Disclaimer back in part 1, somewhere back there.

In the Arms of Friends
by Reets
3 of ?

Just a little bit of love I was alone, I was afraid.

I couldn't face another day of pain in my life.

I called your name and you were there.

Just like an answer to a prayer.

You made it all right.

Celine, Just a Little bit of Love.

The plane ride was quiet and long. Nick fell asleep and Derek just watched, happy to have the real Nick beside him. No matter the troubles they faced, they were together. He gently lifted Nick's hand and put it in

his own, stroking the smooth skin lightly. He kissed the knuckles, but held still when Nick murmered something in his sleep and turned toward him.

His eyes snapped open and he jerked away from the man beside him. It took him a long moment and Dereks coaxing to relax and calm down. "Sorry."

"It's all right, no one's going to hurt you again." Derek pulled him close and tucked him beneath his chin, trying to will the pain away.

"I love you, Derek."

"And I you, my love. Rest now, we still have a few hours before we hit the airport."

"I have to go."

"Where?" Derek's eyes were full of concern and Nick smiled. He reached out and caressed the older man's cheek.

"The bathroom, I have to go to the bathroom."

"Oh, okay." Derek moved his legs and Nick slipped out of the seat and took his crutches. Derek sighed and watched him go down the isle. 'Relax, Derek.' He told himself. You're not going to lose him again.

Nick stared at himself in the mirror. It wasn't that his bladder needed attention, he needed to breath a little, get away from Derek for a moment. The image in front of him shimmered, William's reassuring, handsome face appeared. "Time Nick, give it time." He took a deep breath and relaxed. He unzipped his jeans and was about to begin his business when someone knocked on the door. "What!"

"Are you all right?"

Nick's anger grew, then he took a deep breath. "I'm fine Derek, be right out." He met Derek back at the seats and sat down with a heavy sigh. "We need to talk."

"Of course. I thought you would want to wait until we got home."

"Yeah, but some things. Look, I'm not helpless and I'm okay. You're gonna have to give me some freedom here." Derek nodded, his face dark and sad. "Hey, boss man. I'm not going anywhere, I just need some time."

"I didn't mean to crowd you, it's just when you..." Derek let it drop, he almost said, 'when you died.' But Nick would not understand that pain or his sorrow. He pulled himself together and nodded. "It's okay."

Nick settled back in the chair and closed his eyes. Before he knew it they were home and at the castle. Derek pushed the door to Nick's room open and the younger man went through.

"Just as you left it, we didn't touch a thing."

"Why would you?"

Derek frowned, remembering the urn in the garden. "Nothing, would you like me to help you get ready for bed?"

"I can do it." He saw the look of defeat on his lover's face. "But, I am starving, think you could round up a sandwich or something?"

"Sure, something to drink?"

"Anything, but coffee and jell-o." Derek smiled and kissed his forehead. This time Nick turned his lips up and met Derek's. It was Derek who pulled back a little stunned. "Thanks."

"Nick, I..."

"Derek, I'm hungry. Please." Derek smiled and took off. Nick took a deep breath and sat down on the bed. A soft knock and he looked up.

"Can I come in?" Nick smiled as Alex slipped through the door.

"Sure." She hugged him close and kissed the side of his face several times.

"How ya feeling?"

"I'm okay, just tired and a little disoriented."

"That's understandable. Have you talked to Derek?"

"A little, Alex. Derek's said some strange things and I want to know what went on, while I was gone." He saw the nervousness in her eyes. "Please."

"I don't think it's my place."

"Alex, come on. This is me, what happened." She sat down beside him.

"There was a clone and he was...well heck Nick, he was you."

"Okay, I can see that. I 've seen some weird shit. But what happened to him, where is he now?" Alex stood up and went to the window, she pushed back the curtain adn glanced down to the lake.

"Maybe that's something Derek needs to tell you."

"Why? What's the big deal." When Alex turned back, he saw the tears in her eyes, she wiped them away quickly and rushed to him.

"We're just very happy that you're home safe, Nick."

"Alex, what happened to the clone?"

Derek pushed the door open with his foot and brought in a tray of food. He sat it down beside Nick and noticed the strained look on his friends faces. "What's going on?"

"Nothing, I'll give you two some time alone."

"Nite Alex." Deek said, sitting down on the end of the bed. "Here, eat."

"Derek, tell me what happened to the clone."

"It's been a long day, we'll talk about all this tomorrow."

"No, now. I want to know."

Derek met his eyes, he knew that determined look. Nick was not going to be dissuaded. Where to start?

"When you and Jonathan left the island, angry at me, I feared the worse. When we coudln't reach you or find you. I grew more worried. I knew that Jonathan was into something bigger than I thought you could handle."

"So you followed me."

"Yes, we saw that the investigation had some validity and that you could be in danger."

"We went to the lab, Jonathan hit me with a hypo of something. That's how they got me inside."

"The police found a body a few days later. It was you, but you were ill."

"Sick, me?"

"Yes, you came home. But the illness was taking it's toll. You grew weaker and..."

"That must have been what Zack meant, he said he was number nine. The other eight were destroyed."

"Yes, it's a degenerative disease. It seems all the clones have it and eventually die from it."

"That's what killed him?"

Derek turned away, he couldn't face Nick with the sorrow in his heart. It was a strange feeling talking about the death of the person you loved, with the person you love is alive and well. "Yes. I think we should talk

more in the morning. Are you comfortable?"

"Yeah, nite."

"Good night." Derek stopped beside the bed and leaned in for a kiss, but he stopped himself and pushed away. "See you in the morning."

Nick finished his sandwich and went to sleep. The nightmares didn't bother him. He figured it must have been the exhaustion or time change or something. He was up at first light, like always, only this time he was home. He dressed quickly and headed downstairs. No one else was up, so he headed out to the garden to stretch and relax. He couldn't exercise yet, so he just warmed up and tried walking a little. It wasn't the first thing that caught his eye, but the moment he saw the dock, he knew something wasn't right. Something out of place, something...

He stepped up to the glass case and brushed off the flower petals. The morning was cool and he could see his breath and leaning over it clouded the box's front. The brass plate near the bottom caught his eyes and he knelt down. "Nick Boyle- 1970-1998. Taken too soon. Missed beyond belief." He sat back and stared at the urn. "Oh man, oh no, not this."

"I didn't know what to do with it."

He jumped and looked up at Derek with tears in his eyes. "You really thought it was me. You buried it, here."

"With Julia, I thought it was approiate."

"Yeah, if it was me." Nick pushed off the ground. "But it wasn't." He was yelling now. It wasn't me Derek." He pressed his shoulder against the case and shoved it over, sending it and the contents of the urn into the lake. "That's why you couldn't tell me, wasn't it. That's why you didn't come look for me.You had already wrote me off."

Derek took a deep breath and watched the ashes sink into the murky depths. "I love you, Nick. He was you and when he died..."

"NO, Derek! He wasn't me. I was there at the lab, being poked and prodded and you didn't give a damn."

"I didn't know!" Alex and Rachel had heard the argument and were fast approaching. Derek had his arms now, trying to calm him down. "I swear I would have been there, Nick."

"Why didn't you know, Derek?" Nick slid down and Derek went with him. The tears started then and Alex and Rachel left them alone. Derek rocked him and held him close. His own tears staining burning his eyes. "Why didn't you know?"

***

Vince steered the truck into a parking area, near the interstate. Philip was out of the truck and heading to the rest room, before the other man even unstrapped. Vince headed in behind him. Philip jumped as the door pushed open. "Chill Phil, it's just me."

Philip flashed a grin, but it didn't last long. Vince stepped up to the urinal beside him and unzipped his pants. Philip was quick to zip up and begin washing his hands. "You know, you act like I'm going to attack you, I thought we cleared that up this morning?"

"We did, it's just nerves, I guess."

Vince's arms came around him and he dove his hands under the water with Philip's. "Nerves?"

Philip pushed back, but Vince didn't move. "You're doin' it again."

"Oh," He finished washing the soap off, felt the trembling of the man before him and caught his eyes in the mirror. Philip was shaking. He pulled back, letting his mouth skip Philip's ear lightly. "Sorry."

Philip fled the room quickly, leaving Vince there with a huge grin on his face. "Yep, I can see you're not attracted to me at all."

When Vince came out Philip was in the cafe, having coffee. "Did you order something for me?"

"Coffee. Did you wan' to eat here?"

"Did you check the maps, see how far it was to Jackson?"

"Ya, 250 miles or so. Are we going to stop then for the night?"

Vince shrugged his shoulders and grabbed a menu. He sipped his black coffee and bit a biscuit from the table. "Seems silly to stop so soon, the day is early."

Philip had the map on the table and was checking for the next best place to stop."Shreveport then Dallas, stop then."

"Let me see." A waitress came up just as Philip was handing him the map. "Hey, yeah, okay ham, eggs, scrambled with cheese, toast and a huge helping of grits."

"Grits?"

"Yeah, what are you eating?"

"Toast, coffee." The waitress nodded and scribbled on her pad, walking away as she did.

"Okay, don't blame me if you're hungry later, cause we ain't stopping until we get to, hey. If we go to Shreveport, we'll miss New Orleans."

"So?"

"You've got to let me take you to New Orleans, show you the sites."

"Fine, but we've got to come up with some kind of arragements.

Vince looked over the biscuit in his mouth and nodded. "Yike, ya?"

"Wha'"?

Vince swallowed and took a sip of coffee. "Like what?"

"Like hands off. That's what."

"Philip."

"No, I'm serious. If I wan' you to touch me, I'll tell you. Just keep your big hands to yourself." He watched the other man sigh and settle back in the cushioned seat.

"You're not attracted to me, is that it?"

"Exactly, so no more hand washin' around me. Or slipping into bed when I'm asleep."

This brought some looks from the nearby patrions.

"Shhh, Philip this is Alabama. They don't get into that stuff."

Philip grinned at the woman staring at him and turned back to Vince. "Sorry, but I mean it, unless you wan' me to leave." He saw the hurt on Vince's face. "I can take a plane..."

"Whatever." Vince stood up and headed to the bathroom again. Philip sighed and waited a few moments before following him. He caught Vince's eye in the mirror and felt a stab in his heart.

"I'm sorry."

Vince tossed water on his face and toweled it off. "Why? Did you not mean it." Philip was close and he turned to face him. "Were you lying, Padre?" Philip didn't move and Vince closed the distance. His lips met Philip's resistant mouth and forced a kiss. A long moment and he felt Philip relax under him. His tongue slipped inside the moist recess and tasted his intended for the first time. Philip's hands had just came to his face when...

The door behind them bumped open and Philip jerked away. He washed his hands and splashed cold water on his face. The stranger went into one of the stalls and the pair fled the washroom smiling.

Their food was waiting for them and they sat down quickly. Vince dug into his eggs and shoveled them hurridly into his mouth. Philip stared at his toast then grabbed a slab of ham off Vince's plate and popped it into his mouth. "Hey, didn't know you were into stealing?" He grinned and Philip joined in and actually laughed.

Lunch over they filled up the Range Rover and headed out. They hit New Orleans later than night and found the sleeping arrangements not to Philip's liking.

"No rooms, sorry. The Jazz Festival is this weekend."

"Let's go on then, find something else."

"What? Philip we've been driving all day, I'm exhausted." The slighter man leaned against the truck and shook his head. "Come on, there's a camp site not far, they might have some place to park this thing."

"What good will that do?"

"I have a sleeping bag. We can crash there."

"One, sleeping bag?"

Vince grinned and put his arm around Philip. "Just one."

Philip pinched his side and made him jump away. "I'll sleep on the ground."

Vince laughed and climbed in the truck. "Suit yourself, but the cicadas are really bad this time of year."

"What's a Cicada?"

"Big bug, large wings, loud."

"Oh, Lord."

"Yeah, they come up out of the ground and split out of their shells, sort of like a butterfly, then they start singing. The male," He turned onto the highway and Philip had to hang on tight, so that he wouldn't be slung against Vince. "He's got these resonating organs that rub together," Philip raised an eyebrow at him. "They make this great droning sound, fills the air with music."

"Looking forward t' it."

"Great, nothing like sleeping under the stars."

"We'll have the roof."

Vince stopped at a local gas station and got a couple of six packs. Then they made their way to the camp ground. Philip sighed and sipped the beer, the loud singing of the bugs were kind of nice. Vince stuff his jacket and Philip's under the head of the sleeping bag, propping it up some.

He settled down beside Philip and clanked his beer. "Here's looking at you, padre."

"You planned this, didn' ya?" Vince grinned and Philip pushed him aside. "You did."

"Padre you've got a little too much faith in me. I can't make things like this happen." He stepped close, forcing his legs between Philip's as they dangled from the truck tailgate. "Just a nice turn of events."

'"You're invadin' my space, again."

"Okay," He backed away and sat back down. "When you gonna admit it?"

"Admit wha'?"

"That this," He put his arm around Philip's shoulder and drew him close. "Doesn't really bother you."

"Never, cause it does." He pushed Vince away and the larger man, just climbed into the sleepng bag and yawned.

"I'm crashing, coming?"

"NO!"

"Fine, suit yourself."

Philip turned around a few minutes and climbed inside the truck bed. "Are the doors locked?"

"Philip, it's a campground. What doors?"

"Sorry."

"Not a problem." He watched as Philip took off his boots and socks and settled down on top of the sleeping bag. "It'll get chilly, you know."

"I'll get under, if I get cold."

Vince grinned and settled down. He had taken off his shirt when he lost his shoes and now he squirmed a bit and produced his pants. Philip's eyes went wide and he turned over, away from Vince. "I promise, hands off, okay."

"Then put your clothes back on."

"No, it's how I sleep, deal with it." Vince turned away this time a little perturbed at his friend. The tension was getting to him now and as Philip squirmed to get comfortable and finally slipped beneath the covers,

touching his leg with a cold foot, he jumped.

"Sorry." Philip settled down and stared at Vince.

He felt he eyes boring into him. He wanted nothing more than to taste those lips again. The thought had negative reactions on his body and he sighed as he felt his cock harden. "I can't sleep."

"Why no'?"

"Nevermind." Vince turned away and fell asleep.

Philip watched him for a bit. The cover slipped down as Vince turned on his back. Philip got his first full, uninterrupted view of the man beside him. Not overly muscled, but toned in the right places. A fine line of fur pointed the way to his sex and Philip reached out his hand and pulled the cover down further. The thin blue shorts, were snug against his lower stomach and the dark hair disappeared beneath them. He lightly ran his fingers over the material, careful not to wake his sleeping companion. Vince stirred and moved his hips, this made his cock bump against Philip's hand. He smiled as the larger man moaned. Philip rested his hand there, feeling the organ grow beneath his palm. He rubbed slightly now and Vince's moans grew, as did the thrusts of his hips. His raspy breaths made Philip smile and he closed his hand tightly against the cock and stroked it now. Vince's head snapped back and his cock exploded beneath Philip's hand. The moisture seeped through the material and Philip rubbed it. He looked up and met Vince's eyes and jerked his hand away. "I'm sorry."

Vince hissed and rubbed the now sensitive skin through the silk. He laughed a little and his entire body shook. "Not a problem as far as I'm concerned, Padre." He reached out and touched Philip, but the man fled. Out the back of the truck and down to the small lake. Vince sighed and fumbled for a towel. He wiped his body and changed his underware. He thought about going after Philip, but he knew that this had to be Philip's decision. He had taken an important first step.

Philip stood on the shore and watched the water slap against the sand. How could he have done that? With a stranger of all people. He found it so hard to even touch himself. He glanced down his body at his engorged cock and thought about how to rectify the situation. Nothing immediate came to mind.

A gentle hand brushed his cheek and Derek looked up. Alex knelt beside him and caressed Nick's head. "He's asleep."

"Derek, there are some men here, from the FBI. I told them that Nick wasn't well, but they won't take no for an answer. They want to question him about the lab. I tried to get them to..."

"It's all right, we'll be there in a few minutes." Alex nodded and headed inside. "Nick, love." The younger man looked up, his eyes red and swollen. He sniffed a few times and cleared his throat. "Are you all right?"

"I don't know."

"There are some men..."

"I heard." He pushed back from Derek now trying to break the contact. "Guess we better get in there."

"Nick, I want to talk as soon as they leave. Explain everything to you, okay?"

Nick sighed heavily. The events of the past months were catching up and his mind was cluttered and foggy. Why couldn't it just be like it was before? Just him and Derek, happy again. William's face flashed through

his mind and the memories of what he wanted. The only thing he wanted was to return home to Derek. Derek brushed the tears from his cheek and he felt the love there. Derek would give him the answers he needed, he was sure of that. He wasn't quite sure he'd be happy with them, but still Derek wouldn't lie, he'd tell him everything. "I love you, Derek." Before the older man had time to answer he silenced him with a strong kiss, that made Derek laugh when they parted.

"It's so good to have you home, Nick. I truly thought my life was over."

"You had Philip."

Derek's heart sank at the simple statement and he nodded. "You can't possibly believe that it could be same. I love you, Nick."

"Did you ever tell him this?"

"Yes, he knew that I could not love him the same way."

"Have you talked to him?"

"No, not since that first call." Derek helped Nick up and back toward the house. "He'll call when he's ready."

"Can you run interference for me, I'd like to clean up a little before I face the hounds."

"Of course." Nick stopped him and Derek caressed his cheek. "I have missed you."

The kiss was soft, neither man wanting to make too much of it too soon. Nick liked the taste, coffee and spice and a touch of whiskey. He pulled back, licking the full bottom lip before parting. "Been drinking

this morning?"

"A little in my coffee. Just to calm the nerves." Nick nodded and walked back inside with Derek.

Derek walked into the front room, where four agents stood waiting to talk to Nick. His friend Sam was there as was the younger agent from the incident with Seed. He shook all their hands as the introduced themselves. "Nick will be down in a moment, as you're aware he was injured and is stll recuperating."

"I tried to get this put off," Sam said, pulling Derek aside. "They wanted to question him in the hospital, I told them no, they agreed to wait until he got home."

"It's important to know what went on inside the lab." One of the other agents stepped up and injected.

"I don't know how much Nick can tell you, but I'm sure you'll have his full cooperation." Derek reassured the group. "Would anyone like some coffee?" They nodded and Derek called Seddrick. "Pot of coffee and some breakfast for everyone." The servant nodded and headed to the kitchen.

Nick came down the steps and smiled as Derek rushed to him. "I'm okay. Can't find my crutches though."

"I'll find them, bring them to you." His heart soared as Nick smiled at him. He pushed the door open to the front room and ushered Nick inside. He helped him to a chair. "I'll get your crutches, be right back."

As soon as the door closed, one of the agents was placed outside. "I'm going to find Nick's crutches, I'll be back in a moment."

"Sorry, Derek, they want to do this, with just Nick."

"What?"

"Its classified material."

"No, I won't let them interrogate him alone." Sam pressed his palm against Derek's chest.

"There's nothing I can do. Orders."

"Right." Derek paced around the hallway, wondering what humiliation his young friend and lover were going though at that moment. He stopped in front of Sam. "Did you tell him that's why I'm not there, cause

he'll think I abandoned him."

"I don't know, I'm not allowed inside either."

"Please, you must let him know, I had no choice."

"My hands are tied Derek, but I'm sure he knows."

Derek nodded and backed away. "I hope so, he's been through enough."

Philip climbed into the cab of the truck and slammed the door. Vince peered over the seat, but didn't say anything. He tossed a blanket toward the front and heard Philip spit out a 'thank you'. He settled down and

went to sleep.

Sometime during the night Philip awoke with a start. He looked over the seat; Vince was sleeping soundly and didn't seem to be disturbed by any noise. Maybe it was just Vince moving around in the back that he heard, but he wasn't sure. He crossed his chest and folded his hands, but remembered his sins and stopped the prayer. God wouldn't help him now. He opened the door and looked around. Nothing moved and he took a deep breath. He made his way around the back of the truck and glanced inside making sure that Vince was still sleeping. At the edge of the forest two eyes stared at him, they glowed yellow and menacing. His heart beat so hard that he thought it would pound his chest open. Quickly he climbed in

the back and raised the tailgate. Vince jumped up quickly and bumped his head on the roof.

"Ouch! What are you doing?"

"There's something out there."

Vince tugged the end of the sleeping bag free of the door and the window clicked. "Here, lock it." Vince pushed Philip out of the way and locked the window. Then he hung over the front seat and grabbed a gun from the glove compartment. When he turned back Philip was cringed in the corner, watching him. He cocked the gun and handed it to Philip. "Hold this."

"Wha'? NO!"

Philip refused the gun and Vince grunted his disapproval. "Fine. I'll go half naked." He climbed over the seat and pushed the passenger's side door open.

Philip didn't really know why he was scared, probably the exhaustion of having to fight this guy off sexually, coupled with the fact that he was wildly attracted to him and the general unknown. Finally after long minutes, he climbed over the seat and followed Vince out into the open field. The only sound were those made by crickets, but the Cicada, singing high in the treetops drowned them out. Philip stepped up to Vince and touched his arm.

"Don't move." He pushed him behind him. "There's something right inside the tree line, it's watching us." He began backing up, with Philip in step behind him. The slighter man had grabbed his arms and was holding on tight. "Circulation Philip, I need it to be able to shoot."

"Sorry." Philip reached down for the only thing left to hang onto, Vince's underwear. He gripped the sides of Vince's hips and continued to back away from the trees.

Vince groaned as he felt Philip's hand touch his body. Too bad that Philip had to be scared half to death to touch him. Once they reached the truck he pushed Philip back inside the truck and locked the door. "I think

that's it for sleep tonight, why don't you climb on back, I'll keep watch."

"No, I'll wait with ya."

"Wait for what?"

"Mornin'."

"Fine." He watched the ex-priest fight sleep, his eyes heavy and drooping. "

"When did you come up from the lake?"

"I don' know, after I finished thinkin'."

"Did you come to any conclusions?"

"No, nothin' besides the fact tha' I'm insane." He tensed as Vince's hand patted his thigh.

"No, you're not. You're just fighting the inevitable, that's all."

"There's nothing inevitable abou' it."

"Then kiss me."

"Wha'?"

"You heard me, kiss me one time and if you say there's nothing, I'll back off completely, never touch you again."

'One kiss." Philip raised an eyebrow.

"One kiss."

"No tongue."

"Why not?"

"Too intimate."

"What are you suggesting, a peck on the cheek?"

"Would that do?"

"No, just forget it."

"Fine it was a silly idea anyway."

"No, it wasn't."

"Ya, it was. Nothin' can be resolved by one kiss."

"We'll never know, will we?"

"Guess no'."

Vince moved and Philip jumped. "I'm thirsty, I'm getting a beer, you want one?"

"No, thank ya."

"Fine." Vince popped the top and tossed the metal lid at Philip. "Go to sleep, padre."

Philip settled down in the seat and yawned. It wasn't long before he was sleeping and Vince inched closer on the large seat. He studied the face before him, trying to remember every detail of it. His fingers skimmed lightly over the brow that was furrowed most days. He kissed the temple, brushing back the brown hair as he did. The smell was intoxicating. Coffee from the morning, beer from this evening, mixed with the spicy, sweaty smell of the long day's travels. He chanced a kiss to his high cheekbone, wanting nothing more than to plunger the mouth instead. Philip stirred and he sat back. He sniffed his body. Neither of them had showered since yesterday. 'Probably why Philip doesn't want to get close.' He opened the

door and slipped out quietly. He checked the forest and whatever was watching was gone. He walked down to the water's edge and laid the gun on a nearby rock. One more look and he dove into the water, coming up a few feet from shore. He swam for a little bit, stretching and relaxing beneath the stars. He hoped that the cool water would abate his sexual appetite and it seemed to be working. He swam to shore and climbed out of the water. The night air brought a chill and he hurried to the truck. Once he got the back open he fumbled through his pack, searching for clean, dry clothes. He had just pulled a pair of sweats when the world went dark.

The sun warmed his cheek and Philip nudged away from the door. He cracked one eye to see where Vince was, and then they both shot open. "Vince?" He pushed open the door and hoped out. "Vince, knock it off. Where are ya?" The lot was cleared of any vehicles besides their own and h e looked around frantically. "Vince, come on." He slammed the door. "Vince? Probably took off, would serve me righ'." Then he noticed the back hatch open and was there in a flash. Vince was on the ground, face down, not moving. "Oh, Lord. Vince." Philip felt for a pulse, quietly saying a prayer when he found a strong one. "Come on, let's have a look at ya." He rolled the larger man over and cringed at the blood that matted his hair. He cradled his head in his hands. "Vince, come on, talk to me."

"Something wrong?" Philip jumped when he heard the strange voice.

"My friend, I just found him this way."

"Let me have a look." The ranger checked Vince's pulse and his head. "Best get him to a hospital."

"Is he all righ'?"

"Looks like a bear got him."

"Bear?" The ranger nodded. "We saw something last night, in the woods."

"Yeah, got a few big ones around this year. Scaring all the campers off, they are."

Vince stirred and Philip knelt down beside him. "Vince?"

"Yeah, padre." He sat up but held his head as he did. "What happened?"

"Something hit you over the head. The ranger says a bear." Philip helped him to his feet and pushed the sweats into his stomach.

Vince held his head, but shook it off. He took the pants and slipped them on. "What ranger?"

"He's righ' here." Philip turned around and the ranger was no where to be seen. "What the?"

"Look, Philip, I promise never to touch you again. Just don't go whacking me on the head." He pulled the pants to his hips and sat down on the edge of the tailgate.

"I didn't hit you."

"Yeah, right."

Philip huffed and walked around to the front of the truck. He hung his head and shook it slightly. "I can't believe ya think I could do somethin' like this." He turned around expecting Vince to be on him by then, but the larger man was kneeling at the water's edge, dipping a towel in and wiping the dried blood from his head. He went to him and knelt down, took the towel and continued what Vince had started.