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monaboyd Aug. 10th, 2007 07:05 am)
dylan-dufresne.livejournal.com posting in monaboyd Aug. 10th, 2007 07:05 am)With A Little Help From My Friends
Title: With A Little Help From My Friends - 36/47
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dylan_dufresne
Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: PG-14, maybe.
Summary: Devotion and reconnection, introductions, challenges and unexpected revelations.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it’s my drug of choice. Many thanks to my beta,frojane.
Special Thanks: Toloki_girl for the exquisite banner that she has created, and to tarnishedhalo for loaning me her inspirational manip for the centerpiece. I am so thankful and appreciative of you both, and your generosity.
Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality. This is my imagination at work.
A/N: Angst. You know it’s here.
Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35
Chapter 36
The long hours of the night pass slowly, Dom watching over Billy, refusing to sleep and leave his lover unattended for even a minute. He occasionally talks to Billy in a low, soothing voice, paces the small room when he can’t bear to be still one moment longer, and then once his nerves are somewhat settled again, usually by gazing at their platinum rings in the moonlight and thinking about the day they took their vows, he laces Billy’s fingers with his, pets his gingery hair, or tucks the soft blankets more securely around Billy’s prone body.
Thanks to Viggo, the nurses who slip into the room to check on Billy in regular intervals make no mention of the fact that Dom shouldn’t be there, and instead check the monitors, meticulously record Billy’s vital signs, and change IV bags when necessary. Every move they make is carefully scrutinized by Dom, as he vigilantly watches them all, taking no chances, and wanting to ensure that nothing else hurts his Billy. Nothing bad is going to happen to his partner if Dom can possibly prevent it, and he anxiously waits for morning, because that’s when Billy should open his eyes. He knows Billy has been through a lot, and Dom is going to be there at his side, for anything the Scotsman may need.
The sun is above the horizon when Dom finally surrenders to exhaustion and lays his head on his folded arms at Billy’s bedside, watching the sleeping man’s chest rise and fall in slow, measured breaths. Dom only means to rest his eyes for a few moments, but is quickly overtaken and falls asleep, and when Viggo arrives just a few minutes later, Dom doesn’t stir. After giving both men a fond smile, the doctor checks Billy’s chart and then quietly sinks down into a chair near the window.
While he managed to grab a few hours of sleep in the lounge, thanks to Orlando, Viggo is by no means well-rested, and is rubbing his tired eyes when he hears Billy’s breathing change. Quickly sitting up in the chair, he watches Billy’s deep green eyes flutter open and come into focus. After Billy has had a few moments to get his bearings, Viggo leans forward, catching Billy’s attention.
“Hey.”
“Vig?”
Billy’s voice is raspy and quiet, but stronger than Viggo hoped, and that helps to ease his concern about the injured man.
“Shhh,” Viggo cautions, rising to his feet and gesturing at Dom’s sleeping form. “According to the nurses, he’s been up all night, watching over you. He must’ve just fallen asleep.”
“Oh, Dommie,” Billy murmurs under his breath, lifting his hand to gently pet Dom’s mussed blonde hair and stroke the nape of his slender neck.
“You needed surgery to set the bones in your arm, have some bruised ribs, a bruised kidney as well as a concussion, but should make a full recovery,” Viggo reports. “All things considered, you’re a very lucky man.”
Billy looks up to make eye contact with Viggo. “Thank you.”
“I need to check your eyes,” Viggo adds as he withdraws a small light pen from the pocket of his wrinkled scrub shirt.
“Okay.”
There is silence as Viggo sweeps the light across one of Billy’s eyes and then the other, and once he’s satisfied, he steps back and smiles.
“Pupils equal and reactive,” he says. “That’s good news.”
Focusing on Dom once again, Billy sighs quietly, seeing the deep shadows beneath his lover’s eyes, and worrying about the awkward position he’s sleeping in. “He’s okay?”
“He was very scared, but he did well, made good decisions for you,” Viggo adds, following Billy’s gaze, a wee bit confused by the question since it was he who was injured and not Dom, but deciding it’s likely a result of the concussion Billy sustained. “He called me from the ambulance, and made me go with you to surgery so you wouldn’t be alone. He’s been very protective of you.”
“I know the feeling,” Billy replies fondly, then focuses on Dom’s fluttering eyelashes when his breath catches and he tenses.
Waking with a start, Dom’s brow furrows, and a whimper of distress bubbles up in his throat as he looks up.
“You’re awake,” he says hoarsely.
Billy nods carefully. “Just a minute ago.”
“I fell asleep. I’m sorry,” Dom says guiltily as he scrubs at his bleary eyes, the words tumbling out in a nervous rush. “You’re going to be just fine. Don’t worry about the book shop; I’ll take care of it. All you need to do is rest and-”
“Dommie?” Billy interrupts softly.
“What? Are you in pain? Hungry? Thirsty?” Dom asks quickly. “What do you need?”
Billy smiles gently. “You.”
The panic and anxiety swirling around Dom suddenly comes to a stop. “What?”
“You’re too far away. Come closer?” Billy requests shyly, slowly tipping up his chin and offering his mouth. “Please?”
Relief washes over Dom, and he perches carefully on the edge of the bed before leaning down to bring his lips to Billy’s. The contact is careful and tender, because of Billy’s injured lip, but definitely not lacking in the love they share. Dom’s long fingers gently caress Billy’s cheek while Billy’s small hand clutches a handful of Dom’s t-shirt to keep him close. A tiny whimper bubbles up in Billy’s throat, but when Dom starts to pull back, worried that he’s causing Billy pain, the older man tightens his hold.
“I’ll just leave you two alone,” Viggo says awkwardly, averting his gaze when the couple carefully nuzzles each another affectionately. “Be back later to check on you.”
The couple don’t hear the door close, and Dom shifts carefully to brace his weight on his elbows, head tipped to one side as he rains tender kisses across Billy’s face, avoiding the worst of the scrapes and bruises.
“I love you,” he whispers between kisses. “I love you so much.”
Deep down, Dom had been terrified that Billy would push him away, be angry for how he was so thoughtless yesterday, but that fear is now quickly fading.
“Dommie,” Billy whispers, the fingers not trapped by plaster resting on Dom’s shoulder, gently caressing. “Love?”
“What, Bills?” Dom asks quietly, halting his ministrations. “Is there something you need? Should I go get a nurse?”
“Aye. I need you to sleep,” Billy replies, his brow furrowing. “You look so tired.”
“Oh, I’m okay,” Dom tells him, waving off Billy’s concern. “Don’t you worry about me. You just concentrate on resting and getting better.”
“No, you’re not okay. And how could I not worry about you? You’re exhausted.”
“I’ll be fine, now that I know you’re going to be all right,” Dom says, valiantly trying to give Billy a reassuring smile. “That’s all that matters.”
“I want you to lie down,” Billy tells him, mustering up a somewhat firm tone. “Rest.”
“I don’t want to leave you alo-”
“This bed is big enough for both of us,” Billy interrupts, his hand sliding up to cup Dom’s scruffy cheek. “And I like the idea of having you close. I missed that when we didn’t have our birthday breakfast together.”
“I know,” Dom confesses miserably, his eyes bright. “You made bacon, and I didn’t even realize why. Bills, I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I did that.”
“We lost our way, didn’t we?” Billy muses aloud, gazing at the younger man with such devotion that it makes Dom’s heart skip a beat.
Billy has every right to be angry with him, but instead he’s reaching out, offering forgiveness without Dom even having to ask, and Dom is deeply moved by the Scotsman’s generosity.
“No,” Dom corrects sadly. “I did. Me. Not you.”
“Dommie-”
“It’s true,” Dom interjects, ashamed of how he’s treated Billy in recent months. “I got so busy with work that I took it for granted that you’d always be there. I swore I’d never do that. You tried to tell me, but I couldn’t see it. I’m so sorry.”
“C’mere love,” Billy requests, trying to bring their mouths together once again.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Dom protests, pulling back slightly and encouraging Billy to relax. “You’ve been through so much.”
“You won’t, I promise.”
“But-”
“Please?” Billy requests, his eyes soft and pleading, his own exhaustion starting to overwhelm him. “It’ll make me feel better. You know I don’t sleep well when you’re not beside me. I’ve missed you.”
Sighing, Dom finally nods and brushes his lips across Billy’s, unable to deny his lover anything, especially in his current condition. “All right.”
“Get in this bed,” Billy instructs. “Before you fall over.”
Heeling off his trainers, Dom ever so carefully stretches out on the mattress beside Billy, sliding one arm under Billy’s pillow, the other coming to rest lightly across Billy’s waist, well below his bruised ribs.
“Are you comfortable?” Dom asks as he presses a feathery kiss to Billy’s mussed hair.
Slowly and carefully rolling his head to one side, Billy tucks his small nose into the side of Dom’s slender neck and inhales his lover’s scent.
“Aye,” he whispers and then yawns. “Go to sleep, Dommie.”
When Viggo ducks his head into the room twenty minutes later, he smiles at the sight of the couple curled up together, fast asleep, both looking more relaxed. Stepping inside and moving stealthily over to the bed, Viggo carefully arranges a blanket over the sleeping men before closing the blinds so they won’t be awakened by the rising sun. Only then does he leave the room, knowing that they’re both in good hands, and that sleep is sometimes the best medicine.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
When Billy wakes again, he discovers Dom watching him, lying perfectly still beside him, not wanting to move and disturb his rest. Shortly after that, Billy’s breakfast tray arrives, and Dom is refusing to eat any of Billy’s meal when Viggo shows up with a tray from the cafeteria. Viggo can’t help but smile at Dom’s dedication to Billy, constantly fussing over him, ensuring he’s comfortable or getting anything he needs. Even though the doctor offers to help when Billy needs a trip to the loo, the couple gently refuse, and take care of the matter themselves. They’re just getting Billy settled into bed again when there is a knock at the open door, and the three look over, curious as to who it could be, since Viggo said that Orlando couldn’t come by until this afternoon.
“David,” Viggo says, quickly pushing himself up out of his chair and walking over to him. “You’re back.”
Eyes locked on the couple at the bed, David nods. “Nurse said he was awake.”
“Yeah,” Viggo confirms with a relieved smile. “C’mon in.”
Billy looks confused, his brow furrowing, and then looks to Dom as their fingers lace together.
“Mr. Boyd,” David begins, “I’m Detective Wenham. I’ve been assigned to investigate the incident at the book shop.”
Slowly, Billy nods. “Okay.”
“I need to ask you some questions, gather whatever details you can give me, and hopefully catch who did this,” David adds. “I came by last night, but you were still asleep.”
“Aye.”
“And I’ll need to speak to you as well, Mr. Monaghan.”
“I don’t know anything,” Dom says tersely. “I came home from work and found him. There was nobody else around. I rang for an ambulance, and then called Vig. I’ve been here ever since.”
David’s eyes dart over to Viggo’s for a fraction of a second, and then he shifts his stance. “All right then. Mr. Boyd, are you up to answering some questions?”
“Aye.”
“Would you gentlemen excuse us, please?” David requests as he looks pointedly at Dom and then Viggo.
“I’m staying,” Dom says flatly, moving even closer to Billy.
“It’s okay, Dommie,” Billy tells him, hoping to avoid any problems. “I’ll be all right.”
“But Bills-”
“I’ll be okay, but I’d love some tea,” he interjects gently. “Could you get some for me, love? You know the way I like it.”
Exhaling heavily, Dom nods, and then leans down to brush his lips over Billy’s in a feathery kiss. “Of course. I won’t be long.”
“Thank you.”
It’s clear that Dom isn’t happy about leaving Billy alone with the detective, but for Billy’s sake, he doesn’t make a fuss as he and Viggo slip out of the room, the door closing behind them.
“Dom-” Viggo begins.
“I need to find some tea, hopefully good tea,” Dom interrupts, his eyes flat and distant, making it perfectly clear that he’s not in the mood to talk. “Can you help me with that?”
“Sure thing. It’s this way,” the doctor replies, leading the way down the hall in the direction of the cafeteria.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
“So,” David begins after settling into a chair and pulling his notepad out of his jacket pocket. “What happened last night?”
“May I ask how you know Viggo?” Billy inquires. “I get the distinct impression that you didn’t meet for the first time last night.”
“We’ve known each other for a number of years, but I’ve been living in London until recently,” David explains.
“You met through the clinic,” Billy prompts. “Or-”
“We dated, briefly, after you two broke up,” David says swiftly, eager to move on. “It didn’t work out.”
Billy’s cheeks flush pink. “Oh.”
“Any other questions?”
“No.”
“So, what happened at the book shop?” David asks again.
“Honestly, I’m not sure how much I can tell you,” Billy begins with a sigh. “I feel like I’m in a bit of a fog. Things are fuzzy in my head, when it’s not throbbing.”
“That’s normal, especially with a concussion,” David tells him. “It’ll get better. It might help to say things out loud. In my experience, people who try that remember more than they thought they would.”
“Aye, it’s worth a try,” Billy agrees.
David nods. “What kind of day was it? Do you remember the afternoon? What the weather was like?”
Billy’s brow furrows as he concentrates. “It was getting later in the day, and I was in the office, looking for something. A catalogue, I think.”
“Okay. That’s a good start.”
“I wanted to place an order for some books, but I couldn’t find it.”
“So it had been an average day?” David asks. “No strange people hanging around? No disgruntled customers? A shoplifter? Nothing like that?”
“No,” Billy replies as he shakes his head. “I remember there was a nice young lady with a baby. Then Aaron-”
“Aaron?” David interrupts, his eyebrow arched. “Who’s that? An employee?”
“Oh God,” Billy gasps as the violence comes rushing back to him in a crushing wave, filling his eyes with tears and making his chest ache. “They took him. They took Aaron.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Dom is sitting at a table in the cafeteria, one foot bouncing restlessly as he fidgets with his coffee, Billy’s cup of tea close by, sweetened with honey and milk, just the way he likes it. Across from him, Viggo takes a sip of his drink, and then clears his throat to get Dom’s attention.
“David’s good at his job,” he begins. “Bill will be fine.”
Snorting in derision, Dom scrubs a hand over his face before taking a gulp of coffee and then checking his watch.
“Why don’t you want to help?” Viggo says bluntly. “I’d bet my right arm that you would rather die than have Bill get hurt. Why are-”
“I don’t like the police,” Dom interrupts. “I don’t trust them.”
“They’re not going arrest you because of what you were,” Viggo soothes, keeping his voice low to avoid being overheard. “That was years ago, Dom.”
“I’m not worried about me,” Dom says incredulously. “All I care about is Billy.”
“I don’t understand,” Viggo replies, utterly confused. “Bill was hurt. The shop vandalized. The job of the police is to catch the bastards who did this.”
Dom freezes. “Billy told you there was more than one?”
“No,” the doctor replies. “I’m guessing. With the injuries he has, I think there was at least two attackers.”
“Oh God,” Dom gasps, his eyes flooding with fresh tears. “If I’d only-”
“If you’d have been there, there wouldn’t have been anyone to help Bill,” Viggo says, cutting off what he assumes is going to be Dom, heaping a pile of guilt on himself. “You found him. Even though you were scared, you didn’t panic. You got help.”
“I’d trade places with him in a heartbeat,” Dom whispers, hanging his head. “What they did to him-”
“I know you would. You love him very much,” Viggo adds gently. “I know you want to make sure that never happens again.”
“I’d been working on the street for about six months before I got caught,” Dom finally confesses, his eyes downcast. “It was the end of the month and I was desperate for money, so I picked a bloke up, even though something felt off. We were back at my flat when he showed me his badge.”
Stunned, Viggo’s jaw drops. “You were arrested?”
“No.”
“How did-” Unsure of what to say, Viggo trails off, and then tries again. “What did you do?”
A wave of revulsion washes over Dom as he recalls the degrading details of that night, causing him to visibly shudder, and he swallows hard before looking up to meet the doctor’s gaze with red-rimmed eyes.
“Everything he told me to do,” he finally replies darkly. “And when it was finally over, I could barely walk.”
“Jesus, Dom,” Viggo curses under his breath. “I’m so sorry.”
“How do I know that detective will be any different?” Dom chokes out. “If I thought it would help Billy, I would do anything-”
“Dom, stop,” Viggo interrupts, reaching across the table to take the younger man’s hands in his. “I swear David isn’t like that. He’s not.”
“You’re sure?” Dom asks dubiously.
“Do you remember the day we met for coffee, and you told me that you and Bill were getting married?” Viggo asks.
“Yes.”
“I told you how hard it was for me to let Bill go,” the doctor continues. “And after we broke up, I felt so empty.”
“I remember.”
Sighing, Viggo finishes by saying, “I also told you that for a while, I tried to fill the void with someone else. That person was David.”
“Oh God,” Dom gasps, his eyes wide with shock.
“Until last night, I hadn’t seen him in years, and he hasn’t changed in all that time.” Giving Dom’s hands a gentle squeeze, Viggo gives him a wobbly smile. “He’s a good man, and he’s very dedicated to his job. I firmly believe that he really wants to find who did this.”
“Yeah?”
“You’re not alone here, Dom,” Viggo adds. “There are so many people who care about you and Bill. Your Mum and Dad, Maggie, Orli, me. We want to help, in any way that we can.”
“Can we go back to Billy’s room now?” Dom asks, brushing at his damp eyes. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to help him, but-”
“You’re helping, Dom, just by being there for Bill,” Viggo soothes. “Let’s go.”
Dom cradles the sweet, milky cup of tea for his lover in both hands, and Viggo slides a protective arm around his slender shoulders as they make the journey back to where David is taking Billy’s statement. The closer they get, the faster Dom walks, eager to see his partner, and offer whatever assistance he can. He’s only opened the door part way when his eyes lock with Billy’s, and at the clear sign of distress, Dom rushes over to the older man’s side.
“Bills?” he says tenderly, quickly setting down the cup of tea on the swinging table next to the bed and stroking Billy’s hair. “What’s wrong, love? What do you need?”
Staying close to Billy’s side, Dom’s eyes are like daggers as they fix on David, who has risen to his feet before tucking his leather notepad into his jacket pocket.
“What did you do?” he hisses at the detective. “Hasn’t he been through enough?”
“I think we have enough to get started,” David says with a firm nod. “I’ll be in touch, Billy.”
“Aye,” Billy says shakily, reaching out to Dom with his good hand, longing to have him close.
Before Dom has a chance to give David a piece of his mind, Viggo is ushering him out of the room and shooting Dom an apologetic look. Once the door closes, Dom focuses his attention on Billy, and what he can do to ease his lover’s pain.
“I’m so sorry, Bills,” Dom murmurs, pressing several soft kisses to Billy’s face. “I-”
“It wasn’t his fault,” Billy interjects. “Don’t blame him. He’s just doing his job.”
“But Bills-”
“Dommie, please.”
For a long moment, Billy gazes up into Dom’s eyes, trying to find the words to explain, yet somehow protect the man he loves so much. How can he tell Dom what he saw happen to Aaron?
“Bills?”
“We were talking about what happened,” Billy tells him, smiling gratefully when the younger man brings a cup of water with a straw to his parched lips. “And then I remembered that Aaron was there, at the shop, with me.”
He watches as realization dawns on Dom, and shares in the guilt because they both had forgotten about their guest in the aftermath of the attack, and subsequent hospitalization.
“He wasn’t involved, was he?” Dom chokes out, fearful that he had put Billy in harms way, when he’d so generously offered a place for Aaron to stay.
“No,” Billy says quickly, and then grimaces at the headache that’s beginning to throb heavily at the base of his skull. “They hurt him, and then they dragged him away. I don’t know where.”
“Shhh, Bills,” Dom soothes, reaching over and pressing the button to summon the nurse. “I’m sure you did all you could.”
Part of Billy knows that he should say more, warn Dom about what the man said as he terrorized Aaron, but he can’t bear to add to Dom’s burdens just now. It’s bad enough that he’s been hurt, and if Dom were to find out that it was done in his name, to warn him to stop the work that means so much to him . . . For now, all Billy can do is keep Dom at his side, in the hopes of protecting him.
“Stay,” Billy requests softly. “Need you close.”
“Of course,” Dom murmurs in reply, then kisses the tip of Billy’s nose. “I’m not going anywhere, baby.”
He keeps his word, holding Billy’s hand as a nurse administers a pain reliever and a light sedative to the IV, so the Scotsman can get some much needed rest. Dom is reaching back with his free hand to tug a chair closer when Billy whispers a request that he can’t bear to refuse. As he did this morning, shortly after Billy awoke for the first time, Dom toes off his trainers and carefully stretches out on the hospital bed beside his injured lover, snuggling into the older man as best he can, offering support and all the love in his heart. Not surprisingly, in a matter of minutes, both are fast asleep.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
“Do you still think that Dom could’ve had anything to do with this?” Viggo asks David, slowing to a stop down the hall from Billy’s room and leading the way into an empty waiting room. “The shop being vandalized, and Bill-”
“Do you have information?” David interrupts to ask.
“Who’s asking?” Viggo fires back. “David or Detective Wenham?”
Talking a long moment, David watches Viggo’s normally kind, grey eyes, and then finally says, “David. For now.”
“Dom works with at risk youth, and others, at a local community centre,” the doctor begins. “He went to uni to study in that field, because he wanted to help people.”
“He graduated in June,” David tells him mildly. “Background information was easy to find.”
“Oh really? I’m willing to bet you had some trouble finding anything on Dom for about four years, from shortly after he turned eighteen to when he went back to school to finish his A levels,” Viggo retorts, not surprised when David sucks in a tight breath.
“I’m to believe that you know where he was during that time?” David asks pointedly.
“Yes.”
“Are you going to tell me?”
“Have you asked yourself why a young man would dedicate his life to helping the misfortunate?” Viggo asks, his tone much softer now. “Why he would devote countless hours to improving the lives of others, and fight to give them all a better chance?”
“Because either he was or someone he cared about was in a similar situation,” David deduces, and then pauses, lips pursing in thought. “At this moment, I’d have to go with the former, rather than the latter. That would explain the mistrust of police, but it’s possible that it’s a combination of the two.”
Hopeful that he’s finally getting through to David, the doctor smiles slightly. “I say again, do you still think that Dom could’ve had anything to do with this?”
“I can’t comment on an ongoing investigation,” David replies, wincing slightly when Viggo groans in frustration. “But between you and me, I will say that my focus will be directed elsewhere, pursuing other leads.”
Viggo sighs with relief. “Thank you.”
“Billy has agreed to sit with our sketch artist,” David adds. “Do you think that he’ll be up to it this afternoon?”
“He’ll rest now, for a while, so I think it’s worth a try,” the doctor tells him after pondering for a moment. ”You told me once that memories fade quickly, so the sooner the better, right?”
“It seems that you still have a good memory,” David says dryly.
“Will we see you this afternoon?” Viggo inquires.
“Probably not. But I will be back with some follow up questions,” David says. “I should get going.”
“All right then.”
“I’ll keep Dom’s history out of my reports, unless something happens that directly links to it as part of the case,” the detective adds. “Okay?”
“Thank you.”
David smiles. “He’s lucky to have a friend like you.”
“I could say the same about you and me.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
After a long nap with Dom lying on the bed next to him, Billy is feeling well enough to sit up a fair bit in bed, though finding a comfortable position for his cast against his bruised ribs proves to be a wee bit of a challenge. It’s with Dom’s gentle care that several pillows are carefully positioned, and then he encourages Billy to polish off most of his lunch tray, pleased when the older man seems to be soothed by his proximity.
A short time later, Viggo arrives to check on them, a blonde female in tow who has a large tote bag slung over her left shoulder. She has kind eyes and a friendly smile, and wondering why she’s here, the couple look to Viggo for explanation. He introduces her as the sketch artist that David promised to send, and after she introduces herself as Miranda, Dom and Viggo leave to give them some privacy.
“How’s he doing?” Dom asks Viggo as they step out into the hall and the older man scans Billy’s chart. “Is he really going to be all right?”
“Yes, he is,” Viggo replies with a reassuring smile. “It’ll take a while for him to get back to himself, but I don’t see any reason why Bill won’t make a full recovery.”
“Good.”
“Just the blokes I was looking for,” Orlando says with a smile as he approaches, his arms loaded down with several carrier bags.
“Hey you,” Viggo says fondly, leaning in to take one of the bags out of his lover’s arms, the couple sharing a lingering kiss.
Next, Orlando moves over to Dom and gives him a one-armed, firm hug.
“How are you holding up?” he asks the younger man gently. “I hear Billy’s doing well.”
“He is,” Dom confirms with obvious relief. “I think he’ll be able to go home in a day or so.”
“That’s great.” Orlando glances over at Viggo and catches him peering into the bag in his arms with great interest. “Hey!”
Viggo gives him his best innocent face. “What?”
“You’re ruining my surprise,” Orlando complains.
“What did you bring?” Dom asks, actually grateful for the distraction of his friends. It seems so long since he did anything outside of work, other than sleep, and even that wasn’t in large supply.
“I thought you and Vig might be hungry, so I brought contraband,” Orlando tells them, his voice hushed. “Thai takeaway.”
The three men duck into a nearby waiting room, and over the next forty-five minutes, they polish off the spicy food, and catch up with one another. Dom knows that it’s for his benefit, so he doesn’t watch the clock, and he’s very appreciative of the gesture. The subject of Dom leaving the hospital to sleep that night is gently broached, but Dom flatly refuses, using Billy’s request to have him close as a reason. Although he has some suspicion with regards to what Billy isn’t saying, Viggo decides not to mention it to Dom until he’s had a chance to sit down with the Scotsman alone.
Both Orlando and Viggo aren’t surprised when Dom stretches out on the couch and nods off shortly after they finish eating, as he’s clearly very tired from the emotional upheaval of Billy’s attack. He has slept some, but not nearly enough, under the circumstances. The couple speak in whispers, and Orlando agrees to stay with Dom while Viggo goes to check on Billy, and he closes the door behind him to ensure that they aren’t disturbed.
Just as Miranda is preparing to leave, Viggo slips into Billy’s hospital room, thankful that Dom is asleep so he has an opportunity to speak to Billy alone. Since he was admitted into the hospital, certain questions have been lingering in Viggo’s mind. Maybe now that Dom isn’t around, Billy will open up to him, and unload a burden that Viggo is almost certain that he is carrying.
“Hey,” Viggo offers as greeting as he sinks down into a chair. “How’re you feeling?”
“My head still hurts, but it’s better now than what it was when I first woke up,” Billy replies, giving him a weak smile. “It’s a dull, throbbing ache, rather than a sharp, screaming pain.”
“It’ll get better, but I’ll leave a note for your doctor to request an increase your painkillers, so you’ll be more comfortable,” Viggo tells him, making a notation on Billy’s chart before rising and returning the medical file to its rightful place at the end of the bed.
“Where’s Dom?” Billy asks, attempting to keep his tone light, even though he’s growing a wee bit anxious.
“Orli brought some Thai, which he practically inhaled, and right now he’s taking a nap.”
“Oh, good.”
Pursing his lips in thought, Viggo leans back in his chair. “I thought it might be a good time for us to talk. Alone.”
Although he tries to hide it, Billy tenses visibly. “Talk about what?” he asks mildly.
“There’s something you’re not saying,” Viggo says bluntly. “I know you. You may have told Detective Wenham everything you could about the robbery, but right now you’re holding something back, and I’m asking you if it’s something that I need to know.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Billy replies unsteadily, the wobble in his voice and the excess moisture in his eyes betraying him.
“Bill, please,” Viggo begs, reaching forward to take Billy’s small hand in his. “It’s me. You can tell me anything. You know that. Please, be honest with me.”
“I don’t-”
“I won’t tell Dom, whatever it is,” Viggo interrupts to add. “It’ll be protected by doctor patient confidentiality. I won’t tell anyone.”
A ragged sob escapes Billy’s throat, and he closes his eyes as his right hand covers his mouth, in an attempt to control his overwhelming emotions. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Viggo carefully gathers the smaller man in his arms, murmuring soothing words as he strokes Billy’s hair and back in gentle caresses.
“It’s all right, Bill. You’re safe.”
“I’m fine,” Billy says when he can speak again. “I-”
“Bill, please,” Viggo repeats. “If there’s something I can do-”
“What do you want to know?” Billy asks as he pulls back and brushes at his damp cheeks, embarrassed by his loss of control.
“Is there any injury that you haven’t told me about?” Viggo asks softly, watching Billy’s eyes closely for a reaction.
It takes a few moments, and then realization dawns, causing Billy’s eyes to widen. “No!”
“What?”
“No, they didn’t- They hurt me, punched me, kicked me,” Billy explains quietly. “But they didn’t- rape me. I swear to you, Vig, they didn’t do that.”
“Okay,” Viggo replies, seeing the truth in Billy’s eyes. “I believe you.”
“Thank you.”
“But there’s something you’re not saying,” Viggo adds.
“Aye, there is,” Billy finally admits, sinking down into the pillows cushioning his body.
“What is it?” Viggo prompts.
Moistening his lips, Billy swallows hard, and takes a breath. “I told Detective Wenham that it wasn’t a robbery.”
“What?!?”
“The shop. It wasn’t a robbery gone bad,” Billy explains. “They weren’t interested in the money.”
“What then?” Viggo demands. “Why else would-”
Closing his eyes and looking away, Billy whispers, “It was a message. A warning.”
“For what? Are you in some kind of trouble?” Viggo asks, fear rising inside. “Is it money? Do you owe someone? I thought the book shop was doing well.”
“It has nothing to do with the shop,” Billy replies, shaking his head. “It was a message for Dom.”
Understanding rips through Viggo like a thunderbolt, and his jaw drops.
“He’s helped a lot of kids to get off the street. Some have gone home, and others have started new lives,” Billy explains. “Someone isn’t happy about that, and they want it to stop.”
“Oh, Bill-” Viggo breathes. “I-”
“I can’t tell Dom,” Billy says as he looks up into Viggo’s shocked eyes. “He’ll never forgive himself for me getting hurt. He’ll blame himself. I can’t let that happen.”
“Bill, eventually it’ll have to come out,” Viggo argues. “You told David-”
“I wasn’t going to, and then he asked if Dom and I were having problems,” Billy interrupts. “I know there’s no way that Dom would do anything to hurt me. Never. He’d rather die.”
“I told David the same thing,” Viggo tells him. “Now I know why he’s looking elsewhere.”
“No matter how I explain it, Dom is going to blame himself, but I can’t think about that right now,” Billy continues. “I just need to keep him safe.”
“As long as you ask him to stay here at the hospital, you know he will,” Viggo comments with a sigh.
“Will you help me?” Billy asks, his eyes bright. “If anything happened to him, and I could’ve prevented it-”
“Of course, Bill.”
“Thank you.”
“Get some rest, okay?” Viggo requests gently as he moves off the edge of the bed and over to the nearby chair. “I’ll check on Dom.”
“Okay.”
Exhausted from the emotional strain of the secrets he’s keeping from the man he loves, Billy wearily lets his eyes close, and Viggo stays by his side until a soft, whistling snore fills the air. Leaning over the sleeping man, Viggo adjusts the blanket and then soundlessly leaves the room, not surprised to discover Dom waiting in the hall.
“Hey, you’re awake,” Viggo says warmly. “He’s sleeping right now, but I know he was looking forward to seeing you after your nap. You can sit with him if you want. I think he’d like that.”
“What happened?” Dom asks, looking through the closing door, his brow furrowing. “It looks like he’s been crying.”
“Oh, that,” Viggo says quietly, his mind scrambling to come up with a plausible explanation. “He, uh, we talked, and he needed to release some tension. It was scary, what happened to him. That’s all.”
“Oh.”
The words are on the tip of Dom’s tongue, wanting to ask if there was something that they haven’t told him, if Billy’s injuries are worse than he thought. Since he found Billy, unconscious on the floor, he’s been unable to shake a certain question from his mind. If Billy was-
“He’s, uh, he’s really okay?” Dom asks unsteadily, swallowing hard and blinking quickly.
“Dom?”
“Yeah?”
Viggo lays a hand on Dom’s trembling shoulder. “It didn’t happen.”
“What?” Too afraid to hope, and not wanting to reveal something so intimate about himself, Dom puts forth a Herculean effort to keep his expression blank.
“What you think might have happened,” Viggo continues sympathetically. “It didn’t.”
Suddenly Dom’s façade cracks and hot tears well up in his eyes. “You wouldn’t lie to me, and say he hadn’t,” he whispers. “If Billy asked you to?”
“No, Dom, I wouldn’t,” Viggo vows. “I did ask him, just to be sure. I’ve seen too many patients violated that way, and if Bill had been, I wanted to make sure he got the care he needed.”
There’s something in the tone of Viggo’s voice, and the careful wording he uses that causes a new question to form in Dom’s mind. Looking up into the doctor’s caring eyes, Dom feels the fear that has been paralyzing him start to dissipate.
“How long have you known about me?” Dom asks quietly. “Did Billy tell you?”
“No,” Viggo tells him. “You just did.”
“What?”
“I suspected early on, that something pretty awful must’ve happened to you, but I didn’t want to push things too fast, and then you started seeing Dr. Tyler,” Viggo explains gently. “I knew she’d be able to help you. I also knew that Bill loves you with all his heart, and would be your safe place, no matter what.”
Deeply touched, Dom draws the older man close for a hug, and then smiles as he pulls back. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Viggo replies, giving Dom’s hair an affectionate tousle. “Now go on in. I know you want to see him.”
“Yeah, I do.”
Viggo’s gentle smile lasts until the door to Billy’s room closes, and as he walks away, guilt and worry begins to form a tight knot in the pit of his stomach. He wonders what Dom’s reaction will be when he learns the truth, and what the next few days will hold for all of them. Most of all, he fears for the safety of his friends, and dreads the sensation of feeling so utterly helpless.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Chapter 37
Title: With A Little Help From My Friends - 36/47
Author:
dylan_dufresne Pairing: BB/DM
Rating: PG-14, maybe.
Summary: Devotion and reconnection, introductions, challenges and unexpected revelations.
Feedback: Would be greatly appreciated as it’s my drug of choice. Many thanks to my beta,
frojane.Special Thanks: To
loki_girl for the exquisite banner that she has created, and to tarnishedhalo for loaning me her inspirational manip for the centerpiece. I am so thankful and appreciative of you both, and your generosity. Disclaimer: Not at all true in reality. This is my imagination at work.
A/N: Angst. You know it’s here.
Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35
Chapter 36
The long hours of the night pass slowly, Dom watching over Billy, refusing to sleep and leave his lover unattended for even a minute. He occasionally talks to Billy in a low, soothing voice, paces the small room when he can’t bear to be still one moment longer, and then once his nerves are somewhat settled again, usually by gazing at their platinum rings in the moonlight and thinking about the day they took their vows, he laces Billy’s fingers with his, pets his gingery hair, or tucks the soft blankets more securely around Billy’s prone body.
Thanks to Viggo, the nurses who slip into the room to check on Billy in regular intervals make no mention of the fact that Dom shouldn’t be there, and instead check the monitors, meticulously record Billy’s vital signs, and change IV bags when necessary. Every move they make is carefully scrutinized by Dom, as he vigilantly watches them all, taking no chances, and wanting to ensure that nothing else hurts his Billy. Nothing bad is going to happen to his partner if Dom can possibly prevent it, and he anxiously waits for morning, because that’s when Billy should open his eyes. He knows Billy has been through a lot, and Dom is going to be there at his side, for anything the Scotsman may need.
The sun is above the horizon when Dom finally surrenders to exhaustion and lays his head on his folded arms at Billy’s bedside, watching the sleeping man’s chest rise and fall in slow, measured breaths. Dom only means to rest his eyes for a few moments, but is quickly overtaken and falls asleep, and when Viggo arrives just a few minutes later, Dom doesn’t stir. After giving both men a fond smile, the doctor checks Billy’s chart and then quietly sinks down into a chair near the window.
While he managed to grab a few hours of sleep in the lounge, thanks to Orlando, Viggo is by no means well-rested, and is rubbing his tired eyes when he hears Billy’s breathing change. Quickly sitting up in the chair, he watches Billy’s deep green eyes flutter open and come into focus. After Billy has had a few moments to get his bearings, Viggo leans forward, catching Billy’s attention.
“Hey.”
“Vig?”
Billy’s voice is raspy and quiet, but stronger than Viggo hoped, and that helps to ease his concern about the injured man.
“Shhh,” Viggo cautions, rising to his feet and gesturing at Dom’s sleeping form. “According to the nurses, he’s been up all night, watching over you. He must’ve just fallen asleep.”
“Oh, Dommie,” Billy murmurs under his breath, lifting his hand to gently pet Dom’s mussed blonde hair and stroke the nape of his slender neck.
“You needed surgery to set the bones in your arm, have some bruised ribs, a bruised kidney as well as a concussion, but should make a full recovery,” Viggo reports. “All things considered, you’re a very lucky man.”
Billy looks up to make eye contact with Viggo. “Thank you.”
“I need to check your eyes,” Viggo adds as he withdraws a small light pen from the pocket of his wrinkled scrub shirt.
“Okay.”
There is silence as Viggo sweeps the light across one of Billy’s eyes and then the other, and once he’s satisfied, he steps back and smiles.
“Pupils equal and reactive,” he says. “That’s good news.”
Focusing on Dom once again, Billy sighs quietly, seeing the deep shadows beneath his lover’s eyes, and worrying about the awkward position he’s sleeping in. “He’s okay?”
“He was very scared, but he did well, made good decisions for you,” Viggo adds, following Billy’s gaze, a wee bit confused by the question since it was he who was injured and not Dom, but deciding it’s likely a result of the concussion Billy sustained. “He called me from the ambulance, and made me go with you to surgery so you wouldn’t be alone. He’s been very protective of you.”
“I know the feeling,” Billy replies fondly, then focuses on Dom’s fluttering eyelashes when his breath catches and he tenses.
Waking with a start, Dom’s brow furrows, and a whimper of distress bubbles up in his throat as he looks up.
“You’re awake,” he says hoarsely.
Billy nods carefully. “Just a minute ago.”
“I fell asleep. I’m sorry,” Dom says guiltily as he scrubs at his bleary eyes, the words tumbling out in a nervous rush. “You’re going to be just fine. Don’t worry about the book shop; I’ll take care of it. All you need to do is rest and-”
“Dommie?” Billy interrupts softly.
“What? Are you in pain? Hungry? Thirsty?” Dom asks quickly. “What do you need?”
Billy smiles gently. “You.”
The panic and anxiety swirling around Dom suddenly comes to a stop. “What?”
“You’re too far away. Come closer?” Billy requests shyly, slowly tipping up his chin and offering his mouth. “Please?”
Relief washes over Dom, and he perches carefully on the edge of the bed before leaning down to bring his lips to Billy’s. The contact is careful and tender, because of Billy’s injured lip, but definitely not lacking in the love they share. Dom’s long fingers gently caress Billy’s cheek while Billy’s small hand clutches a handful of Dom’s t-shirt to keep him close. A tiny whimper bubbles up in Billy’s throat, but when Dom starts to pull back, worried that he’s causing Billy pain, the older man tightens his hold.
“I’ll just leave you two alone,” Viggo says awkwardly, averting his gaze when the couple carefully nuzzles each another affectionately. “Be back later to check on you.”
The couple don’t hear the door close, and Dom shifts carefully to brace his weight on his elbows, head tipped to one side as he rains tender kisses across Billy’s face, avoiding the worst of the scrapes and bruises.
“I love you,” he whispers between kisses. “I love you so much.”
Deep down, Dom had been terrified that Billy would push him away, be angry for how he was so thoughtless yesterday, but that fear is now quickly fading.
“Dommie,” Billy whispers, the fingers not trapped by plaster resting on Dom’s shoulder, gently caressing. “Love?”
“What, Bills?” Dom asks quietly, halting his ministrations. “Is there something you need? Should I go get a nurse?”
“Aye. I need you to sleep,” Billy replies, his brow furrowing. “You look so tired.”
“Oh, I’m okay,” Dom tells him, waving off Billy’s concern. “Don’t you worry about me. You just concentrate on resting and getting better.”
“No, you’re not okay. And how could I not worry about you? You’re exhausted.”
“I’ll be fine, now that I know you’re going to be all right,” Dom says, valiantly trying to give Billy a reassuring smile. “That’s all that matters.”
“I want you to lie down,” Billy tells him, mustering up a somewhat firm tone. “Rest.”
“I don’t want to leave you alo-”
“This bed is big enough for both of us,” Billy interrupts, his hand sliding up to cup Dom’s scruffy cheek. “And I like the idea of having you close. I missed that when we didn’t have our birthday breakfast together.”
“I know,” Dom confesses miserably, his eyes bright. “You made bacon, and I didn’t even realize why. Bills, I’m so sorry. I can’t believe I did that.”
“We lost our way, didn’t we?” Billy muses aloud, gazing at the younger man with such devotion that it makes Dom’s heart skip a beat.
Billy has every right to be angry with him, but instead he’s reaching out, offering forgiveness without Dom even having to ask, and Dom is deeply moved by the Scotsman’s generosity.
“No,” Dom corrects sadly. “I did. Me. Not you.”
“Dommie-”
“It’s true,” Dom interjects, ashamed of how he’s treated Billy in recent months. “I got so busy with work that I took it for granted that you’d always be there. I swore I’d never do that. You tried to tell me, but I couldn’t see it. I’m so sorry.”
“C’mere love,” Billy requests, trying to bring their mouths together once again.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Dom protests, pulling back slightly and encouraging Billy to relax. “You’ve been through so much.”
“You won’t, I promise.”
“But-”
“Please?” Billy requests, his eyes soft and pleading, his own exhaustion starting to overwhelm him. “It’ll make me feel better. You know I don’t sleep well when you’re not beside me. I’ve missed you.”
Sighing, Dom finally nods and brushes his lips across Billy’s, unable to deny his lover anything, especially in his current condition. “All right.”
“Get in this bed,” Billy instructs. “Before you fall over.”
Heeling off his trainers, Dom ever so carefully stretches out on the mattress beside Billy, sliding one arm under Billy’s pillow, the other coming to rest lightly across Billy’s waist, well below his bruised ribs.
“Are you comfortable?” Dom asks as he presses a feathery kiss to Billy’s mussed hair.
Slowly and carefully rolling his head to one side, Billy tucks his small nose into the side of Dom’s slender neck and inhales his lover’s scent.
“Aye,” he whispers and then yawns. “Go to sleep, Dommie.”
When Viggo ducks his head into the room twenty minutes later, he smiles at the sight of the couple curled up together, fast asleep, both looking more relaxed. Stepping inside and moving stealthily over to the bed, Viggo carefully arranges a blanket over the sleeping men before closing the blinds so they won’t be awakened by the rising sun. Only then does he leave the room, knowing that they’re both in good hands, and that sleep is sometimes the best medicine.
When Billy wakes again, he discovers Dom watching him, lying perfectly still beside him, not wanting to move and disturb his rest. Shortly after that, Billy’s breakfast tray arrives, and Dom is refusing to eat any of Billy’s meal when Viggo shows up with a tray from the cafeteria. Viggo can’t help but smile at Dom’s dedication to Billy, constantly fussing over him, ensuring he’s comfortable or getting anything he needs. Even though the doctor offers to help when Billy needs a trip to the loo, the couple gently refuse, and take care of the matter themselves. They’re just getting Billy settled into bed again when there is a knock at the open door, and the three look over, curious as to who it could be, since Viggo said that Orlando couldn’t come by until this afternoon.
“David,” Viggo says, quickly pushing himself up out of his chair and walking over to him. “You’re back.”
Eyes locked on the couple at the bed, David nods. “Nurse said he was awake.”
“Yeah,” Viggo confirms with a relieved smile. “C’mon in.”
Billy looks confused, his brow furrowing, and then looks to Dom as their fingers lace together.
“Mr. Boyd,” David begins, “I’m Detective Wenham. I’ve been assigned to investigate the incident at the book shop.”
Slowly, Billy nods. “Okay.”
“I need to ask you some questions, gather whatever details you can give me, and hopefully catch who did this,” David adds. “I came by last night, but you were still asleep.”
“Aye.”
“And I’ll need to speak to you as well, Mr. Monaghan.”
“I don’t know anything,” Dom says tersely. “I came home from work and found him. There was nobody else around. I rang for an ambulance, and then called Vig. I’ve been here ever since.”
David’s eyes dart over to Viggo’s for a fraction of a second, and then he shifts his stance. “All right then. Mr. Boyd, are you up to answering some questions?”
“Aye.”
“Would you gentlemen excuse us, please?” David requests as he looks pointedly at Dom and then Viggo.
“I’m staying,” Dom says flatly, moving even closer to Billy.
“It’s okay, Dommie,” Billy tells him, hoping to avoid any problems. “I’ll be all right.”
“But Bills-”
“I’ll be okay, but I’d love some tea,” he interjects gently. “Could you get some for me, love? You know the way I like it.”
Exhaling heavily, Dom nods, and then leans down to brush his lips over Billy’s in a feathery kiss. “Of course. I won’t be long.”
“Thank you.”
It’s clear that Dom isn’t happy about leaving Billy alone with the detective, but for Billy’s sake, he doesn’t make a fuss as he and Viggo slip out of the room, the door closing behind them.
“Dom-” Viggo begins.
“I need to find some tea, hopefully good tea,” Dom interrupts, his eyes flat and distant, making it perfectly clear that he’s not in the mood to talk. “Can you help me with that?”
“Sure thing. It’s this way,” the doctor replies, leading the way down the hall in the direction of the cafeteria.
“So,” David begins after settling into a chair and pulling his notepad out of his jacket pocket. “What happened last night?”
“May I ask how you know Viggo?” Billy inquires. “I get the distinct impression that you didn’t meet for the first time last night.”
“We’ve known each other for a number of years, but I’ve been living in London until recently,” David explains.
“You met through the clinic,” Billy prompts. “Or-”
“We dated, briefly, after you two broke up,” David says swiftly, eager to move on. “It didn’t work out.”
Billy’s cheeks flush pink. “Oh.”
“Any other questions?”
“No.”
“So, what happened at the book shop?” David asks again.
“Honestly, I’m not sure how much I can tell you,” Billy begins with a sigh. “I feel like I’m in a bit of a fog. Things are fuzzy in my head, when it’s not throbbing.”
“That’s normal, especially with a concussion,” David tells him. “It’ll get better. It might help to say things out loud. In my experience, people who try that remember more than they thought they would.”
“Aye, it’s worth a try,” Billy agrees.
David nods. “What kind of day was it? Do you remember the afternoon? What the weather was like?”
Billy’s brow furrows as he concentrates. “It was getting later in the day, and I was in the office, looking for something. A catalogue, I think.”
“Okay. That’s a good start.”
“I wanted to place an order for some books, but I couldn’t find it.”
“So it had been an average day?” David asks. “No strange people hanging around? No disgruntled customers? A shoplifter? Nothing like that?”
“No,” Billy replies as he shakes his head. “I remember there was a nice young lady with a baby. Then Aaron-”
“Aaron?” David interrupts, his eyebrow arched. “Who’s that? An employee?”
“Oh God,” Billy gasps as the violence comes rushing back to him in a crushing wave, filling his eyes with tears and making his chest ache. “They took him. They took Aaron.”
Dom is sitting at a table in the cafeteria, one foot bouncing restlessly as he fidgets with his coffee, Billy’s cup of tea close by, sweetened with honey and milk, just the way he likes it. Across from him, Viggo takes a sip of his drink, and then clears his throat to get Dom’s attention.
“David’s good at his job,” he begins. “Bill will be fine.”
Snorting in derision, Dom scrubs a hand over his face before taking a gulp of coffee and then checking his watch.
“Why don’t you want to help?” Viggo says bluntly. “I’d bet my right arm that you would rather die than have Bill get hurt. Why are-”
“I don’t like the police,” Dom interrupts. “I don’t trust them.”
“They’re not going arrest you because of what you were,” Viggo soothes, keeping his voice low to avoid being overheard. “That was years ago, Dom.”
“I’m not worried about me,” Dom says incredulously. “All I care about is Billy.”
“I don’t understand,” Viggo replies, utterly confused. “Bill was hurt. The shop vandalized. The job of the police is to catch the bastards who did this.”
Dom freezes. “Billy told you there was more than one?”
“No,” the doctor replies. “I’m guessing. With the injuries he has, I think there was at least two attackers.”
“Oh God,” Dom gasps, his eyes flooding with fresh tears. “If I’d only-”
“If you’d have been there, there wouldn’t have been anyone to help Bill,” Viggo says, cutting off what he assumes is going to be Dom, heaping a pile of guilt on himself. “You found him. Even though you were scared, you didn’t panic. You got help.”
“I’d trade places with him in a heartbeat,” Dom whispers, hanging his head. “What they did to him-”
“I know you would. You love him very much,” Viggo adds gently. “I know you want to make sure that never happens again.”
“I’d been working on the street for about six months before I got caught,” Dom finally confesses, his eyes downcast. “It was the end of the month and I was desperate for money, so I picked a bloke up, even though something felt off. We were back at my flat when he showed me his badge.”
Stunned, Viggo’s jaw drops. “You were arrested?”
“No.”
“How did-” Unsure of what to say, Viggo trails off, and then tries again. “What did you do?”
A wave of revulsion washes over Dom as he recalls the degrading details of that night, causing him to visibly shudder, and he swallows hard before looking up to meet the doctor’s gaze with red-rimmed eyes.
“Everything he told me to do,” he finally replies darkly. “And when it was finally over, I could barely walk.”
“Jesus, Dom,” Viggo curses under his breath. “I’m so sorry.”
“How do I know that detective will be any different?” Dom chokes out. “If I thought it would help Billy, I would do anything-”
“Dom, stop,” Viggo interrupts, reaching across the table to take the younger man’s hands in his. “I swear David isn’t like that. He’s not.”
“You’re sure?” Dom asks dubiously.
“Do you remember the day we met for coffee, and you told me that you and Bill were getting married?” Viggo asks.
“Yes.”
“I told you how hard it was for me to let Bill go,” the doctor continues. “And after we broke up, I felt so empty.”
“I remember.”
Sighing, Viggo finishes by saying, “I also told you that for a while, I tried to fill the void with someone else. That person was David.”
“Oh God,” Dom gasps, his eyes wide with shock.
“Until last night, I hadn’t seen him in years, and he hasn’t changed in all that time.” Giving Dom’s hands a gentle squeeze, Viggo gives him a wobbly smile. “He’s a good man, and he’s very dedicated to his job. I firmly believe that he really wants to find who did this.”
“Yeah?”
“You’re not alone here, Dom,” Viggo adds. “There are so many people who care about you and Bill. Your Mum and Dad, Maggie, Orli, me. We want to help, in any way that we can.”
“Can we go back to Billy’s room now?” Dom asks, brushing at his damp eyes. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to help him, but-”
“You’re helping, Dom, just by being there for Bill,” Viggo soothes. “Let’s go.”
Dom cradles the sweet, milky cup of tea for his lover in both hands, and Viggo slides a protective arm around his slender shoulders as they make the journey back to where David is taking Billy’s statement. The closer they get, the faster Dom walks, eager to see his partner, and offer whatever assistance he can. He’s only opened the door part way when his eyes lock with Billy’s, and at the clear sign of distress, Dom rushes over to the older man’s side.
“Bills?” he says tenderly, quickly setting down the cup of tea on the swinging table next to the bed and stroking Billy’s hair. “What’s wrong, love? What do you need?”
Staying close to Billy’s side, Dom’s eyes are like daggers as they fix on David, who has risen to his feet before tucking his leather notepad into his jacket pocket.
“What did you do?” he hisses at the detective. “Hasn’t he been through enough?”
“I think we have enough to get started,” David says with a firm nod. “I’ll be in touch, Billy.”
“Aye,” Billy says shakily, reaching out to Dom with his good hand, longing to have him close.
Before Dom has a chance to give David a piece of his mind, Viggo is ushering him out of the room and shooting Dom an apologetic look. Once the door closes, Dom focuses his attention on Billy, and what he can do to ease his lover’s pain.
“I’m so sorry, Bills,” Dom murmurs, pressing several soft kisses to Billy’s face. “I-”
“It wasn’t his fault,” Billy interjects. “Don’t blame him. He’s just doing his job.”
“But Bills-”
“Dommie, please.”
For a long moment, Billy gazes up into Dom’s eyes, trying to find the words to explain, yet somehow protect the man he loves so much. How can he tell Dom what he saw happen to Aaron?
“Bills?”
“We were talking about what happened,” Billy tells him, smiling gratefully when the younger man brings a cup of water with a straw to his parched lips. “And then I remembered that Aaron was there, at the shop, with me.”
He watches as realization dawns on Dom, and shares in the guilt because they both had forgotten about their guest in the aftermath of the attack, and subsequent hospitalization.
“He wasn’t involved, was he?” Dom chokes out, fearful that he had put Billy in harms way, when he’d so generously offered a place for Aaron to stay.
“No,” Billy says quickly, and then grimaces at the headache that’s beginning to throb heavily at the base of his skull. “They hurt him, and then they dragged him away. I don’t know where.”
“Shhh, Bills,” Dom soothes, reaching over and pressing the button to summon the nurse. “I’m sure you did all you could.”
Part of Billy knows that he should say more, warn Dom about what the man said as he terrorized Aaron, but he can’t bear to add to Dom’s burdens just now. It’s bad enough that he’s been hurt, and if Dom were to find out that it was done in his name, to warn him to stop the work that means so much to him . . . For now, all Billy can do is keep Dom at his side, in the hopes of protecting him.
“Stay,” Billy requests softly. “Need you close.”
“Of course,” Dom murmurs in reply, then kisses the tip of Billy’s nose. “I’m not going anywhere, baby.”
He keeps his word, holding Billy’s hand as a nurse administers a pain reliever and a light sedative to the IV, so the Scotsman can get some much needed rest. Dom is reaching back with his free hand to tug a chair closer when Billy whispers a request that he can’t bear to refuse. As he did this morning, shortly after Billy awoke for the first time, Dom toes off his trainers and carefully stretches out on the hospital bed beside his injured lover, snuggling into the older man as best he can, offering support and all the love in his heart. Not surprisingly, in a matter of minutes, both are fast asleep.
“Do you still think that Dom could’ve had anything to do with this?” Viggo asks David, slowing to a stop down the hall from Billy’s room and leading the way into an empty waiting room. “The shop being vandalized, and Bill-”
“Do you have information?” David interrupts to ask.
“Who’s asking?” Viggo fires back. “David or Detective Wenham?”
Talking a long moment, David watches Viggo’s normally kind, grey eyes, and then finally says, “David. For now.”
“Dom works with at risk youth, and others, at a local community centre,” the doctor begins. “He went to uni to study in that field, because he wanted to help people.”
“He graduated in June,” David tells him mildly. “Background information was easy to find.”
“Oh really? I’m willing to bet you had some trouble finding anything on Dom for about four years, from shortly after he turned eighteen to when he went back to school to finish his A levels,” Viggo retorts, not surprised when David sucks in a tight breath.
“I’m to believe that you know where he was during that time?” David asks pointedly.
“Yes.”
“Are you going to tell me?”
“Have you asked yourself why a young man would dedicate his life to helping the misfortunate?” Viggo asks, his tone much softer now. “Why he would devote countless hours to improving the lives of others, and fight to give them all a better chance?”
“Because either he was or someone he cared about was in a similar situation,” David deduces, and then pauses, lips pursing in thought. “At this moment, I’d have to go with the former, rather than the latter. That would explain the mistrust of police, but it’s possible that it’s a combination of the two.”
Hopeful that he’s finally getting through to David, the doctor smiles slightly. “I say again, do you still think that Dom could’ve had anything to do with this?”
“I can’t comment on an ongoing investigation,” David replies, wincing slightly when Viggo groans in frustration. “But between you and me, I will say that my focus will be directed elsewhere, pursuing other leads.”
Viggo sighs with relief. “Thank you.”
“Billy has agreed to sit with our sketch artist,” David adds. “Do you think that he’ll be up to it this afternoon?”
“He’ll rest now, for a while, so I think it’s worth a try,” the doctor tells him after pondering for a moment. ”You told me once that memories fade quickly, so the sooner the better, right?”
“It seems that you still have a good memory,” David says dryly.
“Will we see you this afternoon?” Viggo inquires.
“Probably not. But I will be back with some follow up questions,” David says. “I should get going.”
“All right then.”
“I’ll keep Dom’s history out of my reports, unless something happens that directly links to it as part of the case,” the detective adds. “Okay?”
“Thank you.”
David smiles. “He’s lucky to have a friend like you.”
“I could say the same about you and me.”
After a long nap with Dom lying on the bed next to him, Billy is feeling well enough to sit up a fair bit in bed, though finding a comfortable position for his cast against his bruised ribs proves to be a wee bit of a challenge. It’s with Dom’s gentle care that several pillows are carefully positioned, and then he encourages Billy to polish off most of his lunch tray, pleased when the older man seems to be soothed by his proximity.
A short time later, Viggo arrives to check on them, a blonde female in tow who has a large tote bag slung over her left shoulder. She has kind eyes and a friendly smile, and wondering why she’s here, the couple look to Viggo for explanation. He introduces her as the sketch artist that David promised to send, and after she introduces herself as Miranda, Dom and Viggo leave to give them some privacy.
“How’s he doing?” Dom asks Viggo as they step out into the hall and the older man scans Billy’s chart. “Is he really going to be all right?”
“Yes, he is,” Viggo replies with a reassuring smile. “It’ll take a while for him to get back to himself, but I don’t see any reason why Bill won’t make a full recovery.”
“Good.”
“Just the blokes I was looking for,” Orlando says with a smile as he approaches, his arms loaded down with several carrier bags.
“Hey you,” Viggo says fondly, leaning in to take one of the bags out of his lover’s arms, the couple sharing a lingering kiss.
Next, Orlando moves over to Dom and gives him a one-armed, firm hug.
“How are you holding up?” he asks the younger man gently. “I hear Billy’s doing well.”
“He is,” Dom confirms with obvious relief. “I think he’ll be able to go home in a day or so.”
“That’s great.” Orlando glances over at Viggo and catches him peering into the bag in his arms with great interest. “Hey!”
Viggo gives him his best innocent face. “What?”
“You’re ruining my surprise,” Orlando complains.
“What did you bring?” Dom asks, actually grateful for the distraction of his friends. It seems so long since he did anything outside of work, other than sleep, and even that wasn’t in large supply.
“I thought you and Vig might be hungry, so I brought contraband,” Orlando tells them, his voice hushed. “Thai takeaway.”
The three men duck into a nearby waiting room, and over the next forty-five minutes, they polish off the spicy food, and catch up with one another. Dom knows that it’s for his benefit, so he doesn’t watch the clock, and he’s very appreciative of the gesture. The subject of Dom leaving the hospital to sleep that night is gently broached, but Dom flatly refuses, using Billy’s request to have him close as a reason. Although he has some suspicion with regards to what Billy isn’t saying, Viggo decides not to mention it to Dom until he’s had a chance to sit down with the Scotsman alone.
Both Orlando and Viggo aren’t surprised when Dom stretches out on the couch and nods off shortly after they finish eating, as he’s clearly very tired from the emotional upheaval of Billy’s attack. He has slept some, but not nearly enough, under the circumstances. The couple speak in whispers, and Orlando agrees to stay with Dom while Viggo goes to check on Billy, and he closes the door behind him to ensure that they aren’t disturbed.
Just as Miranda is preparing to leave, Viggo slips into Billy’s hospital room, thankful that Dom is asleep so he has an opportunity to speak to Billy alone. Since he was admitted into the hospital, certain questions have been lingering in Viggo’s mind. Maybe now that Dom isn’t around, Billy will open up to him, and unload a burden that Viggo is almost certain that he is carrying.
“Hey,” Viggo offers as greeting as he sinks down into a chair. “How’re you feeling?”
“My head still hurts, but it’s better now than what it was when I first woke up,” Billy replies, giving him a weak smile. “It’s a dull, throbbing ache, rather than a sharp, screaming pain.”
“It’ll get better, but I’ll leave a note for your doctor to request an increase your painkillers, so you’ll be more comfortable,” Viggo tells him, making a notation on Billy’s chart before rising and returning the medical file to its rightful place at the end of the bed.
“Where’s Dom?” Billy asks, attempting to keep his tone light, even though he’s growing a wee bit anxious.
“Orli brought some Thai, which he practically inhaled, and right now he’s taking a nap.”
“Oh, good.”
Pursing his lips in thought, Viggo leans back in his chair. “I thought it might be a good time for us to talk. Alone.”
Although he tries to hide it, Billy tenses visibly. “Talk about what?” he asks mildly.
“There’s something you’re not saying,” Viggo says bluntly. “I know you. You may have told Detective Wenham everything you could about the robbery, but right now you’re holding something back, and I’m asking you if it’s something that I need to know.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Billy replies unsteadily, the wobble in his voice and the excess moisture in his eyes betraying him.
“Bill, please,” Viggo begs, reaching forward to take Billy’s small hand in his. “It’s me. You can tell me anything. You know that. Please, be honest with me.”
“I don’t-”
“I won’t tell Dom, whatever it is,” Viggo interrupts to add. “It’ll be protected by doctor patient confidentiality. I won’t tell anyone.”
A ragged sob escapes Billy’s throat, and he closes his eyes as his right hand covers his mouth, in an attempt to control his overwhelming emotions. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Viggo carefully gathers the smaller man in his arms, murmuring soothing words as he strokes Billy’s hair and back in gentle caresses.
“It’s all right, Bill. You’re safe.”
“I’m fine,” Billy says when he can speak again. “I-”
“Bill, please,” Viggo repeats. “If there’s something I can do-”
“What do you want to know?” Billy asks as he pulls back and brushes at his damp cheeks, embarrassed by his loss of control.
“Is there any injury that you haven’t told me about?” Viggo asks softly, watching Billy’s eyes closely for a reaction.
It takes a few moments, and then realization dawns, causing Billy’s eyes to widen. “No!”
“What?”
“No, they didn’t- They hurt me, punched me, kicked me,” Billy explains quietly. “But they didn’t- rape me. I swear to you, Vig, they didn’t do that.”
“Okay,” Viggo replies, seeing the truth in Billy’s eyes. “I believe you.”
“Thank you.”
“But there’s something you’re not saying,” Viggo adds.
“Aye, there is,” Billy finally admits, sinking down into the pillows cushioning his body.
“What is it?” Viggo prompts.
Moistening his lips, Billy swallows hard, and takes a breath. “I told Detective Wenham that it wasn’t a robbery.”
“What?!?”
“The shop. It wasn’t a robbery gone bad,” Billy explains. “They weren’t interested in the money.”
“What then?” Viggo demands. “Why else would-”
Closing his eyes and looking away, Billy whispers, “It was a message. A warning.”
“For what? Are you in some kind of trouble?” Viggo asks, fear rising inside. “Is it money? Do you owe someone? I thought the book shop was doing well.”
“It has nothing to do with the shop,” Billy replies, shaking his head. “It was a message for Dom.”
Understanding rips through Viggo like a thunderbolt, and his jaw drops.
“He’s helped a lot of kids to get off the street. Some have gone home, and others have started new lives,” Billy explains. “Someone isn’t happy about that, and they want it to stop.”
“Oh, Bill-” Viggo breathes. “I-”
“I can’t tell Dom,” Billy says as he looks up into Viggo’s shocked eyes. “He’ll never forgive himself for me getting hurt. He’ll blame himself. I can’t let that happen.”
“Bill, eventually it’ll have to come out,” Viggo argues. “You told David-”
“I wasn’t going to, and then he asked if Dom and I were having problems,” Billy interrupts. “I know there’s no way that Dom would do anything to hurt me. Never. He’d rather die.”
“I told David the same thing,” Viggo tells him. “Now I know why he’s looking elsewhere.”
“No matter how I explain it, Dom is going to blame himself, but I can’t think about that right now,” Billy continues. “I just need to keep him safe.”
“As long as you ask him to stay here at the hospital, you know he will,” Viggo comments with a sigh.
“Will you help me?” Billy asks, his eyes bright. “If anything happened to him, and I could’ve prevented it-”
“Of course, Bill.”
“Thank you.”
“Get some rest, okay?” Viggo requests gently as he moves off the edge of the bed and over to the nearby chair. “I’ll check on Dom.”
“Okay.”
Exhausted from the emotional strain of the secrets he’s keeping from the man he loves, Billy wearily lets his eyes close, and Viggo stays by his side until a soft, whistling snore fills the air. Leaning over the sleeping man, Viggo adjusts the blanket and then soundlessly leaves the room, not surprised to discover Dom waiting in the hall.
“Hey, you’re awake,” Viggo says warmly. “He’s sleeping right now, but I know he was looking forward to seeing you after your nap. You can sit with him if you want. I think he’d like that.”
“What happened?” Dom asks, looking through the closing door, his brow furrowing. “It looks like he’s been crying.”
“Oh, that,” Viggo says quietly, his mind scrambling to come up with a plausible explanation. “He, uh, we talked, and he needed to release some tension. It was scary, what happened to him. That’s all.”
“Oh.”
The words are on the tip of Dom’s tongue, wanting to ask if there was something that they haven’t told him, if Billy’s injuries are worse than he thought. Since he found Billy, unconscious on the floor, he’s been unable to shake a certain question from his mind. If Billy was-
“He’s, uh, he’s really okay?” Dom asks unsteadily, swallowing hard and blinking quickly.
“Dom?”
“Yeah?”
Viggo lays a hand on Dom’s trembling shoulder. “It didn’t happen.”
“What?” Too afraid to hope, and not wanting to reveal something so intimate about himself, Dom puts forth a Herculean effort to keep his expression blank.
“What you think might have happened,” Viggo continues sympathetically. “It didn’t.”
Suddenly Dom’s façade cracks and hot tears well up in his eyes. “You wouldn’t lie to me, and say he hadn’t,” he whispers. “If Billy asked you to?”
“No, Dom, I wouldn’t,” Viggo vows. “I did ask him, just to be sure. I’ve seen too many patients violated that way, and if Bill had been, I wanted to make sure he got the care he needed.”
There’s something in the tone of Viggo’s voice, and the careful wording he uses that causes a new question to form in Dom’s mind. Looking up into the doctor’s caring eyes, Dom feels the fear that has been paralyzing him start to dissipate.
“How long have you known about me?” Dom asks quietly. “Did Billy tell you?”
“No,” Viggo tells him. “You just did.”
“What?”
“I suspected early on, that something pretty awful must’ve happened to you, but I didn’t want to push things too fast, and then you started seeing Dr. Tyler,” Viggo explains gently. “I knew she’d be able to help you. I also knew that Bill loves you with all his heart, and would be your safe place, no matter what.”
Deeply touched, Dom draws the older man close for a hug, and then smiles as he pulls back. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” Viggo replies, giving Dom’s hair an affectionate tousle. “Now go on in. I know you want to see him.”
“Yeah, I do.”
Viggo’s gentle smile lasts until the door to Billy’s room closes, and as he walks away, guilt and worry begins to form a tight knot in the pit of his stomach. He wonders what Dom’s reaction will be when he learns the truth, and what the next few days will hold for all of them. Most of all, he fears for the safety of his friends, and dreads the sensation of feeling so utterly helpless.
Chapter 37
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From:
no subject
Good to see that David is giving Dom the benefit of the doubt - though it's clear he isn't totally absolving Dom of involvement in this.
Forget the box of Kleenex. Buy stock in the company. A lot can happen in 11 chapters.
From:
no subject
Forget the box of Kleenex. Buy stock in the company.
I don't disagree with this suggestion.
Thank you.
From:
no subject
David...well, he's not outright accusing Dom of being involved, but he isn't exactly set to believe that he had nothing to do with it either.
From:
no subject
David's got more information than what he had the first night. I think it's only natural, as part of his job, to consider everyone a possible suspect. That said, he did tell Viggo that he's looking in other areas, so . . .
Thank you.
From:
no subject
From:
no subject
Poor guys they deserved a quiet life together.
I agree. Damn Muse.
Thank you.
From:
no subject
dude. it's so gonna get worse isn't it? (yeah, that's what you call a retorical question.) where is aaron? god dom is not going to deal with that very well. gah!
p.s. my billy icon would like to have a chat with your muse.
From:
no subject
:::ducks to avoid getting hit by your flailing:::
Deep breaths, honey. You need to pace yourself for the rest of the chapters.
Thank you.
From:
no subject
my promise still stands. no skipping ahead. i may not get totally caught up (i've still got a mountain of work to finish) but i really don't want to wait any longer.
Kerry =)
From:
no subject
I've been waiting for this.
:::dashes off to read your comments:::
From:
no subject
Part of Billy knows that he should say more, warn Dom about what the man said as he terrorized Aaron,
damn. Yes, billy needs to tell dom. grrrrrr. communication boys. it's the new black.
Closing his eyes and looking away, Billy whispers, “It was a message. A warning.”
whew. at least he told someone.
Most of all, he fears for the safety of his friends, and dreads the sensation of feeling so utterly helpless.
Viggo, babe. I feel ya. :worries right alone with him:
kerry =)
From:
no subject
I'm sorry. That made me lol. It's so true. And poor Viggo - and you. All worried.
Thank you, hon.