TITLE: Terrible Temptations

CHAPTER: 15, Epilog

The large bedroom is still shrouded in darkness when Tom Lasky slid quietly out of bed careful not to shake anything or tug the bedding. The chrono glowed 0400 in the early morning darkness. Pausing for a moment to watch his partner sleeping peacefully, he held his breath when the man stirred, frowning in his sleep. Tom resisted the urge to lay down again to sooth him back to sleep. John's dreams were a normal part of their life together. Occasionally he called out to Cortana, usually he mumbled and moved his arms and legs as he were running or fighting.

The pull toward the Spartan was always strong, just to touch him, hold him and taste his skin. He never tired of showing him affection and using words or actions to let him know how much he cared about him. He loved the dark blue eyes full of love or lust or crinkled at the corners when he laughed. Their passion for each other was playful and energetic. There'd been a time when John worried about hurting him, but Tom proved him wrong. He didn't hesitate to push John around and simply climbed on top of the Spartan to take control.

Their lives together deepened their friendship as they drew each other out of their self imposed isolation and allowed love to grow. Although they hadn't given voice to it yet, each provided the other safe haven and and solace from the world. Their busy working lives kept them both working long hours and often traveling. Rare down-time usually found them sprawled together on one of the oversize sofas reading or watching a movie. It was during one of those movies, when John lifted Tom's chin. "Did I love Cortana?"

Tom twisted around and sat up, "Oh John, of course you did. I will never forget that day on the bridge when Captain Del Rio had that meltdown and all you said to his direct order to relinquish Cortana was 'no, sir' I thought he might have a stroke right there on the bridge."

He pressed his palm against the square jaw, "I don't give a damn what any scientist might have to say about an A.I. and a human. You two loved each other. You took care of each other and protected each other. She gave her life to save you and you would do the same for her." Tom placed a soft kiss on the Spartan's lips. "So what's the problem. Has she been on your mind?"

John glanced away. "No. Yes. At the end, if we had more time time I think I would have told her."

"There are different kinds of love," Tom said wondering where this conversation was going. He knew his love for the Spartan was real and immediate. After a lifetime spent controlled, isolated, and living with endless violence, he'd watched John unfold into a generous and affectionate man. So, Tom wondered, should he give John a push and tell him he'd fallen in love with him the moment he'd watched he and Cortana leave in the Pelican he outfitted so they could escape the Infinity.

His decision was made for him when John flipped Tom over on his back and began to nuzzle his way under Tom's clothes.

Tom shrugged on a robe and reluctantly left the sleeping man to his dreams. They began two weeks of leave today and there were things to do before they began their journey. He didn't want the Spartan around when he made the calls and took a small bag for each of them out to the vehicle. That he might actually surprise John with his plan scared him just a little, but not enough to stop him. With the car packed and the coffee ready, Tom went to wake John up.

Although he could get away with many things with John, for example the Spartan had ticklish feet, startling him from a sound sleep was never a good idea. With a good three feet between tried to wake him.

"John?"

"I'm awake. What have you been up to?"

Uh, oh. He put all his command tone into his voice. "Spartans ready in ten. Muster at the vehicle in fifteen." He set the coffee down and got the hell out of the room before John got really suspicious and decided to torture the information out of him. Mmmmmmm. His breath hitched and his cock throbbed in response. Focus, Lasky. Stay focused.

With Tom at the wheel, they made good time out of the city toward the coast. If the Spartan noticed the bags or wondered about their destination he stayed silent, simply enjoying the view and keeping a hand on Tom's thigh. Unless he needed it to steer, Tom kept his hand over John's.

In just a few hours the sight of the sun glittering over the Atlantic Ocean greeted them. The endless rows of high-rise vacation resorts had been torn down hundreds of years ago. Today the entire area of what was once known as Martha's Vineyard is protected in its natural state. An inviting wild and wooded coastline ready for walking, hiking, swimming or simply taking in the view. A light breeze pushed the clouds around and the morning sun set everything glittering with warm light.

The GPS told him to turn left into a heavily wooded area through a arched gateway and up a dirt road. The sound of children playing and laughing reached them from the large playground located on the right side of the road. John threw a confused look at his companion and Tom simply grinned in response. On the left side of the road in site of the large brick main building was a large garden and greenhouse.

Tom pulled over and texted something on his comm device. Then he pulled over and got out.

"Tom, why are we visiting an orphanage? Is there something you wish to discuss with me?"

Tom laughed. "Maybe later. Right now there's someone waiting for you inside the greenhouse. Go." Tom made shooing motions with his hands. "I'm staying out here to enjoy the beautiful day."

More than a little confused, the Spartan stepped carefully through the planted rows toward the glass structure. One by one the children stopped what they were doing to watch the giant man walking through their well-tended garden.

"There's a path right there, Mister."

He hadn't noticed it. Once on the path the children visible relaxed but kept their eye on him. He overheard a female voice whisper, "I'll bet you tonight's dessert that's a Spartan."

The door to the greenhouse was open and he had to bend over to enter. Once inside he could stand upright. Long tables stretched down the length of the room overflowing with exotic flowers, well they were exotic to him anyway. A riot of colors, some he'd never seen before. The petals so delicate he was afraid to touch them. He pulled his hand back from a vibrantly purple flower. The petals seemed alive, like bird's wings or a large insect. And beautiful, the color so rich it almost hurt his eyes. Yet, they seemed familiar.

"It's an orchid. They only look delicate. It's okay to touch the petals."

A female voice spoke to him from the gloom. Twelve feet away from his position, calculating the distance automatically, stood a woman. She wore coveralls, gloves and rubber boots. Over her shoulder hung a braid of light brown hair. At her temples the first hint of grey reflected in the dim light. If he had to guess her age he thought she might be sixty. Brown eyes stared at him, while a familiar looking mouth smiled. He touched his own mouth, fingertips brushing over his lips.

"Why do you weep?" he asked.

"I'm happy," she replied.

"There is a familiarity to these orchids," he said because he had no reply to the confusing mixture of her emotional state. When she didn't speak again he reached out and touched the striped petals of a purple and green orchid,

"Phalaenopsis," he said.

She wiped her tears away on her sleeve and removed her gloves.

"That's exactly right. Do you still enjoy working in the kitchen?"

"Yes, but I've only just returned… to…"

Something is very, very wrong with him. The room seemed to tilt, but that wasn't possible. A pain in his chest threatened to choke him. Was he having a heart attack. Where was Tom? Why is he in here alone with a stranger? Why are they here at all?

But the stranger laid a gentle hand on his arm. She's smiling at him with his eyes and his mouth. A memory flashed and he slid his arm down to catch the woman's hand in his.

Walking along the beach holding hands just like this, collecting shells. Learning to swim in the ocean. Sitting on the kitchen counter helping stir batter and or cracking eggs. Learning his fractions with the measuring devices they used to prepare their meal. An ill-tempered siamese cat sitting in the window and a large yellow dog running with him along the shoreline.

There's no air in the room. The sound of his heart pounds in his ears just like the… just like the sound a seashell makes when you hold it up to your ear. It's blocking everything else but the sight of the woman in front of him.

He went down on one knee grabbing a table for support. The stranger followed him down.

A gentle hand on his cheek, "John, I never believed that little boy they left with me was you. I knew you were out there somewhere. That little boy died very soon after they took you away from me."

"How could you know?"

"Because they thought I wasn't there. I heard them say, she's not here. Then I watched them take my little boy away… I'm sorry. They would have killed us both. We had nothing... I heard them say some things. I thought maybe you'd have a chance at a better life… I'm sorry I lost you. I'm sorry, John."

John-117 the soldier, the Spartan, the son gathered the woman in his arms and held her while she grieved. He knew all about grief and he knew they would work through this together. He had so much to tell her! She would have many questions and he would answer all of them. Every single one. He pulled back and laid his large hand against the side of her face.

"Mother, that's not true, he said softly smoothing her hair back from her face. "We had each other. We had everything."

~o0o~

Hours later they walked along the beach. In one hand Tom interlaced his fingers with the Spartan and in the other was a good bottle of very expensive single malt. When they were alone and shrouded in the darkness with only the light of the stars to see by, the Spartan took the bottle and set it down in the sand.

"What you have done for me. Why?"

"Because I love you and I thought meeting your mother might make you happy."

"You succeeded in that quest. Is that what people who love each other do? Try to make each other happy? Is that what I do for you?"

Tom moved closer and settled his arms around his Spartan's waist. "Everyday, John. I could list the ways…"

"Perhaps another time. Do not distract me. Then given the criteria I must love you, too.

"I'm very glad to hear that." Tom laid his cheek against the massive chest. But John had other ideas and tipped Tom's head up.

"Yes, I'm certain of it. I'm in love with you, Captain Thomas Lasky. And I will show you every day. Do you require a list?" He asked seriously.

Tom pulled himself up and kissed John, "That won't be necessary. Surprise me. Come on, we promised to meet your mom for dinner."

"She seems happy working with the children."

"I agree. And now you're back in her life."

"I love you."

"I know, John. And I love you, too." Tom tugged on his arm. "Now let's get going I'm hungry."