Work Text
Calls to Sandford's Police Station were consistent.Consistently dull.Each day Doris could rely on a different resident to somehow find a new way to complain. The neighbour's dog was too loud; them hoodies were being nuisances, or in other words, acting their age; the sun was too bright (an actual call that Doris had picked up and laughed at to the point of being hung up on). So when Doris received a call two minutes before her lunch break, she considered just letting it ring.Hoping to sling it on another officer, she looked around the room, only to find everyone else 'occupied'. The crossword in Sandford's new daily was going to be the end of her.Deflated, she sighed and took the call. "Sergeant Thatcher speaking." She tried to keep the annoyance out of her voice.Incomprehensible begging coming out the phone changed her tune, frustration instantly turning to concern.She shook her head then tried to understand the babbling but it was hopeless. "Love, you have to slow down, I can't understand you." Doris was sure to make her tone calm and clear, despite the muddle her brain was in.A deep breath sounded over the phone, before the caller started from the top. "Doris-" Danny. "Nicholas is hurt, he's really hurt." Danny's voice cracked and Doris' heart went with it.She tried her upmost to stay composed, to be as much help as possible. "What happened, Dan?"The line went silent."Danny?""He's bleeding too much." Danny's voice was thin, on the verge of failing him."Have you called an ambulance?" "Pete's talking to them now."
"Mister Staker?" Danny hummed in affirmation. "Do you need me to send someone down? What's actually happened?""He-" Doris heard Danny gasp as a thud sounded over the call. He must've dropped his phone. "Don't move, don't move. I've got you- Doris-" Danny must've picked the phone back up. "Help." She took a moment to breathe. "Okay. Tell me where you are." She relayed the location to The Andes, who had been nosing in the doorway, concerned. They nodded and rushed out to a car. "The Andes are on their way. Stay on the line, sweetheart. I'm here for you."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"I miss sleeping.""Huh?"Blank Andy turns to the similarly replicated Steven next to him and explains himself. "I know we don't get tired, but-" He sighs, sad. "I do miss the peace and quiet."Blank Oliver, standing on Andy's other side, scoffs. "There was peace and quiet before you started talking.""Shut it," Andy snarks with a glare. "You get what I mean."Peter nods, his eyes fixed on the sleeping man they're watching over. "I do, understand what you mean, that is. I miss dreaming."Oliver's lip twitches and he makes a soft noise agreement; machines don't get the luxuries that come with being human.A moment of quiet contemplation passes between the four of them before Andy sniggers, trying to lighten the mood. "I bet he's dreaming about Sam." His sniggers turn to laughs when Oliver and Steven, both beautifully annoyed by the comment, whack him on each arm.
"Guys!" Peter whispers, "You're going to wake him up!"They shut their mouths when Gary shifts his position, his hands rising for his head to rest on, and his legs tucking closer to his body, finally making a soft and contented sound."And anyways-" Peter adds, quiet, looking towards Andy. "We all know he's dreaming about human you."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Benji, please, I need you to calm down."Desperate fingers dig into the rope around his own neck. It isn't as if Benji is trying to get them killed, but intentions don't matter in their line of work.Ethan holds a shard of glass, formally part of one of the numerous windows he'd smashed to get to here, in his hand. It's already been put to use slashing all binds bar one which secured Benji to the chair. Consequently, it's lacerated Ethan's skin in at least three different places, but thoughts of stitches and potentially permanent disfigurement were lost on him, too focused on his friend to even think a smidge about his own health. Ethan drops the glass so he can hold Benji's hands in his own, pulling them away from the rope."Benji-" Benji's gasping for air, but he can never get enough. "Look at me, Benji. Look at me!" Eyes wide, Benji meets Ethan's gaze."Even if it's just for one second, one second is all I need. I need you to be still."He's processing everything Ethan's saying. He's trying to calm down. He just can't. He can't forget what happened.Ethan can't cut the rope with Benji moving like this- there's too much chance of slitting Benji's throat instead. But Benji won't stop moving until he's cut the rope.
Shit.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Ow!""Ah shit! Sorry!" Danny apologised, holding his hands up to Nicholas' arm, sure not to touch it again. Nicholas shook his head at his partner, trying to override his grimace with a smile. He took a deep breath. "It's alright, I overreacted. Just a bit sore.""I haven't seen anyone get so worked up over a jab since school."Nicholas flushed. "They make me uncomfortable.""And that's fine!" Danny assured quickly, not wanting Nicholas to think he was being cruel. "It's just a bit strange, you, brave 'n all, hating them so much-""Actually, I don't hate them. I think jabs are extremely essential," Nicholas interjected, "They don't just protect us from viruses, but also the vulnerable who are unable to have any themselves." Nicholas shrugged his shoulders. "I just don't enjoy getting them."Danny chuckled. "Not a great history with being stabbed, huh?"
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
After Frank had sent him back to the hotel, Nicholas expected another restless night full of anger and frustration, to add onto his ever-growing collection. Each day he got into bed, the emotions he felt would increasingly turn towards himself instead of the village around him. He was the problem, he'd begun to tell himself, he was going crazy.
Unforgiving arms dragging him into his unlocked hotel room proved him wrong.
A vicious brawl with the cloaked figure, who he unmasked to find was Skinner's goon Michael, followed; It was easily the hardest fist-fight Nicholas had ever been literally pulled into. Smashed paintings, smashed skulls... but just as he was about to add his beloved peace lily to the list, lifting it high and strong above his head, Nicholas felt the world go topsy-turvy.
As he collapsed to the floor, the solid, bloodied, wooden end of a long tool fell with him, and through blurry eyes he could tell that's what sent him off his feet, his theory confirmed by the unfathomable pain round the back of his head.
Suddenly, Nicholas yelped when two strong hands wrapped themselves around his ankles, and without any thought to his condition, they began to drag him across the floor, his legs pulled high and his mouth tasting carpet. It ignited a primal fear in Nicholas that he'd never felt before, and his injury went forgotten as he went absolutely berserk.
He thrashed around at first, kicking his legs to no avail, his body moving like a fish on land. It got him nowhere, apart from the distance he was being dragged. Frantically, he reached for Michael's ankles, and when he managed to grab a hold of them, his grip was tight enough to make a grown man whimper, which Lurch did. Using the hold as leverage, Nicholas jerked his legs down, pulling the person behind him to the floor.
After they landed with a thud, he kicked back, hitting the person square in their covered face. They reeled away onto their knees, loudly cussing and cursing, before their hands flew up to their nose, unable to stop the blood which flooded onto the floor.
Now with his legs free, Nicholas sprang to his feet, ready to run. He gritted his teeth, yet a strangled noise still escaped them as he stood. Although he knew he was capable of fighting back, through the wave of dizziness he recognised he didn't have much chance against two people in his state- he barely kept up against Michael when he was perfectly healthy, albeit he was taken by surprise.
Decision made, he sprinted toward the door, only to be tripped by an intentionally placed leg which sent him flying face-first into the wall, giving him his own bloody nose to match his assailant's.
Before he could even begin to think to move, a big hand grabbed him by the back of his shirt's collar, choking him as he was pulled to his feet.
But he didn't stop there.
Nicholas began to flail as Michael's arm wrapped around his neck and lifted him up off his feet. His entire body weight was being supported by his throat, and he couldn't breath, despite his desperate and loud attempts to get air into his lungs. He was held there for what felt like a lifetime of panic, and just as the edge of his vision started to turn black, a voice cut across the room.
"That's enough, Michael."
Nicholas gasped as the arm around his neck loosened it's grip, if only slightly, and took the silent, still, moment as an opportunity to breathe. His hand scrabbled against Michael's arm, but failed to find any purchase; fingernails scratching deep into skin did nothing to sway the giant holding him. It was unrelenting, his body was not in control of itself, his toes barely touched the floor.
"I don't want you to snap his neck." The figure removed it's cloak to reveal Skinner, along with the smarmy smirk that came with him. "Yet," he added, as if it were a promise.
Nicholas could only watch on as the man stalked toward them. He was rubbing his hands as if about to tuck into a delicious meal, a sound of delight leaving him to match.
When he stepped close enough, Nicholas kicked out, swearing when his foot only clipped Skinner's elbow. He felt Michael squeeze his throat, a warning to not hurt his boss, a final chance to comply with what was happening.
Skinner widened his eyes in mock surprise, and lifted his hand to his heart as if he was hurt.
"My, whatever have I done to warrant that reception, Sergeant?" He laughed at Nicholas' angered reaction. Bravely, or foolishly, he stepped into Nicholas' kicking vicinity and leaned in, their faces mere centimeters apart. "You know," he murmured quietly, as if trying to keep as secret, "There are people around here who want you dead, Angel."
Of course there were. His colleagues, the villagers, hell, Danny and his dad were probably the only people who gave him the time of day. The only ones left alive, anyhow.
Delicate but creeping fingers stroking across his hair made Nicholas gasp, shocked by the touch. "I don't want you dead." He flinched as far away as possible from the contact when it began to trail to his cheek, and stayed there. Nicholas glanced at Skinner to see him with a strange, fascinated look on his face, staring at his own. "You're far too special to be in the ground."
Thoroughly disgusted by the unwanted attention, Nicholas decided to take his chances. He lifted his knee hard and fast into Skinner's groin, the small smirk on his face due to Skinner's undignified moan and drop to the floor quickly wiped away by Michael once again lifting him off the ground.
This time, he didn't let go.
He fought as hard as he could, but it wasn't enough. His chest began to convulse, and his eyes struggled to stay open. In his periphery, Nicholas could see Skinner get back to his feet, keeping his distance. His eyes rolled to the back of his head and his world went black. He couldn't see his face, but Skinner's smirk carried through his voice.
"Sweet dreams, Sergeant."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"I know- shhhh... I know Danny-""It hurts!" He managed to choke out. His face was buried deep into his partner's chest in an attempt to muffle his sobs. "I know," Nicholas comforted, his voice soft and sweet. Delicate fingers brushed through Danny's hair. "You can't take anymore, I'm sorry." Nicholas' face twisted in anguish as Danny's crying worsened. He was on the strongest pain medication Nicholas could persuade the doctor to prescribe him, but it seemed whatever he took, he still suffered.All Nicholas could do was be there for him.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"You look pale.""...""Well, more than usual," Danny laughed."...""Nich'las? You alright? What's wrong?""...""Talk to me- Oh God- NICK!"
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Benji's fork laid on his gone-cold cottage pie. He'd taken one bite and then proceeded to stare off into the distance for half an hour. Soft carrots, british-sourced mince, crispy mash on top; it was perfect. But something inside him prevented him from eating it.One more taste and he'd stop associating it with the time in his life he was happy.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
In his dazed state, it had taken Andy the better part of a minute to recognise him."Look at me."He looked different, for starters. Long, natural hair; clean-shaven; a cowboy hat on his head. It would've looked silly on anyone else."Andy." Gary's voice was soft, yet stern. "Look at me."But it wasn't his appearance that made him so foreign. Gary was a changed man. Responsible, mature, compassionate. Fighting for what was right- for someone other than himself.Andy sharply exhaled when scarred and dirty fingers lifted his chin. A wobbly breath escaped him when he saw Gary looking at him, concerned, but also angry. Protective. It made his heart flutter."Who did this to you?" He sounded upset. The pricks must've done a real number on him.Bandits, muggers, dickheads, what was the difference. They'd attacked him, nicked his stuff, and left him to die. Alone. Bleeding out. It was a miracle anyone found him, let alone Gary."Andy-" Gary stopped talking and scrunched his face. It couldn't stop the tears. "I'm- I'm gonna go get the boys, they can help you." "The boys?" Andy whispered, his energy depleted. "They're not too far away, just please-" Gary grabbed hold of his hand and sandwiched it between his own. His thumb rubbed circles on his palm, comforting Andy, but really reassuring himself; it reminded him that he was still there.It was hard to keep his hand in Gary's grip, the pain of lifting his arm almost too much to bare.Letting him go was even harder.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Little Hughie was such a scaredy-cat. Hugh couldn't count on his fingers how many sleepless nights he'd spent dealing with his son's nightmares.Sometimes it was silly. Monsters under the bed; ghosts; the people upstairs walking around in the night.Sometimes it was understandable. It was a particulary hard month when Hughie discovered the concept of death. Whatever scared Hughie, they'd end up together on Hugh's bed, little head crying into his chest.Hugh never imagined the day where their positions would switch."Dad? You doin' alright?"He nodded. His face was hidden, but tell-tale wet patches on Hughie's T-shirt gave him away.It only made Hughie hold him tighter.Defeated, his breath shook. He couldn't lie any longer. "I'm scared...""I know, Dad." Hughie paused, then started to rub comforting circles on his back. "I know."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"You said you were having nightmares.""What-" Benji, caught off-guard, looked up from his food. "Oh- Nightmares. Yeah..."Jane didn't need to say more. She just kept her gaze fixed, and waited for Benji to talk. It didn't take long."Don't you?" His voice was meek, and his need for validation was prominent in it."Of course," Jane replied, as if it were obvious. "I'd be more worried if you weren't having them, Benji, but it's still important to talk to someone about it."The room turned silent."You don't have to tell me, but I can take it if you want me to. Personally, I talk to a therapist." Benji nodded."It's fine not to be fine, Benji-""I keep dreaming I missed.""Sorry?" She asked, after being interrupted.Benji's hands rubbed together. He pulled at each finger, with no pattern or urgency, just a need to move. "That I missed Wistrom. I dream that I shot Brandt."Jane's face softened."He falls to the floor, and the switch doesn't get flipped." Benji sighed. "Sometimes I shoot Wistrom afterwards. Sometimes I can't, and he hurts me. But whatever happens-" Benji's breath wobbles. "I have to stare him in the face knowing that I failed." "Oh, Benji." Jane rushed to her friends side when his shoulders started to shake, and his eyes scrunched tightly shut. "Let it out, it's safe. You're safe. We're all safe." That made Benji cry harder, because as much as he'd like to believe her...It wasn't true.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Alright, I'm off," Tim said absent-mindedly while opening the door to their flat. "Where?" "To see a film.""Really?" Condescension was clear in Sarah's voice. "You've got nothing better to do?"Tim's mood fell flat in an instant, and his smile dropped into an embarrassed frown. "It's supposed to be good, you can come if you want-"Sarah scoffed, then began to laugh. "No," she said as if it were a stupid suggestion."Oh, ok then. Love you.""Bye."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"You alright, Benji?""I think I need to sit down..."Benji collapsed to the floor, unconscious, but quick hands cushioned his head from the concrete."Not alright then..."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Bless him, Nicholas. He was ever the worrier."-and the remote is just by your side..."It wasn't that he didn't like the attention; Danny would never complain about having Nicholas in his bedroom, but in his drugged-up, still-pained state, it was getting a bit much.Nicholas' voice found him again. "I filled up your water, so hopefully it won't run out before I get back."Danny waved his hand dismissively. "Thanks, love-""Oh! And I bought some straws, let me just go and get them for you-"Nicholas rushed out the room before Danny could tell him to just leave it. He groaned, his head thumping against his pillow. Room finally to himself, he looked around at all of the stuff Nicholas had done for him. Every possibilty of what he could need surrounded him.His lunch, a ham and cheese sandwich with the crusts lovingly cut off, and a packet of prawn cocktail Walkers, stuck out to him. He wanted to scoff that down right now-Nicholas panted as he ran through the door. He put a straw in Danny's water, then put his hands on his hips in victory."There we go! Right, got to get off. Oh wait do-""Nicholas." Danny's voice was soft, but demanding. "I'm fine. Go to work." He finished the sentence with a smile and a chuckle. "Are you sure? Because I can stay longer if-""I said I'm fine." He wasn't so soft that time around. It made Nicholas pause his ramblings entirely. It also made Danny feel like shit; he'd upset his partner.He reached out his hand and sighed in content went Nicholas took it in his own. He rubbed his thumb over the back as he tried to do some damage control."Sorry, sorry, it's just a bit much, y'know?"Nicholas nodded, but he still looked confused."You gotta look after yourself as well, Nick."He looked less confused.Danny smiled and let go of his hand. He pulled the duvet up to his neck, exaggerating the motion of wiggling into the covers."See, I'm all snug, and I got the phone right next to me if I need you.""I love you."Danny closed his eyes. "I love you too, you mup."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Benji has no idea how long he's been here. No windows, no clock, no-one else around him.Four solid metal walls confine him to an unneeded quarantine. He'd checked every single square inch of the chamber for weakness, for a single hope he could get himself out. Nothing.It'd been specifically designed that way, of course. Not to hold someone prisoner, but to keep them safe. Benji doesn't feel safe at all.What feels like days ago, he'd sat himself down in shot of the security camera. The only hope he has of someone finding him in here.He hasn't moved since, not for lack of wanting to. His stomach growls in pain constantly, and his head pounds with every heartbeat. This isn't how he'd thought it'd end.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"I am sorry."A gentle breeze flows through the graveyard, the soft whistle clear over the silence between the two visitors."I was angry with myself, the situation was overwhelming, and I tried to take it out on you-""David." Shaun interrupts. His head snaps away from the grave to face David and the firey anger in his eyes makes David flinch. "You tried to fucking shoot me." The silence returns with a vengeance, thicker, more painful. Before David can think of what to say next, Shaun scoffs at his inability to respond, before turning back to the headstone he's sitting in front of. He opens his mouth to say something, to shout, to yell, to let out what he truly feels, but something stops him. He smiles, but his eyes remain full of grief."You're no different." The lack of response from David spurns him on."You're only doing this to make you feel better about yourself-""Now, that is simply not true-""Isn't it?" Shaun turns back to David, his eyes now glistening with tears. "You know, for a second. I thought you had come to actually apologise.""I am-""Please don't lie to me." The plead makes David shut his mouth. A beat passes before David makes a move and goes to sit next to Shaun. Surprisingly, he lets him."Do you really have no one left?" Shaun asks."What's that supposed to mean?""Were you really such a twat to everyone else in your life that you have to settle for talking to me?"David only sighs. "Well?"He places a hand on Shaun's shoulder, grimacing when it makes him jump. "You don't have to accept my apology, but I'm not taking it back.""Great." Shaun shrugs his hand off and puts his head into his own pair. It muffles his voice. "Make me the selfish prick. Thank you, David."David sighs again, exasperated. "Shaun, look at me."It's Shaun's turn to not talk. He shakes his head."Please. I need you to know something."Shaun gives in and looks at him. "What! What do I need to know?" His voice wobbles as tears stream freely down his face. The anger in his eyes quickly dissipates when he sees the look on David's face. It's something he's never seen on him before. Sincerity."I am so sorry."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The moon glistens against the emptiness of the night sky.Brightness, surrounded by the dark. It lights Gary's room in a beautiful glow, but the dirt on the window filters its true potential to shine. He sits on his bed, his head in his hands, his legs pulled to his chest. The cold makes his body shiver, but his mind makes his body shake."I can't do this anymore," he whispers, his voice hoarse. Alone in his room, he can only talk to himself. A blessing or a curse, who knows.After a deep breath that's as wobbly as his identity, he raises his head, tears reflecting in the light. They taste like salt, more flavour than any of the food they feed him at this place.He turns towards the dresser, looking for a specific item, before he remembers it was confiscated. Sobbing, he flops violently back onto his bed then kicks out his feet in frustration. He whines.
"I don't wanna do this anymore."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"What do you mean, left him?" Ethan sneered. He could be incredibly intimidating when he wanted to be, and Bella Barnes was not immune to it.Anxiously, her eyes flicked around the room, landing everywhere but on Ethan's own. "It's protocol, Ethan-"She quickly shut her mouth when Ethan interrupted her and hissed, "That's Agent Hunt, to you." Chair legs creaked, strained by her leaning back into it, trying to escape Hunt as he pushed himself into her personal space."You give me one good reason to leave an agent, who is injured, and being restrained, without saying to me 'it's protocol', and I won't make your life hell." She opened her mouth to respond, but her better judgement won and she stopped herself. She shook her head. "T-There was no good reason, Agent Hunt. Apart from proto-" Ethan's glare worsened. "Right. Sorry."It was clear Ethan was having a hard time staying calm. Actually, it was very impressive that he hadn't body slammed her through the chair at this point.Barnes bit her lip. "I am sorry, Age-""Sorry is not going to bring Agent Dunn back, Barnes. Now you're going to tell me exactly what happened and where-""That info hasn't been cleared yet-"Loud enough to make her quiet, he took a deep breath. "I don't. Fucking. Care."He leaned further forward, until their noses were less than an inch apart. "Tell me where he is, now."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Danny had never been a morning person.When he was younger, his mum had always been his personal alarm clock, waking him up for school every morning without fail.The day he woke up without her gentle hand on his shoulder was the worst day of his life.With a deep breath, he blinked away the painful memory, and with it went the dreary sleep from his eyes. He slowly began to take in his surroundings. It was dark, so it must've been early. Not a good thing for his shift; he'd be asleep the moment he put pen to paper. Nicholas would understand though. He'd be there to wake him up, make him a cup of tea, and rub his shoulders as he worked, all whilst wearing that special smile on his face that he only let Danny see. His partner on his mind, he smiled and turned toward him, and was met with a bare back and covers that just managed to conceal the rest of him. Ever since they'd started sharing a bed, Nick would get too hot, hence the tasteful nudity, but Danny would never complain about that.Eyes struggling to focus, he studied Nicholas further, confused. Something was off. Steady breathing was replaced by stillness. Nicholas wasn't breathing- oh god ohfuckohfuck-Before Danny could cry out in concern, Nicholas beat him to it, a laboured and stuttered breath escaping him. It was muffled, and on closer inspection, Danny could see he had the duvet tight between his teeth.Worried, Danny reached his hand out toward him, hovering uncertain over his shoulder. Nicholas didn't know he was awake, and he wondered whether he should make him aware.A violent sob that made Nicholas' back tense gave Danny his answer. Sighing, he wiggled across the bed and wrapped his arms around him, whispering gentle nothings when he started to shake in his arms.He kissed the back of his neck, then rested his chin on his shoulder. "I'm here, Nicholas." His voice was thin and deep as he still hadn't woken up properly. "I'm here."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
It'd been three days since he'd been shot, but Danny still hadn't woken up.Utterly exhausted, yet unwilling to put his head to a pillow, Nicholas sat next to his hospital bed. The surroundings of his eyes were purple, having been home for Skinner's thumbs a few days prior, but the dark patches were aided by his lack of sleep. He nodded off once, when the adrenaline first weared off, but he awoke more tired than he was already.He couldn't escape the image of Danny lying there on the debris, motionless.The unwelcome thought returning once again, he shook his head violently, as if to throw it out of his brain, but he just ended up giving himself a horrible headache instead. Shutting his eyes to give himself a moment to recover, he sat up straight in what was at that point his chair, before leaning forward to take Danny's hand in his own. He squeezed it tightly, saddened by the thought his partner couldn't squeeze back. He sighed deeply, and rubbed his thumb along Danny's palm; it reminded him he was still there, and he was still breathing, if only shallowly. The door creaking open didn't phase Nicholas, as he was used to Danny's doctor checking up regularly, but when two tall, sorry looking men trudged through instead, it made Nicholas raise his head."Andrew...s?" He muttered, his voice deep and croaky.They didn't verbally respond, only nodded as they took their place standing at the foot of Danny's bed. Together, they looked upon their injured friend, their faces falling in unison. It was the same look everyone else had when they first saw him like this, all pale, with wires coming off his body every which way. Nicholas held his position next to Danny, their joined hands drawing The Andes' attention. Neither of them mentioned anything; Wainwright's eyebrow raising was the most that came of the sight. It was accepted like it was an obvious conclusion, because truly, it was."How is he?" Cartwright asked."Surviving." The excluded 'barely' was evident in Nicholas' tone."How are you?"Nicholas blinked dumbly, the question confusing him. "Sorry?"Wainwright picked up his partner's question. "You look like shit, Nick- Ow!" He rubbed his hand over where Cartwright had elbowed him in the side. "Sorry mate. It's just- How long have you been awake?"Nicholas shrugged his shoulders and turned away dismissively. "Dunno." "We'll take over, Nick. Go 'ome.""I can't leave him like this." Nicholas defended. His eyes were locked onto Danny."Yes, you can." Cartwright countered.Nicholas shook his head no."What use will you be to him like this?"Too tired for it to be intimidating, Nicholas glared at the two. He went to argue his case, but before words came out, he huffed and gave up. He didn't have enough energy to convince The Andes he was right. He just about had enough to convince himself.Their eyes were full of sympathy as they watched Nicholas lean back into his chair, his hand still outstretched to stay in Danny's. Unbeknownst to Nicholas, they shared a look, then Cartwright started to talk. "Actually, Nich'las. We wanted to say something important."His serious tone caught Nicholas' attention. He looked up to meet their gaze, but found them trying to avoid his. "What?" He questioned gently, becoming more worried as the seconds ticked by without any response.Wainwright inhaled deeply, before making clear eye-contact with Nicholas and finally coming out with it. "We're sorry.""For what?"Cartwright continued, "For thinking you was a nutter, and making you think so too.""Oh. Um-""It weren't right," Wainwright added, "It were awful of us, actually. You seeing all those murders 'n then us saying you were crazy.""I-""We're really sorry.""Yeah, if there's anything we can do to make-""It's okay," Nicholas interrupted.Taken aback, the two stood there, not knowing how to move forward. Nicholas did the work for them."I mean, yes, a lot of your behaviour was totally uncalled for, but..." Despite fighting it, Nicholas yawned. Knowing his argument for staying had dwindled away, he carried on. "In the end, you did the right thing. That's what counts."Eyes wide, Cartwright responded first, after a moment of thought. "Thanks, Nick.""Yeah," Wainwright said, "Thank you, Nich'las."For the first time in days, a small smile crossed Nicholas' face. "I'm too tired to be angry even if I wanted to." He chuckled gently as he stood up, turning to Danny to give him a goodbye squeeze. Somehow managing to tear himself away from his partner, he walked away from the bed. Each step took him further away from Danny and made him more and more anxious. As he approached the door, he said, "Perhaps we can have a proper discussion about this when we're a bit less beaten up."They all shared a solemn chuckle.Nicholas paused in the doorway before he left. Facing away from the two, he asked something of them, his voice almost a whisper. "Please look after him.""'Course Nick. Always."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Nich'las!" Danny giggled, pulling his leg away from his partner's working hands. "It's just a scratch!"Despite the Sergeant's protests, Nicholas, on one knee, continued to clean his wound. He shook his head in response. "Even so, the smallest break of skin can get infected, Danny. Especially when an animal inflicts it."Ah yes, the Smith's family cat... Little bugger wanted his head stroked and then very suddenly was having none of it. It wouldn't have happened if he hadn't gotten distracted on duty, he thought Nicholas would say, but instead the man had just laughed at him. Nicholas... had laughed at Danny getting hurt. Outrageous. Danny expressed his thoughts on the matter out loud, to Nicholas' amusement."Silly Monkey..." Nicholas said while smiling and shaking his head. He applied a plaster, right over the hair on Danny's leg which Danny was none too happy about, and stood up. He gave his partner a peck on the cheek. "There we go, all better."Danny blushed and smiled. "Yeah, hehe, all better."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
One thing Gary wouldn't have put on his list of problems caused by an apocalypse, was getting clean. It turns out ink isn't very easy to get off your skin."Turn around."Ink also gets everywhere. Gary follows his friend's orders and winces when Andy's hands scrub harshly on the back of his shoulder blades. They'd tried a few different approaches, the first being just getting into the river and hoping it'd come off on it's own. It did not. Then they tried leaves, which just kept falling apart in their hands, and finally they'd tried the flattest pebble they could find... They'd just have to hope the resulting scratch on Andy's chest wouldn't get infected.So in the end, they've stuck with hands, and nails. Is it painful? Yes, but it's working.Gary groans in discomfort as Andy, who's already clean and ever happier for it, moves his hands down his back. It's stinging now, but he knows it'll be better to just get it over and done with. After all, he only wants one piece of ink permanently marked on his skin. He wonders if Andy's doing it so harshly on purpose. They've made amends, sure, but the man behind him has a lot of justified frustration inside of him, although he did get his chance to let a lot of it out that night-"Fuck!" "Sorry!" Andy frantically apologises, but he doesn't stop. He moves his attention away from Gary's back and starts on his arm. He's going to have to be extra careful.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Benji."Benji startles at the voice behind him, despite it's gentle and caring tone. His head follows his eyes as he turns to face Ilsa. "Are you alright?" She asks.It's an obvious detail that physically, he's not. He doesn't even have the ability to verbally reply. Her own voice is a little croaky from the damage around her concealed neck but... He can barely breathe. He nods his head in response, not wanting to think about it; he doesn't want to make himself upset.Ilsa accepts it, however. She knows he's not okay, but she also knows that he's not ready to do anything about it yet. Her eyes drift down to his throat. Even if he wanted to. She sighs and takes off her scarf, exposing the friction burn turning to a bruise. Delicate, and so, so careful to not touch Benji's neck, she wraps her scarf around it. Not tightly, at all, nor too loose it doesn't cover the damage. She adjusts it to fit him perfectly, before she brushes his cheek with her hand. It lingers there, as they stare into each other's eyes."You're going to be alright."Benji's bottom lip quivers before he takes it between his teeth, his eyes scrunching to stop tears from flowing out of them. Of course, crying is always embarrassing, but in this state it's also extremely painful; he's had plenty of experience.Ilsa's other hand joins her first, holding Benji's face fully. Her thumbs brush away stray tears. She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "We're going to be alright."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The gunshot rings out across the field. The silence that follows is deafening.Nicholas, bloodied and beaten, pale and numb, speaks. "What have you done?" It's merely a whisper, but the devastation can be heard for miles. Frank looks from the shell-shocked Sergeant down to the body hanging limp in his arms. His boy. His son.He'd shot his own son.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Benji never imagined a time in his life it'd be normal for him to walk onto a private jet.He certainly never imagined the day it'd be NOT normal for him to be denied access to one."What do you mean I'm not authorised to get on?" Benji questions, genuinely confused. He's assigned on this mission, along with Luther, Ethan, Jane, and Agent Michaels. They're all probably waiting for him on the plane, the latter having never met him before. The border guard turns to his computer and begins to tap away at the keyboard, before nodding and turning back to Benji, his face already sick and tired of him. "You're assigned back at HQ."Benji's eyebrow raises. "What? Why?"The guard sighs, "I don't have that information at my disposal. You'll have to ask your team leader.""Well," Benji retorts, "he's on the plane you're not letting me get on, how am I supposed to ask him?""Ask me what?"Benji yelps, almost jumping out of his skin, as Ethan seems to magically appears behind him. His heart struggles to calm itself down, and he has to take a moment to breathe before speaking. "Firstly-" He turns to Ethan, mock anger on his face. "Please stop doing that. You'll give me a heart attack one of these days." He fails to hold back a smile when Ethan chuckles at his complaint. Ethan's a very hard man to stay mad at, for Benji, at least. Especially when he's looking at him like he's the only person in the world. Benji continues to explain, "Secondly, misery guts here is saying I'm assigned at HQ, do you know what's-""You are."That... is not the response Benji was expecting. He stills, unsure of what to do with himself. "I... am?""Yes." "I thought you needed my new tracker?"Ethan nods. "We do, we do. I've got it all sorted, Benji. Don't worry.""But I haven't shown Luther how to use it yet."Ethan puts his hand on Benji's shoulder. "He'll figure it out." It's like Ethan wants to say more, but something is stopping him. Awkward, a sight rarely seen on Ethan, he turns away, his voice small. "Plus, tracking is Agent Michael's speciality.""What?" There's a silence before a realisation is made. Benji's face drops. "Oh. Oh. So they're my replacement."Instead of denying it, Ethan just doesn't respond. The hand that's on Benji's shoulder gives it a parting pat before he begins to walk onto the plane."Ethan?"He doesn't respond to Benji as the barrier closes behind him."Ethan, don't just walk away from me!"The guard gives Benji a look, which Benji replies to by sticking his tongue out, before reaching out for Ethan. He almost grabs his arm, but his hand is violently smacked away by the guard. The loud slap makes Ethan stop to check what's going on behind him, and the sight of Benji holding his hand to his chest, face twisted in pain, makes his features harden. The glare he directs at the guard is lethal.He walks back towards Benji, and walks them away from listening ears. He keeps his voice low. "I- We need you to stay here. To monitor us. I trust you to-"Benji cuts him off, bullshit alarms ringing. "That's a Technician's job. I'm a Field Agent."In apparent understanding, Ethan nods, but raises his hand to signal Benji to stop talking. "I know, Benji. I know. But this requires a very high skillset and we need your expertise-""Do you know?""What?""Do you know that I'm not a technician anymore? I swear we have this conversation every other week, you don't trust me."Ethan shakes his head. "Of course I do!"There's a familiar fire in Benji's eyes. "Not with this, obviously! Don't give me this 'expertise' rubbish. You don't want me to come." Benji leaves no room for argument with his next question. "Why?"Ethan's become even more avoidant. "Please Benji, don't-"
"Why?"
Silently, Ethan finally meets Benji's glare, and the harrowed look in his eyes makes it soften. What feels like hours passes between them before Ethan finally manages to tear his gaze away, trailing it down to Benji's neck. His voice is thin. "He might be there."Nothing more has to be specified for Benji to know exactly who Ethan's talking about. The willingness he has to get on the plane instantly disappears, and the only thing that makes him carry on pushing is the desire to prove himself, to a man he has done so in front of many times. "I can handle it, Ethan." "I can't.""W-What?"Ethan shakes his head and tries to find his words. "I can't let him hurt you again.""You'll be there," Benji breathes out.Ethan's face contorts as if he's in pain. "I keep promising to keep you safe, and I keep failing.""Ethan," Benji's says softly, "I'm not your responsibility. All those times he..." Benji doesn't want to go into detail. "They weren't your fault-""Please!" Ethan interrupts, "Just stay here.""I don't want to."Ethan's breath shakes. "Sometimes we have to do things we don't like.""Like letting me come with you? Don't push me away, Ethan. It'll only make things worse, and you know it."Ethan turns away. "I have to go, I'll be late.""Don't!" Benji gasps when Ethan starts to run away from him. "Fucking hell!"He doesn't bother chasing him.He's already made up his mind.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
This is shockingly similar to how Benji always imagined he'd go out.Held to Ethan's side, injured, but alive, waiting for the timer to hit zero. He did think he'd put up more of a fight, if he's being honest. But, as Ethan's hand squeezes his own, and his arm pulls him closer to his chest, he realises he's content with this being the end to his story.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
"Let them go you..." Gary drunkenly searched for an insult. "Prick!" That'd do."We will let your friends go when you have relinquished yourself to our teachings.""Ohhh fuck off you... big lamp!""You've had that one already.""I don't fucking care!" "Gary King, this is for your betterment.""Well then keep my mates out of it!"
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Nicholas dazed, sleep still heavy in his eyes, lifted himself on his arms."No-" He didn't put up a fight as a firm hand pushed him back down to the mattress. "No Love, you'll hurt yourself." Danny's voice was unusually concerned, and through his delirium, it made Nicholas worry as well."What... What happened?""You had a little trip in your office. Banged your noggin up something serious."That explained the stabbing pain in the back of his head. He sighed and closed his eyes, his lips quirking into a slight smile when Danny took his hand in his own.They stayed like that for a while, but it was unusual for Danny to be so quiet for so long. Slowly, to prevent a headache, Nicholas reopened his eyes to check on him. His smile instantly left when he saw tears flowing down Danny's face."Danny?"Danny tried to pass it of with a forced laugh, and held the back of his free hand to both eyes consecutively, wiping away the tears. "You gave me a real fright, yeah? Thought you was not gonna get up again..."Nicholas squeezed Danny's hand tightly, wincing at every sniff from his partner. "I'm alright.""I know you are now but you was so pale, Nick. I thought-" Danny's breath stuttered, and he stopped talking."I'm sorry.""Don't be sorry. I was just scared."Nicholas hummed, then closed his eyes. It hurt too much to keep them open."I love you so much.""I love you too."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Danny sits in front of his father's desk, quiet, shaking, and scared.Tears threaten to fall, but he holds them back; he can't afford to show weakness now. Nicholas is counting on him.Frank's talking away, but his awful words fall on ringing ears. All Danny can think about is the skeletons Nicholas said are down at the castle. How many are people he knew? People he thought had just moved away? People he loved? Grandad Dave had 'passed away' at sixty-seven... but he was fine before it happened. Did he do something wrong? No. Nothing anyone could ever do would warrant them being killed and shoved away in a hole-"Daniel."Danny startles. He shakes his head as his eyes come into focus, seeing his Dad staring at him intently. He looks annoyed, but sympathetic. He must've been trying to get his attention for a while.His father sighs. "Are you alright now?"Of course he ain't fucking alright. How dare he have the bollocks to say that, when he thinks his son has just murdered someone for the first time. Let alone someone he fucking cares about. A lot. Danny tries to stop his grimace, pulling his lips into his mouth, but Frank catches on.He nods in 'understanding'. "Of course not, that was a silly question. I was shaken the first time I did it... But I didn't really care for the person. You clearly enjoyed Sergeant Angel's company."'That's a bit of a fucking understatement.' Danny keeps to himself."But I need to know... How did you do it?"Danny says the first thing that comes into his mind. "Stabbed him, didn't I-""Don't play silly buggers with me Danny." Danny stills at his father's serious tone. It's so foreign, it frightens him. Frank continues, "Where did you dispose of him?"He needs to think quickly, make up something believable. Something to excuse why he no longer has his car... "In the lake." They can't prove it. "Not thrown in on his own- like- he's still in the car- but not alive-" He stumbles on his words, and almost gives himself away, before his Dad answers for him. Luckily, he probably thinks Danny's just being thick, 'as usual'."You drove the car, with Nicholas still in the boot, into the lake."Danny sighs. "Yeah.""Did you cover the tracks?""'Course."Frank looks at him for a moment, an unreadable expression on his face. Then, he nods. "Good boy." That makes Danny feel sick to his stomach. "I see that's why Simon found you wandering back and picked you up."If that hadn't scared the bloody shit out of him. Skinner had rolled up alongside him, his music blasting as always, and asked if he wanted a lift back to the station. He'd had half the mind to refuse, and say he needed time to think, but it was late, and cold, and he wasn't sure if his jelly-legs would get him back home safely. So he'd got in, and enjoyed a thoroughly awkward drive back. At least the music was loud, so he didn't have to listen to the man congratulate him on taking out Angel."Yeah... Sorry 'bout the car.""No need to apologise, it was your own after all." Frank leans forward onto his arms, and his voice turns all teacher-like, soft, like he was telling him something important. "You see, Danny. This is all for the greater good.""The greater good?"Yes. We all have to make sacrifices in the grand-scheme of things. I know it can be hard sometimes."Danny nods.His father's face softens. "Son, if you have anything you need to tell me, I'll listen.""Okay, Dad.""Anything at all. I won't be angry.""Why... Why would you be angry?" Maybe his dad ain't as clueless as he's letting on."No need to worry about that." Well of course Danny's worrying now. What the hell is he supposed to do if his dad does know what he's done? His panicked thoughts are suddenly interrupted by a sentence that makes Danny's world turn upside-down."Your mother would be proud."His stomach drops to the floor and it takes all his energy not to projectile vomit all over the stranger in front of him. He's come to a realisation. He doesn't know this man who looks like his dad."N-No." His voice shakes, disgusted. "She wouldn't."Frank goes silent, staring at him. Watching."I'm sorry, Dad, but she wouldn't like any of this." The tears he's been holding back start to flow, and his voice cracks. "She'd hate this."His proper dad would've stood up, walked around his desk, and hugged him. Would've told him everything would be alright.But this isn't him.He just sits there, folds his hands in front of himself, and sighs. "Son.""W-What?" Danny sobs. He's had enough."I know you're lying to me."Danny's heart stops.Frank stands up from his chair and walks around the desk, like Danny had hoped he would, but it's not to comfort him. His eyes remain fixed on Danny the whole way round, like a predator. Like he's waiting for him to up and start running. He comes to a stop just in front of Danny's chair, and places a firm hand on his shoulder. It rubs, in what once would've been a soothing gesture, but now feels like fire burning him. Danny wants it off, immediately."I'm not angry, as I said, Danny. I'm just disappointed."Danny takes in a loud, shuddering breath. "I don't care."He flinches when the grip on his shoulder tightens, before it loosens completely. Without sparing a look back to Danny, Frank paces towards the door and opens it, waiting for his son to walk through, but Danny remains fixed to his chair, eyeing the door in suspicion."I'm not going to hurt you, Danny. No one is. I promise."Normally Danny would know his dad wasn't lying, the honesty on his face clear. But after today's events, he doesn't know what to think anymore. Not knowing what else to do, he grits his teeth and quickly wipes his eyes with the palm of his hands, before he pushes himself out of the chair and walks fast out of the door. His dad is quick on his tail, following him through the station, his hand guiding when Danny goes in a direction he doesn't want, until they find themselves in the holding area. Danny's eyes narrow at the lack of an officer. Turner isn't in his usual location at this time of night.Frank steps out to face him. "I sent him home. He doesn't need to see this."Well that isn't fucking terrifying. Danny's voice is a whisper. "What are you gonna do to me?"A hand rougher than his father's falling on his shoulder makes Danny jump out of his skin. "Don't you worry, Daniel." Skinner's voice is smarmy as always. Danny had never thought that before, but after Nicholas had pointed it out over a pint at The Crown, he couldn't get it out of his head. "We're merely going to teach you a lesson.""A lesson?" Danny repeats, his eyes rapidly switching between the two men in front of him. His father avoids his gaze, walking away when Danny tries to get more out of him.The sound of a cell opening blasts through the room and surprises Danny, making him jolt, his senses on extremely high alert. He watches on dubiously as Skinner walks into the cell, and motions for him to follow.Danny shakes his head.Laughing, Skinner says, "We're not going to lock you in or anything, don't be silly. Now, come on."Danny feels the sturdy hand of his father pushing him to the cell, and he goes with it. Frank doesn't fully enter behind him, just stands guard in front of the door. Before he turns his body away, Danny can see that he looks scared, and in pain. Like he really doesn't want to see what was about to happen.Danny squeezes his eyes shut, before he takes a big step into the centre of the cell. His hands are tight fists by his sides as he waits for something horrible to happen to him, but when nothing of such ilk occurs, he slowly opens his eyes. Skinner's in the corner of the room in front of him, smirking, his eyes dead set on something in the opposite corner, behind Danny. He looks at Skinner, confused, before he follows his gaze around to see-The gasp he lets out is extraordinarily horrified and loud. It makes Frank wince in the doorway. Danny's hands fly up to his mouth and he stumbles backwards, barely managing to catch himself before he can faint.
Nicholas.
The beaten body piled in the corner doesn't even look like his friend. The only reason Danny recognises him is his clothing and his normally striking blond hair that's now tarnished by patches of congealed blood. Danny's speechless."Do you really think we're stupid, Daniel?"Danny violently shakes his head, both in response to the question and at the sight in front of him."Don't worry." Skinner skirts around Danny and approaches the body. He kicks it, and instead of it falling into a lifeless heap as Danny had assumed, it instead makes a pained noise through the makeshift gag in it's mouth. "He's not dead."Skinner raises his head from Nicholas' body to smirk at Danny."You get to do the fun part."Danny barely manages to keep from sobbing as his father walks towards him, and pushes a knife into his hand. He grips it so hard that it hurts, and although he can't bring himself to look away from his friend, he can tell that he's holding a similar knife to the one he'd pretend stabbed him with earlier. A vile hand twists itself in Nicholas' collar, and pulls him up to his knees, and he goes with the motion, clearly unable to resist. He's alive, but with the state he's in, Danny's surprised that's even possible. Skinner forces Nicholas' head upwards by the jaw to look at Danny, and it breaks Danny's heart in two when he sees the tears falling from bloodshot eyes. The dam breaks, and Danny starts to sob.Skinner tuts dramatically. "Spare the theatrics, we've already had a show. Now we want the real deal."At least if Danny had stabbed Nick back at the castle, he'd only ever have to go through this once. "Better hurry this up, Daniel. You should count yourself lucky-" Skinner smiles as if he's actually being helpful. "We're giving you a second chance here. If you don't do it... Well..." Danny can see Skinner's grip on Nicholas' face tighten. "We'll have to kill both of you."Danny's knuckles turn white around the knife; he's holding it so tightly it feels like it'll snap in his shaking hand. He sends a desperate look to his father, hoping that he'll put a stop to this, that he'll see some sense, but it's no use. Frank has turned from the scene, his cold back all Danny can see.His breath wobbles as he turns back to Nicholas, some part of his brain thinking that maybe he was just seeing things. He couldn't ever imagine the fear in his partner's eyes.Slowly, Danny kneels down in front of him, and is somehow grateful that Skinner takes a few steps back, giving them a smidgen of privacy. His hand that's not clenching the knife rises to rest on Nicholas' cheek, slightly impeded by the cloth wrapped around his head. Their breaths are fast, uneven, but as they stare into each other's eyes, they begin to synchronise. Danny lifts the knife to Nicholas' neck, and Nicholas adopts the exact expression he'd made at the castle, when he'd stumbled backwards, a knife in his notebook. Terrified, unbelieving. "I'm so sorry."
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
The knock on the door interrupts Shaun and Liz's tea. "Well?"Shaun looks at Liz confused, his eyes wide. "Well what?""Aren't you going to get that?"Giggling, Shaun smiles and shakes his head. "Why should I go?""I made the eggy dips."He doesn't have a good rebuttal to that, so, with a dramatic sigh, he stands up and makes his way to the front door. The people waiting knock again as he rifles around for the keys. "Alright! I'm coming, I'm coming..." After he finds the right set, he unlocks the front door and lets it swing open, but as he raises his head, expecting a mate or maybe his boss to be standing on the doorstep, he pales when two armed men are there instead. The smile instantly falls from his face, and he turns silent."Shaun Riley?"He can't breath."Mr Riley, we have a warrant to search these premises. We have reason to believe you've been harbouring a zombie illegally."Scratch that, he can breath, but now he's hyperventilating and he doesn't know what the hell to do."Step aside please."The words don't register in his head until he's shoved into the doorframe by the men, who proceed to make a break for his back garden. A surge of adrenaline hits him, and he runs after them."Shaun!" Liz yells as he tries to get past her, but she's standing in his way, and not moving. "Don't! You'll just get hurt.""I can't leave him!" Shaun cries, his voice strangled as he watches the men approach the shed out the window.Liz takes Shaun's face into her hands and forces his gaze away from the scene. "Look at me, not a them. I know it's hard, but it's too late.""N-No," Shaun sobs.Liz's eyes are welling up. "I'm so sorry, Shaun." Shaun leans into Liz's comfort for a few seconds, but when he hears the shed door being forced open, his reddened face quickly turns from fear to anger.Violently, his control lost, he pushes past Liz and runs into the garden."STOP!" The taller of the two men barely hear him before Shaun's behind them, pulling at his arm, trying to get him away from Ed."Sir!" The man pulls out of Shaun's grip, then pushes him away. "Stay back!""No!" Shaun steps forward, and attempts to interfere again, but harsh hands send him flying backwards onto the grass. It takes a moment for him to recover, but when he finds the strength to lift himself back up, Liz's gentle hand is on his shoulder, trying to get him to stay down."Zombie sighted." The other man says. He lifts his gun, and aims it at Ed's forehead. In a final, fruitless attempt to get them to stop, Shaun rushes forward between the two, and stands in front of Ed, his hands outstretched."Please no! He isn't hurting anybody!""Mr Riley, move aside.""But!-""Now."He squeezes his eyes shut, unable to bear the sight of the gun pointed straight at his chest, but yelps when he's grabbed by his wrist and dragged out of the shed. They don't let go of him this time, despite his desperate tries to make them. He kicks his legs and strains his arms against the hold, and continues to plead for his friend.The gun goes off, and his flailing stops.Shaun sags into the man, silently sobbing, devastated, and defeated.