The New Hand, Part Twenty-Three

by J. Rosemary Moss

Genre: Slash Fan-Fiction (Bonanza)
Rating: PG-13

LINK TO PART ONE

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David stepped into his room, closed the door behind him and then leaned back against it. There were no lamps lit, so it took his eyes a moment to adjust to the low light that was creeping in from the early dawn.

That had been one hell of a chess game. He and Adam were evenly matched. David was going to enjoy taking him on again.

His mother was right, however. If his relationship with Adam deepened into something more than the tentative friendship they shared now—well, it would be a constant power struggle between them. But that made the thought of something deeper even more enticing.

He no longer planned to ruin Adam, but he was still arrogant enough to think that Adam was interested in him—or at least intrigued by him. Adam might seem straight-laced, but all David’s instincts screamed that he was broad minded enough to, ah, engage in a non-traditional relationship.

Adam lived up to a high moral code—there was no doubt of that—but David didn’t think that such a relationship would violate that code. Especially since both men were free. David had an understanding with Avigail and, at the moment, Adam wasn’t married or even courting anyone.

Of course, Adam would marry eventually. That was inevitable. And that would put an end to any relationship deeper than friendship between the two men. Still, David was willing to live for the moment. He would just have to remind himself not to carry on like some scorned Shakespearian lover when Adam ended things. In all likelihood he would want to retain the friendship.

On the other hand, while that high moral code of Adam’s was admirable, it might turn out to be inconvenient. David was used to dealing underhandedly now and again. He didn't want to find himself constantly worrying about Adam's disapproval.

Perhaps he should distance himself from Adam now, he thought as he loosened his cravat and then removed his shoes. He could keep everything strictly business between them and avoid sharing any more scotch or engaging in any more chess matches.

But it was too late for that—David knew that already. He'd never bring himself to back off now.

He walked over to his bed and flopped down on it, smiling wryly at his own foolishness. That damned high-minded moral code of Adam's was likely to prove contagious.

LINK TO PART TWENTY-FOUR