Chapter Eighteen

WARNING/RATING: Character Death

Note: It's not what you think. Trust me.

Randy peeled out of the parking lot of the LVPD with a horrible sense of urgency, startling his partner in the passenger seat into a cursing fit that he had no choice but to ignore as he soared the car to deadly speeds. Fuck. He was supposed to be on vacation! Having only gone in to extend his paid time off at Mizanin's request but ended up over hearing the relayed message that another body had been found... soaked in blood...Lifeless...Their throat slashed from ear to ear…

On the road now his heart was racing a hundred times faster than he could manage to rush the car threw the streets. He swerved hard, the tires screaming and tearing around a corner briefly and he floored the car onto an access road; he just couldn't get there fast enough! Only minutes ago the call had come in to the 911 department, one that he wouldn't have had anything to do with if he hadn't come in to sign off for more vacation! Fuck! He knew he should have just asked Layla to do it for him! But noooo he was too anxious about being suspicious and just HAD come in to do it himself! Fucking idiot! He should have just stayed home with Tristan! Although they weren't a couple they were sleeping together and he'd much rather be doing that then rushing towards another horrid crime scene!

He soared the car onto the highway, and of course, it sure as hell wasn't his Bentley. That beautiful beast was securely tucked away within the parking garage while he was tearing Hunter's car to shit, sirens blaring, engine roaring from the strain.

His time with Alex had come to an end rather quickly and he'd been with Tristan ever since. Well mostly he was with Tristan. Some mornings he woke up in the middle of a heap of naked bodies and couldn't remember exactly who he'd been with…But, they were all pretty cute though. And most of them tried to see him again. Hell they practically swooned over him every time he walked threw the doors!

It wasn't exactly hell he was in with so many gorgeous guys falling all over him but it was no heaven either. He wasn't happy. True the sex DID help but that wasn't what got him threw each day being stuck under Mizanin's thumb like he was. Far from it. Because it was Tristan that helped. Hell the kid saved him! He helped nurse his broken heart, kept him out a serious funk, and was even so kind enough to cook him dinner, wash his clothes, help divide and package "the product" Michael gave to them for him to sell; and for the first time in his life Randy didn't have to worry about having someone to come home to! Tristan was always there, waiting for him, ready for him, and being his best friend he could have at a time like this.

But, still despite his wonderful caring nature and how generous he was he just…

Wasn't Cody.

And Randy was no where near over the Dashing One.

"GOD DAMN IT, ORTON SLOW THE FUCK DOWN!" He didn't. He continued to ignore his shouting partner who was clawing and clinging to the dash board for dear life as he barely missed side swiping one civilian car after another; this was just too important. The call, the one he'd wished he'd missed, had come in from the Liberty Square apartments off Hualapai Way…

In other words someone was dead in Codys apartment and he had no fucking clue as to who. He didn't even know who made the fucking call!

Although it felt like months not much time had passed since he'd been dragged into Mizanin's mess, only a few weeks but, as one of his new "drug distributors" (fancy talk for DRUG DEALER) he expected to be informed about shit like this! Fuck with everything Randy was putting on the line for Mizanin the LEAST the dreadful bastard could do was warn him that there would be a mess to clean up! True he was supposed to be on vacation right now but he still had a right to know since he was the one who could get Mizanin off the hook when the time came for it! Which, as it turned out THAT was the REAL reason Mizanin wanted him around. He'd learned that much on his own a week ago after helping the bastard sneak his packages across lines.

THAT'S what this was all about, that was the whole reason he was being forced into his team. So he could keep Mizanin out of trouble from the inside.

Clever bastard.

But then again he wouldn't be so clever if he made the mistake of harming Cody. Because even though he broke his heart Randy still loved Cody more than that sick bastard could ever understand. Tristan helped him realize that…

He helped him realize a lot of other things too.

He slowed the car to exit, narrowly avoiding a few cars as they exited too quickly from the highway and peeled threw the intersection towards Cody's apartments. He'd realized important things like the fact that Cody's betrayal wasn't entirely his fault. Cody HAD tried to tell him and if he'd just LISTENED and read between the lines…Fuck he could have saved them both.

"You know that I'm crazy about you, right?" He'd whispered late one night into his ear. And those words haunted him every day he woke up and Cody wasn't there next to him, having asked him that only a few days before finding out that nothing was as it seemed. "I hope you know that." They were happy and just laying in Cody's bed, snuggled close beneath the sheets and taking a moment to catch their breath but end up laughing so hard their stomach hurts. And he WAS so crazy about him and for some reason he'd felt the need to tell him that, blurting it out after Cody made some silly joke about him being related to a jack hammer and reminded him of just why he was so crazy about him.

Because, Cody was perfect for him. In every conceivable way.

His admittance had earned him quite a kiss that night and Cody was on top of him again within moments, smiling and stealing his heart with such wonderful words he'd once been a fool enough to believe… "Me too baby but yikes! Why would you be crazy about a cheap stripper like me? I mean I'm crazy about you too but I'm LUCKY to have you. YOU settled for ME."

"Don't say that! That's NOT true babe, not true at all! You're so much more than what you see yourself as and honestly babe I don't understand why you're so hard on yourself."

"So then…" Cody was straddling his lap, just sitting there comfortable with the cutest questioning glimmer in his eyes, "You don't think less of me for being a stripper? Like, at all?"

"Of course not! Granted it gets a little trying at times having to put up with other men grabbing at you every night but I've never thought less of you for it."

"You should baby…I'm no good like this."

"Oh my god DON'T SAY THAT!-!-! You're perfect and you know it."

"Oh baby…You're so good to me."

"And I always will be."

He shook the memory away and took off running just as soon as he put the car in park outside Cody's apartment building, dashing inside and leaping up the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator.

He held onto the railing tight as he rushed. Fuck fuck fuck! If Cody was dead he'd never get the chance to tell him how sorry he was for everything he'd said; he'd never get to make up for how much of a fool he'd been when he turned his back on him!

His chest grew tight as the door to Justin and Cody's apartment came into view on the last few steps, eyes widening at the sight of fresh blood generously smeared downward along the door frame on each side. Shit shit shit! He rushed to the bloody door, instantly banging on it, trying not to seem so frantic as he nearly pounded the damn thing open.

Fuck it, he WAS frantic! His heart was sinking like a heavy weight into his stomach and almost made him choke. "Cody!" He sent out a soft plea, banging harder, his heart throbbing in his stomach and on the verge of exploding. If anything bad had happened to Cody...Oh god if it was Cody's lifeless body he was about to see it would actually KILL him fucking DEAD.

It might be crazy but despite his betrayal Cody was still the love of his life and he'd never again treasure anyone like he'd treasured him, that much he was sure of.

Yes, his lies had cost him SO much, yes he was the reason he was a drug dealer and YES he was a fucking prostitute. But, NONE of that changed how he felt and none of it made his heart stop loving! "Hello?-!" It might be utterly insane but, Cody was still his everything!

Suddenly the door made a loud pop and he jerked back as someone on the other side finally made sounds of turning the lock, his eyes darting around anxiously as he waited, shaking, trembling, about to hurl. Fuck he was so scared.

His eyes grew wide again and he gulped as the door swung open and almost flinched as light came bursting over him, distorting his vision and made him squint. Or maybe his eyes were just protecting him because they just didn't want him to see who'd answered the door?-?-?

Trembling he pushed on, holding his breath as he forced them open...

Oh god...

He jerked back.

No...!

"...Justin?-!"

"He-hey Randy..." Justin sniffled and wiped at his eyes for a moment, drying it somewhat with his sleeve until he seemed to give up as more tears quickly destroyed his efforts. "I-I didn't think I'd see you here...Aren't you on vacation?"

Randy nodded, swallowed hard and just stood there. He was utterly lost, shaking hard as a horrible sadness settled over him and penetrated his skin like a thousand tiny knives and left his very core bitterly cold and hollow.

He almost choked. Oh god he felt so god damn empty! Cody couldn't be dead! He just couldn't be!-!-!

He dropped his gaze to the ground, flinching when he saw more blood there and closed his eyes, "What happened?-?-?"

"He-he's all cut up, Randy." Justin whispered sadly, "And-and I think his hand is…is missing…"

Randy nodded slowly. Of course it was missing, why would Jericho leave Cody's hand alone when he'd taken or broken all the others? He grimaced, his eyes aching from the strain and he forced them open. "Where is he?"

"Damn it Orton what the hell is wrong with you running up here like that?-!" Hunter shouted from somewhere close but he barely heard him and didn't even bother with a response; he could just lie his way out of it later. Right now...

Right now... He gulped, "Where is he?" He repeated and brought his gaze back up from the lightly blood splattered floor; and Hunter let out a frustrated huff he easily ignored.

Justin sniffled and stepped aside, his eyes on the ground now and as pale as he could be as he moved out of the door way, "Just...follow the blood..."

"You can't just go in there!" Hunter let out with a scoff, "We have to wait for the crime scene unit to clear the scene first! Which we wouldn't have beat them here had you not been driving like a fucking maniac!"

"Enough!-!-!" He shouted and couldn't believe that came out of his mouth. Jesus what was he thinking?-! He needed to calm the fuck down! "If you're that worried Hunter then just hang back," He snapped over his shoulder quickly, so close to falling apart he could feel the hot sting of tears building behind his eyes. "I'm just going to take a quick look." He added; he just had to see him before he and the rest processed Cody's body and took him away forever. He just had to...

Hunter rolled his eyes, crossing his arms and gave a rough shrug as he seemed to let the entire issue go and lent against the wall, "Whatever. Just don't touch anything."

He nodded slowly. Of course he wouldn't! He knew better than to tamper with a crime scene! He just didn't know why this had to happen to Cody. Why him? What had he ever done that was so wrong to deserve this?-! He just didn't understand!-!

He shook under the strain of his emotions, clenching his jaw tight as he felt the slightest sense of relief as the sadness began to turn to rage; and it left a bitter taste in his mouth. This was the end of him, he was starting to think. Without Cody he feared even trying to go on like he was. He feared being stuck under Mizanin's thumb forever and the uncertainty of that was unbareable! Fuck it was already eating him up inside and without the subconscious hope of being able to one day kiss Cody's perfect lips again there was NO way he could go on!

Fuck he was going KILL Mizanin for what he'd done to Cody. Fuck the law. Fuck it ALL! He was going to empty a full clip from his treasured high power browning into Mizanin's ugly fucking head. THAT much he was absolutely certain of!

He cringed again and forced his body to move, shivering as he stepped inside.

It was so cold and so quiet his hands instantly felt chilled and the sound of his heart beat ringing in his ears grew so loud it was almost deafening.

He pushed on, cringing at the blood splattered everywhere on the walls that had dripped down to small pools against the baseboards, soaking into the carpet beyond the entry way.

Gulping he looked down to the beige carpeting he'd walked upon, feeling sick as found more blood splattered in a messy pattern that trailed onward towards the living room and disappeared around the corner.

His stomach tightened horribly, he felt sick. There was just much fucking blood! Cody's blood!

OH GOD!

His stomach churned and he felt a lump of bile rise to the back of his throat, forcing it down and paused in his steps. Oh god he couldn't take this! Cody couldn't be dead! HE JUST COULDN'T BE!

"I-I tried to call Micahel first but, he didn't answer." Justin was suddenly whispering behind him, "I don't know why he did this but he could have warned me!"

Randy glanced over his shoulder. "Because he's a heartless psychopath, that's why!" Of course Michael wasn't going to warn them about Jericho killing Cody! For one they'd try to stop him and two the sick bastard knew it would hurt them that much more to find him dead on their own!

Fuck!

Randy pushed on again, his hands shaking and his heart just falling to into pieces. Cody just couldn't be dead, this just couldn't be happening! Oh god NO! PLEASE!-!-!

PLEASE!-!-!

Taking another step he forced his eyes upwards as he walked into the room and before he even dared to look down at the body he eyed sprawled out on its back across the floor he could already smell and taste the heavy scent of blood in the air. He almost gagged it was so pungent, fuck he could feel the odor resting against his tongue and soaking into his nose.

Oh god Cody, I'm so sorry I let this happen to you. I should have listened to you when I had the chance! He pulled his eyes to the ceiling, swallowing hard as tears brimmed and threatened to fall. I should have believed you! I should have saved you from them! I should of…I should have…FUCK!-!-! He jerked his gaze down to Cody's body, starting at his feet and forcing himself to get this over with and stumbled backwards instantly.

His lips parted in a silent gasp. There was so much blood. Oh god it was everywhere! He could see without really looking at that his face was covered, his torso soaked with so much so it was altering his once bright blue shirt to a sickening bloody blue.

Randy took a breath, blinking hard as his mind tried to absorb what his eyes were seeing and made himself take a step closer, squinting to make out his features beneath the heavy color of red smeared across his face.

His eyes adjusted slowly, his stomach churning again as his efforts began revealing a round jaw line and the faint shadow of a beard. What the fuck? Cody didn't have a beard! He moved in closer and after a second stumbled back once more with a startled gasp, "What the fuck?-!" He nearly choked as he whirled around to Justin, eyes wide, "You found Shawn?-!"

"Yeah." Justin frowned, "Didn't you know that?"

"No, I didn't take the call." He shook his head, his heart racing but with such joy now. "Oh god I thought-Because you opened the door-I-I thought-"

"You thought it was Cody...?" Justin's eyes grew wide as he finished for him and Randy nodded, grimacing before slapping a hand to his head and raked his nails threw his hair. Fuck that was close! Too close! And undoubtedly a message from Mizanin! Fucking psychopath!

"Did you find a note?-!" He thought to ask.

"No…Just Shawn…But this is definitely a hint from Michael because he wouldn't have killed Shawn here if it wasn't. I just…Don't understand what it is."

Randy nodded. Justin was right, Mizanin would have done it somewhere else if it was just a hit over money so he didn't understand it either. This was different and so much more gruesome than the others, almost as if it were personal.

He stepped back and raked his hand threw his hair, resisting the urge to take out a smoke and let out a heavy sigh. Jesus what had Shawn done that was so wrong to get himself taken out like this? All Randy knew about him was that he was Cody's ex-lover and he occasionally distributed "the product" to earn a little cash-Well, enough cash to support his habit as Randy discovered.

Shawn was hooked on cocaine, just like everyone else under Mizanin's rule. But, despite that, Shawn always came back with the right amount of money. He NEVER shorted them. So why kill him? If he owned nothing and moved the product for Michael like a good boy then he should still be alive, shouldn't he?-!

"Cody's not home from the library yet." Justin explained briefly, hugging himself as he backed away towards the door, "He-He doesn't know about this."

"Cut the shit." He growled, snapping his hand down from his head as he turned to Justin with an angry glare, "We both know Cody's not at the fucking library. He's with Andrew."

"No he's not." Justin argued softly, "He's studying to get back into school but he's due back any minute!" Randy almost rolled his eyes. Library his ass! He just knew he was with that ugly fuck Andrew! But, still, Cody didn't need to see this and he had to act quick if he wanted to save him from it. "Can you stall him?"

Justin shook his head rapidly, "I tried, he's not answering his phone."

Fuck! Of course he wasn't! "Try him again."

"His phone's OFF, Randy. Ever since you dumped him he keeps it off all the time now..."

"Oh..." He had? "Why?"

"Because he's been avoiding Michael." Justin sniffled and checked his watch, "I-I can stand outside the door and try to stop him but once he sees the blood he's going to know what happened and come running in here…" He trailed off as he glanced at Shawn's lifeless body and took another step back, "Oh god we can't let Cody see!" He started to cry softly, "This is going to absolutely devastate him, Randy! Shawn was so important to him!"

Randy suddenly felt horribly jealous, "Why? They got back together? What about Andrew?"

"Well…No, but… " Justin said hesitantly, hugging himself tighter as he continued to cry, "Fuck, maybe? I don't know. They were hanging out a lot this week."

Randy flinched. Of course they were. They were probably a couple again and although he wanted to hate Cody for it he couldn't be mad when he'd been sleeping with Tristan every night since he'd been set free from Alex's bed. That and, it seemed awfully inappropriate to be jealous of someone who was fucking dead. Especially at the moment!

"And Andrew's never been his boyfriend, Randy. He's a john, okay? Cody doesn't like him but Drew pays a lot of money to make sure he gets to have Cody whenever he wants." He seemed to grow angry and shook his head with a serious frown, "Do you really think Cody wants that? You think he likes having to give himself to Drew for money?-!"

Randy jerked his head down for a moment to think about it even though in his heart he knew the answer. Of course Cody didn't want to do something like that with Drew, or with any body! But he was SO scared to be wrong and SO terrified that Cody might still be playing him that he just couldn't…let it go. He just couldn't stand to be wrong again. FINALLY he was protecting his heart. Too bad it was too little too late.

"I…I honestly don't know, Justin. And I'm not saying that to be cruel…I just…don't know what Cody really wants. I don't think I ever did."

"Well just know this," Justin sneered threw his tears, "He's not a whore by choice. NONE of us are. And you could be a little bit more understand up there on your high horse."

High horse?-! What the fuck?-! Justin had him all wrong!

"Hey guys…" Came from the entry way Randy nearly came out of his skin as Jason poked his head into the living room and called to them again, "Everything okay in here?"

"Uh. Um. Uhh!-!" Randy stuttered and panicked, hoping and praying so hard that Jason hadn't heard too much and looked to Justin desperately, "Mr. Gabriel, are you done saying good bye to your friend?" Thankfully Justin replied with a nod and swiftly wiped away the tears on his cheeks with the back of his hand, "Yeah." He sniffled, "Th-Thank you. For-For letting me do that." He looked to Jason before carefully stepping around spots of blood on the floor and gave him a thankful nod as well, "Sorry if I messed anything up. I-I didn't touch anything."

"It's alright Mr. Gabriel, I'm sure you're fine." Jason assured in a gentle tone as Adam came around from behind him with his black equipment bag over his shoulder, "But we do need to you to step outside for a few minutes if you wouldn't mind?"

"Sure." Justin nodded and gave Randy a quick glance over his shoulder before ducking out, "I should go wait for my roommate out there anyway. He'll be home soon."

Randy breathed a sigh of relief as he watched him go. Thank god Justin could take a hint!

Adam arched a brow as he stepped into the room and glanced over Shawn's body, "Since when do YOU step into a crime scene before us, Orton?" He set his bag down on the floor and crouched beside it carefully, "I'd expect to see Hunter do something like that but, not you. You know better."

"I made the exception." He shrugged as he watched Adam unzip the bag and pull out a clip board as well as a pair of white latex gloves, turning away when the blond started to put them on.

"I'm surprised to even see you here. Aren't you on vacation?"

"Supposed to be." He grumbled with a scoff. "I came in to extend it and got caught up in the call."

"Cody no! Stay there!" Justin voice suddenly cried out, his voice echoing into the apartment and startling everyone inside. "Don't come any closer!"

"EXCUSE ME! STOP RIGHT THERE MR. RHODES!"

Shit!-!-! Randy gasped as his partners voice boomed into the apartment and froze, eyes wide. Shit shit SHIT!-!-!

"Justin?-!" Cody cried out, "What's going on?-! Are you okay?-! Oh my god is that blood?-!"

"Cody wait!"

"Mr. Rhodes listen to your friend!"

Fuck fuck FUCK!-!-! Cody did NOT need to see this! He couldn't! "Stop him!-!-!"

"Cody don't!" He heard Justin try again but apparently it was too late because seconds later Cody came bursting threw doorway and paled drastically as he saw the blood on the floor. "Oh my god…" He took a step but Justin grabbed his arm and tried to pull him back.

But it was too late. Cody knew and he told everyone he knew with a loud, harrowing scream.

"SHAWN!"

In flash Justin grabbed Codys waist and pulled back, slipping and failing as Cody screamed and thrashed in a desperate fit, "NO!-! PLEASE NO! OH GOD!-! SHAWN!-!-!"

Cody broke away and ran passed Jason, diving down to the lifeless body that was once his friend with a terrified whimper, "Oh god…Shawn?-!" Horror paled his face and further widening his eyes to devastated pools of light blue that seemed to grow dimmer and dimmer with each passing second as they searched for any signs of life, "SHAWN?-!"

Adam stood up slowly, stepping back and respectfully tucked the clipboard in his hands behind his back and waited as Cody carefully threaded his fingers threw Shawn's and brought his hand to his chest with a soft cry.

"Shawn?" He reached up, ever so gently caressing his cheek with his finger tips, visibly shaking. "Oh my god…"

"What the fuck?-!" Hunter snarled as he stomped into the room, "You guys are just going to let him trample all over the crime scene?-!" He started reaching down like he was going to touch Cody and Randy's eyes widened and his stomach flipped; he couldn't let that happen! It just...wasn't right! He nudged his partner hard with his elbow and shook his head when Hunter jerked back up with a sharp hiss. "What the fuck, Orton?-!"

"Don't." He growled. And he'd fuck him up if he did!

"He's fucking up the crime scene!"

"He LIVES here." Adam suddenly spoke up, "We're going to find traces of him everywhere anyway so what difference does it make? Just give him a minute, Hunter. You know he didn't do this."

Randy tuned them out as he stared down at Cody desperately clinging to Shawn's hand, his heart aching for him to take Cody into his arms and never let go. God he wanted that SO bad. He missed him so fucking much! He bit his lip hard, holding back more hot shamefl tears. Oh god he thought he'd fucking lost him!

"No! He needs to get the fuck out of here!-!-!"

God damn it Hunter! He snapped back to the argument with a scowl, "Just hang on," He put his hand up slightly, gesturing to Justin standing in the doorway with the other officers that had just arrived and the smaller man came forward with a nod. Randy glanced at his partner again and kept his voice low as he returned his gaze to Cody on the floor, "Let his friend help him..."

And saying that hurt. He tightened his jaw as jealously began to boil in the pit of his stomach. He wanted to do it! Fuck he'd love to comfort him, take him into his arms and never let go. But those days were over. He knew that. And if he even tried to touch Cody so tenderly at this point it would break his heart all over again.

"Shawn...Please don't leave me!" Cody cried out but his voice was so strained, so hoarse with agony it was barely above a whisper, "Please! You can't! You're all I have!"

Adam crouched carefully, his expression soft, gentle even, "I'm sorry Mr. Rhodes, but we have to have you step back now." Cody shook his head, hugging Shawn's hand tighter to his chest with a desperate cry, "Noooo! Please don't take him! Pleeeease!-!"

"I-I'm sorry..." Adam said softly as Justin took another step and dropped beside Cody on the floor, stroking his hair with a gentle murmur, "Cody..." He whispered gently as he stroked a few more times and then with his free hand pulled on his arm to get him on his feet, "Come on, love... You have to let him go. He's gone."

"No!" Cody jerked his head down out of Justin reach and tugged on Shawn's hand with a depserate sob, "Shawn please! You can't do this! You can't leave me here!-!"

"Cody he's dead-"

"NO!" Cody let out a hoarse snarl, his entire body shaking and trembling; and still he held onto Shawn's hand, squeezing it and began begging him softly to wake up and return to him...

But, the seconds passed and no matter Cody's words he didn't awaken, his color didn't return and the large cut across his throat didn't close or fade away...Shawn was dead.

And he wasn't coming back.

Cody's head dropped with a hard but soft wail and Randy would have given anything to be able to comfort him at that very moment. To see him so hurt, so broken...So lost...He couldn't fucking stand it!

Quickly he took a step, forgetting about everyone else as he gazed at Cody with such longing, "Cody...?"

"I'm so sorry..." Adam was suddenly saying again in the same warm voice as before, cutting him off and reaching out as if to touch Cody's arm; and he did, ever so gently and just above his elbow, "Mr. Rhodes please, if you want us to help get the guy who did this to your friend then you have to let us do our job…" He trailed off as Justin tried once more to pull his friend away by his arm and everyone seemed to let out a sigh of relief as Cody finally let Justin pull him to his feet and stumbled away.

All except for Randy of course who was still staring longingly, still aching, still struggling.

"You...This is your fault! You asked for this!" Cody threw out suddenly, putting everyone back on edge and the room grew tense once more.

It took a moment before Randy realized who he was talking to and he scowled bitterly. What the fuck NO he didn't ask for this! He'd never do something like that, especially to Cody! He crossed his arms, glaring, fuming! How could Cody think he was responsible for this?-! That hurt so fucking bad!

"Just what are you implying Mr. Rhodes? That I had something to do with your friend's murder?"

Cody sniffled as he wiped at his eyes that were so wired, and so sadly dilated. He was high. Sooo fucking HIGH. "Nothing, Mr. ORTON." His hand gave up on cleaning his face and more tear passed down his cheeks as he shook his head and sniffed loudly. "I imply nothing at all."

"Mr. Rhodes?" Hunter said with a rude sigh, "This will be a lot easier if you just tell us, how high are you right now?"

Cody gasped and jerked back like he'd been struck and Adam instantly pulled Hunter aside, "What the hell is wrong with you?-!" The blond hissed, his face reddening with fury, "He's just found his friend has cut to death in his home and you're fucking with him about being high?-! Have some fucking tact!"

"Don't tell me how to do my job!" Hunter snipped angrily with a sharp hiss of his own, "He IS high and that probably has everything to do with this!"

Adam's shoulders widened to a threatening stance and he glared Hunter square in the eye, "Get the fuck away from my crime scene."

Hunter let out a surprised grunt before his brow dipping into an outraged scowl, "The fuck you just say to me?-!"

"You heard me." Adam didn't back down, not even for a second. "Get the fuck away from my crime scene."

"You stupid mother-" Hunter sneered and they came dangerous close to each other faces, both silently refusing to back down as their tempers flared.

"Hey!" Jason forced himself between them, grabbing Adam around the waist and blocking him from further advancing as best as he could, "Enough! Both of you!" He whirled around and put his back against Adam's chest, holding his hands up to keep Hunter at a safe distance, "Randy can I get some help here?-!"

Randy was already moving to help when Jason asked, catching Hunter arm just in time before he struck Adam on the shoulder and yanked it down, "Hunter come on man, don't start this shit." He didn't let go, keeping his partners arm in a tight grip as Jason quickly shoved Adam further and further away.

"HE started this!" Hunter snarled, "Fucking lab rat!"

"Jesus Hunter, come on." He implored. He really didn't have it in him to deal with this shit right now. Things were bad enough as it was! "Just take a walk and get some air would you? We don't need any more grief with the chief and if he finds out we're fighting with the crime scene unit again it'll be our asses."

Hunter tore away with a vicious snarl and slapped his hand away, "Fuck you Orton! Don't act like you're my friend when you've barely said shit to me in days! YOU take a fucking walk!"

Son of a bitch! He took a step and got in his face, "Don't fucking test me today, Hunter. I'm not in the mood." He wasn't going to back down to him today either. If Hunter really wanted to pick a fight with him then he was fucking READY.

"Yeah yeah yeah, FUCK YOU Randy you're never in the mood to do SHIT! All you do is mope around the fucking office all the time, making up one sorry excuse after another! You're fucking worthless and I sure as hell don't need a do nothing like you telling me what to do!"

Worthless?-! He was fucking WORTHLESS?-! "You son of a bitch!" He snapped and shoved him, instantly ducking his partners fist and took a swing and nailed him in the jaw.

They collided into a rough scuffle, Randy getting the better of Hunter with a few good hits to his face and kept going, in such a rage he didn't fucking care how bad this looked for them. They were going to finish this bullshit once and for all!

Several hands started pulling them apart, both of them jerking free at first until finally they separated, both men sending out one last swing as suddenly John, their fucking captain and BOSS tried to force his way between them with a furious shout, "ALRIGHT THAT'S ENOUGH! BREAK IT UP!"

Randy tore free from Adam and wiped at his mouth to check it for blood, just barely realizing Hunter managed to hit him as his lip began to throb and was smug when his hand came away clean. HE was worthless?-! At least he knew how to throw a good punch! That much was obvious as he watched blood slowly trickle down from Hunter lip.

He almost smirked. Fuck yeah he got him good!

"What in the hell is wrong with all of you?-!" John shouted as he looked back and forth between them, "Someone tell me what in the hell is going!"

Randy shook his head at Hunter and neither of them said a word as they continued to glare at each other, panting, fuming, ready for another go.

"Fine, don't tell me." John hissed under his breath, "But this had better be the end of it here or I'll suspend your asses for a month! WITHOUT PAY and it will be a PERMANENT mark on your records! Understood?-!" He turned away and didn't wait for them to answer, pointing to Cody firmly, "And you, I'm sorry to push you but go with Detective Orton so he can take your statement." He looked to Randy next, "Take him out into the hall."

Randy bit back a grimace. Fuck of course John picked him to do it!

He followed as Cody walked out, silent, his arms around himself as if he were cold and he walked all the way to the end of the hallway before it turned towards a row of other tenants and stopped.

Randy just stood there behind him for a moment, trying to think of the right thing to say but knew it was useless. Fuck what could he say to him right now?

Cody would have to be the one to speak first.

And thankfully he did, "So," He sniffed softly, "What is it you wanted to ask me, Detective Orton?"

It nearly killed him as Cody addressed him because this time, he wasn't teasing. This time he wasn't being cute or trying to flirt with him.

This time…He was trying to act like he didn't know him.

"Cody…" He called gently and Cody turned as he reached out and touched his elbow. He couldn't let him suffer like this…

Their eyes met and in an instantly Cody crumbled, falling against him with a soft wail as Randy gathered him into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry…"

He shuddered as Cody pressed his face into his neck. Fuck he missed this…

Cody sniffed and cried against him, clinging to him desperately, "Oh God Randy why'd they do this? Shawn didn't do anything wrong!"

"I don't know." He whispered to him softly, squeezing tighter, "No one said a word to me about this before I left last night."

"Liar!" Cody jerked back with a cry and tore away from him instantly, "You're happy about this and you fucking know it! You knew they were going to do this!"

What the fuck NO he didn't!-! And who in the hell did Cody think he was just now?-! How dare he call him such a thing!-! He scowled hard and once again felt so fucking betrayed! "Who are you calling a liar?-! Aren't you the trick that played me into this mess?-!" He pointed his finger at himself as he spoke, "I'm a drug dealer now because of you!"

"Oh pity you Randy! You asked for this because you're just like them! You don't listen to anything I say!"

"BULLSHIT! You LIED-"

"NO I DIDN'T!-!-! Everything I told you is pretty much true and if you had been listening you'd have figured out that I was trying to warn you long before Michael sent you the video! But NO. ALL you really cared about was fucking me and never picked up a single fucking hint!"

"Bullshit!" He declared again and Cody shook his head furiously, "No! You're bullshit! I TRIED to tell you! I TRIED to warn you! You just weren't LISTENING!"

"And that's supposed to make what you did okay?-! Because I didn't read between the lines this is all my fault?-! You're unbelievable! The least you could do is take some fucking responsibilty!"

"I would," Cody spat in a bitter tone with a deep scowl, "If you hadn't been so fucking EASY."

Randy tensed and jerked his head down as he felt shame creeping up into his cheeks. Fuck he HAD been easy. So SO easy! And Cody was a bastard for rubbing it in his face!

He looked back up for a moment, scowling, "You know what? I know you're holding, Cody. So get out of here before I arrest you for possession." He just wanted him to leave and in his angry state he'd actually drag Cody into jail for the next few days just to make him suffer. Hell he'd make sure Cody's paper work got mixed up so it would delay his processing! By the time Randy was done with it Cody would have spent a good two weeks just trying to bail out!

"Fuck, I'm sorry. I didn't mean that-"

Fuck him! "Just go!" He turned away, pretending to jot something down on note pad as he struggled to keep a hold over himself before things got out of hand, "Someone will contact you for a statement at a later time, Mr Rhodes."

"Randy-"

"Go."

Cody was quiet for a few more seconds before he heard him move, "I'm really sorry." He whispered again as he hurried passed, "I miss you."

Randy cringed as his anger began to subside, almost dropping the pen in his hand. Fuck he missed him too. "Cody..." He turned around, hands shaking, his chest aching, "Wait." But he was already gone and the moment he took a step to go after him Jason's head popped out of the doorway and just as quickly the rest of him did too.

"Hey Randy...Everything okay?"

He stopped, swallowing hard, "Huh? Oh uh, yeah. Just uh...just um...uhh..." Fuck what was he supposed to be doing again? Taking his statement? He looked down at the blank page on his note pad and was still completely lost. What the fuck was he supposed to write about this again? And, how could he take a statement from Cody about Shawn when he damn well already knew who killed him?-?

"Hey I just saw Mr. Rhodes walk by, did you get his statement?" John came walking out with his question, brow arched and thankfully changing the subject. Well, sort of…

"No, sorry he was too distraught to give one and I don't feel well so I didn't really have it in me to push him." He lied convincingly while drooping his eye lids just right for emphasis, "I think I have the flu…or something." It was getting late and he was due at the casino to re-up on the product so he lied and thought of something quick, hoping John would by it.

And he did. John's eyes widened, "The flu?-! Wait a second aren't you supposed to be on vacation?-!" He took a step back, "Damn no wonder you and Hunter are going at it like that." He shook his head, "I hate to send you home because I know this is your case and I appreciate your dedication but get out of here you get the rest of us sick!" He took another step, "Hunter and I can take it from here."

He glanced around, feeling awkward with Jason and John staring at him and knew he had better not jump at the idea to go home. That would be way to suspicious if he just left without putting up a fight. "I'm fine, I can stick around for a while-"

"No way, get your ass home and in bed Orton. That's an order. Take your vacation days and get some rest."

"Captain really I'm fine-"

"Am I going to have to suspend you?" There it was! Now he didn't have a choice. "You look like hell Orton, GO HOME. Everything will be alright for a few more days and Hunter and I will bring you up to speed when you get back."

Randy nodded although he didn't appreciate being told he looked ill when he actually wasn't. He'd only been pretending and his half lidded eyes couldn't have been that convincing! But, then again he hadn't slept at all the last twenty four hours so he must have looked tired.

He wouldn't know though, it had been a while since he actually looked at himself in the mirror…Maybe he did look like hell?

"Sorry." He said with a sigh, going along with the act of being sick and rubbed his temple, "I'll get out of here."

John was already turning to head back into the apartment and waved him off as he disappeared inside; leaving Jason standing there, wide eyed and way too quiet.

"What?" He dared to ask softly, his nerves on edge. He was so afraid of what Jason might have overheard…

"Was that guy..." Jason trailed off as Randy's phone started to ring obnoxiously within his jacket, Tristan's special ring tone vibrating the leather way too loud but thankfully just in the nick of time. "Sorry, gotta take this." He excused himself, retrieving his phone and pressed it to his ear as he walked passed the blond and avoided his questioning gaze with his head low and his eyes on the floor.

Fuck that wasn't too suspicious right?-! Fucking idiot!

"Hey Tristan..." He whispered as he headed down the stairs, "Yeah I know I'm late, I'll explain when I get there. Just tell Michael I'm on my way."

*SHAWN SPEARS, NOT SHAWN MICHAELS. JUST WANTED TO CLEAR THAT UP*