Adam makes it out alive and in one piece, he wishes he could say the same for Lawrence. But his home, it isn't safe anymore and he finds himself, more often than not, losing sleep over the tiniest of noises. That damn door. The creaking of the rusted hinges echoing in the dark corners of his mind, a figure taunting him with twisted laughter. He has half a mind to grab his baseball bat, just like before, and approach the figure, hopefully looking threatening enough to scare it away. But he can't.

That damn door.

The sterile coldness of his shitty apartment, the ache in his shoulder from where Lawrence had shot him, the sound of porcelain breaking bones. That crunching noise ringing in his ears as blood pumps through every vein in his being. Remembering the tremors of impact shooting up his arms as he ended the life of a horrible man, but knowing it turned him into something else. Something poisonous.

Poisonous like the blood that expanded over the floor in that white rusted tomb, extending towards Lawrence as if tempting him. Or taunting him. But Adam was poisonous before the fact. He was a parasite, a low-life, invader of privacy. Take your pick. They were everything Adam was and he had no intention of denying the obvious truth, accepting his fate in that room.

Lawrence on the other hand refused to die, but Lawrence had something Adam didn't have, a family. A wife and a daughter worth fighting for, worth living for, and worth saving. Seeing that madness in Lawrence's eyes as he hacked away at his own foot, stomach clenching and screaming and crying in horror. Telling, pleading that he stopped. But Lawrence refused to die.

That bullet tearing through his flesh.

Lawrence had saved him. Adam owed his life to him. What was left of it at least. He didn't take pictures after that. In fact, he hadn't touched his camera or even been in his dark room in months, not since that night. His dark room didn't exist anymore. Adam was afraid to go in there, afraid to face what pictures had been hanging in there the last time he was. If they were still there, which they weren't. He remembered. All those pictures were in that bathroom. Taken away as evidence.

Adam had gotten into some trouble over the pictures and the murder of Zep Hindle, but Lawrence had defended him and told the police everything that had happened. That Adam learned his lesson. Adam didn't know if that was the truth or a lie, and he wondered if Lawrence deemed him worthy of life. Then again, Lawrence did save him...

Adam hardly slept after that. First he blamed it on his wounded shoulder, saying the pain was too much to fall asleep and feeling selfish when he remembered that Lawrence was missing an entirely foot. After his shoulder had healed, Adam blamed it on the murder of Zep, but in all honesty Adam felt no remorse for that. Adam hardly slept because he gave up.

Hardly eating the food he did have, not moving for periods at a time, and his unhealthy obsession with the closet door his capturer had jumped out of and attacked him. That weird doll's maniacal laughter filling his ears.

That damn door.

Adam woke up with a start. He had fallen asleep in his chair that was facing the kitchen and his stomach growled, strongly insisting he eat something. He reluctantly got up and padded into the kitchen, opening the door and shivering slightly when the cool air rushed out. Nothing. His fridge was completely empty, with the exception of condiments, and he couldn't bring himself to care.

The door closed with a thud, rubbing his arms to warm them and wishing he had a functioning heater. Adam figured he tried and go to sleep again, but this time in his bed. When he laid down in the tiny cramped bed and pulled the covers over his body he curled into a ball, seeking warmth that wasn't there.

Adam laid there with his eyes open, staring aimlessly at the stained wall and wondering what time it was. Now that he was awake he couldn't go back to bed, the cadence of creaking nagging at the back of his mind.

"Shut up," Adam mumbled.

But the creaking didn't stop. Adam grabbed his pillow and held it over his ear, trying to cancel out all sound and squeezed his eyes shut. He tossed and turned, getting bent out of shape over an imaginary noise that he swore was there.

"Shut up!" Adam screamed at the top of his lungs, tears building in his eyes in irritation.

He screamed it again and again and again, until his voice was hoarse and the tears kept streaming through his eyelids. So he didn't hear the knock at the door, but when the second barrage of knocks came, Adam snapped upright and hoped it wasn't a neighbor complaining about the yelling, or even his landlord. That'd be even worse.

He threw the pillow and kicked off his blankets, rolling out of the bed to answer the door. When Adam opened the termite infested door, he froze for a split second and realized he was only wearing underwear and that it wasn't a neighbor or his landlord. It was Lawrence. Standing straight with the help of a crane and smiling the best imitation of a smile he could muster, his blonde hair looking perfect and in place as ever.

Adam swallowed and stepped aside to let Lawrence in, shutting and locking the door behind him cautiously. Watching Lawrence limp and take a seat on his ratty old couch, looking around incredulously.

Adam needed to get used to this, but every week when Lawrence would stop by to check up on him, he'd still act surprised. When he caught the Doctor's gaze he gestured towards the kitchen, dropping his arm when Lawrence would smile subtly and shake his head. This happened almost everytime. No words would be exchanged between the two, leaving only silence and tiny shifts in posture to speak for them. That was somehow good enough.

Lawrence cleared his throat and Adam looked over at him, stealing a glance at his feet then looking away just as fast. Adam's stomach twisted into a knot and he thought he could feel a dry heave coming on.

Adam finally relented and sat down when Lawrence had patted the spot next to him on the couch. He sank back and looked straight, looking anywhere to avoid eye contact. But it was distracting when Lawrence had his knuckles against his forehead, as if checking his temperature. Adam flinched away from the touch, still iffy about boundaries especially around Lawrence.

Lawrence drew his hand back. "You don't look well," Lawrence murmured. The concern heavy in his voice. "When's the last time you've eaten? Or slept?"

Adam was looking a little skinny and the dark circles underneath his eyes weren't helping him figure out a good bluff. He wrapped his arms around his torso, as if to hide himself from Lawrence's open gaze and sinking just a little more into the couch.

"Adam?"

Lawrence scooted closer and set a warm reassuring hand on Adam's bare back, rubbing it up and down soothingly. This time Adam didn't flinch away, letting the affection sink into his tensed and sore muscles. Lawrence wrapped an arm around Adam, then the other, embracing him gently in welcoming arms. He could hear Adam's stomach growl and he pulled enough to look the thin man in the eyes, mere inches away from his face.

"Let me take you out."

"I don't feel like eating greasy food. I might up chuck," Adam repulsed.

"Then I'll cook you something."

"I don't have any food."

Adam lowered his head in shame, embarrassed by his lifestyle for the first time in a long time. He wondered why Lawrence was so persistent to help him, then again Lawrence didn't have anyone anymore. Lawrence had severed his own foot to save the ones he loved and only got divorce papers in return, but at least he got to see Diana whenever he could make time.

"I'll get you some groceries," Lawrence insisted.

He was lonely. Adam could see it. He looked bored and he had too much money, since he only had himself to support, that he wanted to get rid of or share. Adam didn't like the fact of taking anything from Lawrence, he owed the doctor his life if not more. But Adam relented and nodded, giving in to the Doctor's kindness once more.

"Let's get you dressed," Lawrence beamed brightly.

Lawrence stood up and helped Adam up the best he could, grabbing his cane to follow the young man into the bedroom. Adam got to his dresser and pulled it out. Nothing. All his clothes were dirty. They've been dirty for days, but he's hardly even noticed. He felt like breaking down and crying despite Lawrence's prescence. He stepped back and sat on his bed with his head in his hands, back arching as be bent forward.

"You don't have to ask, you know. You don't have to say anything if you don't want to." Lawrence limped over to where Adam was sitting and tangled a hand in Adam's hair, heart breaking just a little.

"I'm fine Larry." Adam looked up at Lawrence and saw the mixed emotions on the Doctor's face. "Sorry. Lawrence." He remembered Lawrence hated being called Larry. Only his ex-wife called him that.

Lawrence decided that Adam should stay behind while he picked up some groceries to stock up the thin man's fridge. He promised to return shortly and Adam held him to it, knowing the promises Lawrence had made him in past visits were concrete. Lawrence hugged him again, but this time it lingered more and felt more personal, more intimate. As if Lawrence was afraid to let go or leave Adam alone in this place, but he had to in order to help the young man gain some nutrition back.

Lawrence reluctantly let go of Adam's bare body, giving him a faint smile and walking to the front door to leave. Adam frowned and retired to his bed, figuring it would be awhile until Lawrence got back. He was just going to rest his eyes, but as soon as Adam hit the mattress he was knocked out and drooling all over his pillow.

As much as Adam needed the rest, he also feared it or rather feared what might happen while he dreamt. His dreams were relentless and it was always the same. It was everything thing that had happened to him, from waking up in his dark apartment to watching Lawrence cut off his own foot and killing Zep. His screams making his voice hoarse and his throat becoming raw, begging Lawrence to stop.

But nothing was worse than the aftershocks of the whole ordeal. Lawrence getting divorced and losing almost all of his custody over Diana, his wife blaming him for everything and as much as Adam didn't want it to be true, it sort of was. It was both of their faults and Alison just didn't have a big enough heart to forgive him. Waking up had become a very hard thing to do on Lawrence's part, but falling asleep was a luxury he appreciated to the fullest.

And Adam thought he had it bad. Sure, he was poor, didn't have any food or clean clothes and hardly ever slept, but Lawrence was the real victim and he didn't deserve the hand he'd been dealt. He didn't deserve to lose his little girl or his foot, he had money but even that didn't amount to much. No wonder he had been so eager to help Adam out. His money was burning a hole in his pocket and he wanted to do some good, even when Adam said it was a waste.

Lawrence didn't mind one bit. The doctor could never hold a grudge against that poor man, his own privacy be damned. He wanted to help Adam, he wanted him to be snarky and sarcastic, to see what Adam had been like before he had been broken. It hurt to see the young man slowly deteriorating right before his very eyes, because in the deepest part of his heart he held so much love for Adam. It scared Lawrence, not knowing where it came from or why. He could say it was a fatherly sort of love, but Lawrence knew that was a lie because he didn't think of Adam as his son. The way he thought of Adam wouldn't be appropriate in a fatherly manner and Lawrence felt guilty for thinking about him, intimately.

He just wanted to make Adam better. To make him feel loved and worth a damn, but it was too wrong and unfair to take advantage of any situation. Adam deserved better than that.

When Lawrence returned to the apartment, it was as quiet as before with the exception of rustling grocery bags he was currently juggling. Lawrence couldn't believe he was able to carry the bags this far. He sat them on a kitchen counter and walked around looking for Adam, his search ending in the claustrophobic bedroom. He gazed upon Adam's prone form, slightly hunched and curled into a ball, looking peaceful, but doubting his dreams reflected that peace.

Lawrence sat on the edge of the bed and propped his cane up against the nightstand to card a hand through the dark mussed hair. Adam made a tiny noise, snuggling into the touch by reflex, but Lawrence wished it was because Adam wanted it. Wanted him. Lawrence bent down to plant a barely there kiss to the top of the younger man's forehead, grabbing his cane to limp off and prepare dinner.

Luckily most of the dishes were clean so Lawrence was able to start right away. It was simple beef pasta Hamburger Helper, easy to make and filling enough, with spinach and rice on the side. He retrieved a frying pan from the dish rack and set it on the stove, turning the burner all the way up. Unwrapping the meat and tossing on the pan, Lawrence chopped it up and mixed it around. The pan sizzled and popped while Lawrence grabbed a sauce pan to fill it up with water, letting it boil.

While the meat was cooking, Lawrence put the rest of the groceries away. It wasn't much, but it was enough for Adam and he even got him a little junk food incase he was feeling a little lazy. Lawrence smiled to himself when he picked up the box of Astronaut Pops, vaguely reminiscing of his childhood and wondering when he last had one. Diana loved them. Lawrence frowned internally, thinking of what her and Alison were doing right now.

Was Alison preparing dinner too? While Diana watched one of her programs, singing the catchy songs about words and animals and colors. And if they were still a family, if he had never been apart of Jigsaw's game, would he still be in his office? Typing away at his computer? Leaving at all hours of the night to go to the hospital? Cheating?

Yes. Everything would've still been the same. Lawrence didn't know whether Jigsaw was the best or worst thing that ever happened to him.

Lawrence turned around at a small noise that resembled something of a yawn or a sigh. Adam stood in the archway connecting the kitchen and living room, rubbing at sleep foggy eyes to blink past the florescent light. The younger man stepped further into the kitchen, his nose picking up a heavenly smell as his eyes widened with curiosity.

"Here. I got these for you," Lawrence said as he held out a plastic bag to Adam.

Adam grabbed it and pulled out a pair of sweatpants and a plain white t-shirt, letting the bag float to the ground. He pulled the shirt over his head and stuck his legs in one at a time into the sweatpants, shimmying them up his bare legs.

"They fit okay?" Adam nodded. "I was just putting some things away and cooking some dinner. Care to join me?"

Adam walked over to the stove, hovering over the pan to inhale the smell of food. Actual warm, home cooked food. He felt like crying tears of joy. Lawrence prepared the rice and mixed the noodles and seasoning into the frying pan, handing the can of spinach to Adam with a small smile.

They finished making dinner together in content silence and after everything was hot and ready, Lawrence made both of them plates. Lawrence and Adam sat down at the kitchen table, Lawrence watching Adam take a bite to see his reaction. Adam's mouth and stomach practically cheered on the first bite and it seemed to only get better after that, the bites getting bigger and more frequent.

"Are you thirsty?" Lawrence inquired, not waiting for an answer and getting up to get Adam a soda from the fridge.

Adam popped it open and chugged half of it, burping when the carbonation built up in his stomach. Lawrence wondered if Adam was even tasting anything at the pace he was going, but glad all the same that he was eating.

"I'm glad you like it," Lawrence mused. "I know it's just Hamburger Helper..."

"I love it," Adam said quickly to reassure Lawrence. "It's the best thing I've eaten in months."

"I think those are the most words you've spoken in months," Lawrence teased playfully. His comment earned him a blush from the younger man and he chuckled lightly.

"Just been going through some shit," Adam said to his food as he set his fork down.

"I know."

"No. I mean- I've been going through some shit."

Lawrence nodded silently, acknowledging what Adam meant and wishing there was something he could do to help him. After all the guy was a doctor and he knew a lot about psychology regardless of being a surgen.

"I have this friend that cou-"

"I don't wanna go to a shrink. I hate doctors," Adam cut off then added, "No offense."

"Are you on anything?"

Adam nodded. "Xanax. I get a little anxious sometimes. I should probably be on some depression drugs too, maybe something to help me sleep."

"You're not crazy, Adam."

"I didn't say that. I just need help functioning is all," Adam shrugged.

"You don't need that kind of help. You're not unstable or incapable of getting better on your own. You're strong," Lawrence encouraged.

"You diagnose people for a living, Lawrence. You mean to say that when you look at me you don't see any problem that needs to be helped by medication?" Adam questioned, staring intently at Lawrence with a skeptical look.

"You're just shook up. You went through a traumatic experience and now you're trying to deal with it."

"So talking to a shrink will make me better and help me sleep at night?"

"I'm not telling you to talk to a shrink. I'm just telling you to talk to someone. Anyone. If you just let it all out it'd be so much better."

"Right. Just how your life is so wonderful and better," Adam remarked before he could stop himself. His arms were crossed over his chest and turned his head away from Lawrence. "I'm sorry. I'm an asshole."

"Hey, you have every right to be," Lawrence reassured. He knew Adam didn't mean it, he was just an angry young man letting out some animosity and Lawrence wanted to encourage it. If this is how Lawrence was able to help Adam without a prescription then so be it. It was all for the greater good.

"Yeah, but not towards you," Adam berated to himself, feeling a twinge of guilt that seemed to build in the pit of his stomach.

"I'd rather it be me than anyone else."

Lawrence gave Adam a warm smile and it seemed as though everything was right again between them. He wanted nothing more than to embrace Adam, to make all his problems magically disappear and have everything go back to the way it was, but that was a long shot. For now Lawrence would be taking baby steps.

Adam finished his food and sipped from his can, not knowing what to say to that at the moment. Lawrence rinsed their plates off and came over to the couch Adam had moved to and sat next to him, plopping down and making the cushion dip with his weight. He put an arm around Adam's shoulders and pulled him in close to his side, comforting both Adam and himself in the process. Lawrence could stay like this forever if he was given the chance.

"If you ever need anything, anything at all, you can always count on me, Adam. I'll always be willing to help you unconditionally. I mean it," Lawrence whispered into Adam's hair, inhaling the semi-ripe smell of him.

"I know," Adam whispered back, leaning further into Lawrence's touch like a cat.

Lawrence sighed, feeling content and so sure about keeping his promise. To vow he'd always be there for Adam, 24/7 and 365 days of the year no matter what. Lawrence buried his face into that short nest of mussed hair and closed his eyes in deep thought, relishing the feel of the younger man. And somehow, those two simple words that came out of Adam's mouth seemed to be enough of an agreement.