Chapter 1: Tentative Beginnings
It had been three months since John Reese and Harold Finch had declared their love for one another. In the aftermath of a particularly dangerous case involving a Russian drug dealer and his Irish competitor, subdued emotions rose to the fore and for the first time in over ten years both men were seemingly complete. In the ensuing weeks John and Harold's relationship began to transcend mere words and shy moments of physical interaction. Within less than a month both men had consummated their growing intimacy with a day of tentative and soulful lovemaking; the activities of that particular evening were precipitated by an overwhelming release of loneliness and joy rather than senseless empty desire. Since then, John and Harold had steadily reclaimed long-lost purpose and the personal fulfilment that had been stolen from their former lives in the wake of Grace and Jessica's 'departure'.
The two men shared a relationship which breached description and moreover, the cruel recriminations of those burdened by absolutism and the so-called exclusivity of love. Unlike many relationships, John and Harold's intimacy was bound by a mutual longing for companionship, redemption and understanding as opposed to the temporary pleasure of sex and physical yearning; in many respects, theirs was a 'sexless' but no less loving partnership which was built upon the firm foundations of compassion, respect and immeasurable bonding. On the eve of Thanksgiving neither John nor Harold could quite escape the conclusion that the Machine had purposefully left the day uninterrupted – as though it had arranged for both men to enjoy a quiet night of contemplation at John's formerly lifeless apartment. Whilst John and Harold selflessly sought to protect the Machine's unending numbers on a daily basis, the near sentient life-form was not entirely immune from its own self-interests for it could scarcely allow its primary assets to become victims of neglect and happenstance.
Positioned opposite each other at the small walnut table in the middle of John's apartment the two men appreciated the warm setting for an indulgent dinner of rib eye steak with full dressings and desert. Dressed in a steel-blue shirt and characteristic black trousers John was an image of informality next to Harold's fastidiously elegant outfit: pinstripe suit, crisp white shirt and deep purple tie. Whilst John and Harold had long abandoned their detached working relationship, intimacy had done little to alleviate the latter's penchant for formality – which included referring to his partner as 'Mr. Reese'; habits are rarely lost and in this case John was more than willing to accommodate the endearing trait. "I'm not surprised that hands as fine as yours Mr. Reese are as talented in handling cuisine as they are in saving the…numbers". The term 'irrelevants' had almost escaped Harold's lips and with infinite effort he attempted to suppress the lingering guilt of past indifference which had plagued his mind since the 'death' of Nathan; casting a quick glance at John's deep tender eyes, Harold forced a pained smile and added "I really don't know where I would be without you Mr. Reese…in fact, I'm not quite sure that I would be here at all…". With typical grace, John extended his right hand and placed it upon his partners: "if anything, it's me who should be thanking you, Harold". A sad albeit grateful smile swept across Harold's face as he gripped the hand of his gentle friend and saviour "I never realised that you were such a diplomat, John". Harold's distinctively dry humour was met with a playful grin "well, I'd like to think that I've learned from the best".
TO BE CONTINUED