Title: Merrill Bobbolit

Author: CadaverBlue

Summary: Same old same old. Christian won't reveal who the Carver is to Sean. Sean now knows its Merrill. The police track down old Merrill and discover something they never expected.

Rating: PG-13 for language

Disclaimer: I don't own Nip/Tuck or any of the wonderfully flawed characters.

A/N: Thanks to Lauren for her beta work and for agreeing with me about one thing, who the Carver is. All mistakes are mine. Thank you for all of your reviews! ENJOY! R&R!

Sean sat silent in the car and didn't notice Christian walk back out of the hospital. He couldn't believe that someone he knew would do these things to so many innocent people. He really couldn't believe it. He didn't think Christian would believe it either.

"Hey." Sean said meekly as Christian climbed into the car.

Christian nodded.

Sean put the key in the engine but he couldn't turn it. He had to tell Christian.

"Um, Detective Marsh called."

"Oh really." Christian said sharply.

"Yeah he said that they have a suspect."

Christian perked up and turned to Sean.

"Who?" Christian whispered, his throat suddenly dry.

"Merrill."

Christian turned away. For some reason tears welded up in his eyes and he tried his best to hold them back. He closed his eyes to stop the tears and could feel Sean's eyes on him.

"What is it Christian?" Sean asked, knowing what could come out of his mouth. Not wanting to know what was going through Christian's head, he regretted even asking the question.

"Nothing, I just want to go home."

Sean started the engine and drove out of the hospital parking lot. All he could think about was why Christian couldn't tell him. I mean he was his best friend. He knew that they had been through some rough times these past months and Sean had been left with scars, emotional and physical. The ride to Christian's was silent and the energy in the car was so thick it made Sean nauseous. Sean was about to speak when his phone rang.

"McNamara," he answered.

"Doctor?"

"Yes Detective Marsh." Sean said looking at Christian.

"We're at Mr. Bobbolit's house."

"And?"

"He wants to talk to Christian."

Sean swallowed hard.

"Um, sure I'll ask him and be right over."

Sean turned off his phone and looked at Christian, his mouth dry and his eyes wet.

"That was the detective."

"Yeah I know. What does he want?" Christian said harshly.

"They are at Merrill's...and Merrill is asking for you."

"So what do they want me to do about it?"

"They want you to talk to him." Sean said, resting his hand on Christian's arm.

Christian sighed and looked out the window. He didn't know if he could face Merrill right now. His butchered face, his condition; he couldn't do it but he knew he had too.

"Fine." Christian said, moving his arm from Sean and crossing them.

Sean pulled the car away from Christian's house and headed towards Merrill's place. Since he had that malpractice suit against him he had to downgrade a little. Once a millionaire in a spectacular mansion, Merrill was now a hoodlum in a studio apartment.

"This silent treatment reminds me of Julia." Sean said, breaking the silence.

Christian shot a glance at Sean.

"I just don't want to talk."

"That's fine. I'm just worried."

"Don't be." Christian said.

"If you need to..." Sean started.

"I know." Christian said, trying to smile.

Sean smiled.

They knew they had arrived at Merrill's place when it was surrounded by Miami-Dade Police squad cars.

"Stay here for a second."

Christian nodded.

Sean jumped out of the car to meet Detective Marsh. Christian watched as they exchanged a few words and glanced in his direction. He turned away. Sean approached Christian's window and Christian rolled it down.

"They're ready for you."

"Okay."

Christian stepped out of the car and suddenly felt unsteady. He placed his hand on Sean's shoulder for support.

"You alright?"

"Yeah just give me a second."

When Christian was ready, they walked together towards the Detective, who led them into the hallway of the apartment building and walked them up the stairs. Its walls were dirty with smoke and trash. Its floors smeared with sewage and waste.

"Apartment 514" the Detective said, pointing to a door up ahead.

Christian nodded and walked forward, Sean followed.

"No Sean, only me."

"Be careful."

Christian nodded and slowly approached the door. He nodded at the police officer guarding the door and turned the knob. He pushed the door open and the hinges squeaked.

"Who is that?" Christian heard Merrill call from inside.

"Its me Merrill. Its Christian."

"What the hell are you doing here?" Merrill asked.

"You sent for me. Remember?" Christian said, turning the corner to see Merrill in the middle of the floor holding something. The blinds were drawn and the dark air was smoky.

"Yeah," Merrill said, rocking back and forth.

"Well I'm here now."

Merrill looked up at Christian and he could tell that Merrill had been here awhile. His hair was in shambles and his face was covered in dirt, he had deep black circles under his eyes. His body was so frail it looked as if he hadn't slept in weeks. Christian kneeled down the floor next to him.

"What did you want to talk about Merrill?"

"You."

"Why me?" Christian asked.

"Because you are so beautiful." Merrill said, reaching up to touch Christian's face. Christian turned away.

"Merrill. Seriously. Why the hell did you want to talk to me?" Christian said, growing angry.

"I just wanted to say sorry before I leave."

Christian fought back tears.

"For what?" Christian said.

"For this." Merrill said, reaching up and touching Christian's reddened scars. Christian didn't move away he let Merrill brush his fingers along them, soaking in what he had done.

Merrill removed his hand from Christian's face and reached for the object in his lap. Merrill handed the object to Christian and all Christian could do was stare in fright. The memories from that night flooded back to him in terror. In his hand he held the Carver's mask.

"Beauty is a curse on the world Christian." Merrill said, getting up.

Christian's tears fell onto the mask as he looked up at Merrill.

"It prevents us from seeing who the real monsters are." He said, walking backwards towards the window.

Christian stood up.

"Merrill, No." Christian said, a tear running down his cheek.

"I forgive you."

"I'M A MONSTER!" He screamed.

"No!" Christian exclaimed, tears falling harder.

"I am Christian, I always have been. And so are you and Sean."

Christian shook his head.

"No Merrill, you're sick. This will all be fine."

"It never will be Christian. Look at your face!"

Merrill whipped around to the window and raised the blinds.

"You were always a better surgeon Christian." Merrill said before climbing on to the windowsill.

"No, Merrill, don't." Christian pleaded.

"Goodbye Christian."

Christian heard a crash and ran to the window to see Merrill lying on top of a squad car. Christian's eyes welded with tears and he collapsed on the ground holding the mask. His tears flooded his face and his screams flooded the room. The emotions he hid so well over the past few days flowing from him with abandon.

TBC