On television, it seemed like long interrogations lead to long trials and long trials lead to long sentences behind bars. With that in mind, Dean was doing whatever he could to make sure he stayed short with the officers. He had been in the interrogation room three days now facing the questioning of Sheamus, Kane, and Daniel but he stayed silent. Now he was sleep deprived, hungry, and unclean and he had to face the worst of them all: Orton. So far he'd been under Randy's abusive scrutiny for five hours straight but his resolve never broke; he just kept his gaze low and his mouth zipped. As annoyed as it made Orton, he stayed surprisingly composed while he sat in the chair across from the cuffed Shield member.

"All I need is a confession and this will be all over, Ambrose. Every ounce of evidence we could've had against you three in the fire incident was burned up so we dropped that charge. All you have to admit to are the beatings not being "staged." We slap you for assault and everyone goes home...well except you three of course."

Dean just gave Randy a look of annoyed disbelief before dropping his gaze again.

Randy blinked lightly and sighed, slowly rising to his feet and easing over to Dean. Hushed tones, "It's been, what, three days? I don't think you understand that you got the easier part of all this. You got one of your buddies shot and the other's sitting in a holding cell. If you don't talk, I wonder which one will." The rage boiling in Ambrose's eyes were equally met with fury from Orton when he looked up at him. "I just wonder..." The stare down was suffocating so there was slight relief on Dean's part when someone came to knock on the door much to the annoyance of the officer.

Randy cursed loudly before rushing over to the door and swinging it open, finding a tall well-dressed brunette woman standing there. Randy groaned and tried to politely whine out a "What is it now, Steph? I'm kind of busy here."

More hushed tones were used but Ambrose's ears picked up on everything.

"Orton, we're cutting them loose tomorrow."

"What? Why?"

"Officer, it's been three days and you haven't gotten anywhere with this. Even more over, the Chief is not happy with all the money we used to catch these guys. While the helicopter was a nice touch to keep them surrounded, it blew our budget this month."

"Forgive me, Lieutenant McMahon," obviously Randy's anger was escalating, "but these three guys have assaulted more than a dozen people. We can't just let them go."

"I know, Orton but without a confession, the evidence we do have can only keep them in the holding cells overnight and we can only hope the DA comes back with a trial date. Even if we have the trial there's no guarantee the jury will buy it. No one credible enough is willing to testify. Our options are slim here."

Randy shook his head in disappointment, holding a disgusted look on his face. "Who's decision was this?"

"The Chief and the Mayor both agreed." Another curse word passed Orton's lips but the Lieutenant patted his shoulder. "Get what you can out of him but tomorrow we drop this case." She nodded her head to Randy and stepped off past Sheamus, who was standing on the other side of the oneway mirror, towards her office.

Randy waited until he heard her door close completely before he slammed his door. He banged his head against it harshly before calming down enough to see Ambrose still staring rather blankly. He cut his eyes for a moment trying to regain himself but all it took was Dean's subsequent sneer and Randy was enraged again.

He ran over and kicked Dean's chair clean from under him, jumping on him milliseconds later and punching him repeatedly. He slammed the younger man's head into the ground over and over again, nothing but pure anger fueling him. Wrenching the collar of his shirt, he yelled at him. "You're not going to make me look like an idiot! You're going to start talking now or I'll kill you right here!"

Before he could land another punch, his partner Sheamus was forcefully yanking him off the floor and over in a corner. It took everything in his brute strength to keep the animalistic cop away. "Orton, calm down! You're getting carried away!" Ambrose felt up his busted lip, busted nose, and swollen eye but still said nothing.

"No! He's going to talk!" Randy clawed to get away but Sheamus slammed him back into the corner harshly whispering.

"Haven't you already sacrificed enough for this case? Fighting in some parking lot downtown is one thing. That's off the record. Fighting in a police station's interrogation room while its being recorded is another. This guy could get you for police brutality if he wanted to." It took quite a minute for Randy to calm down but he eventually did, holding his head in his hands. "Get it together."

Randy sighed longly and stared at the bruised young man. He quickly looked away as not to further anger himself. "You're right," he scooped up a few files on the table and headed for the door. "Take him to the cell, would you? I'm going to the DA's office to see what they can do for me." And the man angrily stomped away.

"He's always flying off the deep end." Sheamus waited until Orton was a good ways down the hall before sighing and gently helping Ambrose to his feet. He couldn't help but be a good guy at times. "I'll get a rag for the blood and a ice bag for your eye, alright?" Following procedure, he yanked the cuffs on Dean, and escorted him down the hall and to the basement where the holding cells were.

Every cell was empty in the dimly lit and dank basement except for one- the one he'd be going in. Luckily, while it was occupied, it was occupied by someone he wanted to see.

"Roman," Ambrose smiled as best he could without looking deformed with his bruised face.

Reigns head snapped to Ambrose's direction and he himself smiled pretty joyfully but both of theirs dropped slightly, noting one another's condition.

Roman spoke first. "What happened to your face?"

"Orton," Dean calmly explained. "Your eyes are really red."

Roman sadly laughed, "Tranquilizer's after effects. It's kept me awake for these past three days."

The two went back to being quiet and Sheamus cleared his throat. "Well I'll be back with the rag and stuff." He unchained Ambrose and let him in the cell with his friend, locking it and quickly leaving.

Dean sat on the floor across from the bunk beds that Roman sat on. He kept his head down, subconsciously avoiding the Samoan's gaze. Lightly he plucked a rock across the floor. "So, you heard from Seth?"

"Once, like two days ago. He's still got a little pain but other than that he's fine." Roman kept complete focus on Ambrose, wondering why he sat on the floor and why he couldn't look his way.

Dean almost smiled. "He's a soldier. Did he say anything else?"

Roman rested his elbows on his knees. "Said he couldn't wait to see us again. Wanted to know what your plan was this time."

The smile that could've been left again and Dean shrugged. He looked further down on the floor and sighed. "I don't know. I didn't think we'd get caught like this so soon." He shifted positions, lightly slouching up against the wall. "I don't have one."

"Well get to thinking of one," Roman chuckled, "Seth and I-"

Dean just held up his hand to stop the man. "No, there's no you and Seth. I can't keep bringing you two into this."

"What? Why not?"

"Because, unfortunately for me, my plans never work."

"That never stopped us before." The retort was too quick for Dean's liking.

Ambrose inwardly groaned. "And because it'd be easier if I just took the fall for everything. Trial goes by quicker. Processing takes less time-"

Again another quick retort, "We both know Orton wouldn't let that happen. He wants us all in jail. Besides me and Seth wouldn't leave you, Dean. You know that."

Finally Ambrose snarled angrily. "Look, I'm the reason both of you keep getting hurt!"

"And that's what this is about," Roman knowingly raised his eyebrows. "I knew it was something bothering you."

"Of course it's bothering me. Do you think I'm some heartless psycho who likes causing his friends pain? No," Dean always got riled up quickly, Roman noted. "Self-inflicted wounds are alright but I can't keep doing this to you guys, Rome." Ambrose sighed in self-anguish. "I promised you a better life and look where we are."

"But we followed you knowing this could happen. You didn't sugarcoat the possibilities. You told us the risk and we chanced it because we didn't mind. As far as we're both concerned, we're still on the path to a better life. Nothing's changed. We aren't going anywhere." Seeing his team mate so down, Roman could commiserate with Dean. Slowly, he picked himself up and eased over to the floor beside Ambrose; chuckling spryly when Dean briskly wormed some inches away. Reigns only remained that much more persistent in trying to cuddle the auburn-haired man. He finally did get the chance, wrapping a muscular arm around Dean's shoulders, and pulling him to lean against his chest.

Dean couldn't appreciate tender moments often yet the reassurance alone was calming; however, he still hadn't completely relinquished the previous notion. With long fingers threading through his hair, he sighed. "This wasn't supposed to happen, Rome."

"But it did so now what?" Roman smartly questioned the man, "Aren't we what you fight for? We're still around so you still have a reason, right?"

Dean finally looked up into Reigns eyes, slightly wondering if this was a trick question but somehow he knew it wasn't. There was a definite answer somewhere. "Rome, I-"

"As long as we stay here with you, promise you'll keep fighting for us." Roman interjected demandingly, no longer asking but forcing Dean. "Make that promise to us and Seth and I will promise to follow you down till the very end no matter where that is."

Ambrose kept his disbelieving gaze fixed on Roman's painfully serious face before slightly turning red and pushing the man away. "Fine, I promise or whatever- but don't complain to me when we all end up dead in a ditch."

"Somehow, I trust you won't let that happen." Roman smirked lightly before pulling Dean back close beside him. Ambrose squirmed gently but the larger man kept a death lock around his waist nuzzling his neck. "You're so cute sometimes."

"Why do you two keep saying that? I'm a grown man. Men aren't cute." Ambrose sighed sadly.

"With the exception of you," the statement had both men's head turning, taking notice to the man relaxing in a chair across from their cell. Seth's big grin and blonde highlights were too visible even in the darkness of the basement. "Miss me?"

Roman and Dean scrambled quickly to get to their feet and excitedly lean against the bars, amazed at Seth's presence in general. "When did you...?" Roman questioned lightly.

"I waited until I was alone and I signed myself out of the hospital. Told some cops I was ready to confess to everything so they brought me here. Of course I attacked them and stole their uniform so I could sneak in but then I overheard some guys talking about renegades in the holding cells so I took the hint and here I am."

Dean's smile began to dwindle as he asked, "How long have you been there?" Seth answered without an answer, strutting over to the cell, taking his nightstick, and hitting Dean on the head with it. "Oww!"

Immediately following he yanked Dean forward by his shirt, pulling their foreheads together. "Me and Rome, we're not going anywhere. You may want that for us but we want a life with you. Is it even worth it if we can't be together?" He smiled weakly, hoping to convey his sincerity through his eyes. "That promise we made, I'm holding you to it from this day forward. Got me?" All three men simpered in agreement as Dean nodded. Seth released the shirt with a smirk, "And stop being an idiot sometimes, would you?"

"Dully noted," Ambrose rolled his eyes playfully and turned to Roman who gave him a knowing look.

"So," Reigns started.

"So?" Dean asked.

"So," Roman replied sarcastically, "what's the plan?"

Dean's lightbulb went off as he came to understand Roman's question. "Oh that." He rubbed his stubble and back peddled until he seated himself on the bottom bunk. "Hm," Ambrose started, "We'll here's a little something: They plan on dropping our case tomorrow if nothing comes up."

"So you're saying we should wait the night out here?" Roman questioned, leaning agains the bars.

Dean shook his head slightly, "No. What I'm saying is that Orton and his goons are gonna find whatever they can to make this case stick, something solid. Even if its little, they're going to try and keep us in here longer."

"So we have to leave tonight..." Seth bit his lip thoughtfully. "Who's the guard for the nightshift?"

"That's what I need you to find out." A slender finger was pointed in Rollins' direction. "Find a good hiding place down here. I'm sure I don't have to tell you when to come out and get the keys from him. You're a smart boy, you know opportunity." His eyes darted over to his cellmate. "Rome could make a believable officer, right?"

Seth and Roman shrugged in unison. "I guess. Yeah, sure."

"Well find a laundry room and get a uniform in his size. When we escape, I'll have you two walk me out. Since they're supposed to be dropping the case in the morning anyway, we'll say you two officers were escorting me out of police custody and to my house. We'll hijack a cop car, ditch it a few miles from the station, and the rest we'll figure out when we get there."

His teammates beamed with admiration towards their colleagues scheming. Seth smirked mischievously and twirled his nightstick. "Sounds good to me. A little risky but what isn't with you?"

Roman leaned up off the bars with his own smirk. "No complaints here."

"Good," Dean nodded once.

He was about to speak again until he heard heavy foot steps approaching them. Quickly, Seth went back into hiding and the two caged men turned towards the sound. They tensed up in preparation but relaxed slightly seeing the officer from earlier. Sheamus had finally returned with the medical aid.

"Sorry I'm a bit late. Infirmary's on the other side of the building. Strangest thing," The Irishman shook his head in stunned disbelief and passed the tools through the bars to Ambrose.

Dean gratefully accepted and handed the things over to Roman. Reigns was the caretaker for any of their injuries. He thanked Sheamus before innocently asking, "So are you working the nightshift?"

Sheamus thoughtfully shook his head, "No, I think it's going to be a younger guy. He'll be here in a while so no worries."

"Sure. We just wouldn't want anything stopping us from getting out by the morning." The hidden meaning was caught on Reigns part and he smiled briefly.

It was a flash but not missed on Sheamus' part. He too smiled lightly. "Are you fellas thinking about doing something stupid?"

"What?" Dean asked innocently, slightly annoyed.

"Wow." Sheamus just shook his head and laughed, "Can you imagine Orton's face? You three trouble makers are going to get yourselves killed." Stepping off, he started laughing himself into a stupor.

Roman ran to the cell bars and called to him. "Wait, you're not going to rat us out, are you?"

"Since the case is basically dead in the morning, I'm not on it anymore. It's not my authority to 'rat' you out. You're free men at this point." Sheamus continued to chuckle as he left the group, knowing Randy's fury would be something to see.

There was a brief silence before Rollins removed himself from the shadow. "He's weird," he mentioned skeptically. "Think we should trust him?"

"Yeah," Dean lightly stated. "It's not like he wants anything from us..." He looked around a bit. "And you need a better hiding place."

"What? Why?"

"Didn't you notice he said 'three' of us?" Ambrose raised an eyebrow, bringing Seth and Roman's attention to the truth. "Right. So find a better hiding place. We need everything to go perfect tonight."

Alrighty then! There's only one more chapter left and this'll be my first completed story. Woo Shield! Hope everyone enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing.