This story was written for a Christmas fanfic challenge on the Noahfics list and takes place on Christmas Day in Season Six.
"Ghost of Christmas Present"
by Cathy
John Carter was definitely not in the Christmas Spirit. The events that had transpired over Christmas Eve had been more than enough to put him in a bad mood. Take those and add in a heaping dose of guilt from the phone call he had received from his father because he was late showing up for Christmas Dinner with his family, and he was on the verge of joining Ebeneezer Scrooge in calling Christmas a "humbug". He stared at the flat spare tire and knew this was the icing on the cake. He looked at his cell phone, thinking he should call his father and let him know that he was going to be even later. A whole lot later. It wasn't a call that he was looking forward to making. He replaced the cover on the spare and wondered why it had been his bad luck to buy a new Jeep only to find out that the spare was flat. It wasn't fair that the right back tire was flat -- the Jeep wasn't that old. But, as he had noticed over the years, life wasn't fair. If it was, then there would be a seven year old boy playing outside with his Christmas toys today instead of lying in a funeral home awaiting preparation for his burial.
He leaned back against the side of the Jeep and dialed the number for his grandparent's house. It was answered on the third ring, surprisingly by his father. Roland was not happy with the turn of events. He was so angry...disappointed...whatever with John that he told him if he wasn't going to be there within the hour, then he shouldn't even bother showing up at all. John tried to point out to his father that the odds of him finding a place that could either sell him a new tire or repair the flat were slim, but Roland was having none of that. He was still upset that John had worked Christmas Eve once again. And that John had overslept on Christmas Day. John ended the phone call, wondering if any of it -- his family, his job, his life -- was worth it anymore. He was lost in those thoughts and didn't notice the car that pulled over behind his Jeep.
"It looks as if you need some help."
John looked up sharply, surprised to see Luka Kovac walking toward him. "Yeah. My tire's flat and so is the spare."
"Well, I don't think my spare tire will fit your rims," Luka said as he came to a stop in front of John. "But, I can give you a ride somewhere. Where were you heading?"
"To my grandparents house for a family get-together. But, I really don't want to go there. Especially not now. What are you doing out this way?"
"I gave Carol and the babies a ride home this morning and fell asleep in her living room. She invited me to have dinner with her and her mother, but I didn't feel comfortable with that idea, so I left. My apartment isn't far from here."
"Really? Mine's just a few blocks away."
"Mine, too. Would you like a ride home then?"
"Sure. That would be great. I guess I should get the presents and stuff out of the Jeep."
"I'll help you with that."
"Thanks."
Five minutes later, the two were on their way to John's apartment building. Once there, they discovered that Luka lived in the apartment complex across the street, so Luka parked in his usual spot and helped John take the packages up to his apartment.
"Would you like some coffee?" John asked as he put a bag of presents by the small tree.
"I have a better idea. Why don't you come across to my apartment and I'll let you see what we use to keep warm in Croatia."
"Sounds alcoholic."
"It's very alcoholic. And very traditional." Luka smiled.
John nodded. "Sounds better than sitting around here drinking coffee."
"You have a nice place here."
John shrugged. Over the years he had gone from living at his parents large house to a nice apartment to sharing a large apartment with Dennis Gant to a room at the dorm to living in a basement of a house and now this -- a two room efficiency apartment. But, the place was clean and the rent reasonable. It wasn't as if he had a lot of stuff and needed more space. "It's a place to sleep. I don't really need more than that, right?"
Luka grinned. "That's what I say. Until I accepted Kerry's job offer, I was living on a boat. Not a lot of extra room there, but it was a wonderful way to travel. Come on."
Luka's place was a real apartment, but not that much larger than John's, even without a Christmas Tree taking up space. John wished he knew more about Croatian customs so he would know if Luka normally didn't put up a tree or if there was some other reason for its absence. There were a few personal touches to the place, mainly photographs. John guessed they were of Luka's family. Immediate family judging by the one photo of Luka, two adorable little girls and a woman who reminded John of Carol Hathaway. She had the same curly dark hair, ivory skin and quirky smile. That explained why Luka appeared to like Carol.
Luka came out of the kitchen with a tray. He sat it down on the table and when John walked over there he saw that it held bread, a salt shaker and two glasses with a decent amount of clear alcohol in them.
"Welcome to my home, John. Dip the bread in the salt, then take a shot of the Slivovitz."
Under Luka's amused scrutiny, John did as he was told. Luka laughed as John gasped after downing the Slivovitz. "God Almighty, what is that stuff?"
"Plum brandy, Croatian style." Luka went to the kitchen and returned with the bottle, handing it to John.
John shook his head as he read the label. "It's one hundred proof, Luka. This stuff is lethal."
"But, it warms you up."
John couldn't disagree with that. He held out his glass for a refill and Luka cheerfully obliged him. Then they drank a toast to Christmas Day. And a toast to Kerry Weaver. And a toast to Chicago. And a toast to Robert Romano. And a toast to everyone in the world who was alone on Christmas Day. By the time they were done with the toasts, they were sprawled on the sofa, unwilling and unable to do much more than sit there and talk.
"Is that your wife and daughters?" John asked, pointing to the group photo.
"Yes. That's an old photograph."
"They aren't here with you?"
Luka shook his head. "No. They died before I left Europe. My youngest daughter and wife were killed in an explosion. A Serb planted a bomb in a car and they were amongst the many victims that day. Do you know what was so ironic about the fact that the blast killed my wife? She was a Serb. We didn't care much about that because we had grown up living next door to each other. When the war broke out, we realized that we loved each other and we got married. Our parents gave us their blessings and we were very happy."
"I'm glad that you had that. I keep looking for happiness, but I just can't seem to find it."
"Sometimes happiness is right in front of you. I used to tease Marija when we were children, and yet I ended up falling in love with her. Carol reminds me of Marija."
"I could see that they resemble each other."
Luka nodded. "Yes. That and so much more."
"What about your other daughter? Your oldest?"
"She caught pneumonia and died a few months after her mother and sister." Luka sniffed and wiped at his eyes. "It's been years since they died, but I still miss them. There are days when I expect to hear my girls laughing as they try to sneak up behind me. They used to love to jump on my back when they thought I wasn't looking." He smiled as he remembered the fun he had with his daughters. His little jewels he had called them.
"I'm sorry."
Luka shrugged. "It's been a long time. I should be over them by now."
"Why would you think that? You loved them and they loved you. You should always remember them with a smile and a tear."
"What about you? You said that you had not found happiness yet, so I will assume that means you have never been married. At least not happily married."
John laughed. "You got that right. Haven't even come close."
"You have family here? You said you were on your way to a family get-together."
"Sometimes they're here. Mostly, they aren't. My parents travel a lot for business. I think that over my life I've spent more time away from them than I've spent with them."
"Now it's my turn to be sorry."
John smiled. "Thanks."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure."
"You say that you've not seen your family much. So why not go there today?"
"They don't really want me there, Luka. When I called my father to tell him that I was having car trouble, he told me that if I couldn't be there within the hour, then I just shouldn't come at all. So, I won't go. It's no big deal. They manage fine without me the rest of the year, they'll manage fine without me today."
"Now I truly am sorry for you, my friend."
"Don't be. I'm not worth the pity, Luka."
"Now that's just the alcohol talking. You are definitely worth a lot, John Carter."
"Yeah, right," John scoffed.
"You are." Luka put his glass on the end table, then leaned over and gave a very surprised John a kiss on the lips. "Don't ever doubt yourself."
"Uh, Luka, I don't know what's acceptable back in Croatia, but over here, men just don't kiss men on the mouth like that."
Luka smiled at John's nervousness. He liked the way John was blushing as he tried to be tactful. Well, Luka had no use for tact right now.
"They do if they want to get that other man into bed, John."
John tried to edge backward, away from Luka, but the man's lips found his once more, lingering there this time. And when Luka quickly ran his tongue over his lower lip, John shivered.
Luka pulled back, still smiling. "You liked my kiss, no?"
John shook his head. "No. I...Luka, no. I'm not...I don't know what made you think that I would like that, but I don't. I've never even thought about kissing another guy."
"Maybe it's time you should." Luka leaned forward once more and his smile widened as John leaned ever so slightly into his kiss. This time, when Luka ran his tongue over John's lips they quickly parted for him and he accepted the invitation with vigor, his tongue exploring the contours of John's mouth. He moved John's body until he had him prone on the couch, using his body to pin John to the cushions. He broke off their kiss, but he didn't give John any time to think as he quickly placed a trail of kisses down his neck and chest. His eyes blazed down into John's and he was half afraid that John would try to stop him. But, by the way that John's hands were gripping Luka's shirt, it was obvious that John wasn't going to do that. It was time to take this to the next level.
Luke stood and walked away from the couch. "I think we should take this into my bedroom, John."
John nervously licked his lips, not knowing that his action was causing quite a stir in Luka. He hadn't been lying when he told Luka that he had never even thought about kissing another man. And now Luka wanted to go even further with him. The only thing crazier than the fact that he had just allowed Luka to kiss him three times was that he was giving serious consideration to going into that bedroom with Luka. Maybe he had never woke up from his nap? This was just some dream...some manifestation born of what he had eaten for breakfast or the alcohol that he had been pouring down his throat over the past hour. Yeah, that's what it was. An hallucination. He would awaken in his own bedroom and find that he wasn't even late for dinner at his grandparent's. His father wasn't going to be angry with him, his Jeep wasn't going to have two flat tires and all would be right with the world. Hell, as long as he was at it, he might as well go back in time and have that little boy be alive.
"John?" Luka was patiently waiting in the doorway and he extended his hand out to him. "I want to make love to you, John. Not just have sex with you, although I can live with just sex."
John shook his head as he got to his feet. The door out of the apartment was to his left and Luka stood to his right. He sneaked a furtive look at the exit, then looked back at Luka. "I can't. I've never..."
"Remember what I said about happiness? Sometimes it is right in front of you. But, you'll never see it unless you look. All I'm asking is that you look." Luka had been with several men and women since he had lost his family, but he had never made love to any of them. The last person he had made love with had been Marija and she had been gone for so long. But, he really did want to make love to and with John Carter. If only he would let him.
Luka stretched his arm and wriggled his fingers. He saw John glance at the door again, then look down at the floor. His heart felt heavy as he realized that John was going to walk out on him. Then John looked up, his nervousness back in full force and his tongue snaked out to moisten his lips once more. Then he walked toward Luka, resting his hand in Luka's.
Luka smiled as he pulled John closer. "You won't regret this, John. I promise you this."
"I don't know what to do."
Luka laughed. "Don't worry about that. I do know what to do and I assure you that nothing you do will disappoint me, John." He lowered his head and nuzzled John's neck, making note of the fact that this made John squirm and softly moan. It was going to be a delight to find all the areas of John's body that were sensitive to his lips, tongue and touch. A wonderful delight indeed.
John's mind was racing. There was a hungry look in Luka's eyes -- there was no way it could be interpreted as anything else -- not a look of concern, not a look of pleasantness, not a look of disregard. It was a look of lust, desire. Passion, heat and promise. Luka wanted him and he wanted Luka. He couldn't deny that. But, he also knew that never before in his life had he felt sexual attraction for another man. Must be the Slivovitz, he thought. Either that, or I'm passed out and dreaming. Yeah, he told himself, I'm drunk. So, what the Hell?
Feeling bold, John quickly stepped forward, grabbed Luka by the shoulders, pulled him close and planted a kiss on his mouth. He had intended it to be a quick kiss, his own testing of the waters, but Luka had other ideas. John felt Luka's arms wrap around his body, crushing him against his chest, molding their bodies against each other. He could feel Luka's arousal through his pants and knew that Luka couldn't miss his either. Their lips locked together, both sets of hands worked at a frenzied pace to remove their clothing.
The kiss finally ended because neither man could breathe. They faced each other, panting for air and grinning. John was undressed down to his boxers. Luka still had on his pants. John closed his eyes and sighed as Luka laid his hand over his cock. Through the fabric, Luka's hand felt hot and John wanted to feel it on his bare skin.
Luka lowered his head and began to nuzzle John's neck, pushing him backwards until he had him pressed up against the door. He could feel a dampness against his palm where the pre-ejaculate from John's cock was soaking through the fabric of his boxers. Luka knew that his own cock had to be leaking just as much, if not more. He had never wanted anyone as much as he wanted John right now.
Luka licked his way down John's chest, eliciting a small moan as he flicked his tongue over John's nipples, first the one on the left, then switching to the one on the right, turning them both into hard nubs that he could easily suck into his mouth. He snaked his other hand behind John, cupping the curve of his butt and giving himself a hand-hold on each side of John. He gently bit John's nipple and felt John's hands grasp his head to hold him in place. But, he wasn't having any of that. He was on a mission, and he had no intention of letting anything deter him from his goal of driving John completely wild with want and need.
John eased his grip on Luka's head, but kept his hands entwined in his hair as Luka kissed his way down his chest and over his belly. Finally, Luka was on his knees, and he closed his mouth over the curve of John's cock, caressing it with his tongue through the fabric. Toying with John, he repeatedly licked its length until the cotton material was nearly transparent. Beneath his mouth and hands, he could feel John shudder.
"Luka, please?" John begged. He wanted to feel Luka's mouth on his skin, have Luka take him into his mouth. Luka's response to his plea was to use his tongue to fondle his balls before taking them into his mouth. Despite the fact that he was amazed at what Luka could do using just his tongue, John wanted more.
"Pull them off, Luka," he growled, tightening his grip in Luka's hair as his patience neared its end. He almost cried from anticipated relief when he felt Luka's hand leave his butt and then unsnap his boxers. He jerked as he heard and felt the ripping of his underwear as Luka took him literally and pulled them off of his body. The air felt shockingly cold against his damp skin, but Luka's mouth was hot as it closed over the head of his cock. Inch by inch, Luka slowly moved his mouth down the shaft, taking in as much of him as he could.
"Oh, God," John closed his eyes and rested his head against the door, rhythmically beating it against the wood as Luka began to energetically suck him.
Luka's own cock was aching from want and need as his mind registered the reactions he was getting out of John. But, as much as he wanted to feel John's mouth on his cock, or bury himself deep inside of John, he wanted to make John come. Wanted to hear him scream. He knew that moment was nearing, could read John's body language to that effect, could tell by the way that John's fingers were clenching and unclenching in his hair. At this rate, he would be bald by the time he was finished with John. Hell, it would be worth it. And then John was pushing him away. No, he couldn't stop them now. Luka shook his head and tried to push his mouth back down John's length.
"Luka, get a condom. Now, Luka." John's voice was urgent as he tried once more to disengage Luka from his body.
Luka looked up at John through a haze born of lust, but John's words were slowly sinking in. A condom. He needed a condom. He scrambled to his feet, grabbed John by the wrist and pulled him over to the bed. Luka flipped the covers back.
"Sit down," he growled as he rummaged in the nightstand drawer for a condom and something to use a lubricant. Finally he had both items in his hands and he tore open the package with a vengeance, not liking the fact that he had to wait. But, he made himself slow down as he applied some lubricant to John's bare skin, smiling as he heard John gasp as his thumb and fingers slid feather light over the tip of his cock. Then Luka rolled the condom down the shaft and eagerly took John into his mouth once more.
John gave up on trying to watch Luka have his way with his body and he lay back on the mattress, simply enjoying what was happening. He jumped as he felt a slick finger lightly skim over his anus and it brought home to him the fact that Luka wanted to actually have sex with him. Anal intercourse. Go all the way. Could he handle that? He really wasn't sure. A moan of pleasure escaped his lips as that finger slipped inside of him, going straight for the prostate and massaging it. If it felt anything like this, then John knew he could handle it. He whimpered as Luka used his lips, tongue and fingers to bring him to his climax. He heard a small scream as he came and was only dimly aware that it had been his own voice. And then that wonderful warmth was gone from his cock and Luka was kissing his face.
"You liked that, no?" Luka asked with a smile.
"I liked that, yes," John replied, knowing he was grinning like a fool, but not caring.
"Shall we see what else you like?"
"I know one thing I would like."
"What's that?"
"For you to be undressed. I feel a little self-conscious here."
Luka's eyes slowly surveyed the body which lay in front of him, then he smiled. "You have no reason to feel that way, John. You're beautiful." Luka chuckled as that comment seemed to embarrass John. Why should he feel that way over having his body complimented?
"You don't believe me, do you?"
"I've never had a man tell me that before."
"That's because you've never been with a man before. Haven't your female lovers admired your body?"
John shrugged. "I don't know. I guess so. I never really noticed. When I'm with a woman I'm usually concentrating on doing the things that will please her."
"I see. Well, that's what I'm doing. Concentrating on things that will please you. I believe that you liked it when I did this." Luka lowered his head to John's collarbone and licked his way down the middle of his chest, his hands roaming freely over other parts of his body. The pleasurable sensations made John forget that he was the only one naked in the room and he closed his eyes as he tried to not think about the fact that it was another man making him feel this good. He was sure of one thing: this was one Hell of a lot better than dinner at his grandparent's house.
"I didn't think I was tickling you or doing anything funny," Luka's voice interrupted his thoughts.
John opened his eyes and shook his head. "You weren't. I was just thinking that this is much better than what I was supposed to be doing right about now."
"Good," Luka smiled, then he got to his feet and removed the rest of his clothing.
John couldn't keep his eyes off of Luka's erection. Luka's cock wasn't larger than his own, but it appeared huge when John thought about what Luka intended to do with it.
"Would you like to touch me?" Luka asked.
John slowly nodded, then sat up. He tentatively reached out to stroke the smooth skin and his touch quickly became firm. He ran his fingers up and down the shaft, then bravely cupped his balls in his hand, admiring the weight of them.
"Do you want me to...well, you know?" John wanted to take Luka into his mouth, but he wasn't sure that Luka wanted that. And he wasn't really sure what to do with it once he got it there. Just hold it in his mouth? That wasn't what Luka had done to him. The man had licked and sucked and kissed and it had felt damn good. He should try to make Luka feel just as good.
Luka laughed. "Yes, I want you to "you know", John." He reached down and wrapped his hand around John's, trapping it against his cock. "There's no rush. Take your time. Why don't you start by just kissing the side of it, or maybe my thigh? Of course, if you don't feel comfortable with the idea of sucking my cock, you don't have to do that. I can live without it." But he hoped that John would do it. He wanted to watch John take him into his mouth and discover just how fun it was. He closed his eyes as John did that nervous thing with his tongue again, then he sighed as he felt that tongue gently touch the hot skin of his cock.
And then Luka was lost to his pleasures as John discovered the many ways he could use his mouth to please him. John was eager to please and it was obvious to Luka that John had been paying attention during his own blow job. And probably during all the ones he had received from women over the years. Finally though, Luka had to gently disengage him. He was getting too close to climaxing and he didn't want that to happen yet.
"Did I do something wrong?" John looked up at him, confusion and worry in his eyes.
Luka smiled reassuringly. "No, you were doing everything right. Too right. I don't want to come yet. I want to be inside you, John. Are you ready for that?"
Feeling as ready as he would ever be, John slowly nodded.
"Good. Why don't you lay down?"
Luka watched as John stretched out on his stomach, his body tense. That wouldn't do at all. John needed to be relaxed for this.
"How about a massage?"
"That would be okay," John replied, his voice shaky.
Luka climbed onto the bed and straddled John's thighs, running his hands lightly up John's back and feeling the tension there. No, he thought, this wouldn't do at all. But, before he began with the massage, he wanted to get John settled for what would happen after that.
"Lift up your hips," Luka said.
John did as instructed and Luka settled a pillow under his hips. The crisp linen felt cool against his hot skin and he let out a sigh as Luka began to knead his shoulders.
"You like this, no?"
John smiled. "I like this, yes."
"And this?" Luka leaned down and licked his way up John's spine, ending with a kiss on the nape of his neck.
"Oh, yeah, I like that."
"What about this?"
John felt Luka move off of his thighs and then his legs were pushed apart. The next thing he knew, Luka's tongue was making its way up his thigh and into places that he had never felt a tongue go. A shiver ran through his body and he gasped at the intrusion, not wanting it to end.
And it didn't. The first intrusion segued into another until John felt a small burning and then ecstasy rushing through his body. Everything blurred for him after that, although he was dimly aware that their bodies were moving in sync. He felt the warmth of Luka's body against his skin, and Luka's hand urgently stroking his cock. John had no idea when he had become hard again, but now he was very much aware of his arousal and the need for release.. Luka stroked until John came again, his scream of pleasure muffled by the mattress below him.
Yet the pleasure didn't cease with that sweet release. Luka continued to move within him, taking his time until he could no longer bear the pleasure. Then his thrusts took on new life, gaining speed and intensity until Luka struck home one final time with a shout and then collapsed against John's back, rolling them both to their sides before he slipped out.
Luka quickly discarded the condom, then climbed back into bed, spooning his body behind John's and pulling the covers up over them both. He nuzzled John's neck and grinned when John pushed his body back against him.
"You found that to be good, no?"
"I found that to be good, yes. Very good indeed."
"See? I was right about finding happiness in unusual places."
John grinned. "Yeah, you were. I know I certainly would have never looked to another man for happiness. Or satisfaction. That was really good, Luka."
"It was good because you are special." Luka was sure that his comment would make John blush again. He raised himself up on one elbow and pulled John onto his back. Sure enough, his cheeks were rosy.
"You are very special to me, John Carter. I want to make love with you often. Do you want that?"
John looked up into Luka's eyes, not sure what he was looking for. Some sign that Luka really meant what he said? Maybe a hint of humor at his expense -- seduce the straight guy and then tell everyone about it? John quickly discarded that thought. While it was true that he had not known Luka for a long time, he did know that Luka didn't buy into the gossip mill. Now, if it had been Dave who had seduced him, then the whole hospital would know about it before the end of the day. But, it wasn't Dave. It was Luka, and John slightly nodded as he realized that he did want Luka to make love to him again. And again, and again.
"Yes. I want that," he said.
Luka's smile widened and it lit up his eyes. "Good. Then I guess that I can tell you Merry Christmas now and really mean it."
"Luka, this has been the best Christmas present I've ever had," John reached up to caress Luka's cheek and he was surprised when Luka closed his eyes and pressed his face into John's hand, kissing his palm.
"I should be the one thanking you, John. You're the one who gave me a gift today."
"Equal gifts then."
Luka opened his eyes wide as he felt John's other hand skimming over his thigh. "Oh yes, very equal gifts, John." He fell back to the bed and John followed him, covering his body with his own.
"So, you like this, no?" John asked as he kissed his way across Luka's chest and then down. John had often thought that Luka's eyes looked haunted by a distant pain and finding out about his family had let John know he had been right. He wanted to take away that pain. Wanted to let Luka see that there was still something worthwhile to live for -- he wasn't sure if he meant the pleasures of the flesh or the warmth of love -- he didn't really care. What he cared about was that hours ago he was on the verge of giving up and now he was finding that he really did have a reason to go on. That he didn't have to be alone to shoulder the pain of the world. Luka would be there to share it with him. Luka understood what it was like in a way that no one else ever could.
"I like this, yes," Luka replied with a sigh. He had almost given up on ever again having feelings of love for someone. Then he had met John and he had begun to hope that things were turning around for him. He knew that he would always be wary of life and what it had to offer. Knew that he would be afraid of losing John the way he had lost Marija and his daughters. But, if he ever wanted to enjoy love again, then he would have to take that risk. Learn to live with that fear and control it. Learn to let John get close the same way Marija had been close -- a companion to his heart and soul.
It was time to once more enjoy life and there was no time like the present to begin.