by Anne
Disclaimer: The Tomorrow People belong to Roger Damon Price, Thames/Tetra and ITV television. Stargate SG1 are owned by Stargate (II) Productions, Showtime/Viacom, MGM/UA, Double Secret Productions, and Gekko Products. Highlander is the property of Panzer/Davis, Rysher/Gaumount Television.
I promise to return the characters in one piece, more or less, when I'm finished, but hold no liability for any physical injury or psychological trauma sustained by them in my fiction.
Alex MacDonald belongs to me and shouldn't be used without permission.
Thanks to: The beta reading team – Linda, Misanagi and Ruth.
Dedication: For Linda. She knows why.
[ ] indicates telepathy
The school bell rang just as General Damon opened the door leading to the administration block. Sam nodded her thanks and entered the building, already looking around for the office. A middle-aged woman looked up from her computer and smiled. "Yes, can I help you?"
Sam nodded. "We're looking for Mr. Henderson." Megabyte had given her the information they needed before he and Adam had teleported her and the General to the entrance of the school grounds. Damon had made the Tomorrow People leave immediately, much to Megabyte's disgust. Megabyte had argued that Galt was long gone and that if the machine was still there he and Adam would be able to feel it. Damon had shook his head and stood his ground. Adam had looked at Megabyte, and after a moment Megabyte had shrugged and given in.
"You and me both," the woman muttered.
"Excuse me?" Damon coughed politely, and reached into his wallet. "General William Damon, WorldEx." He flashed his ID card at the woman. "This is Major Carter. It's important that we speak with him immediately."
"Rachel Whist." The school secretary nodded, and then sighed. "You'll still have to make an appointment. He's not here and I have no idea when he will be back."
"We'll wait," Damon said. "Is there anyone else that might be able to help? Assistant principal perhaps?"
"I'm sorry but Mr. Smothers has stepped out too."
Sam shook her head. "As General Damon said, this is important." Either this school was very disorganised or there was something seriously wrong. She was leaning towards the latter.
"Which is why they are supposed to let me know if they leave the school grounds." Rachel looked apologetic. "I'm not trying to be difficult, but I haven't seen either of them since morning tea."
"What about Professor Galt?" Damon's eyes hardened. "Can you at least direct us to where he was setting up his equipment?"
"That would be in the staff room." Rachel rose to her feet. "What do you want with the Professor? He seemed like a strange one, too full of himself for my liking, but that's not for me to judge." She walked out of the office into the corridor. "If you follow me, I'll show you the way. I can't stop though, we're short staffed and I need to help supervise one of the classes during the beginning of the lunch break." At the end of the corridor, she stopped and pointed. "If you turn left, it's the first door on the right. You can't miss it. If you need anything, let me know. Hopefully, either Mr. Henderson or Mr. Smothers will turn up shortly. If not, you can wait. There is tea or coffee available."
"Thank you," Sam said, watching Rachel walk away. "It's interesting that both of them have disappeared at once." She followed Damon as he set off briskly down the corridor. "She didn't seem to be aware of anything taking place out of the ordinary."
"Galt's an idiot, but he's not that much of one," Damon snorted. "With two Tomorrow People captive, he wouldn't want risk of losing them. From what Adam said we know they have left the school and are travelling by car somewhere. The flash they got wasn't very conclusive but still as disturbing as hell."
"Ya think?" Sam shook her head. The description the other Tomorrow People had given of Kevin in handcuffs and the look on his face, had rattled her more than she would like to admit.
Megabyte had summed it up in his usual succinct manner. "He's terrified, can see it in his eyes." Kevin was always so calm, so in control. He and Alex had both lost their powers. They knew what would happen if their bond wasn't re-cemented.
Damon gave her a look and muttered something about Colonel O'Neill under his breath. "I had hoped someone here might be able to give us a lead. If they are travelling by car, they must be meeting someone. There are no airstrips nearby, but plenty of open spaces where a helicopter could land." He shook his head. "Once that happens I don't like the odds."
"They don't deserve this," Sam opened the door to the staffroom. Kevin, in particular, was like family to her; she often had the feeling that he saw her as the older sister he'd never had. If Galt had hurt either of them, she would take the so-called scientist apart piece by piece.
"No one deserves this, Major." Damon glanced around the room. "I knew it would be too much to ask that he'd actually left anything useful behind." There was nothing to suggest anything out of the ordinary had taken place here. He frowned, walked over to the coffee table in the middle of the room, and picked something off the floor. "A piece of broken crockery. Looks like part of a cup." He sniffed it. "Coffee. There's more of it around the table."
"It could have happened when Galt turned on the machine," Sam surmised. It would explain why it had not been cleaned up. "Did you hear that?" She paused, and listened again. There was a muffled thump coming from behind the door in the corner of the room.
"Someone's in there!" Damon walked over to the door. "Cover me." Sam nodded and drew her gun while Damon turned the key in the lock and opened it. "What kind of idiot locks a door and leaves the key in there?"
The door opened and a man fell out. He was tied and gagged with duct tape, but had managed to work one hand half free. It was bruised and bloody. He looked at them and pulled away.
"It's okay," Damon said, reaching into his pocket. Bringing out a leatherman [1], he ripped off the man's gag, and then began cutting through his restraints. "We're the good guys."
"Galt's a bloody maniac," the man was shaking but there was no mistaking the anger in his voice. "I don't know what the hell is going on but he can't treat people like this." He stilled when he saw the gun still in Sam's hand. "How do I know you're the good guys? You could be with him. God, I don't know what to believe anymore. With people appearing out of thin air, anything's possible."
"We're not with Galt," Damon said. He introduced himself and Sam. "We're friends of Alex and Kevin. Do you know where Galt has taken them?"
"Roger Henderson. I'm the principal here." Roger shook his head, rubbing his hands after Damon had finished freeing him. "He made Kevin tie me up, threatened to kill Alex if he didn't." He frowned. "Who or what are they? Galt was talking about something he called 'Tomorrow People'. Do they have access to some kind of technology? You guys are military, right? Damn it, this is classified, isn't it?"
"He threatened Alex to make Kevin tie you up?" Sam swore under her breath as she put her gun back in its holster. Galt had figured out they were a couple, and was using it to control them.
Roger nodded. "It was pretty damn obvious they're involved." He sighed. "They didn't even try to hide it, were all over each other, more or less played into his hands. Galt had some kind of device, kept talking about experimenting. I thought he was crazy, but after what I saw, and the way Alex reacted to that machine I'm not so sure. Not sure I want to know, either."
"Reacted to the machine?" Damon did not look happy. Kevin and Alex were being driven to reconnect their bond, as the others had suspected. Sam didn't know exactly how the bond worked between couples; she respected their privacy too much to ask. Kevin had told her what she needed to know and what she had observed when Megabyte and Adam had been sent to another reality had filled in a lot of the gaps.
"He dropped to his knees, put his hands over his ears and screamed. I thought he was going to pass out." Roger looked grim. "I wanted to call a doctor but Galt drew his weapon. When Kevin appeared, he swayed, and looked like he was going to be sick. He didn't react like Alex had though, but by then Galt had turned the machine down. He told Alex that he had," he paused, frowning, "turned it onto a lower setting."
"Oh God," Sam whispered. The Tomorrow People might not be able to kill, but she did not have that handicap. Kevin's tendency to write lists detailing different scenarios was looking very attractive. Galt would regret what he had done.
"Are you sure you don't know where he's taken them?" Damon's tone was urgent. "Where is the nearest place a helicopter could land without too much attention?"
"A helicopter?" Roger looked puzzled. "This guy isn't working alone?"
Damon shook his head. "I seriously doubt it. He's part of something bigger, an organisation which has wanted to get their hands on someone like Kevin and Alex for a very long time. They're in grave danger. If we don't find them soon, it will be too late." There was a haunted look in his eyes, a desperation that made Sam shiver. The Tomorrow People were his kids, and like any parent he couldn't just let them die.
"I don't know." Roger was pale. "There are playing fields down by the river, the lighthouse by the coast, the forest park. A helicopter could land at any one of those places."
It would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. These sick bastards wouldn’t just kill them; they would experiment first. Death would be a welcome release by the time it came. Sam swallowed, tasting bile. She had seen horrific things since joining Stargate Command, but the human race had its own unique capacity for evil. Perhaps that was one reason why the Goa'uld favoured them as hosts.
"Dad!" Megabyte appeared in front of them. Roger jumped. Damon glared. "Another flash and we're outta here." Megabyte stopped, realising they weren't alone.
Adam teleported in as Megabyte finished speaking. He looked pale and shaken. "They're running out of time."
Damon cleared his throat. "I thought I told you to wait." He sighed, looking resigned and suddenly very tired. "Roger Henderson, this is Megabyte and Adam."
"You're like Alex and Kevin." Roger was watching them carefully. Teleporting in front of the man had made it difficult to deny the obvious.
"Yeah, we are." Megabyte gave him a grin, but it lacked his usual fire. He looked at Adam.
"We can trust him," Adam said. He was quiet for a moment. Megabyte shrugged.
"Share, why don't you?" Damon said. "Some of us would like to know what made you disobey direct orders."
Megabyte snorted. "Give it a rest, Dad. I'm your son and orders don't mean squat to me."
"I hadn't noticed. You hide it so well." Damon shook his head. "Tell me what happened. I know something happened. Something always happens."
"We got something from Kevin," Adam explained. "Galt's machine seems to have a flaw, but the flashes are brief, gone in a few seconds. We're hoping like hell there's another one; the girls are at the ship, ready to mind-merge to get a location for the teleport. It might be our only chance to find them before it's too late." He shook his head. "Things are moving too fast, more quickly than they should be. I doubt Galt's going to get the chance to kill them; they won't survive that long."
"What was in the flash, Adam?" Sam tried to keep her voice calm, but didn't quite succeed.
"Kev's losing it." Megabyte answered the question. "Could feel his panic. He's angry as hell, and desperate. Wants to kill Galt." He looked down at the floor. "Shouldn't be losing it this quickly. Didn't happen that fast with us."
"He was yelling Alex's name telepathically, screaming for him," Adam continued. He and Megabyte exchanged a glance. "Galt had a gun. Alex has a bruise on his face; bastard hit him."
Sam went cold at Adam's next words.
"Alex was holding onto something under his shirt. Couldn't see them, but Kevin kept thinking the words over and over." Adam bit his lip. "Ami was right. He's wearing dog tags."
Kevin tried to force himself to calm down. Once they were on the helicopter it would be impossible to escape. He had to think of options now, make a list of…He couldn't let Alex die. "Love you," he whispered, looking at Alex, and attempting to force a smile for him.
"More," Alex whispered back, risking another touch of his hand against Kevin's leg.
"You move when I tell you to!" Galt snapped, pulling Alex towards him. "Get out of the car slowly," the scientist told Rob. "I want you to release Kevin briefly, and then recuff him with his hands in front of him where I can see them." He paused, giving Alex a look which made Kevin wish again that he could kill. "If either of you try anything, I'll shoot Kevin's boyfriend."
"Do you want me to do that now?" Rob asked, wiping his hands on his trousers. He looked scared but one hell of a lot calmer than Kevin felt.
"No time like the present," Galt said, stroking Alex's cheek with the barrel of his gun. Kevin tensed; he could see the fear in Alex's eyes, the metal against his skin. "Oh, and be careful not to touch where he's bleeding," Galt continued. "After all, you can never tell who their kind has been with."
Kevin glared at Galt, angry at the inference. "Don't worry, Rob," he said, deciding it would be safer to goad Galt to draw his attention away from Alex. "You can't catch gay. Intelligent people know that. It's just the ignorant who can't quite gasp the concept."
"Kevin hasn't got anything you could catch," Alex told Rob in the too quiet tone that Kevin knew so well. "Don't you fucking imply otherwise," Alex snapped at Galt a moment later, his voice rising in anger. "He's a good man, better than you, and always will be." Kevin cringed, knowing that Alex's words had provoked Galt even more. Alex had never been able to control his temper. When someone insulted a person he cared for, he didn't stop to think what the hell he said.
"I know," Rob reached for the door handle and opened the door slowly. "What do you want me to do now?" he asked Galt.
"I should kill you for that," Galt hissed at Alex, digging the gun a little more into his skin, and tightening his finger on the trigger. "But maybe I'll keep you alive. For now." He seemed to suddenly realise that Rob had asked him a question. "Get out of the car," he said to Rob. "Go around to the passenger side and unlock his handcuffs. You can then shift his hands in front of him and refasten them."
Getting out of the car, Rob opened the passenger door and gave Kevin a smile. Kevin knew that Rob was trying to reassure him that everything would be okay, but Kevin couldn't bring himself to believe that. The twitching in his legs was growing more severe; if he was beginning to lose motor control, memory loss would not be far behind. Sharing your mind totally with another had severe consequences when that bond broke, and part of yourself was ripped away. Having Alex so close and not being able to feel him was driving him crazy. Even though Kevin knew it was futile, he had to keep trying to reach Alex telepathically, to touch him through their non-existent bond. The ache in his head was growing more intense, his vision darkening around the edges as he pushed through the pain. He took a deep breath to steady himself, unsure whether he would even be able to walk.
"Hurt Kevin any more, and I will fucking kill you," Alex told Galt in a shaky voice.
Kevin shook his head. Alex would be feeling the same way, would know what Kevin was going through but he couldn't allow his lover to risk Galt's anger like this. They both had to stay alive; if one died the other would too. Kevin would have given his life in an instant to save Alex but not even that option was open to him. They would live together or die together. He bit back a whimper. God, he needed Alex, needed him now. It was an effort to think about anything else.
"Do you want me to do the handcuffs now?" Rob asked Galt.
"Of course." Galt sounded annoyed. "Are you waiting for him to sprout wings and fly away?" He snorted. "Mind you, I don't think he's going to do anything that will put his friend at risk." The implied threat was obvious. "Are you, Kevin?"
Alex bit his lip, but it didn't stop him losing his temper again. "You have no right to talk to him like that," he snapped at Galt. "You're the one who needs to think about manners."
Cutting off Alex quickly, Rob turned towards Galt. "You have the key for the handcuffs. They need to be unlocked first." Galt reached into his pocket and handed Rob the keys. Kevin held his breath. Alex was playing with fire, but when he got into this kind of mood, there was no reasoning with him. Galt had insulted Kevin and that was all he cared about.
"I have every right to talk to him as I please." Galt scrapped the edge of his gun over Alex's face. "I am in control here. You have no rights at all. You gave those away with your so called powers."
"I am going to shove that gun so far up your ass you'll never find it." Kevin kept his voice low and soft, speaking to Galt like the lowlife he was. Alex had enough self-esteem issues without this bastard adding to them. "You're just like every other closet fag I've ever met. You can't get your mind off being fucked up the ass and have to take it out on everyone else." Kevin turned away dismissively, rattling his handcuffs in front of Rob. "I'm ready anytime you are." Rob fumbled with the cuffs, trying to get them open.
Galt had gone an interesting shade of red. Kevin knew he had stepped over a line but once he had started he hadn't been able to stop. His anger had destroyed what was left of his common sense and self-control.
"I am going to take great delight in making sure that your boyfriend suffers for that. You are in no position to threaten me. None at all, and I'll thank you to remember that." Galt grabbed Alex by the hair again and pulled him so that he was close to Kevin. "See him. Look at him." Kevin swallowed. He wanted to taste Alex, feel him. He needed to feel him, take him, make him his again. "This is the closest you will ever going to be to him again. By the time I'm finished he will be begging for me to kill him."
No! Kevin lunged forward, barely managing to press his lips to Alex's cheek before Galt yanked him back again. He wouldn't let Galt do this, he couldn't. God, he needed Alex so badly. Needed him, wanted him, yearned for him.
"I've waited a long time to find a suitable subject for my experiments." Galt looked at Kevin, his lips curling up into a slow smirk. "Painkillers are so overrated and unnecessary for lab rats," he said conversationally. The bastard was trying to get a rise out of him. Kevin knew it, knew he shouldn't react but he couldn't stop. Didn't want to stop.
"I. Will. Kill. You." Kevin had never felt so frustrated about not being able to kill, but it didn't stop him uttering the words, slowly and clearly. Whatever it took, he would find a way. If Galt harmed Alex, he would find a way. He had to keep his lover safe; that wasn't an option. Alex was the only one Kevin had ever trusted; he wasn't about to betray that same trust that Alex had in him. Rob released one cuff. Kevin pulled his hand free and tried to push past him. He had to get to Alex, to protect him, to…
"Get out of the car!" Galt screamed at Alex. Alex brushed his cheek with his fingers, touching the spot where Kevin had kissed him. He bit his lip, looked for a moment as though he wasn't going to obey, and then opened the car door, moving still further away from Kevin and closer to Galt.
"Stop it!" Rob hissed in Kevin's ear. He pushed Kevin back into the car. "He's going to hurt Alex if you don't stop this now."
Kevin froze, and collapsed against the back of the seat. He could feel his whole body twitching. He couldn't let Galt hurt Alex, but how the hell could he stop him? Kevin had never felt so helpless, so frustrated, so fucking angry.
"Kevin!" Alex froze, one foot out of the car. He was shaking, his eyes full of fear. "No. Please. No."
"I told you to move!" Galt got out of the car, and levelled his gun at Alex. "I do so hate having to resort to violence."
Securing Kevin's hands in front of him, Rob helped him to stand. Kevin was grateful for the care Rob had taken of the scrapes on his arms. His wrists had stopped bleeding but every time he pulled on the cuffs they took off more skin. He was exhausted; this last attempt at resistance had drained his strength. "I'm okay, love," he called out to Alex, fighting the instinct to 'path him, to caress him through the bond like he would have normally done. "I'm okay."
"I'm sorry," Alex whispered, obeying Galt's instructions. He stood, swaying on his feet, and leaned on the side of the car. "I don't think I can do this," he said. "I can't stop shaking."
Fists clenching, Kevin reached out for him telepathically. His breath hitched, his vision blurring from the pain. "He can't walk. He's a liability." Kevin knew he wasn't making sense. He couldn't save Alex. If they didn't re-bond, he would die. But, Kevin couldn't just give up, or allow Galt to torture him. He had to try; a part of him still clung to the hope that they could be rescued. If only he could buy them some time. "Leave him here and I'll cooperate." He didn't have to fake the pleading tone in his voice. "I'll do whatever you want."
Galt smiled. "So you like to play the hero? It's almost a shame it's not going to work." He raised his gun; it was still pointed at Alex. "If he can't walk and is a liability, I'll just have to kill him. I don't leave loose ends. This research is too important."
Kevin tensed.
Alex closed his eyes.
Please. God. No.
"My associates can pick up the body later." Galt shrugged. "No sense in wasting anything. Autopsies can reveal so much, don't you think?" His finger tightened on the trigger.
Rob spoke quickly. "I can help him." He walked forward slowly and put an arm around Alex's waist, helping him to stay upright. "They can both lean on me."
Forcing himself to walk, Kevin took the couple of steps to stand by them. He offered up a prayer of thanks to a God he didn't pray to often, but had never forgotten. "Love you," he said softly to Alex.
"Sorry," whispered Alex. He was very flushed, his eyes slightly glazed. "My legs gave way." Smiling shakily, he reached out his hand to Kevin. "More."
Galt wasn't impressed. "Nice try, but no. I'll help Mr. MacDonald walk. Can't have you teleporting now, can we?"
"No!" Alex protested, shaking his head. Kevin brushed his fingers against Alex's, the touch sending a rush of pleasure through his body.
"You can help me," Kevin said, shuddering at the thought of Galt touching his Alex. He pushed away from Rob, pulling himself as upright as he could.
"And have him teleport away with your boyfriend? I don't think so." Galt grabbed Alex, pulled him closer and slid his arm around Alex's waist. "It's a short walk. Don't worry," Galt rolled his eyes. "I have no intention of doing this for any longer than necessary."
"Kevin, Kevin!" Alex clung to Kevin's hand, refusing to let go. Stumbling, he held his head in his hands, fell to his knees, and let out a groan of pain.
"Rob's not a Tomorrow Person, you idiot! He can't teleport." Kevin went to Alex, his hand stroking his hair. He had to help him to keep going, to reassure him in the only way he had left. "Please, Alex. It's okay. Just a little way. Please." Rob bent down to help Alex to his feet.
"Sorry," Alex mumbled, apologising for something which wasn't his fault. He grabbed Kevin's hand, holding it tightly, stroking it with his thumb. "I love you. I'll always love you." His tone had a resignation to it. Kevin sensed that on some level he was saying goodbye; that he knew, as Kevin did, that their chances of surviving this were growing slimmer. "It's okay. I can do this." Alex looked away, but not before Kevin saw the guilt. Alex hadn't given Galt any advantage; Galt had taken it by force.
"Leave the dramatics for later, will you?" Galt pulled his cell phone from his pocket when it rang. "Galt here." He nodded. "Yes, ma'am. We're approaching the meeting place now. What's your ETA?" He nodded again. "No, no problems. At least nothing I can't handle." He paused, frowning. "I thought you wanted? Yes, yes, I understand. I have that."
Patting his briefcase, he looked at Kevin and Alex. Kevin wished he could hit him over the head with the damn thing. It contained the machine and god knows what else. Destroying it and killing Galt in one move would solve all their problems. But, unfortunately, Galt still had his gun, and Kevin knew that in his weakened state, he was no match for him.
"Yes, I might have to do that. It would make the situation slightly less….stressful." Galt returned the phone to his pocket. "Another ten minutes," he told his captives, "and you won't have to worry about needing any help at all."
Kevin strengthened his grip on Alex's hand, caressing it. Every touch was going straight to his groin, the need to touch his lover, to take him in his arms increasing even more, although they both could barely stay on their feet.
"Can't….bond," Alex groaned. "Hurts." Kevin could see the fear in his eyes; it cut him like a knife. "Shouldn't be happening this fast."
Fuck this.
Kevin leaned forward and kissed Alex, the feel of his lover's lips against his own like fire on his skin. He moaned into the touch, trying to get closer.
"Kevin!" Rob hissed, pulling them apart, dragging Kevin with him towards the nearby shack. Kevin struggled, but didn't have the energy to fight him properly.
"No!" Alex whimpered, shaking. "Please. Have to do this. Need to."
"You people are pathetic," Galt said in disgust. He grabbed Alex's hand, stopping when he fell, and putting one arm around his waist to support him. "You try to kiss me, and I'll kill you."
"If I ever tried to do that," Alex muttered, "I'd let you."
Kevin couldn't help but smile at Alex's comment. He wanted to say something about him having more taste, but didn't have the energy. Instead, he focused on Rob, knowing that their friend was practically carrying him. "Thank you," he managed to whisper.
"You're welcome," Rob replied softly. "You and Alex owe me dinner when we get out of this."
The shack was a small building, one large room well lit by a single window along the length of the far wall, and a door leading off to another room, possibly a bathroom or a storage cupboard of some sort.
Upon entering the room, Alex pulled free from Galt and leaned against the wall nearest the door, before sliding down it to sit. He was breathing heavily, his brow dripping with perspiration. Taking off his glasses, he cleaned them on his shirt, and then wiped his hands on his trousers. Rob lowered Kevin next to Alex, and then sat down a short distance from them, his breathing coming in gasps.
"Love you, Alex. Love you." Kevin edged closer so that his body was flush against Alex's, feeling the need and desire for him so strongly that his body throbbed.
Alex put his arms around Kevin, and rested his head on his shoulder, touching him everywhere he could. "Still can't feel you," he choked hoarsely, giving a cry of pain. Kevin knew that his lover was trying to connect with him telepathically, desperation overriding any consequences of that action. "I don't want to die, Kevin. I don't want you to die."
Placing his head against Alex's, Kevin kissed his forehead. He needed to hold him, but the handcuffs made it impossible, so he settled for resting his arms on Alex's chest. "I'll protect you, Alex," he promised, knowing even as he spoke that he couldn't hold true to it. Alex's skin was damp under his lips. Kevin wanted to kiss him again, but he knew if he did it would only make things worse, and that he would not be able to stop.
"You can't," Alex shook his head. "Not from this. I know what's going on, Kevin." He swallowed, licked his lips, and stroked Kevin's cheek. "Maybe it's better this way. I can't go through what I did before. I just can't."
Kevin turned his head and kissed Alex's fingers, moaning softly. He wanted him so badly it hurt. "I won't let that happen again. Love you. Love you so much."
"Again?" Galt said sharply. "What do you mean by that?" He snorted, walked over and pulled them apart. "You're like animals in heat except they show more control. You disgust me!"
Kevin grabbed for Alex, moaning loudly in frustration. No! He needed to feel his touch, craved it. Pushing his back against the wall, he tried to use the leverage to pull himself to his feet. "I told you not to touch him!" he yelled, his legs giving out as he fell sideways against Rob. Kicking out, he lunged at Galt. "Let him alone! Leave him the fuck alone!" Rob pulled him back, holding him tightly, but Kevin fought him. He had to get to Alex!
"Let go of me!" Alex struggled as Galt pulled him away. "Haven't you fucking done enough!" He closed his eyes and whimpered, still kicking and fighting. "Make the pain go away. Make it go away."
"I warned you, but would you listen?" Galt reached for his briefcase but Alex lashed out, and swore at him.
"I'll kill you! I'll fucking kill you!" Kevin screamed. "Leave him alone!"
To Kevin's horror, Galt raised his gun and hit Alex over the head to subdue him. "There, that's better," he said in a satisfied tone as Alex went limp in his arms.
"Alex! Oh God! Alex!" No! He couldn't be dead. Kevin reached out for Alex telepathically, ignoring the pain, refusing to give into the darkness. He swayed, dimly aware of Rob holding him.
"Calm down, Kevin. You're making things worse. Calm down."
The bastard had hit him. He had hit him!
Kevin knew that he lost control but he didn't care. The only person he had ever loved was bleeding, possibly dead and he couldn't do anything. He couldn't feel him. "God. Please," he prayed. "Let him be alive."
"Kevin?" Alex groaned.
"Alex?" Kevin froze at the sound of his lover's voice. "Oh god, Alex. I love you. Love you so much." He was crying, his vision blurring, his body shaking as he lost control of his muscles. "Love you."
"Love you," Alex whimpered, his voice full of pain. He let out a small scream. "Hurts. God, it hurts."
Galt lowered the lid of his briefcase. In his hands was a syringe. Leaning over Alex, he pulled up his sleeve. "After this, you won't be hurting at all." He smiled at Kevin. "I'm doing him a favour. You should thank me for it."
"Please no," Alex cried out, trying to pull away as Galt injected him.
"No!" Kevin screamed. He reached for Alex, feeling him for a second, grasping at the telepathic tendril as he had done earlier that morning, following it, not caring if it led him into darkness. But, it was too late. "Alex!" Kevin reached again, ignoring the pain, pushing through it. If he couldn't save Alex, he'd die with him. He'd promised to keep him safe, and failed. He wouldn't leave him now.
"Dear God," Rob whispered.
"Alex," Kevin whimpered, sobbing. He had to keep trying, pushing through the pain. He felt himself fall, and as everything went black he could hear Rob praying.
"The lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want…."
[1] A leatherman is a multi-purpose tool with pliers, screwdriver and a knife blade. See this site for more information.
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