As he drifted off to sleep Philip's head lolled slowly then snapped forward, waking him with a sudden jerk. Groggily he came to realize he'd fallen asleep in the window seat; the cold from the window seeping through his clothing and seizing up the joints in his tired, folded body. He eased himself cautiously from the ledge and got to his feet, unraveling one vertebrae at a time. After a leisurely stretch he went over to the pile of clean clothes on his dresser and extracted a gray 'UCLA' sweatshirt and some gray sweat-pants. Tugging off his dank clothes he quickly changed into the dry, warm ones then he gathered up his long hair and pulled it back into a band, getting it off his face. A stubborn strand or two fell across his smooth forehead and nested into the outer edge of his eye where it remained, unnoticed by the artist.

He headed out of his room and glanced over at Graham's door. Pausing by it a moment, he press his ear against its smooth surface - it was quiet inside so he headed straight across the hall and into the bathroom. Once finished in there he wandered into the living room and stood before his painting, poised to switch off the light that illuminated it from above. The eyes caught his attention and he stared up at the two faces, seeing them again for the first time in a long time. Cheek to cheek they stared down at him, and the love and contentment in their eyes seemed to mock him now, taunting him in his ability to capture love on canvas but never keep it in real life. He lowered his eyes as he recalled the first kiss he shared with Jack, standing there, before his picture and amidst the heady atmosphere of the aria of Tosca.

He turned when he heard a noise to the rear of him and saw that Blair had stealthily come up to stand directly behind him. The two friends said nothing but both smiled slightly then Blair startled him by hugging him from where he stood, his arms wrapping tightly across Philip's chest until they'd squeezed him back against the warm, sturdy body. The younger man brought his hands up and held the forearm across his chest as he rolled his head back slightly until his face was cradled against the warmth of Blair's cheek.

The anthropologist's breath heated Phil's ear as he murmured, "You're cold."

"I fell asleep in the window-seat."

The arms tightened around his slender body and he felt the warmth of Blair's whole body seep through his back as the older man groaned softly while he tightened his hold. "I could always warm you up..." His lips deliberately brushed the soft ear. Phil was aware of the hands - spreading wide against his sweatshirt, gripping his well-formed chest beneath it as another soft, guttural groan escaped the man behind when the bodies touched together -the groin from behind fitted perfectly into the cleft of the butt in front. Phil's hand idly caressed the downy hair covering Blair's forearm then, dipping his face, he broke the embrace by stepping forward. As he turned Blair lowered his eyes and shrugged. "It was worth another try."

"I'm flattered..."

With another shrug, Blair combed one hand through his long hair and looked slightly embarrassed, unable to make eye contact. When he finally did overcome the feeling, he looked up into soft, caring brown eyes and he saw concern within them. "Hey, don't sweat it! I've been rejected by some of the best..."

Phil laughed lightly, cutting off the rest of the sentence. "Cool. Nice to know I'm in elite company..."

Blair gave him a winning smile that clearly showed there were no ill feelings. "Only the best, man, despite the fact that Jim thinks I'd hump *anything*..."

With his teeth clenched together behind his smile, Philip said, "Great."

Blair laughed tiredly now then jerked his thumb towards the bedroom door. "I'm heading back to bed." Philip nodded and watched his friend side-step away from him. "Last chance..?" The anthropologist offered with a hopeful, but slightly defeated, smile. With a laugh, Philip shooed him away and Blair turned and threw his hands in the air with a theatrical sigh, which made the younger man smile even more. He heard the soft click of the door shutting and, still grinning to himself, shook his head as he lowered his chin to his chest.

After a brief pause he reached over to switch off the picture-light then he set about tidying up the living room; picking up the plates left over from dinner, the few empty beer bottles and the two coffee cups. He placed all the items into the kitchen sink but felt too weary to actually wash them - they could wait for the morning he decided. He looked at the time - a quarter to twelve and soon his birthday would be over. He touched his hand to the Chopec necklace around his throat then recalled the tender kiss he shared with Blair. His body felt warm suddenly but it was Jack's kisses he was conjuring up, recalling them with such vividness, such arousal, that his skin literally goose-bumped because of it. He shivered as he reached for the overhead light-switch and flicked it off, plummeting the apartment into darkness.

B.

Rubbing his arms he went to his room and over to the window seat. He looked outside at the rain slicked night, the lights playing across the window and forming rainbow stars of the few lights outside. Turning away he reached for the lamp on his drawing desk and clicked it on as he kicked his leg over the stool and eased himself onto its worn cushioned seat. As he reached for the box of charcoal pieces at the top of the desk he passed his hand over his c.d. player, hitting the 'on' button. Soft music flooded from the speakers as his favorite c.d. by Simply Red started up again, randomly picked 'Air that I breathe' to be the first track. With a heavy hearted sigh, Phil tried to ignore the fact that the last time he played this song, he and Jack had just made love to each other.

Small, soft coughs escaped him, but nothing too bad, as he picked out a piece of charcoal from the box and started to sketch aimlessly on a clean white piece of paper. Black streaks -sometimes sharp lines, sometimes soft feathery strokes - built on the page until a picture slowly took shape. His hand moved fast while he lost himself in the quiet music and sad lyrics. Slowly a face appeared on the page before him....

His phone jangled and he rubbed his hand over his face as he got up to answer it - knowing it was Graham again with one last birthday wish.

"Hey ho.." He said, sighing softly and rubbing his face once more, careful not to get the charcoal dust on his fingers in his eye.

"Hello?"

Philip's heart stopped beating and his breath stalled in the back of his throat. "Jack?"

"Oh good, it's you...I thought.. "

"What are you doing?" Phil asked abruptly then pressed the heel of his hand into his eye as he silently remonstrated himself for asking such a stupid question.

"Um, I'm..." Jack went quiet a moment. Philip cringed, thinking he'd given him the wrong impression. He was relieved to hear Jack ask, "What are *you* doing?"

"I'm.. well.. I was.. agh. .. Nothing.." he said, cringing because he was so nervous he could barely think, let alone speak.

"You wanna come and open your front door then?"

It took a split second for that to sink in. Philip didn't even dare to hope as he ran through the darkened apartment and threw the front door open. But one look at Jack on the other side of the threshold, the look in his eyes, made Philip drop his telephone to the floor. The older man stood before him - looking like someone who'd been through hell the past few days -but he still stood *before* him, and what that implied made Philip speechless. There was a brief moment of hesitation when both men just looked at each other, wondering who should make the first move.

Then all Jack said, with a wavering smile, was, "Hi."

And that was all it took. Philip leapt at him, wrapping his arms around Jack's neck and his legs around his waist as tightly as he could. Jack managed to catch him, his hands cupping the rounded derrière while still keeping hold of his own phone! A tiny whimper escaped Philip as he tightened his grip even more, squirming his body against Jack's in his attempt to get as close as he could to him. Jostling the slender body in his arms, Jack freed up one hand so that he could reach back and close the door behind them. Philip noted this and stretched out his leg to assist in shutting the front door until it clicked closed quietly. Then the younger man leaned back, smiling brightly at the disheveled face - the most beautiful face in his whole world.

Jack brought his free hand up to cup the younger man's cheek as he said, with a sweet smile curling his lips now, "Happy Birthday, baby.."

Philip squeaked as he pulled Jack towards him again, squeezing the wide body with his strong legs and burying his face into the soft neck once more. Jack smiled, tightening his own hold on his armful and deciding that his entrance had been a good one! He rubbed his cheek against Phil's face, his lips brushing the small, dark ear which made Phil quiver. Everything that needed to be said... All the "I'm sorry's", the "I want to try again" were all said in that silent embrace.

Jack's hands slipped over the butt now as he started to lower Philip to his feet again and Philip's grip loosened as his bare feet touched the ground once more. The younger man noticed the dark circles under Jack's eyes for the first time and he carefully cupped his cheek in his hand.

"You okay?"

Jack nodded then gave a heavy sigh. Tugging the smaller man back towards him, he ran his hands all over Phil's back as he inhaled deeply, dipping his face until his lips touched the warm, exposed flesh on the curve of Phil's shoulder and neck.

The long, tanned fingers combed through the short gray hair and Philip tried to get a gentle grip, enough so that he could lift Jack's face from him and see him once more, but the older man remained buried against him, his grip only tightening as Philip tried to ease back. "Jack?"

"I'm okay," the colonel mumbled against the salty skin then he bit the soft flesh, eliciting a soft moan from the artist. "I'm okay," he whispered softly, tightening his hold again and sighing heavily. Phil wrapped his arms around him tightly as he nudged at his throat with his face gently. "I could use a shower," the colonel admitted as he pulled back slowly. Phil wasn't going to say anything, but he just slipped his hand into Jack's and walked him through the dark apartment and into the bathroom.

As he ran the water for the shower he noticed Jack had taken out a new toothbrush and a razor. Stepping up to him, the artist said, "You sure you want to brush your teeth?"

Jack frowned, looking down at the toothbrush then up at Philip. "I haven't brushed my teeth since yesterday..."

The younger man cupped his hand on Jack's cheek and turned the face towards him. He engulfed Jack's mouth with his own, deeply delving the depths. What started out as a methodical test soon turned into a enthusiastic kiss, rekindling their dormant passion and re-igniting their desires. It trailed tendrils of arousal throughout both men's bodies before it finally ended amidst soft sighs of contentment. Philip smiled as he swiped his tongue across his bottom lip, then said breathlessly, "you are *so* good at that!"

Jack grinned. "You're not so bad yourself... !"

Sucking his bottom lip in and smiling with it clamped between his teeth, Philip ran his hands down Jack's head then down over his broad shoulders. "By the way, you tasted fine to me..."

Jack smiled as he clutched the narrow hips in his hands. "Yeah, well, I'll feel better if I freshened up a little more..."

Philip pushed the new packet holding the toothbrush aside then he looked into the quizzical brown eyes and explained, "if you brush your teeth.. we can't kiss - and I want to kiss you, Jack!! Over.. and over.. and over.. " The desirous man had punctuated his sentence with small kisses to Jack's cheek, chin then lips, thrusting his tongue deep inside Jack's mouth until they were writhing together within the passionate kiss once more. As Phil's tongue slipped over Jack's teeth and gums, it occurred to the older man why brushing his teeth wasn't such a good thing, and he pulled out of the kiss reluctantly then made a big show of tossing the toothbrush down into the basin. Philip reached into the cupboard and pulled out the mouthwash. He offered it to Jack and said, "if it will make you more comfortable.." Jack raised his brow so Phil added, "though you taste fine to me.."

"I do, huh?" Jack asked. The younger man smiled and nodded. He watched as Jack gargled a mouthful then leaned forward to spit it out. Checking the temperature on the running shower, Philip didn't see the colonel drink some of the mouthwash, just to be sure! Turning back around, the artist reached for the bottle and gargled some himself, before stripping off in front of his lover then leaning over and spitting the mouthwash into the shower cubicle, the running water stealing the minty-fresh liquid down into the drain.

As Phil wiped his hand under his bottom lip Jack smiled lasciviously at his tanned-skinned Adonis. He stared at the well-formed body, the dark hairs that littered the neatly rounded pecs and trailed down the smooth stomach to the dark, springy tuft of pubic hair. Phil's erection, only slight at this stage, hung thickly down, the head brushing the inside top of his thigh as he reached over and checked the water once more. Jack went up behind him, his arms enveloping the man once more. Phil groaned softly as he leaned back against Jack's chest, one hand snaking behind them and gripping the back of his thigh as they rocked together slowly.

The colonel's lips moved across the small, dark ear, then down behind it, following the hairline down the back of the neck. The younger man's head dropped forward, giving Jack unlimited access and the colonel made use of it. He swept the long, black hair from the neck, letting the thick pony-tail drop over the edge before he placed tender kisses all over the dark skin. Phil shivered within his arms and he pulled back long enough to ask if he was cold. Turning within the grasp, Phil now faced Jack and dropped his arms around the older man's neck, then cradled his cheek in one hand.

"No," Philip told him with a loving smile, "I'm not.."

Jack smiled and they kissed once more. Pulling back, Philip ran his hand over the gravelly face, his own already suffering from the thick, bristly stubble adorning Jack's chin and cheeks.

"I need to shave," the colonel agreed and Phil smiled as he reached into the cabinet and pulled out his shaving foam. Jack sat on the toilet seat as the younger man smoothed the thick, viscid foam over the his cheeks. He worked the lather in, sensuously running his long fingers over Jack's cheeks and throat until every inch of skin was covered in white foam. Jack blinked as Phil seemed to pull out of his trance and smile at him.

"Want to shave me too?" He asked in a deep rumble of a voice.

With a brief smile Philip lifted the razor in the air and said, "I'd cut you. I'm trembling, see?"

With a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, Jack frowned and rose to his feet, capturing the quivering hand in his own. He looked into the cimmerian eyes and asked, in an unsteady voice himself, "how long have you had the shakes for?"

Philip blinked. "Ever since I opened the front door..."

Jack released his breath then lowered his chin to his chest, relief flooding through him at that moment. Philip guided his face up to look into the chocolate-brown eyes. "I'm fine, Jack. I'm healthy.. I'm.. good..!"

The officer nodded then his face crinkled as he averted his eyes once more. Philip ran his hand over Jack's t-shirt, feeling the tuft of hair within it and the metal tags hanging there.

"Jack, please.." He said, making the older man look at him. Taking his hand in his own, Philip lowered Jack's hand to grasp his erection. "That's why I'm trembling!"

Jack stared at him wide-eyed then nodded. "Come to think of it," he said, "I'm feeling a little shaky myself."

Philip smiled then picked up the razor and passed it to him. Without another word the older man stepped before the mirror and shaved himself while the artist removed the Chopec necklace from around his throat before he stepped to the shower, releasing his hair before stepping under the stream. Jack watched his lover in the mirror before steam stole the image. He was mesmerized by the way the water cascaded down the smooth body, the way his back arched as he wet his hair, how the long, shimmering black hair was bunching into curls that Jack liked so much. Philip always tugged his hair back off his face before it could dry into the natural waves that he detested so much.

Once satisfied that he was clean shaven, Jack moved over to the shower and started to undress. Again he watched the streams of water snake over Phil's shoulders, chest and stomach, reaching around to his back as well - reaching into spots on that body that Jack was looking forward to going into soon. The water, foaming with bubbles, stood so vividly white against the dark skin, made darker by the heat of the shower. With his back arched, his head back and his eyes closed, Philip scrubbed shampoo through his long hair. Jack seized the opportunity to get under the shower at the same time, rinsing off the residual shaving foam from his face. Philip's eyes opened as he felt his lover brush past him in the shower and they stared into each other's eyes. Running his hands over Jack's body, Philip gripped the backs of his shoulders and tugged their bodies together, before he started to gently nibble on Jack's tender throat.

"You had a bad mission?" the younger man asked in a soft, breathy voice as he devoured the raw skin. Jack's breath stalled several times as he gave into the gentle caress.

"Not nearly as bad as the trouble I had trying to get to you before midnight..!"

Philip smiled as he gathered Jack closer to him. "Well, you made it.. with time to spare.."

The taller man's thumb caressed the upturned face. "I wanted to share some of your birthday with you. I only wish it could have been more, Philip."

With a content sigh, Philip whispered, "It was perfect the way it was - Jonathan."

"I didn't get you a gift.."

Phil arched his brow as he looked at him, "ya think?"

Jack gave a playful growl and his groin twitched against Phil's stomach. Catching up the long, wet hair in his hand as he cupped the back of Philip's head, Jack growled softly against his lover's lips once more, this time more libidinously. Phil's lips parted in anticipation as the mouth drew together slowly.

Their lips met softly, tongues entwining, jostling and tumbling over each other; low, deep moans filled the bathroom as they lost themselves in each other's mouth. Phil's hands ran all over Jack's back as he tried to grip the sodden body even closer while Jack held him around the waist tightly, his fingers gripping into the soft flesh firmly. The more they squirmed together the more aroused they became, their shafts trapped between them and being rubbed to some degree of satisfaction.

Breathlessly, Philip broke the kiss as he turned his face and gasped for air while Jack bit and sucked the exposed throat, his fingers digging into Phil's body, snaring him closer still to his own pulsing chest. Phil's hands wrapped around Jack's butt-cheeks, squeezing him so hard that even his short nails created crescents in the soft, white flesh as the younger man began to gyrate his groin against Jack's. He murmured, "oh, god.. Jack.." as he gripped Jack forcefully, making the older man grunt with a mixture of pleasure and pain.

Dropping to his knees, Phil ran his face all over the thick, weeping shaft and Jack reached up to grip the tops of the glass shower wall. With his throat arched back, the colonel closed his eyes as he gave into the feel of Philip's mouth on his unsheathed shaft. He recalled the conversation he had with Janet during his check up and smile broke out on his face. Looking down, he watched his lover lasciviously rub his wet face and mouth over Jack's red, enraged shaft then, as he started to pull back, obviously enjoying it *too* much, Jack placed a hand gently on the back of his head, making Philip looked up at him.

"Happy Birthday, baby.." Jack murmured. The artist stared up at him then he felt the way Jack was tugging on his head and went with the flow until he found Jack guiding his face over the tip of the shaft. Philip didn't think anything could top Jack returning to his life for a birthday gift, but this certainly did! It was something he'd been hungry to do since their first encounter, but it had always been Jack who prevented it, no matter how much Philip had pleaded. Hungrily, and before the colonel changed his mind, Philip swallowed the long cock to the back of his mouth, his throat opening up willingly to accept the hot, weeping tip.

"Oh sweet .... Jesus!" Jack cried out as Philip slipped the shaft down to the head then swallowed it again, sucking back on it as it bumped at the back of his throat. Again the shaft was sucked out slowly, the pressure remained on it until the lip of the helmet was felt at Phil's lips then he released the vacuum and caught his breath. Jack breathed again as well, then swallowed it as Philip swallowed him once more. His hand curled around the top of the glass, the sharp edges digging into his palm, but he didn't even notice. He was so gone in that mouth, that the world could have exploded and he wouldn't have noticed. As hesitant fingers made their way to his tight pucker, Jack gasped. His heart lodged itself into his throat and he started to breathe erratically. The fingers toyed and teased, but didn't breach. Spitting out the shaft, Philip ducked his head between the standing man's thighs and he began to tease the hot anus with his tongue. Jack reached up onto his tip-toes as Phil's tongue lapped at him, the tip pressing against the tight opening until it gave way slightly then he teasingly pulled back and laved at the cleft, licking it like it were a lollypop.

Jack was oh-so-close now that as soon as Philip covered the shaft with his tantalizing mouth once more, it was all over for him. He came, with a loud cry and a sudden rush that left him dizzy, breathless, and his legs like jelly. He gripped Phil's head, not even disturbing the artist in his endeavor to lick up every morsel of the warm, white seed, savoring the taste and then cataloguing it away incase he was never given the chance again. Slowly Jack slipped down the shower wall until he was a boneless mess in the corner. Philip sat back on his haunches and smiled at his bedraggled lover.

"Oh.. god.." Jack panted softly, "Thank you!"

Philip grinned then cuddled into the folded body. "Oh, believe me, it was *my* pleasure.." he whispered against Jack's lips as he snuggled into him, his own shaft still painfully erect. Jack smelled his come on his lovers breath for the first time. That, coupled with the rigid shaft digging into his flank made him giddy all over again. He felt physically impuissant as he sat there, patting Philip gently while the younger man feasted on his chest and toyed with his chest-hairs and dog-tags.

"What I'd give to return the favor..." Jack said weakly.

Philip smiled sadly. "No can do, Jack," he said, then sighed heavily, "Though I wish you could..."

Jack swallowed and caught his breathing again. Sitting up straighter he grappled to his feet and held his hand down to Philip. The younger man put his hand in Jack's and allowed him to lead him out of the shower. Wrapping a towel around the smaller man's shoulders, and one around his own waist, Jack led Philip to the bedroom across the hallway. He kicked the door shut before backing Philip to the bed. They fell together amongst the unmade sheets and blankets, both grinning wildly at the other.

Jack squirmed until he had the smaller body pinned under him. Trailing fingers down the soft skin, he watched how the surface bunched up in goose-bumps where-ever he touched him. Their eyes met again and Jack smiled as he tenderly caressed Phil's cheek. "I love you...."

Phil's dark eyes watered slightly and then he laughed at himself. Jack laughed too, but with endearment, as he brushed away a stray tear. After composing himself by biting his lips together, Philip whispered, "I love you too, Jack."

They kissed gently once more, Jack starting to feel deep arousal igniting in the pit of his stomach again. He squirmed over Philip, the two damp bodies sticking together at some points, the tacky skin rubbing as the bodies pressed together in the ancient dance of arousal.

Jack felt the body beneath him trembling slightly and he reached behind himself, confident that there would be lube and condoms in the top drawer. He was not disappointed. He slowly rolled the sheath over his lover's engorged shaft then one over his own. Lying so that they each trapped a shaft between their thighs, the two men continued to squirm, rub and caress each other until they were, once again, on the edge of the abyss. Jack's tongue deeply explored the younger man's mouth as he began to rock in time with his tongue jutting in and out between Philip's lips.

The younger man groaned as the fire burned in his stomach, seared through his body to his throat and then slammed out through his long, rigid shaft embedded between Jack's thighs. Gasping loudly and gripping to Jack's shoulders for dear life, Philip rode out his orgasm until he slumped down onto the bedding, totally exhausted. Jack gently rolled him over onto his stomach and Philip smiled as he felt the older man lie himself over his body, jabbing his hard shaft into the diamond between Phil's thighs and his butt. Jack's hands roamed the narrow but muscular back as he rammed himself in and out of the warm, tight opening. Phil assisted by pushing himself up onto his knees, and Jack maneuvered himself so that he could ram himself within the tight thighs, his groin bashing into the twin globes before him. Within seconds he was crying out again, this time the orgasm wasn't as powerful, but the effects were just as mind numbing.

Wrapped together, both too exhausted to even unsheathe themselves, they snuggled together and drifted off to sleep.

To Be Continued....