Hunter got up and followed his boss. Shawn bit his lip. Roman, Seth, Dean and Adam stared at one another. Shawn sighed, got up and made more coffee. Sleep would not come any time soon.
Hunter came back into the kitchen. "Dean, we need you." His voice was calm, but his eyes told the doctor to hurry.
Dean got up. He followed Hunter. As he passed the hall table, he picked up his medical bag. Hunter led Dean to the den, and opened the door.
Kenny Omega, now shirtless, held Randy Orton's left arm up in the air, with a blood stained cloth around Randy's wrist.
Bret and Jason moved to give Dean room. Randy's head hung, in what only could be described as shame.
"What happened?" Dean asked as he sat down on the coffee table in front of Randy. He took Randy's arm from Kenny and unwrapped the cloth that had once been the FBI Agent's shirt.
Kenny sighed. "Idiot boy here, broke his coffee cup and slashed his wrist in the five seconds I took my eyes off him." He didn't know a man could move so fast.
"I see." Dean was gentle and careful. When the shirt was off the wound, he looked closely.
"Kenny, hold his arm, please." Dean asked as he dug into his medical bag. He needed to clean the wound.
"I'll do it, Doctor." Adam's voice called out as he hobbled into the room. He got to Randy. He took his ex-husband's arm in hand.
Dean chuckled. "Hunter has a big mouth."
"Hunter said nothing. I know what a call for a Doctor sounds like. Randy, why are you being so stupid?" Adam chastised as if he were talking to one his children.
"Because I am stupid. I'm sorry, Agent Omega. I won't do something like this again. I don't even remember doing it. I haven't had my meds today." Randy sighed. He took the sting of the wound cleaning in silent agony.
"Prozac?" Dean asked as he continued to clean Randy's wound. Adam handed him a clean gauze pad.
Randy nodded. "Yeah, twenty milligrams in the morning. I was out, and I just forgot to refill at work."
Dean looked at Jason. "In the trunk of my Mustang, there is a red, metal box. Bring it in, please. The keys are on the board in the kitchen."
"Will do, Doc." Jason gave a nod and hurried to get the requested box. Bret and Hunter followed him. There was nothing they could do to help.
"Four butterfly strips please, and the antibiotic cream." Dean finished cleaning the wound. He looked at Randy. "You don't need stitches, and it's clean. At least you didn't make a mess. When was your last tetanus booster?" Dean asked as he used a wooden tongue depressor to spread the cream over the wound.
Randy shrugged. "Years, I think. It wasn't metal though." He was calm, Adam was there.
"Doesn't have to be. There could be metal grindings in the glass. Should I prep an injection?" Adam asked as he handed Dean the last butterfly bandage.
"Oh. Will you do it, Addy? You… never mind." Randy forgot. Nothing was the same anymore.
Adam smiled at his ex. "Yes, I will do it. I know how you are with needles." He looked at Dean. "Twenty mg?"
Dean nodded. "Yes, please. But tape and wrapping first, please Nurse." He gave Adam a wink.
Jason returned with the medical box, and handed it to Dean. He then leaned over and whispered in Kenny's ear. Kenny gave a nod.
"Adam, we need to lock up for the night. What is your security code? Whisper it if you need to." Kenny looked at Adam, then at Randy.
"Edge, one, nine, seven, three." Adam and Randy said at the same time, just like the quadruplets.
Kenny frowned. "That will be changed. Thanks. You do it Jason. Then you and Bret go home. Hunter and I have this." He gave Jason a very pointed look.
Jason chuckled. "Yeah, I will change that code. Okay, see you in the morning. Call if you need anything." He returned Kenny's look He and Bret weren't going home, but Randy didn't need to know that.
Ten minutes later, Dean and Adam were finished with Randy. "Here, take this. I will make sure you have your meds while you're here." Dean opened a small bottle of Prozac. He took out one green and yellow capsule. Adam opened the water bottle Kenny handed him.
Randy took the pill and sipped the water. "Thanks. They really do help. Ha! That is from Orton Pharmaceuticals." He leaned back on the couch.
Kenny had slipped into a clean shirt he'd taken out of his own backpack. "Thanks, Doctor. Thank you, Nurse. Adam, seriously, change your code and tell Hunter. If Randy knows, so do his men."
Randy scoffed. "Actually, they don't but, change it. Better change the panic room code too. I have no right to it. Push the red button, the one I told you to never touch. It will tell you how to change the code." He spoke again with frank honesty.
Adam laughed. "I always thought the red button blew up the room or something. I'll take care of it. Don't scratch. Goodnight."
"No, I know you and computers. I thought you might mess it up and either lock yourself in or out. Thanks, Dean, for the care. You too, Adam. Goodnight." Randy gave the couple a slight smile and a nod.
Kenny went out into the hall with the couple. "Change that code, now. I'd feel better. He's probably telling the truth, but better safe than sorry. I'm locking us in for the night now. Sleep well, and you are safe, you have my word." He spoke with total confidence.
Dean nodded. "Will do it now. Thanks, Kenny. I hope they pay you enough. Goodnight." Adam added his own goodnight. The couple made their way back to the kitchen.
"Where's Hunter?" Dean asked as he helped Adam to sit.
Shawn frowned. "He walked Seth and Roman home. Then he is walking to our place to pack a few things. He will call when he is at the door. Doesn't want to wake anyone with the doorbell." He sounded as worried as he looked.
Adam wrote on a piece of paper. "Here are the buttons to push. You can make up the new code. I am too tired to think..." He handed the paper to Dean, then spoke to Shawn. "Hunter will be alright, Shawn. He's walked it a million times." He gave the older man a pat on the shoulder.
Dean sat down. "There, that was easy. Adam is right, Shawn. Hunter will be alright." He poured a cup of coffee for himself and Adam.
"Yeah, I just worry. I will be back, nature calls." Shawn stood and went to the small bathroom off the kitchen.
Dean leaned over. "Cathy two thousand. I figured you could remember that." He gave Adam a sly kiss.
"Something is wrong. Shawn is really worried." Adam looked over at the small bathroom.
Dean gave his husband's shoulder a gentle nudge. "I'm sure it's alright. All this… chaos is enough to make us all jumpy. You and I should go to bed. I expect nightmares from the little lions." He smiled and kissed Adam again.
Before Adam could speak, Shawn came out of the bathroom. He went to look out of the window, but the metal shades had been lowered.
"Dang modern contraptions." Shawn sighed and flopped down in a chair.
"Poppa Shawn?" Adam looked hard at his father figure.
Shawn let out a sigh. "Okay, okay. When Jason went out to the garage, he saw one of McMahon's people drive by, twice. Bret and Jason made show of leaving and they did, but by now, they are outside somewhere. Hunter did walk to our house to get some of our things, but, if McMahon is watching… they could grab him. Use him for a hostage...or..." Shawn couldn't finish his thought.
Adam and Dean both put an arm around the worried attorney. "He will be fine, Shawn. He's a great police officer." Adam tried to speak with confidence, but he too was now worried.
"He's the best, but so is McMahon. Jason and Kenny have told me things over the last few days that would...shock you even more than finding out about Randy…" Shawn was halted when his phone rang.
"Open the door, Dean! Now!" Shawn got up and dashed to the front door. The security code would have to be used.
Dean hurried off behind Shawn. He put the new code in. Shawn opened the door. Jason stood there and held a bloody faced Bret in his arms. Jason helped his husband into the house. Dean shut the door and reset the system. He went to Bret and helped Jason get him to the kitchen. Shawn followed behind like a robot. Shawn knew Hunter was gone.
Dean and Jason set Bret down in a chair. Bret had a bloody nose and a nasty cut on his cheek. Dean dashed to get his bag for the second time that night. Adam put his own pain aside and got a bowl of warm water and a clean towel.
"Hunter? They got my Hunt didn't they?" Shawn asked as he sank down into a chair.
Jason looked away from his husband and looked at Shawn. "Yeah, they did. Shawn, trust me, they will not kill him. They need him alive. They want Shane. The note didn't work. We tried, Shawn. Bret had a grip on Bálor, but Sheamus clocked him. They stuffed Hunter into their car and drove off. We can only assume they've taken him to the McMahon's mansion." He spoke the absolute truth. He turned back to Bret.
Dean worked on cleaning the cut on Bret's cheek. Adam growled. "What about Justin! Why didn't he fucking warn you! I thought he was one of you!" Adam made Bret wince in pain when he swiped the wound too hard.
"Easy, honey. It's not Bret's fault." Dean admonished his nurse/husband gently.
Adam sighed. "Sorry, Bret. I will be gentler." He carefully and very gently continued to clean the blood from Bret's face.
"It isn't Justin's fault. He was called to the hospital. There was a multi car accident. A church bus with kids was involved. He had to go to Saint Luke's as the new head of the Pediatric Department. He will do all he can, but right now, Justin has no idea McMahon has Hunter. Our question is why did the note fail? Shawn, it is pointless to tell you not to worry, but please know, we will get him back; alive." Jason explained as he held Bret's hand.
Dean had to take four stitches to the cut on Bret's cheek. Adam couldn't help but admire Dean's surgical skills. He made up his mind about something.
Adam held a prepared bandage, ready to apply to the wound when Dean finished. "Not that it matters now, but I have decided to take the surgical nursing course. Along with the accounting for the private practice."
Shawn sniffed. "Good boy. Hunter will be proud. I will get you a debit card for your education account. Jason, get my Hunter back. Whatever the fuck you do, get my husband back." He went from sad to angry.
Jason laid a firm hand on Shawn's shoulder. "We will, Shawn. I swear it. I am sure we will be hearing from McMahon soon. Keep your phone charged. Oh here." He removed the backpack he had on. "Hunter had packed this, your charger is in there..." He laid the backpack on the floor at Shawn's feet.
Jason continued. "Bret, I will go talk to Kenny and Orton. By God Orton is going to help us or else. You stay here and rest. I love you." He gave the top of Bret's head a kiss, the rushed off to the den.
Shawn moved like a robot. He found his phone charger and plugged it in. He then picked up the backpack and went up the backstairs. He needed a moment alone.
Dean gently pressed the bandage in place. He also gave the Police Chief a tetanus booster and a very mild pain killer. "There. Those stitches will dissolve in a few days. If you have any double vision or extreme headaches, tell me immediately. Right now, you show no signs of concussion, but they can delay." Dean was halted when his cell phone rang Everyone jumped and Shawn came tearing down the stairs in shorts and a tee shirt.
Dean answered his phone. "Doctor Dean Ambrose...oh hello, Steve…really…yes I can…it is no problem…give me twenty...have X-rays ready...yes...okay, Steve...no, it's alright…be there in twenty." He ended the call and turned to Adam.
"I have to go, honey. A seven year old, same injury Jade had. She is from the bus accident. I have to. I will be alright, I promise." Dean looked at Adam with sincerity.
Adam nodded. "Yes, you do. Please be careful. I love you." He kissed his husband with all he had.
Bret ended a call no one had paid attention to. "Bray Wyatt is going with you. Look for him at the corner. He looks like a swamp dweller. He will say alligator tail tastes like chicken. He will go with you, stay close and get you back here safely. I hate this cheap spy shit, but we are dealing with McMahon."
Adam sighed. "Thank you, Bret. Go Dean, that little girl needs your skills. I love you, husband."
Dean kissed Adam. "I love you, husband. See you in a few hours. Yes, thanks Bret." He picked up his physicians bag and left.
Adam got up and reset the code, after Dean left. "Please God, keep him safe." Adam whispered. He then went back and sat next to Shawn.
"He will be alright, Adam. Bray is a good cop. Why don't we go to the living room, more comfortable." Shawn spoke with no emotion. He did know Bray, Hunter often went fishing with him.
Adam nodded. "Yeah." He got up again with a grunt. Shawn held on to Adam as they and Bret went to the more comfortable living room. Shawn went back and got his phone and charger. He plugged it in, then went back to the kitchen and fixed a tray with more coffee. When Shawn finished, he settled down on the couch next to Adam.
Jason came out of the den and found his husband and the others in the living room. "All we can do is wait for McMahon to call. Kenny managed to talk to Justin. Justin had no idea they were going to grab Hunter. He did say Stephanie was unhappy with Randy, but would talk to him when he returns from Saint Louis."
"Randy is here! Make him do something, now! I want Hunter back; alive!" Shawn growled at Jason.
Jason sighed. "I understand, Shawn. But no, not now. Randy can't do anything yet. How would he explain it? It takes three and half to four hours to drive from here to Saint Louis, and the same back. He would also take time to settle the children before returning. We have to keep everything believable. Hunter would understand and know that. Justin promised Hunter will not be harmed, even if he has to break his own cover and risk his life." He sank on to the floor and rested his head against Bret's leg.
Shawn nodded. "I know you're right, Jason. Sorry I snapped. When Sextus Empiricus said the wheels of justice turn slowly, but grind exceedingly fine, he wasn't waiting for news of his husband. When can Randy do something?" He took a sip of coffee.
"Around noon tomorrow...well today. Hopefully, Kenny and Justin will have a chance to talk. Shawn, I promise, the won't kill him, three reasons. One, he is too valuable. Two, he's law enforcement, three, they know we know they have him. Stephanie would deal with kidnapping, but not murder of a police officer. That, in Missouri, is automatic death penalty. She wants Shane, not Hunter. He is just a means to an end." Jason spoke as honestly as he could. They just had to make a plan.
Shawn looked Jason in the eye. "Can you guarantee that, Jason? Can you guarantee they won't kill him. Put your hand on the Bible and say it, Jason." He spoke in his sharpest "court" tone of voice, his brow arched.
Jason looked at the lawyer. "No wonder you're undefeated in court. You know I can't, Shawn. I wouldn't disrespect you or Hunter by doing that. I can't guarantee anything, but I can be confident in it. I do know, Justin won't let it happen, if he can help it. Use your court knowledge, you know what I said is right."
Shawn sighed. "Yes, I suppose so. Hunter will be able to work it out, he's not stupid." He leaned over and laid his head on Adam's shoulder.
"He will be alright, poppa Shawn. He has to be..." Adam sighed. The guilt about the affair with Hunter came back in a burning rage.
Shawn snuggled closer to Adam. "Don't, Adam. Don't say it. I know and it's okay. It happened, it's over. But don't be afraid to worry about him. And for fucks sake, don't be afraid to comfort me. I need you, Adam." Shawn didn't want Adam to turn away from him, not now. He needed the blond, he was close to Hunter and understood how he felt.
Adam out an arm around Shawn. "I'll say one thing, I'm sorry. I am glad you know." What else could he say.
Before more could be said, Dean returned. He wore a look of sadness. "Just as I picked Bray up, Steve Austin called. The little girl passed. Steve said no point in me coming. Bray said to tell you he's back in place." Dean sat next to Adam with a sigh. He smiled when Adam held his hand tightly.
Everyone looked when the sound of footsteps on the stairs was heard.. Jade carried a stuffed monkey in one hand and rubbed her eyes with the other hand. She made he way over to her daddy.
"Daddy, that man… was trying to hurt me." Jade crawled into Dean's lap and hugged her monkey.
Adam smiled at Jade. "It's okay, baby. You're safe, I promise." He turned and kissed his daughter.
Shane McMahon came down the stairs. He smiled when he saw Jade. "There you are, lioness. You scared me when you weren't in your bed."
Jade turned to Shane. "I had a bad dream, that man chased me." She clung harder to Dean.
Shane bent down. "I'm sorry, sweetie. But bad dreams aren't real. It's your imagination playing games with you. You have to play along. When the imagination scares you, you have to make it laugh. Next time, that scary man chases you turn him into a flower. He will fall apart and your imagination will laugh. You ready to come back to bed? Make that silly imagination laugh?" He held his arms out to Jade.
Jade gave a nod. "Night dad, night daddy. I love you." She kissed Dean and Adam then went to Shane. He settled her on his hip.
"Love you." Adam and Dean spoke at the same time.
"Shane, bless you and thank you." Adam said with a smile as Shane started to carry Jade upstairs.
Shane grinned. "I enjoy it. Thank you, Adam for letting me be here." He took Jade upstairs.
Dean scoffed. "Should I be jealous? He did what very well. I'm impressed." He sighed a bit.
Adam chuckled. "Now you know I how I felt when you came into our lives. Don't be jealous. She will always come to you first. Like she did now. You're dad, and that is a wonderful thing." He leaned over and kissed Dean.
Randy and Kenny stepped into the living room. "I was coming back from the bathroom. I heard Jade. I am that man, aren't I?" Randy asked with a bit of sadness. It killed him to know his babies feared him.
"Yeah, you are. What can I say, Randy. They are old enough to understand a lot of it." Adam gave his ex a shrug.
Dean reached into his pocket and pulled out the silver pen. "You know, this belongs to you." He held out the pen for Randy to take.
Randy shook his head. "Not any more. Consider it my...gift for taking my children into your heart. I chose my other life...over them… but, my love for them was never a lie. I would… I wish…well, wishes are dishes that often break. Keep it, love them and be the man I couldn't be for them..." Randy then looked at Shawn.
"Shawn, I swear, I will do whatever they want me to do to get Hunter back. I swear it on Meggie Pops life. She will have her father back. Not one more person is going to die because of me." Randy spoke in earnest. Shawn and Hunter had been better parents to him than his own could have ever hoped to be.
Shawn looked at Randy. "I hope so, Randy. Son, I am going to be brutally frank with you. I have never, in my life, been so disappointed in someone. When you came into young Adam's life, I saw the drive you had to create your company. You let Adam have his own life, and that was so important to us. When Adam lost the baby, you were so strong and such a comfort to him. When he became pregnant with the quads, you always made him feel so beautiful and special. Then when the marriage began to crack, you went to counseling to try to fix it. When you couldn't, your were still such an upstanding man. You begged Adam to keep this house, for the sake of the children. You were always a model father. You played a huge part in making those babies into the delightful people they are now. Was any of it real, or was it all a lie? Did the other life mean so much, while your life with Adam meant nothing?" Shawn spoke with a calm voice, but the anger radiated from his eyes.
Kenny whispered for Randy to go sit. He went to sit with Jason. Bret had fallen asleep in the comfortable, over stuffed chair. Randy sat in the chair closest to Shawn's end of the couch.
Randy looked at Shawn. "Every moment, good and bad with Adam was very real. I worked really hard to keep my other life as far away from Adam and the babies as possible. You know, and Adam can vouch for this, but I often said, I wish you and Hunter had been my parents. Maybe then, the other life would have never existed..." He let his voice trail off in thought.
"Who was going to take over from you?" Shawn arched his brow at Randy. He was going to get some questions answered, like it or not.
Randy knew he had to answer. The questions helped in a weird way. "Jan. She was my special princess. James would never agree, Jade is too quick to act without thinking and dear Jordan would just have wanted to turn everything pink." He spoke the truth.
Adam stared at Randy. "You were actually going to train, flute playing, motherly Jan into a cold blooded killer? I just… what about Mike? You could have had a baby with him and trained it to be a killer." He was angry. He calmed down when Dean took a hold of his hand.
"Mike… can't have children. He was in a car accident as a kid, and it tore him up. Doctors have told him he would miscarry at three months. So he had his tube closed off. We hoped to adopt, if so, then maybe I would have changed my plan." Randy realized, he would never take Mike to the Gateway Arch and propose. Another dream destroyed by his choices in life.
"Sorry, I didn't know that about Mike." Adam didn't know what else to say.
Shawn wasn't finished. "Did you ever think about all the children harmed because of drugs? Dean, tell him." Shawn looked at Dean.
Dean told Randy about Billy Henderson. "...all he has left of his dad is the teddy bear, named Henry. His dad gave it to him, then… that plane was blown out of the air." He glared at Orton.
Randy sighed. "I'm not the only one you know. McMahon has done way worse to children. They are big in the sex industry. I never used children like that. I think it's disgusting. That's why I… never mind. I do have rights, I don't have to incriminate myself. Especially for things I didn't do." He wasn't angry, but the questions bothered him.
Kenny stood. "Come on, you need some sleep. We have a lot to do and rest is needed." Randy stood. "Shawn, I will get Hunter back. I promise. Maybe it will make up for a little of my sins." He gave Shawn a nod.
"I am counting on that, Randy. Don't disappoint me again. Got it?" Shawn spoke firmly. His turquoise eyes burned into Randy's soul.
"Got it, Shawn. Goodnight. Adam. Dean, live up to that pen. Goodnight." Randy turned and followed Kenny down the long hall to the den.
"Jason, we'll go upstairs now. This couch pulls out. Ida keeps it made up fresh. Help yourselves to anything. I have more guest rooms upstairs, if you'd rather." Adam was helped to stand by Shawn and Dean.
Jason smiled. "Thanks. Yeah we want to be down here. Try to get some rest. Kenny was right, you need the sleep."
"Shawn, please help Adam. I want to check Bret one more time. I will be up soon, baby." Dean gave Adam a kiss.
Five minutes later, Shawn helped Adam sit on his bed. He helped Adam to change into a pair of sleeping pants and tee shirt. When he laid back against his pillow nest, Adam patted the bed. With a chuckle, Shawn propped himself up next to Adam on the huge bed.
"Shawn, I'm sorry. I never meant for it to happen. It just… happened." Adam wanted to try to clear the air with the second most important man in his life.
Shawn turned on his side to face Adam. "I know, honey. Hunter said it was the night you got really drunk about Randy. You both needed some comfort. I know I wasn't giving Hunter what he needed. I had a massive case in court, Meagan was having her heart issues. All my free time when to her. I just forgot about Hunter. I took him for granted. I began to think he might be seeing someone, but I knew he wasn't the player type. Then, I noticed a couple times Hunter worked late, and I called you, and you were out…it just...I knew. I was angry, hurt and sad, but I also knew it was partly my fault he went to you. You made time for him, even with the kids. So I stopped being angry and was just glad he wasn't with someone who didn't care about him." Shawn spoke honestly. He needed this as much as Adam did.
"I did care about him. He was so upset about Megan, but he was afraid to talk to you about it. He feared it would make you feel worse about her. I will be honest, we did sleep together, but we talked a lot too. We both felt guilty, but we couldn't stop it. We tried many times, but..." Adam wanted to tell everything, but was unsure how much Shawn wanted to hear.
Shawn looked at Adam. "What made it finally end?"
Adam sighed. "Our last intimate time was right after the quads birthdays this year. After we… we both knew it had to stop. Our last kiss that meant anything was that Sunday when Randy was late back from Saint Louis. We met one more time after that. It was to say goodbye. We didn't even kiss. That was where I was going the night you and Meg were at the house and I dashed out. The guilt I felt rushing out to meet Hunter, leaving you in my kitchen. I couldn't let it continue, and neither could he. It was all him breaking it off. Hunter realized he couldn't hurt you any more and neither could I. Dean had just entered the picture and I knew I had to be free. That sounds…makes me… I didn't use Hunter...not like it sounds. Oh, I fucked everything up." Adam balled his fists in frustration. He always screwed up in the end.
Shawn smiled softly. "I know that, Adam. I know what you were trying to say. Adam, this may sound strange, coming from me, but thank you. Thank you for helping Hunter through a difficult time in our personal lives. If he had to turn to someone, I am glad it was you, because you care about him. I am glad to say our marriage is better and stronger than ever. Your married now, and despite the fucking Randy crap, very happy. So, as far as I am concerned, past is past. I love you as much as I ever did, and so does Hunter. Don't be afraid to show either of us that love, okay?"
Adam returned Shawn's smile. "I really am glad your marriage is better. I am happy, very happy. I think with Randy, I was more in love with love. With Dean, I understand what married love really means. I sound so stupid again. But I will Shawn, I will always love you and Hunter. I couldn't ask for better father figures."
"Good, Addy. Hunter...he will be back, won't he? They will bring him home?" Shawn's eyes filled with tears.
Adam put an arm around Shawn. "Yes, they will, Shawn. What Jason said made a lot of sense."
"Safe to come in?" Dean asked as he stood in the bedroom doorway.
Both Adam and Shawn laughed. Shawn got up. "Yes, it's safe. Dean, show Shawn your old room, please. Just go through the bathroom. Goodnight, poppa Shawn. I love you." Adam blew Shawn a kiss.
"I love you, kiddo. Goodnight." Shawn returned the gesture and blew Adam a kiss.
Thirty minutes later the house was quiet. Twelve people slept, some deeper than others. It had been a long evening, but a lot of important conversations had taken place.