I followed the med team's suburban as they headed toward the Belle. When the vehicle stopped, I noticed Doctor Kim's bald head glint over the rooftop. Doctor Jim Kim was the President's lead physician and had worked with the Yanaka's since I can remember. However, even while working at the White House, I never had the opportunity to speak to him...or catch up so to speak. I'd only just allowed his vehicle access to the grounds or heard his name passed over the radio.

"Doctor Kim," I said, approaching his scattered team as they gathered their supplies from the trunk of the suburban, "it's been a long time."

Doctor Kim looked up at me, his pale brown eyes meeting me through his glasses. "Max?"

He reached out his hand, which I took. "Oh yes, they did mention that you were the DL here."

Doctor Kim was a busy man. It didn't surprise me that he had forgotten. I was surprised that he remembered me...must be the eyes. The last time we had been face to face was when I was eighteen.

"It must be strange for you to be back here."

"Not in the least." I smirked, which made him chuckle.

"It sure looks like you are doing well. I always wondered what had happened to you once you were released." He said, as the doors to the suburban closed around us.

I honestly felt like that was a lie, so I responded with silence.

"Well, I am glad to see you here. Kai is in good hands."

I nodded, as Doctor Kim took his leave with his team. Post 3, Agent Hanson, one of the detail's senior agents, a buff African American male who had a voice that could calm a lion, led the physicians toward the front door. I had an inkling to go inside with them, but the buzz from my cellphone was enough to deter my thoughts. As I pulled my cellphone out, I saw a message from Roy.

Meet me in your room.

"Agent Hanson." I called as he jogged over to me.

He always came in a hurry if I needed him, not wasting a second on anything. That's why I respected him the most, outside of Roy. I placed up my hand, so he knew it wasn't anything urgent, as he slowed down his pace.

"Yessir?"

"Let me know when Agent Kim and his team have left."

"Roger that!" He said, putting his hands snugly on the straps of his weighted vest.

I nodded in response, turning and heading back to the CP. Upon opening the door, the agents acknowledged my presence, but continued on with their talk of the "good ol' days" as I walked up the stairs to my room. I knew what Roy wanted to talk about, it was obvious. However, that didn't lessen my need for another cigarette. That kiss would be my downfall, and I could feel the tension the second I opened my door.

I had given Roy a room key when we started dating. Even after the breakup, I wanted him to keep it just in case of emergencies. Funny enough, Roy was still my emergency contact in case shit went down because I knew I'd be in good hands.

Roy sat on my bed, confusion on his face. He watched as I closed the door and slid my suit jacket off my shoulders. I knew I had to speak first, explain my actions...or atone for my sins.

"What the fuck, Max!" He shouted.

I was caught off guard, but not to the point that I didn't know what to say. I took off my shoulder straps and undid the radio from my earpiece. Placing the radio down on the desk, I turned up the volume, so I'd be aware of any traffic at the residence.

Leaning against the dividing wall between the bedroom and the living room, I exhaled: staring into Roy's shaking eyes. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't―"

Roy got up, angered. When he stood inches away from me, I saw his eyes were wet. Had I made him cry? It shockingly only made me want to console him, which was stranger than my previous actions. Those feelings weren't something I wanted with Roy, ever. I did care about him, but my previous relationship with Kai had put a blinder on any thought of attaching myself to someone again. But Roy made me want to rethink those things...and even I can admit I didn't enjoy seeing him with the college kid.

Kai.

Roy was right about one thing. I had walked right into his bullshit and ever since Kai and I kissed...things changed. Our past was taking a toll on me, and until I had the full story...I didn't want Roy getting involved. That's what honestly lead to me kiss him. I cared for Roy...more than I was willing to admit. I wished I could tell him everything, as we had done in the past, but―

"No, you shouldn't have!" Roy yelled, emotion filling his voice. "Why say you don't love me, set boundaries, hell...encourage me to meet other guys and think you can still treat me like a side piece?"

That was not my intent, but it was noted. "Roy―"

"I've fucking had it with you! You made me move on and then you kiss me like that? If something is going on, use words! Don't drag me back down a road you won't let me follow."

Roy leaned up against me, his head falling into the middle of my chest as his arms clung onto my shirt. "I fucking love you...and I hate it. I hate working with you, I hate being your friend. I just...I just―"

I picked Roy up and pushed him onto my bed. He was in so much shock that he was unable to react quickly, as I moved on top of him: pinning him down. I got close to his ear, making sure that he would listen to every word carefully.

"If I didn't care about you, then I wouldn't have kept you close."

I felt Roy's heart began to slow, his breath steadying as I looked into his eyes. "I didn't kiss you out of spite, Roy. I did it because I realized how shitty my life would be without you in it, and I apologize that it took me this long to notice. But you mean the world to me, and I'm sorry that I've made you feel this way. That was never my intention, nor was it for me to make you hate working here or second guess your relationship."

I wiped a tear that fell from his eye, as they longlingly looked up at me. "So, I'll make a call to transf―"

Roy pulled me close to him, allowing our lips to connect. I was thrown off guard this time, but feeling his tongue wander in my mouth made my thoughts fade. He bit my lip, parting away from me as he held me at a distance.

"That's all I wanted to hear your say. That's all I ever wanted from you."

He slowly kissed me again, parting between his words. "Will you try? Will you try to open yourself to me...and let me be what Kai could not?"

His hand found itself on my bulge and it was enough for me to press him down against the bed. I sat on top of him, removing my shirt. Kai was still in his suit, his gun, magazines, and badge still on and that only made me want to rip them all off. 

I noticed his gaze shift to my tattoo, the mad dog making him sweat with ecstasy. I smiled, leaning down towards him, ripping open his button-down shirt and moving my hand up his shoulder: kissing him from his collarbone toward his neck.

"Yes." I whispered into his ear.

Yes Roy...I want you to be mine.

"DL...DL from Post 3. White House Med is moving to cars."