Dax arrives at the hospital with the rest of the AEW roster. He tries to sit but can't stop fidgeting in his seat, so he stands up and starts to pace. That is the only way to calm his anxiety right now.
"Dawson? Hey," Hunter calls. Dax doesn't lift his head, doesn't even register what his former boss has just said. He is too focused on what exactly he is going to see when the two people he cares about the most in this world come through those doors. "Hey! Harwood!" Dax is suddenly thrust from his thoughts, and he looks up. "What's going through your mind right now?"
"DeMott…seeing that video, Hangman was hurt pretty bad," Dax says. "Like…part of me feels guilty for worrying about Hangman, but I know that Cash can take care of himself."
"Well, you shouldn't feel guilty for feeling for someone you care about," Hunter says. "It is obvious that you care about this guy. From what I've heard, he seems like a real good guy."
"He is," Dax says. "Thanks, Hunter, I appreciate it."
"Hey, you are family," Hunter says. "Forever." Dax looks up when he sees Daniel arguing with his brother, Alex Shelley. Hunter takes this time to look around. This hospital was smaller than he was used to. Not like a small-town rural hospital but not a large hospital either. He knows that they were ushered back to where the ambulances come in, so there is a large nurse's station in front of him. He can hear the nurses speaking.
"How many traumas?" The head nurse, who was sitting at the computer asked.
"I don't know, I am going to say five? I do know that one of them is heading to surgery right away. The surgeon was given pictures of the injuries and believes the breaks are so severe that they can't waste much time accessing him. Or else he'd lose the function of his hand. There is another that they believe might have a broken orbital bone. They can't be for sure though; said he was extremely resistant to touch. They didn't want to push him or the person he was with."
"Okay, what about the others?" The head nurse asks. She waits for a few seconds for an answer. She sighs looking at the nurse, who is leaning over a radio. "Pam? The others?"
"Right, sorry. One is going to need multiple stitches. Two others have burns of some sort. The others are fine but are coming here to have evidence collected," Pam says. Hunter is pulled from the conversation when he hears sirens.
"Ladies and gents, please, we ask that you let the doctors and nurses' work. We understand that you want to see your lovers and friends but helping them is our first priority," The head nurse states. "If you need anything please let me or Pam know."
"What's your name?" Hunter asks.
"My name is Laurie,"
"Thank you, Laurie," Hunter says. Kenny, Nick, and Matt are waiting nervously by the door. "I guess some of the guys are heading back to the police station."
"Who?" Matt asks.
"Guevara, Max, Cole, Roderick, O'Reilly, Hawkins, and Spears," Hunter responds. "Those are the ones that aren't injured and may have more information about the kidnappers."
"Makes sense as to why their families left," Nick says. He steps back from the door when he hears the EMT's approaching.
"Mr. Cassidy, sir, I understand that you want to stay with him, but I do think you need to be checked out as well," The EMT says.
"Can I at least just wait until Chuck is here with him, make sure he isn't going to be alone?" Orange asks.
"Liam, let him stay for just a few more minutes, you heard what they've been through," The EMT says to his partner.
"Okay, but just until his other lover comes," Liam answers back. Trent tries to sit up but gets dizzy and falls back. Orange notices that his hand is shaking so he takes it in his holding it close. Chuck runs up, hugging Orange tightly.
"I am never going to let you be alone after this, you know that right? Neither of you go anywhere alone from now on," Chuck says. Trent just smiles, tears glistening in his eyes.
"I missed you," Trent says.
"I missed you too," Chuck says. Trent can sense that Chuck is hesitant to touch him, so he reaches his hand out and grabs his hand.
"Can you stay with him? I got to get checked out," Orange says. "Shouldn't take long, I'll be back as soon as I'm done." Trent just nods squeezing Orange's hand. Orange reluctantly let go of his hand following the nurse back to where he needed to go. He nearly jumped out of his skin when his brother seemed to come out of nowhere or maybe he just wasn't paying attention.
"Don't want you to be alone, either" Cesaro says. Orange just smiles at him. He looks back to see Trent being rolled away, Chuck right beside him.
"Okay, so, do you go by Greg or Trent?" the nurse asks.
"Trent," Trent answers.
"Okay, Trent, my name is June, I am a SANE examiner," June says. "I'm here to document any and all crimes. I…I understand that you were sexually assaulted?"
"I…yes," Trent answers.
"I am just going to ask you to take off your clothes and hand them over to me, we will have to take pictures of your wounds and then we'll get you a gown," June explains. "Were you wearing these clothes before you were assaulted?"
"No, I don't think so?" Trent says. "Honestly everything that happened after the…the brand is a blur. I have a history of dissociation during traumatic or stressful moments."
"Ma'am, may I stay with him for the exam?" Chuck asks.
"As long as it is okay with Trent," June answers.
"I would be more comfortable if he stayed," Trent says as he struggles to unbutton his shirt. It takes almost everything in Chuck to not run over and help him, to comfort him.
"Is there anything that can help you stay grounded? I can put on some music, I can get you something to hold, just let me know," June says, as she puts the swabs, comb, and evidence bags on the table.
"I will listen to Taylor Swift, but her more upbeat songs rather than her ballads," Trent answers. Chuck leans against the wall, his fist balled at his side when he sees the bruises and welts obvious on his lover's chest and stomach. Trent was taking his time taking his pants off. "Hey, Dustin, can you go wait for JC?" Chuck looks up and nods. He exits the room wiping his face. He hears his coworker greet someone.
"Cash! Page? Fuck, he looks terrible," Harwood says, nervously.
"He looked a lot worse at the beginning, we tried to keep the swelling down," Cash answers.
"Are you okay?" Harwood asks. Cash gulps avoiding eye contact with Harwood. "Cash, are you okay?"
"I…fucking DeMott," Cash says. Harwood's face drops and he puts his hand on Cash's shoulder. "He just ambushed me. I was sleeping and I felt the blanket pulled off. I should have been more vigilant, more…"
"No, Cash, you stop right there," Harwood says. "No one is to blame except DeMott. He's the one that kidnapped you, beat you up."
"He tried more than that," Cash mumbles. He didn't think that Dax was able to hear it, but when he looked up, he could see the anger in his eyes. They both don't have time to respond to it because their attention goes to the man groaning on the stretcher.
"Hey, Adam," Harwood says softly touching Page's shoulder.
"Dax?" Page calls.
"Yeah, I'm…I'm here," Harwood says, trying to swallow down the tears welling up in his eyes.
"Alright, Mr. Page, the doctor believes the first course of action would be to get a CT scan," The nurse says. "Are you hurt as well, sir?"
"No, my injuries have healed thanks to Silas," Cash answers. "Can we stay with him?"
"You will have to stay outside in the hallway when he is getting his CT scan but yes, you may accompany us. My name is Katherine. Do you know if he has symptoms of concussion?"
"No, I saw him right after and stayed with him for a while and didn't see any signs of that," Cash says. Cash looks behind him when he hears his friend and coworker start yelling.
"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Marko screams, putting his arms out in front of him. Aleister sighs, Buddy clinging to his side.
"Give him a moment, please," Aleister asks the medical staff in front of him. "Marko? No one here is going to hurt you. Hey, look at me." Marko sniffles looking up at Aleister. Aleister smiles. "These people know what they are doing, they do it every single day. They will take it one step at a time, as slowly as you need them to, and most importantly they will stop when you say to stop. And look who is here." Marko looks at him confused, Aleister points to Marko's lovers.
"Thank you, Mr., I mean Aleister," Marko says before turning to run into Austin's arms.
"Alright, Buddy, you ready?" Aleister asks.
"You'll stay?" Buddy asks.
"If I can, of course, I will," Aleister says. He looks down to see that his hands are shaking. He wasn't sure if it was due to his own emotions or Buddy's or maybe a mix of both.
"Hi there, my name is Maggie, can I ask if any of you have any injuries?"
"Murph has some open wounds on his back," Aleister states.
"And you, sir?" Maggie asks.
"I'm fine, just a few cuts and bruises that I took care of," Aleister responds.
"Alright, well if you could just follow me, I'll get you all taken care of," Maggie says. "I imagine you want to stay with him, sir?"
"If I could. Please address me as Aleister," Aleister says. He looks up to see Zelina rush toward him wrapping him in a tight hug. Aleister starts to walk down the hallway, Buddy underneath his left arm, his right hand in the grasp of his wife. "Murph, you want Zelina to join or would you rather she stays out here?"
"I…uh…well…I don't know," Buddy answers nervously.
"I don't mind either way, Buddy," Zelina tells him. "Whatever makes you most comfortable."
"Okay, then no, I'd rather she not be in the room," Buddy answers.
"We shouldn't be long, if my phone goes off tell them I'm busy and will get back to them," Aleister says.
"You expecting a call?" Zelina asks.
"I have become somewhat of the leader," Aleister says. "I told them to keep me updated on things that were happening at the station. Max seemed the most anxious out of all of them, but I feel like Cole would be the one to text." Zelina just nods watching the two men walk into the room. She looks over to the door, hearing Candice crying. It didn't look like Johnny was conscious.
"32-year-old male, multiple broken bones. The others at the estate set his shoulder but couldn't or didn't know what to do about his elbow. He has some obvious infection going on. His feet are also injured but it is not as severe as his hands and elbow." The EMT says.
"We got a head trauma here," The EMT behind him says.
"Get off my damn back, will you?" Silver shouts.
"I'm sorry, John, but I was told to stay with you until someone could keep an eye on you, so no, I can't get off your back," Heath says.
"Has he been giving you guys a hard time?" Stu asks. Silver sighs, crossing his arms. "What happened to your leg?!"
"I…I kicked down a door trying to get to Trevor here. We were neighbors who shared a bathroom. We grew close," Silver states. Kaz and Daniels run up to him hugging him tightly.
"I am so sorry," Daniels says.
"I'll see you later, John," Heath says. "Don't give the doctors a hard time."
"No promises," Silver teases. "How is everyone else? Is Janela, okay? Brandon?"
"Brandon is stable, but the bleach might have affected his eyesight," Kaz says.
Meanwhile, at the police station, Donovan is sitting in the interrogation room. He was terrified, what if the police changed their mind? What if after all he is getting arrested? He doesn't think he can handle jail. He hears the door open, and he sighs in relief to see his father enter. Shane was more of a father than Cornette.
"Hey, Bud," Shane says.
"I'm so sorry," Donovan says burying his face in his hands.
"You know that this isn't your fault, do not think for a second that we blame you, that anyone blames you," Shane says. Ethan opens the door rushing over to Donovan hugging him tightly.
"How is everyone else? Max?" Donovan asks.
"He's alright. They had to kick out Cena and Punk, they were causing problems," Ethan states.
Max sighs biting his fingernail until he feels a hand on his. He looked up expecting Shawn or Cody, but he was wrong. It was Sammy's hand.
"Darbs, sit down," Sammy says.
"Those guys are still out there," Darby says. "They didn't catch one. Not even Silas was caught. What happens if they want more? What happens if somehow, they get their hands on other people next time? If I see…"
"Darby! Stop, hey, look at me," Sammy says. Darby stops pacing and turns to look at Sammy. "I'm here. We are here. We are okay."
"Are you?" Darby asks. "Are you really, okay? You were forced to have sex with someone, Sammy."
"It wasn't so bad," Sammy says. "We will figure it out, I promise."
"Sorry about that," Jericho says, opening the door for the officer and Orton and Cabana. "Cody thought it best to stay with Shawn. Too many people in here anyways."
"Okay, my name is Detective Navarro, I'm here to ask you a few questions," Detective Navarro states. "First things first, we need to let you know that the video that was filmed was uploaded onto the internet. We are trying our best to get it removed but we don't know how many people may have downloaded it."
"It…it's on the internet?" Sammy asks.
"Unfortunately, yes," Detective Navarro states. Sammy clamps his hand over his mouth leaning forward. "Hey, we are doing everything in our power to get this taken down."
"Do we know why they wanted me in the first place?" Max asks. Colt sighs looking down. How was he supposed to explain this to him? "What? Dad?" Colt and Orton start whispering to each other.
"It was your Grandpa Foley," Orton tells him. "He refused to help them kidnap Cole but said he would remain silent. Russo took that as a betrayal and wanted to get back at him."
"Where is he now?" Max asks.
"We don't know," Colt answers. "I think he might have run, but nobody can get a hold of him."
"He could get in trouble if he returned?" Max asks.
"He'd be charged with interfering with an open investigation," Detective Navarro answers. Max just nods, squeezing Sammy's hand for comfort. Darby puts his hand on Max's shoulder comfortingly.
"Can…can I maybe have a minute?" Max asks. Detective Navarro nods, walking out of the room. Cabana opens the door waiting for Orton, he could see the reluctance in the man. "I'm fine, Dad, go." Orton just nods, walking out the door. Jericho is about to exit as well. "No! Stay, Chris, please?" Jericho comes over to Max leaning in front of him. Sammy is on his right, Darby on his left, something felt right about this. His mouth suddenly dried, and his throat seemed to be closing up. He chokes out a sob. Jericho looks at his two lovers worriedly, unsure of what to do.
"Max?" Darby calls worryingly.
"I'm sorry," Max says, sniffling. "I shouldn't be feeling like this, I shouldn't…I have lovers. But that moment up on the roof with you Darby, being in your arms Sammy, the way you comforted me and cared for me."
"Max…" Sammy says. Max was properly crying now.
"Just tell me that it is wrong! Tell me I'm wrong!" Max shouts.
"I can't," Sammy says. "Because that would be a lie, Max. And I don't want to lie to you."
"What are we going to do?" Max asks. Darby sighs but leans down kissing Max on the cheek.
"If Cody and Shawn really love you, they will understand," Darby whispers. "We will be here either way."
"Thank you," Max says. Max sniffles resting his head on Sammy's shoulder. Sammy just wraps his arms around him, cradling his head. Shawn clears his throat at the door, Cody standing behind him peeking over his shoulder. Jericho turns to look at them.
"How long have you been standing there?" Jericho asks.
"Not long," Shawn states. "Can we come in?"
"Sure," Max mumbles.
"Listen, Max…" Shawn starts to say.
"I'm sorry," Max says.
"What? No, hey, no why are you apologizing for something that wasn't your fault?" Cody asks. Max just shrugs. "Did you want to have sex?"
"No! Not at all!" Max shrieks.
"I had to," Sammy says. "If you were to blame anyone, blame me."
"No, fuck that! I blame only DeMott, okay?!" Cody shouts. He sighs sitting in front of Sammy who just looks away. "No, Sammy, look at me. If it helps, talk to me, how did it happen, what do you mean you had to?"
"He was going to hurt him," Sammy says. "That was his intentions at first. But I…I never thought that this was an option. I just thought I would be taking his place, you know? Better me be touched then him."
"You were willing to be raped instead of him?" Shawn asks. Sammy just nods solemnly. Jericho stands putting his hand on Darby's arm, stopping him from hitting the wall.
"Isn't what they did still assault? You weren't willing! You didn't want to!" Darby shouts. Cody gulps, he had never seen Darby this upset before.
"Max, hey, we'll get through this, regardless of how it turns out," Cody says.
"Because there's a bond," Max says. Cody smiles, nodding. Max just hoped he was right because if he wasn't, he didn't think he could cope.