Despite Jason's intentions to find out more about his teen cellmate, Jason and Hayden's relationship, if you could call it that, remained unchanged for several weeks. There was the occasional comment or short lived conversation, but mostly, there time together was spent in silence. The quite was not tenses or awkward, as Jason did not talk much as a rule, and Hayden was very guarded so he found out little from the teen himself. That didn't mean however, that Jason had found out nothing about his young cellmate.

Jason found that the teen often gravitated towards him during meal and yard time, allowing Jason to observe him. He found that Hayden spent most of his free time reading. He had already read several books loaned from the prison library. Jason also noticed that while he was watching Hayden, Hayden was watching everyone else. During yard time Jason often found the young inmate watching the other prisoners with a guarded expression. The teen was constantly on guard, not a bad idea in a place like Pentonville, but not something Jason thought most kids Hayden's age should know. His vigilance rivaled Jason's after years of working for Sonny.

Through his observations, Jason also discovered the boy to be a walking contradiction. Hayden had a few verbal fights in his first days as the older inmates tried to put the newbie in his place. During these confrontations, Hayden held his own, he was confidant, controlled his body language and emotions, and had a sardonic attitude that Jason admired. However when the guards had any contact with him, he seemed to shut down. Though Hayden tried not to show it, Jason could see the hesitance, and fear behind the defiant attitude, and noticed that frequently when someone would move unexpectedly or in a way teen didn't anticipate, he would flinch and pull away.

Then, there were the rumors Jason had heard during work crew, one of the few times that Jason and Hayden were separated. The way Jason heard it, his young cellmate had worked for a Drug Lord named Tony Bruecone. It was a name that Jason was familiar with; after all, the man had tried several times to ship and sell his drugs into and around Port Charles. Something that he and Sonny did allow, and had lead to several short lived battles for territory. This information had also helped to clarify the teens words his first night. Hayden had been informing Jason that despite his past allegiances, he held no grudge against Jason and Sonny.

After that, all anyone knew was that something happened and Marcus Bench, Bruecone's apprentice enforcer, had ended up dead. Supposedly, killed by Hayden. Jason was not sure he could believe that his young cellmate could kill anyone despite the amazing way he had handled his disputes so far. His doubt continued until Jason saw what Hayden could do firsthand.

The fight, if you could call it that as Hayden ended it almost as soon as it had started, began the yard. Monty, a long time prisoner and a top member of one the prison gangs, was having a bad day and looking for someone to vent his frustrations on. Hayden, with his youthful looks, and lack of reputation, had looked like the perfect target. It all started when Monty walked over to the wall where Hayden was leaning, and took up the spot beside him.

"Hey kid, hows' Morgan treatin' you? He make you his new bitch? His other pretty boy got released; he must have gotten real lonely, bet he didn't waste any time getting you into his sac." Monty said with a sneer. He needed Hayden to start the fight, as he would get solitary if he threw the first punch.

Jason watched as Hayden stiffened, fists clinching as he took a few deep breaths. Jason could understand why Hayden was so angry. It was taking everything he had to keep himself from going over to that piece of trash and beating him bloody for what he was saying about Michael, and surprisingly, for what he was saying about Hayden. But for now he would watch, he didn't want to risk solitary for himself, the thought of leaving Hayden alone was not one he was comfortable with.

Hayden shot an icy cold glare at the thug, pushed off the wall, and started to walk away.

'If looks could kill Monty would be dead' Jason thought.

"We're not done here." Monty snarled, as he grabbed Hayden's shoulder to keep him in place.

Hayden froze mid-step, his muscles going tense, his skin paling. As the teen slowly turned to face Monty, Jason noticed the young inmate had broken out into a sweat, and had started to tremble. As Jason moved closer in order to step in-between his cellmate and the thug, Hayden spoke.

"The way I see it, this ends one of two ways, you move your hand, or you'll lose your hand." The teen's voice was cold, controlled, and held no emotion at all.

Jason's eyes widened a fraction that comment, he couldn't help it. Hayden's firm unwavering tone surprised him, but not as much as the threat. Jason was not sure he could back it up, and from the look on Monty's face, he wasn't the only one with doubts.

"Kid, you shouldn't make threats you can't back up." And with that Monty pulled his arm back and threw a punch, aiming for Hayden's jaw. Jason knew if it landed, it would be a knockout blow at the very least.

Time seemed to slow as Jason moved closer to the pair, watching as the well aimed blow move closer to the teen's head. Jason moved faster towards his cellmate, but he knew he would not reach him in time to intercept the blow. Jason could already feel guilt building up, 'I should have been closer, I knew this could happen.' Jason mentally berated himself.

Just as Monty's fist was about to connect with Hayden's jaw, the fisted hand stopped. Jason came to a halt as he took in what was happening.

Hayden had a hold of Monty's wrist and with a quick movement had twisted Monty's forearm, so that is was facing the thug's body. Hayden then adjusted his grip so that he could fold Monty's wrist down to his forearm, causing the other inmate a great deal of pain, and allowing Hayden to control the larger man.

Hayden leaned closer to Monty's ear so that only the inmate and Jason, who had maneuvered closer, would be able to hear his harsh menacing whisper,

"This is your one warning, keep your hands off of me, you touch me again, and I will be the last thing you ever touch. Do you understand?"

Monty remained stubbornly silent, so Hayden squeezed his hand to his forearm a little a harder,

"I said Do-You-Under-stand." Jason had to admit, the cold tone combined with way Hayden emphasized the words gave him a fairly intimidating presence.

Monty winced at the pressure on his wrist joints,

"Yah, I understand kid, I understand you're gonna regret this."

"Yah well, you're not the first person to say that, and I doubt you'll be the last. But to make sure you remember, I'll leave you a little reminder." And with that Hayden sharply squeezed Monty's hand flat against his arm and several inmates heard the sickening crack of braking bone and Monty's pained screech.

The resounding silence was broken by the sound of a single person clapping.

"Well done, Redding, Well done."