Part 44
After arriving home late from the mission, Jack discovered Philip already in bed, fast asleep. He sat on the edge of the bed for a long while, just watching him sleeping. As he was about to get up he noticed the Neb unit had been moved and wondered if Philip had had to use it. He started to peel his clothes off his body as Philip stirred.
"Jack?" the voice was thick and breathy from sleep.
"Yeah, it's just me, babe. Go back to sleep."
Philip rolled onto his back then slotted his eyes open to watch Jack undress. When he'd stripped down to his underwear, Philip slurred, "You're so handsome.."
Jack paused in his efforts of reaching for his sweat pants and said, "Hi pot, I'm kettle!"
A dopey grin flittered over Phil's features. "Yeah, sure, ya betcha.." he mimicked his lover before slipping back to sleep once more. Jack gathered his sweat top up his arms but before he pulled it on over his head he stood by the bed and looked down at Philip, asleep once more. As he was about to slip the top on, he realized he was still wearing his tags. Quickly he pulled the sweatshirt on then he removed his dog tags and dropped them into the side pocket of his bag that he took to work with him.
Climbing into bed, he realized he wasn't going to be able to keep the fact that he was returning to work from Philip for too long, but he had three days in order to come up with some kind of reason for going back. Moments before sleep claimed his weary mind and body he thought that telling Philip that being a desk jock wasn't going to be so bad after all ‘might’ be the best way to handle this delicate situation. And, he made sure before he completely nodded off, he'd have to include Graham in any decision he made this time.
*
It was several hours after noon when Jack and Philip sat in the office of Lawson and Partners, a branch of the Law firm who had send Philip the letter a few days ago.
The day before Philip had called them to tell them that he'd received the letter, then a call had come from the office that morning telling him that he had an appointment with Mr. White at three p.m.
Jack was livid! Because Philip had woken with a cold and wasn't feeling very well, he'd decided that the two of them would spend the day lolling about on the sofa, watching the television and just being 'together'. When the call from the solicitors came, it ruined all his plans!
However, as they got ready to go out Jack had to stop himself from tackling Philip to the bed when he suddenly appeared before him in a tailored black suit. It was probably the first time - that Jack could remember - that Philip had worn a suit and with the slate gray shirt as well, he was looking extremely handsome. While Jack dressed beside him, he kept making lewd suggestions to his chuckling lover until Philip finally threatened to leave the room if Jack didn't start behaving himself!
All playfulness was gone now, though. Jack looked and felt nervous as he wandered around the elegant office, prodding at this and poking at that, while Philip sat quietly in a high back chair. His cold had freshened over the day and now he was constantly rubbing and blowing his nose with his handkerchief.
"How much longer do you think?" Jack asked impatiently. Philip shrugged then checked his watch as he coughed thickly.
"Hopefully not much longer," he said, breathlessly. "Not if we're going to get the rest of my things from the library today."
"You should go home to bed!" Jack said.
"It's a cold, Jack! That's all! And this time I really mean it!"
"I know.. but.."
The door behind them opened and a man, in an expensive suit and small, square framed glasses, entered the vast office.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I had an urgent call to take. Please, be seated," he said as he settled himself behind the large desk.
"I'm Philip Simmons," Philip introduced himself.
"And you're...?"
"Not important," Jack said bluntly as he shook his head. This earned him a smirk of approval from his lover. The solicitor raised his brow and looked at Philip then shuffled the papers on his desk.
With a nod, he said, "I see." Turning his attention to Philip now, the man said, "I'm Patrick White, and I'm the man with the momentous task of explaining all this to you."
"What's to explain?" Philip said bluntly. "John died."
With a patient smile, Patrick clasped his hands before him and nodded. "Yes, that is true. Johnothan Weissmann has passed on. And he died a wealthy man. He was a broker, wasn't he?
Without emotion, Philip said, "He was when I knew him."
Patrick tried to smile again, but this time it looked a little nervous. Obviously, Jack thought to himself, Patrick thought Philip was going to be agog by the inheritance, but the young artist sat stoic and unemotional, stealing all of Pat's thunder!
"In his Will he has left a sizable amount of his Estate to you. I believe you were once close?
With a heavy sigh that clearly told them all that Philip was too tired and ill to get excited by all this, the artist said frankly, "He was my lover."
Patrick's jaw dropped slightly then he gathered himself and nodded, briefly looking over at Jack, who returned a laconic arch of his brow.
Shuffling the papers on his desk the solicitor looked between the two men then back down at the folder before him.
"Right. Well. Let's get started then, shall we?"
*
It was a good two hours before Jack and Philip emerged from the office. Both were tired and over-wrought by the whole incident and Philip's breathing was sounding thicker and thicker because of his cold. As they got into the elevator, Philip sighed and said, "Somehow I always thought winning the lottery would feel better than this."
"That's because this all came at a cost."
Philip watched the numbers scroll down. "I know. Our lives." He commented flatly.
Jack shrugged then said, "I was going to say John's guilt."
"Fuck his guilt," Philip said, waiting for the doors to open. "Leaving me his house in Arlington, his fortune, and his stocks and bonds no way makes up for what he took from me." Despite his illness the young man stepped out of the elevator quickly, leaving Jack standing there a moment before he hurried to catch up to him.
*
Outside, Philip slipped his sunglasses onto his face then he waited for his lover to catch up. After blowing his nose again he said, "Shall we go to the library now?
"I think you should go home to bed. You sound like shit," Jack commented.
Philip gave a weary smile. "Feel like it too, but I have to get this stuff from the office. Todd needs to get in there."
"Ahhh, Todd," Jack said in a none-too-friendly manner as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his fawn colored pants.
"Jack, please. Don't start!"
"Wouldn't dream of it!" The older man said swiftly.
"Good. I really don't have the strength today.."
"Because you should be in bed!" Jack retorted.
"Oh, for crying.." Philip sighed then squeezed the bridge of his nose as he stopped dead in his tracks. "Jack, please. Why don't I go and do this alone, if you're going to be like this?"
"Like what? I'm perfectly fine!"
"No, you're not! Besides, I don't know why you're in such a hurry to sweep me off home!" He sneezed then blew his nose. "You can hardly afford to catch this cold!"
Without missing a beat, Jack said, "I'm not worried about catching your damn cold - but I am worried about you!"
"I'll be.." Phil paused then waited then sneezed again before wiping his raw nose gently. "Fine."
"Yeah, in a day or two after some rest! Look, I'll drop you off home and go and get the stuff myself."
"No, Jack, really. I've only got a cold and I'm on antibiotics as it is. I'll be okay! Please. I don't want to sit around the house - that only makes me feel worse!”
Philip's nose crinkled then he suddenly twisted away and sneezed into his hands. Jack winced then reached into his pocket for a clean tissue or two before handing them over to his groaning mate.
"Aw.. yuck!" Philip groused as he wiped his hands clean.
Jack bit back his smile and said, "Why don't we just get this stuff and go home to talk about .. everything."
"No. I know I'm sneezing a lot, but I'm really okay. I like it when we can get out. Please," he said, smiling as he begged his lover, "Can't we go to the library and maybe get a few beers before we go home?"
"Beers?"
"You telling me you've never had a beer when you've had a cold?"
"You shouldn't drink alcohol with antibiotics.." Jack argued weakly.
"Jack! Give me a break, okay? I don't want to go straight home. Can't you just.." He stopped to sneeze then rubbed his nose clean. "Can't we please stay out and play a little longer?"
With a sigh Jack said, "Let's play it by ear. You start to feel *any* worse and it's ei-oh ei-oh, off to home we go!"
Philip's smile broadened. "Okay," he said holding his hand over his heart. "Promise."
As they ambled slowly across the road, Jack said, "I guess we could celebrate.."
"Celebrate what?"
"The fact that you're incredibly wealthy now."
With a derisive snort Philip said, "What's the point of all that money and stuff?" He blew his nose again. "He obviously couldn't take it with him, though I'm 'sure' he probably tried. No, all this goes to show me is that it can't buy me what I really need..."
"What would that be?"
"Time," Philip said as he stopped mid-step and looked at the man beside him. His dark eyes shifted across Jack's face, as if mapping it for the first time, then he looked deeply into the chocolate-brown eyes. Lowering his voice because they were on a public road, he added, "Time to be with you. Time to love you longer."
Jack held the intense stare as he said, "I know."
Shaking himself from the almost trance-like state Philip began to walk on again as he said, to the man walking beside him, "I leave you a hard task, too."
"What's that?"
"Who are you going to leave this fortune to?" Philip checked both ways before crossing the street. Jack weaved through the late afternoon traffic to catch up with him again.
"What do you mean?" He asked, climbing the steps of the library at his friend's side.
"I leave it to you, who do you leave it to?" Philip asked breathlessly as he reached the front doors of the Library. "My guess is it will be Daniel."
Jack felt guilty as he watched Philip go inside, and he was about to follow when his cell phone began to ring.
*
Inside the library Todd was talking to Sylvia. The two of them looked up as Philip approached the front desk. Her eyes were small and hard, Todd's were bright and welcoming.
"Philip!"
"Hi, Todd. Sylvia." It was clear by the differences in the way he said each name that he cared for Todd but was being polite to the woman. Keeping his eyes on his friend, he told him, "I've come for some of my things, if you don't mind?"
Todd stepped out from behind the desk and placed his arm across his friend's shoulder. "Of course I don't mind! You sure you're up for this? You look kinda..."
"What?"
"Well, like you've still got a.. a.. bit of a cold.."
"Yes. I still do. But that doesn't stop me from tossing a few items into a box and taking it home with me. I'll send a van in a few days, if that's okay."
"Of course! You take as long as you need. I rarely go in there anyway."
Philip rolled his eyes then he waited for Todd to unlock the door and let him in. It didn't pass his attention that the doorplate was already missing. As he stepped into the room that he used to regard almost like his home he felt a genuine ache in his heart. He looked around at all the familiar items; some of the things were his, and some he'd have to leave behind when he walked away from this place. The tall easel still stood in the corner and Philip realized he'd been working on something before the dismissal and has since forgotten it. He went over, lifted the cover cloth and stared at the painting he'd been working on of him and Jack. He gave a soft smile as he looked at the almost life-like image of his lover's face. He was aware that Todd had stepped in behind him.
"Wow. What I'd give to have a talent like that."
Lowering the cloth Philip said, "So would I - now." He turned and looked over his shoulder at the man behind him.
"What do you mean?"
Holding his hands up, Philip showed him how much they shook. “New development.”
"You can't sketch anymore?"
Without a word, the artist shook his head then stepped over to the ornate desk and tried to tug open the first drawer. It was locked. He checked his pockets and found his keys. Opening the drawer he pulled out some journals, his diary and a box that he'd stashed back there a long time ago. He'd almost forgotten about it. As he laid it on the desk he said, matter-of-factly, "I've just come from the solicitors."
"Oh?" Todd asked, perching himself against the desk.
Over dinner, Philip had told Todd about John's death, but not about the details of the inheritance - just that he stood to gain some things from the Will.
Philip traced around the edge of the box with his thumbnail as he said, in a low voice, "I don't feel .. anything.." He frowned then looked at the dark eyes staring at him. "Does that make me a bad person?"
"No."
With a scoff, Philip shook his head and said, "Perhaps it does."
"No." Todd crouched before him now, resting his hand on Phil's knee. "I can totally understand why you'd feel like that."
"I just wish I could feel some kind of compassion, some sadness now that he's gone. I shared my life with that man, and now..." He tightened his mouth and shrugged. "Well, now I don't feel anything at all."
"How .. how did everything go.. today?"
Philip blinked slowly then reached over and pulled out some tissues from the box on his desk. He blew his nose as he said, "yeah, they went okay." He wasn't sure yet how much we wanted to tell Todd.
The older man asked, cautiously, "But you *did* get some things?"
In a mocking tone, Philip said dismissively, "Oh, he left me some pretty little things."
Nodding seriously now Todd said, "Trying to appease his soul, no doubt."
"No doubt. Well, least it gives me something to leave Jack.."
The other man rubbed the knee lightly. "How are things there?"
"Good. Like I was telling you the other night, they're the best they've ever been..."
Todd smiled then nodded. "Good. I'm really pleased to hear that."
Philip reached out and cupped the smooth cheek. "I'm really sorry things didn't work out between you and Daniel."
"Me, too. I see him every now and then, you know, around the apartments." He gave a sad sigh then smiled bravely. "He doesn't see me though."
Philip brushed his thumb over the predominant cheekbone.
"He thinks I should have supported you more. Not taken your job, like that would make any different to Traver's and that lot."
"I know. I told him, and Jack, that you only did what you thought was the best thing to do."
Todd nudged against the cool hand. "You and I know the truth, that's all that matters to me. Between you and me, I think Daniel's a little hung up on someone else."
"Who?"
Todd was about to tell him when the door opened up and Jack stepped into the room. He saw the two of them at the other end of the room; Philip sitting with his hand touching the face of the man crouched before him. He frowned as he pointed out to the corridor.
"That woman said you were back here," he explained his barging in.
Todd got to his feet slowly and tucked his hands into his pockets. Philip also stood but leaned on the desk as he said, "Jack, you remember Todd."
"Yeah, sure. How are ya?" Jack said as casually as he could.
"I'm well, thank you. And you?" Todd asked smoothly.
"Couldn't be better," Jack said then looked at Philip. "You getting your stuff?"
"Yeah," Philip said, going to the adjoining bathroom to collect some items from in there. Jack looked at Todd then around the room.
"Phil's not very well at the moment," Todd said, as way of conversation. The colonel's eyes drifted to him slowly then the librarian added; "I noticed he seemed to be coming down with something last night at dinner."
Jack shrugged then said, "It's a cold."
"Maybe it's just as well he's not working then," Todd commented.
Jack gave a shrewd grin at the other man. "I'm so not going to answer that one!"
The young man entered the room and instantly felt the tension between the two of them. He went up to Jack and said, in a low voice, "Why don't you wait outside for me?"
Jack looked down into the dark eyes. "Wait a minute, I thought we were here to clean out your office?"
"Jack," Philip said with a small, embarrassed smile.
"Look, let's just get everything quickly then we can.."
Philip placed his hand on the center of Jack's chest, silencing the older man. "Why don't you meet me across the road - at the bar in Shrivers?"
Jack looked from Philip to Todd, who was politely looking away. He returned his gaze to his lover. "I can play nice."
A smile creased Phil's lips and eyes. "I know that, hun, but I just.. Wait for me over the road, huh? I thought you wanted to celebrate."
"I thought you just wanted to get some gear and go home! You're not well!"
"I'll help him pack," Todd offered, trying to give Jack a polite smile.
Jack stared back at him a moment then looked down at Philip. "Or we could both go now and I could come back another time.."
"Jack, please!" The young man sighed exasperatedly.
"I promise, I'll help him. He won't need to lift a finger," Todd offered helpfully.
Jack quickly glanced at him then his eyes narrowed slightly. Philip's fingers shifted across the sweater Jack was wearing as he said, "See. Todd will look after me.."
"I bet," Jack hissed under his breath so that only Philip heard him.
In a voice full of desperation now, Philip pleaded with him, "Oh, please hun. Don't do this to me."
Tearing his eyes from the black eyes on the other man, Jack looked down into his lover's pleading gaze. Wrapping his arm around Phil's waist easily, he said, "I'll be across the road."
A faint smile creased Phil's lips and eyes. "Thank you."
Spreading his fingers wide against the small of Phil's back, Jack said, "But leave the stuff here though. After we've had a few beers we'll come back and get it, that is -" he said looking at Todd now, "-if that's okay with you."
"Sure," Todd said.
Jack looked down into the dark eyes again and said, "Take your time, baby!" He pressed his hand to Phil's back and the younger man smiled as Jack left the room.
*
As Philip eased himself onto the bar stool beside Jack, the man waiting couldn't help but notice the perspiration beaded across his mate's forehead, nor could he dismiss the fact that he was breathing rather heavily.
"Got your Atrovent?" He asked. Philip nodded at the bar tender, then after pointing to Jack's beer he held up two fingers.
"No," he said, turning on the stool and resting back against the bar with his elbows.
"You took your time," Jack said, draining the last of his beer from the large glass.
"Yeah, Todd and I got to talking about the inheritance."
"Ah," Jack said, with a nod. He watched as Phil's chest rose and fell heavily. "You okay? Do you want to go home?"
"No, I'm fine. Just," he turned and gave his lover a small smile, "just a little worn out."
Jack arched his brow as he commented, "Packing will do that to ya."
Philip lifted his eyes to meet Jack's and he said, "Sure does."
*
By the time they reached the house later that night Philip was coughing so harshly that even Jack's chest felt constricted. He ordered his lover to the bedroom then quickly set up the neb unit and settled Philip back against the pillows with the mask over his face. For a short while the younger man could barely stop coughing long enough to inhale any of the medicine but soon he relaxed and started breathing as deeply as he could. The whole time Jack sat beside him, holding his hand and lightly caressing it with his thumb. Philip's half-closed eyes would focus on him from time to time and Jack could see the corners of his eyes crinkle with his smile. He'd return the smile and then lifted Phil's hand to kiss the back of it. Philip turned his hand to cup the stubble-covered cheek, then he brushed his thumb over Jack's mouth. Carefully he pressed his thumb between the dry lips and Jack closed his eyes as he started to suck gently on the digit. He heard Phil's breath hitch and opened his eyes, just to check that he was sighing out of enjoyment and not discomfort. By the look shining back at him, Philip was most definitely sighing from enjoyment. Jack's tongue twirled the thumb in his mouth and then he closed his lips and sucked lightly on him.
"Jack," Philip sighed into the mask, making the cry of contentment a muffled one.
"Right here, baby," Jack said, around the thumb then he removed it and started kissing down the inside of Philip's arm until he reached his shoulder.
Philip tilted his face to rub his cheek against the gray hair then he moaned as Jack ran his hand down his rising chest, over his stomach and between his thighs. Stroking the inside of Philip's thigh now, Jack looked up and into the dark eyes deeply.
"Did I tell you how handsome you looked today?"
"Several.." Philip inhaled deeply. "Times."
Jack smiled and leaned forward to place a tender kiss on Phil's eyebrow. "Love you, baby.."
He sat back and looked at the face, moist with perspiration. Philip's breath sounded worst than Jack could ever recall it sounding and he was about to get up and telephone for Janet when Philip gripped his hand tighter. "Don't leave me."
"I was just going to call the Doc.."
"No.." Philip's eyes watered as he shook his head slightly. "Don't go anywhere."
Jack nodded and settled back onto the bed, then he crawled over Phil's legs and snuggled into the side of him, leaning the weary man against his shoulder as he gently stroked his lank hair off his damp forehead. Philip's breathing grew softer and softer as the medicine opened his airways and allowed him to breath.
He slowly drifted off to sleep with Philip against him but was woken hours later when the young man couldn't breath again. Quickly he set up the unit once more and while Philip gulped at it greedily for air he called an ambulance to take him to hospital.
<End of Part 44>
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.