A/N: We actually have up to 20-something chapters, raw and unedited, saved. However, one of us is starting school this week and we've got our hands full with our kids. Updates will be slow. We are also in the process of polishing this up a bit and seeing if we can use it as inspo for a book we are writing together, since it goes way off the rails in terms of drama and characterization a little later on. Anyway, please enjoy what we've got, or if you don't enjoy it, go read something else! Cheers!

xoxo

Chapter 10: 306

Greg had just spent some time with his dad, giving him a good-natured ribbing about how he should be staying healthy, not smoking so much constantly. They had bantered and joked a while before his dad had kicked him out, telling him to go home and take care of himself for a while. He paused as he was coming out of his father's room when he saw someone vaguely familiar coming out of a room next door. He nodded slightly at the other man. "Trent?"

Trent turned instinctively at the sound of his name. He couldn't remember having met this man, but he knew Greg had been involved with Rebecca.

"You must be Greg," he said warmly. "I've heard so much about you." He left out that what he had heard was via video/audio surveillance. He made a mental note to remove the bugs he had planted round the house, sometime when Rebecca wasn't around.

He reached out to shake Greg's hand, and then realized he was still wearing the gloves. He quickly removed them and tossed them in the bin.

Greg's eyes went to Trent's hand, extended for him to shake, and noticed the gloves. But that wasn't all that he noticed. His eyes furrowed a little, but he took Trent's hand with a small smile when he had removed the gloves. "Yeah, that's me. Nice to meet you." He chose not to mention they actually had met, about three years ago.

His eyes flitted to the room Trent had just come out of and back to him. "Visiting a friend?" he asked innocently.

"Somebody's friend. Not mine," Trent replied cheerfully. "You?"

"Visiting my dad." He slid his hands into his pockets. "Emphysema... he seems to be doing better today, though." This was awkward; this man gave off some weird vibes. He wasn't sure what to think. "How's things with Rebecca?" he asked curiously. As angry as she might still be with him, he did still care, in that weird way of his.

Trent shifted uncomfortably. "... We had an awkward date," he said. Best to keep things simple. "I don't really want to think about it. No offense, but sometimes I seriously question her taste from before we got together." He shot a nasty look at the room he'd just departed.

Greg chuckled and ignored the slight barb, not really knowing for sure if it was aimed at him. "Yeah, well, she doesn't always make the best choices, to be honest. She seems happy now though, so that's good." He was big enough to know when to bow out. Rebecca wasn't his anymore and he had no intention of getting in this hulking man's way. He looked at his watch and sighed. "Well, was good seeing you, take care." he said.

"You, too. I hope Marco makes a speedy recovery." Trent waved goodbye. This one, he didn't mind too much. On his way out, Trent stopped by the nurse's station to let them know he was leaving and that his "friend" seemed in distress and could use some more medication. Then he stopped by billing and administration and requested to anonymously cover the cost of Marco Serrano's medications and any other intervention he might need, as a favor to Greg.

Greg headed down the hall, ducking into a room as he turned a corner. Trent was up to something. Something didn't feel right. He waited until he was sure Trent had left before heading back down the hallway. He paused a moment before he opened the door and entered the room. What he walked in on was not something he had expected. His eyes furrowed in worry. What was going on!?

Nathaniel didn't need drugs. He didn't want drugs! But he kicked up such a fuss about it that the nurses ended up sedating him anyway. He was well known for being the world's worst patient, so the nurses also paid him no mind when he demanded the flowers be taken away.

"They're so pretty, and they brighten up the room so nicely," the nurse cooed. "You just relax and let us take care of you, hun."

As Greg left the hospital, he pulled out his phone and sighed. Rebecca might know what's going on! He didn't know if she would pick up, so he put it back in his pocket and got in his car and drove to her house.

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Rebecca felt better than she had since she had gotten home and everything had fallen apart. Paula had cheered her up in such a short time, and she was so glad to have her for a friend. But she was not expecting the knock that came on her door; she turned to look at Paula, who shrugged. She went to answer the door and was surprised to see Greg there.

"GREG!?" What exactly was happening now? "What are you doing here?"

Greg walked into the room, saw Paula there, and paused. "I... I need to talk to you. About Trent," he said, his eyes flashing. "I just came from the hospital... Trent was just leaving Nathaniel's room." He paced and turned a bit, looking back at Rebecca and running his fingers through his hair.

"He did... WHAT?" Rebecca's eyes all but bugged out of her head. "Are—are you sure?"

"Positive. Nathaniel was a mess when I walked in... and Trent, as he was leaving, was wearing gloves that had something on them..." He sighed and bit his lip. "Do you have any idea what is going on?"

"No!" Rebecca shook her head, then looked back at Paula and shook her head again. "No... I know what you're thinking… ok, no!" she exclaimed as panic and anger flooded her. What the HELL was Greg talking about!?

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Nathaniel was indeed a mess. In his drugged-up state, all he could do was stare up at the ceiling and try to process what had just happened.

Greg had come in to see him. Nathaniel knew he looked like shit— sweaty, flushed, his lips chapped and swollen from him trying to rub the memory of Trent and the taste of himself off. Greg had asked him what was wrong, and he had immediately turned his head the other way and thrown up on the floor. The flowers on the table taunted him with their bright pinkness, looking innocent and cheery, but actually one of the deadliest plants. A perfect metaphor for Trent.

Why hadn't he stopped Trent the second he woke up and realized what was going on? For one, he had been paralyzed with fear. Who knew how Trent would have reacted, whether he would have found some way to murder Nathaniel if he said no?

But then, why did he stop him when he had? He could accept a hand job, even a blow job, but a kiss was too much? He'd even started to kiss Trent back before realizing what he was doing and pulling away. God, that man had some serious fucking issues. Why didn't he just resolve things with Rebecca if they were so in love? Pound all the bad feelings out? It was what Nathaniel would have done. It was what Nathaniel HAD done, with her, many times.

This entire situation was insane. The only reason he could imagine for Trent to be here bitching at him about ruining their date would be if he'd tried to have sex with Rebecca, hadn't finished, and decided he wanted Nathaniel to join them or something ridiculous like that. But that was...

... No... NO! No way in Hell. For one, he knew that even if Rebecca liked the idea of two men, she would never share the man she was actually with. For another thing, she had made it abundantly clear that she never wanted him, Nathaniel, to touch her again. This was just another sick power trip. Nathaniel finally had something concrete on Trent— he'd put him in the hospital, then raped him, cheating on his girlfriend in the process— but he couldn't tell anyone on pain of death! This was the most maddening situation he had ever been in.

Although, it was also kind of exciting, in a certain light...

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The bus ride home gave Trent some time to think. He liked Greg, but Greg wasn't nearly as stupid as Josh. No doubt he'd noticed Trent's slip-up with the gloves. How would he ever explain that? Well, at least he knew Nathaniel couldn't confirm anything, not if he valued his life.

But what if he didn't value his life? Trent had sensed something about Nathaniel, something that spoke of hidden, dark desires. He sensed Nathaniel's self-preservation only went so far, and that was intriguing, as was the fact that Nathaniel had let him go as far as he had. The fact that his limit was being kissed suggested to Trent that he felt like he deserved to be punished, but not to be loved. Trent could relate, to a degree, but he usually tried to push back those feelings to continue to pursue what he wanted. His optimistic demeanor was the polar opposite of Nathaniel's pessimistic one. Well, good, then, Nathaniel did deserve punishment, Trent thought.

On the other hand, he, Trent, had been careless, he kept chastising himself. He had really messed up. If Rebecca ever found out about this... God, he was a fool. He had disappointed the one woman he had ever loved, and even if she said she wasn't leaving him, it was only a matter ...of...

Why was Paula's car in Rebecca's parking lot? And why was Greg's car on the street?

Crap. He knew what he was going to walk into. He was tempted to turn and run, but he already missed Rebecca too much, missed her husky, sexy voice, the sweet smell of her skin, the warmth of her hand in his... He should at least go in and find as much enjoyment in being near her as he could before she sent him packing.

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Rebecca was trying to keep from losing her mind, wondering what the hell was going on, trying to wrap her mind around the fact that Greg was here in the first place, let alone what he had said. Paula looked like she was going to be sick and angry both, when they all heard the door open and, as one, turned to look at Trent as he came into the room.

Greg's eyes narrowed slightly and his back stiffened, but he didn't say anything. This wasn't his business. He still cared for Rebecca as a friend and wasn't sure what was going to happen.

Paula, sensing the tension and knowing this had nothing to do with her, for once not being nosy, stood and threw Rebecca a look. "Well, I'm out of here. Call me later, kay? Bye!" She headed to the door and, grabbing Greg's arm tightly, dragged him with her.

"Trent," she said civilly as they both left.

At the slam of the door, they were alone. Rebecca just stood there, looking at the man she loved above all else with a confused, guarded, unreadable expression. She was waiting to see what he had to say before reacting, for once trying to think out her emotions before just giving in to them.

"Trent?" Her voice was soft, her eyes furrowed. "What did you do? What happened? Did—did you go to see Nathaniel?" she asked, biting her lip, not wanting to hear the answer.

Trent initially froze, then made a beeline for the bathroom, not even acknowledging Paula, or any of Rebecca's questions. He locked himself in the bathroom and, without thinking about it, ran the shower. He didn't get in at first, but he did brush his teeth about five times in a row and rinsed with mouthwash after every time.

Blinking as Trent all but ran past her, ignoring her it seemed, Rebecca was all set to follow him when she heard the door lock! What the fuck!? That was so not like him! Trent never ignored her, EVER! That angered her like nothing had ever angered her before, not even her fight with Nathaniel! Shaking with barely contained rage—at Trent, at Greg, at Paula, Nathaniel, at this ENTIRE situation and EVERYONE and EVERYTHING—she turned on her heel and walked to her room where she slammed the door, so hard the wall shook. She took deep breaths to try and settle herself, because she felt her body burning unpleasantly, then walked over and sat on her bed.

Trent stared at the mirror, stared, hollow-eyed, through his reflection. Then, he slowly peeled off his clothes... and stepped under the hot water, intending to take a full shower alone for the first time since he was a child.

Head in her hands, Rebecca tried to count to a hundred, but she didn't even get to ten before she stood, grabbed the first thing she made contact with, which happened to be a glass figurine, and THREW it at the wall with a scream of frustration and panic!

Trent heard something hit the wall and instinctively ducked down, covering his head, but his ankle turned, and he landed hard on his rear. He cried out in pain, and then just started openly sobbing and cursing. He was done for! He was never coming out. He would rather drown again or freeze to death than face Rebecca's wrath.

Rebecca had never felt like this, ever! She felt as if she couldn't breathe! Was she hyperventilating? Oh Gods, what was happening!? This wasn't the way things were supposed to go between them at all! When did it go all screwy? Sure, she knew Trent had some issues to work out, but she didn't even want to think about what him visiting Nathaniel meant, what he could possibly have done. It scared her! She would never fear Trent, but she didn't know what he was thinking. He had acted on his own, after he'd promised to always be honest with her! That pissed her off so much right now!

Whatever happened, she would find out, but for right now, the fact that he had avoided her, had locked her out, infuriated her and added to her worries about this whole situation. Breathing hard, she laid back on her bed, but not before cracking her door open a bit, signaling it was safe to enter as she waited for Trent.

Trent stayed under the water long after it had run cold and he had cleaned every part of his body three times. Eventually his energy was spent and he just collapsed in the tub, with the water still running.

Hearing the loud thumping sound drew Rebecca out of her sorrow. Her eyes furrowed as she stood and walked towards the bathroom. Trent had been in the bathroom for a really long time, and he hated showers and baths. Pressing her ear to the door, she blinked when she heard sobs coming from the other side.

"Trent?!" She tried the handle, and of course, she forgot he had locked it. "Trent! Are you alright?"

Not hearing any reply save for the man's sobs, she wiggled the handle again and sighed. "Dammit!" She rushed back to her room, grabbed up her phone, and hit Paula's number.

Paula actually hadn't left the complex yet and was busy arguing with Greg—a circular argument that had gone on for hours—when her phone buzzed. She answered it and heard Rebecca's voice but didn't fully understand her words. "What... you want me to what? Rebecca, slow down!"

"I need you to come back and pick the bathroom door lock... and then leave. Please don't ask me to explain! Just... PLEASE!"

"Ok, ok, I haven't even left yet. I'll be right there!" Paula hung up, gave Greg a 'stay here' look, and dashed off to help her friend. She didn't even knock, but went right into Rebecca's apartment and gave her a look. She strode over to the bathroom door and, working her magic, had the door unlocked in seconds. She turned, nodded at her friend, and walked back out as if this was perfectly natural.

Rebecca mouthed 'Thank you!' as Paula left. She shoved open the bathroom door and went into the room, shutting it behind her. The room was still steamy, but she could tell the water had run cold by now as the fog had dissipated within the room. She strode over to the shower and paused.

Wait... Trent was in the shower!? She opened the door and nearly had a heart attack! Trent was basically curled in a ball on the bottom of her shower, unmoving.

Without even minding the water, nor the fact that she was still dressed, she leaned over and reached for him. "TRENT!" Her voice carried concern, love, and above all, fear that he had hurt himself. "Baby! No... No, baby... look at me..." She climbed in with him, wrapping herself around him as she held him. "Trent... please..."

Trent was dreaming again. Dreaming of being held, of being loved again. It was raining, and he was so cold... His eyes fluttered open for a moment, but then closed again. His ear, which had been pressed to the bathtub floor as the water rose, was throbbing painfully.

Feeling panic rise in her once more, she reached back and turned the water off, not caring that now she was entirely drenched. She reached for a towel off the rack nearby, wrapped it as best she could around Trent's body, and began trying to dry him off a little, hoping the motion would get him to respond, at least. "Trent, please don't do this. I'm here, baby. I love you, please don't shut me out. Don't leave me, you... you promised." She didn't know what else to do but stay by him and profess her love for him. She hoped, somehow, he heard her. "Please, Trent, please, I love you..." Her voice broke; she felt so helpless. She leaned over him to softly kiss his cheek as she threaded her fingers lightly through his hair. Her tears fell freely now, and she didn't care.

Trent slowly started to wake up. His brain had processed a few things while he was out, and he felt a lot calmer. He heard Rebecca calling for him and tried to answer back, but it came out as a gurgle. He did flinch away instinctively when she touched his hair next to his hurt ear.

"Ow."

Seeing he was coming round, Rebecca felt that panic within her begin to dull somewhat. Noticing his flinch, she knew right away what was wrong with his ear, but she hadn't noticed his ankle till she moved so he could settle better against her. "What am I going to do with you, Babe?" she asked gently and playfully, then kissed his forehead. "You're hurt. We have to get you to the hospital. Can you stand?" She took one of his massive hands into hers and gave a little reassuring squeeze. "Lean on me if you need to. I am little, but I am strong." She giggled faintly, noting the still 'out of it' look he gave her. "Come on, love, let's get you out of here."

Trent let her lead him out of the tub. His ankle hurt, so he tried to avoid using that foot as much as possible, and he leaned on her. She was so good, so sweet. Even after what he'd done...

Rebecca helped Trent back to his room and sat on the bed. Hoping he wouldn't mind, just this once, she opened his dressers and found him a shirt, underpants, and a pair of jeans for him to change into. Setting his shoes by his bed, she smirked a little at him, encouragingly, and nodded. "Let me know when you are ready, Love." She leaned down, placed a soft, gentle kiss to his lips, and nuzzled him slightly, before turning and leaving him to dress.

Settling against the wall, nearest his door, she pulled out her phone and texted Paula. All is well. Taking Trent to hospital. Possible ear infection and he hurt his ankle. Thanks for your help. Love you!

It took what felt like all of five seconds for Paula to text back. Still here. Greg is being... well... Greg. Going with you. Will follow in own car. Hope you both are alright. Love you too.

Rebecca sighed and shook her head. There really was no need for them to come, but knowing Paula and Greg, there was no way to convince them otherwise. Great!

Trent got ready as quickly as he could and then met Rebecca at the door. He didn't like the idea of going back to the hospital, but he knew it was necessary. He also didn't like Paula and Greg tailing them, but there wasn't anything he could do about that. They were concerned about their friend, and he couldn't blame them. He had been a rotten boyfriend today.

He sighed as he looked out the car window, lost in his thoughts. He hoped Nathaniel would be gone by the time he got there, otherwise things were sure to be awkward.

Unfortunately for him, Nathaniel was being discharged at the same time he was admitted...