Travis was glad when he left from work that morning, because since he was leaving Vic's house, he didn't have to worry about running into Zack again. But he still felt bad about last night, lying to Vic and worrying her so.

Checking his phone as he waited for Vic to grab her coat, he knew there would be so many new text messages from Zack, not having checked it all last night. Sure enough, 38 new messages.

Travis's eyes got narrow and he shook his head, putting it away as Vic came back, smiling faintly at her as they walked out, not mentioning a thing. How could he, when her safety was all he could think about….?

At least Travis was allowed to work calls that day, what with his face not being as battered up as previously, to which he was glad, needing the work to help take his mind off Zack.

Spending the day with Vic yesterday had also put him in a good mood and he felt more like himself, talking more to the others though he was glad nobody had brought up anything about his bruises or 'whom he was getting beat up by' as Jack had so rudely announced.

After a long, tiresome call working on engine, they arrived back at the station, hungry and hoping for a good lunch break, Travis hopping out, still wearing his gear, following Miller and Warren. Passing the window that looked out to the front desk, he spared a glance, spotting someone with Sullivan.

When he looked out and saw that the person was Zack, Travis felt his stomach drop, feeling the blood drain from his face. Clearly he was here to see him. Panicking, Travis turned away before Zack could see him, rushing past Warren and Miller hurriedly.

The two raised a brow, pausing. "What's the matter with him?" They mused quietly.

Travis raced to the turnout room, breathing heavily with fear, scared, unable to believe that Zack would dare show up while he was at work, getting inside, closing the door behind him and leaning up against it, hands shaking as he felt like he couldn't breathe, heart racing.

'Please Sullivan, don't tell him I'm here, please send him away, I can't let him see me here, I can't get mixed up with him at work too, please don't let him be here, just make him leave!'

Legs all wobbly, Travis got away from the door, leaning against one of the turnout lockers, trying to compose himself, reminding himself he was still at work, he couldn't let anyone see him like this. 'It's okay, you're gonna be fine; he wouldn't be able to hurt you here at work anyways, it's okay.'

The door behind him opened and Travis jumped, letting out a yelp as he whirled around, expecting Zack. Miller and Warren eyed him quizatively. "Everything okay?" Warren chuckled lightly, walking inside, Miller following.

Backed up against the locker, Travis just grinned with a laugh, feeling his ears redden with embarrassment. "Oh, oh yeah! I was jus' pretending guys, ya know, to be funny and all….." He looked away, voice trailing off, not even believing himself.

Miller and Warren seemed to buy it and just slapped him on the shoulder, walking past to put away their turnouts and Travis couldn't help but let out a deep breath of relief.

He could not let Zack interfere with his sense of mind at work too; surely the rest would figure it out and then everything would be ruined! They could not see him like this nor could they see Zack here, that could not happen.

Travis was worrying about it so much as he snuck hurriedly after the others to the beanery, he could hardly eat, feeling anxious to the point where it made him feel sick. Watching the door for Sullivan, fearing he or Zack would walk in, he hardly paid mind to the others, though he wasn't trying to be rude.

"Hey, ya gonna finish that?" Jack eyed Travis's barely eaten sandwich, already having finished his. Travis tapped his foot repeatedly, watching the door without looking away, fumbling and wringing his fingers together nervously in his lap.

"Travis." Jack tried again, a little more forcefully. Travis still didn't notice. Perplexed, Jack reached his leg out, nudging Travis with his foot from under the table. "Travis."

Travis jumped, letting out a gasp, sliding backwards in his chair a little, startled. "H-Huh? What?"

"Whoa, take it easy," Jack chuckled a little, glancing at the others in surprise. "I just want your sandwich, man."

Brain hardly registering much, Travis nodded and just gave it to him, clearly still distracted as he looked away again. "Y-Yeah, Here."

Maya, as well as the others, eyed him in confusion. "You okay?"

Travis swallowed as he turned to her in his seat, reminding himself to relax, shaking his head as he blinked rapidly. "Yeah, yeah, sorry. What-What were we talking about?" He forced a smile, quickly trying to get the attention off of him, looking around to the others.

They seemed to shrug it off, going back to talking about Miller struggling with his dates. Not meaning to, Travis tuned them out, already worrying about Zack again, sparing another glance at the door, frowning to himself.

Luckily, Sullivan never came to him nor did he mention anything, and Travis didn't see Zack again for the rest of his shift, which easily removed all of his fears. He knew that if Zack got smart enough to bother him at work, it would not go over well with him. He cussed out the man for this, eyes narrowing at all his unopened texts from him.

They were still just as creepy as before, if not worse.

Watch out

Don't forget about me

You could answer me you know; I just want to talk….

Travis, just f***ing answer the phone!

Just remember, you asked for this, you deserve this.

I'll get you

Travis just growled, putting it away, walking up to his house, checking to see if the creep was there. No sign of him.

Shaking his head, irritated and tired, Travis unlocked his door, exhaling as he went inside, just wanting to relax, tired from his shift. Pushing the door shut behind him, he suddenly felt the door stop, hearing movement, as if someone placed their foot in the door.

Eyes widening, Travis whirled around, jumping back when he saw Zack push open the door, yelping with fear, frightened. Zack grinned as he stepped inside, amused by Travis's reaction as he started closing the door. "Hey buddy!"

Travis pointed a shaking finger, not able to believe this was happening. "Y-Y-You…." His voice shook, a squeak of a whisper.

"Just thought I'd stop by and say hi!" Zack announced loudly, words a little slurred, appearing drunk, smiling widely as he took a step towards Travis, who immediately stepped back, fumbling a shaky hand to his pocket for his phone.

"N-No! I-I'm calling the police!" He almost shouted, struggling to get his shaking hand into his pocket, terribly scared, wanting this man out of his house. He heard Zack laugh, starting to come closer, Travis stepping away each time.

"Nah, they'd get in our way, it should just be the two of us! Now, come here!" He suddenly leapt for Travis, who gasped and turned to make a run for it down the nearby hallway.

Zack managed to tackle him down, Travis screaming as he hit the floor, Zack on top of him, squirming to get away, kicking as Zack started wrapping an arm around his throat, managing to get away from him, scrambling to his feet, panting with fear as he ran to his bedroom.

Zack followed but Travis closed the door before he could get in, locking the door hurriedly, jumping when Zack started banging on the door. "Travis! Open this door! Open it now!"

Shaking with fear, looking around him, Travis desperately tried to think of what to do, knowing there wasn't much for weapons in his closet, not even a baseball bat, not even knowing where Michael's had ended up. Not knowing what else to do, he put a hand to his pocket to dial the police, hands shaking badly with fear.

The door suddenly flung open as Zack kicked it open, Travis letting out a cry as he whipped around, Zack raging with anger, growling and swearing, grabbing Travis by his shirt before he had a chance to dial, throwing him up against the wall harshly, the phone dropping from Travis's hand to the floor.

Crying out with fear, cowering, Travis knew he had to do something, coming to his senses, punching Zack in the stomach before he could punch him, Zack letting go of him with a cry of pain.

Travis darted past him and ran out of the room, hearing Zack's footsteps not far behind him as he ran to the kitchen, whirling around when he didn't know what to do, seeing Zack approaching him with a look of rage.

Frightened, Travis stepped back but there wasn't a chance for him to get away, Zack grabbing him and shoving him up against the fridge, chuckling darkly as he smirked into Travis's face. "I got you now!" He laughed. Flinching, Travis pushed against him.

"N-No, d-don't hurt me!" He cried, managing to shove Zack off him, the man falling to the floor, looking surprised. Panting, Travis shook as he began to yell. "G-Get out of my house! Get out! Get out, now!" He screamed.

Zack's eyes got narrow and he seemed to scoff, getting to his feet slowly as he chuckled, Travis minding his distance, eyeing him wearily, expecting another attack. "As you wish." Zack shrugged, giving a sideways grin. "I don't feel like kicking your a** now anyways." He huffed, turning for the door.

Frowning, Travis watched his every move, surprised, but at least he was leaving.

"I would appreciate it if you'd answer my texts once in awhile though," Zack looked back with a grin as he got to the door and Travis hurried over quickly to close it on him. "Not a damn chance." He growled, locking the door the second Zack was out. Exhaling, still recovering from the scare, Travis leaned against the door, panting heavily, worried Zack might try to get in again.

There were no knocks however, nor were there any sounds from outside and after about a half-hour had passed, Travis finally stepped away from the door, almost tripping over his feet, legs still wobbly with fear. Managing to get away from the door, Travis went right to the bedroom for his phone, still trying to regulate his breathing.

"Hello?" Vic picked up after several rings.

"Vic, hi, look, I'm sorry, can I come stay at your place tonight?" Travis rushed, looking out the bedroom window fearfully, afraid Zack might still be out there.

"Um, Travis, Ripley's kinda over tonight…" Vic stated, though at least she sounded sympathetic and Travis felt stupid for having forgotten her plans.

"Right, right, sorry, nevermind," Travis shook his head, frowning to himself.

"What's going on though?"

"Oh, oh no it's nothin', i'll-i'll just call Dean and Jack and see if I can stay at their place, don't worry." Travis rushed his words, just wanting to get out of there.

"Well, if you need-" He had already hung up though, scrolling through his contacts for Jack's.

Luckily Jack said him and Dean were fine with him coming over, so Travis grabbed a few things and was already out the door, jogging out to his car hurriedly, not wanting to meet Zack on his porch again, exhaling deeply when he managed to drive away safely.

Zack had came into his home, his and Michael's home, essentially attacking him, now what was he going to do?! He couldn't stay away from his house, that was the one thing where his memories with Michael were the most important to him, there was no way he was abandoning it.

But he couldn't have Zack coming into his home all the time, he wouldn't be able to live with himself, nor could he risk his safety being constantly jeopardized.

Travis still didn't have an answer when he got to Dean and Jack's, nor did he have one the next day. He spent all night thinking about it, wishing he could just ask someone else for their advice. But he couldn't do that!

Dean and Jack offered to let Travis hang out with them, since it was their day off and Travis thought about it as he ate the breakfast Dean had whipped out, though a text from Vic asking if he wanted to hang out that afternoon changed his mind. Not that he didn't want to hang out with them, it's just that him and Vic were closer and she always knew how to cheer him up. Jack would prolly just pester him all day.

She offered to pick him up from the houseboat, but Travis decided to just walk to her place, feeling like he could use the the fresh air. Walking past town, he was feeling pretty calm and relaxed until his phone vibrating in his pocket disturbed him. He took it out to see he had a new text message from Zack, making him groan aloud.

He opened it with narrowed eyes, reading. I see you….

Travis froze, eyes going wide, looking around him, swallowing as he started to walk again, moving faster, suddenly nervous. If Zack was really watching him, then Travis knew he could never feel safe anywhere. Looking around, scanning the faces of passing people, he tried not to think about Zack at all, just wanting to get to Vic's.

All of a sudden, Zack appeared in front of him! "Hey buddy!"

Travis jumped back with a loud gasp, frightened.

"Where you off to?" Zack smiled at him as if they were best friends, putting an arm around him, walking with him, Travis flinching away. "What are you doing?!" He hissed angrily, frowning deeply at him.

"Just came to see my old friend," Zack huffed, acting as if he were offended, chuckling.

"We're in public, you cannot hurt me." Travis almost growled, eyes going narrow, stopping to glare. "Who said I was gonna hurt you?" Zack grinned. Then he leaned closer to him. "Besides, none of your friends are here to see me so what's the worry?"

Travis stepped back, swallowing hard, turning to walk away. "Go to hell!" He snapped.

"You don't happen to be going to Vic's now, are you?" Zack almost sing-songed from behind him and Travis stopped, feeling his entire body tense up. He heard Zack come closer. "Can I come too?" He whispered lowly, grinning dangerously as Travis turned to him with a narrowed look.

He opened his mouth a few times, not sure of what to say. "You can't-"

"Well if you don't want me to hurt her then you're going to come with me." Zack's voice was suddenly low, all humor having left him.

"What?" Travis frowned, unable to believe Zack right now. "I said, come with me and I won't hurt her." Zack repeated, growling louder this time.

"You're out of your mind." Travis scoffed, turning to walk away, wanting out of there, Zack grabbing his arm tightly and whirling him back around. He loomed over Travis, looking as dangerous as ever. "Just because there's people here doesn't mean I won't hit you." He threatened, gripping Travis's arm tightly, who pulled away with a scared look. "N-No. I'm not going with you….! You're-You're insane!"

Zack reached out and grabbed him by his shirt collar tightly, growling into his face. "Listen you little sh**, if you don't listen to me, you're going to be damn sorry."

Travis cowered, glancing nervously around them, seeing people walking by had taken notice, a few staring. Swallowing hard, Travis pushed Zack away, stepping backwards from him quickly. "Look just leave me alone!" He pointed a finger, trying not to look frightened as he yelled. "I mean it!"

Zack didn't follow and Travis took the chance to turn and run, belting out of there. He didn't stop until he felt he was far away enough from that bloody creep, dashing into a cafe where he sat down, breathing heavily, shaking. Frowning deeply, his frightened thoughts jumbled, Travis got out his phone.

Vic, I'm really sorry, he typed. But I won't be able to hang out today.

He waited for a reply, glancing around the cafe anxiously as he ran a hand over his face and through his hair, fear racing through him.

Just minutes later, Why, has something happened?

Yes, I'm sorry I just can't today, Vic. Maybe another time? He frowned deeply as he sent the text, wanting truly to be with her, but not after running into Zack, fearing Zack could follow him and see him with Vic, potentially going after her. Plus he knew he couldn't relax and wouldn't be able to act like nothing was wrong if he felt like Zack was watching them all day.

Vic texted him back, showing her concern. Well okay but, I'll miss spending time with you. Lemme know if something happens though. See you at work tomorrow, okay?

Travis frowned deeply, feeling bad for lying to her again, suddenly wanting to cry. All of these dangerous encounters and constant worrying over Zack and having to lie to his friends was getting to him and he felt worse than ever.

Getting up sadly, he ordered himself a donut to go, leaving to go home, glancing around him anxiously for Zack, luckily not seeing him again. Walking inside as he got home, Travis leaned up against the door and exhaled loudly, closing his eyes tightly as he put a hand over his face, wanting to calm down and relax but he couldn't.

Wanting Michael more than ever right now, Travis found himself getting out their picture album, flipping through. Before he knew it, Travis was in tears, putting his face into his hands as he couldn't help it.

"Oh Michael!" He sobbed. "I miss you more than ever now! I-I'd give anything to have you here with me!"

If Michael were still alive, he would've gotten rid of Zack from the start and Travis wouldn't be involved in any of this. While Travis never physically liked to fight, Michael was more willing to be defensive and had protected Travis from other guys in the past, even when Travis was still a rookie at his old station before they had started dating.

Now, Travis wanted nothing more than for Michael to be alive of course, but for him to be here to get rid of Zack, so Travis could be safe again as well as sane, feeling like he was going out of his mind like this.

Flipping through the album, looking at the two of them together, including their wedding photos, Travis continued to whimper aloud to his deceased husband, not even sure how long he was crying for.

He just felt so scared and lonely, hurt and saddened, wanting Michael, constantly swiping at his tears, feeling bad that he hadn't cried this much in a long time but he couldn't help himself.

A short while later, not having moved from the same spot, even after he had finished crying over Michael, there came a knock at the door and Travis instantly became scared, knowing it must be Zack.

Biting his lip, he slowly got up and went to the door, carefully opening it with caution, surprised when he saw it was only Vic. "Vic? H-Hi." He opened the door wider for her, completely relaxed now.

Vic looked him over to make sure he was physically alright, looking deeply concerned, quickly spotting Travis's red and puffy eyes. "I-I just came over to check on you. Are-Are you sure you're alright?"

Travis swallowed and nodded a little, avoiding looking at her. "Yeah, I-I'm okay." He stated quietly, frowning very deeply, looking more sad than ever. "I-I'm sorry."

Vic's worry suddenly spiked even more, seeing how sad he looked. "It's okay. You look sad. H-Have you been crying?" She tried to ask as softly as she could, trying not to state the obvious considering how worried she was for him.

Frowning deeply, Travis closed his eyes and nodded a little, feeling as if he could start crying again, his emotions getting the best of him.

"Wh-What's the matter?" Vic frowned at him with genuine sympathy, rubbing his arm in comfort softly.

Though he was thinking about Zack, Travis just told her the truth. "I-I was just missing Michael, that's all."

"Oh Trav, honey," Vic frowned, hugging him which startled him a little, but he was touched by her comfort, quickly hugging her back.

"Travis, I've been really worried about you." Vic said softly as they stood there and hugged. "You haven't been yourself and I can tell something's really bothering you." She pulled away, searching his eyes for an answer.

Travis frowned at her, hesitating. "Vic, I-" He sighed heavily, wanting so much to just tell her. "I guess I've just been so stressed out at work and i-it's been getting to me." He lied, hating that he's had to lie to her over and over again.

"But that doesn't explain the bruises." Vic frowned. "Has someone been hurting you?"

"No, no." Travis was quick to answer, eyebrows furrowing.

"Well obviously you didn't do it to yourself!"

"Well right, no, I just meant….yes, but not that it's anybody important or-"

"Oh, Travis," Vic frowned at him, looking almost hurt.

"Look, it was just that one time." He tried to insist, panicking that she might be catching on.

"Travis, I am worried about you." She repeated, looking at him seriously.

"Well you don't need to be. I'm okay, honest." Travis managed to smile at her faintly, rubbing her arm softly. She eyed him in suspicion, but gave in and smiled softly too. "Okay. But I mean it, Trav, I am really worried. And if something's going on, I want you to tell me."

"I-I know," Travis nodded, looking a little guilty. "I guess I just got so much on my mind right now, it's sorta getting to me."

Vic looked at him with sympathy. "Well can I come in? Maybe I can help cheer you up."

Travis nodded softly, letting her in. "Th-Thanks." He really appreciated how kind and comforting Vic was to him, his loneliness now gone.

"Oh hey, your wedding photos," He heard Vic remark as he closed the door, turning to see she had spotted the open photo album on the coffee table, looking down at them curiously.

Travis frowned a little, suddenly feeling shy and embarrassed. "Oh-Oh yeah…."

Vic gave a sort of sad smile as she looked at Travis and Michael in their tuxedos, Travis looking happier than ever. "You two were so handsome together…." She said quietly, trying not to say anything that would make Travis feel worse.

Travis nodded slowly, keeping his distance from her, the sad look on his face again.

Vic stepped away, knowing this wasn't the time to be looking through the pictures of his spouse, glancing at him with a soft expression. "So, wanna watch New Girl?"

Smiling, Travis gave a nod, glad to be with her again.

Vic ended up spending the rest of the evening with Travis and when it was time for her to go, he was admittedly weary of her going outside to her car alone, fearing Zack might be out there.

But Vic went out to her car unscathed without even being aware there could be someone hiding out on Travis's porch, driving off, Travis beyond relieved. He was even more relieved when there were no knocks on his door or any surprise visits from Zack the rest of the night.

The next day, Travis went to work of course, managing to make it through a whole 'nother shift, barely making it out of an unexpected flashover with his team, luckily no one getting hurt, getting out of there just in time.

Needless to say, by the time his shift was over, Travis was glad to be going home, in need of a rest. He checked his phone as he walked up to his porch, frowning to see all the new texts from Zack, all 29 of them.

He rolled his eyes, remembering the encounter he had with the creep the other day, hoping he'd never run into him again, wanting him to leave him well enough alone, for good.

Putting his phone away, Travis went inside, letting out a sigh, just wanting to lie down and watch some television. Closing the door, he suddenly spotted someone sitting in one of his chairs.

"Hello beautiful!"

Travis jumped and yelped, backing up against the door, eyes going wide with fear, shocked.

"What, no 'honey, I'm home?'" Zack grinned, cocking his head at Travis with amusement.

Holding his breath, Travis felt his heart racing, tense with fear. "How-How-How did you get in here?" He stammered.

Zack shrugged, still grinning stupidly. "Easy. Now then, I was just looking at these photos," Travis frowned, realizing his photo album was in Zack's lap, angering and scaring him further.

"And I just gotta say, these pictures of you and Michael are stunning….!" Zack continued, smiling widely with laughter as he eyed Travis, who came closer.

"Put that down. Get out of here!" Travis's voice shook unsteadily, eyes going narrow as he glared down at him, hating him.

"You know, Michael sure was stunning," Zack ignored him, holding up the album to show, grinning. "Too bad he ended up with such a sorry dud like you."

Travis almost growled, coming over until he was directly in front of him. "Look, what do you want, dammit?! You can't just come into my house and make comments about my husband-"

"Well hey now, that isn't a way to treat your house guest," Zack gave him a knowing look, getting to his feet, still grinning as Travis stepped back, Zack backing him up slowly, almost to the wall.

"I-I'm going to call the police, I-I really am," Travis eyed him shakily, frightened yet still trying to look intimidating, "You-You broke into my home."

"You really want to do that? You do that and Vic won't be able to come over any more and spend all afternoon with you like you two did the other day." Zack smirked with narrow eyes and Travis's eyes went narrow just as his back bumped against the wall.

"You creep. You bloody creep!" He growled. "I swear if you don't stop harassing me and bringing up Vic, I'm going to-"

"You're going to what?" Zack mocked, grinning as he awaited Travis's response, who stuttered, not quite sure of an answer.

"I-I-I'm gonna….kick your ass!"

Zack laughed, quite amused. "Not if I kick your's first." He threw his fist, punching Travis in the stomach hard, who cried out in pain, startled, yelping when Zack punched him again.

"Sh-Shit!" He yelped, gasping as Zack reached for his collar, grabbing him by his shirt, Travis trying to duck to avoid the blow, Zack managing to punch him directly however.

Whimpering, a little dazed, Travis tried to pull away, shoving at him, turning to run, crying out when Zack tackled him down.

"No no no no!" Travis whimpered in fear as Zack pinned him down with his body, the man growling angrily into his ear, wrapping an arm around Travis's throat, trying to choke him.

"Let go of me!" Travis whimpered, jerking and squirming as he managed to roll Zack off of him, coughing as Zack choked him, kicking and managing to break away, scrambling as he got to his feet. He started to run away towards the stairs when Zack slammed straight into him, sending him directly to the floor.

Travis yelped as he hit his shoulder hard, wincing in pain, not having any time to react before Zack grabbed him and rolled him to his back, sitting ontop of him, pinning him down.

Looking up at Zack with fear, Travis shook his head no quickly, but Zack glared down with a scowl, grabbing Travis's collar with a hand, punching him harshly.

Travis cried out, trying to squirm underneath him, gasping and whimpering in tears when Zack punched him over and over, not stopping.

"St-Stop! Stop!" He cried out in pain, attempting to squirm, getting weak as Zack wouldn't stop hitting him, his cheek soon bleeding.

Zack growled angrily and punched Travis as hard as he could a final time, Travis crying out in pain, his cheek red and bleeding with pain, not moving anymore, tears of pain running down his face as he lay still, shaking.

Zack scowled down at him and got up, grabbing Travis, picking him off the floor, throwing him up against the wall, Travis crying out, cowering as Zack held him.

"How's it feel, huh?" Zack almost grinned down at him, his knuckles bloody. "You like feeling beaten and broken, just like you broke Grant's heart?!"

Panting, tasting blood in his mouth, Travis tried his best to glare. "I-I'm calling the cops!" He punched Zack as hard as he could in the stomach, Zack dropping him, Travis running off into his living room, stopping to get out his phone.

He heard Zack roar with anger, looking up to see him follow, Travis struggling to grip his phone and try to push emergency call, his fingers shaking too badly.

"Don't you dare!" Zack snarled and Travis watched as he snatched up a picture frame of Michael, throwing it directly at him, who ducked, crying out when it shattered against the wall directly behind him. He dropped his phone as he felt glass rain down on him, gaping as he saw Zack approaching him, turning to run off with a fearful squeak, arms wrapping around his throat.

Zack pulled him back with a snarl, tightening his grip around Travis's throat, who squirmed and jerked, crying out in fear.

"N-No! No! H-Help! Help! Someone, please help!" Travis screamed as he tried to get away, crying again, Zack's arms around his throat starting to choke him.

"Shit!" Zack snarled, pulling a hand away to cover Travis's mouth, muffling his cries, other arm still choking him, whose jerking started to cease, getting weaker.

"Mmm! Mmmmph!" Travis cried out under Zack's hand, coughing as the man's arm kept choking him, prying weakly at him as he struggled to breathe, face going white.

Zack took his hand off of Travis's mouth, who coughed and gasped, unable to breathe, his legs giving out, coughing and gasping desperately.

Sneering, Zack finally let go of him before he could fall unconscious, shoving Travis to the floor, who hit his head on the coffee table, crying out in pain as he rolled to his back, gasping to breathe again.

Seeing stars, Travis whimpered and shook, barely having time to catch his breath before Zack had sat on him again, raising his fist.

Blood already running down on both sides of his face, Travis shook his head no desperately. "No please don't hurt me, please!"

Zack punched him and Travis yelped in pain, crying out as Zack punched him at least five more times.

The whole left side of his face now numb, Travis whimpered, knowing he couldn't fend off like this much longer, shakingly raising his arm, punching Zack in the face the best he could.

Zack growled in pain and Travis glared, punching him again and again until he was able to roll Zack off of him, shoving him away.

Getting knocked into a small stand, Zack knocked over some pictures of Michael, growling when he saw Travis get to his feet, trying to reach out and grab him by the ankle, missing, cussing angrily.

Travis panted as he ran to the kitchen, stumbling as he went to the counter, fumbling for one of his steak knives.

He heard Zack coming up behind him, grabbing the knife by its handle, whipping around, holding the knife out in front of him fearfully, letting out a frightened yell.

Zack slowed down and looked a little startled at the knife, jaw clenching as he came to a halt, minding his distance, giving Travis a narrow look.

Travis held out the knife in front of him, suddenly feeling very brave, his hand shaking badly, but it was working, stepping forward towards Zack, who backed up.

"N-Now, now listen!" Travis heard his voice shaking, trying his best to look angry. "Y-You are going to leave and-and not come back or ever come into my house again and you are not going to bother me, anymore!"

He had backed Zack up to the door now, who eyed Travis with narrowed eyes, scowling angrily.

"And if I see you again and god knows if you come into my house again, I am really going to call the cops and I don't care otherwise! Now, beat it!" Travis huffed, yelling angrily, holding the knife with both shaking hands, eyes wide, still spooked.

Standing before the door, Zack stood still, jaw clenched tight, huffing. "As you wish." He reached for the door, stepping out without another word, sending Travis another glare before the the door was shut and Zack was gone.

Travis watched the door for several minutes, still holding the knife firmly, standing there for what felt like forever before he finally averted his gaze, assuming Zack had really left.

Eventually, still panting, Travis uneasily stepped back into the kitchen, putting the knife back, swallowing hard as he stopped to lean against the counter, shaking as the adrenaline disappeared.

Calming down a little, he remembered the door still needed to be locked, going over and doing so, staggering over to a chair to sit down, a little whimper escaping him, feeling his eyes well up with tears again.

He sat there for a long time, trying to process his thoughts, figuring he must've stared at the floor for hours before he finally moved, getting up to pick up the fallen pictures of Michael, picking them up gingerly with care, looking at them lovingly as he set them back upright.

"Oh Michael," He said aloud, frowning deeply with a hard swallow, remembering Zack, how rough his touch was, how badly he hurt him.

Quickly he put the picture down, sitting back in his chair, biting his finger anxiously as he closed his eyes shut tightly, not sure what he should do, wanting to cry again.

A knock at the door suddenly made him jump, Travis letting out a yelp of fear, sitting upright immediately, eyes wide with fear as he looked to the door.

Zack you damn b******, he thought, eyes going narrow, getting up angrily, stomping to the door, knowing he was going to beat Zack's face in, he didn't care anymore.

"I swear to God, if you don't leave me alone-!" Travis whipped open the door, stopping when he saw Vic and Ripley, looking at him with perplextion.

"O-Oh," Travis frowned at them, a little embarrassed, shifting awkwardly on his feet. "H-Hi Vic. Chief."

"Travis, what happened to you?!" Vic frowned at him with worry, spotting his injured face, his cheek turning quite purple by now, looking awful, not to mention the blood.

"H-Huh?" Travis blinked, as if he didn't understand, still trying to grasp onto the fact they were here, spooked and confused all at once.

Vic looked at him as if he had two heads, eyebrows furrowing, stepping past him into the house, Travis frowning at her.

"Montgomery, why don't we step inside?" Ripley eyed him with a frown, looking quite concerned himself. Travis looked back at him, nodding a little. "Uh-Uh sure, okay."

He stepped in with the chief following after him, looking at Vic who looked around the room as if she knew something was up.

"What are you two doing here?" Travis frowned at her, wondering what she could be looking for.

Ripley gently grabbed him by the arm, Travis flinching, whipping around to face him. "Hey, let's get you cleaned up, okay?" Luke frowned at him softly, blue eyes filled with concern.

Travis nodded a little shakily, letting Ripley drag him gently to a chair and sit him down, showing him where the first aid kit was when he asked.

"We just wanted to check up on you, make sure you were okay." Vic glanced at them softly, still looking around.

"You didn't have to do that." Travis glanced at her, flinching away when Ripley dabbed at the cut on his forehead with a wet rag, making him cry out. "Ow! Ow ow," He whimpered, the pain stinging, reaching up to touch it, Ripley gently nudging his hand away. "Easy, easy."

He gently grabbed Travis's chin to hold him still, cleaning up the blood, Travis continuing to whimper and wince.

"It's deep. What happened?" Luke questioned him softly, Travis frowning, avoiding looking at him.

"What happened to your picture of Michael?" He heard Vic ask, glancing over to see her pick up the frame that Zack had threw at him.

Travis frowned at her, still flinching at Ripley who still dabbed at his cuts. "O-Oh, I-I-I uh…" He stuttered, watching Vic come over, frowning at the picture of his beloved husband as she handed it to him.

"I tripped and I guess I knocked it over and I must have hit my head when I fell." Travis fibbed, giving a sheepish smile, flinching from Luke still fixing up his face. "Ow."

"And the bruises?" Ripley stopped to look at him and Travis swallowed, both of their eyes on him, not answering as he frowned deeply, hugging the picture of Michael tightly to his chest, looking away.

"Travis, we're not stupid," Vic frowned at him, watching Luke tend to her best friend. "This is what the third time this has happened? Whoever's been doing this to you, you need to tell us so we can help you out!"

"She's right, Montgomery," Ripley said softly, finishing up, Travis glancing at him wearily with big eyes. "There's no shame in opening up. We're all friends here. If someone's been hurting you-"

"No. No one has, I…" Travis licked his lips again as he told another lie. "I-I just mean, it was just a fight I got into at the bar, that's all."

He looked at Ripley and Vic who shared a glance, seeming to accept it, Vic putting a gentle hand to rub Travis's back comfortingly, offering a small smile. "As long as you're okay, buddy. Would you like us to stay here with you awhile?"

"Th-That'd be nice, thanks, but it's really alright. I'm sure you two have other plans for the evening anyways." He shrugged, acting as if nothing were really wrong.

"Well it's no problem, really." Ripley gave a little friendly smile, wrapping a gentle arm around Vic, but Travis still shrugged, getting up.

"Thanks but, go ahead, go have fun together." He put on a smile for them, offering a nod.

Eventually, the two finally left after Travis again and again reassured them he was okay, frowning deeply, shaking his head to himself when he was alone again.

Eyebrows furrowing, he was suddenly angry and felt like blowing off some steam, his frustrations with Zack getting the better of him.

Setting down the picture of Michael carefully, he grabbed his coat and keys and went out, driving off the bar, not caring of how sour of a mood he was in, just wanting to clear his head.

Zack could come bother him and punch his lights out, he couldn't care less right now, he just needed some time away, wanting some sanity away from home for once.

A/N: Review?