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Last Christmas [Original Poker-Aces] In The Desert

AUTHOR: taurie_2020 (of course Peter was written by dhely )
TITLE: In The Desert
NOTE: The characters in these stories are original: Juan Von Schonborn is mine, Peter von Rosenstadt is dhely (I apologize for the misuse of Rhys Harrington ewyn and Hernan de Massaredo of indra_pavamana )
THANKS: a dhely that helped me to "give a settled"
LINK: Sahara fic prologue dhely



Juan opens one eye, is lying on its side , Peter is sleeping a bit 'away, on his stomach, his head buried in the pillow, takes a deep breath, shake, just as if he could not breathe, turned on its side. Juan sees that
asleep, because it covers not take cold and stood up.

Twenty minutes later it is still under hot water, his hands resting against the wall tile color lapis lazuli, their heads bowed.



He had slept fourteen hours later and felt misplaced. Peter had warned that the tablets had given him had kept him awake for almost a week, and it would take several days because he recovered completely. Meanwhile
again with the memory of the days spent in the desert. The meeting was broken into a thousand pictures. The light on the sand, satin finish on the barrels of guns, the dark lenses of Ray-Ban. The grim faces of the mercenaries. The night spent lying on his cot, his arm over his eyes trying to sleep. The faint breath of Peter, who stood guard at the entrance. During those endless nights
had been asked many times if Rhys slept in his tent, or as he ripercorresse back everything he had shared with Hernan before he was kidnapped. Strangely, the most vivid memories were those more distant, when they were only cousins. He wondered if the rapture and fear were the case for reconciling with his cousin.
Or is it simply because I think he'll die? .

remember one night, he had dozed off, a light sleeper and agitated, he did not know if it was the light or a noise to wake him up. Peter was sitting at a table field, turned his back, probably controlled the maps.
"Peter?"
had called him softly.
Yes amore?”
Gli si era avvicinato, sedendosi sulla brandina e appoggiandogli una mano sulla schiena.
“Non dormi?”
“Mi ero assopito... e tu?”
“Ci sono cose da finire e l’adrenalina mi fa stare sveglio.”
“L’adrenalina?” chiede dubbioso.
Sorride in risposta: “E le mie solite pastiglie. Non mi fido di quelli là”.
“Non stai dormendo da quando siamo qui?”
“No, dall’altro ieri precisamente. Prima di essere in mezzo al deserto, circondato da venti uomini armati, che tendono a non ascoltare quando si dà loro un ordine”.
Juan gli prende la mano e intreccia le dita to her, murmuring: "It's weird, you know?"
"What?"
She asks gently brushing your face.
"Stay on your side of the fence." Peter
just knits her brow.
"Sorry, I know it's not as attractive on television."
smiles in response.
"It is more ... I do not think that will never forgive me for Hernan's forced to return to the desert. "
" Back? "
" I've never talked about when he disappeared in the civil war in Africa ... *** "
Peter looks at him shocked.
"Did you ***"!?"
Juan nods.
"You're crazy ... that's crazy! Have you come out alive from there? "
" I moved all of my knowledge, so that those of the UN, let me visit the facilities of the Red Cross "
Peter shakes his head.
"It cost me a fortune. I sold my shares staff *** enough to be able to grease the wheels, to get all the permissions "
" I guess .. "
" I shot at least ten temporary hospitals, everywhere the same horror ... I watched the live or what was left of them, I looked at the dead, I kept thinking it was over in one of those mass graves filled with lime ... "
The voice vibrates a deep emotion.
Peter touches her face, kisses his lips.
"It was horrible .. if I were, I would not have permission to go there. "
" I know, "smiles," but I l "I would have done anyway ... and see, I'm still here. "
hears Peter's fingers through his hair.
"I would have him arrested."
"At least here there's no turning armed with machetes ... for now! "
He chuckles:" Love? are armed with all things even more dangerous than a machete. The only ones who do not sleep with guns are you and Rhys, and still do not understand how you managed to convince me to get to sleep so far from me. "
" I'd shoot in her sleep. "
" All we need is you slept with a gun! I tell you just do not feel comfortable with those people, just because you pay. However, I'm there to watch over you. "
The tone is not at all pompous, exposes only the facts.
"I know why I'm comfortable," he smiles, "Then if they want their money is better they sleep."
"They are beasts, but I deal with people like that."
"I saw you meet."
" do not respect me, they are afraid. They do not respect anybody. "Lips bend, hard. "In 2003 you were in the *** … nel 2003... amore mio... come hai fatto a tornare... integro? Nella testa… la gente normale non dovrebbe vedere certe cose. Non dovrebbe neppure saperle!”
“Non potevo lasciarlo là, disperso, senza sapere cosa gli era successo”
Annuisce, “lo capisco. Hai avuto incubi?”
“Ogni tanto... ne ho parlato con uno psichiatra, mi ha detto che è inevitabile che mi porti gli strascichi di quello che ho visto per sempre”.
“Ne hai visto uno a posto vero? Uno serio?”
“Certo!”
Arriccia le labbra, poi gli passa di nuovo le dita fra i capelli.
“Mettiti giù, dormi ancora un po’, io adesso spengo to light. "
" Peter ... Be sincere, do you think there is hope? "
" Juan, I'll be ... brutal. My work has taught me to be. I have not brought here to find a dead body. Your cousin is worth its weight in gold. We run the risk of being engaged with injuries, perhaps. If Arabs are likely to cut an ear or a finger. But I live, I would say yes. What would you have done, but ... "he shrugs.
"Do not say this to Rhys'
" No, of course not ... is not the first time I participate in rescue missions of Western hostages. You will not like what we find. "He closes his eyes and sighs.
"The worst forecast?"
"Given the time that has passed since the abduction? If all goes well will be under the care of a bunch of psychiatrists for years, decades. If it must be evil ... "shaking their fists without finishing the sentence. In the semi darkness
Juan's eyes seem to lapis lazuli.
"I'm not frightened beyond measure, but you know, you have to be prepared ..." she sighs. "*** After nearly three years has been in therapy ... I wonder if we find something recoverable "he murmurs.
"It is not only" takes it between his hands, "Rhys always holds, I will stand by, best known for post-traumatic stress. For this post-traumatic stress, "it looks gently, "your, not only his."
"My?"
nods.
"You think what you're experiencing will not leave marks? Now the regiment, but you'll be hurt. "

Peter turns off the light "Now rest, okay? Tomorrow we arrive, it will be a long day. "
" Okay. "
He says just to make him happy
Peter sits up just behind the entrance to the tent to the ground, in the dark.
Juan sees him in the shadows.
"Why are you here?"
"I watch."
Find something to reply, but Peter prevents: "Sleep."

Juan turned off the water and came back with the mind to the present. He straightened up, shook his head to clear the hair from the water and opened his eyes.
In the bedroom Peter opens one eye, is the empty bed, yawns, sits up, looking around.
For a moment you can not remember where. For a moment he asked terrified with whom I went to bed? Where the heck are they?
noise of water that roars.
"Juan?" Called hope.
He gets up, takes the gun dropped on the table and near the bathroom door. It is ajar.
Juan opens the shower to leave.
Peter grabs him by the shoulder from slipping behind the door, one hand on the throat, the gun on cheek it slams against the wall, then recognizes him.
"Juan!"
"Fuck .. what are you doing? "
immediately lowers the gun, putting the safe, hugs him.
"Juan" his voice trembling slightly.
"Peter, you gave me a fright!"
"Sorry, I was ... disoriented "kisses," I did not remember that the room was ... like that. "
Juan sighs passing him on the shoulder.
"will be your brake pads ... Give me the gun and take a shower, while I ordered breakfast, ok? "
nods.
"Quiet, is safe." Removing the load, both parties to Juan. Juan
the door in the room but before leaving it warns: "we do not make nests in the shower!"
Peter smiles.

Juan supports the handset on the receiver.
breakfast would arrive within twenty minutes, felt like a coffee ...

the morning after Peter had woken up early with a cup of coffee. He seemed to have just fallen asleep.
"Drink, it's hot"
"Hmm?" Sits up and takes the coffee, "God! It's crap! "Exclaims spitting into the cup.
"Even worse, I know, but what is there. Are you sure you want to ... come? "
" How many times do you want to ask me? "
He looks up at him angrily: camouflage pants, tight shirt, boots, guns on hips, knife to the calf, is placed just off the gun.
"I want you to be safe."
"They are."
He rummages in his pocket, pulls out a small packet of drugs. It takes a quarter of a pill.
"Take it, but you must swear to obey, that if for any reason I told you to stay in one place and not move, you'll do. Even if I had two meters Hernan crying and calling you. "
nods.
"I will do only what I say."
"I need you to be polished. A fourth will make you stay awake for a couple of days, will be what it takes to get somewhere civil. Do not be afraid, I must be sure worrying about the rash reactions only by Rhys, I can trust you, I know what I'm asking you. "
" Peter, I promise. "
nods, stands up, takes from the table, a leather case and gave it to him "It's an automatic pistol, the ninth used only if you have other options. Do you know how to use it? "
" Sure. "Juan's shows.
"Put the safe, and do not remove it from the holster. Leave it to us, but you never know what might serve. I thought of a machete, but you better not. "
It helps you to put on a bulletproof vest.
"With this suderai."
"Most of what I'm sweating now? Think about it? New York's cold ... "He smiles
.
"Yeah, we're going around in a coat" is a resigned sigh, then, above, makes him wear a shirt a bit 'wide.
"Put it in his pants, so you do not notice so much that you have the armor."
The clutching a handkerchief to his throat "remember glasses" takes his face in his hands
"I want you to stay outside, you hear me? There will be a ... hiding in a wall, a shack or something. I want you're out. And I want to keep Rhys out with you. Ok? I will go to Hernan will not hurt. I'll "
" Okay Peter, do not worry about us, we'll be good. "Seeks to reassure
" No, Rhys are feeling good, but I will not be able to take care of him, at times, I need you to do it .
She kisses him, passing his hand behind his neck to hold him. Peter
deepens the kiss "I love you" whispered on the lips "and I like the" effect that makes the adrenaline ...".
smiles.
"Wait till this thing is over and we're in a spot civil and not leave you out of bed for at least two days."
Ride "Do not tell me ...."

"Thanks ..." said the waiter giving him a tip, then he hit a couple of times my knuckles on the door of the bathroom is called Peter.
Toc-toc ...

The sound of bullets bouncing off a short distance was all that Juan knew the battle was kept in the house where Hernan, after Peter had jumped in and mercenaries.
Then silence. Peter had left behind the tall black mercenary, who was holding Hernan.
Juan sighs and falls almost not notice the presence of Rhys.
"Is he alive?"
Peter nods, has a streak of blood under the cheekbone. "The helicopter comes in two minutes there - means a kind of high ground - the four of you go. "
Juan obeys as he promised he would do.
Peter looks at the giant black: "I commend them. If anything happens, anything, I'll kill you. " Rhys
not even listen to them, took Hernan and head for the hill. Here comes the helicopter. It is a whole succession of events planned to arrive at base camp, the ambulance, the hospital and then to Spain.
Juan at this point had taken a step backward so that Rhys had to manage everything. He had lived for support, awaiting the arrival of Peter.
Peter had embraced as soon as he had seen. "It 's nice to have a room with walls and no one around ..." had looked at more carefully "by when do not you sleep?"
"Since you gave me the pill ... I'm five days, but I did not sleep And you? "
" dartene I had not. "
" Maybe you're right ... take a shower? "
nods" I can not wait .. I have a week of desert dust on him. "
Juan sees a bruise on his back, another in a thigh
..." Peter, you've done? "He raises an eyebrow

" Where? Oh, nothing, just some blow "
" Do not only one or more strokes ... come under water. "
laughs and slips in the shower.
"What? A bruise, right? I feel bad when I do this "and contract the back muscles.
"Yes, a big purple bruise ... you've done? "
The passes in the towel gently on the back.
"When I was there, inside, I threw myself on the floor, otherwise I would be shot. I must have beaten then, I do not know, at times you do not think too much, and adrenaline makes you not feel bad. "

nods" I'm sorry, I wanted to ... be wrong. Hernan. "
stroked his back," we knew it was not possible. "
"Hope does not cost anything and sometimes unexpected things happen."
She kisses him.

Peter after a few minutes out of the water, the bathroom remains silent for a while 'until you hear the sound of knuckles on the door of Juan. Back in the room, naked, stands in front of the mirror, frowning.
"c What is love?"
"I'm horrible."
"Eh?"
"Look"
"What's wrong with it?" He ran his fingers
scars she's wearing.
"I'm full of ... signs, "puffing" and I'm terribly vain! "
Juan laughs, life with the surrounding arms from behind and kisses her shoulder.
"If you do not coating, less than a minute, you ributterò in that bed!"
"Sorry."
"And for what?"
just shakes his shoulders, freeing himself from her embrace, he slipped into a t-shirt and a pair of pants.
They sit at the table on the terrace where the waiter has prepared the breakfast.
"Have you rested?" Asks Peter.
"Like a stone ... thanks, do not you l "I said again."
She looks surprised "thank you? for what? "
" For saving Hernan. "
smiles, touches her face, levandogli with the thumb of a puff of foamed milk Cappuccino love, you need a boyfriend like me? "
" A lot of things. "winks the eye
Peter laughs.
"Of course first you made me take a shot!"
"Excuse me, I opened my eyes .. I did not know where I was ... I did not remember, and I saw the gun. "
" And you thought that he went to bed with a stranger? "
" I thought ... I do not know what I thought ... I did everything like I was under autopilot. "
smiles:" Luckily I have not shot through the glass of the shower. "
looked down clutching the cup in his hands.
"Peter? I was joking. "
Shakes the head, then tries a smile.
"I love the look, then points to something outside the window" does not like me "
" Who? "
" A cousin of yours ... but I understand why they were ... fascinated. "
" How do you know that do not like you? "
" From the way he looked at me. Before ... there ... no matter, I think. "
" There? "
" In that place. "
" Probably not even saw you. "
nods absently.
"Do not be sad."
"No! I'm not sad. "
smiles, ends the coffee.
"When you come back we'll be rested in New York. "
" Want to go? I thought I wanted to be here. "
" Right now my presence is useless, I'll serve you when. "
She looks puzzled:" What? "
" I do not want to stay and see what the doctors say? You do not have to come back for me. "
" No, there with his head "replies Juan sad.
"Whatever."
"Do not worry," he murmured, shaking his hand.
"Of course I worry, I'm sorry if ... like that. "reciprocates briefly close
" I had my usual period of ... - she licks her lips - decompression. "
"Do not worry, you see that you are tired, and then I was there I know what you did."
"Working for you civilians has its downsides."
"Really?"
nods "but you're Always sweet, e. .. "a rhythmic sound distracts them.
Peter sighs, gets up, is the mobile phone.
"Yes, I am. - Silence, closes her eyes - in Spain, *** "Watch
Juan.
"Sure. Yes "Close communication. "I gotta go."
"Go? Where to? "She asks in amazement, almost without noting down the attitude of Peter.
"Work."
"But Peter ... "
She kisses him. "Love, I must go."
"By this time you can not help?"
"When they call me I can never refuse. Then ... I'm here on vacation "
" But .. "
She looks sad. "Juan, I can not say they come to Africa and had taken a bunch of mercenaries to free the cousin of my companion."
"Peter, you can not!"
"To do what?"
"to make any ask what you do, you're tired! "
He shakes his head" I can not refuse. I could not refuse even if I had broken a leg. "
" Well that's stupid! "
nods. "I know, but I am having to tell them to stay on the ground or leave, I can not decide. It is likely that I will make a base support, but I must go. "
Juan turns his back, he's angry.
"Go then!"
"Juan, please."
"What more do you want?" Does not turn around.
"Juan, I'd ... you were able to give me permission to leave or not, but you can not do it. I can not even do it myself. "
" Well, then we will meet again in New York! "Retorts angrily.
"What do you want? Want deserts? Or go to my general to tell him that I can not leave because I have just returned from a mission to alpha level, with the mercenaries, leave for a civil action without asking permission? "
" I told you not to go? Go! "Retorts angrily.
Peter looks hurt.
"I do not seem to start holding back by force!"
He turns, picks up his things and leaves not adding more.

few weeks later, Juan was in his office, looking out the window. Beginning to be worried, he received a text from Peter a couple of hours after he left the hotel then nothing. He had plenty of time to repent as they left, but still ... his cell phone begins to ring.
Traps breath, is the stupid ring of Star Wars that Peter has to match his number, answered trying to keep a calm tone.
"Hello?"
"It's me. Would you like to see me? "
" See you tonight. "
" It's an order, this? "
" I'm your superior, I can not order anything. "
" No, but you can break my heart, "she sighs," I'll see tonight "and closes the communication.
"Peter ..." but the communication has already closed. Lance angrily mobile phone across the room. He did not want to go that way.

Peter opens the door, leans the bags just inside the door, takes off his jacket, approached the door of Juan.
just knocks against the door jamb.
"Juan?"
lifts his head from the papers that he was controlling.
"Peter."
"Can I?"
"Sure."
He sits on the chair facing the desk.
"Welcome back" feels uncomfortable, there is very cold to each other.
"You do not look happy to see me."
"Instead they are."
Lower your eyes "I'll be ... wrong. "
" Tell me. "
" What can I say? "
" I do not know, you're here to tell me something, I guess "
" I'm here because my house is, and why I love you ... I thought ... I knew that I needed to tell you something ... I thought you were having to talk to. "
" Me? "
nods," I'll be wrong, "a sigh" we broke up .. evil "
" Yes .. "
" How's your cousin? "
" Evil. "
" I'm sorry. "
nods.
Peter shakes his hands in his hands.
"will not improve anytime soon," he adds.
"I guess."
"How are you?"
"Well ... tactical support air and suspended for a few months. "he says in one breath.
She looks like someone who does not understand. Peter
lowers her eyes again, "I was on a helicopter to determine the tactics of the team and suspended from active duty for four months. Next week I have to appear before the internal affairs section. "
" Why? "
" I was untraceable for two weeks. "
" You were officially on vacation. "
" I must always be reachable, even on vacation. "
" I'm sorry. "
He shakes his head" it was worth it, right? "
" Not for you I guess. "
She looks at him, serious "if it is for you is always worthwhile."
"You make me feel guilty?"
"No! Of course not! Did not ask me nothing. "Is standing," I can stand anything, Juan, but not your anger. Forgive me, I'm not strong enough for that, "he sighed" I'm sorry. "
" No, I'm sorry you have been unreasonable. "
Peter shakes his head. "You were under stress, you did not have disposed of what I gave you, I should not be so hard, I'm sorry."
"I was angry, I wanted them with me."
"I also wanted to be with you."
"I'm childish right? "
Peter smiles, turns around at your desk, bend knees and embraces him, "do not say stupid things! I should not get ahead, that's all. "
" Peter ... do not do that. "
The passes a hand through his hair. "I love you like I never loved anything or anyone in the world."
The short, moved, looking for something neutral to say at the end asks, "Are you hungry?"
"I was afraid that I do not want to be with me."
"What nonsense!" Peter
A trembling shoulders.
Juan kisses her hair.
For a moment, swallowing a lump in my throat. "I thought I was disgusted by ... than that from me. "
" Stop to believe that I am disgusted with you! "
" Why you angry? "
" Why ... because I wanted them with me. "
Piero looks into his eyes. "I love you."
"Sorry."
"No, no, never say" the press two fingers on his lips. Juan kisses. "You did not. You have not done anything. I thought about it for weeks to thee as endangered. "
" I've put in danger. "Passes hands on my shoulders," to stand up, let's go. "
Peter is hard, it feels under Juan fingers.
"You should relax."
nods "is the bruise. "
" Again? But there will be more serious than it seems? "
" One stretch, and I have a cracked rib, but soon. "
sighs. "Did you eat at least?"
"Today? No, I'm still on the spindle of Hankara ... "look around" what time is it?
"The past eight."
Smiles "eat the legs of the table tonight!"
smiled back.