This story is posted in honor of Shelia's birthday. (Just slightly
belated...my own mea culpa there.) It might not be exactly what she might
ask for, but I hope she'll appreciate it.

This is an adult story intended for adult audiences only. If it's not
legal for you to read such things, or if this type of story offends you,
please don't read it. As always, feedback is welcome.

Love it/hate it, let me know. Thanks to TPTB for the characters and
playground. Can be posted only at fkfanfic, JADFE, and my own site.



"Mea Culpa"
by S. Clark


"Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned." Don Schanke cleared his throat,
then continued speaking in whisper. "It's been about a year since my last
confession.

"I've done a few of the usual things, staying out too late, swearing in
front of the kid, you know. Anyway, I probably wouldn't even be here if it
wasn't for this encounter I had with this girl I work with. I mean, I
don't know what got in to me. I'm married, I adore my wife. Maybe it'd
help if I give you the whole story.

"We were out late on a case. I'm a cop, so some of the stuff I see just
ain't pretty. But this one was bad. And it was raining. By the time we
left the field, I was soaked and miserable, and so was she.

"She offered to cook me dinner. I don't usually get such luxuries since
the wife's generally asleep when I slog home, so I took her up on it.

"Truth be told, it was take out. But it was hot, and it being inside after
such a miserable evening felt pretty darn good. I got to take my shoes off
and warm my feet by her fire. She pulled out a bottle of wine, and we got
to drinking and talking.

"And then we started on a second bottle. That might have been a mistake, I
don't know, it's easy to make the call with hindsight. There we were,
warming up, a bit tipsy from the wine, and it happened. She made a pass at
me.

"I suppose it wasn't all her. It was probably more of a mutual thing. It's
all kind of foggy. But one minute, we're talking, and the next minute,
it's like we're teenagers in the back of dad's Buick.

"And we were going at it pretty hot and heavy, so it moves pass
kissing. One second, we're on the couch and moments later we're on her
bed. We're both naked, and I am more than ready to go, if you know what I
mean. Umm, no offense, Father, but you're a guy, I figure you can relate.

"Now, I know what you're thinking. This breaks at least one of the
commandments, not to mention it's not exactly something I'd say fits
within the wedding vows. But I guess I wanted it.

"I'd always figured this girl had something going on with my partner. But
now, I think it'd been a while for her, if you know what I mean." Schanke
could feel a blush rising on his face. "And, uh, I think you probably do,
Father.

"Maybe that's what I found exciting. Maybe it was the chance to have
something my partner didn't have. Or won't have. I don't know, exactly. I
know he has feeling for this girl, but why he's not acting on them, who
knows. But even I can tell, he ain't, and I did.

"So, there we are, getting ready for the big finale. And somewhere I had
this thought that maybe since things are going kinda wild already, I got a
chance for a little something different.

"The wife never lets us do it, if you pardon the phrase, doggy
style. Thinks it improper or something, I don't know. But I figured, if
this girl doesn't mind, what's one more thing considering how far out of
bounds I was already.

"So I get behind her, and I guess I started kissing her neck. She really
got into this. That must have turned her on as much as anything.

"And there we are. She's ready, I'm ready. And, I don't know why, but
along with the kisses, I guess I nipped her a little or something.

"This sent her over the edge. She starts screaming 'Yes!' and 'Take me!' I
don't think I've ever heard Myra scream, except maybe when we forgot to
lock the door once when visiting her parents and her Mom almost walked in
on us.

"But the next thing I know, the girl starts screaming 'Nick! Nick!' That's
my partner's name.

"And that hurt. Here I am, thinking I'm scoring with a smart, attractive
girl, but instead I'm competing with him. Not just at work, but in bed. He
ain't even there and I can't win. I lost it, went all soft.

"I just left the room, and found my clothes, started getting dressed. She
stayed in her room. I could hear her sobbing. I don't think she did it
intentionally or anything. But, you know, it happened.

"So I go home to the wife, feeling like a sonofabitch on several reasons,
not just for cheating. And Father, I do consider it cheating, even without
some ultimate act.

"But now, I mean, I work with this girl. I see her all the time. I don't
know what to say to her. Not to mention, I don't know what my partner
might do if he found out. He's pretty protective of her, even if he ain't
making his own moves.

"I guess I have a few days until I have to worry about that. I've got a
short stint out of the office. I guess I'll play it by ear when I get
back."

Don Schanke shifted his weight from one knee to another. Now that the
words had finished streaming out, he was beginning to feel the hard wood
he'd been kneeling on. But all he heard from behind the screen was a light
snore.

"Did you get all that, Father?" he asked, speaking a little louder.

He saw the figure on the other side of the screen nod. The priest gave him
his penance, several prayers to recite, and granted absolution.

Don figured it was probably cheating, going to Father O'Riordon. But he'd
really needed to tell someone, even if it just meant admitting it all to
himself.

He crossed himself, and left the confessional. He needed to get home, and
say good-bye to Myra and Jenny. Then it was off to the station for the
prisoner. It was going to be a late night. He'd have plenty of time to
say the prayers on the plane.

As for the rest, he'd worry about it all when he returned. There'd be time
to sort it all out after he got back from Edmonton. After all, he'd just
be gone a couple nights.


<fin>
<sclark@best.com>