Part 76
Daniel moved aside to let his visitor in then reached out to touch his shoulder. "Are you okay? You're freezing!" he said, rubbing the cold fabric beneath his hand before he started to peel Graham's coat from his shoulders.
"It's cold out there and I walked around.."
"Why? I mean.."
"Like I said, I had to see you," Graham told him with a casual shrug.
Daniel switched off the entry light then they moved into the living room together.
"It's okay, isn't it?" the younger man asked as he turned briefly to look at the man walking behind him. "Did I wake you?"
"No, I was.." Daniel pointed over to his cup and novel on the coffee table.
Graham walked along the step dividing the dining area from the living room while Daniel walked beside him. As he was a step down from Graham he was actually slightly shorter than his partner now.
"So much for getting some sleep," the lieutenant said. He slowed his steps as they drew nearer to the sofa area.
What could Daniel say? 'I couldn't sleep because I wasn't with you'?... That would put too much pressure on Graham and on the relationship, such as it was between them.
"Ah.." He scratched at his brow with the tip of his thumb then he held his arm out wide as he shrugged. Graham gave him a quick smile, forcing a dimple onto his cheek, and then he bowed his head and scuffed his toe at the polished step. He, too, seemed at a loss for words.
"So," Daniel said after a few moments, breaking the awkwardness, "What did you have to see me about?"
"This.." Graham reached for the lapels on the blue pajamas and tugged, scuffling the bigger man towards him. Before Daniel could make a squeak of protest Graham had latched his mouth over his and silenced him with a probing tongue. The kiss softened somewhat as Daniel gently wrapped his arms around his lover's waist and squeezed him closer as he returned the passion. When they finally parted the blue eyes opened slowly then Daniel licked his lips as he quickly looked around and stepped back.
"Ahh.. thank you.."
That kiss explained everything. Graham had obviously gone home and decided that he didn't want to sleep *alone* after all. Not that Daniel minded too much but he still felt a tinge of disappointment that Graham only walked the three blocks to his place, in the freezing cold, because he wanted to get 'some'.
As he stared into the Cimmerian eyes though he knew he wanted Graham just as badly, so he took a firm step forward and latched himself onto his partner, their arms encircling and holding tight while lips and tongues meshed frantically. Again what started out as fiery and heated cooled to a tender embrace, hands slowed as they glided across backs and arms, then they lifted their hands together and laced their fingers while tenderly probing each other's mouth with deep, appreciative grunts. Graham stroked his thumb over the inside of Daniel's wrist as they began to end the kiss and pull away.
As Daniel rubbed their noses together he whispered huskily, "I guess I could try to go to bed now.."
Graham nipped his full bottom lip then kissed him softly before jerking his head back and looking into the blue orbs. "I'll try not to kick you tonight.." He rubbed Daniel's pec as he said that and the older man covered his hand with his own.
"That's not the only reason I hope you don't have that dream." He lifted the joined hands and kiss Graham's palm.
With his other hand the younger man stroked Daniel's chin. "Hold me tight and maybe I won't."
Daniel smiled at that almost romantic suggestion. "I think I can manage that." He twisted his hand within the hold and led his partner towards the bedroom.
Graham stripped down to his underwear before crawling into the bed to cradle the side of Daniel, who was still sitting and placing his glasses on the table beside his bed. He smiled at the man tucked tightly against him as he shuffled down to lie in the bed. Graham propped himself up onto the flat chest then he rubbed Daniel's bottom lip with the tip of his finger as he said, "What time do you have to be up in the morning?"
With a groan Daniel told him, "Six."
Graham's fingers unfastened the top button on the pajamas then he bent and kissed the soft, warm flesh. He unfastened the next button and then the next, following down with tender kisses until the last one then he pushed the top open and ran his hand over the well-formed chest. Daniel inhaled deeply as the fingers teased his nipple. He wasn't really in the mood for the kind of physical sex they had but he was enjoying the tenderness - at least while it lasted, which wouldn't be long if the way Graham's thigh was now rubbing his groin was any indication. He turned his face and sucked gently on the tongue that had been toying with the edges of his ear.
With gentle ease he rolled Graham onto his back and laid across him, his legs entwining and rubbing with the shorter, sturdier ones while he devoured the tongue in another kiss.
Graham threaded his fingers through the long, golden hair then he pulled Daniel's hungry mouth from his own. They stared into each other's eyes as he whispered, "I thought you were tired.."
"I thought you wanted.."
As he closed his eyes Graham shook his head then looked into Daniel's eyes again, "Don't worry about what I want. You need sleep.."
"I'm okay.. I can.."
Graham smiled and pressed his fingers over Daniel's lips. "If you want, I'll.. “ He ran his hand between them and gently squeezed Daniel's cock, then he said, "But I thought you wanted to sleep..?"
"I am tired." Daniel whispered huskily and reached his hand down to capture Graham's. "But you came here.."
Graham pressed him back so that Daniel was now sitting up, resting on his hip. He sat up as well and faced him. "I came here to be with you.." His eyes searched Daniel's face as he added, "Not necessarily sexually.." Touching his fingers to the stubble-covered chin he looked up into the blue eyes and asked, with some uncertainty, "That's all right, isn't it?"
Daniel captured the hand touching his chin and smiled as he kissed the fingers. "Why wouldn't it be?"
With a deep growl Graham said quietly, "You're rock hard.." He gently rubbed his thigh against the groin.
Daniel gave a soft grunt as he shifted, letting Graham's thigh slide from between his, then he rolled further onto his side to face his partner again. "Trust me, it's all right."
"I can.." he started to protest but Daniel smiled and said, "Turn over."
Graham frowned but did as he was told then he gave a deep groan of appreciation as he felt Daniel press against the back of him, spooning him completely.
As he wrapped his arm over Graham's body and gently caressed the soft, black pelt Daniel whispered into his ear, "Okay?"
Graham rubbed his ass against the hard groin as he said, "Very."
Daniel kissed his ear and said, "Good night."
The lieutenant picked up the hand from his chest and kissed the fingers before returning Daniel to his ministrations. "Night."
* *
Philip was trapped. All around him was cold. No air. He couldn't breathe. He gasped but his lungs felt so tight that they might have collapsed in on him. He cried out, but no one could hear. It was dark. Not a sliver of light gave him hope. Suddenly he felt an arm around him, and as he turned to the person he could see their face. It was Jack. He gave Philip a reassuring smile. The younger man started to breathe again. He relaxed with the gentle caress of Jack's long fingers over his back. He knew he was safe now. Safe in the arms of the man who loved him beyond everything. Philip sucked back a long, deep breath and smiled.
'Hey, baby.. what's up?' Jack asked him.
'I'm safe.." Philip sighed contentedly.
Jack looked at him - then a hideous frown marred his handsome face.
Suddenly Philip felt himself slip. He twisted and flailed his arms as he tried desperately to reach for Jack, but as they strained to hold tight, Philip felt himself fall away.. away from the safety that Jack promised him.
As he fell he could hear Jack's cry to him and that made his heart ache more. The air grew icy. Soon there was nothing to breathe at all and that was when Philip sat bolt upright in his bed, his chest heaving as he tried to calm his breaths as he ripped himself from the terrifying nightmare.
The nurse came running into the room and she flicked on the overhead light while Philip gasped and cried, trying desperately to breathe.
"I.. can't.. I can't.." He said as he tapped frantically at his chest.
"It's okay. Lie back.." she said, gently easing the struggling man against his pillows. She unwound the oxygen mask by the bed and fitted it to his face. Hot tears streaked Phil's cheeks as he started to realize that maybe they got things wrong, and that he wasn't as healthy as they kept telling him. The stridency of his gasps grew quiet as the oxygen filled his lungs and he could draw back longer, deeper breaths again. All the while the nurse soothed his forehead with her hand, quietly whispering reassuring words to him. He started to cough then struggled with the mask, ripping it from his face.
"I want to see the Doctor.." he demanded.
"I'll page him but in the meantime you have to rest back. Try not to get stressed.." she said, again swiping her fingers across his forehead lightly. He nodded weakly then settled back against the pillows, without the mask in place.
"Do you want the air?" She asked as she readied to put it back in place.
"No!" he said as he pushed her hand away. "I don't need it." He was determined to 'not' be sick. How could he be? Jack had assured him he was all right! The Doctor had assured him he was all right! This couldn't be happening!!
The nurse turned off the tap in the wall and carefully wound the mask up until it rested on the bed beside Phil's shoulder.
He was aware of the plastic device and his breathing grew a little harsh again, as he panted through gritted teeth, determined to be well again.
Stacey placed a touch to his arm as she said, "I'm just going to page the doctor. It might take a while. Are you going to be all right while I'm gone?"
He nodded mutely, biting back all the comments that he was meant to be fine. Healthy again. Not a thing to worry about, but instead he silently watched her go, waiting until the door was closed before he allowed himself to give into the fear that gripped his heart like cold tendrils. He pressed his hands against his eyes as he drew his knees up and started sobbing heavily.
"This can't be happening.." he whispered to himself, over and over.
*
While on the other side of town in a darkened house, in a quiet suburb, Jack slept soundly in his bed.
*
Daniel was only partially awake - a smear of light crept between his closed lids and forced him to acknowledge that the day had begun. Still, he clamped his lids shut once more and ignored all that, determined to stall the day for as long as he could. Soon the quiet creak of the bedroom door opening caught his attention. He thought he heard the dull clinking of crockery but at almost the same time, Graham threw himself onto the bed, reaching across the sleeping body to prop himself up on an outstretched arm - dispelling any notion that Daniel may have had that he was carrying anything.
With a deep groan the anthropologist registered his protest of being disturbed, but all that seemed to do was make his antagonist chuckle throatily.
"Surely it's too early," Daniel grumbled as he threw an arm across his eyes now, blocking out the day even more deliberately.
"Actually, no!" Graham couldn't help but smile as he watched his sleeping partner, most of his face hidden beneath the blue sleeve leaving only a golden speckled chin and top lip visible. His lips were dry from the night's sleep so Graham wet his finger and lightly rubbed it across the mouth, returning them to their familiar pink state.
Daniel's tongue darted out and licked the lips quickly. "The alarm hasn't even gone off ye..."
Before he could complete that sentence the alarm clock gave a loud, annoying buzz. Graham laughed loudly as he reached across Daniel, pinning the body against the bed as he stretched to silence the annoying noise.
"Careful what you wish for," Graham said in a deep, hushed voice as he repositioned himself across the body within the bed so that he was again leaning on an outstretched arm while sitting on the other side of Daniel.
Daniel removed his arm slowly and tucked it beneath his head instead as he stared up at the man carefully studying every inch of his face. He was unused to such scrutiny, but had a fair idea he knew where all this attention was going. Still he enjoyed it when Graham crooked his index finger and lightly ran it along his jaw, over his chin then up so that his hand cupped Daniel's ear. While he was giving the tender touch he said, "It just might come true.." After he said that a coy, almost shy smile dimpled his black stubble-covered cheek.
Slowly Daniel took the arm from under his head and reached up to cup the back of his attentive lover's head. His long fingers smoothed out the tousled hair as he asked, in a sleep-thickened voice, "Is that a promise?" He wished they were talking about more than alarm clocks and wake up calls here.
Graham didn't answer that but instead he lowered his head and planted a gentle, tender kiss on Daniel's lips. Their tongues jousted for a few moments before the young man sucked on Daniel's bottom lip then moved down over the prickly chin.
As he sucked in a deep breath Daniel arched his throat, allowing Graham access to continue his trail of kisses down his throat and onto his chest. Graham lifted his head, met Daniel's eyes and held the gaze as he crawled backwards down the anthropologist's body, kissing the exposed body as he went.
He paid particular attention to the warm patch of flesh just above the waist elastic on the pajama pants he was still wearing then he eased the elastic band of the pants down, lower and lower as he followed along with tiny pecks.
Daniel's eyes closed slowly and replaced one arm behind his head while he reached his other hand down to rest lightly on the back of the black head, then he shifted his gaze to the ceiling as he felt the elastic inched down over the start of the tuft of his pubic hair. His fingers delved through the short hair then he angled his face to look down to where Graham was still just kissing the golden trail between his navel and his pubic region. The brown eyes moved to meet Daniel's gaze and the anthropologist smiled at him - after all, it wasn't like he wasn't about to enjoy what was going to happen.
But instead of the expected next step, Graham replaced the waistband against Daniel's stomach then he crawled up to lie beside him. Daniel turned his face and said, "Oh?"
Graham smiled. "As tempting as you are - as you always are.." He sat up then reached over the edge of the bed, producing a tray with breakfast. "If I wait too much longer your coffee and breakfast would get cold."
Daniel was not expecting breakfast in bed but he sat up, crossing his legs at his ankles as he helped guide the tray across his lap.
"Thank you," he said as he saw the food. He reached for the cup and took a sip. It was still very warm so he smiled and put it down again then picked up his knife and fork. He cut off some bacon and popped it into his mouth, giving a hum of appreciation as he swallowed. He cut another lot and offered it to Graham. The younger man lightly wrapped his hand around the one holding the fork then he met Daniel's stare as he parted his lips and accepted the food into his mouth.
After he swallowed, Graham said, "Thank you." He picked up a triangle of toast, buttering it for Daniel then he reached over and held it out so that his lover could take a bite. As he did that, he said, "Then I thought we might shower together.. Save water.." Again his black bristled cheek dimpled with a shy smile.
"Agh.. yeah.." Daniel said, still a little taken aback by all this unusual attention.
"Are you finishing at seventeen hundred tonight?" Graham asked.
"Yeah, I think so," Daniel said with a little shrug. "I haven't heard any different."
"I'll probably spend the day with Philip.. That is if Jack doesn't mind."
"Why should he? You're his brother."
"Yeah but, Jack's his.. partner. Goes to reason he'd like to spend a lot of time alone with him, however distant they have to be with each other in that place." Graham smeared some Jam onto a slice of toast and went to put it in his mouth when Daniel caught his hand, and turned it so that he could bite the bread himself. Graham smiled then put the rest of the toast into his mouth.
*
Jack gripped the hair at the back of his head as he stopped himself from crying out in frustration. Philip was retelling the events of the night before and when he finally stopped Jack looked up from where he was pacing the room.
“Then what?”
“Then the Doctor on duty came in and listened to my chest..”
When Philip didn’t continue on immediately, Jack jumped in with, “And?”
“And nothing. He said it sounded fine.”
“But what made you short of breath then?” Jack asked.
Philip screwed his face up as he gave a big shrug. “How the fuck should I know?”
Jack gave him a look that clearly told him he didn’t like that language under any circumstance, but Philip kicked at the bedding instead, trying to expel all his frustrations on the sheets instead of lashing out at his partner.
“Hey!” Jack said as he crossed to the bed quickly. “HEY!” He held his finger in the air to silence Philip’s petulant rant. “Losing it isn’t going to get us anywhere!”
Angrily, Philip climbed off the bed as he hissed, “Oh, right, so I’m just supposed to sit here and not be worried about the fact that I woke up last night unable to damn well breath?”
“No, but yelling at me and kicking your bed sheet like some…” He stopped himself from saying the word, but they both heard it – Child. Jack calmed himself with a deep breath then he said, “It’s not going to help!”
“You said I was well…” Philip reminded him harshly.
Jack’s voice cracked as he raised it in retaliation, “You are better! Look at you! This time last week you couldn’t have yelled at me like this!”
“I DON’T WANT TO BE BETTER!” Philip yelled back even more loudly. The cry had made the argument reach its crescendo and they both fell silent, glaring at each other as they calmed their ragged breaths. Finally Philip said, as tears brimmed his eyes, “I want to be.. well, Jack.” His face screwed up and he turned away, covering his eyes with his hands.
“Oh, baby!” Jack sighed softly as he raced around the bed to comfort him. He wrapped his arms around the distressed man’s shoulders and pulled him into his chest. He didn’t care if someone walked in - even as Philip wrapped his arms around his waist and clutched him closely he didn’t care. The whole place could go to hell as far as he was concerned. Philip needed this. He needed the reassurance that he was going to be well – and right now, all Jack could do was hug him. He couldn’t make any promises because he just didn’t know anymore!
As it happened, no one did come in and it was some time later that Philip, spent of all his tears, finally turned from Jack and wordlessly crawled back under his bed sheet. He didn’t look at his lover when he did this, then he dragged his sheet up to his chin and kept his face turned away from Jack.
The older man remained where he was, still too shocked to move. Finally he rubbed his face with his hand as he blew out a loud breath. He rounded the bed and stood beside Philip, who was partially hidden by the sheet. The almost black eyes stared straight ahead but didn’t focus on anything.
“Philip,” he said as he brushed some curls from the wet cheek. “I’m going to get a drink. You want anything?”
The silent man shook his head then closed his eyes. Jack let his fingertips linger on the tear-stained cheek a moment longer then he turned and left the room. Outside he stopped and leaned against the wall, his head hung low as he tried not to lose it.
Philip was meant to be well. What the hell went wrong?
<End of Part 76>
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.