AUTHOR'S POV   

As Larry sleeps Laurent reflects on the detectives questioning of him. He's grateful that they were very gentle in their approach and didn't push him to remember anything although Larry felt as though he didn't help much with what he could remember but detective Marteau and his partner didn't seem to be upset in anyway. They were very understanding and Laurent is very appreciative. He still can't believe that Don could very well be the one behind this and that his visiting Larry was merely to throw everyone off so he would be the last person suspected. Of course the visit begs the question as to how Don was sure Larry wouldn't remember it being him. Since he wasn't successful in doing the unthinkable that Laurent's heart and soul would be crushed if it happened many would question why Don wouldn't decide to stay far away so he couldn't be identified. That thought alone causes more confusion in Laurent. He would like to think that after all this time being neighbors and socializing with them whether Don and his wife visited their home or Larry and Laurent visited theirs Don isn't the person who did this but if he did then they really wouldn't trust anyone. Trust is already a very delicate subject for them and this could only make them keep to themselves all the more. So many theories are now flowing through Laurent's mind and if this was as a result of Don catching them making love and being utterly disgusted by it only reinforces why they don't share their marriage with anyone. Partly due to the fear and certainty of the judgment they will face...those very things coming from their own friends and family and ultimately resulting in Larry and Laurent losing several of them. When they moved in their home they were certain that the people they lost were replaced with the Delcroix family but...in light of this new information Laurent is stunned at the fact that their relationship, as beautiful as it is, will be the thing that not only makes that untrue but also resulted in his love being savagely attacked. He slightly exhales as he reminds himself that there's nothing that can be done about the people they've lost and it surely won't stop them from being together forever. Still, it's heartbreaking and what's especially heartbreaking for Laurent is knowing his love has to rebuild in a sense. Walking out of his own home unafraid like he use to, the struggle of everyday fighting to not relive this nightmare and not forever be plagued with the memory of it. He becomes so flustered that he decides to go to the connecting bathroom and splash his face with cold water. He successfully pushes the door open without it creaking and after closing it back he turns the faucet on...allowing the cold water water to run a little before cupping his hands to fill them. After a few splashes he raises his head slowly to gaze in the mirror in front of him. As the water drips down his face then falling once the droplets reach his jawline he repeats a silent prayer to himself that the detectives will be able to bring Don in as soon as they can so he can know whether or not it's him...or if the search begins for someone else. He takes a dry towel off of the bar to dry his face off when he hears the sweetest sound in the world. Bup. He's called out his name and although it is the most beautiful sound to hear there's also some struggle behind it. Laurent tosses the towel to the side with no care of where it lands then quickly leaves to get to him. He's beside him in less than a millisecond looking down at him with a sweet concern in his face and love in his voice... 

Laurent: "Hey bup. You didn't sleep long. Is the pain worse"?

Larry: "It is baby. Can I get something to help"?  

Laurent: "Of course my love. I'll tell your nurse", he replies softly. 

Laurent couldn't step away faster to alert his nurse only the second he's outside of the room he sees her coming towards him...

Laurent: "You coming to give him medicine"?

Nurse: "Yes sir. It's time for it". 

Laurent: *soft sigh* "Oki good because he said it's worse". 

Laurent turns around to head back in with the nurse following closely behind. Laurent smiles warmly and alerts Larry that he will feel better soon then steps aside to let her administer the medicine. She's a great nurse...very fast yet efficient so she's done in no time. She leaves and within seconds Larry seems to be relaxing...

Laurent: "Is that better bup"?

Larry: *nods* "Yeah. Much better". 

Laurent: *smile* "Good". *pause* "You hungry? I can order something for you". 

Larry: "That will be oki but I don't know how much I can eat and I don't know if it will hurt to chew". 

Laurent: "I'll order some soup and bread. That shouldn't hurt and don't worry for eating everything oki? Just eat what you can". 

Larry: "Oki", he replies sweetly. 

Laurent smiles and gives his love a sweet wink then turns his chair towards the phone to place the order including something for himself. While they wait Laurent takes the time to make sure Larry is comfortable as well as pouring him a fresh cup of water that he will help him drink as always then takes his place next to him. The food eventually arrives and Laurent carefully helps him sit up and rest against the pillow so he can eat. Larry is slowly but surely getting his strength back but Laurent does the sweet gesture of feeding him so his body can relax. Larry only eats half of his meal but he also didn't have difficulty eating which brought relief to both of them. They spend time after eating watching TV which ultimately put Larry back to sleep. Laurent decides to get some sleep too but feels his phone going off in his pocket. He steps outside and walks to an area where he can privately take the call which is from detective Marteau...

Laurent: "Hey detective. You talk to Don"?

Marteau: *soft sigh* "Well my partner and I went to his home but we didn't speak to him. It was strange because his wife answered the door and right away she looked nervous and kept turning her head back like she was checking for something. When I asked if her husband was home she hesitated but said he wasn't".

Laurent: "That is strange". 

Marteau: "It is but we requested that he give us a call because we need to get his account of that night. I figured if I told her in a way that didn't sound suspecting she wouldn't look so nervous and perhaps speak up and say he was home but it didn't work. It seems she was as nervous as before so I'm confident we're closing in on the right person". 

Laurent: *deep exhale* "Oki. That's great news".  

Marteau: "Yes sir and I will continue informing you of every step we make with him". 

Laurent: "I know you will". 

Marteau: "How is Mr. Bourgeois doing"?

Laurent: "He's in pain a lot but he's still getting better every day and he's eating too". 

Marteau: "That's great to hear. Please assure him that we're working hard for him". *pause* "For both of you". 

Laurent: "I will. Thank you". 

Marteau: "You're welcome. I'll be talking to you again soon". 

Feeling slightly on edge about what the detective told him it's also a relief to hear of his confidence so after releasing the call he goes back into the room more at ease. There's a good chance that the medicine will keep Larry in a deep sleep for several hours...possibly into the next day so for now he'll get the rest he needs too...

~late evening~

Larry slept as long as Laurent anticipated and that in turn caused him to sleep longer. When he wakes up it's pitch black outside and the only light is from outside of the room. He looks at the time and notices that it's nearly 2 am then looks over at Larry. From what he can see he's still asleep but he walks over to make sure. Laurent smiles at his sleeping angel then discovers he has the munchies because it's been a while since his last meal. He picks up the menu from the table and walks over to the door to catch a reflection of light so he can read it but to his disappointment the cafeteria isn't open late so he'll walk to the vending machines for something which aren't too far away. He whispers to be bup that he'll be right back then leaves walking to the nurse's station first to request something and he's pleasantly greeted...

*smile* "Hi".   

Laurent: "Hi. Your name"?

*smile* "Kacey". 

Laurent: "Nice to meet you Kacey". 

Kacey: "Likewise. How can I help you"?

Laurent: "I'm going to get something from the vending machine but I wanted to ask if you can watch Larry's room while I'm away". 

Nurse: "Yes of course. I have to make my rounds soon so I'll tell the other night nurse as well". 

Laurent: "Oki great and I won't be long".  

Nurse: *smile* "No problem at all". 

Laurent smiles back as he thanks her then takes off so he can rush back. As he's walking away the phone at the nurse's station rings so she answers it. She isn't immediately aware that the call has distracted her from Larry's room so she quickly looks up and in that direction. When everything appears normal she puts her attention back on the phone call which doesn't last tool long. As she's placing the phone down her co-worker returns so she informs her that she's leaving to make her rounds but something on the inside begins to leap and the feeling is leading her to check Larry's room. She proceeds to walk in but stops at the opening of the door because she sees someone inside. It's really dark in the room so she can't tell who it is...but she also doesn't recall Laurent walking past her to go back in and although she can't remember exactly what Laurent is wearing she's certain this isn't him so she calls out, "excuse me". The intruder turns around and the only thing that isn't covered up is his eyes which are reading rage causing her eyes to widen in fear. That fear also completely freezes her as she watches him run towards her and push her down to run out of the room and out of the hospital. She belts out a yelp as her body hits the floor and it catches the attention of her co-worker who saw the push and rushes to her side. Laurent is also coming back now and right away he sees her on the floor as well as the panicked looks on their faces so he runs over...dropping the snack and drink from his hands as he squats down...

Laurent: "What happened"?

Kacey: "Someone was in the room with Larry". 

Laurent: "What"?

Kacey: "Yeah. I said excuse me and he turned around with anger in his eyes then ran towards me knocking me then running away". 

Laurent's head pops up in the direction of the exit then he stands up to take off as fast as he can. He bursts through the door and into the half empty parking lot. His head goes left then right but he doesn't see anyone. He isn't sure if the person ran away on foot or if he took off in a car. Frustrated he runs his hands through his twists then belts out, "fuck"! He wasn't even gone five minutes and someone came into Larry's room. What makes it all the more disturbing is that the only reason this person would take the chance of coming to the hospital...is to finish what he started. Laurent runs back into the hospital and the nurse has been helped off the floor. He goes in to check on Larry and when he's at his side Larry is still asleep. He exhales quietly then bends down to kiss his forehead before gently resting his forehead against it to connect them...his heart thumping so loudly he can hear it. He also places his hand on top of Larry's tummy and there's a slight tremble to that hand so he balls it into a fist in an attempt to stop the trembling but it doesn't work. The anger in him grows and he's trying to figure out how this happened. How did the person get in this hospital and not draw suspicion from anyone and why didn't the nurse watch the room like she said she would? The assailant has obviously been lurking and he saw Laurent step out so this was his chance. He then becomes upset with himself because he left and even if it was just for a few moments it was long enough for this to happen. It takes all the strength he has to keep his emotions from pouring out and he knows he has to call the detective so he manages to hold them back while he does that...

"Detective Marteau". 

Laurent: "Detective, the person who hurt Larry came here. I stepped away for a few minutes and the nurse said she would watch the room but somehow he got past her and came inside".  

Detective: "Is Mr. Bourgeois ok"?

Laurent: "Yeah he's fine". 

Detective: "What exactly happened"?

Laurent: "The nurse said she saw somebody in here when she was making her rounds. She call for him and he got mad then run past her and knock her down. I came back and see her on the floor. She tell me what happened and I tried to catch him but he was already gone". *pause* "If she get there a minute later then...."

The detective hears Laurent's voice shake in that last statement and knowing what he was about to say pulls at his heart strings...

Detective: "Thankfully nothing happened to him Mr. Bourgeois and from now on he'll have round the clock surveillance until we catch him. You have my word on that". 

Laurent: "That would be great". 

Detective: "I'll have that arranged quickly. In the meantime, I will get dressed to come down there and investigate. Please tell the nurse to alert everyone including security and inform them that I will need full cooperation". 

Laurent: "Oki. I'll tell her".

Laurent, still completely shaken, drops the phone from his ear without a goodbye and walks back into the room. He looks at Larry and although he detests what happened he couldn't be more relieved that Larry is unaware of it because it would for sure frighten him. The only people he wants in the room besides Laurent are the medical staff and that's only because they have to be. He doesn't want to keep anything from him but he simply can't imagine telling him this. With the distressing thought of a likely reaction he looks at him again then turns his head to gently rest his cheek on Larry's thigh and silently cry...

*****

Hours have passed since this whole ordeal with the investigation lasting until the sun was just beginning to rise. In that time the detective took a formal statement from Kacey as well as viewing the surveillance footage. He informed Laurent that as he watched the only clear shot the camera got of him was when he was entering the room. Other than that he was like a ghost including the footage of the parking lot because they didn't see him there either. When Laurent asked the detective if he could see what the nurse was doing at the time the assailant walked in he said she took a phone call and as such she was being watched by him too because he entered the room only seconds after she took the call. He deduced that the call only lasted a minute, possibly less, and when she was off she stood up to go to the room. Shortly after is when he was seen running out and pushing her down. He wore all black including the black leather gloves Larry said he wore. Just like Larry Kacey said all she saw were his eyes that appeared to be blue in color and from what she described...cold. Icy is more like it and it was also as if he could have done more than knocking her down. After all, she stopped whatever plan he had then getting out before he could be noticed. Laurent listens as the detective describes all this. The words appear to be flowing from his mouth but to Laurent the feeling that comes over him is the same as Larry waking up from the nightmare and being outside of his room with no clue as to what was happening. Just like in that moment the detective's voice slowed down and everything appeared to be moving in slow motion...like he was in an alternate universe. His surroundings eventually comes back to normal and when the detective goes quiet Laurent quickly speaks up...

Laurent: "Don did this detective. You have to catch him and bring him in". 

Detective: "I believe he is responsible and we have strong probable cause to arrest him and bring him in for questioning so I'm going undercover immediately to monitor his home. Once we have him at the station either myself or my partner will inform you of what happens from there. For now you should go back inside with Mr. Bourgeois". 

Laurent: "I will and I'll be waiting for your call".

After a firm handshake Laurent goes in to be next to bup. Now that it's just them the room remains quiet as he waits to see those eyes. He hopes that he's able to not give away that something is wrong but he isn't sure how successful he will be at it. Besides, no one knows him the way Larry does and he doesn't want to lie to him but it's hard to determine what he'll say if Larry asks. His head is down as he thinks about the possibility then from the top of his eyes he can see Larry's eyes fluttering open so he raises his head to look at him while waiting for Larry to notice him. The instant their eyes connect...

Laurent: "Good morning my love. How do you feel"?

Larry: "I feel oki. The medicine really helps with the pain". 

Laurent: *smile* "I'm happy it's helping you bup". *pause* "I was going to order you some oatmeal for breakfast. That be oki"?

Larry: "That will be fine but can you help me get out of bed first"?

Laurent: "You sure you're oki for that"?

Larry: "I'm sure. I just want to do something for myself and I don't like being in bed all day". 

*brief pause*

Laurent: "Oki my love. I'll help you. Just take your time and hold onto me". 

Larry agrees so Laurent stands up to flip his blanket off of him and in the most delicate way he helps him up. There's some hissing coming from Larry to which Laurent replies by sweetly whispering to him to take it slow. Laurent guides him to the bathroom and after getting a chair for him he watches Larry do everything from washing his face to brushing his teeth...giving him the autonomy Larry desires but ready to step in to help should he ask. Larry is holding up like the strong person he is and when he's done Laurent helps him back to the bed then gets him right back under his blanket. Laurent places the breakfast order and as they wait Laurent turns on the TV as he hopes that will distract him from seeing what's so obvious in his face...but when Larry takes his attention off of the TV to look at him he braces himself...

Larry: "Something's wrong". 

Laurent: "No my love. Nothing is wrong. I just um, I just think for something but I don't know how you will feel". 

Larry: "Think for what"?

Laurent: "That we should move". 

Larry: *looks confused* "You want to sell us home"?

Laurent: "Yeah. I mean I know they will catch him but I still think it will be a good idea if we move". 

Laurent studies his face carefully and it's a cross between shock but there's also a hint of anger and the last thing he wanted to do was upset him...

Laurent: "I'm sorry bup. I don't mean to upset you. I just think it will be best". 

Larry: *shakes head* "No. If we move then whoever did this wins". 

Laurent hears this and he can't help but wonder if Larry remembers the way he looked at Don. Perhaps if he knew that he's a suspect he would feel differently about this. On the other hand, Don would receive punishment and so would his wife for helping him cover it up so they wouldn't have to worry about them any longer. Of course it's not just that. Like his earlier thought he isn't sure how they can possibly continue living there knowing this could haunt them every time they're in the bedroom. Then Larry says something that pretty much settles that thought...

Larry: "We love that house baby. We have so many good times and memories in that house. We can't let him run us out". 

Laurent gives him a soft look of pure love while also admiring his strength and with that...

Laurent: "I got you bup. We won't move". 

Larry nods as Laurent's look of admiration of this wonderful man gets stronger as he internally declares how lucky he is to have him. For him, it doesn't get any better than Larry Bourgeois and it never will. What happened last night is still plaguing him and the part of him that feels as though he's lied to Larry by keeping it from him the other part of him feels it was best. He's doing so much better now and there isn't a shred of doubt that the detectives will catch Don and bring him in so he joins Larry in watching TV until their breakfast arrives which they eat together...

~hours later~

Detective Marteau and his partner have been in Larry and Laurent's neighborhood for quite some time now and completely hidden in full undercover mode. The Delcroix home hasn't had any activity but having been use to stake outs like this they wait patiently to see someone. They each have a cup of coffee that they've been sipping on to keep them alert and now they're finally seeing a car pull up. It's clear that a man is behind the wheel and the moment they see him get out of the car it appears he's wearing all black. Whether it's the same clothing the intruder had on is unclear but they don't know waste another second getting out of the car and running in his direction with detective Marteau calling out very sternly...

Marteau: "Don Delcroix".

Don spins around and his eyes widen at seeing them but before he can even question anything...

Marteau: "Come with us please". 

Don: "Why"?

Detective Vincent walks up to him to cuff him while detective Marteau answers that question...

Marteau: "You are under suspicion for the brutal attack and attempted murder of Mr. Larry Bourgeois".

Don: "What"?! 

Marteau: "You heard me and you're coming with us". 

Don is essentially having his rights read to him as he's escorted to the car. With Don in the back of the squad car they officially head for the station...

*****

Upon arriving Don was escorted to the interrogation room and what he isn't aware of is the double mirror that allows the detectives to see him but Don can't see them. They study his actions from that mirror and unsurprisingly he's looking nervous...possibly trying to figure out what he's going to say to them but the detectives have been doing this a long time and they're ready for whatever he tries. They look at each other and nod meaning it's time to do this. When they open the door Don turns his head in their direction and his eyes stay locked on theirs as they walk over to the chairs across from him. They take their seats and silence falls as they look at each other...the intensity already rising as the questioning is about to begin...

--------------------------- 

A/N: So, how do you all think this will go? Did Don really do this but will attempt to lie about it? Sound off in the comments! Love you guys. :)