A New Beginning Part 4:
Thanks to all of you.... 241 to date that have written, applauding, cursing, crying at me to write this part as fast as possible. The answers are here....
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Jonathan equally wore a look of shock on his face Emotions flooded through him in a non ending wave that threatened to block out the world. Everything he had hoped was not right, all the research he had done, everything he had checked hoping he was wrong, wasn't. Once more Jonathan spoke.
"Why did you do this, Nick?" he asked.
Nick could only stand in shock and seeing Jonathan for the first time in almost a year. Fear crossed his face. How could he have been found? How could he even begin to explain what had happened, what he had done.
"Six minutes Jon" came the voice over the earphone of the radio Jonathan was wearing.
"Why Nick?" asked Jonathan again. He could only look at Nick and remember the peace and love he had come to know and feel with him being a part of his life. "I need to know"
"I had to man" said Nick, his voice shaking. "I couldn't let you be hurt, never again"
"What are you talking about?" said Jonathan. "Chris was killed, your best friend Paul, in a hospital for over four months, if you don't love me that's fine, but you owe me answers"
"Don't ever say that Jon" said Nick, collapsing into a chair. "I love you more then you will ever know, everyday I think about waking up with you next to me, knowing that it will never happen but knowing that you are safe because of it"
"What the Hell are you talking about Nick?" asked Jonathan. "I have people to make sure that no one gets near me that isn't supposed to, you know that"
"It's more then that" said Nick, tears flowing down his face. "You need to leave, you can't be seen with me, it isn't safe for you to be here you could be in serious trouble."
"Four minutes Jon" said Danny over the radio. "People are starting to wake up around here."
"Fine" said Jonathan into the radio. "I'll be ready"
"Look, I am on a tight rope here Nick" said Jonathan. "I have busted at least a half dozen FAA regulations that could get Don into serious trouble, not to mention I spent a small fortune tracking you down. If you didn't want to be found, why the email? Why hint you are alive?"
"I don't know man" said Nick, he head in his hands. "I don't know why I did it. When nothing happened, I figured you had given up on me"
"Never a day goes by without me thinking about you" said Jonathan, walking over and crouching next to Nick. "I love you and have never stopped loving you, but I need to know"
"I can't tell you " said Nick. "It is too dangerous to you."
Jonathan clicked his radio. "Danny bring everyone in close now"
Jonathan took Nick's face in his hand. A tremor shook through his body at feeling the warmth of Nick's face again. He closed his eyes for a moment as a wave of emotion coursed through him. As he opened his eyes, looking at Nick, he said "Look around."
Nick felt the warmth of Jonathan's hand and the feeling raced through his whole body. He looked around and saw 10 people, all dressed in black, camo paint across their faces, weapons hanging from their bodies., The smallest he saw was over 6 feet and solid. No less then three weapons were on each person.
"I'm safe." said Jonathan. "No one is going to get near me.. or you while I'm here." The numbers continued to fall in his head. "I have less then two minutes then we have to be gone. Nick, I need a reason. Please, give me some reason for putting me through this"
"I am so sorry" said Nick hanging his head. "I can only imagine the pain you went through. You said Chris died, that was never meant to happen. He jumped in front of me. It had been all planned, No one was meant to get hurt:"
"Who planned it?" asked Jonathan. "I know this is a government paid condo. You are in Witsec."
'Yeah, they did it" said Nick getting up and walking towards his condo. "They said the only way I could be safe.... you could be safe is if I disappeared."
"Is that why you asked to stay in Boston?" asked Jonathan, following.
"Yeah" said Nick.
"90 seconds Jon" said Danny.
"I'm almost out of time" said Jonathan. "Look at me"
Nick turned around and gazed into the green eyes of Jonathan.
"I don't think I like you with blond hair" said Jonathan, ruffling it.
"Not my idea" said Nick.
"Do you remember when we met in the airport the first time?" asked Jonathan.
"Yeah, how could I forget" said Nick.
"I asked you if you trusted me" said Jonathan. "Do you trust me now?"
"I've always loved you and trusted you" said Nick.
"Then throw some clothes on, you got 60 seconds" said Jonathan. "What ever it is that you are hiding from, I can protect you."
"Its not me man" said Nick. "It is you. They will use you to get to me"
"I spend more on my own safety on a quiet day, then the government is spending in a year on you" said Jonathan. His radio made noises. "I am out of time. Please. Come with me" He stared directly into the blue eyes of Nick. "Please".
Nick stood. "You don't know what you are getting into" he said.
"Tell me on the way out of here" said Jonathan getting up.
Nick looked at Jonathan, seeing the ring he had given to Jonathan the night of the spring party attached to the leather necklace he had made. "You still have it?"
"Of course" said Jonathan.
"Can you still love me?" asked Nick quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I haven't stopped" said Jonathan. "We can talk about that later. Will you come with me now?"
"Yes" said Nick. He threw on a pair of jeans, and a tee shirt, and sneakers.
As they walked out the front door, a van pulled in front. Danny, leading them got them all into the van and it took off down the road, closely followed by the other. This time the vans drove directly to the landing strip. Five guards stood around the plane, Captain Hendrickson at the doorway looking at his watch. As the van came near the plane, the door was yanked open and Nick and Jonathan were hustled out by Danny and Jeff. The plane started rolling as soon as the last guard was aboard. In short order they were airborne. In a sharp vertical climb then rollover turn, Jonathan realized that the Captain hadn't been kidding about the short runway. Jonathan knew they were flying straight to the airport where Renaissance was waiting. He could only imagine the wonder of the air traffic controllers as the Gulfstream V popped up out of seemingly nowhere. The plane was silent. Jonathan had gotten a cup of coffee and sat across from Nick. Nick could only stare at Jonathan and the men surrounding him.
"You ready to talk?" asked Jonathan.
"I don't know where to begin" said Nick. "It is going to take a long time to explain this."
"Yeah well" said Danny. "As happy as I am to see you alive, I need to know some shit and I need to know it fast kid. You said that you disappeared in a Witsec disappearance gig because it was too dangerous for Jonathan to be with you. Dangerous how?"
"I knew everything that my father was involved in" said Nick quietly. "I mean everything. From how he had the resources to come after you last year, everything. He was dirtier then anyone else knew."
"So how about telling me who is going to come after Jonathan" asked Danny, none to politely. "One of my people is dead because of your little stunt. I want answers"
"Back off Danny" said Jonathan.
"I know he is dead and I feel like shit over it" said Nick, yelling back. "Do you think I wanted him dead, or Paul in the hospital? It went wrong"
"Who is coming" said Danny, a little more quietly.
"My father's people" said Nick. "The mob"
"Great" said Danny, "This is gonna be a picnic"
"Shush" said Jonathan.
He walked across the plane and sat down on the couch next to Nick. "I know what you did was for me. You should have talked to me"
"I couldn't take the chance man" said Nick. "I still have nightmares of that night in Zermatt. A haunted look came over his face. "There was no way I could put you through that again. I loved you too much. I still do."
"Stay here" said Jonathan. He walked forward and went to the cockpit. "How are we looking?"
"Provided I don't get arrested upon landing, we are all right. We should be on the ground in less then 10 minutes" said Captain Hendrickson. "Did you get what you came for?"
"Yeah" said Jonathan quietly. "I think so"
"Who did you kidnap back there?" asked the Captain jokingly.
"Nick" said Jonathan.
"What?!" said Captain Hendrickson. "What are you talking about?"
"He's alive" said Jonathan. "He hasn't told me the whole story yet"
"Oh man" said the Captain. "Get settled back there. We are gonna be landing hot"
"OK" said Jonathan. "How much time between the time we land and the time we can get airborne in Renaissance?"
"If everything is done, less then 5 minutes." said the Captain. "All flight plans should have been filed, and we should be warm and on the tarmac. I can have it moving 15 seconds after I sit down. I am going to taxi as close as I can to the 747. We should be airborne in less then 4 minutes after that. According to flight tables, no one should be taking off or landing for about 20 minutes."
"OK thanks" said Jonathan.
"That's what you pay me for" said the Captain. "Just keep me out of jail"
"Don't worry" said Jonathan. "You're safe."
He went back to the passenger area, walking past Nick, who was staring moodily out of the window and past the guards. He went into the bedroom and washed his face and looked at himself in the mirror. A thousand thoughts were going through his head. Could he deal with this? No answers came to mind. He walked back to the main cabin, as he sat down he heard the landing gear go down and lock into place. He reached for the intercom phone.
"Everything OK Don?" he asked when the Captain had picked up.
"More or less" said the Captain. "Renaissance has been given clearance to taxi and will be sitting at the end of the taxiiway. We have clearance to taxi to 100 feet of her, and the tower would love to know where we came from. They are squaking a little bit about it, but we shouldn't have any problems. We should be airborne in less then 3 minutes after we land."
"Thanks, we'll be ready back here" said Jonathan.
Jonathan looked at Danny. "After we are airborne, coordinate with Brandon. I want the Gulfstream up and off that island fast and home before someone decides to try and impound it"
"I'll take care of it" said Danny.
The plane angled down and touched down faster then usual. The taxiing was smooth and quick, with the plane coming to a halt 100 feet from Renaissance. Even inside the cabin of the plane it was easy to hear that Renaissance was warmed up and her engines above idle. Danny opened the G-V to let the Captain out who went running to the 747. Jonathan and Nick came next, surrounded by a few of the guards. More were already on the ground waiting. They formed a protective circle around them and it was a fast run to the 747. Once inside the stairs were pulled and the plane began moving. Jonathan pushed Nick into the front lounge and told him to sit. He went upstairs, passing Paul on the way to the cockpit.
"What's going on man" asked Paul.
"Sit, we are taking off fast" said Jonathan.
He entered the cockpit. He sat down in a jumpseat as the plane rolled down the tarmac. The nose rose sharply and once more the plane took to the skies. Receiving a priority clearance, they were cleared to a southwesterly plan and allowed to climb directly to their cruising altitude of 43,000 feet before making turns to their primary destination. For Jonathan, it was unlike a ride he had ever been on. The full power of the planes four engines hurled the jet at full speed on a high flight angle. Ten minutes later they leveled off on a corrected flight plan.
"We doing all right?" asked Jonathan.
"Well" started the flight engineer. "The tower caught your little dance across the tarmac and wanted to know what was going on. They have a tendency to frown on weapons on the tarmac. We basically told them it was a private affair and to put their nose up their ass"
"Oh, I'm sure that went over well" said Jonathan with sarcasm in his voice..
"I don't care how much you pay me boss" said the Captain over his shoulder, "We are not doing that again"
"AMEN" said Jonathan. "I appreciate what you did, the risks you took"
Don only nodded and turned around again. "So do me a favor, and have some food sent up. It's going to be a long flight."
"You got it" said Jonathan turning around and going out the door. He passed Paul again in the lounge, who was holding Sebastian.
"He does not like to do take offs" said Paul handing Jonathan the cat. Sebastian wrapped his mammoth paws around Jonathan's neck like a drowning man, and growled continuously.
"Nice to see you are getting along" said Jonathan, scratching the cat's ears.
"Yeah right whatever" said Paul. "40 pounds of cat hits me like a ton of bricks, and climbs up my chest, is not getting along."
"Heh" said Jonathan. "Come on downstairs in about half an hour. I got a surprise for you"
"OK" said Paul.
Chapter Two: Jonathan walked back down holding Sebastian. The cat had calmed down enough to climb over Jonathan's shoulders and settle down across them. He quietly nuzzled at Jonathan's ear.
"Don't even think I'm lunch" said Jonathan to the cat. This earned him a renewed purring and licking of his ear.
Jonathan walked into the lounge to find Nick sitting on the couch. He looked up as Jonathan walked in.
"What the fuck is that?" he said pointing at Sebastian.
"This is Sebastian" said Jonathan, unwrapping the cat from his shoulders and placing him on the rug. He stretched to his full height and looked suspiciously at Nick. The cat's ears and whiskers twitched at Nick. He slowly approached him. Sniffing, he decided he was harmless and walked away in search of his food bowl.
"That is one big cat" said Nick.
"Yeah, 41 pounds of love and fur" said Jonathan. He walked behind the bar and poured some food out for the cat and then opened the fridge, pulling out two bottles of beer. He opened them and walked back to Nick handing him one.
"I know it's a little early, but what the Hell" said Jonathan, taking a long pull from his.
"I know what you mean. I need this" said Nick.
There was a knock on the door and Danny walked in.
"We've leveled off and are on station for Switzerland. Brandon said that he would have the Gulfstream airborne as soon as it is refueled. It will be in South Carolina, in about 12 hours. He had the other flight crew on standby. They were in the plane 30 seconds after we got out of it. We will notify the Eberle's of your pending arrival about 4 hours out. We will need to talk after we get there. We've got to set down somewhere for refueling before continuing on, most likely we will land in Charlotte or Memphis; someplace quiet."
"Thanks" said Jonathan.
As Danny walked out Karen and Anthony walked in.
"Jonathan" said Karen "Is everything all right? That wasn't a normal take off and OH MY GOD!"
Her voice trailed off as she saw Nick. Anthony walked right into the back of her as she came to a complete stand still.
"Hi" said Nick quietly.
"What, how, who" said Karen.
"You knew didn't you Jon" said Anthony quietly.
"I had a good idea after we started putting it together." said Jonathan. " I still don't know the why but I will"
"Ah, uhm.. I think we'll leave you alone" said Karen, still staring at Nick. "Call if you need anything."
They went out of the door, Jonathan turned back to Nick.
"You scared the Hell out of her." he said. "First time I've ever seen her speechless"
"I have that effect on women" said Nick, trying to make a joke.
"Cute" said Jonathan, taking another long pull of his beer. "You ready to tell me now?"
"I can try" said Nick. "It's really complicated. I never wanted to hurt you, you have to understand that. I was going to try to leave you some sort of note or message, but things happened so quickly. I had expected the event, as they called it, to happen that afternoon. When it happened that morning, I was picked up and hustled out of there in an ambulance straight to the airport. I was basically carried onto a waiting jet and for the next 18 hours didn't have a clue where I was."
"What is so bad about what you know that was worth all this" said Jonathan.
"I found my father's crap all on computer disks" said Nick. I had been looking for a spare disk about 3 months before we finally got together. I thought it was a blank one, it wasn't near his computer. I looked at it. It had names, addresses all sort of shit on it. I had known he was involved in some stuff, but not that much. That night I sneaked back to the house, the night, the night I killed him, I took that disk and two others. They were obviously missed. I found out later on that there is a 250,000 dollar bounty on my head, or was I guess. I'm dead; or supposed to be."
He turned to Jonathan. "That's why I ran, I had to, they would have killed you in an instant to get to me. They still will if when find out I'm alive. That's why I shouldn't be here. It won't take long for them to realize I'm alive and come after me again, and anyone in their way."
"There's a difference" said Jonathan. "This time, they will get a reception they won't soon forget. There may be 250,000 reasons they have to try to nail your ass, but I got seven billion more to see that they don't"
There was a knock on the door. Paul walked in. "You wanted to see me? Something about a surprise. Oh, shit, sorry. I didn't know you were busy"
"It's OK Paul" said Jonathan glancing at Nick, seeing him turn pale again for the second time in the day. "Say Hello"
Paul turned back and looked at the blond haired man. The hair was a bright sun bleached blond hanging down below his shoulders, and at first Paul didn't put two and two together. Then it hit him. The look on his face was one of pure astonishment.'You're dead man" he said softly.
"Do I look dead" Nick asked.
"You can't be" said Paul, walking slowly over to Nick. "You are fucking dead."
"I'm alive" said Nick. "It is a long story"
Paul walked over and wrapped his arms around Nick. He couldn't say anything, he just held Nick. After a while he let Nick go and looked at him. "You better have a hell of a reason I don't beat the living shit out of you for what you put me through"
"I'll tell you all about it later man" said Nick. "Right now, I need to get my head together"
"YOU DO?" said Paul exploding, "What about me? Do you know the shit I've gone through?"
"Yeah I do, and I'm so sorry man" said Nick. "I never meant for you to be hurt. That whole thing was screwed from the word go"
"Yeah, whatever" said Paul. "I've got 3 pins in my leg, it hurts like hell and you tell me it was screwed?"
Nick couldn't stop the tears from starting to flow down his face. Too many emotional shocks in a short time were catching up with him. "I don't know what to say man, I never wanted you hurt, it just happened. I never wanted to hurt Jonathan, Chris to die or any of it, I had to"
Nick went running in the other direction to the bedroom and closed the door.
"That's really him?" asked Paul.
"Yeah it's him, cut him some slack." said Jonathan getting up. "He's been through a lot. He did what he did because he didn't want me hurt." He walked out the door going towards his office. "It's going to take a lot of time to heal. Don't be too mad man, he did what he thought he had to do."
"Aren't you mad?" asked Paul following him out.
"Yeah I'm pissed off as all Hell" said Jonathan, "Yelling about it isn't gonna help"
Sebastian followed Jonathan down the hallway. As Jonathan entered the office, the cat went flying by him and jumped up on the desk, scattering papers.
"Did anyone ever tell you, that you could be a pest?" he asked Sebastian. The cat simply sat down and churred quietly back at him.
Jonathan flipped on the intercom. "Brandon I need you in the office"
A few minutes later, Brandon walked in. "You certainly know how to stir up a boring day. A little warning about that take off would have been nice. I'm still picking up shit in my office."
"Sorry" said Jonathan. "I wasn't flying the plane. So, where do we stand?"
"As of 10 minutes ago the Gulfstream was airborne and headed home" said Brandon. All seems quiet at the moment. No one is looking for us in an official capacity; although I expect that will change soon enough" He paused. "Is it true about Nick?"
"Yeah it is" said Jonathan, pulling a file out from under the protesting Sebastian. "He is on board up front."
"Oh man" said Brandon, pausing to collect his thoughts. "I can't believe it. Are you OK?"
"I don't know what I am right now Brandon." said Jonathan tiredly, tossing the file back down on the desk. Sebastian promptly pounced on it. "I am emotionally a wreck right now. I need to know more then what he has started to tell me. At the same time, I don't know if I can deal with it. We've blown his cover, so he can't go back there, and I don't honestly know where this is going now."
"Well" said Brandon getting up, "We will be in Switzerland soon enough, and you'll be away from any official whatever for at least a few days. Time will tell"
"Thanks I know" said Jonathan "Danny is already in a pissy mood"
"Gives him something to do" said Brandon. "Anything else you need?"
"Not at the moment I guess" said Jonathan. Brandon left Jonathan alone with his thoughts.
Chapter Three: About two hours later Jonathan walked back up front and into the front lounge of the 747. Not seeing anyone around we quietly walked into the bedroom. There he found Nick face down, still dressed on the bed. Jonathan quietly closed the door and sat down in a chair near the bed and looked at the still form of Nick. In his mind he replayed many scenes from the past of Nick and himself, skiing the Alps, to the last night in Boston, to the first time they met in the airport. Conflicting emotions flew through him. For an hour Jonathan sat in the dim light, watching Nick sleep. He got up and went to use the bathroom, coming back, he gently shook Nick on the shoulder,.
"Wake up babe" said Jonathan softly. "Come on wake up"
Nick opened his eyes and looked at Jonathan above him. "Do you know how many times I've woken up and wished to see your face like that?"
"About as many times as I have I suspect' said Jonathan sitting back down on the chair. "We need to talk"
"Yeah I know" said Nick rolling over. "Uhm can it wait a few? I need to get out of this speedo and take a shower. I guess there aren't any of my clothes left here are there?"
"Nope" said Jonathan. He got up and went to the dresser. He pulled out a pair of his own boxers, and threw them over to Nick. "These are pretty close to your size I think. You look like you have put on some weight and muscles"
"Yeah I have, I'm up to 173 now" said Nick. "I have been doing pretty much nothing but going to school and working out and swimming." He paused. "At this rate, it will take me 10 years to get my degree."
This caused a small laugh from Jonathan. "I do seem to be pulling you out of school a lot don't I."
"At least twice so far" said Nick smiling. "I'll be out in a little while."
"Take your time" said Jonathan. "I'll be out front."
Jonathan walked out front and picked up the phone, punching 4 for the gallery. Anthony picked up. "Let me guess, lunch for two?"
"I guess so" said Jonathan. "I don't have a clue what time it is or what time zone we should be on"
"Dont' worry about it" said Anthony. "I'll whip up something light. Be up in about 15 minutes."
"Thanks" said Jonathan.
"No problem Jon.' said Anthony. "Listen my friend are you OK? I mean are you holding up OK or what?"
"I am all right" said Jonathan, "I'm not sure about down the road but for now I'm OK"
"Just checking to see if I need to put some valium in the soup" said Anthony, a slight twist of British humor in his voice.
"Wiseass" said Jonathan with a laugh in his voice. He hung up the phone and sat down. Sebastian came out of nowhere, as was typical of him and jumped up on the couch and walked over to him.
"How can anything as big as you be so damn quiet?" said Jonathan scratching his ears. Sebastian purred in response and rolled over with all four paws in the air to get his stomach scratched. Jonathan was doing this when Nick walked in. He was wearing Jeans and a shirt borrowed from Jonathan's closet.
"Hope you don't mind I borrowed a shirt" said Nick.
"No problem" said Jonathan. "You know, you looked a lot better in short hair and not a blond"
"Yeah I know" said Nick, "I blend in with the surfers this way. Even learned to surf."
"You going to stay?" asked Jonathan.
"Where?" said Nick.
Before Jonathan could answer, two stewards walked in with a rolling cart. They set up lunch for the two of them. It was obvious that even though they said nothing, it was apparent that they too were in shock at seeing Nick alive and well. Silently they departed. Nick and Jon sat down to a lunch of soup and sandwiches. After eating, Jonathan took the last of his wine in his glass and sat back down on the couch. He looked back at Nick still sitting at the table.
"I am not going to bite your head off Nick" said Jonathan. "You can come over here"
"I shouldn't be here man" said Nick getting up and walking over. "You've put yourself in a lot of danger."
"I can handle myself thank you" said Jonathan. "You didn't answer my question earlier. You going to stay?"
"Where?" asked Nick. "I mean my Hawaii gig is shot. I suppose I can disappear on my own with a little help, or go back to the Justice people."
"I meant here.... with me." said Jonathan. "It's not like you can exactly walk off the plane at the moment."
"How are you going to explain me in Switzerland?" he asked. "I don't have a passport'
"Yeah you do." said Jonathan. "I still have your passport on board. Granted you need a haircut but it looks like you"
"Why would you want me here after what's happened" said Nick.
"Because I love you" said Jonathan. He took Nick by the hand and pulled him next to him on the couch. "I know that it is going to take some time to get used to you being here again, but I've never stopped loving you. You know, it really was a nice funeral"
"Yeah I heard you had me cremated and buried at sea" said Nick.
"Mhm" said Jonathan. " In fact that urn over there held your ashes, or someone's ashes I guess. I wonder who was in the casket. I was never allowed to see. They said that you had been badly misfigured in the accident and it had to be closed casket."
"I'm sorry for what I've put you though Jon" said Nick.
"I know" said Jonathan. "I'll get over it in time. What I need to know is will you stay here?"
"I can't imagine that you would want me too man" said Nick quietly. "I've told you the trouble you will be getting into."
"I'm a big boy" said Jonathan. "I can handle it"
Nick looked at Jonathan, tears falling from his face. He collapsed into Jonathan's arms and cried. For many minutes the only sound in the room was Nick crying. Sebastian rolled over and padded softly over to the two of them. Sensing something that only cats seemed to know, he quietly crept over and settled down in Nick's lap. Nick broke off from holding onto Jonathan and looked down at the cat. Sebastian looked up with mischief and marvel in his eyes. He let loose a quiet meow and purr at Nick. Nick reached down and scratched his ears. This started Sebastian kneading his lap. He lifted his head and almost appeared to smile as only a cat can do.
He is beautiful" said Nick. "His fur is incredible"
Jonathan reached across and moved Nick's long hair off his eyes and face. "So are you"
Nick smiled at Jonathan. Jonathan's heart broke at the sight of Nick. "It's been hard without you here. For a long time I was useless. If it wasn't for Paul, I don't know how long it would have taken me to get over you. He knocked some sense into my head, literally and physically. You have a very special friend in him."
"I hope I haven't lost him" said Nick, continuing to play with Sebastian on his lap.
"I am betting it will be all right in time." said Jonathan. "I think he just needs time to get over the shock. I think we all do."
Nick looked at Jonathan. "I know" he said softly. "I don't know how you are going to forgive me"
"You know what I'm thinking?" Jonathan asked quietly
"Not a clue" said Nick.
"I am thinking about the song 'Faithfully' by Journey. Jonathan Cain wrote it for his wife while they were on the road in 1988" said Jonathan. "The lyrics on the second verse. 'Being apart ain't easy on this love affair. Two strangers will learn to fall in love again. I get the joy of re-discovering you."
Nick couldn't say anything.
"Come on, I'm going to bed" said Jonathan. "I need sleep and I think you do too. We'll talk more later."
"You want me in there with you?" asked Nick. "I can crash out here or in back."
"Only if you want to" said Jonathan.
He got up and walked into the bedroom and got undressed. As he got into bed, Nick walked into the room and stood before the bed,. For a long moment he stood there staring at Jonathan in bed. Jonathan remained silent, waiting, watching. Nick let loose a big sigh, took off the shirt and unbuttoned the jeans. For so long Jonathan had wished to see what he was seeing now. The perfect body of Nick, even more muscled and lined since the last time he had seen him stood before him. He watched as Nick took off the jeans and boxers. Standing before Jonathan naked, Jonathan could only marvel at the beauty of Nick. Nick came around the other side of the bed and slipped in under the sheets.
"I'm glad you're here" said Jonathan softly.
"Me too I think" said Nick. "I'm still worried"
"Shhh" said Jonathan. "Sleep"
Jonathan moved closer and placed his arm around Nick, for the first time in almost a year. It felt so natural, He felt Nick press closer to him. "I've missed you so much Jonathan" said Nick.
"I know" said Jonathan. For the first time since that horrific day in Boston, Jonathan fell quickly into a deep and restful sleep, his arm securely around Nick.