Part 3
On the same early evening that saw Colorado Springs drenched in
a downpour, SG-1 was snuggled deep within the bowels of the Mountain, just about
ready to disembark on a two-day mission to P4r3999. Using the MALP they
managed a steady stream of correspondence with the Head of the Tribe on the
designated planet who did her best to describe the nature of the 'Rites of
Passage' that SG-1 were going to witness during their stay there. Daniel
also briefed the team on the native language and what he could ascertain about
their culture from the limited information the MALP retrieved. Soon the
SGC's premier team was ready to head out to witness a "Rites of Passage'
with the Tribe on that world.
The four members moved through the labyrinth of corridors from the Gear Up room
to the Gate room with the kind of ease that familiarity bred; Sam and Teal'c
walking ahead of Jack and Daniel. As the team neared the room the colonel
peeled off to the left and trotted up some steps to the telephone in the Control
Room. Daniel noted that his friend had left his side with a casual glance
but his steps didn't falter as he continued into the
embarkation room with the others. Sam turned and was suddenly aware that the
colonel was no longer with them. Daniel made a hand gesture of a telephone
and the pretty Major nodded.
"O'Neill is calling home?" Teal'c asked. Daniel nodded then
lowered his face as he glanced up at the window of the control room. His
blue eyes shifted between his two teammates.
"I think Philip's cold is concerning him more than he lets on," he
said in a guarded voice.
Sam sighed. "I've got to be honest with you," she said,
resisting the urge to glance up at the room, even though the colonel wasn't in
sight. "Janet's a bit concerned, too. Apparently.." She
stopped herself, realizing she was
about to reveal confidential information, and then she shrugged, ending the
conversation. Or so she thought until Daniel frowned.
"Apparently .. what?" He asked, his golden brows arching higher than
his glasses frames.
She shook her head but he gave a soft cough, moving into his best ‘gentle
manipulation’ voice that he teamed with a set of fluttering lashes, trying to
win her over - out of a genuine concern. "Sam, if something's happening,
I think we should be informed... How can we help him if we don't know
what's wrong?"
Teal’c observed the action without reaction, knowing that Daniel was probably
not even aware he was fully ‘turning on the charm’ to gain this information
from his friend. Tilting his head, he watched as Daniel held
the female officer with a strong stare and the major almost gave in when Teal'c
said, casually, "Would O'Neill not tell you anything he wishes for you to
know, Daniel?"
Rolling his eyes slightly, the anthropologist looked at the Jaffa.
"Thanks, Teal'c."
Sam gave a quick grin then they all turned when the door opened again and Jack
walked in, pre-occupied with his baseball hat. The three friends knew it
was one of his diversionary tactics - he just didn't want to look up and face
their inquisitive eyes. Muttering, "Come on, campers. Let's go to
work.." as he adjusted the green cap into place, Jack headed up the ramp
without waiting.
*
The wind on the other side howled like a dog. Sand whipped across their
faces the instant they exited the shimmering vortex, and three of them dropped
to a squat, shielding their faces while Teal'c remained rigid, his
eyes closed against the pelting grains.
"Daniel!" Jack yelled over the howl. "Dial
us up!"
The anthropologist frowned wondering why he had to be the one to stand in the
face of this beating and dial up the DHD for the return ride. Begrudgingly
he stumbled to his feet then suddenly the wind stopped, the
haunting howling ceased and the world was peaceful once more. Out of the
nearby tree line a few villagers approached the sand-covered team.
"You come early!" One of the advancing villagers
greeted them warmly, her arms flung wide. She went up to Jack and hugged
him, both of her large hands thumping him on the back roughly, as was their
general greeting.
Villagers greeted the others in the same manner, thumping the sand from their
clothing with their thick, heavy hands. When all had felt as though their
backs might have been snapped, they were released and left to stumble in their
place.
"Seems that way," the colonel said, digging grit out of his
ears. The old woman looked at him and smiled a toothless grin.
Clapping his back with one of her beefy hands again, she indicated towards the
tree line.
"Come, Colonel. We will show you where you and your friends can
change and then we will feast in your honor!"
As they headed off Jack looked over her arm at his team. Sam screwed her
face up as she tugged at the front of her black t-shirt. She mouthed the word,
"change?' to the commanding officer. He shrugged then mouthed back,
"A feast?"
"Oh?" Daniel tilted his head slightly then looked at Sam before
looking at the ground and mumbling in a low voice, "A feast.
That's... that's nice.." He started off after Jack and his beefy
escort.
"Yeah, I'm ravenous!" Sam countered as she fell into step behind
Daniel, muttering, "I could eat a horse!"
Daniel looked at her, as did Jack, but it was the anthropologist who
spoke.
"Better be careful what you wish for, Sam!"
The pretty major looked at him a long moment then screwed her nose up. "I
hope not!"
Daniel arched his brow then noted the approving smile on Jack's face before the
officer turned back around to look where he was going.
*
Back at the apartment Philip sat cross-legged on the floor while Todd and Graham
sat side by side on the sofa.
"So when's this boyfriend of yours ever coming home again?" Todd
asked, dragging a piece of pizza up to his mouth. Philip shrugged and shot
a quick look at Graham when he heard the soft snort of disapproval from
him. The two sets of dark brown eyes met and Philip scowled as Graham
sighed.
“Sorry, did I say something wrong?” Todd asked the brothers.
“No, not really,” Philip said, reaching forward and putting his bottle of
beer on the coffee table then coughed to clear his throat.
“Well, actually,” Graham said, ignoring the stare Philip was now giving him.
“I’m not really sure ‘boy’ friend suits him…”
“Why not?” Todd asked with a slightly bemused laugh. Then he watched between
them like he was watching a tennis match, as they argued back and forth.
“Grae!” The tone was cautionary.
“Philip, it’s the truth! If his age bothers you..”
Graham snapped back tartly.
“His age doesn’t bother me!” Philip slammed back at him sharply.
“You seem pretty sensitive to it every time I bring it up-” Graham said with
slight scorn to his voice.
“Because you ‘keep’ bringing it up.” Philip exploded, throwing his hands
above his head then coughing violently. The two men on the sofa cringed at
the hacking cough and remained silent until Philip could compose himself.
After catching his breath, albeit shakily, Phil mumbled, “Just
let it go, for crying out loud!”
“I don’t keep bringing it up!” Graham said, sounding incensed and
indicating to the man beside him as a point of reference, “It comes up, all on
it’s own..!”
Rolling his head back, Philip’s eyes were half closed as he said, tiredly,
“But you just have to mention it, don’t you!”
“Because it’s a fact!” Graham said through a jaw clenched in
exasperation.
“It’s not important!” Philip yelled abruptly and very
loudly, making the veins on his neck and temple stand out before he erupted into
another violent seizure of coughing, holding his hand up to indicate to his
brother
that this conversation was not over yet! Once Philip started drawing
in longer, deeper breaths, Graham picked up the conversation like there had been
no interruption.
“So why do you object to it being mentioned then?” He asked in a softer, but
just as determined, voice.
“Hey.. Hey!” Todd waved his hands about then made the time out symbol with
his hands. He looked between the warring brothers and wondered why they
didn’t stop fighting if it caused Philip such distress.
“Look,” he said, looking from one to the other, “I’m kinda sorry I
brought it up now!”
Philip felt a little embarrassed as he shifted slightly on the rug. “No,
I’m sorry. That was inconsiderate of us!” He deliberately looked at
his brother and finally Graham sighed and nodded.
“Yeah, Sorry, Todd. It’s just an argument we’ve been having for the
past few months.”
“Amongst many,” Philip muttered under his breath.
“Yeah, so I gathered.” Todd slanted his eyes to look at the younger man on
the rug on the floor. “Still, Phil’s having trouble breathing and
you’re at each other like warring cats!”
The two men looked at each other then both shrugged. “I guess we’ve
just grown used to it – the coughing I mean, not the arguing…” Phil said,
with a slight wheeze on his intake of breath.
“We just wait it out and keep going,” Graham said nonchalantly.
“He sounds like he’s coughing up a lung here!” Todd said
incredulously. The Simmons’ boys exchanged glances then Philip got up
and went to the bathroom.
“You’re right,” Graham said, turning to the man beside him.
“You’re a guest and we shouldn’t argue in front of you, but on the other
hand, Phil’s been sick for months now. I’ve kinda gotten over the
‘egg-shell’ stage with him. I can’t remember the last time we had an
uninterrupted conversation…”
Todd frowned. “What’s wrong with him?”
Graham instantly knew that Philip had not taken Todd into his confidence, for
reasons known only to himself, so he decided to honor that, and all he said was,
“Just a cold.”
“A .. cold?” Todd asked, raising a brow in disbelief but dropping the
subject when Philip returned, sounding a lot better. The artist put a
Inhaler onto the coffee table and picked up a slice of cooling pizza.
Deciding to ignore the medical aid, Phil tilted his face and asked, “So, I
gather your boyfriend.. or what ever you call him..”
“Jack.” Philip said with a shrug as he reached for his beer once more.
“I call him Jack. ‘Sometimes’…. I call him Jonathan..”
Watching his brother’s expression change to one of question, he brought the
bottle to his lips and told Graham, “You really don’t want to know
‘when’ I call him that..” A small feeling of justification
rose in him because of
the agape expression on his bigger brother’s face at that comment.
Todd noted the tone Philip had used though and smiled
slightly. He turned his attention to the man sitting on the rug.
“So.. this Jack.. he’s older?”
“Oh, yeah..” Graham muttered just loud enough to catch Philip’s attention
once more as he lowered his face.
Phil never said anything though, just glared at the bowed head as he spoke to
Todd, “He’s in his forties..”
“That’s not too bad..” Todd said and garnered himself a grateful smile
from the younger man as they both knew the ‘real’ age of John – a good
eight years ‘older’ than he told people he was – but with his complexion
and good looks, he could get away with it. .
“He’s almost twice his age!” Graham said.
“He is not!” Philip squealed.
“Almost!”
“He’d have to be fifty to be twice my age, Grae!”
“Well he’s mid-forties.. so he’s almost there!”
“Oh.. for…” Philip sighed and got to his feet, heading over to the window
where he could look out at the rainy night.
Todd wet his lips as he rolled his eyes. He watched Philip by the window
then turned to the downcast man beside him. With a shake of his head Graham got
up and grabbed his cigarettes off the coffee table before pushing past Philip to
go out into the garden. The younger man moved away from the now opened
door.
“Kinda a hot topic for the two of you, huh?” Todd said as Philip came to sit
with him on the sofa.
“Oh, well it’s not the worst one we can talk about,” he told him, reaching
for another piece of pizza.
Todd looked at him with a quirky smile. “Oh? What would be
then?”
Philip snorted a soft laugh as he shook his head. “No.. don’t..”
“Oh, come on!” Todd teased, then said in a mock parental voice, “I bet
it’s the ‘he never comes home anymore’ one, huh?”
Philip looked at him a moment then laughed softly. “Yep, that’s
it..”
“What’s it?” Graham asked as he returned to the living room. Philip
shut up immediately but Todd turned and said, “That the worst topic of
conversation for the two of you is ‘Philip’s spending too much time in
the house that Jack built…”
The artist smiled at the play on words, but Graham was still too keyed up to
lighten up and wondered if they weren’t actually making fun of him. With
a disgruntled snort he said. “I’m sorry if I think it’s stupid
for him to be there when the man’s not even on… err…” He paused as his
brother glared at him then he finished his sentence with - “I mean, in
town.”
Sitting back, the younger man sighed and said, “Please,
Graham, don’t even start on that topic!”
Ignoring his brother’s plea Graham turned to Todd and explained.
“He’s not eating properly. Says he can’t be bothered to cook for one
so all he eats is junk food!”
“Well, it doesn’t show..” Todd said, waving his hand towards the slender
man.
Graham rolled his eyes. This had more to do with superficial reasons.
“He needs to eat properly…”
“Grae..” Philip said in a cautious voice. He knew his brother was only
concerned for him so couldn’t really be too angry, but it was still none of
Graham’s business as far as he was concerned. The older man’s tone
changed also. It was quieter, more restrained, more reserved. Like
he was arguing something that had been argued many, many times and yet the out
come was always the same. Still, it seemed, it was worth one last
try. ”You should come back here. I’ll cook for you, make
sure you’re eating properly..”
Fearing he’d reveal too much if the conversation weren’t dropped there and
then, Philip retaliated a little more harshly than he wanted to.
“I’m FINE!” He yelled, the volume of his voice seemed to
ricochet around his
skull. He screwed his eyes shut and rubbed his temples as he looked down
at his feet.
“You are not fine! Will you just stop saying that!” Graham snapped
back quickly. Philip snorted as he threw his hands down from his face, his
eyes looked red and sore now. “Just look at you!” The older man
hissed.
“It’s from all the nagging you do! For crying out loud…!”
“And will you stop saying that!”
“Stop telling me what to do…!” Philip yelled again, his face
grimacing from the volume once more. They fell into an uneasy silence,
both of them glaring at the other.
Todd wanted to end the hostilities and finish the conversation once and for
all. “Look, can I just.. um.. take a guess here? Grae, it’s
obvious that you don’t approve of Philip’s partner…?”
The younger brother awaited Graham’s answer. Slowly the lieutenant
turned to the man beside him. “It’s not so much that I don’t
approve..”
“Oh! Get real! You hate Jack!”
Swinging around quickly to look at him, Graham slapped his thigh, as he
retaliated, “NO! I don’t hate him! I just don’t like the fact
that you hang around there, day after day when he’s not even.. around.”
“What’s the harm in him staying there?” Todd asked, looking between the
two glaring men.
“I just think that Phil should still live here, that’s all…”
“It would be kinda crowded in my bed at the moment, don’t you think!”
Philip snarled.
“Hey!” Todd held his hands up and said, “I can always move out.”
“NO!” Both brothers said together then went back to glaring at each other.
“I happen to like being at Jack's place..”
“You’re like some puppy dog, waiting for his master to come home!” Graham
said, getting up and going into the bathroom. Philip stared after him a
while then screwed his eyes shut as he bowed his head. Todd sighed then
sat forward in his seat.
“Phil, if I’m out-staying my welcome…?”
The younger man shook his head then looked up. “Jack works with
Grae. They are not friends, let’s put it that way.”
“Oh!” Todd nodded. Philip sighed heavily as he rubbed his
temples.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable,” he said as he
reached out to pat his friend’s knee. Todd laid his hand over the top of
the clammy one on his leg. He frowned then looked at Philip and noticed
the beads of perspiration on his top lip.
“You sure you’re okay?” He asked gently as he rubbed Philip’s hand
lightly.
Catching his breath a beat, Philip nodded. “I’m tired, that’s
all. And I’ve got a really bad headache.”
“Need a massage?” Todd asked. Philip stopped rubbing his eye and
looked up at Todd, squeezing a weak smile from his lips.
“Thanks,” he said then shifted into position in front of him. He
sighed the second the strong hands pressed on his tight shoulder muscles.
He was soon so relaxed that he didn’t even acknowledge when his brother
returned to the room. He felt him though; Graham’s leg pressed against
the back of his shoulder as he sat down again.
Todd looked between the men again and said, “Look, I know this argument
wasn’t about me, but I think it’s time I moved out. That way you can
come back if you want Philip, and Graham, “he said, turning to look at the man
beside him now, “you’ll come to understand that he might just ‘like’
being around there.”
“I do,” Philip said in a deep purr as he relaxed under the expert touch.
Graham sighed then he reached out and gripped Philip’s shoulder and gave it a
tight squeeze.
“I just worry about you…”
Phil’s dark eyes opened slowly then crinkled as he gave a tired smile.
He patted the hand on his shoulder and said, “I know, and .. thanks.”
Graham gave him a hesitant smile then went into the kitchen. Philip
twisted to watch him go then crawled up onto his feet slowly, his head spinning
from the rush of blood as he stood up. Taking a second to right himself,
he went into the kitchen to speak to Graham alone.
“I’m sorry,” Graham whispered when he felt Philip stand beside him at the
stove. The younger brother placed his arm across the broader back as he
leaned his chin onto the back of his hand.
“I know..”
“I don’t.. hate.. the Colonel..”
Philip nodded. “I know..”
“I just.. I..”
“Shh… We’re in a good place at the moment, “ Philip said softly,
“Let’s not spoil it.”
Graham nodded and lowered his chin to his chest. Philip brushed his hand
through the short dark hair. “I got a letter from Mom today,” he told
him. Graham looked at him with his brow raised.
“How is she?”
“She and Poppa are fine. Wondering if we’re coming home for Christmas
this year…”
Graham shrugged then looked at him. “Are we?”
Philip rolled his eyes as he shrugged. “I’m not sure…”
Graham turned to look at him. “Think you’ll be well enough to fly?”
Philip wet his lips then sighed. “If I can shake this
cold..” He said with a hopeful smile. The dark eyes of the stouter
brother traced across the fine facial features then locked in with Philip’s
gaze.
“You probably should see a Doctor about that cold. You’ve had it a
while now.”
Philip gave a weary smile, his words sounding a little slurred.. “I’m
being looked after,” he told him.
“But what’s the doctor like. Does he know how to deal with HIV
sufferers?”
He asked in a concerned whisper.
Philip shrugged then spoke slowly, “She is very good, very nice
and came highly recommended by Jack.”
“The colonel?”
“I think you know her. Janet Frasier..”
“Oh!” Graham nodded. “She’s the Head Doctor on the base.”
Philip smiled but his eyes seemed to blink slowly. “See, so she must
be… good..” His slurred speech suddenly faltered and he stumbled a
little, gripping the side of his head.
“Phil??” Graham reached for his brother but he was so off-guard that they
both stumbled and crashed against the cupboard before falling heavily to the
ground. “PHILP!”
Todd, having heard the sounds of crashing from the other room, rushed in.
“What the hell??
“He was talking to me one minute then the next he just went down!”
Graham was kneeling over Philip on the floor, slapping his face to wake him.
“Is he hurt?” Todd asked but Graham shook his head, indicating that he
didn’t know. Todd knelt next to Philip and lightly patted the ashen face
as he tried to rouse the unconscious man. With a quick glance at Graham,
he
slipped his arms under the light body and lifted Philip off the floor with a
mighty grunt.
He carried him to the bedroom and carefully placed him on the bed. He
barely looked up when he heard Graham come into the room. Phil’s eyes had
lolled open and he seemed to be waking up.
“What happened?” Todd asked, undoing the zipper at the semi-conscious
man’s neck. Philip was now shaking his head back and forth, murmuring
something inaudible. Graham crawled onto the bed to sit on the other side
of his brother, his hand cupping the damp cheek lightly.
“Phil?” he asked, his voice a shaky whisper. “Phil, what the hell
happened…?”
“Something he ate?” Todd asked, reaching down to loosen the belt around
Philip’s waist when the black eyes closed once more.
“Ah, no. I think it’s.. it’s..” Graham bit his lips together,
unsure how much Philip had told Todd about his health.
“I think it’s an allergic reaction. Look, see, he’s coming
around..” Todd said with a faint smile as he wiped his hand over Philip’s
forehead. “Hey, Philly…”
The dark brown eyes lolled open slowly then closed then opened again. Philip’s
breathing was raspy as he clumsily touched his fingers to his lips. Todd nodded
and reached for a glass of water by the side of the bed then he and Graham
helped the dazed man to sit up.
“I’m going to call Janet,” Graham said but he felt Philip’s fingers
tighten around his wrist. He looked down at the grip then up at his brother, his
dull eyes imploring him.
“F.. Fine..” Philip whispered. Graham shook his head.
“No, you’re not!”
“I am…” Philip said, wetting his parched lips as his head lolled back
against Todd’s shoulder. Graham gripped his face and shook him gently,
trying to awaken him once more.
“I’m calling his doctor!” He said, getting up off the bed. Todd
looked down at him then at the door that Graham disappeared through.
“Hey-” He turned his attention back to the man wakening up
in his arms. He wiped the damp brow gently as he smiled at the dark eyes
opening up beneath him.
“Oh.. God..” Philip whispered, rubbing his hand over his face as he growled
deeply. “What happened?”
“You blacked out in the kitchen..”
“I did?” He struggled now to sit up. “Where’s Grae?”
“He went to call your doctor-”
“Shit!” Philip hissed softly as he looked away. Todd inhaled a long,
deep breath then blew it out slowly.
“You want to tell me what’s wrong?”
Philip looked into the black eyes then slowly shook his head. “No.”
Todd nodded then shrugged. “Okay, but if you need a friend..…”
“Thanks,” Philip said with a nod as he kicked his feet over the edge of his
bed, pausing slightly as his head began to spin again. He grabbed his hair
in his fists and tugged forcefully.
Todd slipped his arm across his shoulders and pulled his friend against him, his
lips brushing the black curls. “Can I get you anything?”
“A glass of water?” Philip mumbled. Todd pressed a kiss to the top of
the head before getting up and grabbing the empty glass from the side of the bed
and going into the bathroom. In his absence Graham re-entered the room.
“How are you feeling?”
“Like shit..” Philip’s voice was soft and gravelly. He sat with his
head bowed and his shoulders rounded. Graham hugged him now, brushing the
black hair back behind the small ear so that he could see his brother’s face
in profile.
“Janet’s on her way,” he told him, and then squeezed him when he saw him
nod. Unbeknownst to them, Todd came to stand silently in the doorway
behind them. Graham was patting the long strands of ebony hair from
Phil’s face, as he said, “Listen, Phil, I’m getting really worried
here. Is there something you’re not telling me?”
The younger brother was still a moment before tilting his face and looking
up. Graham caught his breath when he saw the tears in the red eyes.
He watched in chilled silence as the mouth moved slowly and Philip told him, in
a disheartened voice, “Yes, there is…”
End of part 3
Stories on this page are the property of Nessessitee and Slida. Please do not copy these without the written permission of the Author. All Rights are acknowledged for MGM, Gekko and Stargate Productions as to the Copyrights of the characters within this story and no infringement on the copyrights are intended. For the Bombshells Series the character of Philip Simmons is entirely the creation and intellectual property of Nessessitee and Slida.
While the performances given by RDA and MS help to fuel the author's desire to write for their characters in a niche that she feels is present on the actual show, the portrayal of their characters in loving relationships in no way reflects the Author's opinion of the men's private life, nor should it be construed in that manner.