Supporting Rumors - Part 41

Jack wasn't sure what disturbed him. Feeling the hairs on his neck rising, he became aware that he wasn't alone. Not that that was something out of the ordinary in hospital, but this was different from the bustling presence of the staff.

He opened his eyes just a fraction, peering from beneath his lids. The room was dim, but not in darkness. He must be dreaming, he thought when he recognized just who was sitting on his bed, the white clad figure startling in the gray light.

"Did you ascend, Harry?"

The white figure started. "What?"

"Ascend . . . glowing? As in doing a Daniel?"

"Ascend? Nope!" The man gave a small laugh as he shook his head.

"Smug bastard, how . . . Oh never mind, how are you?"

"Good Jack, I'm good. How about you?"

"Never better." He ignored the look that Harry cast him. "How's the evidence building?"

"So so, Jack, doing what you asked."

"So watchyadoing here?"

"Just wanted to check up on you, see how you were doing. I missed you."

"Oh, please," groused Jack. He choked back a spluttered cough, which was a mistake, the flurry of coughing that followed leaving him quite breathless.

Harry waited patiently and when Jack had stilled, silently passed him a glass of water.

Jack took a few sips, glad of the chance to wet his throat and finally passed it back, also without comment.

"So," began Harry.

"Harry," began Jack.

They both stopped speaking and waited. Harry signaled Jack to speak up.

Jack rolled his eyes and sighed. "I heard that an anonymous tip off lead to Minucos's arrest."

Harry raised his eyebrows, but didn't respond.

"I err, take it that you had something to do with that?"

Harry shrugged then gave him a huge grin, not one to be modest for long.

Jack grinned back. "Thanks."

"It was nothing."

"Well, yeah, you didn't have to do it."

"Oh, but I did, I wanted to see the bastard locked up. I nearly didn't call it in though . . . for two pins I would have plugged him myself."

Jack sniggered. "Didn't know I meant that much to you, Harry," he teased.

"I didn't want to take the chance of him being out there ready to have another go at you. I mean, I would miss you, should something happen to you."

"You're scaring me here, Harry. Am I dying or something?"

Harry snorted. "You had better not now, if you know what's good for you."

Jack yawned hugely. Why the hell he couldn't keep his eyes open he wasn't sure, it was hours since the doc's last happy jab. Maybe he wasn't awake at all and this was all just some weird dream – yeap, that was it.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

Harry Maybourne stood and stretched. He watched Jack's face beginning to relax as he slid back to sleep.

It had been a long few days and he was tired himself. Grinning, he reached down to the floor and retrieved the bag he had brought with him.

"I'm sorry about this Jack, I really am." He reached into the bag, his fingers closing around its target and slowly withdrawing it.

He aimed it towards the sleeping man, and inhaled deeply, savoring the moment.

xoxoxoxoxoxo

TBC