A/N: Hey again everyone, thank you for reading :)

Sorry, this one took a while, huh? But, here it is now, and I hope you enjoy it. (reviews are nice too, lets me know what you guys are thinking of it.)

The title for this chapter comes from the American Idiot track, 'Give Me Novacaine'

As always... And still, I do not own the boys.

Chapter 19 - Everything Will Be Alright

With brave faces and shaky but genuine smiles, Rave and Fun Ghoul let go of each other. Rave sat back down, looking towards Party Poison again, Fun Ghoul watched as she reached out, hesitated, then finally took Party Poison's hand. He knew why she hesitated, she was scared. Scared of hurting him. Scared that if she tried to touch him, somehow he'd be taken away, she'd be proven that this wasn't real. Rave smiled slightly more as her fingers curled around his. And Fun Ghoul felt a flare of something ugly. He was surprised to find it was jealousy.

Fuck. No. Where has this come from? I'm not jealous of Rave.

He ignored it, and found he was smiling at seeing the contact Rave finally had with Party Poison. She needed that, and, though he wasn't awake to know it, he needed it too.

They fell easily into quiet conversation. Trying to keep it casual, trying not to think about Better Living, though every now and then one of them would start to say something, then stop. They knew that every time it was going be something to do with what'd happened there.

Then the calm was interrupted, from the other room they heard, "Shut the fuck up!" At the sound of Kobra Kid's voice, both Fun Ghoul and Rave turned their heads to the door. "Kid, calm down…"

"No! I will not fucking calm down, I am gonna fucking shoot him for- Give me back my fucking gun!"

Looking back to each other now, Rave and Fun Ghoul had already figured out what was going on. Rave closed her eyes, groaned, "Jimmy…"

"Rave." Fun Ghoul said, carefully. "It's ok, I'm awake now, I can watch over Poison." Rave shook her head, and Fun Ghoul noticed she squeezed Party Poison's hand slightly, she didn't want to let him go. "Ghoul, I-"

"Go." Fun Ghoul insisted. "That sounds like a two person job, stopping Kid from shooting Saint."

"You're probably right." Rave agreed. One more squeeze of Party Poison's hand, then she let go. "Kid's never gonna like Jimmy, is he?" Fun Ghoul simply replied, "He has his reasons." Though in his head, Fun Ghoul was just thinking of his reasons for hating Saint Jimmy. Thank God Kid doesn't know about that…

"You hate him too, don't you?" Slightly startled as it seemed that Rave had just read his mind, Fun Ghoul quickly recovered, "Not enough to let Kid shoot him." He said. "Now, go. I promise I'll call if Poison wakes up while you're gone." Rave smiled. "You'd better." She said, going to him and hugging him again. "And be careful with yourself too."

"As if I'd dare not."

Once Rave left the room, Fun Ghoul pushed back the covers and carefully turned so he was sitting on the edge of the bed. Testing his injured foot on the ground, he winced, opted for trying to keep his weight on the other foot. Though, of course, that leg was also injured. "Fucking Drac." Fun Ghoul muttered. Gritting his teeth, Fun Ghoul forced himself up, ignoring both sets of pain, quickly reaching out for support, the only thing close enough was the wall.

Thankfully it was hardly even a couple of steps to Party Poison's bed.

Fun Ghoul settled himself down carefully beside Party Poison. All he could do was stare at him. He couldn't stop himself from thinking about the last time they'd seen each other, before Better Living. Violence and angry words. Fun Ghoul's hand went to his jaw, it still hurt a little, but he'd forgiven Party Poison for it immediately. In an odd way he liked that he had a physical reminder of him.

And then… Better Living. The communication they'd had, without either saying a word. Something only Fun Ghoul knew about.

Or, at least… He hoped.

There was no way Fun Ghoul could ask Kobra Kid if he'd discovered anything, not without raising suspicion. Not without risking questions he just couldn't answer.

In truth he didn't want to know, but he felt like he had to.

Carefully, Fun Ghoul pulled back the covers. Unlike himself, Party Poison was almost completely undressed.

He'd had more damage done, it was easier and safer to leave him like this for now. Fun Ghoul looked him up and down. Rave had been right, there were bruises to his legs, though not many and nothing more serious.

God, he hated doing this. Felt like he was violating Party Poison some way, though that was the very last thing he was trying to do. He looked up, briefly. "I'm sorry Poison, but I…" He had to know. He had to know if there was something else he had to protect Party Poison from.

This probably won't even prove anything! What are you doing?

His hand still held the covers, clutched them tighter. Tried to make himself let go, tried to make himself carry on with what he'd decided he was going to do.

Finally, he did let go, and he sighed heavily. "I'm sorry Poison. But I can't."

Fun Ghoul was afraid, terrified of what he'd find. He couldn't make himself do it. And he tricked himself into believing that it was because he felt wrong, doing this to Party Poison whilst he was unconscious.

Carefully Fun Ghoul covered Party Poison again.

His eyes found their way to Party Poison's hand, specifically his wrist. The binds at Better Living had covered up the old marks, but Fun Ghoul couldn't forget the original damage. Saint Jimmy.

Fun Ghoul stood in a decisive motion, ready to face Saint Jimmy, to deal with him, at least. Almost immediately though, he crumpled. He couldn't walk, could barely stand right now. Feeling useless, Fun Ghoul settled back down next to Party Poison. Taking his hand up into both of his, "I should've been there. I should've come looking for you sooner, I should've stopped Saint. I shouldn't have let you drive off, knowing how mad you were. I should've…" But he knew he couldn't change any of that, not now. All he could offer was, "I'll protect you now, I promise. They're not getting near you. He's not getting near you." He'd do everything in his power to make sure of that.

Meanwhile, the scene that Rave walked into was exactly what she'd been expecting. On one side of the room was Saint Jimmy, looking calm and smug, casually leant against the wall, smirking. On the other side of the room there was Jet Star and Kobra Kid. She immediately saw that Jet Star had Kobra Kid's gun in his hand, held behind his back as he stepped further away from the ever approaching younger Killjoy. "Kid. Calm down and I'll give you back your gun."

"I am calm!" Kobra Kid replied in a way that really didn't help his case. "Now give me back my fucking gun so I can fucking-""KID!" Rave snapped, immediately gaining everyone's attention. "What the hell?" Kobra Kid narrowed his eyes, fire and hate burning, unmasked in them. "Why don't you ask him?" Even if he hadn't looked towards Saint Jimmy, Rave still would've known. Rave turned to look him now, waiting for his explanation. Saint Jimmy shrugged. "All I did was point out that the company seemed to have fun with Cherry Top."

"His name is Party Poison!" Kobra Kid snapped, turning around and striding towards Saint Jimmy, gun or no gun, apparently. "And that wasn't all. Tell her exactly what you said!" Impossibly, Saint Jimmy smirked more. "Why don't you tell her?"

"I'm not fucking repeating it." Kobra Kid snarled. Jet Star sighed, then, filling in the information the other two refused to give. "He also said that Better Living probably… Got off on what they did to Poison."

Focused back on Saint Jimmy, Rave appeared emotionless. Then she shook her head. "You're such a fucking bastard, aren't you, Jimmy?" Without giving anyone time to say anything more, Rave continued, "You do all this, you help us get Poison back, you help get the drugs out of his system and then… You just can't help yourself can you? What is it? Are you really so threatened by Poison that you have to take every dig you possibly can? Even when he's already down and can't defend himself? Do you really feel that fucking insecure around him? Does he really make you feel that fucking low-""HEY!" Saint Jimmy snapped, looking furious now. "I am not fucking threatened by your pretty little angel."

"Can I shoot him now, Rave?" Kobra Kid said. Rave held up her hand, shook her head, hoping that'd stall Kobra Kid a little longer. "You forget I know you too well, Jimmy." She said, moving closer, close enough to lean forward and whisper in his ear. "I already told you. He is not interested."

"That's what you think, sweetheart." Saint Jimmy purred.

Rave slapped him. "That's enough, Jimmy." She snapped. Then, calmer, sounding almost regretful, "You were just starting to show your good side, don't throw that away for a few cheap shots." Though Saint Jimmy tried to retain his smirk, it faltered slightly. "Jet." Rave said, turning away from Saint Jimmy, "Give Kid his gun back. And Kid, don't shoot Jimmy, ok?" As Jet Star handed his gun back, Kobra Kid muttered something that Rave decided was him agreeing. "I'm going back to Poison." Rave announced, wearily. At that, Kobra Kid seemed to completely change, the anger disappeared, replaced with an open anxiety. "Rave, how is-? How was-?""Still unconscious, Ghoul's awake now though, he's watching over Poison."

"Can I-?" Rave nodded before Kobra Kid could finish. "Go ahead Kid, I'm sorry, I was being selfish." Kobra Kid left quickly.

As Fun Ghoul heard the door open, he quickly let go of Party Poison's hand. He turned his head (though careful not to twist his body) just as Kobra Kid walked inside. He looked slightly surprised to see Fun Ghoul sitting on his brothers bed, but when he spoke it was just to say, "How is he?" Fun Ghoul tried a smile, "The same." Kobra Kid nodded, coming over, he took the chair Rave had occupied earlier. "And… You?" Kobra Kid asked, awkwardly. Fun Ghoul looked up at him. "I'm fine." He said. "It's ok to say you're not, Ghoul."

"I'm fine." Fun Ghoul repeated. Knowing he wasn't getting another answer, Kobra Kid moved on, "Must've hurt though, moving over onto Poison's bed… Why-?""I thought he was about to wake up." Fun Ghoul lied, quickly. And it was obvious Kobra Kid didn't believe him. "I meant to ask Rave" Fun Ghoul cut in again, before Kobra Kid could say anything, "you finished looking over Poison, didn't you?" Kobra Kid nodded. "Did, uh… Was there… Anything?" Fun Ghoul asked, cringing to himself at how awkward that sounded. Kobra Kid apparently didn't notice, just shook his head. "A few more bruises. That's it. Seems they hadn't really got started there yet." He was trying to sound off hand about it, but, naturally, he was failing. And Fun Ghoul found himself wondering why he'd asked the question, the answer didn't make him feel any better. It was nothing he didn't already know, and it was possible it didn't rule anything out.

What if he did notice something, but he doesn't want to mention it? What if he's doing the same thing I am?

Or, the other possibility,

Just because there were no obvious signs doesn't mean nothing happened.

He just wished Party Poison would wake up, tell him everything was alright. But, it wasn't anyway, even if… That hadn't happened. So much else had. Fun Ghoul felt selfish for wanting to be assured, comforted, when he was the one who should be giving that to Party Poison. And he would… Just as soon as Party Poison woke up.

He'd got so wrapped up, he'd almost forgotten about Kobra Kid. "Ghoul." He said, almost hesitantly. "How does Saint know my brothers real name?" Fun Ghoul sighed. He'd known this question would come up again, as much as he'd hoped it wouldn't. Damn Saint fucking Jimmy and his fucking cockiness… Instead of answering, Fun Ghoul shook his head. "Tell me Ghoul!" Kobra Kid snapped. "I know you know!" Fun Ghoul closed his eyes, tight. Why was he making this so difficult? But it wasn't Kobra Kid's fault. Of course he wanted to know. It's his brother. And Fun Ghoul wanted to tell him. He should know what happened. But… What would that do to him? On top of everything else? What would that do to him if he knew Saint Jimmy had-

And, of course, the real thing that was stopping him. Scared, pleading eyes, closed as he said, "Tell no one." A hesitation. "Please."

"Kid. I can't. I won't. Stop asking me, please." Kobra Kid scowled, angry and frustrated with Fun Ghoul for keeping this from him. "It was you, wasn't it? You told him-"

"No!" Fun Ghoul said. "Kid, I didn't. I would never betray Poison like that! And I don't believe you think I would." It hurt that he'd even thought it. And Kobra Kid hung his head, the anger gone, though the frustration wasn't. "I know." He said, quietly. He looked up again, looking at Fun Ghoul, almost pointedly not looking at Party Poison. "I'm sorry. I don't think that. I just… Ghoul…" He closed his eyes briefly, a hand pushed back through his hair, a gesture oddly reminiscent of Party Poison. "I'm so worried about him." Kobra Kid said. "So much has happened to Poison and… There's so much I don't know, that I don't understand. I'm scared, scared for him and… The fact that he knows Poison's real name? I just… I'm finding it kinda hard to deal with." A laugh at the end of that sentence, hint of hysteria. "I know." Fun Ghoul said, gently. "This is killing me too. And I know this must be harder for you. I love him like a brother." Liar His brain screamed at him. Liar, liar! It was never 'brotherly love' and you fucking know it! "But he is your brother." Fun Ghoul continued, like those thoughts hadn't entered his head. "I can only imagine how difficult this is for you." Kobra Kid's head was bowed again, but he nodded. Appreciative of the sympathy. He looked up again, the pleading in his eyes almost painful. "Please, Ghoul. Just tell me." And again, Fun Ghoul shook his head. "I can't. I'm sorry."

And, finally, Kobra Kid looked over at Party Poison. Fuck, this hurt. Not knowing, not being able to help more. He'd felt useful, focused when he and Rave had been working on Party Poison, patching him up, helping him heal. Kobra Kid closed his eyes as he remembered Party Poisons scream when Saint Jimmy had forced the drugs out of his system. He'd seen his brother in all kinds of pain throughout their lives, but that scream… He'd never heard anything like that before. It echoed inside his head, he knew it'd haunt him for a long time. And… Saint Jimmy. Rave hadn't told him Party Poison's real name, Fun Ghoul hadn't, he knew Jet Star hadn't and he certainly hadn't. That only left one possibility…

Still staring down at his brothers calm but far too pale face, Kobra Kid found himself confronting the truth.

It was Party Poison who'd told Saint Jimmy.

"Why did he do it?" Kobra Kid said, not to Fun Ghoul, who had to look away now, knowing that Kobra Kid had at least partly figured it out. "What could've made him…?" Kobra Kid trailed off, he didn't want to think about it. Knowing it had to be something… Awful, to make Party Poison admit that. They kept their real names so tightly secret. Even he hadn't said his brothers name in years. Kobra Kid slipped off the chair, onto his knees beside the bed, and, leaning as close as possible to Party Poison without touching him, Kobra Kid buried his head on his arms, wanting to get away from everything, but wanting to be close to his brother.

Fun Ghoul watched him, his heart aching painfully. He reached out slightly, placed a hand on Kobra Kid's back. "I wish I could make this better." Fun Ghoul told him, gently. Kobra Kid was shaking, and his voice came out jagged, "Get him to wake up, get him to wake the fuck up, now!"

It should've been a simple request, and is was one Fun Ghoul would give anything to oblige.