The two men had just shared their first kiss, and that was the first thing Phillip had blurted out. The first thing he thought about was his reputation, not about the other man or the incredibly special moment they just had. Hound just knodded, understanding. If word got out, it could put them at risk. They could be used against each other. Not to mention it would be seen as unprofessional.

So he kept his lips shut and their love private. He saved even the smallest affections for when they were alone, Graves telling him he'd perfer it that way. And who would he be, to deny his lover of privacy? Even grazes of the hand were kept private. While Hound understood the caution, he was puzzled at how scared Phillip was of being out there, even around the other Shadows.

Until Graves slipped up. At a celebration for a job well done, at a small local bar, it came out. Everyone was talking about relationships, when one of the Shadows turned to Phillip.

"Do you have anyone waiting back home? Wife or girlfriend? Or boyfriend?" And just from the look that crossed Graves' drunken face, Hound could tell what came out next wouldn't be good.

Graves scoffed and rolled his eyes, "Don't say that, boy, you know I ain't no pansy. I'm offended you'd think that of me. But yes, my lovely wife is waiting for me back in Texas. Love her to death."

Hound thought it was a nightmare, but when he pinched himself he found he was all too awake. Silently, he slipped out the bar. He went back to base and cried himself to sleep, mourning the relationship he thought they had. He wondered if Graves was lying. Surely, he was. Surely, he only said that to keep his cover. The worst part was that, if it was a lie, Hound would come crawling back to him.

The next day he asked to speak with Phil privately. The other obliged, of course. The two stepped into his office and Phil tried to pull the other into a kiss, but Hound stops him.

"We need to talk," he says. At those words Graves pales, but knods, signaling the other should continue. "Is she real? Phil, please, I have to know, you said you had a wife last night. Was that a lie, or is she real?"

A pause, and then an answer, "Yes. It's a loveless marriage I swear, my heart is only with you. I just can't leave her though. You understand what it's like in the south."

And Hound breaks. But he knods his understanding. Things stay the same. Even the smallest affections being hidden.

Until the meeting.

They were in a meeting with the General when Graves had to step out. To keep up the conversation, Hound spoke.

"I feel so bad for his wife, he's always away with us. She must miss him a lot."

The general stares at him. Then, he speaks, "Graves doesn't have a wife."