One o'clock in the morning and Tom was in the midst of another sleepless night. Today had gone from only slightly fucked up to completely fucked up in a matter of minutes. What the hell had he been thinking, giving in to Mark's lust like that? Developing feelings for Mark was not part of the plan... it had never been, and now he was unable to get the Deadman out of his mind.

"Fuck." He groaned, looking over at the other bed. At least one Hardy was sleeping soundly. "What the fuck was I thinking?" When another hour had passed, and sleep was still elusive, Tom gave up. He crept around the room, dressing quietly. Maybe some night air would clear his head.

"Going out?" Tom realized his attempts at quiet had failed.

"Did I wake you?" He asked

"Nah, bro." Matt lied, propping up on his elbow. "Everything alright?"

"Not really, but I don't wanna drag you into this any deeper." Tom answered.

"You're falling for him, aren't you?" Matt asked.

"Who? Mark? Matt, you've taken too many shots to the head." Tom grabbed his room key.

"Tom, I'm not that dumb. There was so much sexual tension in that ring last night, I was getting aroused," Matt answered. "And then you two disappear midway through the match.. what'd you do, give him a handjob in the back?"

Tom forced himself to laugh. "Matt, there is nothing between me and Mark. Just because the people we were with are now with each other does not mean we're together."

"If you say so, bro." Matt laid down again. "Dude, it's your life. If it were me, I'da done the same thing."

"Then why didn't you fuck Adam's wife after you found out Amy was cheating on you?" It wasn't the nicest thing to say, but Tom was getting irritated.

"How do you know I didn't?" Matt answered.

Tom stared at his brother, dumbfounded.

"I'm kiddin', bro. If you say there's nothing with you and Mark, then I believe you. Go take a walk." Matt rolled over. "And I promise I won't say a word to Jeff."

"Why would I..." Tom stopped mid-reply. Matt was fast asleep again! "Lucky bastard." He let himself out.

Across town, Mark was also having a restless night. His mind was also racing with thoughts, and like Tom, most of them had something to do with their earlier activities. He was giving himself more of a mental ass-whipping than Tom, though. How the hell am I gonna make James jealous when I may not want to go back to the psycho? Finally, he also caved in and decided to go for a walk, but before he even got out of bed, he heard a rattle at his window. It sounded like someone was throwing stones at it. He stared, wondering if his mind was that tired that he was hallucinating. Then he heard it again and this time saw it as well. Who the fuck is disturbing me now? It better not be a fan!

Mark stormed to the window and looked down. Tom was standing there, a cigarette in one hand and a handful of pebbles in the other. "Do you realize what the fuck time it is?" Mark tried to sound angry, but he was actually glad to see Tom.

"Yeah, I do." Tom retorted.

"Well what do you want?" Mark yelled down.

"I'd rather not have this conversation like this, for one thing." Tom replied, dropping the stones onto the ground and taking a drag. "You gonna come down here or you gonna invite me in?"

"Come on up. I'm in 203." Mark replied. Not the smartest thing to do, dummy.

Mark threw on his jeans and a shirt. Another problem... every time he thought about what had happened, part of him got really demanding for attention. He'd tried jerking off, but that had only provided temporary relief. Ten minutes later, he was in exactly the same state.

"So what the hell do you want?" Mark demanded as he opened the door.

Tom stormed into the room. "Fuck!" He shouted, dropping onto the other bed. "I'm so fuckin' confused right now..."

"You ain't the only one?" Mark agreed.

"I went along with this idea of yours because I figured it would be the easiest way for both of us to get back what we had, but now... mind if I smoke?" Between the terrace and Mark's room, Tom had discarded his cigarette.

"Whatever floats ya." Mark replied.

Tom took out his pack. Mark noticed that his hands were shaking as he lit up. He took several deep drags and that seemed to stop his hands from shaking. Mark sat down on the other bed, facing Tom, and waited. Finally, Tom seemed to calm down enough to finish his thought.

"But now... I'm doing the one thing that I thought would never happen." Tom looked at Mark, who saw a look of utter helplessness.

"What are you talking about?" He thought he knew exactly what was going on in Tom's mind, but he wanted Tom to say it to be sure. "What did you think would never happen?"

"Don't play stupid, Mark. You know what's happened! I've fuckin' fallen for you." Tom took three more puffs, then butted it out.

Mark was a little shocked, but at least his suspicions were confirmed. "What's the problem? We want to make it convincing?"

"Well, we won't have any problem with that, now will we?" Tom began massaging his temples. "Fuck, even Matt saw it. And if our lovers saw that match..."

"Don't fuckin' worry about it." Mark came over and sat down on the other bed. He wrapped his arm around Tom, a small thing, but one completely out of character. "Let me deal with James. Fucker's gotta realize that he isn't the end all when it comes to me."

"But he is... isn't he?" Tom narrowed his gaze.

"He is, but he isn't. I mean, why can he have his 'Twinky Dink' and flaunt it in my face and I can't do the same?" Mark started rubbing Tom's shoulder, sending shivers through them both.

"Mark... this is really fucked up. I need my Jeffro back and if I get too involved with you..." There was a hint of sadness in Tom's voice, and Mark could tell.

"Tommy, listen, I am not going to force you into doing something you're going to regret. I just want you to think about it." Mark's hand soon moved to Tom's neck, where it was joined by the other one. "We're both dealing with feelings for each other."

"I'm torn in three right now. Part of me wants to take James out of the picture permanently so I can have my husband back, and another part of me doesn't want to hurt you that bad..."

"What about the third part?" Mark asked. He never knew how emotionally split Tom could be.

"That part wants to do what we did in the locker room, but without clothing in the way." Tom said "And that's the part that scares me. I better go. If you want me to be there when you tell James about us, lemme know."

Without another word, Tom was gone, leaving Mark in a really bad way.

"Fuck!" He screamed, pounding the mattress.

In the corridor, Tom heard Mark's cry. It had taken every ounce of his self-control not to give in to that third part of him. "Ah, fuck it." Tom turned, kicked open the door to Mark's room and pounced on him.

....

Jeff looked at James, who had been smoking so many cigarettes that the whole room smelled like tobacco. They both knew what conversation needed to take place, but neither of them were very eager to go through with it. Jeff didn't want to talk about it because he was afraid. He was still trying to process the thought that he had slept with a killer. Sure this killer was sexy and could fuck him in ways nobody else ever had, but killing people was supposed to be wrong. And if he said something that James didn't like, he was afraid that he himself would end up on the wrong part of the knife.

James finally rolled his eyes. "I'm not mad about the snooping Jeff," he said, using Jeff's actual name for the first time. "I should have known something like that was going to eventually happen. You twinks don't know how to keep out of other people's things."

Jeff chewed on his lower lip. "How did you know that I snooped?"

"I didn't. I just figured you did and I figured right."

Jeff winced. Okay, so James was good at getting people to incriminate themselves. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "I didn't mean to."

"You did mean to snoop," James said bluntly. "And I told you that I'm not mad."

"But you sound mad."

"I'm mad at Mark and that fucking little husband of yours."

"Why?"

"They're fucking around with each other."

Jeff stared at James in disbelief. It took him several minutes to realize that he had not misheard James at all. "Why would you even say that?" he asked. "Mark and Tom hate each other."

James shook his head. "Appearances can be deceiving Jeff. I've known Mark for a long time and I know when he's attracted to someone. Something has happened after this whole mess started to change their minds about each other." He shook his head. "It's fucking sickening."

"I don't believe you," Jeff said. "Tom-"

"Owes you nothing," James interrupted. "You fucked around on him first."

"And you fucked around on Mark!" Jeff pointed out. He didn't want to think about what Tom could possibly be doing because it hurt more than he would have liked it to. "You are just as guilty as I am in all of this."

James got to his feet and began pacing back and forth. "You think I don't know that? Do you think I don't realize I fucked up here? I want you and I want Mark and I don't know what the fuck to do anymore. "

"Choose Mark! You actually love Mark!"

"No, choose Jeff! I like Jeff better. Mark's an asshole."

"Connor, Cooper, shut the fuck up!" James yelled. "Now is not the time to be casting your votes!" He kicked the coffee table over before getting his knife out and gripping it tightly. He looked like he was going to lose it at any moment. "Mark could have shared the twink, but no, he has to fucking be a bitch," he muttered to himself. "Fucking Mark, doesn't know he drives me just as crazy as I do to him." He took a deep breath and knocked a lamp down to the ground before sitting back on the couch. "Okay, I'm calm."

Jeff gave him a nervous look. He wasn't too sure about that.

James sighed impatiently. "Twinky Dink, would you quit staring at me like that and ask whatever the hell it is you want to ask? I'm not going to bite your head off or anything like that."

Jeff swallowed heavily and tried to think of the question he should ask first. This whole thing was absolutely crazy. "How many?" he finally managed to squeak out.

"How many what?" James asked, although he obviously knew what Jeff was talking about.

"James-"

"Okay, okay. Um...a lot. Like so many that I've lost count."

Jeff's jaw dropped. James had lost count? What the fuck?! "Are you serious?"

James shrugged. "Yeah, I'm completely serious. I'm not like you Jeff. My mind doesn't work the way yours does. I've had the urge to kill since I was a child and it wasn't like my parents ever taught me right from wrong. I don't even think I would have listened to them if they had. The urges...they're too strong and I don't even want to fight them."

Jeff gulped. "Have you ever tried not doing it?"

"Why?" James asked. "I'm not Mark. I can't control myself like Mark can. I can't go into "retirement' like he has. That's not me. Killing is in way too much into my system to turn back now."

"Wait, what do you mean Mark's in "retirement"? What does that mean?"

James smirked. "Oh come on. Mark's been my best friend and lover for a few decades now. Did you honestly think that his hands are completely clean?"

Jeff didn't know what to think anymore. This was all too much to process. He took a deep breath and tried to sort out his thoughts. James was a killer. And if James was telling the truth, Mark had been one too. Jeff could hardly believe that he had shacked up with a killer and was not even considering running to the police. It wasn't just the fear that was making him not do it. He was his own feelings for James that made him not want to do that.

But what were his feelings? Were they love or just more lust? He tried to come up with an answer and he couldn't. It just made his head hurt more. "I need to take a walk," he said quietly.

"Yeah, I figured you would need to," James said. He was studying Jeff carefully. "But if it's a walk to the police station-"

"It won't be," Jeff said quickly. "I just...I want to talk to Matt."

James sighed. "Fine. Whatever. Between you and whatever Mark has told Tom, he's bound to find out anyway. But I swear Jeff, if he opens his big mouth to the wrong people, even your cute little ass isn't going to be able to save him. You understand me?"

Jeff nodded as he got to his feet. "Yeah," he said shakily. "I understand." He started walking away and was almost out the door when he was grabbed by the wrist, turned around and kissed by James.

"Just one for the road," James said with a smirk when they broke apart. He chuckled at the look on Jeff's face and then backed off.

Jeff touched his lips gently before heading out the door. The kiss had sent shivers up his spine. That physical spark was still as hot as ever between them, despite what James was. Sighing to himself, Jeff needed to see Matt more than ever now. Maybe the older brother who didn't hate him at the moment could tell him what he should do.

.....

Tom lit a cigarette and looked over at Mark, who'd passed out shortly after their intense lovemaking session. Despite the brutality of their act, Mark had been downright tender. Unlike James, who he was lucky to get a word out of afterward assuming he didn't leave right away, Tom was more than happy to snuggle.

"The Big Bad 'Taker likes to cuddle." He smiled, brushing a few loose strands of greasy hair off his forehead. "Who'da thunk it?" He quickly swung his legs over the side and stepped outside onto the balcony to finish his smoke, uncaring that he was only wearing a cheese-eating grin.

As he inhaled the toxins, he reflected on just how screwed up things had gotten. If he thought it was messed up before, the last hour had turned his entire world on its ear. Just once, Tom wanted to be in the right, but now he was just as guilty as Jeff.

"Hell, Jeff broke our vows first." Tom justified his actions, throwing the end over the rail and going back inside. "It's like Mark said... if James and Jeff can have their little trysts, why can't we?"

Mark was awake, staring around the room.

"Morning, Marky-Mark." Tom looked around for his clothes

"Don't call me that." Mark groaned, his voice thick with sleepiness.

"Whatever." Tom slipped into his boxers and jeans and looked around for his shirt, before remembering that it hadn't survived. "Shit," he swore

"Whassup?" Mark leaned up on his elbow.

"I need a shirt." Tom stated "You shredded mine."

"Check the dresser. Maybe I got something in your size."

"Doubt it, but thanks." Tom rifled through Mark's gear, finding a Harley-Davidson shirt. "How's this?... It's the only one that doesn't look like a dress on me."

Mark winced. "Take care of it... that's one of my favorites."

"I will." Tom patted his pockets for his keys. "Later." This time when he left, he did not return.

...

"What's so important that you couldn't tell me over the phone?" Matt asked. Jeff had sounded on the verge of panic about something. Jeff had always been high-strung, but today was different.

"Matty, Imma need help." Jeff collapsed onto the bed that Tom had vacated earlier that morning. While a little surprised that Tom hadn't returned after his walk, Matt was grateful to some down time.

"Jeffro, you know I'll help you any way I can, but you gotta tell me just what the hell is going on."

Jeff spilled his guts to Matt, telling him everything that had happened since he'd fallen for James, up to the conversation he'd just finished. Matt sat silently, soaking in the information.

"Jeff, why haven't you told..."

"The police?" Jeff shrieked "James said if you tell the wrong people, then even my ass won't be able to save you. I don't think he's really that happy that I'm even here to begin with."

"What do you want me to tell you? It seems like the answer is pretty clear, especially if what James says is true and Mark and Tom are getting together."

"Not what I wanted to hear, big brother." Jeff pried a bag of Skittles from his pocket and tried to open it, but the twitching of his hands caused it to repeatedly fall on the floor. "Stupid Skittles."

"Here." Matt grabbed the bag and tore it open for Jeff. "Just relax. What do you want... better still, who?"

"Imma love Tommy." Jeff sighed "But James... fuck, I really fuckin' fucked this fuckin' thing up."

"You sure fuckin' did." Matt agreed.

"Tommy comin' back soon? Imma need to talk to him." Jeff asked.

"Dunno, li'l bro. He left real early." Matt shrugged.

"Can I stay with you 'til then?"

"Sure, I guess, but I'm not getting involved if the two of you start fighting again. I'm already in over my head." Matt rubbed Jeff neck, noticing for the first time the bite marks and scratches. "Uh, Jeff, what are these?"

"Uhhh... James gets a little frisky sometimes," Jeff giggled.

"Jeff..."

"I know. Imma be careful." Jeff promised, understanding perfectly what Matt was driving at. He'd asked himself the same question: 'What was stopping James from hurting him?'

Tom returned with two cups of coffee and a pack of donuts from a nearby shop. "Oh. I didn't know you had company."

"It's cool." Matt replied "Jeff wants to talk to you."

"You do, do you?" Tom made a big scene out of adding cream and sugar to his coffee.

"Tommy..."

"Arghhh!" His headache seemed to get worse every day. "Okay... what do you want to talk about?" It took every ounce of his being not to do something extremely regrettable.

Jeff told Tommy the story, conveniently omitting the part about how James had admitted to killing lots of people, but embellishing James' statement about Mark's involvement.

"Jeff, I don't know what the hell you are trying to pull by doing this, but it's totally unnecessary. There is nothing happening between me and Mark. We're just friends." Tom stated. "If you want to come back to me, all you have to do is tell James that you're finished with him."

Jeff stared at the floor.

"Remember, I am not the one who caused this." Tom answered "This is all on you. Help yourself to donuts." He took the coffee and left the room, taking the elevator to the parking lot. He got into his car and grinned.

"Hey Marky, good news... James is definitely jealous." He phoned his boyfriend. "Bad news is he told him everything... even about you."