"God damn it! Half our friends are fucking grounded thank's to butt-hole-fucking-Stan!" Cartman barked, clenching his fists in anger as Cylde's Father shut the front door in his and Kenny's face. The larger boy's face grew a cherry red in anger as he twirled himself around and stomped down off Clydes front step and back towards the sidewalk. Kenny said nothing but followed him. He stuffed his hands into his orange pockets and cut through the snow covered lawn to catch up with Eric's hurried steps.

"Personally Eric, I don't know why you think it's a good idea to throw another party so soon after what happened last weekend." Kenny pointed out

"Why should I change my party schedule just because Stan-fucking-Marsh got sent to the hospital." Eric pointed out in his usual selfish stubbornness.

"Well, probably because it's kinda fucked up." Kenny said lazily, knowing that saying this would just piss off and confuse Cartman more. Eric, being the way he was, just wouldn't allow him comprehension. Had Eric been a real human being rather than an evil bastard maybe he would have understood-but waiting for some kind of revelation like that was like waiting for hell to freeze over so Kenny wasn't going to hold his breath.

"Fucked up? What's fucked up is that Stan went and got himself all destroyed and ruined what could have been a fun time for everyone. What a selfish douche bag!" Cartman continued. Kenny felt his insides churning as he watched Cartman fume over his own misfortune. It was even more messed up knowing that Eric had something to do with what happened that night, he sure was acting casual for being so obviously guilty. Kenny shouldn't have been surprised, that was just the sort of person Eric was.

"Nothing, just forget it," Kenny said, looking down at his watch as he puffed a jet of pale breath from his nostrils "It's almost time for Kyle's swim meet anyways and we need to get their early to get a good seat." Cartman's grumpy expression dissolved as quickly as it had appeared. Eric snagged Kenny by the wrist and began dragging him towards the school.

"Why didn't you say so, lets go." Eric pulled Kenny relentlessly onward without pause. Kenny couldn't remember him ever having been excited to go to school. The image of Eric hurrying towards South Park High was enough to curdle anyones blood, at least anyone who knew him. The only reason Cartman was even passing school was because he was cut plenty of slack by the teachers who knew he was a football player.

"What has you so excited? Slow down!" Kenny demanded, wrenching his wrist from Eric's grip. He narrowed his eyes at the larger boy as he rubbed at the spot Cartman had been tugging. Any harder and his whole arm would have been yanked out of socket. The fact that Eric was stronger than him, physically, was extremely annoying and a little unsettling.

"You said it yourself, we need to get there early to get a good seat." Eric said, waving a hand in dismissal as he continued on his way. Kenny followed after him at his own pace. Eric had been obnoxiously chipper for the last few days, at least more often than his explosive anger had taken hold, and Kenny at least had a hint why. Somehow Stan and Kyle were key points in this mystery and he was determined to discover how the pieces fit together. Someone needed to slap Eric Cartman down a few pegs, and who better to do that then Kenny with his double life.

The School was a buzz with activity, it was the second meet of the semester and all the family members and friends of the swim team were making their way into the swim-nasium. Despite the bitter chill outside the gym was heated to a balmy perfection. The smell of chlorine filled the two boy's nose as they entered, buffeted by the growing crowd.

"Shit, we probably aren't going to be able to see Kyle before the meet, they're probably still down in the locker room." Cartman said, rubbing his chin as he scanner the room, searching for any sign of the South Park swim team.

"Oh, Hello boys!" came a shrill, nasally voice. Kenny and Cartman turned around to see the walking towards them with an arm around her son, Ike.

"Hello, Mrs. Broflovski, hello Ike." Cartmen chirped, putting on his best charm.

"Hello." Kenny said, giving a casual gesture with his hand. He always hated this fake 'nice guy' act Eric put on every time he came in contact with an adult. He always knew how to keep people's guard down with just how sickening he could be.

"And would you know where Kyle would be, Mrs. Broflovski, and might I say your hair looks lovely today, did you just get it cut?" Cartmen's grin reached his ears. Kenny turned his head, mock vomiting. Eric, leaking sugar, just put a bad taste in his mouth. The same issue seemed to set Ike off as well, he mimicked Kenny with a mock vomit of his own.

"Oh why thank you, Eric. Kyle should be with the team now, getting changed. Ike and I just dropped him off a few minutes ago. Seeing that wasn't going to be any use getting to see Kyle before the meet, Eric's attention waned from her.

"right, lets go get seats, Kyenny." He said, slapping a hand on the back of his orange parka, forcing him a few feet to the left. Kenny grumbled but decided not to pick a fight with Eric at that moment, even though he was entirely sick of being shoved around all day. The meet was only a few minutes from starting and this was Kyle's big day, there was no use in putting Eric in his place, at least until afterwards.

Kenny and Cartman found a decent spot in the second row of the bleachers. Kenny looked around but didn't see anyone else from their class. Seemed like everyone was even grounded from coming to school functions. The majority of the crowd was made up of excited parents.

A few minutes after they had found their seat, applause erupted from the stands. On the other side of the gym the South Park swim team was entering from the locker room. It was ten boys dressed in swim caps, goggles and matching black speedos. At first glance it was hard to tell them apart, but Kyle stuck out from the rest with his pale milky skin and auburn freckles.

Eric had never been to one of Kyle's swim meets before, it was a rare opportunity that was only recently appreciated. He was surprised to see just how much of Kyle's body was covered in those tiny natural dots. They stretched all along both his arms and ripened along his collarbone. His knees sported a few clusters and odd numbers of them flecked his legs. The way Kyle was marched out in sync with his team mates gave Eric the distinct feel of looking at a displayed item of stock. His eyes scanned every inch of him, as if memorizing. Kyle's lean form didn't have an ounce of fat clinging to his tight muscles. When he breathed his abdomen stretched taunt. It was clear he was preparing himself with those deep inhales.

Kyle glanced over at the stands to see his mother and his brother waving. He noticed also, to his surprise, that Kenny and Cartman had also come to support him. It was nice to see them there, considering how down he had been the last few days. He had been putting all of his energy into trying to reach Stan or practicing for this swim meet, he had hardly had any time to hang out with his other friends.

He waved back, pushing a cheery smile before tucking the last few coils of auburn hair up into his swim cap. The announcer was chirping through the PA system as the Denver Swim team also entered the gym to another applause.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to the South Park Second preliminary swim meet! Winners will go on to the 25th annual Colorado State championship! Swimmers compete in age groups of 8 and under…"

As the announcer droned on sportsman like nods were exchanged between the two teams before the first round of racers began to line up for the first heat. Kyle rolled his shoulders and popped his neck as he moved towards the edge of the pool. He breathed deep the sharp scent of chlorine and closed his eyes behind his goggles. He knew he would be starting out with one of the top seed times, and yet still he managed to get himself nervous.

As Kyle pulled himself up onto the starting block he took a moment to glance over at the others as they did the same. The sound of cheers from the crowd faded from his focus and only the sound of his quickened heart, and deep preparatory breaths filled his frame of mind. He looked down the length of the pool, following the black striped on the bottom with his eyes. They were runways, trails to follow to keep himself swimming straight. He closed his eyes once more and when he opened them again he was prepared. He crouched, leg muscles clenched. The whistle blew. He took his final breath and dove, piercing the glass-like surface.

"Good Job!"

"Thanks!"

"Way to go dude! That was some fierce competition."

"yeah it was, thanks!" Kyle couldn't peel the grin off of his face as his team members swatted him on the back. One of them tossed a towel over his head and he snagged it to whip the water from is brow, pressing the white cotton all over his face. He yanked his swim cap off and shook out his shaggy hair.

"Damn Kyle, first place, looks like you're going to be going to the State Championship." Kenny said as he approached, giving the red head a pat on the shoulders.

"Looks like it," Kyle said, beaming as he pulled his towel down across his chin and throat. He was still panting from his exertion and his face had taken on a rosy complexion, "it's gunna be a lot of work to get ready for." He said as he wrapped the towel around his waist and tied it there.

Cartman smirked, standing beside both Kenny and Kyle without speaking. He was allowing his eyes to roam up and down the red heads body, watching the beads of water slide down his pearl colored skin. He couldn't help by entertain the intrusion of some, dark, fantasies as they flooded his mind. His smirk twisted a bit into a subtle sneer. Only Kenny seemed to notice, peering up at the larder boy with narrowed eyes. Eric was dangerous, and Kenny was beginning to understand just what he was capable of, recognizing the hunger that slithered behind the linebackers eyes, even as they turned from Kyle to meet his own, blue hews.

"How about we go to Shakies and celebrate?" Kyle posed, still grinning excitedly. He looked between Kenny and Cartman and his smile seemed to shrink a bit. He could notice obvious tension growing between them. Had they had some sort of fight earlier? He cleared his throat, preparing to try again but was cut off as he saw his little brother Ike prancing up to meet him.

"That was epic, bro!" He said lifting his fist. Kyle gave a smirking smile and met his brothers knuckles with his own. In that moment Kyle was able to come across as cocky, something the smaller broflovski brother could bring out in him rather well.

"Thanks, Ike." He said, beaming. Cartman looked between the two and Kenny couldn't help but notice that wheels were turning in the football players head. Did the boy ever stop scheming?

"How about we go to Shakies, to celebrate!" Kyle finally managed to blurt out, a second time. At this both Eric and Kenny startled and looked to Kyle. Kenny forced his smile back on and spoke up.

"Of course, you go get changed and we'll meet you at your car, Eric and I walked." With that Eric nodded as well.

"How about Ike comes with us." Eric said, that fake smile plastered to perfection on his lips. Ike's whole face lit up at the prospect. Kyle couldn't very well say no.

"Um..Sure, I'll meet you guys in a few minutes." He waved and latched a hand against his towel and jogged back towards the locker room. Eric followed him with his eyes the whole way to the other side of the gym before he disappeared.

"Let's go, Fat-Ass." Kenny said, glaring at the back of Eric's head. Cartman didn't take his eyes off the closing door to the locker room.

"I'll meet you by the car, Ike go with Kenny." Eric said, not bothering to look at Kenny as he began to make his way towards the locker room, himself, "I need to talk to Kyle for a minute." And without another word he disappeared behind the door. Kenny looked after Eric with a stunned expression. He was not alright with Kyle being alone with Eric, but with any luck some of the other swim team members would still be there. Ike clamoring around him was good interference. Eric was good….too good. Kenny bit his lower lip and burned a hole in the door with his eyes. There wasn't really anything he could do in this situation that wouldn't come off as paranoid or nosey.

"Come on, Kenny. I know where Kyles car is!" Ike said, enthusiastically. The Blond sucked in a deep breath and turned around. He was just going to have to wait by the car and trust that Eric wouldn't do something horrible so soon after what he did to Stan. Defeated, he turned away and headed towards the car.

Kyle opened his locker and began to fish out his street clothes. He set them down on the bench behind him in a neat folded stack. He used the hand that wasn't holding up the towel around his waist and reached beneath it to tug down his swim uniform. He turned around and grabbed his pair of boxers and pulled them on under his towel, dropping it once they were securely situated about his hips.

"Hey, Kyle." Came a voice from the far end of the hall of lockers. Kyle jumped, startled, and whirled around to face Cartman, who was leaning nonchalantly against number 436, eyeing the smaller boy with a predatory gaze.

"Holy shit, Cartman….you scared the fuck out of me!" Kyle put a hand to his chest and took a deep breath before going back to pulling on his clothes.

"Haha, Sorry." Eric said as he sauntered over to where Kyle was, sitting on the bench, watching him as he changed.

"I thought I was meeting you out at the car, what do you want?" The redhead asked, pulling an orange t-shirt over his head. As he tugged it down over his mass of hair he felt it snag at the sleeves. He struggled with it for a moment only to feel it yank down over his abdomen in one fluid motion, He blinked, looking down at Eric, who had grabbed the hem and pulled it down for him. Eric's fingers brushed against his sides as he retracted his hands. The way Eric was looking at him made him feel suddenly uncomfortable. His eyes seemed, somehow, feral.

"t-thanks..so uh, what did you want?" he asked as he unfolded his pants.

"I just wanted to talk to you. I know you're excited about winning, but I wanted to make sure you were REALLY okay." Eric's voice took on an unfamiliar note. Compassion. Never before had Eric ever said anything to him in that tone. Immediately, Kyle's guard went up. He pulled on his jeans and turned around.

"What do you mean?" he glared at Eric with his green hews.

"I mean with, Stan being sent away." Eric said, blinking innocently. Kyle felt his blood go cold. How did Eric know that Stan had been sent away, no one was sure where he was..the only one that seemed to have a real clue about it was that Mysterion kid and he himself by that default. Something wasn't right here.

"How did you know he was sent away?" Kyle asked, eyes narrowing. Eric cursed mentally, he hadn't meant to make Kyle suspicious. He would have to think quick to get over this bump and continue on with his plan.

"Well, I mean, I was just referring to how he was taken away...to the hospital after he swallowed that bottle of pills and drank all those booze," Eric closed his eyes as he talked, working to not betray his fabricated lie with his expression, "I just wanted to check up on you, it has to be hard hear what he said before he passed out." Kyle's suspicious expression shifted to one of uneasy curiosity. Eric smiled inwardly, he was taking the bait.

"What do you mean, what did he say?" he asked.

"you mean you didn't hear it? Oh that's right…you arrived just after he passed out. Well I was talking to him and he said horrible things…well, if you didn't hear what he said then I supposed that's for the best." With that, Eric stood up and turned to start walking out of the locker room. Kyle reached out and snagged his shoulder, spinning him back around.

"tell me what he said, Cartman." Kyle pressed.

"No no, I really shouldn't." Eric stretched, reeling Kyle in closer and closer. He couldn't help by imagine the other boy as a ruby colored fish thrashing aro-und on the end of a fishing line, or as a puppet dancing on stringer. It was almost too easy.

"Eric! Tell me what he said!" Kyle's voice shot up, emotion running obviously hot.

"Fine. He said that he hated you, okay and that he never wanted to come back to South Park and that he never wanted to see any of us again. Pretty rude if you ask me. He ever went so far as to say….no, I really shouldn't say any more." Eric bit his lower lip, trying to look conflicted. Kyle wasn't going to have it.

"Just say it, Fat-Ass!" Kyle's fists were clenched at his sides.

"Okay, but don't shoot the messanger…he said that you were a faggot for him. He said you had a big gay crush on him. He said that you…disgusted him…" Eric glanced over at Kyle, watching as his bright green hews took on a suddenly fearful expression, widening to the size of saucers as his cheeks flushed pink, "I usually would find someone saying that really funny. I would have, if Stan hadn't threatened to tell everyone at school. I mean, god knows he might have already. What an ass hole."

Kyle was silent, his fists clenching at his sides. There was very obviously an internal struggle going on inside of his head. He looked as though he was in pain. How could Cartman have know something like this unless Stan really had said something. And how did Stan know! He felt shivers running up his spine.

"I mean, if the guys ever found out something like that…man, you'd never be able to live it done. Stan said he overhead you talking about how much you love him in the bathroom. He said he would rather swallow a bottle of pills than have some faggot crushing on him…jeez, now that I think about it maybe that's what he did…which would kind of mean that what he did was because of…well…you."

Kyle felt his heart rate shooting skyward, thudding against his chest. She felt Eric's piercing gaze slicing through him. All his fault? Had Stan really done something to himself out of disgust for him? Did he really hate him? Why was Eric saying all of this to him…unless…

"So tell me, Kyle. Is it true? Do you have a big gay crush on Stan?" Eric's mouth was pulled into an infuriating sneer. His expression was infuriatingly mirthful as he let the words purr from his lips. Kyle recognized that Eric was baiting him, trying to show that he had a one up on him. Eric wasn't asking. Eric knew.

"No. Don't be stupid." Kyle said, his voice dry and stiff. His eyes spoke of complete and total hatred. He hated Eric and that infuriating smirk. Had Stan really told him all of this, was Stan really on the same level as this horrible, heartless fuck?

"Oh really? Is that so? Haha, you see actually when Stan told me I wasn't that surprised, you always kinda seemed like a fruit to me. I bet you've been pounded in the ass a couple of times. Man, if the other guys caught wind of this…damn, you could say goodbye to your social life." Eric's expression never changed, emotionless, victorious. Kyle felt his blood going hot.

"Shut the fuck up, Fat-Ass!" Kyle said, his words coming out as a snarl. The corner of Eric's lips twitched.

"Tisk, Tisk, Kyle, I don't really think you're in the position to be calling me names." Eric said, wagging a single finger in front of the red heads nose.

"What do you WANT, Cartman." Kyle said, his anger creeping into his voice.

"How about a bargain. You do whatever I say, whenever I say..and no one has to know about your…embarrassing little secret.."

Kyle was quiet, his fists shaking, "You are an unbelievable bastard, Cartman, do you know that?"

Eric couldn't stop himself from laughing, "Haha! Yeah, I might be a bastard, but I'm a bastard who gets what he want. I'll meet you out at the car, fruit-cake. A gay Jew, who would have thought. And with a wave of his hand Cartman turned around and strolled out of the locker room feeling like a conqueror. Everything was playing out perfectly to his advantage. It wasn't enough to dethrone King Stan, he had to crush everything that he loved. That was what real winning was all about.

Kyle felt as if someone was stepping on his chest and continuing to press down. He turned his back to the door and clutched his arms across his chest in vain hope of relieving the building tension. His face scrunched up and he took a few deep choked breaths before tears began to gush down his cheeks. In that moment he felt totally and completely alone.