Sole Scion - 18. Chapter Eighteen: Ruin

     

Chapter Eighteen: Ruin

 

     

Daniel looked at what little remained of his lab and let out a deep sigh. He didn’t know how to feel about having lost an entire year’s worth of research in such short a time. Yes the creation of the device had been the focus of his life work for the last four years yet the destruction of the machine and all its data bought him more time to figure out who and what he really was before NET did. For that reason he was quite relieved that his research had once again been destroyed. At this moment what he really wanted to do was not go back to work but curl into a tight ball and sleep for a good week or so.

Recent events would not allow that however.

“Dr. Winters.”

Turing around Daniel saw Al at the entrance to the lab. He was very pale and with his darting eyes and shaking hands was clearly jittery about something. “You’re here to tell me something I would rather not know, aren’t you.” Not waiting for Albert to reply Daniel turned back to stare at the blackened wreckage. Whatever bad new Albert had to share with him, Daniel didn’t want to have to listen to it while having to look at the expression of pity Albert had already been wearing when he entered the lab.

“I’m afraid so.” Albert said gently. He took two steps towards Daniel, his shoes producing a cracking sound as he walked on shattered glass.

“Well out with it.” Daniel spat out bitterly.

“It’s Captain Labatt he’s…”

Daniel felt the wind get knock out of him. Of all the people Daniel didn’t want to hear bad news about Andrew was top of the list. “Is he dead?” Daniel asked in a squeaky voice. It was all he could do not to collapse to the floor and start wailing in despair.

“He’s…”

Daniel charged at Albert. He grabbed the Major by the lapels and started shaking him violently. “Is he dead? Please tell me he’s not dead!”

Albert didn’t attempt to force Daniel to let him go. He took in a deep breath and whispered; “No… he’s alive.”

“Then what? If something’s happened to him I demand you tell me now.”

“He’s infected.” Albert said.

If Daniel had not been holding onto the Grey’s black coat with an iron grip he would have collapsed onto the shards of glass which covered the floor. “But he’s a Neo… Neos can’t get infected.”

“I’m sorry Daniel… but it’s true. From what we can tell he wasn’t infected by the typical Nano…the guy who did it was some sort of Nano we’ve never dealt with before. Neo Nano Sleeper is what I think they are calling him. I didn’t want to be the one to tell you but the Chief Examiner insisted.”

“Take me to him.”

“I can take you to where he is but he’s in quarantine.”

“He’s to become a specimen? Another lab rat for you bastards to poke and prod to death?” Daniel a sense of anger rise up inside him that was like nothing he had felt before.

“It has already been decided. He has been assigned to your section of course. Isn’t that what both of you would want? At least this way you two can spend a lot more time together.” Albert could not stop himself from making the snide statement.

“Want!” Daniel was enraged. How dare this bastard tell him he wanted this? He never wanted, never imagined one of them would fall to the plague. He hit the Major with a hard left hook.

Caught off guard Albert stumbled leaving him open to a kick in the groin. He fell to his knees but Daniel kept pounding on him. The Grey had never thought Daniel could hit so hard, let alone become so violent. He felt more than heard his nose being snapped. He curled his head under his chest to try and shield his face but Daniel grabbed him by his red locks and slammed Al’s chin on his boney knee.

It took five men pinning Daniel to the floor to stop him from beating Al to death. They looked ready to give Daniel a good pounding of his own but the Major ordered them to excuse the Lieutenant’s behavior. They were to take him back to his quarters and keep a guard at his door. He was not to leave until the Major or the Chief Examiner said otherwise.

As Daniel was dragged kicking and screaming back to the residential floor Al felt his knees buckle. Daniel had really done a number on him. He waved over a pair of guards. “Get me to medical wing.”

“Shouldn’t we get a stretcher, Major?”

“No… just stand on either side and catch me if I look like I’m going to fall.”

The Segundo doctor took one look at Al and moved him to the front of the line of those who had been injured during the Nano outbreak. With the Hive Queen having fled into the ocean NET’s injured were only now being brought in for treatment.

The doctor didn’t return until after the results of the first round of tests were in. “Well I don’t have to tell you you’re lucky to still be alive. So is the juggernaut that did this to you.”

“Just tell me the damage.”

“A concussion, some minor brain swelling, your nose is pretty much shattered. You have two micro-fractures on the left side of your jaw. Three cracked teeth, two black eyes, and oh yes let’s not forget the broken rib which has punctured your left lung.”

“Believe me it could have been worse.”

“I’m sure it could have been. Mind telling who did this?”

“Why?”

“Because I have three MPs ready to arrest him.”

“No arrest… no charges. He had every right to attack me.”

“Attack… more like attempted murder. Look, if you don’t want to get him into trouble that’s your business but there still must be an investigation. Better for you to make it easy on him then for both of you to go through interrogation.”

Al winced when he heard the word interrogation. “Alright I’ll tell you but promise you won’t laugh.” The Major told him the full story. To his relief the Segundo understood. He knew Daniel was not the sort to attack someone out of the blue let alone beat someone to a pulp.

Like almost everyone else on Earth the Segundo had seen all the propaganda vids that chronicled the love between Daniel and Andrew. As it involved Captain Labatt the doctor promised he would do whatever he could not to have Daniel court-martialed. Everyone knew how close the two were. Everyone knew what would happen if word every got out that Earth’s most favored son had fallen to the Plague. It wasn’t as clear cut as that however. Daniel had attack just not anyone but the grandson of the two most powerful men within the NET organization so there was a good chance that Daniel wouldn’t get off completely scot-free. Still it would have to be kept quite which meant Daniel would get a hard slap on the wrist but not much more.

With the Chief Examiner showed up Scott was not at all pleased by what he found. “You will be moved to private quarters as soon as they can be prepared.”

“What about the one’s I already have…” Al winced when he saw the disbelieving look on his grandfather’s face. “Never mind I guess putting me back in the same room with Daniel wouldn’t be a good idea.”

“No it wouldn’t.” Scott replied venomously.

 

When word of what Daniel had done to their grandson reached Thomas he didn’t know how to react. Scott placed much of the blame on himself. He had ordered Al to give Daniel the bad news even after his son had asked not to be the one to tell him.

Thomas was not much better off. Though he often claimed otherwise he cared deeply for his grandson. He could have easily lost him.

“What are we going to do?” Scott asked after a long awkward silence.

“I suggest we sweep this all under the rug and forget it ever happened.”

“Forget it? He almost killed our grandson.”

“What would you have us do? Blindfold him and line him up before a firing squad. It’s your fault this happened. You should have known how Winters would react.”

“I do blame myself but you know Al… he’ll be crawling back to Daniel like a love sick puppy in no time.”

“Then I’ll transfer him over to the mainland. Will that satisfy you?”

“It wouldn’t please our grandson… so no it wouldn’t please me either.”

“Well I’m out of ideas. You insist the Major won’t be satisfied unless he’s put back with his attacker. I however will not tolerate Winters going berserk on our grandson again.” Thomas looked at his lover waiting for him to come up with his own idea. After giving him his chance Thomas decided he would do things his way. “I know you’re opposed to it, especially it being used in this case but it will have to be the collar… We will put the collar back on him. It’s the only way we can be sure we can control him.”

Scott was indeed opposed to its use. The situation called for drastic measures however. “It’s to be temporary I hope. Once we are sure he won’t attack our grandson again we’ll have it removed? If Winters finds out however he will hate you for this.”

“I can tolerate him hating me.” Thomas said bitterly. “He’ll get over it. The situation with Labatt it was really concerns me. We can’t expect Winters to get over what happened to his lover any time soon.”

“We’ve assigned the former captain to his lab… for now that’s all we can do.”

“He’s to be put under full quarantine. I don’t want the two of them finding a way to be in the same room with each other.”

“You mean like his wolf.” Scott asked

“Like her too.”

“When are we going to tell him the truth about Loki?”

“I don’t see the need. Do you?” Thomas asked. “From what I’ve gather he already knows the truth.”

“Then why keep them apart? That pup would never hurt him and you know it.”

“I’m not worried what that pint sized monstrosity might do to his owner as much as what it would do to others. She’s extremely infectious. It would only take her biting someone and poof… we have another werewolf epidemic.

“Can’t we keep the wolf under quarantine but give Daniel full access to her cell? If we want Daniel to get better I can’t think of a better way than to allow him to have his wolf back. Would limiting access to Loki to only Daniel meet your security concerns?”

Thomas looked at his husband and knew by the look in Scott’s green eyes he could not refused the request. “No… but I know better than to fight a battle I can’t win. You know what this mess reminds me of.” Thomas said whimsically.

“Aye… I’m not so blind that I can’t see the similarities too.”

“Maybe they have more in common than that… don’t you think?” Thomas asked his lover with an almost desperate sense of hope glimmering in his eyes.

Scott leaned back in his chair and let out a deep sigh. “I think we’ve had this conversation before. You can’t keep on obsessing over Brutus.”

“But there’s still a chance he could be his heir.” Thomas rose from his chair and went over to his lover.

“There is but we still have no proof.” Scott replied. Unable to withstand the desperate look in Thomas’s eyes he turned his gaze down to the floor.

“We’ll get it eventually. I know we will. All we need is time to figure him out.”

“And what if he is the one? What then?”

Thomas didn’t hesitate before answering Scott’s question. “Then I’ll make sure I never lose him like I did my son.”

“I was afraid you’d say that.” Scott whispered.

“What did you say?” Thomas asked. Up until that point they had been communicating telepathically.

Scott straightened himself back up and went back to communication telepathically. “Nothing… just thinking about the old days.”

“Ah… good old days. I still remember them as if they were just yesterday.”

 

If Daniel was upset by what had happened Andrew was twice as bad off. Though Andrew told the investigator he didn’t know what happened he remembered all of it. He was more than infected… he was the means by which Talon who have his revenge against Daniel’s father. He didn’t know what fueled such hatred towards Avery that he would wish to harm his son but he couldn’t let himself be used as the means by which Talon would get his revenge.

Andrew tried killing himself but whatever Talon had infected him with had survival instincts independent of his own and would not allow him to do anything that might threaten his survival. He would have to spend the rest of his life caged in armor glass, never again to know the feel of Daniel’s body against his.

That was the terrible truth of the situation… he couldn’t go the rest of his life without the touch of Daniel’s lips on his own. He knew Daniel wouldn’t be able to survive it either. No matter how much they denied it they both knew the ending of this story. One way or another he would end up infecting Daniel.

That is unless Daniel managed to do the impossible and discover the long sought for cure. If anyone could manage to come up with one Andrew would place his money on his best of all friends. Still he had come to accept that the odds of Daniel doing so before they both succumbed to their desires were slim to none. Talon would have his revenge and there was nothing he or Daniel could do about it.

The sound of a nightstick being pounded on the armored glass shook Andrew out of his moping. Standing on the other side off the cell was the General. He looked as heartbroken as Andrew felt.

“I’m sorry lad. This is my fault. I should never have taken you with me.”

“It’s not your fault sir. Anyway if you hadn’t you wouldn’t have found the Hive and we’d all be up to our neck in Sipderwolves and Mantis.”

“You should have waited for the rest of the squadron.”

“It wouldn’t have made a difference. You know seismic charges tend to go off early when dropped underwater… the rising water pressure and all. The only way that Hive could be taken out was for the bombs to be dropped right on the seabed.”

The general pounded a heavy fist on the armored glass. “Someone else could have done it!”

“I would not ordered someone else to do something I would not risk doing myself. You taught me that.”

“Then I was a fool.”

“No, you don’t throw away their lives on hopeless causes. That’s why the men respect you and why I do as well.”

“Damn it Labatt you’re not making this easy for me.” The general pounded a massive fist against the wall.

“I’m sorry sir but there is nothing more I can do for you.”

Xander leaned against the glass and gave Andrew the briefest of grins. “But there are things I can do for you. After saving their redheaded hides they owe me big. I can have you transferred back to HQ. It won’t be like the Ritz but at least you won’t have to worry about being used as a damn lab rat.”

“Thank you for the offer sir but I really need to stay where I am. If a cure can be found, it will be discovered here.”

General Helios scratched his chin as he debated what to say next. “That’s not why you want to stay… You just don’t want to be away from him.”

“What can I say? I love him.” Andrew did his best not to look sheepish when he said those precious words.

“Which is why you need to come with me. Staying here where you two will see each daily yet never allowed to touch one another would drive you both mad.”

“Then I’d rather go mad then never see him again.”

“Oh well… you can’t blame an old soldier from trying.”

“You’re not old.”

“I sure feel like it. You take care of yourself Captain. If you ever change your mind… well, I can tell that ain’t going be happening any time soon. Be careful… even behind all this armored glass you will not be safe from the NSP and their political shenanigans.” The two gave each other a final salute and the General left.

His next visitor was less welcomed. Fresh from the regeneration tanks Albert Grey skin and hair was bleached from spending five days soaking in White. Except for crooked nose he looked like Daniel hadn’t almost killed him. “What do you want? Come for revenge?” Andrew asked. He had heard how Daniel had reacted to the bad news and Andrew loved him all the more for it.

“No… I’ve come to clear the air between us. I’m sorry for what happened. You and Daniel never deserved any of this,” Albert looked at Andrew as if he was looking at a dead man.

“What does deserving have to do with it. I don’t know about you but I don’t think anyone deserved getting the plague.”

“There I go again… offending people I care deeply about. At least I have armored glass to protect me from another beating.”

“I wouldn’t put too much faith in it keeping me from killing you if I find out you are still causing Daniel grief.”

“Look… I put my neck on the line to keep Daniel out of the brig. The least you can do is hear me out.”

“Say what you have to say then go.” Andrew didn’t care what Albert had to say. He was already sure he wouldn’t like it.

“I love Daniel.”

“You what?” Andrew jumped to his feet. Pressing his face against the glass he repeated himself. “You said what?”

“I love him… the funny thing is I don’t know the hell why. It is not like Daniel has done anything I’ve found endearing. I’m quite certain he hates me. None of that matters. I love him and if that means he clobbers me again and again I’ll still come back for more.” The pleasant expression on Albert’s face suddenly turned into a snickering grin. “I just wanted you to know that I will do whatever it takes to protect him from you.”

“Get out. Get the hell out of my sight. You don’t love him. If you did you would know better than to screw with the man who loves him most.”

“I’m going but know that if you ever infect him I will kill you. Nice and slow.” Al slid a finger across his throat. He gave Andrew a final warning glare then left.

Well at least I know why Daniel tried to kill him. If I ever get out of here I’ll try to kill him too.

It was several days before Daniel was released from house arrest and allowed to see Andrew. As far as Andrew could tell he didn’t look to worst for wear. His eyes… his green emerald eyes however burned with a determination Andrew had never seen before. “Hello Daniel.” Andrew whispered.

“Hello… is that all you have to say. Hello?” Daniel spat out angrily. He began pacing back and forth and did his best not to even look at Andrew.

Andrew got as close to the glass he could without pressing his face against it. “Damn it Dan. What else can I say? That I want to rip this cell apart and take you inside me. That’s why I want to kill Albert Grey for even thinking he’s in love with you? That we both want him dead won’t help either of us.”

“I want you to tell me you are fine… that we’ll be fine.”

“Jeez Dan, you know we’re not. Lying to each other won’t make the pain go away.” Andrew stared at Daniel until they made eye contact. The anger scowl that had been marring Daniel’s otherwise beautiful face melted away. Andrew waved Daniel to him. After Daniel slid against the glass next to him Andrew whispered; “Look the only way I’m getting out of here is either in a body bag or you coming up with a cure.”

“I don’t know if there is one.” Daniel whispered.

“You once believed otherwise.” Andrew replied. Andrew didn’t know what he would do if Daniel gave up all hope of them ever being together again.

“I know but each time I think I’m close to making progress my lab explodes.” Daniel did his best not to sound whinny but that was the way it came across to Andrew.

Andrew could not help but laugh. Soon Daniel was as well. “We’ll get there. So long as you don’t give up we’ll get there. So, now that’s out of the way, got any good news for me?”

“I do… they gave me Loki back.”

“Loki… that damned pup?”

“Yes… it seems your father sold her off to NET soon after my mother won custody of me.”

“That’s not what he told me. He said that your love sick pup ran away trying to find you.”

“I guess that sounds more romantic. I have her back which is all that matters.”

“Just make sure she doesn’t go around biting people.” Andrew warned.

“I’ve been warn more than once not to let that happen.”

“How big is she now?”

“The same size she was we I lost her… Still a pup.”

“Still a pup… does that mean…”

“She’s a Sleeper which means they have no problem letting her share a cell with you.”

“Daniel… you’re giving me Loki?”

“Loaning… I’ll want her back after I come up with a cure.”

“If you get us cured I’ll get you as many puppies as you want. I’m sure Loki wouldn’t mind having a litter or two. When do I get to see her?”

“She’s being prepped for the transfer as we speak.”

“Thank you Daniel… really I mean it. You have no idea how scared I’ve been that I might end up spending the rest of my life alone in this fucking cell.”

“You’re not alone. You have me.” Daniel placed his right palm of the glass.

Andrew placed his next to Daniel’s. “And you have me. You have always had me.” Hearing a whimpering Andrew jumped to find Loki crawling out the slot where his food was sent through. “There’s my little girl.” Andrew picked the tiny animal up and placed her in his lap. “You’re right. She hasn’t grown an inch.”

“You two be good to each other.” Daniel got back on his feet and made his way to the exit.

“Wait, where ya going?” Andrew asked.

Daniel slowly turned around and let Andrew see the annoyed expression on his face. “I’m afraid I’m still on parole.”

Andrew saw Daniel scratched his neck. He quickly saw the collar. “No way! No way in hell I’m letting them force you to wear that thing.”

“It’s only temporary. Once the Praetor is sure I won’t try to kill his grandson again I won’t have to wear it.”

“You mean that bastard Al is the Praetor’s own grandson.”

“Unfortunately yes.”

“Don’t worry… you won’t have to worry about killing him cause I’ll kill him first,” Andrew promised.

“No… we both might hate the bastard but he doesn’t mean me any harm.”

“Mean any harm he threatened to kill me a few days ago.”

“I know… They showed me the surveillance footage. It was a test. They wanted to see how I would react if I saw Al threatening you. Suffice it to say I barely passed.”

“That doesn’t change anything. That bastard’s scrawny little neck is mine.”

“Don’t trouble yourself. I’ve already figured out how to deal with him.”

“Mind filling me in.”

Daniel pointed to the camera aimed at them. “We all have our secrets to keep. I’ll see you in the morning.” Daniel turned back to leave.

“If not sooner.” Andrew shouted as Daniel left.

 

      ____________________________________________________________________

 

While they might have put a halt to Logan’s madness that did not mean NET was ready to let Ryan and his men go. As soon as they returned from the vault they were put right back into their cells.

Daniel however used what influence he had over the Major to make a few improvements to their living situation. Instead of being stuck in individual cells they were transferred to much larger ones with three to each cell. He also had intercoms connected to each cell so they could talk freely among themselves.

Ryan knew such luxuries could have come without a price but Daniel never showed a hint of what it must have cost him. However it didn’t take Ryan long to decide to join the long list of people wanting to kill the Major.

Seeing Daniel turning around the corner Ryan and Ray jumped to their feet. “Hello doctor.”

“Hello Daniel.” Ray added.

“Hello you two. Anything new?” Unlike before they talked openly. It was part of the terms of Daniel’s parole that he not have any form of communication that could not be observed and recorded.

“Not much… we haven’t been poked or prodded this week.” Ryan gave Daniel a sly wink and a wolfish grin.

“Is that good or bad news.” Daniel asked with a straight face.

“Depends on who’s doing to poking.” Neil laughed

Daniel decided to play along. “Is that an invitation for me to do another exam?”

Ryan stretched his body out until his abs were showing from under his shirt. “It’s a promise.”

Daniel couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “Believe me, that’s one invitation I look forward to one day to RSVP.”

“Really doctor… and here I thought you and the Major were a monogamous couple.”

Daniel didn’t say a word. All he had to do was glare.

Ryan knew he stepped in it quickly had to apologize. Sorry that wasn’t funny.”

“I’ve heard better jokes.” Daniel replied coldly. “Anyway unless you have anything else to report I should finish my rounds.”

“Don’t worry I’ll make it up to you… How about dinner for two, tomorrow, my place?”

“Will have to think about it. Might have to send someone else to stand in for me.”

“Right now I’m willing to take anyone…” Ryan moved closer to the glass. “Anyone.”

“Point taken. See you tomorrow.” Daniel waved goodbye and moved on to the next set of cells.

Once Daniel was gone the three went back to speaking into each other telepathically.

“Well?” Neil asked. “Is he really going to go through with it?”

“I think he more than hinted at it,” Ryan replied. “I’ve been itching to give the Major a taste of his own medicine. Let’s see how he likes being on this side of the glass.”

“Captain Papa, are you really sure you want to do this?” Ray asked. He didn’t like Al either but he didn’t feel comfortable with what his dad planned on doing to him.

“Believe me once I finish buttering him up he will be more than a willing victim. I don’t care what it takes I’m going to wipe the smug expression he’s been wearing lately off his face even if I have to fuck it off.”

“Specimen #18 prepare for transfer.” A voice from the cell’s speaker ordered.

“Hearing his number called Ryan felt a jolt of excitement. “This is it. Daniel’s really decided to go through with it.”

Ryan knew the procedure. The guard would come in, handcuff his wrists and ankles. He would then be strapped down on a gurney and be rolled into one of the lab’s examination rooms.

It all went as he expected until a hood was put over his head. “Now wait a minute. What’s this?”

“New regulations. Specimens are to be hooded between transfers.

Daniel hadn’t warned him of any change in procedure. It must have slipped his mind. It wouldn’t matter once the Major was locked in the room with him. He was not the sort to condone rape but nor could he stand aside while Daniel was being forced to sleep with the bastard. Infecting Al with the plague was the prefect means to free Daniel from his control.

When the gurney finally came to a stop, it was tilted up head forward until he was back on his feet. The cuffs were removed and the upper straps undone. The hood however remained in place. When he heard the airlock door begin to cycle he yanked it off. There waiting for him, looking as dumbfounded as he, was Andrew.

“What are you doing here?” Andrew demanded.

“I should be the one asking that.” Ryan said feeling he had just been had.

“I was told….” Andrew was the first figure it out. “Damn we’ve been played.”

“You’re referring to the bastard we both expected to fuck.”

“Yeah…”

“What now.” Ryan looked around the room as if searching for a way out.

“I think that should be obvious.” The voice they heard coming from the speaker belong to a very giddy Major. “I thought what could be better than watching two strong proud men fuck each other. Don’t you agree Daniel?” There was silence. “Oh well it seems he’s speechless with anticipation. Now do make a good show of it.”

“What now?” Andrew asked.

“We fuck each other.” Ryan said as he pulled off his shirt.

“For that bastard’s enjoyment?”

“What do you think will happen if we don’t?” Ryan said.

“He wouldn’t dare.” Andrew said as he suddenly realized what Ryan was hinting at. “If we don’t give him a show he will make us watch one of his own?”

“He would… if we don’t give him a good show he’ll do exactly that.”

As if on cue one of the video screens flickered to life. It showed Daniel sitting on a bed looking despondent. Behind him Al was standing naked behind him, his sex fully erect. Al looked up at the camera in Daniel’s room and while wearing a wicked grin said; “I’m waiting.” As quickly as the screen came to life it went dead.

Ryan threw the gurney at the screen. “I swear I will make what Daniel did to him seem as tame as patty-cake.”

“Patty cake?” Andrew asked.

Ryan aimed an arched eyebrow in Andrew’s direction. “You’ve never heard of patty-cake?”

“And you have?” Andrew demanded.

“You kids have no culture,” Ryan said dismissively.

“I’ll show you culture.” Both men were pissed. Somehow they managed to redirect their rage to force themselves into having sex.

It was hard and rough. The more they beat on each other the more they got into it. When it was over however both men were still furious. “Well bastard… enjoy the show?” Andrew shouted toward the cracked screen.

The screen came back to life. “We found it quite entertaining. Didn’t we dear?”

“No we didn’t.” Daniel was no longer on the bed. Wherever he was he was off screen.

“Uh oh… it seems I have some making up to do. Toddles we’ll have to do this again.”

“I’ll kill him. I’ll tear his balls off and make him eat them.” Andrew grabbed what was left of the screen and smashed it against his knee.

“It wasn’t as bad as it looked.” While Ryan was pissed he had noticed something Andrew clearly hadn't

Andrew flung the twisted metal frame of the television screen against a wall of armored glass. “What do you mean not as bad?”

“You really need to learn to pay attention.” Ryan placed a hand on Andrew’s shoulder. In a telepathic burst he told Andrew; “If you did you would have noticed the bed was still made.”

“What of it?” Andrew whispered.

“Think about it. Would the bed have still been made if the two of them just had sex?”

“They could have done in somewhere off the bed.”

“No… a bastard is a bastard. If he had forced Daniel to have sex with him he would make sure we saw some proof that it happened. I bet Daniel didn’t even let him anywhere near first base.”

Andrew arched an eyebrow. “The bastard can’t be too happy about that.”

“I’m certain he isn’t. Not that he would let us know that for ourselves.”

“That doesn’t change that I will feed him his balls the first chance I get.”

“No… but it does ease my concern for the good doctor. Believe me he’s up to something.”

“If he is I wish he would let us in on it.”

“No he wants us to show as much anger as possible. How better to convince the bastard he’s won.”

“If Daniel has a plan under his sleeve he better act fast because I don’t think I can put up with much more of this.”

Ryan looked at Andrew. His blue eyes had turned solid black. His light brown skin had faded to a splotchy Grey. He was Awakening. “Calm down Andrew you need to keep yourself under control. Don’t give that bastard what he wants.”

“What I want is to tear this place apart.” Andrew hissed through clenched teeth.

“All in good time my friend but if you Awaken you will never live to see the bastard get what’s coming to him. You’ll also lose Daniel… for good this time.”

Andrew grabbed fistfuls of hair and began pulling at it. “I… I… can’t stop.”

“Yes you can. For Daniel’s sake you must.”

“For Daniel…” Ever so slowly his body regained it’s more human appearance.

“See I knew you could do it.”

“This time but what about the next.”

Ryan wrapped an arm around Andrew’s shoulders. “We’ll deal with it as it comes. Remember I’m on your side.”

“Good to know I have someone covering my back. I know Daniel tries his best but right now he’s as much a prisoner here as we are.”

“We’ll get through this. When we do God help those who get in our way.” Ryan dug his finger into Andrew’s tense shoulders.

“Be careful…” Andrew warned.

“Careful of what. A back massage? You’re as stiff as a block of iron.”

“It is not the massage you need to be careful of. It is what it might lead to.”

“And if it leads to that.” Ryan let his breath brush against the back of Andrew’s neck.

“Why are you trying to tempt me?”

“Because you need someone to give you what Daniel cannot give you right now. I on the other hand need someone to fuck me.” Ryan was lying of course. He was sure Andrew knew that. It was for the young man’s good. He needed someone he could depend on… someone to help keep his emotions under control.

Andrew was, if anything, passionate in his love making. Ryan quickly understand that much was true about the young man. The second time around they showered each other with tender caressed and slow fondling. If the bastard was still watching he would be disgusted by what he would have seen. He would have known that instead of dividing his enemies he had strengthened the join determination to bring an end to his control over the man they both loved.

If what he was experiencing was a hint of what the two experienced between each other Ryan could see why Daniel had strove to remain faithful to Andrew. Still Ryan would not let Daniel pine his life away yearning for the touch of a man he might never be allowed to be near. That line of thinking only fueled their love making and double both captain’s desire to ravish the man Ryan was quickly falling in love.

When both were spent Ryan did not wait for the guards to return before getting dressed. “We must do this again.”

“Maybe…” Andrew replied noncommittally

“Maybe? I don’t know about you but that was one of the best fucks I’ve had in a long time. I guess you see it differently.” Ryan had enjoyed it. He had assumed Andrew had as well.

Andrew kept his eyes on the knot he was trying to tie around his pants. “It was fun but you’re not Daniel.”

“I see… Look, I can’t say I haven’t thought about getting into Daniel’s pants.”

Andrew’s head jerked up. “Go on. You were about to say something about Daniel’s pants.”

“I was trying to explain that you and I have about as much chance of getting him into bed as we do getting cured.”

“You are saying that since neither of us can have what we really want we should take what we can get?”

“Exactly.”

“Fine… but only if Daniel agrees to go along with it.”

“I don’t see him as being the jealous type.”

“He won’t give a damn so long as it doesn’t evolve into something more than a hard fuck,” Andrew warned. Daniel had put up with years of Andrew’s cheating but never once had Andrew dared to bring one of his tricks back home with him.
Ryan burst out laughing. “It’s not like I’m not asking for your hand in marriage or anything.”

“Good… Daniel is the only man I will ever love. Keep that in mind before you let yourself fall head over heels for me.”

“Then we have nothing to worry about, do we?” Ryan knew he could be mistaken as being a cocky bastard but he needed to ease Andrew’s suspicions that he intended for them to become more than fuck buddies.

After the guards had taken them back to their cells Ryan found Ray and Neil had stayed awake. They clearly wanted to know how things had gone. “Well?” Neil started off.

“Well I think I at least got my foot in the door.”

“Good, just be careful he doesn’t slam it shut on your toes,” Neil warned.

“Dad are you certain it will work?” Ray asked.

“I can’t say for sure. Andrew is infected. We won’t know for a while if the Nanos in our blood will overwhelm the ones he’s infested with.”

“It could end up the other way around. Neil warned.

“I would rather think not. Let’s focus on what we do know.” Ryan replied. “Whatever happened to us while we were on Ares has changed us in ways we don’t fully understand. One of the things we do know is our past experience fighting the Spiderwolves has shown us to be immune to their version of the virus. I am betting that the same will prove true with whatever variant Captain Labatt is struggling with.”

“Wouldn’t it be simpler to share your theory with the good doctor? He could run tests to see if it’s true. If it is Labatt could be treated with regular blood transfusions.”

“And ruin all my fun? Ryan saw Neil arch an eyebrow when he said it. “All kidding aside it’s going to take more than blood for him to survive long enough for the doctor to come up with a cure. More than treatment he needs a reason to fight off the infection. Hope can be as powerful a drug as any other. I plan to give it to him.”

Neil laughed. “And enjoy a nice piece of ass while you’re at it.”

“It doesn’t hurt.” Ryan laughed as well.

Neil wasn’t sure if Ryan was only joking. Not for the first time he would have to trust that the captain knew what he was doing. If he turned out to be wrong then it wouldn’t be the first time his men had to save him from his own mess. “I don’t know. The first time you shove that bat of a dick of yours up my chute I do remember it hurting more than a little.”

“You needed to be broken in before you could learn to enjoy it.” Ryan didn’t know if Neil was complaining or proposing they have a little fun.

“Ray can you make like a pixie and give us some alone time.” Neil did not take his eyes off the growing tent inside Ryan’s pants.

“Go see what Daniel is up to.” Ryan hooked his thumbs around the elastic band. “Take your time… there’s no rush.”

“Okeydokey. Is there anything you would like me to tell him?”

“Tell him? Both men looked towards Ray as if he had lost his mind.

“Don’t worry. He won’t know it’s me.”

“It’s your hide.” Ryan warned. He turned back to Neil. The man was clearly looked annoyed. “Don’t look at me that way. He can’t help it.”

“He could if you got him a boyfriend.” Neil replied.

“A boyfriend?”

“A boyfriend.” Neil insisted. He pressed Ryan down to his knees.

Ryan pulled Neil’s cock out and played with it. “We’ll talk about that later.”

“Always later with you,” Neil replied