Oh geez, here we go. Well, I hope the masses finds this entertaining! Writing is hard work, it is ;3

Summary: They thought that once they were together, all the pieces would just fall into place. They never thought that it would cause everything to fall apart. [JDCox, dark slash]

Rating: It's very dark, but not rated M.

Pairings: JDCox.

Regular text.

"Speaking."

Thinking.

(Author's notes within story.)

Chapter Two

JD woke shaking, again. Where am I? Did I pass out? Was it all a dream? JD laid, staring blindly at the ceiling in the pitch black bedroom. Oh yeah. I'm at Dr. Cox's. Despite himself, JD's eyes became softer, sadder, and he breathed out heavily. Then, as his awareness came back gradually from the realms of dreams, he noticed the warm, sleeping figure beside him.

Perry.

Suppressing a little chill that traveled up his spine and neck, JD was drawn to the heat, turning on his side. The movement stirred his partner though, and Perry half-opened his eyes. In that moment, JD felt his breath get sucked out of his body, making his heart flutter and his blood ring through his veins.

His eyes as they were now, glazed from dreams, glowing with a tender love that JD knew Perry only felt for him, JD felt any depressing or doubtful feeling sputter out and die. Here was where JD belonged. He was sure of it. Where else could he find someone who was barely awake with another person of the same gender in the bed and, without even that forgetfulness that immediately followed a deep sleep wearing off, have nothing but adoring passion in his eyes? The sting of JD's wounds faded, along with the rest of the world, as Perry leaned forward and placed a gentle, warm kiss on his lips.

Then, without a single word, Perry looked over JD's shoulder at the alarm clock and climbed out of bed. JD felt a cold draft surge under the blanket as Perry lifted it to untangle his ankles from its clutches.

JD felt reality return with the cold air. They still had to go to work. They were still in a severely messed up relationship. He still had cuts and bruises lacing his skin, under his clothes. But as this thought pushed rudely into JD's head he sat up, shaking himself. With a resolute sigh, JD looked at the soft sky that preceded dawn through the window, thinking grim thoughts on things that used to be not so grim.

After JD had left to change in the second bathroom and the couple had gotten to work in their Porsche, JD let out the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. In the beginning, he'd worried over whether or not it'd be tense or awkward around Perry at work but once they'd arrived at Sacred Heart, their personal life together melted away till Perry became an expert at acting like nothing was going on and JD knew exactly when to say the right words around his friends.

Soon, the monster that fed on personal lives became JD's safe place. Just as he knew they would- could, never do anything there, he knew that he didn't need to flinch when Perry turned sharply towards him or went off on a rant.

Of course, his relationship was not a secret to his friends. In the very beginning, he'd decided that if they didn't approve, it wasn't a relationship he should be in. Carla, the perceptive woman she was, could see the passion between them despite how they tried to hide it and was supportive all the way. Elliot was in danger of getting strangled if she said, "Aww! They're so cute together!" one more time, so her support was unquestioned. Turk had been wary, but only because he knew that Perry was a harsh person that could very well break his best friend's heart. He wanted JD to be happy, so he was hesitant. He didn't want to risk JD getting hurt.

The gash on JD's cheek had been awkwardly explained off, along with that bruise he'd gotten a few weeks ago. Perry was always hovering nearby when JD got questioned about mysterious wounds to the point where JD's friends had to corner him and demand they go for a drink, just the four of them.

JD had blinked in terror. They weren't even going to let him tell Perry where he was? And just as he thought this, they hooked their hands under his elbow and pulled him along, JD only able to cast unsure looks over his shoulder.

Once they'd arrived and ordered their drinks, all eyes had turned onto JD, who gulped nervously. He knew that if he even let them know anything that might possibly suggest Perry had hurt him in the slightest way, Perry would be murdered by Turk, then Carla, then Elliot, each of which were terrifying when they were angry. At least, in their own way.

JD tried to pin it on his clumsiness. They didn't buy it. He tried to tell the story he'd made up. The countertop cut his cheek because he tripped. Certainly not because he had been pushed. And the bruise on his wrist? He probably just got it when he fell. Nobody had grabbed him by the wrist and dragged him to his feet in fury. No way.

Then, miraculously, Perry appeared, casting cold glares at Carla, Turk and Elliot. Only Carla held his stare just as true and icy till Perry had to look away. JD gave him a relieved look, shoulders releasing the tension he'd held there the entire time. Just for a shock, Perry stepped up to JD and pulled him in for a long, tender kiss that made his friends glance away guiltily. How could they question Perry's love when he was doing something like that in public?

JD was torn between being relieved to see Perry and severely disappointed at the same time. A tiny part of him wanted out. He didn't want to stay strong for Perry anymore. He didn't want to have to take the blows and not fight back simply for the sake of his dream relationship. The whole time with his friends, that tiny part of him had screamed out loud. If he just told them what happened, it'd all be over. They'd swoop in and rescue him.

But that was only a tiny part of him. The rest of JD wanted Perry's arms to hold him forever.

No matter what Perry did.