REMEMBERING PARIS
By
Ashleigh Anpilova
The fourth story in the Paris Series.
Ducky & Jethro recall when they visited Paris.
An established relationship story.
Written: September 2006. Word count: 700.
"Duck?"
"Yes, dearest?" They were sitting on the sofa in their sitting room, enjoying a glass of whiskey; just talking about nothing in particular and everything in general. Jethro had his arm around Ducky, who was resting his head on Jethro's shoulder.
"Do you remember when we visited Paris?"
"Of course I do, my dear. It was one of the happiest times of my life." The smile in Ducky's voice was clear as he snuggled nearer to Jethro.
"I'll never forget the look on your face when we discovered we'd been booked into a double room."
"I believe what surprised me more was the reaction of the Receptionist."
"You mean the fact that she didn't bat an eyelid?" Jethro kissed Ducky's head.
"Indeed."
"Well it was Paris, Duck. City of love and all that. Anyway, I don't seem to remember you accepting the offer to find us separate rooms." Jethro pushed Ducky away from him a little, and looked at his lover.
"Well that would have been very inconvenient for the poor girl, not to mention a waste of a room." Ducky smiled at Jethro, his pale eyes twinkling.
"Yeah, it was good, wasn't it? Not having to sneak around. Being able to . . . " Jethro trailed off.
"Being with you, my dear, is always, and has always been, good for me." Ducky spoke solemnly.
Jethro swallowed hard. Feeling as he so often did, especially at times like this, inadequate. "You too, Duck," he managed, after a moment or two.
"Do you know what one of my fondest memories of that time was?" Ducky asked softly, as he again settled into the embrace.
"I do. That sunset."
"The one we saw on our last evening. It was beyond words, Jethro. Beyond description. I've seen many different sunsets over the years I traveled; some spectacular ones; some that were so beautiful, they almost didn't seem real. And I know that you saw similar ones at sea. But . . ."
"This one was more than all of those put together? I know, Duck. I know. Never known you lost for words, until that night," Jethro said and smiled.
"I was sublimely happy that I'd seen perfection before I died. And yet, I was also a little saddened."
Again Jethro pushed Ducky from him slightly. Frowning, he looked at his lover. "Duck?"
Ducky touched Jethro's cheek, his fingers soft, the caress gentle and sure. "Because I knew that any sunset I saw after that one, could not move me as it had done. Could not touch me, could never be as beautiful. Could never be as right. As perfect. That one sunset had spoilt me for all others." He offered Jethro his mouth to kiss.
Jethro was more than willing to accept the offer; he always was. He kissed Ducky, the joining loving, chaste, full of affection, pure, honest and open. A kiss that spoke of their decades together, and yet a kiss that was as always as new as each day. "Love you, Duck," Jethro said, when he finally broke the gentle kiss.
"I know, my dear Jethro. I've always known. And I love you too." As Ducky looked deeply into Jethro's eyes, his own were revealing and sharing, Jethro saw something else. For Ducky, Jethro was like the Paris sunset. "Oh, Duck," he murmured, as he gathered Ducky closer to him and kissed him again.
After a few minutes, during which the chasteness began to lessen, Ducky moved back. "I am so glad that we had the chance to go to Paris together, dearest. However, I do believe there is one person who wishes that we had never been sent." His eyes twinkled again.
"The French flic." It wasn't a question. Jethro laughed. "God, Duck. You were furious. I'd never seen you that mad. Tell me, did you really know there was a lake below?"
"What do you think?" Again Ducky's eyes twinkled.
Jethro laughed. Kissed Ducky one more time, then stood up, held his hand out and pulled Ducky to his feet. "What I think, Duck, is that we should go upstairs and spend some time remembering Paris in another way. What do you think?"
Ducky beamed.
LINKS TO ALL THE STORIES IN THE PARIS SERIES
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