A whole week passes without any interference from Walt. Jesse spends the day sending out his portfolio and application to his top three schools, and Saul's enjoying a low-key day at the office.

At least until Francesca shatters his calm. "Walter White is here."

Saul groans; why can't this asshole make appointments like everyone else? "Hold on." He types out a quick warning to Jesse just in case the kid decides to pay Saul a visit. "Send him in."

Francesca buzzes Walt inside, and he doesn't look too happy to see Saul. Saul forces up a cordial expression. "Walt, your smile just lights up the room."

Walt keeps scowling at him. Tough crowd. "Saul."

"What can I do for you?"

Walt starts pacing around the room like a caged tiger. "It's Jesse. He's—he's completely unreasonable. I just—I cannot communicate with him. It's like he's a whole different person."

Oh boy. As much as Saul loathes being Walt's confidante here, at least he can get an insider's view of what Walt might be planning. Saul can stay one step ahead. "He's not answering your calls?"

"He is rebuffing me at every turn! He won't cook for Fring, no matter how much money I put on the table." Walt's jaw clenches.

"So it's not about the money."

Walt keeps talking, as if Saul's not even in the room. "He has this idea in his head of going to art school. Can you believe it? That's what he's throwing this all away for?"

Saul grits his teeth and swallows back the fury building in his throat. "What exactly is he throwing away? Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like all you two gained out of this little venture is a vacation home on the banks of Shit Creek where you live year-round."

Walt dodges that conversational brick entirely. "And Hank knows Jesse's involved in the sale of blue meth. What if he decides to go barking up that tree again?"

"Your brother-in-law even looks at Pinkman and he'll be up to his ears in lawsuits. I wouldn't worry about that." But Saul thinks that's pretty good leverage. If Walt becomes too much of a problem, Jesse can always turn state's evidence. Of course, Saul would ensure Jesse gets a sweet deal before giving up one word about the elusive Heisenberg.

Saul doesn't want to spend any more time with Walt than he has to. "Did you come here to talk? Because I'm not your therapist."

Walt moves closer to Saul's desk. Saul meets his eyes, unafraid of whatever he sees there. "I need you to convince Jesse to start cooking with me again."

Is this some sort of ploy on Walt's part to see how far Saul's loyalties to Jesse go? "I thought you had a lab partner."

"Gus decided his services would be better applied in Mexico."

Saul lifts an eyebrow.

"It's only temporary, of course," Walt says, like that makes a difference. Like the "one cook" in return for Jesse's recommendation letter wasn't temporary as well.

"I can talk to the kid, but it sounds like he's got his mind made up."

"You could change his mind," Walt says casually, and, oh, he's not suggesting what Saul thinks he's suggesting. Is he? "Jesse can be stubborn, but he just needs a little"—Walt searches for the word—"motivation."

Dread crawls into Saul's throat. "'Motivation' motivation? Refresh my memory, but the last time Pinkman got the shit kicked out of him he decided to go straight. I don't think another beating is going to change his mind."

Walt shakes his head as if he's just as disgusted with the idea as Saul. "Not—not a beating. Jesus. Just...an attitude adjustment."

Saul feels his face burn. "So, what, the threat of a beating?"

Walt doesn't answer, just makes a face like Saul would judge him if he says it out loud. "If you think that will work."

What kind of sick game is Walt playing? If Walt knows about them, and he's just bandying about the idea of hurting Jesse to see how Saul will react... Son of a bitch. And Saul can't even argue that Jesse did cook for him once already, since he's not supposed to know that.

Saul fights to keep his tone even. "Well, you know him better than I do."

"Do I?"

"I think you do. You learn a lot about somebody when you live a life of crime together. It's like an outlaw version of a Disneyland trip—fun for the whole family."

"So what kind of life are you living?" Walt's gaze locks into the couch near the front corner of the room. "Because I see Jesse's brand of cigarettes in that ashtray, I hear him talking like you, and it makes me wonder."

Fear clouds over Saul's brain in a dense fog.

"I wonder what kind of scheme you two have going on," Walt continues. "Did you convince him to go to art school so you'd have money to launder? Because he didn't sound very confident about how he would pay for his schooling."

A laugh bubbles out of Saul's throat. That's Walt's angle? But it makes sense when Saul thinks about it. Walt wouldn't assume Saul was spending time with Jesse out of interest in the kid's well-being. Of course it would be about what Saul could get from him. That's how Walt's brain works.

"That's a pretty wild story," Saul says. "But I don't have that kind of power over Jesse." He had merely suggested art school as a possibility; Jesse was the one who pursued it. "C'mon, you said it yourself: the kid's stubborn as hell. He's young. He doesn't have the C-bomb hanging over his head. He's gonna carpe diem, as the saying goes."

Walt's face lights up in realization. "That's it. Jesse has always been loyal—it's his biggest fault. What if I had a heart-to-heart with Jesse and told him my cancer is back?"

Saul feels a chill crawl up his spine.

"Yes, I have money, but most of it is tied up, and my family won't have access to it right away. And, frankly, I'd like to have extra just in case. Insurance. As a last favor to me, a dying man, Jesse will cook with me."

Saul actually sees red. He's never been a violent guy, but, holy shit, does he want to deck Walt right now. If Jesse told Saul about his aunt, then Walt definitely knows too. To use that memory of loss and pain just to further Walt's own agenda...

Behind the shield of his desk, Saul tightens his hands into fists. "Well, that's—that's definitely an option. Do you think Jesse would go for that?"

Walt nods. "He will."

Bastard. Saul's dealt with a lot of slimy people in his line of work, but this is the first time he's ever wanted to object to a client's wishes purely from an ethical standpoint. Forget the blowback on Saul himself. This is fucking awful.

"What happens when you don't die, huh? The kid's gonna figure it out eventually."

Walt shrugs his shoulders. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

If Saul's too argumentative, that will only confirm Walt's hypothesis or make him dig deeper. And if Walt learns that Saul and Jesse are having an affair, that could put their lives in jeopardy. So either way, there's no good option. But what choice does he have?

Saul sighs. "Alright, fine. Do what you want; I can't stop you. But I'd like to go on record that this is a really bad idea."

"Duly noted," Walt says, smugly.

When Walt's gone, Saul types out a message to Jesse: he might pay you a visit. I've got a spare key in the potted plant out front. Be safe.

#

When Saul gets home that evening, Jesse's waiting for him in the bedroom. He doesn't give Saul much time to talk, just gets him on the mattress, shoves his pants over his hips and opens his mouth around Saul's dick. Saul's not going to complain while his whole body's shaking under Jesse's lips, but he thinks they need to discuss this meeting with Walt. Jesse can't afford to hear today's events from anyone but Saul.

Saul finally gets his chance to bring the topic up after he's finished swearing and coming, once Jesse's tongue licks him clean, soft and loose and eager. Jesse's lips are wrapped around the sensitive head of Saul's dick, hands flattened over the flare of his hips, because he's new at this and doesn't need Saul squirming around while Jesse's got his cock in his mouth.

"Jesus, kid, where'd you learn how to do this?" Saul groans, because whoever taught Jesse how to give blowjobs must have been a talented fucker.

Jesse looks up at him, pulls off slowly. "It was good?"

Saul pulls Jesse's mouth up to his own, licks the salt-bitter taste from his lips. "I have a hard time believing you're a novice."

"I guess I'm just, like, naturally awesome," Jesse says between kisses. Saul licks at the hollow of Jesse's throat and earns a moan in response.

"We should probably talk about this," Saul murmurs.

"Alright." Jesse smirks down at him. "You gonna give me pointers, or are you more of a demonstrator?"

Saul slides a hand up Jesse's arm, fingers memorizing the sinews and curves there. "I mean this—the reason you're here in the first place. Your psycho ex-boyfriend. Ring any bells?"

Jesse groans, making a face. "God, don't call him that. I could do so much better." Then he smiles and looks at Saul. "Obviously."

"Well, you know what they say about flattery and where it'll get ya." Saul smooths a hand down Jesse's spine through his t-shirt, and Jesse lies on top of him, his head on Saul's chest.

"I don't wanna talk about Mr. White. Remember what I said about him taking from me?" Saul nods. "If he's all we ever talk about, what do we have here that's just us?"

"He's not all we talk about," Saul says. "Look, I don't bring Walt up 'cause I like the guy. I'm trying to keep you in the loop." He runs a hand through the hair at the base of Jesse's neck. "It's not easy playin' both sides. Shit, I feel like I'm going out of my mind."

"I'm sorry," Jesse mumbles, like Walt being a possessive asshole is somehow his fault.

Saul breathes exasperation into Jesse's hair. "We need to make an apology rule. Every time you apologize for something that's not your fault you have to give me a blowjob."

Jesse laughs. "I have a life to live, Saul. And that's not fair 'cause I don't get anything out of it."

"What about the sense of accomplishment and pride in satisfying your boyfriend?"

"Nice try."

"Hey, it was worth a shot."

Jesse pushes himself up, just enough to kiss Saul's mouth. Maybe Saul doesn't need to tell Jesse about Walt's visit today. Jesse wouldn't believe the cancer story if he heard it from Walt anyway; he'd see it for what it is: manipulation. Besides, Saul can't get enough of touching Jesse like this; he wants to stretch every possible moment.

He's between Jesse's legs, sucking kisses into Jesse's inner thighs when one of their phones starts buzzing on the night table. "Is that you or me?" Jesse mumbles, his eyes closed and his hands fisted in Saul's hair.

"Probably you," Saul says, jarred from his worship of Jesse's body. He sits up, because if Walt's calling Saul needs to be firing on all cylinders. "Go ahead and take it."

Jesse sighs disappointment, rising to a sit, and grabs his phone. His hand freezes when he reads the screen. "It's him."

Show time. Saul scoots closer to offer the comfort of his presence. "Put him on speaker."

Jesse looks at Saul like he's just suggested something inane.

"Just do it."

Jesse does as he's told and answers the phone. "Yo."

"Jesse, hi. Did I catch you at a bad time?" Walt's playing the part of a downtrodden cancer patient perfectly; maybe it's not a lie after all.

Saul skims a hand along Jesse's leg, and Jesse relaxes a little. "No. What's up?"

"Well, I—I just got the results from my last doctor's visit." Meaningful pause. "My cancer is back."

Saul watches how Jesse reacts to this. He looks like he's about to cry, panic and worry etched on his face. But there's a glimmer of doubt there too, like he suspects this could be a ruse.

Saul keeps his expression even. Jesse has to work through this himself. At least for now.

"Oh—shit, for real?" Jesse swallows. "What're you gonna do?"

Walt sighs. "Well, I'm gonna fight this, but I know the odds. I know I don't have much time left, even with the treatments."

Saul frowns but stays focused on Jesse's face. Jesse's lower lip trembles so slightly that Saul wouldn't have caught it had he not been watching for it. "But you, uh, you got money, right? For your family?"

Saul shuts his eyes in pain. Jesse just gave Walt the perfect opening for his gambit. "I do, but I don't think they'll be seeing it for a long time. So much of it has to be laundered, you know, through the car wash."

Jesse lifts an eyebrow and looks at Saul. Saul waves a hand as if to say, "I'll tell you later."

Jesse wets his lips, stares down at the comforter and plucks at a loose thread. "Are you still gonna cook?"

"As long as I can," Walt says.

There's a long stretch of silence. Saul holds his breath, waiting for Jesse to say something. This could be the moment where Jesse breaks free of Walt's manipulation and simply says "have a good life." He could do it. He could—

"Well, uh, maybe we could, uh, do one last cook? Y'know, for old time's sake?"

Or he could fall for it hook, line, and sinker. Saul drags a hand over his face and smothers a groan. Goddamn it, kid.

"I'd like that, Jesse," Walt says warmly, and Saul can just hear the smug satisfaction there.

Jesse doesn't say anything for a while after he hangs up the phone, just buries his head in his hands. Saul wants to reach out to him, but he isn't sure if that's the right move. After a silent moment, Jesse raises his head, rubs his eyes with the heel of his hand and leans over the edge of the bed.

"Whoa, where're you going?"

"I have to—I have to see him," Jesse rasps, reaching out with shaky hands for his discarded jeans.

"Better bring your boots, then." Saul places a hand on Jesse's chest to stop him. Jesse gives him a bewildered look. "You know every single word he said was absolute horseshit, right? No, wait, you don't know that, because if you did you wouldn't have agreed to cook with him again."

Jesse looks even more crushed. "I'm not an idiot. I know there's a chance he's making it up. But how big of an asshole would I be if he wasn't and I didn't show?"

"Jesse, he's lying to you. He came to my office today plotting ways to get you to make meth with him again! He actually suggested sending someone to beat you up."

Jesse bites his lips together. "He wouldn't."

"He called it an 'attitude adjustment.' Said you just needed the proper 'motivation,'" Saul says, complete with air quotes.

Jesse inhales a shuddery breath.

Saul lays a hand over Jesse's. "And, hey, forgive me for being insensitive here, but so what if he's right? You don't owe him shit. He blackmailed you into this whole meth thing from the start. Has he ever positively benefited your life at all?"

Jesse looks forlorn for a moment, then he chews his lip in concentration. Saul waits for an answer. Then Jesse's eyes widen, and he locks his gaze onto Saul. "I met you."

Saul can't help the little smile that forms on his mouth. "Ah, c'mon, we would'a crossed paths eventually." He gives Jesse a playful nudge to the shoulder. Jesse just wobbles like he's made of Jell-o. Not in a joking mood, Saul guesses.

He feels steel bands wrap around his chest at the worry etched on Jesse's face. Saul's benefiting from their arrangement now; it wouldn't be too much of a stretch for Jesse to read his motives the wrong way.

Okay, he has to try a different approach.

"Look," Saul starts, "if you wanna run over there and play cook, fine. I won't stop you. But let's look at the silver lining; this is an opportunity for personal growth. We can turn this into something positive, right? An intervention, if you will."

Jesse scoffs. "You think I'm addicted to Mr. White?"

"He's like a drug for you, Jesse. I can see that. And, hey, speaking as your boyfriend, I'd love to be the only guy you get it up for, but speaking as your friend, I understand that maybe you can't live without him; I'm not going to give you an ultimatum and tell you it's him or me. But I think it's worth tryin' to get clean, if only for your own sake."

Jesse looks like he's considering Saul's piss-poor but sadly accurate analogy. "Okay..." Jesse turns his body to face Saul and lays his shaky hands on Saul's shoulders. "Then I need you to distract me."

Saul's never been happier to serve as a distraction.