Chapter 1: Right Under Your Nose

"Damn, you humans are heavy!"Jaxxtrixxriiandraneek, also known as 'Jack,' struggled beneath the weight of his stupidly-drunk captain. His old friend hadn't been the same since the death of his wife several years before. The minute he wasn't on a mission, or at home with his son, he could be found in some seedy bar, attempting to mate with a woman of his species.

"Jack! Why don't women like me?" John Goodspeed suddenly wailed, burying his face into the pilot's shoulder.

Jack rolled his eyes skyward, but only patted his friend's sturdy back, and replied, "Women do like you. You're always coming back to the ship smelling like perfume. And that one time you actually brought one back with you… ugh! I still can't get the sight of her nude, human body out of my mind."

"Yeah, she was sexy, wasn't she?" John sighed. The smaller man only rolled his eyes again. "But I mean, why can't I just FIND a woman that wants to stick around. The moment they find out I have a son – A BEAUTIFUL BOY – they leave!"

"John," Jack sighed, "There are many people looking for a monogamous relationship. You just keep hooking up with people who aren't. Maybe if you didn't always go looking for your mates in decrepit bars, you'd meet someone nice. Try a book shop, or a library, or a coffee shop."

"But… you like all those places," the human suddenly commented, attempting to push himself up. He wobbled on unsteady legs, only to feel his co-pilot's hands attempting to steady him.

"Yes, I do," the little alien agreed, pushing his captain toward the ship.

John clutched his aching head, but stumbled along. "Are… are you ever gonna settle down, bud?" To his surprise, his green-skinned friend blushed at his question. Wait… Had he always been curious about his co-pilot's love life? Come to think of it, he couldn't remember Jack ever sharing his personal interests.

"Sure, I mean, maybe someday," Jack admitted.

"Any lucky ladies on your list?" John teased, before nearly tripping over his own feet as he stepped onto the ramp. His little friend steadied him again, his petite hands pressed firmly against John's lower back.

"I'm… not really into girls. But if I met the right guy, and everything worked out… well, I think I'd be quite happy to settle down. Maybe adopt a kid or two."

John blinked down at his co-pilot. Was Jack smiling wistfully? That was a cute expression on him. Wait, had John ever thought that his friend was cute before? Was it the alcohol? Ugh, his head huuuuurt!

"You, uh, want to settle down and have kids?" John repeated.

"Yeah, with the right person… Watch Your Step, John!"

The captain looked up moments too late, and crashed into one of their helper robots. The pair fell to the ground in a heap.

"Honestly," Jack sighed, burying his face in his hand as he shook his head. Straightening his shoulders, he attempted to pull his taller friend to his feet. "We need to get you to bed. We have a mission in the morning. I've told you time and time again not to go drinking the night before a mission."

"Are you sure you're not a girl? You're always nagging me like one," John grumbled, allowing himself to be led to his suite.

"Don't be sexist. Guys can nag, too. And you need someone to nag you, John Goodspeed. Until the right woman comes along, I guess that someone is me," Jack grumbled back, pressing the button to open his captain's door.

"Ah, sweet relief!" John sighed, flopping inelegantly onto his unmade bed.

"Don't you want to change out of your day clothes?" Jack asked, eyeing his friend up and down.

"Are you hitting on me, little buddy?" John suddenly found himself asking, glancing hazily over his shoulder. Sure enough, the little green alien was blushing again.

"What are you even talking about? Honestly, I am done with you tonight. Get some sleep." Jack strode forward, reaching for the blankets at the bottom of the bunk. "And if you aren't going to change, at least get under the cov…"

Whether it was a twist of fate, or the alcohol clouding his brain functions, John suddenly didn't care. All he knew was that he wanted to find out what his co-pilot's lips tasted like.

Soft, and warm, and he tasted of fruit – made sense, given that Jack was always drinking those healthy smoothies of his. Not a single hint of cigarette smoke or lipstick. Suddenly, his tongue ran over something sharp, and he pulled away with a hiss.

"JOHN! What in the galaxy are you doing?" Jack demanded, his entire head bright pink in embarrassment. There was a tiny drop of red blood on his lips. John's blood. His little alien friend had some sharp teeth.

"I'm tired of being alone, Jack," the captain suddenly admitted, his eyes tearing up – but like, in a manly way. Under his saddened gaze, his co-pilot's skin slowly returned to its usual shade of green.

"John, my friend," Jack said, shaking his elongated head. "You are drunker than an earth feline."

"A skunk," John corrected, his brain suddenly picturing tiny black and white skunks dancing around the room. Hah! One of them was nuzzling Jack's leg.

"John!"

The captain snapped back into reality. "What?"

"My point, John, is that you're inebriated. And even if you weren't, I know for a fact you like women! I've never once seen you hit on a man, human or otherwise," the little alien commented, his face the picture of annoyance.

"I want… to find someone again. Someone special. Someone who will be mine, and mine alone. Who will love my son as their own. Is that too much to ask, Jack?" John stated, only slurring his words once.

Jack's facial features relaxed. "Don't be in such a rush. You'll find someone. From what you've told me, your boy is wonderful. And you're a great dad. You just need time."

"Wanna… have a sleepover?" the captain asked, childishly. He didn't want the other man to leave. He couldn't bear the thought of being alone tonight.

"Fine!" Jack sighed, rolling his golden eyes up to the ceiling. "I'll sleep here tonight. But just sleep. Keep your clothes on."

"URP!"

"Nevermind," Jack groaned, eyeing the mess on the floor. "I'll have one of the robots clean that up. I'm going to get changed, and I'm expecting you to be changed, too, by the time I get back."

John was NOT properly clothed, Jack noted with annoyance. His muscled chest was on full display as he lay on his back, snoring. At least the human was wearing a pair a boxers. Maybe Jack should just go back to his rooms.

"Are you leavin' me? You said you'd stay," John said, snapping into awareness. His eyes focused as best they could on the long purple nightshirt his co-pilot was wearing. And were those fuzzy slippers? Too freakin' adorable.

"No, I promised to stay," Jack sighed, making his way toward the bed. At long as his friend didn't try to kiss him again, they'd both get through this night without incident. Not that the kiss wasn't nice, but it certainly made Jack realize that it had been a LONG time since his last date.

"Come on up, little buddy," John insisted, attempting to drag his friend into bed with him. He only succeeded in pulling the little alien on top of him. "You are tiny, my friend. It's cute," John admitted, unconsciously wrapping his arms around the smaller man.

"John, I said we were just going to sleep… and you're snoring again. Figures. You are going to be hung over in the morning," Jack grumbled, unable to free himself from the human's muscular hold. Why were humans so damn big, anyway? John was easily twice his size. For a brief instant, Jack wondered if his human was big in other areas.

"No, nonono," Jack whispered to himself. It didn't matter if he was locked in the captain's clingy embrace, or if John had tried to play mouth games with him. His friend and colleague was attracted to females. And he was both drunk and lonely. That was, clearly, the only reason he'd every consider sharing pleasure with Jack. And Jack refused to have his feelings toyed with.

Granted, if he fantasized about this evening at a later time, well, that was no one's business but his own. Satisfied with his reasoning, Jack let his eyes slip closed. The human's chest actually smells rather nice, the alien thought to himself as he fell asleep to the calming sound of his friend's beating heart.

John grumbled under his breath, and pulled the body in his arms closer. Wait, had he brought a woman back to the ship last night? One of his hands traced up her smooth back, while the other caressed her unusually large and bald head. Forcing his eyes open, he found himself looking down at the sleeping face of his co-pilot.

Oh… OH! Small details from the night before started to come back to him. His dear friend bringing him back to the ship, talking to him about love and children, and the kiss… He'd kissed his best alien friend!

Without realizing it, the human's hands had started to trail up and down his co-pilot's back, even cresting over his small buttocks. The green-skinned alien in his arms began to make the cutest 'churrrring' sound.

Wait, wasn't he wearing something last night? John glanced down again, and then rushed to pull his friend's nightshirt back down. At some point in time during the night, the long purple fabric had clearly been pushed up to his chest, leaving him rather unclothed from the waist down.

He goes commando at night. That's interesting. Wait! Don't be a creep, John Goodspeed. This is your friend! He trusts you not to take advantage of him. Not that John had ever considered being with another guy before. Well, other than that one time in high school… but everyone has at least one homosexual thought in their life!

Still, hearing his friend talk of wanting to meet someone, settle down, and eventually raise a family… well, it made his heart ache for that feeling again. True, his co-pilot was a petite creature, and definitely not human, but he had always had John's back through thick and thin. He was one of the best pilots in the Infinity Guard. And it didn't hurt that his eyes were a fascinating golden hue, or that his blushes were absolutely adorable.

Perhaps, perhaps there could be more. Would it be so wrong to try to pursue a relationship with someone he respected and already cared for? Would it be breaking the bro code?

Jack suddenly mumbled something, his face nuzzling into John's bare chest. Awwww! No, have to get up. Get up, have a shower, make some food… let Jack sleep in a bit longer. Poor guy was always having to bail John out of trouble.

The captain slipped out of the bed, pausing to drape the sheets back over his friend's small form. "Sleep well, Jack."

Jack stretched leisurely as he sat up, noting the white covers pooled in his lap. Glancing around the room, he was suddenly aware of the fact that he was still in the captain's bed. John was nowhere to be seen. With a sigh, the little alien slid off the bed, a bit annoyed that it was so high off the ground.

Pressing the handpad, Jack let himself out of the room and began his trek back to his own suite. "C.A.S., what time is it?" the pilot asked, his gaze fixed on the end of the hallway as a computerized voice answered.

"It is 10am, Earth time, Jack."

"I slept through my alarm. C.A.S., why did you not alert me at 8am, when I am set to wake up?" the little alien asked, looking up to glare at the ceiling in mild annoyance.

"The captain told me to let you rest. He is currently having breakfast in the commissary if you wish to join him."

"In a moment. I need to change into something more appropriate," Jack insisted, turning the corner.

"JACK! Good to see you up and at'em. We have a busy day, so make sure you help yourself to some pancakes!" John was suddenly right in front of him, beaming down at the pilot with a gleaming smile.

Jack felt his heart skip a beat, and he wasn't sure if it was entirely from the shock of John appearing before him. Damn, he really needed to take a break once this mission was over. Perhaps take a trip back to his home planet. John wouldn't complain, as it would give him time to spend with his kid.

"Jack?"

The little alien felt a shiver jolt up his spine as he realized his thoughts had drifted off. So unprofessional. "Sorry. I need to change first, then I'll meet you in the commissary."

"Sounds good. See you soon, old friend."

The day passed like any other. John seemed to have forgotten their discussion the night before, but hadn't questioned why Jack had been in his bed when he woke up. Or maybe he was trying to forget about it. Either way, it seemed things were back to normal. Or at least, that was what he thought.

"John! We don't even know if we're compatible in an intimate way," Jack yelped, moments after the human had picked him up and started walking back to the captain's suite.

"Don't you want to find out?" John flirted back, running a hand over his pilot's bottom.

Jack felt his entire head heat up, and proceeded to bury his face in his gloved hands. "I… I don't want this to jeopardize our partnership… or our friendship," the little alien suddenly stated, causing the captain to pause.

"Jack, I promise I won't think any less of you tomorrow morning. Can't we just try it out for tonight, and see what happens? If it doesn't work out, we'll never speak of it again," the human insisted.

"Damn it, why are you so charming!" Jack grumbled, looking away. "Stupid human."

"That's my cute little co-pilot," John laughed, cuddling his friend close. The door slid shut behind them.

One night turned into many, and even if John still flirted with every woman he met, he never slept around. Now all that was left to do was to introduce his old friend, and new life companion, to his son.

Note: Nope, I will not be writing an intimate scene. Cuddling maybe, but mostly I'm just enjoying the adorableness of these two characters falling hopelessly in love with each other. And raising a son together. A son that will eventually marry a handsome cat man.

So many ideas for the Jackspeed pairing, so little time. I already have "Evil Parents of Doom!" in the works, along with a few other ideas.