I'm sorry I haven't updated :/ Forgive me? Here's a peace offering :D

Connor was scowling, Abby noticed. He'd been worrying about Stephen, cursing Nick and now he was scowling.

"Connor," she said, "I'm sure he's fine." Connor looked blankly at her and she could see the tension and frustration in his eyes. She smiled, uncertainly. "Helen Cutter's evil, Con, but we can't do anything."

"We can!" he cried. "We could have helped Stephen-"

"You tried to, Connor!"

"And it wasn't good enough!" Connor got up and strode out of the door. "Seeya, Abby."

"No, Connor-" she'd never seen him get so angry. "Wait! This is what Helen wants!"

It was too late. He'd left.

Sighing, she slumped back down on the sofa. Nick and Stephen's relationship had rubbed off well on Connor; he'd been happier, more relaxed and friendlier. She had really started to enjoy seeing him like that, so much secure.

And now Nick had gone off with Helen. Of course it would be difficult for him: she understood that. His 'dead' wife, his new boyfriend. But Helen was evil, and Stephen loved Nick.

Helen had had the one advantage Stephen didn't. She knew Nick. She understood him, and how to manipulate him.

Stephen hadn't turned up to work that day. Nick had left after lunch, returning to his wife. Although Connor had pointedly avoided his company, she'd seen him, and he looked miserable.

Abby sighed, and cursed Helen Cutter.


"Fuck me," Stephen said, writhing.

"Wait your turn, Nick…" the man purred. The sound of Nick's name turned Stephen on: gasping, he pleaded.

"Fuck me, fuck me now. Please… I need the pain…"

'John' smiled silkily, and reached over to Stephen. "You want pain?"

Stephen didn't hesitate. He had no reason to feel good about himself anymore. If there was anything good, Nick wouldn't have left him for Helen without a fight.

"Yes, he breathed. "Please." The other mans smile was a promise. It brought death with it; a death that Stephen knew was inevitable. Whether it was by his hand, or John's, or someone else, it was coming. Stephen didn't care anymore.

The pain was so intense; he could almost mistake it for pleasure.

Another update will come soon, I promise (: