When our lips touched. part 15.

When our lips touched.

Part 15, chapter 4.

As the morning progresses Simon wakes from a night of almost no sleep caring for the man curled up in his arm. He remains in bed for a few minutes looking at John and smiling weakly. Not too soon he stirs gradually waking from his slumber. John yawns heavily and stretches his arms over his head, a sharp pain shoots through his abdomen, and grunts with pain clutching his waist.

"Careful, Johnny,"

He looks at Simon with a forced smile as he moans uncomfortably.

"Why does it hurt so much, I've taken a bullet to the arm and that was painless compared to this,"

"It's not the same, Johnny,"

"I know...,"

"How are you feeling, apart from the wound?"

"Hungry..., haven't eaten since yesterday morning,"

"Neither have I, I'll order us some food, then,"

Simon gets up untangling himself from him taking extra care not to stir him as he remains lying down. he remains seated on the side of the bed glancing over his shoulder at him.

"Are you sure, you are alright, Johnny, be honest,"

"Aye, I am, I have pain every time I move that's all, I swear,"

Simon stands up leans back down to him and presses a kiss to his forehead before proceeding to the bathroom, while standing in front of the mirror he stares at himself still angry for what he caused the previous morning, he sighs heavily before relieving himself leaning with one hand pressed to the wall as he stands over the toilet, holding the base of his cock guiding the stream of yellowish liquid into the toilet bowl. He remains leaning forward for a moment before jerking his cock and shaking it vigorously letting the last drops of urine escape from the cavity before redressing his pants and tying the drawstrings in a neat bow.

he re-enters the room glances over to John and smiles weakly at him before exiting the room he pulls the mask from his pants pocket and slids it over his ears covering the lower part of his face. In the corridor, he stands next to the door with his forehead pressed to the wall feeling somewhat frustrated with himself thinking about if he just stayed in the kitchen the previous morning none of this would have happened in the first place.

In the distance, he hears feminine footsteps approach, he pulls back from the wall and fixes his posture turning to the tapping sound leading up the corridor. It's a young nurse approaching with a tray of medication and a clipboard.

"Morning, I presume you are, Mr Riley?"

"Yes, I am, are you here for, Johnny,... I mean, MacTavish,"

"Yes I am, Don't worry I know, Johnny, Is his name, I'm stationed here until he is discharged this afternoon,"

"Are you..., part of th..,"

"Yes I am, Price ordered me to be here for the duration of his stay,"

"Thank you, ma'am,"

"Ma'am, that's a new one, lieutenant,"

"You know who I am?"

"Of course, Not every day two of the best retire and elope you know," 

"Suppose so,"

"You have to excuse me, I need to address his bandages and give him his medication,"

"And food too please, he hasn't eaten since yesterday morning,"

"Your breakfast is already on the way, lieutenant,"

She proceeds to open the door as she smiles at him entering the room.

"Good morning, Johnny,"

"Lucy, is that you?"

"Of course, it is, though you'll remember the person that stitched you up the last time,"

"You two know each other?"

"Aye, She is part of the team,"

"What are you doing here, Lucy?"

"Stationed here for the night until you are discharged,"

"Price?"

"Yes, of course,"

He sprouts a toothy grin and she puts the tray down on the side table next to the bed and proceeds to pull the covers away from his person.

"Are you wearing bottoms, Johnny,"

"Don't think so,"

"Lieutenant," would you mind covering him up before I address his bandages, please,"

"Of course...,"

Simon walks over to the bed as she avers her gaze giving them privacy. He proceeds to undress the gown from his person gently sliding it over his arms taking extra care not to stir him. He continues and folds the garment in half and lays it over John's crotch covering him.

"Done,"

She turns and observes Simon's handiwork and smiles broadly.

"You a natural, lieutenant,"

He smiles weakly averting his gaze feeling somewhat embarrassed as he looks at John. She proceeds to look at the bandages before reaching for a small pair of steal scissors and cutting along the bandages wrapped around his waist, She pulls the wrappings back revealing a heavy patch of gauze. taking extra care she lifts one corner of the fabric and withdraws revealing the stiched-up wound,"

"Oh dear..., lieutenant, did he move a lot last night?"

"Unfortunately, is it bad, Nurse?"

"No..., just swollen, you have to take care and not move if not necessary, Johnny,"

He nods slightly scrunching his nose at the sensation of gloved fingers caressing his sensitive side. he looks down trying his best to not move and finally sees the puncture everyone is making a fuss about.

"Crap..., it's bigger than I thought,"

"Of course it is, we had to operate on you remember,"

"I don't, though I just got stitched back up,"

She shakes her head disapprovingly and she continues fiddling with the reddened skin around the stitches.

"I'll add some antibiotic-numbing cream to the area for the moment and let it soak in afterwards I will replace the gauze and secure it with surgical tape, there is no need for bandages, however, lieutenant, you have to keep an eye on him and make sure he stays relaxed until this afternoon, otherwise he won't be able to go home,"

"Oi, I'm not a bloody toddler,"

"In my care, you might as well be, If you rip your stitches you can have internal bleeding this isn't a meer papercut, Captain, this is a serious puncture wound,"

He lies in frustration feeling belittled by the two figures standing around the bed, he remains in the position as his bottom lip and chin twitch and his eyes narrow.

The nurse continues and adds a generous amount of cream to the area caressing her fingers gently along the wound. He groans heavily as his toes curl with pain and growls deeply.

"Keep still, Johnny, Shes only trying to help,"

"PISS OFF..., IT HURTS!"

Simon smiles weekly at him holding him by the shoulders.

"LET ME GO, SIMON, I'M NOT A BLOODY MENTAL PATIENT!"

"John, calm yourself, the lieutenant and I are trying to help you, or do you prefer to rot away in this bed,"

He stares blankly at the nurse standing on his side frowning disapprovingly at him while Simon retracts his grip on his shoulders and takes a seat in the armchair standing before the window. He sits quietly pressing his fingertips against each other as he sits back pressing his index fingers against his lips. He glanced over to John with narrowed eyes face unreadable.

"Lieutenant, would you help me hold him down while I apply the tape, please?"

"No..., he's a big boy and can hold still if he needs to,"

The nurse looks him in the eye before averting her gaze to John and continues cutting the tape into hand-sized pieces before applying them to the gauze. John lies still not moving a muscle, he knows he has crossed the line yelling at them both and acting childish he remains silent staring up at the ceiling not daring to look either of them in the face.

A knock on the door echoes through the room as it swings open another nurse walks in pushing a cart with two domes resting on its surface.

"your breakfast is ready, Sir's,"

"Thank you, leave them be, I'll feed him, it's fine,"

Nurse Lucy parrots to the other nurse, she immediately exits the room and closes the door behind her.

"Here drink your medication, I'll get you a glass of water, you need to take it before you eat,"

She demands as she hands him a small paper cup with a handful of colourful pills within. She takes a small bottle from the breakfast cart with a glass and pours the clear liquid into the glass before handing it to him.

John looks to Simon but is ignored.

"Lucy, can I sit up?"

"Only slightly, I'll adjust the bed for you,"

He takes hold of a small remote control that is connected to the headboard of the bed and presses a combination of the buttons letting the bed's upper part rise.

"thank you,"

"You're welcome, would you like your food now?"

"Aye, that would be great,"

"Lieutenant, you can eat if you want to, I'll help him eat,"

"Nurse..., Leave us,"

She nods her head and leaves the room, before exiting she glances over her shoulder and looks at Simon raising her eyebrow and shaking her head slightly.

"I'll be back soon to check up on you, Johnny,"

He nods his head and cracks a weak smile as he watches her close the door behind her. Simon remains silent tapping his index fingers against each other with narrow eyes locked on him.

"Sim...,"

"Johnny..., if you ever shout at me like that again..., I was trying to help..., I know it hurts, believe me, I have my fair share of stabs under my belt," 

He remains silent for a moment gathering his thoughts as light tears fill his eyes, John tries to speak but is cut off.

"All I can do now is try my best to help you recover, you heard the nurse, you can pull a stitch and have internal bleeding..., I can't lose you, Johnny, I j-just can't..., it's my fault that you are here in the first place and ill never be able to forgive myself if anything should happen to you,"

he leans forward leaning his elbows on his knees and resting his head in his palms as he sighs heavily.

"Si..., it's not your fault, don't blame yourself for what your brother did..., I know I overstepped shouting at you and Lucy..., I-I..., I don't know what else say..., Si,"

"You don't have to say anything,"

"Can you please hug me..., since you know, I can't,"

Simon lowers his arms and looks at him sprouting a weak smile. he gets up and gradually moves closer to the bed, he hovers over him and rests his head in the crook of his neck as John curls his arm around his shoulders trying to pull him down into his person but is refused,

"Can't Johnny,"

"Just once?"

"Later, I promise,"

He stands back up and fixes his posture before walking to the breakfast cart removing the one dome from the plate.

"Here let me feed you, Puppy,"

"Am I puppy again?'

"Always, have been,"

He takes the plate in one hand and the cutlery in the other before moving back to the bed and sits on the side of the bed slightly turned to him. he cuts up the scrambled eggs and sausage before pressing the prongs of the fork into the sausage and feed John contently. After a few bites, he continues with the eggs and soon to the small plastic cup of yoghurt.

"You're enjoying this aren't you, Simon?'

"Mabey a little,"

"Don't get used to it,"

He smiles broadly as he dips the spoon back into the container of yoghurt. Not too soon John had finished his meal and Simon proceeded to eat his own, he forced down the sausages and eggs barely chewing a single bit as John watched him in awe.

"Are you really that hungry, Si?"

"Starving, Haven't eaten since yesterday, you know,"

"I do,"

Simon continues eating, not caring much about how he looks stuffing his face, he takes hold of the spoon and gulps down the strawberry yoghurt in three bites. The expression of disappointment sprouts over his face as he notices his plate is empty.

"Bloody hell, no wonder people complain about hospital food,"

"Not enough, Si?" 

"No,"

"Could call the nurse and ask for more,"

"No it's fine..., Sure Mum cooked something good, will wait until then,"

"What time do you think we can leave, it's boring here, not even a television,"

"Donno, The nurse should be back soon, can ask her then,"

He gets up from the armchair and returns his empty plate to the cart. He proceeds to move back to the bed and sits on the side next to him glancing over his shoulder at the bored man, he tries his best to spark a conversation but falters miserably.

"You don't have to entertain me, Si, being here is enough,"

He smiles weekly brushing his fingers through the other man's hair messing it up beyond repair. Not too soon a knocking sound came from the door and it swung open, Nurse Lucy walked into the room once more.

"Feeling better you two?"

"Nae..., still hungry...,"

"I see, unfortunately, I can't authorise lunch yet you have to wait until you get home,"

"Does that mean he can go home, Nurse,"

"Yes, he has made a decent recovery, Lieutenant,"

"Thank you, Lucy,"

"No problem, Johnny, that's my job you know,"

"Hope we'll see you again,"

"Not getting rid of me yet, Price organized you to be dropped off by ambulance and I will be accompanying you back,"

"Of course he did, that's Price for you,"

She smiles broadly going over the clipboard before checking his vitals one last time before calling assistance, She speaks to Simon and explains to him about the medication he has to give him and the cream he has to apply to the wound. they continue a light conversation waiting for the EMTs to arrive, She proceeds to hand Simon a large paper bag with John's belongings.

"Don't worry I had his pants and briefs washed so they are clean the shirt and hoodie, not so much,"

"What about my necklace and ring, Lucy?"

"Don't worry it's in there, rather unusual piece, Special meaning?"

"Something like that..., irreplaceable,"

Simon smiles broadly under his mask trying to hide his expression but it is no use his eyes give him away as Lucy notices his expression.

"Okay, you have to tell me, please"

Simon looks at John and nods slightly. He proceeds to tell her the story of the night of their last mission and explains what happened, how Simon collected the pebble the dreaded phone call they shared and the morning after when they kissed for the first time.

"Oh my god, Lieutenant, you are so romantic, a dumbass, but romantic, who knew you were like this under that spooky skull mask?"

John giggles whisperingly holding his hand over the wound on his side as the pain returns. Simon rolls his eyes at her and continues back to the bed sitting next to him.

"Lieutenant, I hate to ask this and was informed not to..., but could I possibly see your face?"

"What..., why?"

"Just curious, I guess,"

"It's not pleasant...,"

"Nonsense, Si, remember what I told you?"

He sighed heavily bowing his head as he closed his eyes reached for the fabric loops around his ears and gradually pulled the mask from his face. He looks up at her and is met with an unreadable expression.

"Oh my god..., y-you're..., so handsome, such a bad boy,"

"Please stop flattering me,"

"I'm serious, Lieutenant, you very lucky, Johnny, got a good one,"

"I know,"

John giggles once more holding his belly, Not too soon the EMTs arrive ready to escort him to the ambulance bay. He is secured and strapped inside the vehicle as Simon and Lucy get in after him taking a seat in the back as the two EMTs get in front one ignites the engine and slowly drives forward and past the parking bay and away from the property.

Simon takes his hand and squeezes it gently as he smiles weakly. he nods to Lucy in gratitude before regaining his focus on the man secured in the stretcher before him. A few tedious minutes pass as the GPS announces the directions back to his mother's house.

Not too soon they drive up the familiar road and even sooner up the driveway. Margret, Patrick, and Price are waiting patiently for the EMTs to unload their precious cargo, Simon gets out first and Lucy follows soon after. She walks over to Price and greets him respectfully as Simon to his mother and uncle greeting them as they curl their arms around him hugging him tight.

"How is he, Lucy?"

"Very well, a bit of an attitude but otherwise a spark,"

"Thank you for your assistance,"

"No problem, Sir,"

Soon John makes an appearance as he is lifted out of the vehicle with a toothy smile at his audience.

"Welcome home, Darling,"

"Thank you, Mom, happy to be back,"

"Glad your home, Lad, gave us a fright there for a minute, you sure you well enough to be here,"

Simon croaks from the side.

"I'm not staying another night, there's no food in that hospital,"

Everyone burst out laughing even the two EMTs laughed and nodded their heads in agreement.

"Good thing I made lunch then, Darling,"

They transport John inside, as they reach the sitting room Simon and John notice the many changes to the room, a new pull-out couch stands set up with fresh new bedding in the place of the old one and a clothing rail on the one side with both their clothes hung up on hangers. A television on a portable stand in the far end corner of the room with Simon's gaming console and games.

"You did this all for me?"

"Of course, Darling,"

"Thank you, Mum,"

Margret smiles broadly with light tears in her eyes as the EMTs relocate John to his new bed taking extra care not to move his abdomen. Lucy proceeded to assist his wound making sure the stitches remained intact and reapplied the cream from earlier letting it soak into the reddened skin before reapplying the gauze.

"You're all set, Johnny,"

"Thank you for putting up with me, Lucy,"

"Happy to..., Lieutenant, remember what I told you about his med and I wrote it down on this paper and if you need any help give me a call my number is on the bottom corner,"

She hands him a folded paper and the paper bag of medication and smiles broadly as she looks at Price.

"Would that be all, Sir?"

"Yes thank you, for caring for my men, I'll see if I can't get you a bonus at year-end,"

"Thank you, Sir, but it's not necessary, just keep me posted on these two,"

"Will do,"

She turns and waves to them both and walks back outdoors with the EMTs as Margret follows. 

Price walks over to the bed and sits next to him on the bed and pats him on his shoulder.

"How are you, son,"

"Never better, Sir,"

"Good to hear,"

He turns to face Simon.

"Lt, hope it is alright, I'm taking your room for a few days, Your mother insisted, and was happy to take the couch but your uncle had other plans as you can see,"

"Perfectly fine,"

"Thank you for staying, Captain,"

"Of course, Johnny, I have a surprise for you, Just don't get too excited,"

He gets up from the bed and walks out of the room, Simon looks at him with a cheeky grin as he removes his mask and puts the paper bag containing John's belongings down on the armchair next to the bed with the medication and Lucy's note. a few minutes pass before Price returns with another man by his side.

"Gaz...!"

"Hello, Mate, heard you took a knife to the gut,"

"Aye, that I did,"

"Lt, nice to see you, without your Halloween mask,"

"Thanks for coming, Sargeant,"

"Of course, how could I not, were family after all,"

"Yes..., we are, listen can I speak to you in private?'

"Of course, Lt,"

Margret returns to the room after exchanging pleasantries with Lucy and the EMTs. She walks to the bed and sits next to John stroking his hair as she smiles broadly.

"So happy, you're back, Darling,"

"Thanks, Mom, good to be back,"

Simon smiles weakly as he pats Gaz on his back and leads him to the back garden. They walk side by side hands shoved beed in their pockets and come to a still in the centre of the garden. he glanced at the lush green grass beneath him and noticed the indents with exposed dirt from his sprints the previous morning.

"So what do you want to see me about, Lt?"

He sighs heavily as he looks up at the sky before averting his gaze to him, processing his thoughts before he speaks.

"Listen, Sargeant, I want to apologize for my behaviour over the years, I know I wasn't the most pleasant person to be around,"

"You don't need to apologize, Lt, I know why you were they you were, after all, you only started acting like an ass after, Soap, Joined,"

"What...?"

"Yeah I had my suspicions about you when we first met, after all, we were the only two on the team apart from Price, and I got the vibe from you,"

He remains silent hearing his truth in disbelief.

"When, Soap, joined you changed drastically from relatively talkative to a none speaker you became cold and built unnecessary walls around yourself,"

"You knew all this time?"

"Somewhat, had my suspicions...,"

"It doesn't bother you that I'm...we are...,"

"Gay, not at all, why should it, you're still, Lt, and he is still, Soap, I'm happy for you two, Kind of jealous to be honest, our career is a lonely one as you know," 

"True...,"

"What happens now?"

"Don't know yet, my uncle gave us an idea to open a laser tag arena,"

"That's awesome, should design it like our training grounds, Lt,"

"Don't think, Johnny, wants to, believe he wants to leave that life behind?"

"What about you?"

Simon remains silent thinking about the question. he never really gave it any thought as his life was always about following orders and not looking out for his own dreams in life.

"Farming...,"

"What?'

"I think farming, would be a nice change,"

"Sounds good, Lt, you should go for it...,

"you think?"

"Yeah..., tell you what why don't I bring it up pretending it's my idea to Soap?"

"Naa, won't be necessary, we have an agreement to keep no secrets,"

"No secrets...?"

"Yes,"

They stand contently next to each other as they converse feeling like the days before John joined the 141 before he built walls around himself and shut people out. They are interrupted by a roar coming from the kitchen door as Patrick stands in the frame.

"You boys want sandwiches?"

"Yes, coming..., Dad,"

"Dad..., I thought your father passed, Lt?"

"He did, that's my uncle he raised me, and thought it was only fair to call him dad after recent events,"

"You're going soft, Lt,"

"I know, it's, Johnny's fault,"

"It's good, reminds me of the old you,"

Simon smirks laughing to himself in whispers patting Gaz on his back as he sprouts a toothy smile.

"Let's go eat, I'm bloody starving,"

"Sure thing, Lt,"

"Call me Simon, Gaz,"

They return to the kitchen and are met with Margret dishing a large platter of cheese and ham sandwiches, as she smiles broadly handing the plate to Simon.

"This is to share, Simon,"

Gaz chuckles loudly holding his stomach as he looks at him, sprouting a toothy grin. They proceed back to the sitting room as Simon sits the platter down on the coffee table taking a large handful of sandwiches in hand and sitting down on his side of the pull-out before laying down next to John and handing him two sandwiches.

"Thanks, Si,"

"Of course,"

"What were you two talking about,"

"I'll tell you later, to many ears,"

"Is that so, Simon?"

"Yes, captain,"

Simon grins mischievously at him as they continue their conversation, Gaz catches up with recent events a questions them about their future plans and learns about their trip around the country. he questions them about the route the many towns they will visit and the period they will be on the road.

"Bloody hell, I'm jealous not gonna lie,"

"Will first need to settle down before we can even attempt it though,"

"Sounds like a fun trip, boys,"

Soon Margret joins the conversation holding a large tray with a teapot with six tea cups a sugar bowl a milk jug and a plate full of assorted biscuits.

"Help yourselves, Boys,"

Gaz proposes to pour two cups with tea sugar and milk and stir the mixture properly before handing one cup to Simon and the other to John.

"thank you, mate,"

Simon nods his head in gratitude at him before continuing their conversation. the hours pass swiftly as midday turns to night and the house darkens, no one pays much attention to the darkening house as they are too content and overjoyed that John is safe and back home where he belongs.

He yawns heavily clutching the wound on his side as he shrieks in pain at the sensation of his stomach muscles tightening as he yawned.

"Tired, Johnny?"

"Aye, feeling a bit woozy, can sleep,"

Price sits up and looks around the room.

"Margret..., Patrick..., Gaz why don't we continue this in the kitchen, I'm sure there two would like some sleep,"

"yes, of course, Mr Price,"

"Yeah, you two must be exhausted, hospital beds aren't the most comfortable,"

Margret stood up and gathered the tea cups replaced them on the tray she brought earlier and walked to the kitchen carrying the tray carefully while Patrick took hold of the empty sandwich platter following his sister shortly after.

"You two have a good night,"

"Thank you, captain,"

"Yeah see ya in the morning,"

Simon stretched lifting his arms over his head and letting out an unnecessarily loud yawn.

"Bloody hell, Si,"

"What...,"

"You're gonna wake the dead, yawning like that,"

Simon laughs whisperingly as he moves to the side of the bed and rests his feet on the cold floor. He unties his boots and kicks them off discarding them to the far end of the room before he stands.

"Johnny, do you want to change your clothes?"

"Aye..., would be nice to get out of this bloody dress,"

"boxers?"

"Aye, Thanks, Si,"

He proceeds to the clothing rail and retrieves a pair of dark blue boxers with thin white lines running vertically along the fabric and returns to John, he leans over him gently pulling the gown from his person and removes the shorts Lucy dressed him in earlier. He lies naked for a moment before covering his crotch fearing someone will walk in on them, a fearsome expression sprouts over his face as he glances at the towering man over him.

"No need to worry, Love..., no one will disturb us,"

He bends down and gently presses a soft kiss to his stomach close to where the taped gauze is secured, as he pulls back to his original leaning position he cracks a weak smile and gently slides on the fresh pair of boxers nudging the fabric over his rear and bulge not wanting him to stir his waist.

"Wait, I can lift my...,"

"No, don't remember what Lucy said, Johnny, I can do it like this,"

Simon reminds him and continues drawing the waistband gradually over his hips. He proceeds to remove his own pants and rapidly pull them from his person folding them in fours and laying them on the armchair beside their bed before removing his shirt and laying it down next to his pants. 

Simon stretches once more and yawns somewhat quieter than the previous howler he expressed. He walks back to John's side of their bed retrieves a dark red fuzzy wool knit blanket and unfoldes it tossing it over the tiresome man on the bed before proceeding to his own side. He sits back down and remains sitting for a moment staring down at his bare feet as the sensation of warm fingers brush along his lower back, He glances over his shoulder and is met with a weak toothy smile.

"Tired, Puppy?"

"Aye, very much,"

They are interrupted by Margret knocking on the door frame with a glass of water in one hand and a small cup of colourful pills in the other.

"Darling, you almost forgot to take your medication,"

"Thank you, Mom,"

"Sorry forgot about it, Mum,"

"No worries, Boys, I won't forget,"

She proceeds to walk over to the bed and sits down next to John handing him the smaller cup of medication as he proceeds to empty the whole container into his mouth before taking the glass from Margret and drinking half of the transparent liquid.

"How are you feeling, Darling?"

"Better, especially being back here with all of you,"

"That's good, I'll keep your friends here as long as I can, Darling..., you know my mother always said, friends always heal you faster,"

"Not friends, Mom..., Family, everyone in this house is my family,"

Margert smiles broadly as she glances over at Simon and takes his hand into her own caressing her thumb over his dorsal.

"You go to sleep now boys, sure you must be tired..., I'll be in the kitchen with the others if you need me I'll be there,"  

"Thank you, Mom,"

"Yes thanks, Mum,"

John smiles weakly as his eyes fall shut trying his best to keep them open but he falters and falls asleep. Simon sprouts a weak side smile at the sleeping man lying next to him before Glancing up at his mother and nodding slightly in appreciation, She smiles back and nods in return before walking back out of the room.

Simon remains sitting on the side of the bed rubbing his face with his palms and exhaling heavily in whispers, he turns and lays back down on the bed taking John's hand into his own and staring at the ceiling thinking about the previous morning with his brother and the events leading to John being stabbed.

He rolls to his side and curls his arm over the sleeping man's chest pulling himself closer to him and caressing his palm gently over his naked chest brushing his fingers through John's short chest hair falling gradually asleep and joining him in slumber.

Earlier in the kitchen Price and Gaz sit on the stools by the island talking to Patrick, He inquires them about their missions and what it is like to be out in the field. 

"Sorry, Mr Pat we can't talk about that,"

"It's fine, Gaz..., you can tell him, just keep some parts confidential,"

"You sure, Captain?"

"Yes, he's practically part of the team now..., he has a knack for interrogating, Just ask Johnny,"

Gaz giggles to himself hysterically as he pats Price on his shoulder. 

"Well..., to be perfectly honest, it's a rush and the best feeling taking ou..,"

Price clears his throat heavily raising an eyebrow at him cutting him off mid-sentence.

"Too far?"

"A tad,"

Patrick laughed heavily holding his jiggling belly. Margret walks back into the kitchen holding the half-empty glass with clear liquid, makes her way to the sink rinses out the glass and sits it down on the drying rack next to the sink.

"Mr Price..., Gaz..., I would like to ask you both to stay as long as you can, You, being here is helping John recover faster,"

"I have nowhere to be, Ma'am, how about you captain?"

"I already said I'll be staying a few days, I suppose I could stay a bit longer,"

"Thank you, I really appreciate it, Boys,"

"Happy to, Ma'am,"

Price smiles weakly as he takes hold of a steaming cup of freshly brewed coffee as Gaz mirrors his actions. Patrick continues bombarding them with the question of their lives in the service and receives very few answers in return and Margret brews a fresh pot of tea.

"Brother, let them be... you already know the answers to the questions,"

"Oh stop, Sis, Just making conversation,"

"It's fine, Ma'am it feels good talking about this stuff with him since we can't really, you know,"

Margret smiles weakly as she pours herself and Patrick a fresh cup of tea and sighs weakly.

"So what happens now...?"

"Meaning, Ma'am?"

"With my boys?"

"You're referring to Tommy, Margret?"

"Yes, and my other boys,"

Price gazes down at his cup and swirls the dark liquid before averting his gaze back to her.

"Well..., You already know what happened to Tommy, my word remains as I promised you,"

"I appreciate that, Mr Price,"

"Simon and Johnny..., I don't know..., of course, I'm happy for them but it's their lives and they need to figure out themselves what they want to do with life...,"

Gaz takes a sip of his coffee and blows bubbles in the hot liquid as Price glares at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Simon spoke to me earlier today...,"

"What did he say, lad,"

"Donno if I should say...but I will of course,"

He smiles broadly scrunching his nose.

"He told me he doesn't know what he wants in life and that he only knows how to  follow orders, so I told him to think about what he wants,"

"So what did he say, Lad?"

"farming...,"

"What, Darling?"

"He said he would like to farm,"

"Our, Simon?"

'Yup...,"

"Interesting...,"

Price tapped his fingers together as he pressed his index fingers to his lips as Gaz crossed his arm leaning against the countertop.

"Well Scotland is perfect for that, innit, I mean if they settle down they could find a cottage or something in the country and farm the land..., Right?"

"I believe so, Margret, we just can't interfere with their lives, believe they should figure it out for themselves,"

"True, Captain, they first want to do the trip around the country,"

"Yes, lad, think it will do them good, especially after this nightmare,"

Margret sighs heavily as she leans against the back counter pressing her rear firmly against the countertop.

"What about, John's grandmother's Cottage, remember how he went on about it and the land around it, Sis?"

"Oh yes..., I do,"

"What cottage, Ma'am?"

Margret proceeds to retell the tale John told them about his grandmother's cottage and the surrounding land and the joy he had there as a child. they continued conversing about the cottage and about his grandmother.

"Well if she..., you know..., won't John inherit it?"

"I don't know, Pat, Does he have other family, Mr Price?"

"No, he is the only one left, apart from her of course,"

"Well then, he should inherit it then, shouldn't he, Captain?"

"Donno, Gaz,"

"Can't you pull a few strings and find out?"

"Of course, but it's none of our business, Gaz, we really cannot intervene,"

A few minutes go by, and a tall dark almost naked figure materializes at the kitchen door.

"Simon..., Darling, why aren't you asleep?"

"Donno, Mum,"

"You, alright, Lad?"

"Fine, Dad,"

"Would you like some tea, darling, or something a bit stronger?"

"Yeah give him something stronger, Sis,"

Price sees a familiar expression on his face.

"Wait..., everyone, Lt why don't you walk with me we can talk,"

Simon sprouts a weak smile and nods slightly.

"Margret, you mind getting him a blanket and his slippers..., want to talk to him outside,"

"Of course, Mr Price,"

"Gaz please go to, Soap and keep an eye on him while we talk,"

"Yes, Captain,"

Margret scurries to the sitting room tiptoeing to the clothing rack and retrieves Simon's slippers and a thick wool blanket draped over one of the armchairs before quietly exiting the room taking care not to stir the sleeping man.

She returns to the kitchen and proceeds to wrap the blanket around her son and places the slippers by his feet letting him slip them on. Gaz returns to the sitting room as Margret takes a seat next to her brother and Price leads Simon to the back garden.

They walk to the centre of the garden as warm fog flows from their lips from the cold air.

"What's bothering you, Simon?"

"Nothing, can't sleep, John,"

"Lt, I know that look, what's going on, you don't have to keep your walls up around me,"

He sighs heavily as he looks up at the night sky gripping the blanket tight around himself.

"I almost lost him, John, it's my fault, Tom stabbed him,"

"I know, Simon, be both did, and you should not blame yourself for what he did, I watched you two through the window and as far as I can tell he deserved it,"

"Of course the fucker did, however, it's still my fault...,"

"Nonsense..., it's not, Simon, I understand you have guilt, you really shouldn't blame yourself, of course, what he did is unforgivable but as you know his mind is off the rails, besides, he's in our custody and will get what he deserves," 

Price curls his arm around his shoulder gripping him tight trying his utter best to comfort him.

"Listen, Simon, you really shouldn't blame yourself, what happened, happened and we can't do anything to change that apart from going forward, I'm aware, Johnny almost lost his life but he didn't, be grateful for that and that he's still the same old Johnny we all care about..., Now stop this obsession of blaming yourself, that's an order,"

Simon smiles weakly as he returns the grip to Price's shoulder. 

"Yes, Captain,"

"That's a good lad,"

"I'm grateful you here, John,"

"Will be for a few more days, your mother insisted that Gaz and I stay,"

"Of course she did,"

They remain standing side by side as they both look up at the night sky and remain in silence. Price pats him on his shoulder before retracting his arm and facing the larger man before him.

"Why don't you have a drink and return to your future husband..., He needs you, you know,"

"Thank you, John, for everything..., for always being my confident when I needed you,"

"Of course, Simon, that's what friends do you know,"

Price smiles broadly as he nudges him back in the direction of the kitchen, they walk gradually as Simon notices the indents in the grass from the previous morning.

"Don't, Simon, it's in the past don't bring up unnecessary worries,"

Not too soon they enter the kitchen and Price pours him a heavy glass of something amber in colour and urges him to drink.

"Drink up, Simon, it'll help you sleep, Lad,"

Simon tilts his head back swallowing the burning liquid with ease, scrunching his nose at the burning sensation in his throat.

"Bloody hell, John,"

"Now Go, Lt, go be with him and don't let me repeat myself,"

Margret curls her fingers over her lips as she chuckles whisperingly to her brother.

"You better  go before you get in trouble, Lad,"

"Yes..., go, before I get mad...,"

Simon grins happily as he rolls his eyes at his audience before making his way down the corridor and to the sitting room, He notices Gaz sitting on the armchair at the far end of the room and nods at him with gratitude before the other man gets up and walks his way patting him on his shoulder before exiting the room.

Simon glances at the sleeping man before him on the bed and walks to his side dropping the blanket from his shoulders before sitting down on the side of the bed. He kneels over himself resting his forearms along his knees and staring at his slippers before kicking them to the side and sighing whisperingly.

"Si..?"

"Go back to bed, Johnny,"

John stirs as Simon glances over his shoulder before turning himself to face him.

"What's wrong, Si?"

"Nothing, Puppy..., just had a talk with, Price, all is alright,"

"Then lay down next to me, then,"

Simon smiles weakly as he looks him deep into his blue eyes. he lays back down lifting his arm and nudging his bicep around and under John's head, letting him make himself comfortable in his armpit falling gradually back asleep, Simon takes in a deep breath of air and exhales heavily as he gently nudging himself closer to the other man feeling content having him wrapped up in his arm as all previous worries drift away as he once more joins his mate in peaceful slumber

End of part 15, Chapter 4.