Jealousy Is A Four Letter Word [Closed to First]

[Alfred F Jones]

Randy recognised the look on the kids face, he was terrified – as well he might be if he had anything to do with what had happened to Evan and Randy didn’t like his explanation. But that terror coupled with how the kid seemed to have been living struck a chord with him; most people thought of him as being hard and intimidating but he actually did have a softer side, not that he liked to show it so much. He sensed that if the kid ran they could catch him, he looked undernourished and there weren’t that many places for him to go to before they snagged him, but in that case it might take a long time to get any answers and if the kid knew something but wasn’t involved then timing could be important.

John had a gun and his back should he have misjudged the situation – and he trusted John’s role much more than his own judgement, that much was for sure. With that in mind, he raised his hands to show that they were empty, while taking a couple of cautious steps forward. Evan had been stabbed, but hadn’t Chris said something about illegal weapons being readily available in the area? There was no reason the kid couldn’t have armed himself, wanting to feel safer since he had to know there would be cops coming after him. “Nobody here wants to hurt you. It leads to paperwork.”

The kid actually almost smiled at that and Randy was slightly encouraged, such a joke could have easily scared the kid more but Randy was not always a people person. He took a few more steps forward, stopping when the kid flinched back as if ready to run. “We want information, that’s all, we’re not about to bust you for trespass. That leads to more paperwork. Something happened in an alley near here—“ He noticed the look on the kids face, miserably scared. He knew what Randy was talking about but it didn’t tell them if he was involved. “We just want to know how it went down.”

~:~

Ted mumbled slightly as he felt the bed dip, instinctively reaching out to find Cody. He wasn’t there. Cracking an eye open, Ted realised that Cody wasn’t beside him and rolled over, blinking slightly as he noticed that Cody was sat on the edge of the bed, fully dressed and looking slightly amused at the sight of his lovers sleepiness. Ted yawned, brought up a hand to rub his eyes and mock-frowned at Cody. “What’re you doing up already? You should have kicked me out if you wanted to get up.” He wasn’t sure that half of what he had said was understandable, it came out in a sleepy mutter, but Cody didn’t seem to mind all that much, instead waiting for Ted to sit up and presenting him with breakfast.

Ted beamed, suddenly feeling a lot less tired in the face of breakfast. “Thanks! What did I do to deserve this?” He took a bite, savouring the taste, then suddenly remembered that the only breakfast Evan was getting was hospital food, assuming he wasn’t being fed on a drip (and yes, Ted knew he was being melodramatic but he had that streak in him when a situation was out of his control). Feeling suddenly guilty for enjoying his food, he swallowed and had a stern talk with himself. There was such a thing as being too sympathetic and him denying himself breakfast was not going to heal Evan quicker. Also Cody had probably done this so that they could both feel better and they both deserved to, it had been a rough day the day before.

“This is awesome,” he said, reminding himself to call Chris later on to find out how Evan was and then trying to put the younger man from his mind, at least while he and Cody enjoyed the morning before they had to go back in to work and find out more about this. Cody kicked off his shoes and sat on the bed beside him, on top of the covers with his back to the headboard. Ted raised an eyebrow. “I feel self-conscious now, since I’m the only one in a state of undress. Maybe you should take your clothes off to make me feel better?” He allowed hopefulness to creep into his voice at the last part, although he knew already that Cody wasn’t about to strip for him when they didn’t have long before they went out.

~:~

Chris tried not to react with anger and disbelief when Evan told him he hadn’t spoken to his parents because they disapproved of him. He had honestly thought that someone, probably John, would have been in contact with them and he was going to have to prove to a terrified mother and concerned father that he was able to take care of their baby boy (going off what he knew of his own parents, no matter how old he got he was still their little boy). He had been preparing for it and now it looked like it wasn’t going to happen. Ever. He didn’t know if one of their friends would have got in contact anyway, it was actually likely since in their position he would have thought it might be just the thing to shock the parents into realising life was too damn short to worry about who was sleeping with who. Or maybe ‘Taker would have done it, in his own brusque way, using phrases like, ‘line of duty’. But if they had, then why hadn’t they arrived yet? There had been plenty of time to get on a plane.

“You want me to call ‘em?” he asked and wasn’t all that surprised when Evan shook his head. The man could say it didn’t really hurt anymore but Chris wasn’t sure that he believed him. If his parents had been the ones to cut ties with him when he’d come out, he didn’t think he’d be over it even now. And he wasn’t about to let Evan dwell on this latest snub from them either. In order to lighten the mood and change the subject, he made a show of searching for his handcuffs and coming up empty. “Looks like I left the ‘cuffs at the station when I changed,” he said with a grin. “I need to come up with something else anyway... do you have a lot of ties?” Evan shook his head carefully, a grin starting on his face and Chris started coming up with increasingly outrageous ways to keep Evan in his bed, culminating in something involving superglue.

The nurse who had kicked Chris out of Evan’s bed returned just in time to hear the end of Chris’ plan and tried to look disapproving. “Nothing strenuous for a while,” she said sternly and Chris tried to look meek and like he’d never said anything about gluing Evan to the bed until his hair and beard were long enough to tie his hands and feet to it. “I just wanted to tell you that the doctor wants to check you over later on today, but if he’s happy you’ll be discharged. Provided that you take it easy for at least two weeks.” She looked sternly at Chris. “Or else recovery will take that much longer and I’m sure you don’t want him laid up long enough to grow that beard.” Chris nodded, trying to appear like he was completely responsible, but once she’d gone (and looked like she didn’t much believe him) he broke into a grin. “I have three different meals in my repertoire,” he said smugly. “And I might try for four. You heard the scary nurse, cooking is my job now. I’m gonna get an apron and everything.”

[Alfred F Jones]

John watched as the kid seemed to deflate and he wondered whether it was guilt or just upset, because if he didn't know better he could have sworn that it looked as though the kid was going to cry and he hoped he wouldn't; John was an emotional man, more visibly than his equally emotive lover, and he didn't want to embarrass himself... especially when he was on the clock as as recognised policeman. "He wasn't supposed to see him... It was an accident..." John's brow furrowed; wasn't supposed to see who? It seemed almost as though the kid was talking about himself in third person, but then he slowly began to back up to what appeared to be a small recent cubby-hole at the back of the dingy room.

Gingerly, using one of the rags that had been lining his bed, the kid pulled out what appeared to be a small parcel, "I don't think he saw me..." he mumbled, dropping the item down onto the ground and backing away from it as though it was on fire, "--I'd only just moved in and--" John nodded; his little bed was rather strategically tucked out of the way, "--but I saw him come in. I watched him put this in there and then he left. I heard a scuffle and watched through the window as he ran off, that little copper following..." he winced, looking as though he was going to be sick, "I didn't see, until later..."

John lowered his gun just a little bit, thinking that the kid could be telling the truth, but then knowing that he shouldn't be so assuming right away, though he trusted what his gut was telling him. "Do you know who the guy is?" he asked, the kid looking at him before shaking his head, "He hardly looks older than me... somewhat," his brow furrowed and he chewed his his chapped lips, seeming to be attempting to find the right word he wanted, "Kinda... Mexican looking? Real dark hair and real thick eyebrows... Big nose." That seemed as much as he had garnered in the darkness of the room and the glimpses he had caught of him.

~:~

Cody looked at the time, internally sighing as he considered that they really didn't have the time to play, as it were, much as he might want to, but he stripped his shirt off and let that drop aside for the moment. "I'm afraid this is the best I can do, sweetheart," though he didn't think anyone would especially mind if they turned up late he didn't want to make a habit of it and knew that they were probably going to be working on Evan's case, so... Pushing Evan from his mind right then Cody just wanted to enjoy his morning with Ted as much as possible before they got to work; everyone was bound to be on high alert and working themselves up, and he sincerely hoped that he didn't let his judgement get clouded.

They ate the food he had brought and drank their coffee before they were then forced to get up and ready themselves for the day. Though they helping to dress one another meant that it took more time than it should've (considering kisses and caresses were mandatory whenever he touched Ted, and seemingly vice-versa) they were still at work on time considering that he had been out and brought them breakfast previously. He really didn't want to have to let Ted go, even though the other would need to stop by his department at least for a little while, but then they received the en masse circulated bulletin: all departments and active beat-forces were to pair up for safety when they were out working from now on. It was a no-brainer who Cody'd pair with.

They were just preparing to go out and do some on the field word around lunchtime, adter sorting through a lot of prelim paperwork and filing their own witness reports since they had been at the aftermath, when the phone went. Cody reached, plucking it from the cardle and balancing it to his ear. "Hello?" Chris' voice sounded down the line and he sat up straighter, "Chris? How's--" he barely even got the question out when Chris was saying that Evan had been discharged and was going to be at home, with him, because he was on compassionate leave with him. Cody sighed heavily, sure the sound denoted the relief that he felt, "So he's doing OK then, yeah?" he asked, seeing Ted look up in curiosity.

~:~

"How about nothing but the apron?" Evan's mouth started before his brain caught up and then he turned red, a sheepishly smile tugging his lips as he shrugged a little bit; what could he say? That was the first thing had come to mind when Chris had said about buying an apron, and his mother had always had a tendancy to run away with him... when he was on meds though it became worse. To his delight Chris didn't seem mad or offended by the suggestion because although Evan had been predominantly joking when he had said it he wasn't going to deny that he would enjoy seeing it if Chris would so indulge him. He then sighed and looked to the clock, "Well, with any luck I'll be out of here before lunchtime." He much appreciated all that the hospital staff had done for him, undoubtedly saving his life even if the doctors had previously insisted the wound hadn't been too serious, but he would much prefer it if he could get out of there and go home. Hospitals just gave him bad feelings and made him restless and uneasy.

He would have much preferred to reveal his sordid home situation under other circumstances but considering what the other had asked he couldn't have let it go. Besides, it was better that Chris hear it from him and not someone else. He eventually managed to send the blonde home for an hour or so, told him to go and have a rest or just take a long hot shower or something; the nurse had told him Chris had been there essentially since he'd been brought in and he was concerned by the other's determination, concerned Chris was inconveniencing himself for his sake. Chris didn't seem happy, and Evan hastened to assure him that he didn't want Chris leaving him, thankfully seeing the blonde's expression change enough to denote that he believed his words. He just felt as though he was being selfish, that was all, and he hated being selfish.

When Chris returned the doctor was just finishing his check-up. Although he didn't seem thrilled about the prospect of Chris being there he couldn't very well deny Evan's wishes and that was how he found himself holding Chris' hand as the other man joined him at his bed once more. The doctor reiterated the nurse's earlier warnings about resting, what to do if certain things happened, and he handed over what seemed like a multitude of leaflets and papers. His lover took the papers off of him as nurses helped Evan up and to change (much to his absolute mortification considering that he was a grown man and felt like a helpless baby right then and there) before they then placed him in a wheelchair. God, could this get any worse? Chris pushed him out of the hospital and towards his car, Evan sighing heavily as he held the small bag containing his blood-stained uniform close. They hadn't taken that yet, though Evan didn't doubt they would need it for evidence. "I feel like I'm a damn baby," he mumbled.

[Trash]

Randy held in his sigh. He supposed it had been too much to hope for that the kid would turn out to be the one who attacked Evan and given what he wanted to do to that lowlife, it would hardly be a fair fight – the kid was undernourished and weedy, a far cry from Randy or John. Even if he wasn’t involved, this was no place for anyone to have to sleep; it was still a charnel-house after the shooting and a long way from safe. He supposed if he was a kid with nowhere to go he would think he could do worse – there was shelter and running water at least – but he didn’t know how anyone could spend a whole night there. He wasn’t superstitious and he didn’t scare easily, but even now he could imagine the scene that fateful night when a man had walked in and started shooting all too well.

“You got a name kid?” he asked. The kid clearly looked uncomfortable, probably trying to think of some kind of pseudonym and Randy tried for a smile. He tended to look a bit threatening when he forced one and he hoped this wasn’t the case this time, poor kid was probably scared enough even if he seemed to have calmed himself. “Michael Johnson,” he mumbled eventually and Randy supposed that he ought to believe it. They could have taken him in on trespassing charges but for what good? He was just a kid looking for a place to sleep out of the rain.

“Look—“ He put his hand in his pocket and the kid tensed again, but Randy pulled out his card, taking a few steps over to the kid and handing it over. “My numbers on there, if you see anything else or remember anything else, give me a call. Reverse the charges if you need to. Hey, wait.” He took the card back, located a pen and scribbled something on it before giving it back. “That’s John’s number—“ he indicated to his husband, although the kid probably didn’t need to know that part. “You can call him if you prefer. There’s also the address of a shelter on there. Tell Beth I sent you and she’ll see you right for a few nights. Gotta be better than this place.” He couldn’t help his next action and he was glad only John was there to see it; he took a couple of twenties from his wallet and handed them over. “We wanna take a look at this, so go get yourself something to eat, okay? You look half-starved.”

Michael, if he had given his real name, all but snatched the cash from Randy as if he expected it to be withdrawn at the last second, mumbled something that might have been thanks and fled, leaving the way he had come in. Randy shook his head. “Not a word John, I just wanted to check this thing out without him being here. And street kids are good informants, I’m paying it forward.” He used the nib of the pen to separate the edges of the parcel, frowning to himself – in his department he saw bundles like this all the time and it wasn’t too hard to work out what it was; a wad of cash. Left there for someone else to pick up later and what the hell had their stabber been paying for? Glancing up at John, he frowned. “We can repackage this and probably get some prints. But I’m thinking we need to keep an eye on this place a little longer, see who else decides to show up. No one’s gonna ignore this much money for long.”

~:~

Ted leaned in beside Cody, putting his ear to the phone as well (and if ‘Taker found them that way he’d probably chew them out for being so apparently affectionate in the office). From what Chris was saying, it sounded like Evan was doing well enough to be allowed home – and if Ted knew Evan, was probably itching to be up under his own power. “If you need us to get anything for either of you, give us a call,” he said relatively loudly, knowing that Chris would be able to hear him. Cody chuckled and he grinned, hearing Chris bidding them goodbye and once the call was ended, kissed Cody resoundingly on the cheek. The hell with ‘Taker, he’d never know… except he always seemed to.

“Seems like he’s doing okay,” he said, referring to both Evan and Chris. After what had happened to Evan it was a relief to be able to say that about the younger man, but it was quite nice to make the comment about Chris too – he’d looked like hell when they’d gone to see Evan and it wouldn’t surprise him even slightly if Chris crashed out the moment he was back at Evan’s place, even if he was supposed to be looking after the other.

“Suppose we’d better get on with the paperwork,” he said, moving over to Evan’s desk, which he’d borrowed for the meantime. Had things been more serious for him Ted might have felt uneasy about doing so, like he was trying to take the others place or something but he was pretty sure that if he mentioned it to Evan when they went over to visit, he’d merely warn Ted not to leave coffee circles on his paperwork. “Tell you what,” he said casually. “I’m gonna finish this report, then I’ll go get us sandwiches and coffee—“ And probably a muffin each as well, which Cody would probably kill him for since he had a bit of a weakness for them and tried to never touch them, unduly worried about putting on weight. “Then we can hit the streets and see what else we can find out. Someone has to know something, right?”

~:~

Chris chuckled slightly at Evan’s worse, feeling slightly more awake and alert thanks to his ultra-quick shower and change of clothes – and damn, he felt ten times better for it. He’d also packed himself some clothes, since he’d be staying with Evan while he recovered. He already knew that Evan was unlikely to be the easiest of patients, not because he was thoughtless or anything but because he didn’t seem at all happy staying still and taking it easy, not to mention his fierce independence – that probably came from having to cope for himself from a young age. Chris got the wheelchair to the car and opened the door for Evan, noticing how the man pouted and deciding against lifting him from it to put him in the car himself… it was tempting though. He plucked the bag from Evan’s hand, putting it in the boot where neither of them had to look at it. The bloodstained uniform was making him feel a little sick, even thought the sight of blood had never bothered him before.

Evan got himself in the car and Chris returned the wheelchair, heading back to find that Evan had started playing with the radio. The choice was perhaps a little more contemporary than he liked, but that was fine for him, he thought Evan probably deserved to listen to what he liked. He drove them back to Evan’s place, probably driving him crazy by fussing over him until Evan was sat on the couch. He went back out to the car for his bag and when he got back Evan was up, making coffee. Chris sighed quietly. This was going to be tough.

“You’re supposed to be resting up,” he said sternly, relenting slightly when Evan pointed out that he wasn’t exactly running a marathon, but drawing the line when Evan said he wanted to make sandwiches as well. “I’ll make them,” he insisted. “You have to choose us a DVD or a game or something. Something that involves sitting still. X-Box, not the Wii!” Evan bitched ruefully, but Chris wasn’t about to let him bust his stitches or anything. “And don’t bend over to do that!” he added, not because he was opposed to seeing Evan’s rather shapely backside but because of the strain it would put on his wound.

[Kurt "Fashionista" Hummel]

It took all of John's willpower not to make some comment about his husband's sentimental display, obediently accepting the explanation that was offered to him and moving forward to inspect the bundle as Randy did. When the other indicated that it was money John had an equal frown of unease on his face-- there had to be at least a grand's worth of bills there at a quick guess, so someone sure as hell had to be confident that the money wouldn't be disturbed there to leave it. Momentarily he suddenly found himself doubting the kid... but then he chided himself almost immediately. Since it was very unlikely that anyone in the area knew who Michael was, if the kid had checked the parcel then he could have swiped the money and been gone; meals and a roof over his head wouldn't have been hard to secure then.

They retreated into their preavious hiding place but two hours later saw them without results. "I don't like this," John mumbled. Even young Michael hadn't been back yet and John figured that it probably wouldn't have taken the boy young to spend all that money, be it on food or even something of a minor luxury, like a new coat or blanket... There was a part of John that wanted to take the boy home with them, but he knew that that wouldn't be appropriate for many reasons, not the least of which he and Randy were still adjusting to life back together, and were a pretty demonstrative couple.

Just when they were about to give up they heard a rustling sound, and then a weedy looking little man, not really as ethnic as the kid had said but fitting the description of height and build, his features also pretty similar... to be fair though, he was very tanned and therefore he could have been mistaken for ethnic, especially in the darkness-- and he was overthinking again when he really should have been focusing on what was going on in that moment. The man slipped across the darkness, looking around in a manner that denoted extreme unease and paranoia, approachnig the parcel that they had replaced back where it had been located. Just as the man's hands went to it John felt his husband moving out from behind the counter. For such a tall, built man Randy was deceptively quiet and the guy didn't know that someone was behind him until he was being forced against the wall as Randy cuffed him, reeling off the usual protective disclaimer.

Pulling on some gloves out of his pocket John picked the parcel of money up, looking as the little man squirmed and wriggled underneath Randy's grip, screaming that they had nothing on him and that they had to let him go. "You're assisting the police with an inquiry," John said pointedly, leading the way out. The man had no sense to keep his mouth shut as they took him to the car, John resisting the urge to rip the sleeve from his shirt just so he coould gag the man. "What's your name?" John asked casually as they finally got the man in the car, Randy starting the engine and John partially turned in his seat, the parcel still held carefully in his hands. For a moment it seemed as though they would receive no reply, but then the man mumbled something that sounded like, "Jamie Noble," and John nodded, "Alright, Jamie; let's see if we can't get this little misunderstanding cleared up, huh?" he was polite, but his eyes were flinty.

~:~

"I guess so," Cody nodded his head at the other, thinking it was sweet that Ted was willing to go out and pick something up for him as well as himself, and also thinking that the other had been really great and supportive during all of this. Though Ted and Evan had become closer after Ted had begun to get better assimilated into their group of friends and began dating Cody, he was probably the one who knew Evan the least so to some degree needn't have become so involved... but that just showed how amazing Ted was. He probably would have acted exactly the same even if he had barely known Evan at all, just because that was the kind and caring man he was, his massive heart one of the many things Cody loved.

The office was rather eerie without Ted there because even though people were dossing back and forth outside of their office usually he had at least one of his friends there working alongside him, chatting about anything and nothing, so the quiet was strange... and seeing the smiling picture of the three of them they had taken for the wall in the office when they had first acquired it, just made him wish that things had turned out different, even though they knew for sure Evan was going to be fine.

They finished the paperwork shortly after Ted returned and then they ate their sandwiches and drank their coffee (and tried not to salivate or eat like some uncivilised beast when Cody realised muffins had been brought too) before then readying themselves to head out. Though many of them didn't bother with their issued stab-vests out on the beat extra emphasis had been placed on them since Evan's episode, and Cody shivered as he pulled the item on before then adding his jacket over the top. "Shall we go?" They walked out together and then made their way along the streets, Cody having to actively resist the urge to hold the other's hand as they went because that would just be asking for trouble. Spotting a car further down the road Cody mused, "Isn't that John and Randy's car? Wonder whereabouts they are..."

~:~

Mumbling to himself Evan madde his way back into the living-room and obediently picked out a DVD for them both since Chris had taken over his kitchen duty. He'd much rather the other was the one picking the DVD and settling down; Chris was looking essentially dead on his feet, and even though Evan was feeling far from fabulous he had at least been getting some sleep in the meantime and was more rested than the other. Though he felt cherished beyond belief and undeniably grateful that the other was so concerned about him, and was so willing to help him like this, he couldn't help but feel like he was just imposing upon the other and having Chris running around for him, and, well... Chris had his own life to lead and such, he needn't be making such sacrifices on his behalf. Saying so would probably sound incredibly ungrateful to the other so he forced himself to keep quiet. Placing the DVD in he then sat down, having to keep his body extended somewhat for comfort.

Why did this have to happen? And he didn't just mean to him, because it could just have eaily been his lover or any one of his friends who could have been on that beat, seen that guy and chased him, ending up with a knife in the gut... then again, knowing his luck, the others would have been able to secure a different, much less dangerous outcome than he had. Exhaling a breath he sighed-- then jumping when Chris' voice sounded just behind him, head turning in time to see Chris carrying two plates. This would have been a pleasant occurance indeed under other circumstances.

When the blonde settled down by him Evan scooted closer just enough to rest their thighs together since he couldn't exactly cuddle into the other the way he usually would due to his injury, and because they both had sandwiches in hand and all. "Thanks Chris," he said sincerely, "For everything." They were realtively quiet as they ate, attention on the DVD; Evan had picked something as light-hearted as he could because he figured they could both do without reminders of guns and blood... speaking of blood, he'd need to burn his old uniform. God forbid someone find it if he threw it away conventionally.