As they descended the plane, Nick noticed a large stretch limo waiting. He also noticed the three tall large guys waiting around it each was dressed in jeans, polo shirt, ski jackets and aviator sunglasses.
"Uhm.. who they?" he asked.
"It's OK Nicky." Jonathan said. "They work for me. They are part of the crew that makes sure I keep out of trouble."
"Bodyguards?" Nick asked.
"Yeah kinda." Jon said. "I don't like them around much, but the insurance company that does my insurance demanded it, so I deal with it.. Besides after what you told me on the flight about your home situation , I thought it might not be a bad idea to have them along to help you move out."
"Ok" said Nick quietly.." I guess so. I mean my father is gonna freak to begin with and if he has been drinking.." Nick trailed off...
"Its OK babe." said Jonathan putting his arm around Nick's shoulder. "Nothing is gonna happen to you ever again from him. I promise."
Nick could only smile as he got into the limo for fear his voice might crack with emotion.
"I could get used to this" he said, loking around the limo.
"Damn straight" said Jonathan.
"Nope.. gay remember?" said Nick with a laugh.
"I've noticed" said Jonathan.
On the ride, Nick gave various directions to the driver. The three guys who had been dressed identically sat in the far end of the limo quietly, almost inhumanely patient.
"Do they ever speak" asked Nick with a giggle.
"Yeah they do" said Jonathan. "Hey Danny, you alive?"
"Very funny Boss." said Danny, the largest of the three. "How much of a problem are we gonna have at this house?"
Jonathan looked at Nick. "You tell me".
"I don't know' Nick replied. "My dad is a weirdo.. He can go off at no notice of the littlest thing. I mean he tried to beat the shit out of me last week for no reason."
"Well, don't you worry there about that" said Danny. "It won't happen tonight. Count on it".
"Thanks". said Nick. Turning towards Jonathan, he took his hand.
"I guess I never said thanks to you for everything this weekend has been". Nick said.
"You don't have to say a word dude" said Jonathan pulling up Nicks hand and kissing it. "You have given me more then I'll ever be able to return to you"
The limo slowed to a halt outside of a modest two story home. The limo driver came around and opened the door. Nick started to scoot over to get out, but was stopped by Danny.
"Nuh uh Nick" said Danny getting out first, followed by the other two. "We do this my way. Jonathan has learned and you will too I guess that on some things, I have the ultimate and final say on how things are done. You said there might be a problem here, so we are gonna make sure that there isn't."
"Oops." said Nick softly. "I feel like Bugs Bunny in that cartoon "What I say.. What I say?"
Laughing, Jonathan pulled Nick over for a quick hug. "You want me to come in?"
"Fuck yeah," said Nick, "You think I got the balls to do this alone?"
"Well, they are pretty big, even if they are hairless" said Jonathan with a smile.
"Hmmm" said Nick. "I'll have to make sure to pack my razor for yours".
"Yipe!" said Jonathan with a laugh as the two got out of the limo.
Approaching the house, Danny and one of the other guys, Chris walked in front, the third guy, Michael, behind and slightly to the side of Jonathan and Nick. Suddenly the door was flung open and a man stood swaying in the doorway.
"Where the fuck have you been boy!" roared the man, obviously drunk and Nick's father.
Nick cringed and grabbed on to Jonathan.
"Shhh" said Jonathan softly as they stopped. "its OK, you don't have to go in. They can do it."
"Nnnoo" he said "I gotta do this once and for all. Just don't let him hit me"
"He wont" said Jonathan.
Walking up to the front of the house, he spoke to him
"Look Mr. Covington" Jon began, "Nick has been with me for the weekend. We did a little partying and stuff, nothing you need to be screaming about".
"Just who the fuck are you to be telling me what I can and cant yell at the brat for" he said loudy. Looking at Nick he yelled "Get your shitty little ass in the house NOW!"
Softy Nick spoke, belaying the hatred flashing in his eyes. "No I won't"
"WHAT" Nicks' father yelled, " I'll beat the living shit out of you right here on the lawn".
He started down the steps towards Nick. Suddenly there was movement all around. Michael the agent who had been trailing behind grabbed Jonathan and moved him behind him, then pulled Nick roughly out of the way also behind him. In a flash his jacket had been unzipped and a large gun suddenly filled his hand. Likewise Danny and Chris had started moving. Danny executed a spinning kick , his extended leg catching Nicks father at the knees sending him crashing to the ground. The man looked up as Chris put his foot down hard on the his chest, pointing a .357 magnum autoloader directly at him.
"Let's be a bit more civilized shall we?" he said in a calm voice.
"Now here is the deal" started Danny. "It seems that Nick wants to leave and he is going in to the house to get his stuff. You will behave or you will spend the rest of the night with your ass stuck in a snow bank, and I will personally put it there. Get it?"
"What the Hell is this shit" Nicks father roared, but unable to move, partly out of fear of the gun in his face and partly the hiking boot on his chest. "Who are you guys?"
"Relax Dad" said Nick going around Michael with Jonathan following. "These guys work for Jonathan. This is Jonathan. He is uhm ... is my boyfriend. I'm moving out to be with him. He has shown me more love and caring this past weekend then you have all my life".
Nick continued to build up his intensity, all of the rage finally exploding out of him.
"You've shown me nothing but shit, and I've had it." yelled Nick. "You've hit me for no reason, yelled at me for no reason and.. andd.. and." Before he could go any closer to his father, he was pulled back by Jonathan and Michael.
"Enough Nick" said Jonathan. "Lets just get your stuff and go."
"Yeah man, I can't deal with this asshole right now". said Nick, venom in his voice.
"You fucking little faggy pouf." yelled Nicks father. "You fucking faggot, you get the fuck out of my house".
"Now look" said Danny, lightly tapping his foot on the side of Nick's fathers' head. "Let's be a little more adult about this ok? You are in no position at the moment to be yelling and making threats. Now if you behave Chris will let you up and you can go in the house and talk to us while Nick gets up. Act like and asshole, and you go face first in the snow bank".
"You can't do that" said the man. "I'll have you arrested for this."
"I rather doubt it." said Chris. "We are licensed and we'll be out of here before the cops get here."
As Nick and Jonathan and Michael went into the house, Danny pulled the man from the snow.
"Ok let's go" he said. Putting the gun back under the jacket, he continued " I'm not going to scare you wife or anyone else in the house with this. I don't need it to get you to be civilized. You are going to keep your mouth shut and behave or you will not be a happy camper. Got it?" He poked Nicks father in the ribs fairly hard to prove his point.
"Yeah fuck you too" he spat out. "I want that little faggot out of the house".
"He will be" said Danny. Then to Michael "Stay out here, it wont' take long".
"OK" said Michael, likewise holstering his own weapon.
Chapter Eighteen Up in Nicks room, he looked around almost lost. He walked around the room, looking at the posters on the walls, the books stacked on a shelf.
"I don't know what I want, or need man" said Nick. "God, I hate him".
"Chris...out" said Jonathan
Silently Chris walked out of the room, pulling the door closed. He stood just outside in the hallway preventing anyone from getting into the room.
"You don't need this Nick" said Jonathan, "I'll get you whatever you need in clothes and stuff."
"Hell, there's more on the plane then I own" said Nick, "By the way, how did you know I like A&F?"
"You told me a while back. We can go shopping later on if you like." said Jonathan
"You are going to spoil me" said nick., dropping heavily into a chair.
"Come on babe. " said Jonathan walking over to the desk. "Lets just pack up your computer and go".
"Everything is on disk any way man." Said Nick getting up. " I wouldn't put it past the fucking asshole downstairs to try to break this thing. I backed everything up last week."
"Even the dirty pics" said Jon
"Hehehe yeah man. " said Nick, smiling for the first time since he entered the house.
Going over to his closet, he pulled a section of the wall out and pulled out 2 cases of zip discs.
"I can't believe this is my whole life" said Nick.
Wrapping his arm around Nicks shoulders he pulled him to him.
"That's not your life Nick" said Jonathan in a serious voice. "Your life waits for you out that door".
"Lets get out of here" said Nick in an almost silent voice.
As they walked towards the door Nick stopped and walked over to his chest of drawers.
"There is something I need to take" he said
Nick pulled his pack off his back and opened it. Nick opened the middle drawer and removed a small box. He slipped it into his pack. He then opened the top drawer and removed some papers, identification and another small box. All of this went into the pack. From there he walked over to his bed, pulling back the covers to reveal the pillows. In between the pillows was a stuffed tiger.
:"I hope you don't think I'm a pussy man" said Nick, turning back to Jonathan. "Tigger has been with me since I was 6. He was my protector, something I could hold onto that was safe"
Jonathan looked at Nick with a smile. "You two look great together" he said. "Come on".
Jonathan opened the door and Chris started off down the hallway to the stairs. As they walked down the stairs Jonathan could feel Nick start to stiffen again.
"Hey its OK" he said. "Danny is with your father, nothing's going to happen."
"I know, just get me out of here, please". said Nick.
"Move Chris, get him out of here" said Jonathan.
Chris took Nick gently by the arm and placing himself between Nick and the door leading to where his father was moved him quickly out of the house.
Jonathan walked into the living room where Nicks father sat on the couch drinking a beer under the watchful eyes of Danny. Both became increasingly tense as Jonathan walked into the room, Danny carefully watching the drunken man on the couch. Jonathan stood six feet in front of the couch and looked at Nicks father in disgust.
"You drunk fucking asshole." Jonathan said quietly. "I don't know where the hell you think you can just do what you did to Nick without any thought of humanity. He has needed love so long and you just treat him like shit."
"Hey the little faggot deserves it". said Nicks father. "You dicking him up the ass?"
Moving faster then any of the others in the room noted, Jonathan lunged across the space, back handing the man with all the force in his body. Nicks father was thrown from the couch to the floor. Reaching down he grabbed the man by the front of the shirt.
"You bastard." said Jonathan. "You ever try to find him or do anything against him and so help me God, you will not be able to hide from me. I will bury you so far down, the devil will have a roommate". With that he slammed Nicks father once more into the ground and left the room. Danny followed backing out of the room.
Outside Michael stood outside of the limo one hand inside his jacket, Chris on the other side, watching the house.
"He needs you Jon" said Michael. "I called the plane, one of the other guys is 2 mins out in another vehicle. Danny can ride back with you guys in the front , Chris and I will go back in the other car."
"Thanks" said Jonathan.
Getting into the back of the limo he found Nick curled up in a fetal position in the far end of the limo. He was rocking slowly back and forth holding Tigger.
He sat across from Nick, not moving toward him. He picked up the intercom phone and said "Airport, move it. I pay the fines".
"Yes sir" said the driver from the front.
As the car started moving, Jonathan waited patiently for Nick to move or speak. After a few minutes Nick looked up and over and Jonathan.
"God, I'm just such a pussy boy" said Nick.
"Come here" said Jonathan.
Nick moved across the limo to Jonathan's open arms. He held on to Jonathan tightly trying to mold himself into Jonathan. Jonathan wrapped his arms around Nick and talked quietly to him.
"No you're not babe", said Jonathan. "You have gone thru a lot of grief in your life. That part is over now. Your life is ahead of you. Just relax, let it out. I'm here."
Nick just held Jonathan as the limo speed thru the afternoon weak sunlight. Soon his breathing became regular and slowed. Jonathan continued to hold Nick stroking his hair.
Chapter Nineteen Crossing the gates into the airport the phone chimed softly once.
"We are here boss" said Danny. "I took a call on the way. The airport director requests you to call him prior to flight".
"When we get inside, tell Brandy to deal with him. He's probably pissed off cuz I didn't invite him in to see the plane."
The limo halted by the steps leading to the aircraft. Danny opened the door. Jonathan softly kissed Nick on the hair and said "Let's go babe".
They exited the car and walked up the steps. Jonathan looked over and saw them topping off the fuel tanks under the watchful eye of the Flight Engineer. Entering the plane he saw Captain Hendrickson waiting for him.
"Two minutes Don, I'll meet you on the flight deck". Said Jonathan.
"Ok boss", said the Captain.
Jonathan led Nick thru the front doors into the bedroom area. Gently he took the pack from Nick and laid it on the couch in the room. He then took and slowly undressed Nick who just stood there. Stripping him down to his boxers, he led Nick over to the bed, pulling back the sheets and putting him in. He pulled the sheets and blankets up. He walked back and pulled Tigger from the back and put it in Nick's hands.
"Here ya go babe." said Jonathan kissing him lightly. "Get some sleep, you need it."
"Where you going to be?" said Nick somewhat sleepily. The events of the past 12 hours and 5 time zones catching up with him.
"I'll be here in a few minutes. I need to go talk to the Captain and get us moving and I'll be right back."
"Ok man, please don't be too long.. I need to hold you". said Nick in a small voice.
"Don't worry, I'll be back real soon, Tigger can hold my place" said Jonathan ruffling Nick's hair.
"Thanks for not laughing" said Nick.
"Go to sleep babe". said Jonathan walking over to the door and turning down the lights.
He quietly closed the door and walked upstairs. He found Capt. Hendrickson waiting for him outside the cockpit.
"We OK to motivate?" asked Jonathan.
"No problem. The Bird is full of fuel, your Amex still works" said the Captain with a smile. Jonathan smiled quietly at that one. "You just need to tell me where we are going. You left that little detail out earlier."
"Oh yeah" said Jonathan walking over to the bar in the upper lounge, pulling out two bottles of water. He threw one over to the Captain who nodded his thanks. Sitting down on the couch, he waved Captain into a chair.
"I didn't think about that I have been kinda wrapped up with Nick and his problems." said Jonathan.
"Is he all right?" said Capt. Hendrickson. "he looked a little rough when you guys came back."
"Yeah I think he is." said Jonathan "His father tried to come at us yelling and swearing. I've never seen anyone so freaked out before as Nick was then. Danny and Chris made sure he didn't get within 20 feet of us, but still. I can't imagine the mind games that Nick has had to go thru."
"Well, you tell me where to point the bird and we are out of this iceberg of a city." said the Captain.
"You got your relief on board?" said Jonathan.
"Yes sir, full flight crew as always'. said the captain. Didn't know what was up when we left St. Thomas, so I radioed the home base and told them to boogie it out to Denver in the Gulfstream.
"Good." said Jonathan. "warm the bird up and get us clearance to depart. I'll call you in a minute from down stairs I need to check one thing."
"Ok boss", said the Captain getting up and heading towards the cockpit.
Jonathan walked downstairs to find Danny and Brandy waiting near the exit.
"We got everybody?" said Jonathan.
"Yeah, the three guys are here just waiting to see what's up." said Danny.
"The airport administrator wants to know if we will be here long. He says there is no place to keep this thing in general aviation." said Brandy.
"Tell the administrator to kiss my ass" said Jonathan. "we'll be airborne in 15 mins. Also make the arrangements to get the Gulfstream home. That flight crew is coming here."
"No problem." said Brandon. "The flight engineer can fly it home if we got a full second crew"
"Right. get it done." said Jonathan. "Anything up I need to know?"
"Naw, all is quiet". said Brandy.
"Thanks. I'll let you know what's going on shortly.' said Jonathan.
"Danny, send the crew home to South Carolina on the gulf. ." said Jonathan. "I need you and Chris on board"
"Ok boss" said Danny, "Let me get things wrapped up:
Jonathan turned to the two. "Thanks for everything guys. Get the loose ends wrapped up as soon as you can. I wanna be out of here soon"
He walked quietly into the bedroom and looked over at the bed. Nick was curled up one arm outside the blankets holding onto Tigger. Jonathan looked at him silently.
"Never again Nick" said Jonathan to himself "Never again will you know pain or be hurt. I will never let you be hurt again"
He walked over to the pack and looked at contents. He found the papers he saw Nick stuff in. Among then was his diploma, various awards for varsity swimming. Then he found what he was looking for.
"Perfect" said Jonathan.
He walked over to the phone next to the bed and rang the flight deck.
"Ok Don" he said. "File flight plans for Kloten, Zurich."
"Ahh good" he said, 'I haven't gone skiing yet this year". This earned him a chuckle from Jonathan.
"Let Brandy know flight times and stuff. Figure uhm...10 days there. Make what ever arrangements you need for the bird. Then figure out what you guys want to do. You're on vacation. whatever you need, charge it back to the company."
"Ok boss, thanks.". said the Captain.
Jonathan punched another button. The phone was answered by Brandon. "Yes Sir?"
"OK Brandy, we are flying to Zurich, from there figure 10 days hotels. 3 in Lucerene, 2 in Interlaken, 4 in Zermatt, 1 in St. Moritz. Nick, me, you , Danny and Chris The flight crew and Anthony and Karen are gonna be on vaction. Make sure everyone is attached to phones."
"No problem boss, go relax." said Brandy.
"Now there's a concept, I haven't a clue what time it is was or whatever."said Jonathan.
"It is 2 pm Denver, 7 pm St. Thomas, midnight Zurich." said Brandy.
"Right. thanks." said Jonathan.
He walked back into the front lounge and found Karen and Anthony sitting there.
"Hey guys" Jonathan. "what's up"
Anthony got up and walked over to the bar, pulling three chilled shot glasses out of the refrigerator under the bar.
"Here you go" said Anthony handing one to Jonathan and one to Karen.
"To you and Nick" said Anthony, as Karen stood to stand at his side "May you two find peace and happiness and that we can help bring as much of that happiness to you as possible"
The three clinked their glasses together and drank to the toast.
"Thanks." said Jonathan. "I'm happy, I really am. I hope I can make him happy. You should have seen the sheer terror in his eyes when we were at his house."
"Then it is a good thing that you got him out of there." said Karen. "Don't worry, we'll take care of him just as well as we do you." She walked over and gave Jonathan a hug.
" I know that and it means a lot " said Jonathan. "we are flying to Zurich tonight. or this afternoon. or whatever. I hate this many time zones. We get there you two are on vacation for 10 days. Charge what you need."
"You two gonna be ok?" asked Anthony with some concern in his voice. " Brandy said Nick looked pretty bad when you two came back."
"Yeah no problem." said Jonathan, putting his shotglass on the bar. "He just needs some time to heal. The slopes and some time away from here will help"
Jonathan got up and headed towards the bed room. I'm gonna crash for a while. Coordinate with brandy on communications and shit."
Jonathan walked across the lounge, feeling the 747 start to move away from the general aviation terminal. He entered the bedroom and noted that Nick had barely moved. He got undressed and slipped into the other side of the bed. He slowly moved over until he could put his arm around Nick.. Pulling him to his side, he kissed Nick on the forehead. : :"Thank you for being here babe": he said softly
Drifting off to sleep he could feel Nick move closer to him.
The End?
its' been a great series.. I'll write more if you want to read it. let me know.. Nicky... I love you.