The lights came up and Alvarez' eyes shot open. He was disorientated, his first view a pair of black feet through the Plexiglas. Silently groaning at the stiffness, he turned over, sitting up rubbing at his face. He remembered. Toby was angry with him, had obviously left him alone through the night to eventually drift off to sleep.
He stood looking intently at Beecher. Dare he awaken him? He so longed to run his fingers into that silky darkly blond hair as he had so recently taken to doing but was afraid. He stood, hand moving forwards then stilling.
Beecher was already awake, watching him through slit eyes. He appeared so uncertain, hand hovering and hazarded that Miguel was unaware that he was biting at a thumbnail. "What? No morning kiss?" Miguel seemed to relax but Beecher got hit, slammed in the face by a vision of the past, of Shillinger. Oh Fuck!
He sat up with his back against the Plexi, watching him. Thank God Miguel didn't realise what had just happened, what Beecher had just done. "You're right. You spoke the truth about Ch...Keller and I. But please, Miguel, we don't have to be like that. We don't have to continue the madness. You and I. We can be different. I want us to be different. Just be together. Is that too much to ask? Can't we just be?"
Miguel took a deep breath, hands holding onto the edge of the bunk as he gazed at him. His eyes said it all, his words, "The only thing I know is that I love you. I want you. I need you. I'll do anything." 'Please don't say you want,' Toby silently begged. "Whatever it takes just it be with you, to be together." Then he smiled with that ducking of head and Toby knew that somehow, they were going to be okay.
==000==
"Cyril, wait!" Fuck it! as Ryan followed his brother to spend another breakfast in the wonderful company of Cyril's 'friends'. He didn't need another day of meals with Alvarez watching Beecher talk to Cyril as both ignored his existence. It had been amusing as well as informative, watching all the nuances and the interplay of eyes but, by dinner yesterday, it had already worn on his patience. And now for another day of much the same, no doubt.
Alvarez was edgy, more so than the day previous, trying to cover it with an uncaring attitude but his eyes gave him away every time Beecher smiled or laughed in response to Cyril. He touched Alvarez' arm, leaning in to say some idle comment. Yes, immediately Beecher's eyes were on him. He grinned and received a tired look in return.
'Oh, Beecher, you are defiantly not the same man I shared a Pod with a couple of years back', he thought, 'a mad Fucker then who didn't like to be touched. Guess he don't like his 'Miguel' to be touched now. A bit late for that'. He grinned evilly at the man. Ryan was beginning to have fun again.
Alvarez was not keen on having both the O'Riely brothers sat with them either. He still felt resentment for Cyril, mainly as he took too much of Toby's time and attention away from him but it was Ryan that was putting him ill at ease.
Having decided that his dealings with the cocky man had to be much more circumspect, not wanting to 'rub' Toby's face in it, he also had to contend with the constant scrutiny of an overly interested Hack. He needed Ryan but didn't need Lopresti catching anything of what they were planning.
Then again, he reasoned, maybe having Ryan around Toby's group, it was far from his, might work in their favour? Cyril was a constant accepted Beecher shadow and his brother was sure to be never far away. Still, he would feel better once Ryan and Cyril resumed their kitchen duties and would no longer be sitting with them at meals.
Toby's attention to Cyril was bad enough but he was also uncomfortable at the looks Toby was bestowing on Ryan. In return O'Riely was doing much to wind Beecher up. He didn't need this. What he needed was Ryan's skill at strategy and help in getting rid of Robson once and for all. The Bastard was due out of the 'Hole' tomorrow. He knew for sure as Lopresti had taunted him, in fact telling him to 'watch his ass' as he didn't want it worn out as he would be coming for him soon.
What the hell was he going to do? Robson wasn't finished with them yet, he was sure of it and how was he to get the Hack to stay away from him? He had to do something and now, that was certain. Head lowered, he gazed up at Toby. He had to protect himself from both men. He was only for this one sat opposite who felt his regard, and turning, gave him a crooked grin causing him to smile then curse at O'Riely as the man chuckled, "Oh, Amante."
Beecher couldn't contain it, he smiled laughingly, lovingly. He'd been told on his first day in this place never to smile, but he had been through too much not to appreciate the happiness he could feel on Miguel's actions. There was little enough to even amuse him in here and he felt grateful that there was someone who could make him feel such joy simply by that someone being himself.
That memory of his first day took him back and he was hit by a vision of something he had long forgotten. On first entering this hell, even before passing through the gates of Em City, there had been a stabbing. He'd freaked out, banging at the bars as the victim clutched tight to his leg. He had forgotten. It had been Miguel.
He studied Alvarez as he bantered with O'Riely, the coarse words covering his uneasiness. Had their fates been set on that first day? Arriving here on the same day, on the same bus, Alvarez had reached out to him in a desperate bid for help. Was it then inevitable that later he would reach out to him again? It gave him something to ponder on although it wouldn't make any difference. That day he'd turned from him terrified. Not anymore.
Musing, Beecher was startled as Brusmalis nudged his arm. "Come on, everyone is heading out," and standing, he collected his tray to follow, resisting the urge to hurry and catch up with Miguel and O'Riely. He lost sight of the talking pair followed closely by Cyril who turned to wave as they passed through the gates. Beecher headed out to Sister Pete's.
==000==
Alvarez spent an hour ostentatiously playing cards with the O'Rielys but they had business to discuss. Robson was due to be released today and they both had reasons to want him gone. Cyril had listened to all that had been said. He wasn't included in their plans but he wanted to help. He could help. He knew it. He'd helped his brother before so why not now? But every time he opened his mouth to speak Ryan's name he was told, "Not now, Cyril." He began to get angry. He grabbed Ryan's arm causing an exasperated "What?"
"I can help."
"No bro'. I want you safe." Ryan looked at him concerned. He hadn't even thought that Cyril was listening to them.
"I will be safe. I'll be with you."
"No. I don't want you there."
"But Toby and Miguel are my friends," Cyril was pleading.
"Fuck!" and Alvarez threw down his cards, sitting back in his chair, arms folded staring hard at Cyril. Since when had they been on first name terms? And he certainly didn't consider Cyril a 'friend'. But then again? "Hey. O'Riely. Let him help." An extra body could well come in handy and Cyril could fight. He'd seen it.
"Please, Ryan?" Cyril looking from one to the other expectantly.
"Okay. All right," leaning forwards towards him, "You do exactly as I say. You understand me?"
Cyril nodded, his face serious at the tone of Ryan's voice.
"And don't say a word to anyone. Especially your friend, 'Tobias'. Okay?"
Cyril nodded again. He not only wanted to help, he needed to. They were his friends and the man, the one they were planning to 'hurt' was bad. He'd hurt him, he'd hurt Alvarez and, worst of all, he'd hurt Ryan.
He could hurt them again.
==000==
O'Riely was not pleased with the appearance of Beecher in his Pod but had been expecting it. No doubt he still wanted an accounting and Ryan also felt a stab of jealousy at how pleased Cyril was to see him. Cyril had him to rely on, he didn't need Beecher and although it should have been a relief that Cyril finally realised there was more in his universe than just his brother, he couldn't help it.
Mainly though, he'd been dreading this moment. He felt stupid on being caught so badly and knew Beecher blamed him. He wasn't scared of Beecher in the slightest but still, he could do without the man's rancour. Alvarez was useful.
Normally getting others to do his 'culling' for him he'd had to change tactics when his conniving had for once failed to work. Now he craved direct action. The Bastard had stabbed him. He wanted to see Robson die. He needed Alvarez for that so had to stay on 'good' terms with Beecher. This man leaning on his sink, arms folded, was now the Latino's whole world. He found it absurd but could understand he supposed, but Tobias Beecher was no Gloria.
"Cyril. Wait outside."
"But Ryan I don't..."
"I said outside. Now."
"No," looking at Beecher not him.
The man smiled, "It's okay Cyril. We won't be long," and he begrudgingly left.
Ryan was furious. "You stay the Fuck away from my brother!" Beecher just shrugged but looked tensed, ready. Ryan could quite easily have gone for him at that moment but that wasn't his style and Cyril was watching them. He had a suspicion that if it came to a fight, Cyril might just not chose to defend him. So he turned on the charm.
"Hey. I'm just used to Cyril only listening to me. But it's great, you know? Him finally being comfortable with someone else? I've been meaning to thank you for looking out for him." He was lying through his teeth and the steady look he was receiving spoke of Beecher not buying a word of it. He sat on the chair, rocking it back. "So what can I do for you?" It was obvious he wanted something.
"You're going to help me."
"Oh? And why should I do that?" But he could guess the answer.
"You owe me."
"I owe you shit." Beecher just raised an eyebrow. "If anything," Ryan continued, "I'm the one owed. I got a knife in the gut thanks to your... Prag."
Beecher studied him calmly. He was just trying to get a rise, the pause proving what he said had not come naturally. He would never have spoken the word if Alvarez was about and Beecher had heard much worse. "A small price to pay for going along with that mad scheme. Or? Was it your idea that led to Him getting 'hurt'?"
"Fuck no! I ain't that stupid."
"Stupid enough to agree."
O'Riely looked out of the window in disgust. Beecher was right. He'd had his reasons, he was looking at one now but Beecher didn't need to know that.
"So what d'you want my help with?" He had an inkling as Beecher knew he and Alvarez were spending time together. Was he about to tell him not to or tell him to keep Alvarez out of trouble, out of danger? "Well?" as Beecher was just studying him, "What is it?"
"You're gonna help me kill Robson."
Ryan looked at him aghast, the chair hitting the floor as he shot forwards. Then he laughed. Oh, this was good.
Beecher was a bit perplexed but hid it well. He continued to study Ryan O'Riely. He'd thought Ryan would jump at the chance to get his enemy. Obviously he thought little of Beecher's abilities but then he didn't know about Metzger. They'd worked together before, Hell during the riot Ryan had trusted him enough to be at his back. But that was the manic, drugged up Beecher version. They'd been sort of friends then, well drug buddies, when Ryan had insisted on touching him all the time. Things change.
Beecher still had suspicions about O'Riely as Keller had not worked alone and somehow he just knew that this man was involved. He'd never been able to figure him out. The only certainty, he could never trust him completely and had to keep wary. But he knew he needed him now and figuring how O'Riely seemed intent on keeping Alvarez as a willing accomplice, he would want to keep him happy. After all, they came as a pair now. Everyone knew that, hence Robson. He waited.
Calming down, O'Riely looked up at him highly amused. "You two so busy fucking you don't have time to talk to each other?"
Beecher idly watched his foot as he began to tap it. So he'd been right. Alvarez was planning to finish what he'd started. Yes, he supposed, Miguel had more reason than ever now. "We're going to keep Alvarez out of this." Looking steadily at O'Riely, wanting to wipe that grin off his face but now was not the time. "Robson is to get no where near him. Ever!"
"You gonna tell your boy? Cause I sure ain't."
Beecher hadn't really considered that. Miguel wouldn't appreciate being told to leave Robson alone. He deserved the revenge, remembering how he'd felt having Shillinger dealt with for him. Cheated. He would deal with Miguel's ire after.
"Whatever you're planning to do to help Alvarez, just make sure you help me first."
Ryan laughed. He would love to see the aftermath of that idea. "What you plannin'?"
"You're the one with all the plans." Beecher moved to stand over him. "I want to see him die, that's all I care about. I'll leave the arrangements to you. It's the least you can do."
"You expect me to do it?" shocked.
"No. Just make it possible for me to do it." Standing away, he added, "He'll be weak." He didn't realise his face held that manic grin. It chilled Ryan.
"What makes you think that?"
Beecher laughed, "Wait till you see him," and still laughing to himself, he left the Pod.
=0=
What the hell was Toby doing up there? Alvarez continued to watch as Toby exchanged a few words with Cyril. They looked serious and he didn't miss Cyril's glance in his direction before Beecher spoke quickly.
As Toby descended the stairs, moving towards him, he determined that he would ask. Enough of this timidity, he should be able to speak up to Toby, demand to know why he was being discussed with the 'retard'.
He waited for Toby to come and join him but he walked straight to their Pod. 'Their Pod'. He felt buoyed that he had at last thought that. Standing, discarding the earphones that had no volume, he strolled towards the Pod and was nonchalantly jostled.
Spinning around on the defensive, ready to attack he froze as Lopresti looked him up and down. "Problem?" Miguel shook his head and backed off. "Good," smiled the Hack.
When he got inside the cell he slumped onto the bottom bunk, his bravado forgotten.
==000==
TBC