My apologies to all for the long delay in getting this part out; as well as my personal thanks to all of my long time readers who have written to me to find out what's going on. My life has taken a very serious turn for the better I am happy to say and it has caused me to spend less time writing. One of my long time readers and I ended up meeting last spring, going on a trip and eventually ended up with him coming to live with me in Boston. It has been an incredible time since then and we've got engaged on Christmas Eve. He has taught me that just as Paul taught Jonathan, Life IS for the living.
Comments as always... backbayguy@juno.com.
PS I'll try to get the next part out in less then 10 months =)
Chapter ONE:
"Are you out of your mind?" asked Ian in a raised voice as he came through the large double doors leading into Jonathan's office.
Brandon looked up over his report review. "Ian is here" he said. "He seems to be upset about something"
"Upset?" Ian fairly screeched. "Upset?!? Why should a request for 85 million dollars without any notice upset me?"
Sebastian, who had been lying on the corner of Jonathan's desk rose to his full height and fluffed out. All of his fur was now standing on end and a low growl was coming from his throat, his tail whipping about menacingly. The ears were flat back against his head.
Jonathan looked over his coffee mug as Ian approached the desk. "Now look what you have done. You've gone and pissed off the cat and he isn't in too friendly a mood this morning as it is. I would suggest you calm down a bit"
Ian glanced at the large cat and backed off a pace. "Yes, well. Indeed." He started, but then looked back at Jonathan. "You hired me to keep finances in order. Things like this do not help matters"
"I gather you got the purchase order" said Jonathan as he turned his chair around to the low lying credenza behind him. He paused to refill his coffee mug. He could sense Ian's blood pressure start to rise again.
"Yes I did" said Ian. "Have you forgotten by your own order, all Purchase Orders over a hundred thousand dollars require two signatures, yours and mine before being sent out? This is way over a hundred thousand."
"Mine is on it" said Jonathan.
"Mine isn't" said Ian raising his voice. "This isn't exactly your basic order either"
Sebastian growled his response. Jonathan reached over and scratched his ears.
"What the hell do we need two more jets for?" asked Ian.
"Well, in reality we are only getting one more. I did get an excellent price on the trade in for the G-V." said Jonathan. "Besides with these two jets it is cheaper then hauling out one of the larger jets for us if Nick and I are going in opposite directions"
"After I hit the ceiling this morning, I went online and looked up your little purchase here" said Ian. "They aren't all that small, Jonathan. They are a pair of the new ultra long range Gulfstream 550's. They are larger then the G-V."
"Smaller then a 777 though" said Jonathan with a smile. Brandon couldn't contain himself and let a small snicker escape. "I did do the deposit myself you know, out of my personal account. I suppose I should put in an expense report for that"
Ian blinked a couple of times, looked at them both, spun on his heel and began the fifty odd feet from Jonathan's desk to the doors. "Pull ten million here out of your ass Ian, twenty thousand for champagne, eighty-five million for two jets. Does no one realize this money has to be moved from here to there, the bank has its' own procedures, and everyone wants it yesterday." The doors slammed with a resounding thud, sending Sebastian scampering off the desk, papers flying.
Brandon lost it at that point, laughing as he began to pick up the papers that Sebastian scattered. "Why do you do that to him? You're going to give him a stroke one day"
"No, he'll be fine" said Jonathan. "He needs a little excitement now and then. Between running the financial end of this game and going home to his wife, he doesn't do much else. A little excitement is good for him."
"Remind me never to get you upset at me" said Brandon. "Now, can we finish the rest of the paperwork? We can be done in an hour or so and you can be on your way. Your flight is scheduled for an hour and a half from now"
Jonathan glanced at his watch. "Sounds like a plan" he said. "What time does Nick's flight get in"
Brandon opened up the scheduling list on his newest toy, his IPAQ. "Looks like he will arrive in Boston about the same time as you do. Depending on ground traffic at Logan, you both should arrive at the hanger within 5 minutes of each other. The 777 does take a bit longer to move around the ground."
"Let's get the paper done" said Jonathan. As he turned back to the desk, Sebastian reappeared on top of the desk, once more scattering papers. Jonathan looked at him with a stern look and the cat looked back with one of complete innocence. Jonathan knew when to give up.
CHAPTER TWO:
Sitting on the couch in the G-V, Jonathan picked up the file folder that was on the low table in front of him. Brandon had given it to him just prior to takeoff. "This just came in" he had said. "I believe it is from the company working on the jets" He looked across the cabin to the monitor displaying the on-board flight information and noted he still had about 45 minutes to landing.
Opening the file he saw a picture of the twin jets for the first time. A set of mixed emotions went though him. When he had first suggest the two jets to Nick, he had begged to be the one to do the color schemes and interiors. Jonathan had agreed. As he looked at the pictures, he went back and forth between thinking that letting Nick do the colors was a good idea and that he knew better then to do that. He finally saw the humor of the situation. The picture was an overhead angled shot showing the two jets side by side facing the opposite way. One was pure glossy white the other was a glossy black. On the tail of each jet, in the opposite color was a large character of Nick's favorite cartoon: SPY vs. SPY. The more he looked at it, the more he found humor in it.
Going on to the next sets of pictures, he saw that the interiors were more along the line of luxury and comforts. He was pleased to see that the interiors were identical in each jet. For a brief moment, he had feared that the comical references would continue inside the planes. Entering the jet, directly across from the door, the galley was behind closed doors. It contained the usual equipment with the addition of countertop cooking. That should make Anthony and Karen happy, Jonathan thought to himself. A full cabin surround sound entertainment systems had been installed with multiple flat-panel video monitors, satellite phones and DIRECTV. Turning the page to look at the pictures, he could see why Ian was just a tad upset. Nick had gone the full Monty in picking out finishes. All of the wood finishes in both jets were Brazilian mahogany and birds-eye maple surfaces that had received 20 coats of clear finish before being polished to a mirror-like sheen. All of the oversize seats had been hand crafted in a 100-hour process, with foam cushion densities to that had been done by the individual preference of Nick. That meant they cost a fortune for each one thought Jonathan. Four swiveling chairs were up front, two facing each other on each side of the cabin. Fold out tables were in between them to set up either desk configurations or dining ability. Behind them were two additional chairs. Along one side of the cabin was a 4 seat couch. Beyond that along the other side was a 8 foot bar. Continuing back were a couple more chairs and a bulkhead again made of the Brazilian mahogany. Jonathan shuddered at the price of what wood alone cost. Beyond the bulkhead was the bedroom and lavatory; compete with shower stall. Jonathan noted with a small sigh of satisfaction that Nick hadn't gone crazy and gotten gold plated handles on stuff.
He turned to the technical specs and again was amazed at the improvements of the original G-V. It's long range cruise mode could cover 6,750 nautical miles; and that was still at over 600 mph. It's normal cruise speed was 641mph and was good for 6,000 nautical miles. Jonathan whistled as he noted in high speed mode it would travel over 5000 nautical miles at 656 mph.
The new jets were 96 feet long with a wing span of 93.5 feet. He looked at the tech specs for the cockpit and decided it was way above his head. He noted a paperless cockpit and was intrigued. All of the maps and airport layouts were now stored in computers and were displayed on screens in the middle of the yolk. Four large color screens were in the cockpit displaying all sorts of information. He was most amazed at the new northstar and EVS-Enhanced Vision Systems that allowed the pilots to see virtually in the dark.
"We're about 7 minutes out Jon" came the voice of Captain Hendrickson. "I checked and Renaissance Two is about 4 minutes behind us on a different tack. You guys should be at the hanger within 10 minutes of each other."
"OK, thanks Don" said Jonathan, pushing the intercom button. "Did you go over the specs of the new jets? This stuff for the cockpit is way over my head."
"Yeah I did" said the captain. "We're gonna be like a bunch of kids with new toys. It really doesn't come better then what's in the new jets."
"Good to hear" said Jonathan. "Everyone up to spec?"
"Yeah we are" said Captain Hendrickson. "We've been rotating through the training facility at Gulfstream. Speaking of, you have some time tomorrow we can discuss some stuff?"
"Yeah no problem." Said Jonathan. "Stop by the hotel around 11 or so, I'll have lunch set up"
"Great" said the Captain. "OK, final approach in progress. Settle in and grab the cat"
Jonathan smiled at this one. He looked over to the chair across the way and saw Sebastian curled up into as small a ball as possible with his large fluffy tail wrapped around him.
CHAPTER THREE:
Jonathan was standing outside of their private hanger, making Danny nervous as usual and watched as Renaissance Two was coming closer and closer to the hanger. Sebastian was sitting next to him, his face turned up in the sun, sleeping; the breeze ruffling the flowing fur. Jonathan could only shake his head in wonderment of the jet. Painted like Renaissance, its' fuselage was a brilliant white with a large dark blue stripe down the center. Its' engines were painted a metallic gold. 242 feet long with a wing span of 199 feet, most commercial 777's would hold almost 400 people in a 3 class configuration. Money might not buy happiness he thought, but it did buy a lot of fun.
Danny handed Jonathan a set of ear protectors as the jet came within 200 feet of them. It was an amazing jet to see come before them. Finally the jet pulled its' nose within 50 feet of the hanger and shut down its' engines. The ground crew drove the stair truck up to the plane and adjusted it. The cabin door opened and one of Nick's security crew came out and looked around. Finally Nick came out surrounded by 3 other agents. He walked up to Jonathan and gave him a big hug.
"Missed ya man" he said.
Jonathan returned the hug. "I missed you too baby. How was Zermatt?"
"It and the hotel are fine thank you" he said taking Jonathan's hand and walking towards the waiting Hummer. Sebastian was walking in front of them. "I got a couple of ski runs in so that was good."
"How are the numbers for the hotel?" Jonathan asked after they got in.
"I haven't seen you in a week and all you ask about is how much money we are making?"
"Well it has been a good ski season from what I hear" said Jonathan.
"It's talk like that which leads me to believe you will not be getting laid tonight" said Nick.
"You haven't had sex in 8 days" said Jonathan with a smile. "I could touch your crotch and you'd go off"
"You know me too well" said Nick. He looked up at Eric who was driving. "Move it!"
CHAPTER FOUR.
After dinner in their suite and a liberal amount of sex in 2 or 3 locations in the suite, the two were settled down in front of the fire eating a late dessert. Jonathan reached up on a low table and picked up the plane file. He tossed it over to Nick.
"Spy vs. Spy eh?" asked Jonathan.
"You upset?" asked Nick as he looked at the pictures.
"Not as upset as Ian was this morning when he found out about the jets" said Jonathan with a smile as he thought back about the morning.
"So, we're repainting?" asked Nick with a hurt look.
"Of course not" said Jonathan ruffling Nick's hair. "I was a bit surprised when I first saw the picture, but I like it. Adds some humor."
"I'm glad" said Nick running his hand over Jonathan's chest and kissing him on the cheek. "I thought it would be really cute. Now that I see the picture, I didn't realize that the characters would be quite so big on the tail"
"Well, we won't have any problem picking them out" said Jonathan with a smile.
"Somehow I've always just picked out the jet with the large armed men around them" said Nick.
"This is true." Said Jonathan. "I really love what you did with the inside of the jets"
"Yeah I'm pretty excited too." Said Nick flipping though the interior pictures. "When can we go get them?"
"They will be ready this weekend." Said Jonathan. "I thought we would fly out, spend the weekend at Boulders and then fly home".
"How are we getting 3 jets home?" asked Nick. "We have two flight crews?"
"We're dropping off the G-V remember?" asked Jonathan. The back up crew is flying out tomorrow and Don and Frank will fly us out."
"That works" said Nick. His hand trailed into Jonathan's sweat pants. "How about we check and see if this still works?"
"Well.. it might be on overtime if we do, I'm not sure that is in the budget" said Jonathan trying to keep a straight face.
"I'll pay for the overtime myself" said Nick kissing him.
CHAPTER FOUR:
The next morning the two were having breakfast. The table was in a nook that overlooked the Boston Common from 21 stories up. Sunlight was streaming in through the windows. Sebastian was stretched out full length on the floor right at the base of the ceiling to floor windows, soaking up the sun. His front paws were gently kneading the air. Jonathan was reading over the financial section of the Boston Globe when he sensed a change in Nick. Puzzled, he looked up to find Nick looking out the windows at the Common.
Jonathan got up and walked over to where Nick was standing. He put his arms around him from behind. "What's wrong baby?"
"Nothing really." He said. "I was just looking out the windows and saw the cemetery down there and I got a cold shiver. I had forgotten that down there is where my grave marker is. Kind of freaky"
"Yeah I guess it would be" said Jonathan, rubbing his shoulders. "I really should get it out of there"
"No, leave it" said Nick softly. "It sort of marks a ending and beginning of a life for me.. for us really."
Yeah I guess it does" said Jonathan. "I never thought about it that way."
"Could we go down and look at it?" asked Nick in a quiet voice. "I've never seen it"
"Sure, if you really want to" said Jonathan. "When?"
"Let's get dressed and go now. It's a nice day out it looks like" said Nick.
The two went to the bedroom of the suite and changed quickly into casual clothes. Danny was waiting at the doors and looked at Jonathan as they started for the elevators.
"Where are we headed?" he asked.
"Over to the Common." Said Jonathan quietly. "Let's walk, no argument"
"OK" said Danny. He knew that tone that Jonathan used. He rarely used it but when he did, Danny knew that there was no point in arguing. Besides he had four agents waiting in the lobby. That, and Danny knew that Jonathan would move Heaven and Hell to keep Nick safe and pretty much could.
The two stopped at the Starbucks stand that was in the lobby for coffee before continuing out the door. "I didn't see that here last time" said Jonathan.
"Meant to tell you about that" said Nick sipping his coffee. "I signed a contract to let them into the lobby on a trial basis. A lot of the hotels here in town have them. Besides, I like their coffee"
"I pay $40.00 a pound to keep fresh Jamaican Blue Mountain in stock and you go and get commercial on me"
"Yeah but you love me anyway" said Nick with one of his cute smiles.
Jonathan stared at him for a moment. Nick was dressed in Cargo Pants, a Izod golf shirt, and an A&F hat. Jonathan had no words for what he saw.
"You're beautiful you know that?" asked Jonathan.
"Yeah I know" said Nick, dodging the playful slap at him.
"We got to work on your modesty." Said Jonathan. The warm sunshine and mild breeze caressed the two as they cut through the Public Garden and onto the Common.
"Did you know that most people who aren't in the know call this the Boston Commons?" asked Jonathan.
"I should know this why?" asked Nick cocking an eyebrow.
"Because you are a Bostonian now and we all know that it is properly called the Common because it was common ground for Bostonians back when it was created. The Boston Common is known to be one of the oldest public parks in the country. In fact, the Public Gardens across the way were the first public garden in the United States; founded in 1837. Today, Boston Common is the anchor for the Emerald Necklace, a system of connected parks that winds through many of Boston's neighborhoods. The "Common" has been used for many different purposes throughout its long history. Until 1830, cattle grazed the Common, and until 1817, public hangings took place here. British troops camped on Boston Common prior to the Revolution and left from here to face colonial resistance at Lexington and Concord in April, 1775." Said Jonathan with a smug look.
"Way too much information before noon there babe" said Nick looking at him cross-eyed and falling to the ground. "Overload"
"Yeah, very dignified for a billionaire" said Jonathan as he kept walking.
Nick got up and trotted up to catch up laughing.
Cutting across the Common they approached the small gate that led into the cemetery. In silence they walked through the many ancient stones. They finally came to a stone that was not weathered and cracked. It was a simple stone of unpolished granite. All it said was Covington and a single line below it:
"I gave peace to one, now I'm at peace"
For long minutes the two simply stared at the stone without saying a word. Soon with a single nod to himself, Nick squeezed Jonathan's hand and walked away from the stone.
CHAPTER FIVE:
Later that night, the two were eating a simple dinner over in Harvard Square at a university pub called Grendel's Den. Looking over his beer mug at Jonathan, Nick asked:
"So, it's been about two months, what are we going to do about Ryan?"
"Well" started Jonathan. "Actually I'm not too sure. I've had the company try to locate his parents without success. I doubt they left on their own, which leaves a couple of things neither of which I'm inclined to pursue."
"What do you mean?" asked Nick.
"Well, doesn't it sound a bit like what you went through when you had your disappearing act?" asked Jonathan.
Nick thought for a moment, "Yeah, actually it does"
"That alone sounds like a good reason to leave it alone." Said Jonathan. It cost me a lot of money to find you and I'm not sure I want to spend that again to find his parents. Not to mention pissing off the Justice Department a second time."
"There's a concept" said Nick. "so, what do we do?"
"School is supposed to start I believe in the next few weeks" said Jonathan. "It's getting to be the busy season for the company for a while and we're both gonna be traveling as well as our own stuff, so I don't think that we're going to have the time to watch over him. It hasn't been a problem because of Summer."
"You're going somewhere with this I presume" said Nick as he raised his beer glass.
"I'm thinking about sending him to school somewhere he can stay" said Jonathan.
"You talking Boarding School?" asked Nick.
"Yeah but I really good" said Jonathan. "His grades are excellent, he plays sports and we've got the money to get him there."
"What did you have in mind?" asked Nick, sipping his beer.
"The Brillantmont International College in Switzerland" said Jonathan.
"Wow" said Nick. "What is it like. It sounds fancy."
"It was founded in 1882 and has an outstanding international reputation." Said Jonathan. "It is one of the top private boarding schools in the world. It is accredited by the Cambridge University in England. It was won numerous awards in just about every educational division in the world. The campus is in Lausanne right in the center of the park in the city. It is beautiful, plus it isn't all that far from Zermatt. We could check in from time to time".
"Have you talked to him about it?" asked Nick
"No, I'd figure we would talk to him when we get back to Key West on Monday." Said Jonathan.
"That should be interesting" Said Nick.
"The kid deserves a chance" said Jonathan. "His grades are great like I said. This final year there will give him the edge he would need to get into just about anywhere he wants to go to college. I'll set up a fund to take care of that later on this year"
"Pretty cool" said Nick.
"Everyone deserves a chance baby" said Jonathan. "I'm just giving him that chance"
"Big difference between getting the crap kicked out of you in a dark alley" said Nick.
"Yeah it is" said Jonathan.
CHAPTER SIX:
The G-V flew into the private runway that was owned by the company that was doing the work on the jets. The two had spent a leisurely weekend at Boulders, playing golf, relaxing at the spa and generally enjoying themselves before flying over to the company on Sunday morning.
Danny opened the door of the jet and looked around before getting out. The project manager was waiting for them at the foot of a carpet that had been laid out. As usual, Captain Hendrickson's perfect rollout had put the jet on perfect alignment with the carpet. Soon after, Jonathan came down the stairway followed by Nick and the usual assortment of bodyguards. Jonathan had reached a compromise with Danny and only him and 3 others made the trip.
"Mr. Covington" said the project manager. "Welcome back. It has been a while"
Jonathan shook hands and said" Yes it has but one can't generally go around buying jets once a week"
The project manager laughed. "Well. I'd be happy if you did."
"My CFO would have a coronary" said Jonathan laughing as well. "So, how did the babies come out?"
"Right over here and you can see for yourself" said the manager.
As the small crowd walked the 200 yards or so over to the taxi way, and rounding a building, there stood the two jets.
"Damn" said both Nick and Jonathan at the same time. Both the black and white jets were facing them nose first; about 25 feet apart. As they approached the two flight crews were standing in front of them. Next to each crew was a large place card: White Spy One, said one; Black Spy One on the other. Jonathan just shook his head, took his sunglasses off and walked up to White Spy One. Captain Hendrickson was waiting there.
"How do we look?" he asked the captain.
"Damn impressive" said Captain Hendrickson. "I took both of them up yesterday afternoon to check them out with the Gulfstream people. They handle like dreams"
Captain Hendrickson gave a small chuckle.
"What?" asked Jonathan suspiciously.
"Well, it was me, Frank, the 3 people from Gulfstream and two reps from the security company. They wanted me to put the planes through a serious of `emergency maneuvers.' I haven't had as much fun since I was in my F-18"
"What did you do to them?" asked Jonathan.
"We've worked out a serious of maneuvers in case of emergencies and someone is trying to force the jet down. The airframe is a superior craft that will allow me to do some most amazing things. The Gulfstream people ended up puking in the airsick bags"
Jonathan tried to keep a straight face and failed. "Bad man"
"Just doing what I'm told." Said the Captain. "Besides, I have an interest in keeping the paychecks coming"
"This is true" said Jonathan.
As he talking to Captain Hendrickson, Nick had gone into Black Spy One and looked it over. He walked over with Sebastian curled around his neck.
"The pictures don't do it justice" said Nick. "You've got to see them"
He pulled Jonathan along. As they entered the jet, Sebastian hopped down and went trotting about. They took their time checking chairs the couch, snooping behind the bar and such. Jonathan noted the Anthony and Karen had obviously been aboard already as the bar was stocked. Entering the back bedroom they also noted that the bed had been made up. Soft earth tone colors made up the room and the bedcovers. Soft lighting set the mood. A bottle of Moet and Chandon White Star champagne was placed in a chiller next to the bed and two glasses set in the recessed rack.
"Hrm" said Nick. "They seem to be implying that we will be having sex on the way home"
"Read my mind" said Jonathan. "Let's go sign the papers and rock and roll."
Holding hands, the two walked back out front and down the jet stairs.
"Looks great to me" said Jonathan shaking hands with the entire project crew. "Let's sign off and I'll be out of your hair"
The paperwork took less then 10 minutes. As they walked back towards the jets, they noted Karen and Anthony coming out of White Spy. They walked over to them.
"What do you guys think?" asked Jonathan.
"They are beautiful" said Karen. "I love the new kitchens. They are incredible. I can't believe they are on jets".
"They are just that" said Jonathan. "You guys about ready to head back?"
"Indeed we are" said Anthony. "We're going back in the white one with most of the security crew and Brandon and Mark."
"OK" said Jonathan. "See you in Key West"
They walked back and got into Black Spy. Soon the jet engines warmed up and the jets started moving. First Black, then White rolled out towards the runway. Getting clearing from Sky Harbor, Captain Hendrickson applied full power to the newest addition to the fleet and began a stunning rollout.
"Damn" said Jonathan "This puppy has a lot more power then the G-V"
20 Minutes at cruising altitude, Nick took Jonathan's hand. "I believe there is a bottle of champagne waiting for us to christen the jet"
"I do believe that you want to christen the bed" said Jonathan following him.
"That too" said Nick with a devilish smile.