin as he did so.

"What's the matter, Raines?" Methos asked. "You look a little ... down."

Dustin sighed, spreading his legs a little into Anson's touch. He smiled. It felt good.

"We can get him up." Anson smiled lazily, flirting with Methos from beneath his lashes as he spoke. He reached for Methos' hand, rubbing it lightly.

Dustin laughed at Anson's statement. "I'm sure of it."

Cory shrugged. "Just wondering why you all are finding me so ... undesirable. You three seem to be getting along just fine." He made as if to rise. "Maybe I should get out of the way. Watch some television, or something."

Methos shook his head. "Cory, you are such a drama queen. Stay here with us. We'll take care of you."

Anson laughed again. Dustin had just surprised him, but Cory was feeling bad, and that was upsetting him. He sat up and looked at Cory. "Hey, come on. Don't go."

Dustin looked at Cory. "You were so happy and joyful. You were an imp! You made me laugh. What happened?" He stood up, also. "I don't want to see you sad..."

Cory put on his most pathetic face. "I'm just feeling ... a little unwanted here."

Methos smirked at Cory knowingly. "Cory, sit down and stop feeling sorry for yourself."

Dustin looked at Cory, unsure. "Come on back. You can sit by me if you like."

Anson relaxed, lying back against Methos again. Something told him they were all gonna be fine. He took a chance, and splashed water at Cory.

Cory settled down next to Dustin and grinned as he sent a spray of water back at Anson.

Dustin grinned and leaned his head on Cory's shoulder. "You're fun."

//Good old Cory ... always ready to play// Methos had always admired the man's ability to adapt. He tightened his hold on Anson and smiled at Raines. "Now, aren't you glad you stayed, Cory?"

Cory smiled. Yep ... that pathetic, unwanted thing always worked. "Yes, old man, I surely am."

The beers and the warmth were beginning to relax Anson. He found he was getting quite a buzz, and he turned to Methos, his face very close to his dark, quiet companion.

Well, well ... never one to pass up such an obvious offer, Methos kissed Anson.

Dustin looked at Cory, batting his lashes a bit. He wanted to be kissed, too. He put an arm around Cory lightly.

Anson felt the mouth come down on his with a jolting thrill that made his belly flip. He sighed softly, and set about making it the kind of kiss that would not soon be forgotten. His hand stole along the hard plane of Methos' chest, down to the flat stomach, and lower. Methos was certainly ready, Anson thought to himself. He flicked his fingers over the tip of the perfect erection his hand had encountered, and sent his tongue delving past Methos' lips as he did so. 'There,' he thought, 'that ought to start things going.'

Sighing in pleasure, Methos spread his legs and opened his mouth to accept the insertion of Anson's tongue as he arched into that marvelous touch. Wrapping one hand around Anson's neck, he lightly twisted one nipple with clever fingers.

Smiling, Cory snuggled closer to Dustin and raised his face ... hoping for a kiss of his own but afraid that he'd frighten Dustin by moving too fast.

Slipping hands around that soft neck, Dustin brought his lips to Cory's, kissing tentatively at soft yet firm lips. Inviting lips. Dustin probed with his tongue a little bit. Cory was soft, and warm, and smelled so good...

Cory moaned and sucked on Dustin's tongue, inviting a deeper kiss.

Anson gasped. This was nice... This was more than nice. It was what he'd needed for weeks. He clung to the dark man, and his fingers danced over the cock he had found. He was stiff and hard himself, and he wondered whether to up the action, or hold back. Pulling away from Methos for a minute, he smiled, sexily. "You're making me want... more. A lot more."

"Well, Anson," Methos let his hand wander down to grasp Anson's hard cock, "I most certainly think we can accommodate your desire." Stroking Anson's erection, Methos smiled. "Yeah ... I'll give you what you want, babe." He parted his lips and dove onto Anson's mouth again.

Dustin opened his mouth at the invitation, letting his tongue explore Cory's mouth - tripping over teeth and under his tongue, around it and back to the roof of his mouth. He pulled Cory's body closer, enjoying the feel of the moist flesh on his own.

Cory tore his mouth away from Dustin's and started a line of sucking kisses down the man's neck. "Mmmm - you taste sooo good," he gasped.

"Do I?" Dustin leaned his head back to accept the kisses. He'd never known a man's touch before but this felt so good. He put his arms around Cory's shoulders and pulled him closer, sucking and nibbling on his ear.

"Oh yeah, Dustin ... don't ever doubt it!" Cory's hands started to explore as he tilted his head, encouraging Dustin's attentions. Carefully, he ran his fingers across Dustin's chest; stopping to pinch his already hardened nipples.

Dustin gasped, running a hand down Cory's back. The feel of his skin... smooth yet tough, rough yet soft... supple. He arched towards Cory's mouth, moaning a little. "Cory..." He ran his hand around to Cory's nipples and rubbed his thumbs over them softly.

Anson moaned abandoning the cock he'd been stroking in favor of putting both arms around Methos' neck. He pulled the other in until the kiss was almost harder and more urgent than he could bear. He gripped the black hair in his left hand, while his right clutched at the back of his neck, forcing their heads together. He moaned again, a sound that was almost desolate.

"Mmmm, Dustin, tell me what you want. I so don't want to do anything wrong here." Cory writhed under Dustin's touch. "Tell me ... please."

Dustin gasped again, trailing his hand lower down on Cory's torso. "I've never done this before... with a guy... I guess I don't know what to want." He looked at Cory. "What should I want, Cory? What can you show me?"

Moving his hands to Anson's back, Methos stroked him soothingly. Damn ... the man felt almost too good to bear. He tightened his hold on Anson, pressing their bodies together. "Easy big guy," he whispered into one ear, "I'm not going anywhere."

Hearing the soft words that Dustin was saying, Anson was temporarily diverted. He turned to watch his two look-a-likes as they kissed, and he could feel himself becoming incredibly aroused. He turned back to Methos, fierce now, and stood up, water flying from him in silver droplets, his fierce erection bobbing at the waterline.

Dustin turned his head at the splash in time to see Anson and his cock rise from the water like a water-born phoenix. He caught Anson's eyes and grinned, then took Cory's hand and began sucking sensuously at his fingers.

"Dustin" Cory said softly, "there's always a first time ... for everything. Let me show you how good it can be with a man. I won't hurt you, I promise." He stood, pulling Dustin to his feet and kissed him again, letting his desire and promise free reign. His hands gently stroked over Dustin's face and he pressed their bodies together. "Aaah," he moaned as their erections met.

"Oh yeah," Methos grinned. He leaned forward and swallowed Anson's cock.

Dustin wrapped an arm around Cory. "Please, don't hurt me." He continued sucking at Cory's fingers as he arched his erection towards Cory's. "What... ooh..." He bit Cory's neck as a wave of pleasure swept over him. "Cory..."

Anson cried out. His knees felt wobbly, as though they belonged to someone else, but he could tell that Methos was no novice. He'd never had quite such a hot mouth on him before.

"Look at them, Dustin," Cory demanded. "Look. Would you like me to suck you? I'd love to taste you ... suck you ... give you that kind of pleasure?"

Dustin looked over. "Would you, Cory? I... I'd like that... I think."

Anson stood in the foaming water, his hands on the wet, black hair of the man who was pleasuring him, and fought to stay in control. He was well on his way to release. He cast a look behind him to where the other two were standing, and wondered if they would follow his lead.

Dustin looked at Cory. "Show me... tell me why... why I should want this?"

"Because it'll feel good, Dustin ... I'll show you how much you've been missing, how good it can be. Because I want you, Dustin and I think you want me ... us."

"Because..." gasped Anson. "Because it feels so... aaah... so fucking good!" He buried his hands into Methos' hair and tried to pull the other man's mouth away before it was too late.

Dustin kissed Cory's neck again, nibbling it. "Oh, Cory... I... want it. I..." The alcohol was having its effect now, and he thrust himself against Cory recklessly. "Want you, Cory... oh." He kissed Cory fiercely, then said, "Do it..." He reached down for Cory's cock, stroking it tentatively.

Reluctantly releasing Anson's cock, Methos looked up at him. "What," he asked. "What's wrong, Anson?"

"Wrong? N...nothing's wrong. It's all too good. I'm going to come if you keep that up, and I don't want to come yet. There's a whole bunch of things I want to do first." He grinned, and sank down under the water to take Methos dick in his mouth and suck it hard, as if to illustrate his point.

"Mmm - I'm going to make you feel sooo good, Dustin!" Cory gasped at Dustin's touch. He spread his legs in invitation and leaned over to stroke that lovely chest. "Oh yeah, Dustin ... that's it."

Dustin stroked Cory's cock a little more firmly, leaning over to kiss his double. "You taste good, Cory..."

"Damn," Methos groaned. He needed this ... wanted this. His hands landed on Anson's head encouraging but not demanding. //Don't scare the guy// His head tilted back and he concentrated on control. There was so much more yet to come ... so much more.

Cory hummed his pleasure as he slipped his tongue into Dustin's mouth. He put his arms around those wide shoulders and pulled him closer.

Dustin melted into Cory's embrace, nipping at his double's ear. "Take me, I want to feel it..."

Anson burst from beneath the water, gasping for breath, and laughed at Methos' face as he released him. "My underwater breathing skills are a little rusty, I'm afraid." he whispered, "But if you'd care to continue, there's a nice, big bed over there." He lowered his head to suck on the Immortal's neck, knowing what the answer would

Methos, breathing hard, groaned as Anson's clever mouth worked on his neck. "Damn, that's good, babe." He reluctantly pulled away and climbed out of the tub. "Come on, Anson ... let's head on over to that lovely bed."

Dustin glanced over as he heard the other couple's movements. "Don't...don't get the sheets wet!" he said uselessly as he felt Cory holding him.

"Oh, Dustin," Cory breathed, "I want to feel it too ... but, let's be careful. I don't want to hurt you. We have all kinds of time ..." He watched as Methos exited the tub. "Think there's room for four on that bed, guys?"

Dustin looked at Cory. "Thank you... I've... never..."

Anson had grabbed a fluffy white towel, and was carefully drying Methos off, pausing to touch and fondle as he did so. "Think it's gonna be a team event?" he chuckled. Why don't we all make sure that Dustin's first time is really good?" He paused to offer Methos his mouth, waiting for the furor he was sure would come.

Dustin looked at Anson "The... what?" He looked at Cory. "More than... I need..." Dustin looked at Cory. "Cory..."

"I know you haven't, Dustin," Cory said. "You're going to love this, though ... we'll make sure of that."

Dustin swallowed. "'We'? I... Cory... I'm nervous." He wasn't sure he could handle sleeping with one guy, let alone three...

Methos dove into Anson's mouth. It was a wet, sloppy ... wonderful kiss. Damn, the man was hot! It had been too long since he'd enjoyed male sex. Way too long.

Cory looked over at Dustin. "Whatever you want, Dustin ... whatever you want."

Anson felt Methos' tongue delving deep into his mouth, and snuggled in closer, pressing up against him with a sigh of satisfaction, and using the towel to pull the other man's buttocks in closer as they kissed. This was possibly the best moment of the entire week... hell, maybe even of his life. For once, he felt warm, safe and protected.

Cory soothed his hands along Dustin's sides. "Don't be nervous, babe. We won't do anything you're uncomfortable with ... You and I can just stay here in the tub if you want." He smiled reassuringly. "Or, we can move to the sofa ... the floor ... the ceiling ... I don't care, I just want to make you feel good. Where doesn't matter."

Dustin pulled Cory in for a kiss, swirling his tongue around inside his double's mouth, savoring the musky taste and warm feel. A hint of spice...he chuckled at Cory's words. "Take me on the ceiling, babe." He was well buzzed by now. "The ceiling..."

Methos started walking them back towards the bed, still kissing Anson. His heart was pounding in anticipation at the promise in Anson's touch.

"The ceiling it is then, Dustin." Cory moved to the side of the hot tub. "Come on out, babe ... let's play a little."

Dustin followed Cory, laughing. He starting singing softly, a Phish song: //If I could, I would, but I don't know how; if I could, I would, but I don't know how; if I could, I would, and I take you now...// he hummed as he pulled Cory close.

Smiling, Cory pressed his body against Dustin's. "Not to worry, Dustin ... I'll teach you how." His hands ran over Dustin's back as he started a line of nibbling kisses across one shoulder. "Gods, you taste good."

Dustin leaned back, playing with Cory's nipples with a thumb as he kissed his neck.

As the bed caught the back of Anson's knees, he toppled backwards, giggling a little breathlessly. He released Methos' mouth for a second. "Now we get to the fun part. I hope you're gonna give it to me. I feel so damned good!" He sprawled out on the bed, and squirmed sluttishly. He really hoped that Methos was a top. Somehow, he suspected that he was.

Methos fell forward, landing on top of Anson. "You can count on it, Anson! I'm going to fuck you 'til you come screaming my name!" He pushed his hips into Anson's, groaning with pleasure as their erections rubbed together.

Anson gave a little gasp, and then a whoop. He reached up and wrapped his arms and legs around Methos, and drew his face down so he could put his lips against the other man's ear. "Fuck me. I need it really bad."

Settling down on the bed, Cory pulled Dustin down to rest against him. He leaned down and sucked on one nipple as his hands wandered lower to start a slow investigation of Dustin's cock.

"Oh gods," Methos groaned. He settled against Anson's warmth and kissed him. One hand grasped a hard cock while the other moved lower, teasing at Anson's asshole.

Anson was sucking on Methos' mouth, feeling Methos' fingers at his ass. He moaned and reached down to hold himself open. He was ready. He was soooo ready.

Dustin moaned when Cory touched his cock. That, along with Cory's mouth at his nipple, was too much. He cried out, arching into Cory's touch.

Anson's expression was almost enough to make Methos lose it right then. //Easy, old man// He breathed deeply, desperate for control. He hooked his arms under Anson's knees, raising his ass for penetration. Shit! Lube ... he needed something ... "Anson, babe, we need some kind of slick. I don't want to hurt you."

Oh yeah! Cory slid down and licked the tip of Dustin's cock. Mmmm. He'd almost forgotten how much he loved the taste of a man. Opening his mouth, he swallowed Dustin, relaxing his throat and humming with pleasure.

Anson groaned. "Spit or something, man! I'm so ready." He wriggled his butt invitingly and closed his eyes, willing himself to relax.

Dustin closed his eyes as Cory tongued him. My god, my god... it felt so nice. He yelped in pleasure as Cory took him in to the root, waves of pleasure spreading out from his groin to his extremities. He sank a hand into Cory's hair. "Oh, Cory... do it, please..."

Methos spit into his hand and reached down to his cock, carefully slicking himself. He closed his eyes and concentrated on control ... He was so close - so ready, he feared the light stimulation might end things embarrassing prematurely. He then slipped two fingers into Anson's opening, scissoring them to relax the muscle guarding his entrance. "Ready, babe?" he asked as he withdrew his hand.

In answer, Anson nuzzled into Methos' neck, nipping the skin hard enough to mark, and breathed, "Do it," against the skin he'd just bruised.

Pulling away, Cory suckled at the tip of Dustin's cock, then again swallowed him whole. He started humming as he moved his head up and down, licking along the underside of Dustin's cock as he moved. He grasped the man's hips and encouraged Dustin to start fucking his mouth. Damn, he did enjoy giving head ... such a feeling of power ... such a thrill when his partner moaned with pleasure. Cory smiled around his mouthful and pulled Dustin's hips closer.

Dustin gasped, pressing Cory's head lightly as he began to thrust into Cory's mouth, the sensations along his cock strong and powerful. Cory really knew how to suck him, and soon enough he felt his body tense. No, no...Got to make it last. He gasped as he help back, biting his lip. He moaned so softly as Cory worked him with his tongue.

Cory slid one hand around to Dustin's ass and stroked lightly along his crack. //Careful Raines, don't scare the man. // With the other, he cradled Dustin's balls, tickling the soft skin. Oh yeah.

Dustin keened as Cory stroked his ass. No one had ever touched him there like that (Darcy had been too "prissy") and it felt so good. He shivered with the pleasure as Cory cupped his balls, which drew up tight to his body as he felt his orgasm build. He tried to hold back, but a small bit of precum trickled from the tip of his cock as he continued to thrust into Cory's mouth.

Holding his cock in one hand, Methos pushed himself inside of Anson. He mumbled in a long-forgotten language as he sank into the incredible warmth. Biting his lip, Methos entered Anson slowly - he wanted to slam into him yet feared hurting him ... He paused, balls resting against Anson's ass and looked down, afraid of moving too urgently. "You doing okay there, Anson?"

Anson nodded wordlessly, his skin flushed and slick with sweat. This incredible man was making him feel so good he wanted to cry. He was stretched and filled, and the pleasure that was starting to burn inside him licked at his balls. He fixed his mouth onto Methos with a groan, and wriggled his hips in an attempt to have him start to move.

Methos groaned and started a thrusting motion. Damn, so tight ... so hot! He felt his orgasm gathering at the base of his spine and pushed in harder and harder. All thought of being careful and gentle were lost in the urgent need to come.

With one finger, Cory entered Dustin's hole, searching ... oh yeah, there was that lovely little nub. He stroked Dustin's prostate and started a hard sucking on his cock. //Almost there, Dusty-baby ...almost there//

Dustin yelped as Cory found his prostate and jumped with pleasure. He knew he wouldn't be able to last much longer. He screamed Cory's name as the waves of pleasure threatened to tear his mind apart. A voice tried to tell him it was wrong, but he shook his head violently as his body tensed one last time.

Cory pulled back a bit wanting to taste Dustin's offering. Another finger found its way into the man and he stroked harder, hitting Dustin's gland with every pass. His own erection forgotten for the moment, Cory concentrated on bringing Dustin to completion. He rolled Dustin's balls in his hand encouraging him to come.

Anson clawed at Methos' back as he writhed beneath him. All his senses were on fire now and he could feel the heat of orgasm building around the base of his spine. Every time Methos plunged inside him, he felt the shivery, silvery tingling from his ass through to his belly button. He fumbled between their two bodies to grip his own cock, but he knew that even if he didn't, he was going to come.

"Come for me," Methos gasped. "Come on Anson ... do it."

He heard Methos' voice in a haze of lust. His whole body had tensed and it felt as though a stream of molten gold was rushing in to fill him. He managed to mumble "Oh, my God, Methos," and then he was swept away as the torrent of relentless, piercing sweetness engulfed him.

Moaning, Methos attached his mouth to Anson's neck as he felt the spasms caused by his lover's orgasm. He thrust in as far as he could and let go; coming so hard he almost thought he saw stars.

Dustin gasped as he felt another of Cory's fingers penetrate him, writhing under Cory's ministrations. He tightened his grip on Cory's shoulder as he felt himself starting to come, yelling Cory's name as he felt his release and came into Cory's mouth in what felt like huge spurts, sure he was choking the man but beyond caring.

Swallowing with pleasure, savouring the taste of Dustin's offering, Cory wrapped both arms around Dustin's hips, holding him close.

Anson felt wonderful. His whole body was tingling with the aftermath of one of the best orgasms he'd felt in his life. He was exhausted and a little sore, but he knew he'd found a good thing. He wrapped himself around Methos and snuggled in to his neck, whispering, "You can do that to me any time, man. It was incredible."

"Mmmm," Methos sighed. He slumped down against Anson, struggling to catch his breath. "Jesus, Anson ... you're amazing! Any time ... anywhere. I'm yours."

Dustin flexed one last time, and shuddered. He lay on the bed, eyes fluttering. It felt great, but man, what had he just allowed himself to do? He didn't want to think about it, so he snuggled his body against Cory's. He was a little fearful of what Cory might do next, yet he was too far gone to do much about it. "Cory, you're amazing," he managed.

"Liked that, eh?" Cory smirked. "I told you I could make you feel good." He shifted a bit, pressing his cock against Dustin and sighed. "I seem to have a little ... problem here, kiddo ... think you might be able to help me out?" He asked hopefully.

Dustin moaned, half in fear at what he might be asked to do and half in... hell, he didn't know what. He looked at Cory through his eyelashes. "Wha -what do you want me to do?" he husked.

Anson rolled his head to the side, and opened a single eye. "Need a little help?" he whispered.

"Hell, Dustin ... all you have to do is touch me and I'll shoot my load," Cory groaned. "You've got me so hot I'm practically on fire here."

Dustin reached for Cory's cock, stroking it and running a thumb over the tip. He could feel it throbbing in his hand, and wondered what it would taste like. He licked his lips and looked at Cory. "I've never..."

Methos rolled reluctantly to one side and looked over at Cory and Dustin. "I don't think I can move right now, but if you bring your 'problem' over here we'll see what we can do, Cory."

Cory groaned and arched into Dustin's hand. "I know you haven't, babe ... I know." He licked at one shoulder and sighed. "Do what you feel comfortable with. Believe me, *anything* you do will feel good."

Dustin looked at Cory. He wanted to try to reciprocate... he scooted down and tentatively took the head of Cory's cock into his mouth. It was big... he felt he would choke. He licked the head like an ice cream cone. "Is that good, Cory?" he asked.

"God, yes!" Cory arched his head back and sighed. "That's great!"

By this time, Anson had rolled over to watch, and was fascinated. He'd thought that he was completely drained, but the sight of Dustin learning to give a blowjob was unexpectedly erotic. He spooned into Methos, pulling the other man's arms around him as he watched the show.

Methos chuckled softly. "Aren't they pretty?" He tightened his arms around Anson and watched the other two.

Looking at the two men who were his apparent doubles, Anson had to agree, a smirk on his face as he considered their charms.

"Almost as pretty as you are," Methos whispered.

"So how come you and Cory aren't an item, if you think I'm so pretty?" he asked. He was trying to decide whether he was being handed a line.

Methos kissed Anson's cheek. "Because he's not you, Anson."

Dustin licked with more confidence, taking Cory's cock a little deeper into his mouth. He explored it with his tongue, cataloguing the veins on the underside and the ridge of flesh between head and shaft as places Cory seemed to enjoy especially. He tentatively probed at Cory's slit with his tongue, not wanting to hurt him. He loved the way it throbbed in his hand, as though it held a mind and will of its own, apart from Cory's. "Am I hurting you?" he asked.

Cory groaned. "God no - you are so not hurting me ... don't stop, Dustin. Please don't stop-" Controlling his urge to thrust himself further into Dustin's mouth, Cory clenched his hands into fists and closed his eyes. "I'm close ... gonna come soon."

Dustin paused. Did he... want this, to... well, what can it hurt? Cory took him... Dustin took Cory's cock a little farther into his mouth, opening his mouth wider. If I'm going to do this much I should practice. Do it much?? Dustin, what are you saying??? You shouldn't be -- He formed a vacuum with his mouth around Cory's cock and sucked hard, to pleasure Cory as well as to get rid of the disturbing thoughts he was having.

"You don't have to ... Finish me with your hand, Dustin," Cory gasped. "Don't do anything you're not comfortable with. I'll be happy either way.

Dustin looked up at Cory, taking his mouth off Cory's cock to speak. "Are you... you... sure?" He was glad for the out, and yet... He rubbed Cory's head with his thumb. The others will think you're a wimp if you don't.

"Dustin ... " Cory fought to get the words out, "anything you want ...just your touch is ... mmmm"

Anson was watching with his breath catching in his throat. He wanted... he wanted to shove the other aside and take that cock in his own mouth. He was aroused all over again at the sight of Dustin's struggle.

Still, Methos was warm, and holding him as tightly and securely as he'd ever been held, and he couldn't move away and lose that. He pressed himself tightly against Methos as he waited to see whether Cory would get there or not.

Dustin felt like a god with those words, like he could do anything. He licked Cory's cock again, feeling it throb. "Mmm... Cory... yeah, give me a taste?"

"Oh god." Panting, he felt the beginning of his orgasm and rolled his head back. "Fuck yeah ... whatever you want."

Methos caught his breath at the sight of Cory and Dustin. "Lord," he murmured to Anson, "those two are really something to watch, aren't they?"

Anson was fascinated. He gave Methos a flirty smile, and returned his attention to the scene being played out beside them on the bed. "Sure are," he murmured, throatily, and moved Methos' hand down to cover his cock.

Dustin ran his tongue over the head and then sucked Cory's cock back into his mouth. It was hard and throbbing and it made him want it, that purple head throbbing just for him... he cupped Cory's balls gingerly, squeezing them lightly.

"Aaah," Cory screamed as he finally came. His muscles tightened and he arched up frantic for more contact.

As Cory came Dustin tried to swallow but choked reflexively. Before he knew it he had jerked his head back, spitting out some of the come. He felt he was going to choke. then he looked back at Cory. "I'm sorry," he said. ""I'm so sorry..." He reached out his tongue to try at least licking some...It was salty and tangy. He wasn't sure he liked it. He tried to lick anyway, but still had to spit.

Cory slumped bonelessly into the bed and put one hand on Dustin's head. "Don't be sorry, babe. Don't ever be sorry. That was ... god, you made me feel so good!"

Dustin rested his head on Cory's thigh, licking at it a little. "Was it? I..."

Caressing Anson's hardening cock, Methos kept his eyes on the other two. "Shit," he said softly, "I don't usually get such a kick out of watching, but they're ... damn, they're arousing to watch."

"They're gorgeous," whispered Anson, "And so are you."

"Why thank you, kind sir," Methos quipped. "You're not so bad yourself."

"Dustin," Cory raised his head to look at the man, "thank you. You've made me a very happy man tonight."

Dustin hugged Cory, kissing his thigh again. "I... I've never..." he was suddenly a bit drowsy. Jet lag, alcohol, the excitement... who knew? "You... don't... have to thank me," Dustin said. "I should thank you... I did nothing."

"I know you've never done this before, Dustin ... that makes it all the more special." Cory patted Dustin's hair. "I do thank you ... I *want* to thank you."

Anson sighed. "Promise me that we can do that again in the morning," he whispered. "It was too damned good to be over so soon."

Methos grinned and kissed Anson. "I think we can arrange more fun in the morning, in fact, I insist on it."

Dustin looked up at Cory and held his hand. I'm so tired, Cory," he slurred.

Cory pulled him up. "Come on then, we can sleep."

Dustin nodded wearily, following him dumbly up the bed. Methos and Anson scooted over to make more room for them.

Pulling Dustin's head onto his shoulder, Cory snuggled close. "Me too, babe. Let's sleep now."

Dustin put his head on Cory's chest. "'kay," he whispered.

"That seems like such a good idea," mumbled Anson, when Methos had finally finished kissing him. "See you tomorrow."

Methos wrapped himself around Anson with a contented sigh and closed his eyes.

Sometime later, Dustin awoke. He didn't know where he was, just that it was some place warm, and sticky and -

Suddenly it all came back in a rush. Oh, God.

He turned and found himself in Cory's arms. Methos and Anson were on the other side of the bed. Luckily, Cory was sound asleep. He managed to extricate himself from his double's embrace and get up. He had to get out of here. He couldn't take a shower for fear of waking the others, so he quietly walked over to the cabinet and got some slacks and a shirt. He put them on, and walked across the room for his laptop.

"How could you have been so stupid," he muttered harshly to himself, as he got dressed. "What the hell did you think you were doing, Yarma? Think you were at a fucking Roman orgy? Sorry, buddy, wrong century."

He walked to the bathroom and ran a comb through his hair quickly, then hurried out, grabbing his laptop on his way out of the suite.

He took the elevator down to the lobby level and walked across the street into the all night restaurant he'd noticed, getting a cup of coffee and setting his laptop on one of the tables.

God! If Darcy could see me now... Darcy. He opened his laptop and wrote a quick email to her. Then he sat at the table, his head in his hands. Yarma, get it together. Okay, it happened. What's done is done and can't be undone... you'll have to get over it. Stuff happens. He stared into his coffee cup, still feeling nauseous. Fuck.

Well, that's what got him in... wait. It was Lewinsky sex. Did Lewinsky sex count? That depends on what your definition of 'is' is, Sir. He shook his head, trying to keep himself together. The coffee wasn't helping.

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On to Chapter 6

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