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Once is all I'll need to show you
love making is an art
but once-made love
won't be nearly enough
once I win your heart.
Once--Harry Connick Jr.
The drive to the hospital was spent in silence. The EMT's checked Nick over, treating his cuts and his swollen ankle. Once at the hospital Alex, Philip and Vince caught up with Derek as he waited for the doctors to finish with Nick.
"Did he seem okay?" Derek nodded to Philip, then looked up at Vince.
"Do I know you?" Vince stuck out his hand and watched Derek give him a funny look.
"Vince Campbell, Jr. You use to work with my dad."
"So, how is it that you are here today?"
"I was just doing some investigating into the lab and found you guys."
"Really," Derek stood up and approached him. "What do you know about that lab?" Vince was back up a bit at the tone of Derek's voice. "Who are you really?"
"Derek, you remember V.J., he's a photojournalist. You have some of his stills."
Philip was beside Derek in an instant. "Derek, it's okay."
"Is it?" He glanced at all three of them quickly. "Check him."
"How's that?" Vince was really getting worried about his safety and Derek's sanity.
"Do it now." Philip jumped as Derek yelled and approached Vince.
"Just hold still a sec', I won't hurt you." Philip stepped close to him and raised his hand, but Vince grabbed his wrist. He met the soft brown, questioning eyes and his hand was released. Philip ran his fingertips over the smooth skin at the base of his skull and then caressed Vince's neck slightly. He blushed a little and pulled his hand away. "He's fine, Derek."
"I'm sorry, I had to be sure." Vince shrugged his shoulders, still not sure what was going on. But he didn't get a chance to find out, the doctor came toward them.
"Dr. Rayne." Derek stepped up to the doctor and was tugged down the hallway. "You're listed as Mr. Boyle's contact, in case of emergency.
"Yes."
"You're not his father," Derek shook his head. "Well, this may not be something he would want to share with anyone, outside his family."
"I am his family." The doctor's eyebrows knitted together for a moment and he peered over his glasses at Derek. "He's my partner."
"Oh." It took a moment for the full impact of the statement to hit the older man. "I suppose that this information is something you definitely need to know."
"What is it? Is Nick all right?"
"He's in generally decent health, a little malnourished, but doing well. His ankle is badly sprained, it'll be a while before he's back on his feet, so to speak. But the thing that concerns me the most, is..."
Derek stared, but he doctor was silent. "What? Please tell me."
"There are signs that he was sexually assaulted, but he refuses to let us do a rape kit. We've taken blood, as you know the hiv test will have to be repeated in six months. We'd know more if..."
"I'll talk to him, see what I can do."
"Good, without a dna sample, we can't possible catch the man responsible."
"I understand." Derek shook the doctor's hand. "Can I see him now?"
"Yes, this way." Derek followed the doctor and nodded at the trio waiting on him.
He pushed open the door and Nick smiled when he met his eyes. The nurse nodded to Derek and left. "How are you?"
"I want to get out of here, go home."
"In time, the doctor says your ankle is very swollen and it could take a while for it to heal properly.”
"Can't I heal at home, Derek, you don't know..."
Nick's voice trailed off and he turned away from Derek's gaze. "Tell me what happened Nick."
"Not now, Derek. I just want to go home."
"Would you do me a favor?" He took Nick's hand and squeezed it. "Would you let them do, what they have to do."
"They told you." Derek nodded and Nick jerked his hand away and turned on his side. "I told him not to."
"Who was it, Nick?"
"It was Zack, one of the guards. He was in the car I rammed through the fence."
"Dark hair, medium build?"
"Yes, why?"
"He was on the shore with you, he's dead."
"Good, he tried to drown me."
"I'll let them know it was him, the tests will be easier that way." He lightly touched Nick's shoulder and the younger man turned back to him. "I love you." Nick was in his arms the next heartbeat, clutching desperately to Derek's body. "I'm so sorry, Nick. If I had known, I would have been here."
"Why didn't you know, Derek?" Derek pushed him back and met his eyes.”
"There's a lot we need to talk about, but let's get you home, then we'll talk about that." He pulled Nick close again. "You're safe, that's all that's important now."
************************************
Alex was pacing around the waiting room. Both the guys staring at her. "Why don' you give Rachel a call."
"She's on her way, what good will that do?" Philip nodded, knowing that she was going crazy waiting on word about Nick. "Okay, I'll call her cell phone." Alex headed out the door.
"Bit tense, isn't she?"
"Nick has been missing for months, but we didn't kno'. It's a long story."
"Well," Vince slapped Philip on the knee. "Mind explaining why you were playing with my neck.
"I wasn't, I was just checking to see if you were a clone."
"What?"
Philip met the eyes that begged for an explanation. "Never mind."
"Fine, I'll just chalk it up to your repressed sexuality."
"What?" Philip was on his feet instantly. "What are you talkin' bout."
"Ohhh, touched a nerve. Calm down, Father. I was kidding."
Philip took a deep breath and sat back down. He shot Vince several dirty looks, the man just grinned. "Don't call me that."
"Sure, Phil."
"Don't call me that either."
"Okay, Cally then."
"Fine, Vinny." Vince cocked his head and smiled. "Wait, what was it, Junior."
"Oh no, not that. Anything but that." They both laughed and Alex stomped back into the room.
"Is everything all right?" Philip wiped the smile away and matched her serious face. "Get a hold of Rachel?"
"No, stupid phones. Where's Derek?"
"Right here." She spun.
"Derek, is he okay, can we see him?"
"One at a time." Derek watched Alex go down the hall and into Nick's room.
"Well, now that things are better. Who are you again?" Vince stepped up and shook Derek's hand. Derek gripped it hard and grabbed the back of his neck, checking for himself.
"Okay, someone is going to have to explain that to me, someday."
"You said your name was Campbell, Vince's son."
"Yes, he died while he was working on a case with the Legacy in Instanbul, some years ago."
"And you're following in your father's footsteps, yes?"
"No, I'm just a photojournalist, but I kind of like the strange stuff you guys get into. Maybe I should consider membership."
Derek frowned and turned to Philip and nodded. Philip joined him a few feet away, hoping that it would be far enough to have Vince not hear them. "Do you know him?"
"Not that well." He felt bad, kind of, he was enjoying Vince's company. "I worked with him in Ireland, some years back, but..."
"Fine," He pulled Philip to the side. "I am not back to full speed, my mind is consumed with Nick's health, you know this. I can't allow him to come back with us."
"Derek, he's not mentioned anything like that."
"Oh, good. Well then." Derek turned back to Vince and grinned. "It was nice to meet you, Vince. Take care of yourself."
"Sure, Dr. Rayne, you too." Vince crossed his arms and watched Derek return to pacing outside of Nick's room beside Alex. "A bit preoccupied, isn't he?"
"They're lovers. Nick was..." Philip stopped and considered what he was about to do. Legacy business was Legacy business, outsiders not allowed. "I think I need a cup of coffee."
"I'll join you, if that's okay."
"If you must." Philip didn't say it with malice, but he saw the hurt look in the other man's face. "I'm sorry. Of course you can."
"No man, it's okay. I think maybe I have worn out my welcome. It was good seeing you again, Father," He paused staring into Philip's eyes. "I mean, Philip." He stretched out his hand and Philip shook it. He tried to pull back but the slighter man didn't let go.
"Please, this has been a nightmare for all of us. I would like to talk to someone about something, other than Nick's disappearnce. Please, have a cup of coffee with me." He paused a moment. "I'm buying."
Vince studied the ex-priest for a long moment and nodded. "Okay, but can I have my hand back?"
"Oh, sorry." Philip blushed and looked away. "I think it's this way."
****************************************
"They're doing more tests or something. They made me leave."
Derek nodded and went inside the room. He waited outside the curtain for the doctor and nurses to run the tests they needed to, entering only after everything was done. "Okay?"
Nick nodded and wiped away a tear. "Can I go home now?"
"I'll check with the doctor."
"No, just stay here for a minute. I just want to be with you."
"You are love and I'll never let you out of my site again."
"Derek, that could cause problems." Derek sat down on the bed beside him, careful not to get too close.
"Well, maybe not forever, but for a pretty darn long time then." Nick smiled and reached up to touch Derek's cheek.
"That'll be okay then." Derek kissed his palm and was leaning in for a real kiss when a noise behind them made him stop.
"Sorry, but I had to see...” Rachel closed the door and hurried to Nick's side. Derek stood up and watched her embrace him. "Oh God, Nick, is it really you?"
"Yes, Rachel, it's me."
"Thank God, after the other one, I just didn't think it was possible." Nick looked at her then to Derek.
"What's she talking about?"
Rachel's eyes went wide. "Oh God, Derek, I'm sorry. I thought..."
"Don't worry about it," He rubbed her arms and showed her to the door. "I'll handle it."
Derek, what's going on?""It's late, I'm sure you're tired. Why don't you..."
"NO! Tell me now."
"Nick, it can wait. The important thing is that you're here with us, safe."
"There was a clone, right. Of me, right? What happened Derek, did you sleep with him? Is that it? Is that why you didn't come after me, you already had me."
"Nick, calm down. Yes, there was a clone, but he was ill. All this can wait until we get home."
Nick pushed the blankets back and climbed out of bed. "Where are you going?"
"To find my clothes, I'm getting out of here."
"Nick, sit down." Derek tried to steer him back, but Nick pushed him away.
"How could you think it was me?" Nick found a locker, but it was empty. "Where are my clothes?"
"They kept the things you were wearing, I'll send Philip to the hotel to get some of his things, just sit down. Please." Nick heard the pleading in Derek's voice, the pain, but his mind was going crazy. He glanced up into the mirror and saw his reflection. Thin, pale haunted. Then the mirror shimmered and his image changed, reflecting the anger he felt inside.
"How could you think it was me?" He took a deep breath and remembered the clone of Jonathan and the one of himself he had seen. Too real to seem fake. He turned back to Derek. "I'm sorry." Derek was there the moment he reached out. The older man cradled him and helped him back into bed. A knock at the door and Philip popped his head in.
"Can I come in?"
Derek looked at Nick, then went to Philip. "I need you to get Nick some clothes let him borrow something of yours. Just anything to make him feel better right now. We need a little time alone, if you'll tell the others, please."
"Sure." Philip smiled at Nick, but the younger man turned away. "Anything you need?"
"Answers."
"Sorry, fresh out. You sure you don't want me to get Rachel?"
"No, it's all right. It'll just take time."
*************************************
"Want to ride to the hotel with me?" Vince nodded and waited for Philip in the hall, while he told everyone to leave Derek and Nick alone.
"It's rough, huh?"
"You don't kno' the half of it."
"I would, if you'd tell me."
"Look I appreciate the friendship, but I really don't know you that well. I don't think Derek would appreciate me blabbing his personal business to ya."
"I understand." With that he pushed the door open and held it open for Philip. "Want me to drive?"
"I don't care."
***********************************
Later that evening, once Nick was sleeping comfortably, Alex and Rachel returned to their hotel rooms and crashed. Philip and Vince were in the waiting room, waiting. Derek came in and sighed. "He's asleep, finally."
"What did he say about the clone?" He didn't miss the questioning look that Derek gave him or the one that he gave Vince.
"I didn't tell him everything. The nurse gave him something to make him sleepy."
"You'll have to tell him eventually."
"I know and I will, but right now. I'm too exhausted even to think."
"Why don't you go back to the hotel room, get some sleep. I'll stay here and wait."
"No, that's okay. The nurse said I could sleep in the bed, next to his. You get some rest. I'll probably be calling you early."
"Okay, we'll get out of here then." Derek hugged Philip, but pushed away quickly when he met Vince's eyes.
"Be careful, Philip."
"Go, get some sleep. I'll be fine."
*************************
Philip yawned and stretched his long frame in the front seat of the Range Rover. "You get any taller over there, I'll have to pop the top."
"Sorry, been ages since I've gotten any real sleep."
"So, go to sleep."
"What?"
"The seat goes back. Snooze, we'll be at your hotel in a little bit."
"It's tempting, but..."
"What, you think I'm going to kidnap you or something?"
"No, of course not."
"Just lie back, Father, err, Philip."
******
Philip awoke to the sound of lapping water. He was comfortable and warm, snuggled beneath a large jacket. He took a deep breath, nice subtle cologne, not too overpowering, but quite intoxicating. A man's cologne, he jerked awake then and sat up. "What the? Where are we?"
"Hey," Vince stuck his head inside the door. "You're awake."
"Yeah, where are we?"
"Overlook at the Patomic. It's a Park."
"Why?"
"You were sleeping so peaceful, I didn't want to wake you." Philip climbed out of the Rover and walked to the front of the truck. "Here, I got some beer. Do you drink?"
"Yeah, I've been known to toss back a few." Vince smiled and twisted off the lid. Philip took the beer and turned it up.
"It's been a while since I’ve been up here."
"You live here?"
"Nah, use to have a place here, years ago, but I live out of a suit case most times now."
"Sounds fun."
"Fun? Sometimes, but it gets lonely." Philip studied the man beside him. The strong frame, soft brown eyes, short dark hair that curled with the moisture in the air. A very good looking man all in all. Philip liked the sound of his voice too. Strong, but with a casualness to it. He knew he'd stared too long when the blood began to rush to his cheeks. He looked away quickly.
"I don't think someone like you, would have any problems getting a date."
"You'd be surprised. I'm never around long enough to form, what you would call, lasting bonds and that gets old." Philip finished the first beer and took the one offered to him. "I'm getting old."
"Life makes you feel old, you just can't let it."
"Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Why did you leave the church?"
"Oh, that something. Well it's a very long and boring story. It's late, I think we should get back to the hotel."
Philip was at the door of the Rover already, waiting on Vince. "I always admired your faith, it seemed to be what made you strong. You were fearless in Ireland."
"I found out I'm strong on my own and I still have my faith, Vince. But things changed, things I found I couldn't control." The events of the last year ran quickly through his mind and he took a deep breath. "Come on, I'm tired."
Twenty minutes later they are back at the hotel. "You want to come up?"
"Sure, thought you were tired."
"I am, but you said you were living out of a suit case. Do you have a better offer tonight?"
"No, not really."
"Then come on."Philip pushed open the door and Vince followed him inside. He yawned and climbed on the bed, stretching out.
"Ahh, Philip, can I ask you something?"
"What now?"
"What was the sleeping arrangements, when Derek was here?"
Philip's eyes shot open, he had forgotten about that. The last thing he wanted was to reveal his feelings for Derek to this handsome stranger. "Oh, uhh, the couch is comfortable."
"Fess up, Philip. You and Derek had something going on while this Nick guy was away."
"We didn't know Nick was alive." Vince grinned and plopped down on the bed beside Philip looking into the wide, beautiful green eyes. "We didn't."
"I believe you. So, is that 'why' you left the church?"
Philip pushed off the bed, he didn't really know what to do or say, Vince had him trapped, not physically, but emotionally. He finally decided on the couch and headed into the small living area. "Well?"
"Part of it," Philip took the beer that Vince slid down his arm. "Yes."
"It's okay, I won't hold it against you." Vince slipped down on the chair opposite Philip. "I can understand."
"Can you?" He watched Vince shrug and nod. "I don't. I don't understand why I have these urges for other men." Vince met his eyes now and something silent passed between them. "Or, why I’m telling this to a stranger."
Vince stood up and stopped Philip as he tried to escape the room. "Maybe," it's because you need a friend to talk to and I just happen to be here."
"Yeah, maybe."
"Philip?"
"Yeah?" Vince was close now and Philip's heart pounded against his rib cage.
"Can I kiss you?"
"No, that would no' be a good idea." Vince caressed his cheek and his body began to shake. "Please, don'." He allowed the contact for a few seconds then pulled back.
"I'm sorry. I should go." Vince gathered his jacket and the last remaining beers and headed for the door. "Look, if you ever need a friend to talk to." He handed a card to Philip. "Just give me a buzz. It's global, so I'll get the message and give you a ring back." Philip finally met his eyes and Vince grinned. "Anytime."
Philip took the card and nodded. He watched Vince pull the door closed and then sat down hard on the couch. He thought of Derek and Nick and the situation at hand. He had loved them both for so long, it had become his reason for living. Now, this handsome stranger hand encouraged his heart. Maybe life without the Legacy wouldn't be so lonely after all.
to be continued.
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