Skye stirred sleepily in Sasha's arms. "Are we there yet?"

"Almost, Ange," he whispered against the back of her neck. They were sitting in the back seat of the long black stretch limousine that was carrying all of them to a certain luxurious Paris hotel. At first, everyone was going to wear their Prom clothes. This was, after all, a very special occasion. But the length of the trip and the likelihood of wrinkling such expensive evening wear made them reconsider. Still…the overnight bags were in the trunk. Just in case they decided to venture outside the hotel.

Although, if Sasha was any judge, he had absolutely no desire to go anywhere but right to bed. Taking Skye with him.

When the limousine pulled up in front of the hotel at last, it took several seconds for their arrival to register. "Hey, we're here. I think." Connor peered through the back window curiously. "Wow. Are you sure we can afford this?"

Chris yawned without covering his mouth, which only went to show how tired he was. "Already paid for, Con."

Faith managed to climb over Connor's knees to get out of the car and stand unsteadily on the sidewalk. "Are you guys as sleepy as I am?"

"Yeah. Some party we're going to have. We're all exhausted from the trip," commented Sasha.

"Well," Skye drawled, "maybe we should just head to bed first and party later. When we get up, I mean."

Chris wrapped a possessive arm around Emmy's waist after she got out of the car. "Maybe."

Emmy chuckled. "Wow, you are tired, Chris. You actually agreed with your sister. And on an empty stomach, too."

"But what about the food? Everything is all set up," Faith protested. "Can we eat first?"

Connor laughed. "Can we stop you?"

Faith swatted him on the arm. "Are you saying my only interest is food?"

"Not the only one, no." With that, Connor tugged her into his arms, settling his hands just above the curve of her hips.

"Mmm…maybe the food will keep."

"Heh," Sasha snorted. "Hey, where did Adam and Jazz get to? Or did you guys forget to wake them up?"

Chris re-opened the back door of the limousine and stared inside its dark interior. Adam and Jazz were entwined as much as humanly possible on the jump seat, which Chris knew to be patently uncomfortable, but that didn't seem to matter. "Adam," Chris called out, reluctant to raise his voice for fear of startling Jazz out of what appeared to be a deep sleep.

Adam came awake quickly, reminding Chris of their father. Zero to sixty in under six seconds. He frowned and tried to disentangle himself from his lover. Jazz objected, clinging to Adam even in his sleep. "Hey, baby. We're here," Adam said softly, bestowing a kiss on his lover's forehead.

"We are?" Jazz opened his eyes slowly and took in his surroundings. "Oh, we are."

"We're going up to the room. Come on," Chris urged.

"That better be rooms plural," Adam said to Chris as he peeled himself away from Jazz. "You snore."

"So do you," Jazz interjected.

"Where's your loyalty?" Adam asked Jazz.

"I think I left it home," Jazz quipped. "Now don't fight with your brother."

"We weren't fighting," Chris clarified. "Yet."

Adam stuck out his tongue childishly, and Jazz was overcome by an intense desire to grab that tongue and tug it into his mouth. Instead he sighed and surreptitiously adjusted himself. "Let's go before your mouth gets you into trouble, babe."

As one, they descended upon the registration desk. Undaunted by the sight of eight young people in various states of alertness, the desk clerk queried, "May I help you?"

Thanks to Chris' foresight, and a little help from his father's credit card, check-in went relatively smoothly.

They managed to squeeze themselves into one elevator, and when they reached the floor where their suite was located, they spilled gratefully out into the hallway.

Chris slid the keycard into the lock and like magic, the door opened beneath his fingers. "Wow," he whispered, a rapt expression replacing his usually somber one.

The suite was beautiful. A huge living room dominated the suite, but Chris could see the doors of the two adjoining bedrooms to his right. Food and drink was laid out on a pristine white tablecloth draped over a long, slim catering table in the center of the room. Couch. Two sofas. A loveseat. There was plenty of room for all of them without getting into each other's way.

Of course, there were some of them who wanted to get into each other's way.

"Where's our room?" Jazz pouted. He was sleepy, dammit, and he didn't care if he missed eating at the moment.

Adam surveyed the suite, his dark brown eyes sweeping back and forth, cataloguing every stick of furniture and every canap'. "I only see two bedrooms, Chris. How come I only see two bedrooms, Chris?"

Chris felt a chill steal over his entire body. "They screwed up. I told them there were eight of us."

"Maybe they think we're used to sleeping together, like a fucking commune," Adam said sarcastically.

"It's not my fault, Adam," Chris said, gritting his teeth. "But I'll fix it."

"Maybe I should go."

"Maybe you should shut up."

Faith pushed her way between the two young men, pressing a palm to each one's chest to keep them apart. "Now, boys, don't make me hurt you."

Despite his evident exhaustion, Jazz grinned at Faith. "I'm beginning to think I've married into a bunch of lunatics."

Faith smirked, then she did a double-take. "Did you say married?"

"Yeah." At his lover's weary smile, Adam pulled the younger man tight against his side and kissed the top of his head. Chris immediately relented, realizing that he was seeing a side of his older brother that few people were allowed.

"You and Jazz can take the first bedroom, Adam. The rest of us will work something out."

"What are we, special?" Adam gave his half-brother a bemused look that softened his features considerably.

"As a matter of fact…yes."

Adam patted Chris on the shoulder in a vaguely affectionate manner. With another yawn, he pulled Jazz after him in the direction of one of the bedrooms. "Night."

Chris cast an eye over Emmy's outfit and beckoned to her with a crook of his finger. "C'mere, Soleil."

"Sleep first? Party later?"

"Something like that."

Chris lowered his head to kiss her, and she tangled her fingers in his hair. "Where are we going to sleep?"

"We can take the couch, okay?"

Emmy averted her eyes, but not before a slight blush crept up her neck and into her face. Chris cupped her chin and forced her to look into his eyes. "What?"

"What if? You know?"

"I think I can control myself for one night, Em."

"But maybe I don't want you to," Emmy whispered, biting her lip.

Sasha sighed heavily and raked a hand through his long dark hair. "Okay, here's how it's going to go. Chris, you and Emmy take the other bedroom." When Chris started to grumble, Sasha cut him off. "We're all too tired to do the party justice. You guys planned this thing. You get first crack at the other bedroom."

"First crack?" Chris asked with an amused smile.

"Yeah. At dawn, we're kicking your butts out of bed so we can take it. That cool with you?"

"As long as we don't end up in bed together, that sounds fine," Chris said dryly.

"Nah, you're not my type."

The hotel suite was completely dark. But that didn't stop Faith from prowling around in search of food. Suddenly a hand seized her by the scruff of her neck and she drew breath to shriek. Before she could, however, the hand slipped over her mouth.

Her green eyes wide and round, Faith stared unseeingly into the blackness. She was perfectly capable of disarming her attacker, whoever it was, but she hesitated, certain that the touch was familiar. "Don't scream," the voice said next to her ear.

She shook her head and smiled to herself. Now she knew who it was. She relaxed against her would-be assailant, her softness melting along the harder planes of his lean but muscular frame.

Faith was wearing one of Connor's shirts. Because she was tall, the hem of his shirt barely came to the top of her thighs. The hand swiftly slid from her neck to her leg and probed beneath the white silk dress shirt. A sharp intake of breath told her what she needed to know.

Connor had just discovered that she wasn't wearing any underwear.

"You little-"

"Ah, ah, ah," warned Faith, realizing that Connor couldn't see the way her finger wagged. He was, after all, standing behind her. A fact she was more than aware of because, even though he wore pajama bottoms, the thin material did nothing to disguise his erection.

"I should spank you," he whispered.

She giggled and turned around in his arms. Suddenly his hand was cupping her between her legs, and his fingers sank deep inside her. "Ssh," he murmured, capturing her mouth in a fervent kiss. "We don't want to wake anyone up."

"Where can we go?" Faith asked. She slipped her hand inside Connor's pajamas and Connor groaned.

"I don't know. The bathroom?"

Somehow they found their way to the bathroom, but they didn't bother turning on the light. They didn't want to alert anyone to their presence. Unfortunately, they didn't lock the door behind them either. But then, it was getting harder and harder to think.

The countertop was lavishly appointed. There was a large sink in the middle with what looked like gold fixtures. But the apparent opulence of the d'cor was lost on them. All they cared about was whether or not the counter would support their combined weight.

It did.

Faith perched on the edge of the counter, her legs spread wide in invitation. Connor needed no urging to join their bodies. He thrust into her once, and she steadied herself by leaning back on her hands. Soon they were rocking back and forth, more and more erratically, the thought of being discovered lending a definite hint of excitement to their lovemaking.

They tried to be quiet, but they were hopelessly enamored of each other. All too soon, they came apart in one another's arms, Faith sobbing her release into Connor's mouth as he kissed her. Her insides throbbed wetly as her lover's essence trickled slowly down the inside of her leg. Connor brushed her hair away from her neck with trembling fingers and kissed her, his teeth slightly grazing the spot he had been suckling moments before. "I love you."

"Me, too," Faith responded sleepily.

"We should go back to bed."

"I have to clean up first."

Connor helped her down from the counter and reluctantly released her. "I'll leave first. You can follow when you're done."

"Okay."

Connor put his hand on the doorknob, but before he could open it, the door was wrenched open by Faith's younger sister. "Skye!"

"Connor!" Skye shouted before clapping her hands over her mouth. "You scared me," she whispered as loudly as she dared.

"*I* scared you? *You* scared *me*! Umm…" A very real look of fear crossed Connor's face as he realized that Skye wasn't wearing anything that covered her considerable attributes. "Jeez, you're practically naked!"

Like her sister, Skye was wearing something that belonged to her boyfriend. But she wore Sasha's shirt like an open jacket, and it did little to hide her breasts…or anything else, for that matter.

"Eep," Skye squeaked, knowing that Sasha was awake in the living room. If he decided to get up and investigate why it was taking her so long to go to the bathroom, well…

"You'd better go before Sasha comes."

"I can't. I have to pee."

Faith popped her head over Connor's shoulder and peered curiously at her sister. "Sheesh, you're not wearing nearly enough, Skye!"

"Please. I have to pee. I have to pee *now*," Skye wailed.

"No problem. We'll just switch places."

But just as the young girl began to cross the threshold, a pair of long arms reached out and enfolded her. With a muffled noise, she struggled briefly before giving in to Sasha's superior strength. "Okay. Do whatever you want with me."

"Fee!" Sasha yelled, dropping his arms instantly.

Connor snickered. It looked as if he wasn't going to face Sasha's wrath after all. In fact, it looked as if Sasha wanted to run screaming into the night.

"Um…"

Skye tapped her foot impatiently, her arms firmly crossed over her chest. "You couldn't tell it wasn't *me*?"

"I…"

Faith chuckled. "Poor Sasha. There is no *right* answer to that question. You know that, right?"

Sasha shook his head slowly. "I'm going to get you for this, Fee."

"Hey, Sis, I thought you had to pee."

Skye blushed furiously and darted inside the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. Sasha stared at Faith in disbelief. "Did you just help me?"

"Hey, someday you and me are going to be related."

"Oh, God."

Adam was awake. First, Faith got up. Then Connor. Followed by Skye. Then Sasha. He punched Jazz's shoulder lightly. The younger man stirred sleepily. "Mmm…what?" he asked without opening his eyes.

The couch wasn't quite wide enough for the two of them, making it necessary that they sleep on their sides. Jazz slept on his left side, Adam spooned behind him. Adam's arms were wrapped around Jazz' chest, ostensibly to keep him from falling onto the floor. But the truth was that Adam loved holding Jazz. Even now, the feel of Jazz' bare skin beneath his fingertips aroused him.

"I can't sleep," Adam whispered, his breath wafting across the back of Jazz' neck.

"Mmm…" Jazz groaned. "What do you want *me* to do about it?"

"You know…" Adam kissed Jazz' nape, and parts of Jazz started to take a more active interest in what Adam was doing.

"You're waking me up," Jazz complained.

"That was the whole idea." Adam skimmed his hands over the soft curves of Jazz' lower body, his fingers lingering on the gentle swell of his lover's hips.

Jazz let out a long, soft exhalation. "A-dam…we can't."

Adam lowered his head to a spot between Jazz' shoulder blades and kissed him there. "Please?"

Jazz was weakening. Adam could tell by the way his muscles suddenly relaxed beneath Adam's tender caresses. "Someone'll hear," Jazz protested faintly.

Adam trailed a finger along the shadowy cleft that divided Jazz' buttocks, seeking his most secret entrance. When Jazz gasped, he knew he'd found it. Jazz pillowed his head on his arms and yielded to Adam's sensitive probing. "Umm…"

"You want me to…" Adam whispered against Jazz' ear.

Jazz groaned softly.

"I'll take that as a yes."

When Jazz felt Adam's fingers retreat, he sighed plaintively. But moments later, Adam painted his skin with cool, slick gel, a necessary prelude to possessing his mate. Wrapping his arms around Jazz, Adam hooked his right leg over Jazz' hips and entered him.

Jazz leaned back, forcing Adam deeper. "God, you feel good."

"I thought you were worried about making too much noise."

"Shut up and fuck me," Jazz said crossly, jiggling restlessly.

Adam chuckled darkly. "Oh, Nick, you're such a bad boy."

"If you don't fuck me, you'll find out just how bad," Jazz warned.

Adam thrust into Jazz' delicious warmth and felt the familiar tingle of connection that made its way throughout his entire body. Jazz' flat male nipples peaked appreciatively under Adam's fingertips, sensation pooling in his groin.

They rocked together in an erratic rhythm that was unique to them. Adam nudged Jazz' hair away from his neck before lightly grazing his skin with his teeth. Jazz couldn't stifle a moan at the feel of Adam inside and outside. He grabbed Adam's hands and pulled them to his hips, wordlessly begging for something more.

Adam seized his lover's cock in both hands, the wetness leaking from the tip spreading across his palms. "Come for me, Nick."

"A-dammm," Jazz murmured.

Suddenly Jazz went rigid, spilling himself into Adam's ardent grasp with a sputtery cry. Adam ached to follow him, his fervent thrusts unconsciously speeding towards completion. When he came, he used his leg to pull himself deeper and harder into Jazz' hot, dark channel.

Jazz shuddered, his body already sated but twitching interestedly at the feel of Adam's flesh still buried inside him. "Mmm…I love you," he said drowsily, sleep suddenly taking him away from Adam.

Adam wiped his wet hands on Jazz' flat stomach and sighed contentedly. This was one of his favorite ways of holding Jazz, damp and sticky from making love. Reluctantly withdrawing from Jazz' narrow passage, Adam slipped into a light doze, his cheek pressed tight against Jazz' neck.

They slept undisturbed till morning, their dreams filled with each other, much the way that their waking hours were.

Luckily for them, the housekeeper knocked loudly. But she wasn't going to be happy about the sheets.

Jazz slipped out of Adam's grasp silently, trying not to wake his lover. It was early enough that none of the others seemed to be stirring yet. Grabbing his clothes off the floor next to the couch, he crept into the bathroom to get dressed.

When he stepped out of the shower a few minutes later, he surveyed his body for fresh love bites, spying one on his neck where Adam had sucked unexpectedly hard. He blushed when he thought about it, and his cheeks grew even hotter when he became aroused.

He loved the way Adam paid such tender attention to his body, especially when things got slightly out of control. But now was definitely not a good time. If his erection didn't go down, he wasn't going to fit into the tight black jeans he was holding.

That made him chuckle. He was sure Adam would appreciate the humor in his situation, but more than that, he knew Adam would have a solution for his problem.

Jazz grinned. Thinking about Adam's probable solution didn't help at all. If anything, it made things…worse. Well, that depended on how you looked at it.

His stomach growled loudly, reminding Jazz of his earlier resolve to go out and get coffee and donuts. By the time he got back, everyone should be getting up, or at least, better able to appreciate the idea of breakfast.

But he was no closer to getting those jeans on than before. With a happy sigh, Jazz closed his eyes and thought of Adam. Naked, his skin glistening with sweat… He stroked himself, gently at first, then harder and faster, his breath hitching in his chest. It didn't take long. His eyes flew open as he came all over his hand.

With that innate sensuality that Adam was grateful for, Jazz licked his fingers, tasting himself before he had to wash away the evidence. He smiled at his reflection and bit his bottom lip. He really should wake Adam up.

But there would be time enough for that when he got back.

When Jazz was dressed, he lingered for a moment over his face. Recently he h ad taken to using kohl to outline his eyes. Adam loved the way it accentuated his bright green eyes. The last time he had applied it, he hadn't even gotten out of their apartment. Adam had kissed him, his thumb rubbing back and forth across Jazz' lips even as their mouths were sealed tightly together.

"Such a pretty boy," Adam had murmured possessively. "*My* pretty boy."

Jazz had protested weakly. "I'm not a girl, Adam."

"No," Adam had breathed into his mouth. "You are definitely not a girl." And with that, he had proceeded to ravish Jazz right there in the living room.

Jazz cast a wistful look at his sleeping lover before he picked up Adam's black leather jacket. It smelled just like him. Without another thought, he pulled it on and fluffed his hair over the collar.

He would be right back.

Jazz reached into his pocket and paid for the coffee and donuts. The coffee was hot, the aroma wafting past his nostrils and making his stomach growl again.

He turned to leave the store, only to find his way blocked by three rather large young men. "What's your hurry, honey?"

Oh, no, Jazz thought, this is not happening. Not today. He knew he could take out two of them, but three…that was pushing his luck. Even for someone of his skill in streetfighting.

"I don't want any trouble," Jazz murmured.

"Trouble? Why, hell, we're not interested in trouble, sweet thing. We had something else in mind."

"Not interested. Sorry." Jazz tried to brush past them, but one of the would-be thugs grabbed at the bag he carried, splashing him with hot coffee.

"Hey, Sunshine here isn't interested."

Jazz contemplated the potential damage to Adam's jacket and thought, Oh, fuck it. "You're pushing the wrong person."

"I am? Hey, Lenny, he thinks I'm pushing the wrong person. Did you hear that?"

"Yeah, I heard. So how come you're wearing eye make-up, babe?"

"It's a fashion statement. You should try it. You might like it," Jazz quipped sarcastically.

"You got a boyfriend, sweetie? Is that who you're so hot to rush home to?"

Jazz raised his head and met their gaze dead-on. "Yeah, as a matter of fact, I do."

They made the mistake of laughing. The implied threat was there, but Jazz didn't want to act on it. Not unless he had to defend himself.

"Come outside, baby. You can wrap those lips around my dick and we'll see if there's gonna be anything left to send home to your boyfriend."

Jazz made one last attempt to leave, but the one called Lenny grabbed him by the shoulder and pushed him back against the door. "You don't want to do this."

"I think I do." His assailant lowered his head and licked the side of Jazz' face.

Jazz was shaking inside with reaction. He was being violated, and the store owner, who up till now had been silently watching, made no move to call the police.

When he felt Lenny's hand cupping his groin, Jazz lost control. He slid out of Lenny's grasp almost effortlessly and kicked him in the chest, sending the bigger, tougher man into the display near the door.

His two buddies stalked Jazz with violent intent, and Jazz knew he was outnumbered. But he was not about to give up that easily.

When all three of his attackers were lying on the floor unconscious, Jazz stopped to catch his breath. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the store owner pick up the phone. Now he was going to call the police. Well, it was about time.

When the police arrived, they took in the scene, eyeing Jazz curiously. "Aren't you a little out of your league, here, kid?"

Jazz blinked. Surely they weren't accusing him of attacking them. Couldn't they see how much bigger and meaner they were?

One of the police officers raked Jazz from head to toe with his eyes. "You offer them a blowjob or something?"

"No!" Jazz protested. "They were bothering me. I was minding my own-"

"Yeah, yeah. You just happened to be out cruising in your designer jeans and your leather and your eyeliner."

"That's not what happened."

Before he could say another word, he was cuffed, his paper bag of coffee and donuts shoved sloppily onto the counter. "Are you arresting me? What for? I didn't do anything!"

"Right. You get one phone call. Better make it good."

Jazz shivered all the way to the police station. This wasn't fair. It wasn't his fault. He couldn't go to jail. Did they have any idea what would happen to him if he was even put into a holding cell overnight?

When they thrust a phone in his face, Jazz sighed. The morning had started out so well, but now…he was frightened.

The phone rang in the hotel suite. Again and again and again.

Jazz could feel one of the cops staring at him. Someone had to be there. They were asleep, but they had to be there.

"Hello?"

Finally. Jazz resisted the urge to scream and beg, his voice coming out a mere wisp of sound. "Adam?"

"Nick? Where the hell are you?"

"At the police station."

"What the hell are you doing there?"

Stifling a sob, Jazz whispered, "They arrested me."

Adam nearly dropped the phone. His fingers suddenly felt nerveless. "Nicky, just tell me where you are. I'll be right there."

Jazz shrank back against the bars of the holding cell, trying desperately not to show his very real fear. The police wouldn't even let him use the bathroom before they sent him here. He thought wistfully of the hot coffee spilled across the little store's counter before concluding that it was a good thing that he hadn't drunk any of it. The idea of exposing himself in front of God knows who definitely didn't sit well with him. In fact, it pretty much terrified him.

He knew what happened to pretty boys in jail. What always happened to pretty boys in jail. He scrubbed at his eyes with the back of his hand, hoping to remove some of the eyeliner, but all it did was smudge, giving his eyes a darker, more mysterious look.

Adam would have liked the way he looked this morning. Jazz choked back a sob. Adam. He was coming for him. He wouldn't let them keep him here.

Adam scribbled the address of the police station on a piece of hotel stationery he found next to the phone. The concierge was very helpful. Even gave him directions.

No one else was up. That was okay with him. He didn't particularly need anyone else's help right now. Jazz was his responsibility. They were practically married, for God's sake. Adam swiped at his suddenly damp eyes. They'd better not hurt him.

He didn't want to get in touch with all the anger that roiled inside him, making his empty stomach burn. If he did…someone besides Jazz was going to get hurt.

Chris vanished back into the bedroom to dress hurriedly. Emmy peered at him with sleep-blurred eyes. "Chris? What time is it?"

"Go back to sleep, Soleil."

She frowned. "You're getting dressed. Are you going out?"

"Yeah."

"Where?"

"Don't ask, Em. It's a long story. I overheard Adam on the phone a few minutes ago. Something happened to Jazz."

At Emmy's sharp indrawn breath, Chris said quickly, "I don't know what, though. It might be nothing."

Emmy studied Chris' rigid body language and sighed. "It's not nothing, is it?"

"That's what I'm going to find out."

"Be careful."

"I will."

He leaned over to brush his lips against hers. "I love you."

"I know," she whispered.

When he left, the air in the room suddenly chilled to arctic temperatures. Filled with a trepidation she couldn't logically explain, Emmy leaped out of bed. Jazz was in trouble. So was Adam. And Chris had no idea what he was walking into.

Rarely had her visions to date been this clear or this emphatic. For the first time in a long time, Emmy didn't see them as a curse, but as a blessing.

Now she had to wake the others.

"I'm looking for someone," Adam began, only to be cut off by the brusque voice of the obviously bored desk sergeant.

"Who isn't?"

"His name is Nicolas Verlaine."

"Don't know him," the police officer said without looking up.

"He might be using the name Nick Elliott."

That got the sergeant's attention. "An alias, huh?"

"No! Listen, it's a long story, but-"

"I bet it's an interesting one, though, right?"

Adam held onto his temper. Barely. "Look, he might be using his stepfather's name, that's all. I'm not sure."

"And how is it that you're not sure? Who is this Nick Elliott to you anyway?"

Ah, wasn't that the $64,000 question?

"He's…my best friend." Adam prayed for forgiveness. It felt like betrayal to disavow their real relationship, but Adam didn't do it for his own sake, but for Jazz'. If anyone found out that they were lovers, things could only get worse for him. Wherever he was.

The sergeant considered that a moment before pulling over a huge book. He flipped open the book and ran his finger down the page. "Elliott, Nicolas. He's in a holding cell."

What??? Adam's mind shrieked. "What is he being charged with?"

"Assault and battery. Reckless endangerment. Obstruction. Hmm…he tried to hit one of the cops who arrested him."

"He wouldn't do that."

"Were you there? They say that's what happened, that's what happened, kid."

"Where is he? I need to see him."

"He's not seeing anyone till he's arraigned."

"When will that be?"

"Tomorrow morning. Maybe."

Adam closed his eyes and thought, this is bad, this is worse than bad. When he opened them again, his eyes were clear and extremely determined. Desperate times called for desperate measures.

He reached out and grabbed the desk sergeant by the collar. "Let me in to see him now or…" He allowed his voice to trail off, letting the police officer draw his own conclusions.

"Are you threatening me, kid?"

Adam met his gaze head-on. "Yes."

He was cuffed in less than a minute.

He was brought to the holding cell five minutes after that.

"Adam!" Jazz cried out. He couldn't prevent relief from coloring his voice. Now he would be released. Now he could go back to his real life. With Adam.

The desk sergeant planted a hand in the small of Adam's back and pushed him into the cell. "I might drop the charges if you apologize, kid."

Adam's dark brown eyes glared a hole right through the center of the policeman's chest. Without speaking, he shook his head slowly.

"Your funeral," the officer said before locking the cell.

They were lucky. The other occupants of the cell had been taken to court for their arraignment, leaving only Jazz, and now, Adam.

"We're not getting out?" Jazz asked with a trace of anxiety.

"Afraid not. Sorry, Nick. They wouldn't let me in to see you. They wouldn't even listen."

"What did you do?" Jazz demanded, fear making his voice sharper than he would have liked.

"Threatened a cop." At Jazz' incredulous look, Adam said, "Hey, it was the only way I could get in here."

"You did that for me?"

"Yeah. I couldn't let you be here by yourself, Nick."

Jazz wrapped his arms around Adam's neck and buried his face in his hair. "Thank God."

Adam could feel the fine tremors racing throughout Jazz' body, and for the first time, he appreciated what Jazz must have felt, being dragged in here so ruthlessly.

"So…how come you left me this morning? Am I losing my touch?" Adam teased, his breath whispering against Jazz' temple.

"Would you believe I went out to get coffee and donuts?"

"Yeah, I can believe it. You're always hungry first thing. Especially after-"

Jazz raised his head abruptly and pressed two fingers to Adam's mouth, effectively silencing him. "Don't. If anyone finds out that-"

"I know, baby."

Adam sighed. He wanted to kiss Jazz, but that was the last thing he could do in here. As it was, they were treading in dangerous waters. But that was all right with him. They'd have to shoot him before he would let go of Jazz now.

He needed reassurance as much as Jazz did.

No one was going to take him away from him. Ever.