AUTHOR'S POV

There's something different about this morning for Laurent. The sun is beaming through the windows as always...but there's also a soft scent filling his senses. It's a sweet, fresh scent and it's a beautifully familiar one which also appears very close. When his eyes open he sees the reason for it. There's a dark hue of fluffy hair while feeling the warmth of a smooth cheek resting on his chest and it comes to him that after coming back in the room from his time speaking with the detectives Larry was sound asleep so he climbed in bed to be next to him. Merely being a few inches away from him wasn't enough. Being by Larry's side as he recovers goes without saying but the fact is, he would've been in that bed every minute if he could to feel his love this close to him as he sleeps ever so peacefully with no trace of a nightmare. Laurent can't wait for the day Larry is released from this place just as much as he can't wait for the detectives to arrest this new suspect which is to be followed by a conviction...and it can't happen any faster as far as Laurent is concerned. These past several days watching the love of his life in such a condition and plagued with his own visions of the terror he went through Laurent simply couldn't stomach another upset in the case. He just can't. Larry is incredibly strong as he's persevering through this like the bup Laurent knows and is head over heels in love with and it's Larry's remarkable resilience coupled with the capture of this maniac that will result in essentially a double victory. As this beautiful specimen continues to rest on him Laurent drops his head a little more to inhale a large yet quiet whiff of the fro holding that sweet scent then puckers his lips to place a gentle kiss to the top of his head. Moments later Larry's nurse comes in and when she sees Laurent next to him she stops dead in her tracks and their short conversation will be held in a whisper...

Nurse: *smile* "I'm sorry". 

Laurent: *smile* "It's oki".  

Nurse: "I just wanted to check his vitals but I'll come back later". 

Laurent: "That would be great. He should be awake soon". 

She smiles and happily nods then leaves them to their time together. Laurent is stunned by the next voice he hears...

Larry: "Thank you baby because I just want it to be us for right now". 

Laurent: *soft chuckle* "Welcome...but I think you asleep". 

Larry: "I wake up when I feel you wake up. I just didn't say anything because I love to listen to your heartbeat". *pause* "I never realize that it matches mine". 

Laurent: "That's why we belong with each other my love". *pause* "Same heart beat...same love". 

Larry: "Forever love", he whispers. 

Laurent: "Forever", he whispers back. 

Now Laurent has one hand in that soft fro...using his fingertips to give his scalp a nice, soothing massage. Laurent smiles as he hears soft sounds of relaxation coming from his bup and he loves that he's enjoying it so much. If it were up to him he wouldn't move an inch and massage him all day...

Laurent: "Can I get you anything my love"?

Larry: "Will you order breakfast"?  

Laurent: *smile* "Yes. Whatever you want". 

Larry: "I want waffles, eggs, bacon and sausage". 

Laurent: *chuckles* "Somebody is hungry". 

Larry: *smile* "Yeah I am".

Laurent: *kisses forehead* "Oki".

Being very careful Laurent slides from underneath him and with no sound of discomfort or distress from Larry he goes over to the phone to place the order. Larry watches Laurent and he practically has heart eyes. It's been a trying time for him given all that's happened but who his heart aches for is the man standing in plain sight of him. He knows how much Laurent loves him and that since being in here Laurent tries his hardest to stay strong for him...but he's also sure that whenever he's asleep Laurent goes through the most emotions about what happened while also blaming himself for it. It's in this moment that he decides to have a talk with the man of his dreams about all of this because they really haven't really spoken much about it. Laurent hangs up the phone then looks back at Larry...

Laurent: *smile* "The food will be here soon". 

Larry: "Oki baby". *pause* "Can you sit down? I want to talk". 

Laurent: "Yeah bup. You oki"?

Larry: "Yeah I just have a feeling you think what happened to me is your fault".

Laurent's face goes from concern about what's on Larry's mind to being sad in the blink of an eye. He painfully drops his head because he can't even look into Larry's eyes as he answers. Even his voice is low...and in a heartbreaking tone...

Laurent: "It is my fault bup". *pause* "The day it happened Matt called a meeting but since it was last minute he said that he understood if no one could make it. So all I can think for is if I just said no and came home this never would have happened and now you're here. I would give anything for this to be me. Not you". 

Larry: "No baby. I don't want you to be here like this. I never want anything like this to happen to you. I love you so much. Just like you love me so much". 

Tears have now begun pouring from Laurent. He brings one hand up to wipe them away...but he still can't bring himself to look at Larry...

Laurent: *sniff* "You don't deserve this bup. You're so sweet and you never hurt anyone". 

Larry: "I love you for the same baby. That's why if this was you it would kill me too. Everything you feel is what I would feel because we're one". *pause* "This is not your fault baby. The person who put me here, that's who I blame. That's who did this to me. Not you".   

Laurent nods through his soft sniffs...but his focus is still on the floor and what he says next will completely split Larry's heart...

Laurent: "I failed you bup. I didn't protect you". 

*brief pause*

Larry: "Baby look at me. I need to look in your eyes when I say this". 

Larry's voice, gentle and sweet, causes Laurent to look up at him and though his eyes are heavy in despair they also speak of love and complete adoration gazing into those eyes as he waits to hear whatever words flow from Larry's lips...which will completely floor him...

Larry: "You can never fail me baby and you always protect me...even when you think you don't. You protect me by the way you love me and take care of me. The way you spoil me. I love the trips we take and I will always remember Italy...but even if you never take me to another place you make me see and feel what real love is everyday". *pause* "You protect me when you hold me every night and I love that. So don't worry for that meeting because just like you told me this wasn't my fault it's not yours either. I need you to tell me right now that you believe that and you will never blame yourself again". 

The softness yet pain in Laurent's face and the tears in his eyes is indeed a painful sight for Larry to see but before those tears have the possibility to evoke tears of his own Larry stays firm in his request...though still very soft and sweet...

Larry: "Baby tell me that you believe it's not your fault. I need to hear that". 

One more salty tear freely falls from Laurent's eyes that are a hint of red as he gulps then whispers...

Laurent: "I believe". 

Larry: *nods* "Oki". *pause* "The world is a mean place baby...but we're in this world together and having each other is all we need". 

Laurent suddenly feels something inside of him that's hard to put into words. It's a deep, intense love as always but it's as if that love has tripled now and he's feeling it like he's never felt before. Larry has said and done things to surprise him and each time those things only add exponentially to his desire to spend the rest of his life to him...but the words just spoken was just something he didn't see coming. Not really surprised of course but he still didn't see them coming. Perhaps this whole ordeal has made Larry look at life far differently than before and no question he's been weary about things involving the case...but to hear these words and feel the strength radiating off of him Laurent has no words. The last of his tears fall as his face changes from less of pain to more of beautiful astonishment as he looks at Larry. There may be marks and bruises that are still in the process of healing but as far as Laurent is concerned Larry has never looked more angelic and in a gentle whisper...

Laurent: "You're so beautiful". 

Larry drops his head because although he would normally thank his love for such words given his condition it's hard for him to believe them even though in his heart he knows Laurent is being his amazing, loving self... 

Larry: "Not the way I look right now". 

Laurent: "That's not true my love", he whispers. 

Laurent scoots closer and uses his pointer finger to gently raise Larry's chin so they can look each other in the eyes...swiftly switching that finger with his thumb to gently soothe it over each mark that signifies where the wounds lie and now it's his turn to pour his heart out to the one and only Larry Bourgeois...

Laurent: "You're always beautiful to me and these scars can never take away from that. You don't know this but sometimes I just look at you when you're walking around the house or when I see you smiling and laughing at something. I look at pictures of you from Italy and when I took a picture of you smiling so hard it's because you were laughing right before and I can hear that laugh all over again in my mind...like we're still there so it makes me laugh. Then I look over at you sleeping and your beauty makes my heart drop". *pause* "You're beautiful on the inside too and when you love, you love hard. You make me want to be a better person just by the love you give me, to other people even if they are strangers. Everyday I'm with you...every time I'm kissing you...every time I'm holding you in my arms I remind myself how lucky I am and that I would never do anything to lose you". *pause* "I love you bup". 

Larry is so moved all he can do is breathe out, "Laurent" to which Laurent just smiles and playfully replies...

Laurent: *smile* "I know. You love me too". 

Larry: *nods* "I do. Very much", he whispers. 

Laurent winks softly at him and now they're hearing a voice behind them so Laurent turns his head. Breakfast has arrived so after Laurent sets Larry's meal on his tray for him they eat together and wait for what the day will bring them. Laurent is internally hoping that by the end of it he will have received a call from the detectives with the arrest of the new suspect but until that happens all he wants to do is spend this time right beside his love and with all the soulful words between them spoken, Laurent no longer blaming himself, they enjoy each other...

~meanwhile~

Since their time speaking with Larry and Laurent the detectives have been focused on Samuel. Detective Vincent has gone over his profile several times and the more he does the more he's convinced that he had something to do with it. Detective Marteau shares the same thought...only he's still certain that Don Delcroix is still a part of this such that he hired Samuel to do his dirty work. The one thing he can't figure out is the motive and when his mind goes back to their time with Larry, particularly how Larry was so determined to remember the way this guy looked so he could help them he's in high spirits because now with a strong identification as well as lengthy arrest record on this guy the detectives are setting out once again to bring him in as they were unsuccessful the previous day. He hears a knock on the door and already knowing it's his partner he stands up and makes sure he has his gun and badge as detective Vincent pokes his head inside to ask if he's ready. Marteau sternly replies that he is and with a serious look on his face he follows his partner out of the precinct to their car...

The neighborhood of Samuel Picard is in what most people would call rough, possibly impoverished and a breeding ground for crime. Nearly sky high apartment buildings badly in need of work, the grounds covered in trash and graffiti painted on a few walls. Upon entering they see people out, some of which are groups making loud noise and the speed of the car slows down as their eyes explore the surroundings. They park at a distance just in case the suspect spots the car and flees before they have a chance to question him. When residents of the neighborhood see them walking next to each other they essentially freeze up because although they aren't wearing typical police attire they can tell just by the car with the single flashing light on the roof as well as their badges being attached firmly to their hips they're people of authority. They enter the apartment building and Samuel's apartment is on the third floor so they take the elevator. They walk down the hallway eventually stopping at apartment 320 and they knock on the door with Detective Vincent calling out, "Mr. Picard"? Nothing, so he knocks again. It takes a third knock for them to realize no one is answering and they look at each other as if they have the same thought...that Samuel knows the cops are there to see him and he refuses to answer the door but they aren't fazed one bit because they know they're following the right person so they will catch him one way or another. Just when he's about to knock and call for him again they hear, "can I help you"? They turn their heads and before them is a lady with long brown hair and a couple of grocery bags in her hands. They show their badges with detective Marteau replying to her...

Marteau: "I'm detective Marteau and this is my partner detective Vincent. We're here to question Samuel Picard about his possible involvement in a brutal attack. Your name"?

Naturally her eyes widen at what she just heard and soon enough the detectives will understand the reason for such a reaction...

"My name is Sheila".

Marteau: "And your last name"?

Sheila: "Martel". *pause* "You think Samuel attacked someone"?

Marteau: "Yes ma'am". 

Sheila's eyes lower as they travel across the floor in utter confusion...

Vincent: "What is your relationship to the suspect"?

Sheila: "We've been dating". 

Vincent: "For how long"?

Sheila: "About six months". 

Vincent: "Do you know where Mr. Picard is right now"?

Sheila: "No I don't. He told me earlier that someone had a job for him but he didn't say where and I didn't ask him". 

Marteau: "What is his employment ma'am"?

Sheila: "Mostly odd jobs which I never questioned why he didn't have anything steady and he's not an employee of a company. He has a place to live and he seems to be doing ok so I just never thought about it". *pause* "Look I have to put these bags inside then leave. I'm sure Samuel will be home soon".  

Marteau: "Do you mind if we come inside"?

Sheila: "I don't think that's a good idea". 

Marteau: "We just want to ask some additional questions ma'am". 

*brief pause*

Sheila: "I'm sure I won't be able to answer anything for you". 

By this point it's detective Vincent who's beginning to lose his patience and the tone in his voice will make that very clear to her...

Vincent: "Ma'am a crime has occurred and the victim deserves justice. Now you know the suspect because you're here at his apartment so your cooperation in this would really make things easier. If we find no reason to pursue this any further then this ends here". 

*brief pause*

Sheila: "Ok. Come in". 

They follow her inside and at first glance it looks like a typical apartment and there's nothing that warrants their immediate attention. Sheila places the bags on the counter and as she's putting everything away...

Vincent: "You stated you've been dating Mr. Picard for six months. In that time, have you noticed any aggressive behaviors"?

Sheila: "Like what"?

Vincent: "Short temper or perhaps physical aggression such as shoving". 

Marteau: "Verbal abuse"?

Sheila: "No. Samuel has never behaved that way towards me". 

Just the tone of that response is enough for Marteau to raise his eyebrow as it seems like she's lying or trying to cover up the true nature of their relationship. It could just be nerves due to being questioned by the cops but if it's one thing he's learned over the years abuse victims have the tendency to make excuses for their abusers so he wonders if that's what she's doing. He turns to his partner and nods his head to which Vincent does the same. This is a code unique to them and it means that it's time to look around the apartment for clues so as Vincent does that Marteau continues his conversation with Sheila...

Sheila: "What is he doing"?

Marteau: "Just taking a look around". 

Sheila: "Wait a second. Do you have a warrant for this"?

Marteau looks her directly in the eyes as he pulls out a semi-long, folded piece of paper and holds it up for her. She gazes nervously at the paper and gulps. Perhaps this reaction was because she wasn't expecting the answer to that question literally being shown to her. In the hallway they said they just wanted to ask additional questions and now it's turned into a full on search. The frightening thing for her is that Samuel could be home any minute so she's internally regretting that she allowed them to come in. Then again, she isn't so sure she would have been able to say no seeing that they have a warrant and could come in whether they have her consent or not. She's standing in place and has begun trembling to no end as she watches the silhouette of detective Vincent walk around the apartment...knowing he's looking for evidence shakes her even more. Six months dating with no clue that he could be this person that attacked an innocent person is mind blowing to her...

Sheila: "Detective, why do you think Samuel did this? Does he have a record"?

Marteau: "Yes he does and the list is nearly a mile long".

*silence*

Marteau: "Ms. Martel, you wouldn't be covering up for Mr. Picard would you"?   

Shelia: "How do you mean"?

Marteau: "If he's been abusive to you maybe you're covering that up. Or maybe he told you what he did and you're covering that up". *pause* "Maybe both".  

Sheila: "Detective I assure you Samuel hasn't told me anything and he doesn't abuse me". 

Marteau: "And he's never lost his temper"?

*brief pause*

Sheila: *sigh* "Ok once. It was a couple of weeks ago. I came over one night and his whole mood was off". 

Marteau: "How so"?

Sheila: "He was just really angry. He snapped at every comment I made or question I asked. I thought something happened at whatever job he had lined up for that day that upset him. It was also later into the evening which was odd because he's usually home earlier than that". 

Marteau: "When you say later in the evening, around what time was this"?

Sheila: "I think it was about 7. He was sweating like crazy and...just everything about him was off that night so I left". 

Marteau: "I see". 

At that moment detective Vincent comes back into the living room and Sheila's eyes widen in shock again at what she sees. Not only does he have on latex gloves but he has a plastic bag with something inside which she can only assume is evidence. Detective Marteau sees this and his reaction is different. He looks pleased and as if he's relieved at the sight. He looks back at Sheila because now their reason for being here has concluded...

Marteau: "Thank you for your cooperation Ms. Martel. We're done here". 

Sheila, still a nervous wreck even though they're leaving now, nods then watches them walk out of the apartment as if they have no care in the world while the trembling to her body continues at full speed. Outside the detectives have walked a few feet away from the door to discuss Vincent's discovery. He raises the bag as he looks at his partner...

Vincent: "Black leather gloves". 

Marteau: "Mr. Bourgeois said he wore gloves and I have no doubt these are it". *pause* "We have our attacker partner". 

Vincent: "I agree and I say we go back to the car and conduct surveillance on the building. I have a feeling Mr. Picard will be home soon and when we see him we'll place him under arrest". 

Marteau: "Works for me". 

They hurriedly make their way to the squad car and it's hard to keep their excitement down as a result of detective Vincent's discovery...but internally they couldn't be more elated because they're one step closer to getting Larry the justice he deserves and That everyone involved has been anxiously waiting for...

It's only been about ten minutes since they've been inside the car and in that time they've carefully watched the activity of the neighborhood for a trace of Samuel. Suddenly they see Sheila coming out of the apartment building with a panicked look on her face. The detectives can't help but think, and hope, that after what she's been told about Samuel she's leaving and never looking back. Then they see a bag in her hand which from the looks of it she's collected her things from his place to do exactly that. With the still panicked look on her face they're sure of it. Then something happens. She runs into someone who looks exactly like Samuel and a mere second later they appear to be having a heated discussion. They waste no time getting out of the car and hurriedly going over to the scene. Samuel's voice has raised and the argument is so intense he doesn't see the detectives. Marteau calls out, "Samuel Picard"! Samuel looks in the direction his name was called and he has no question of who they are so he takes off running leading them on a foot-on-foot chase. Samuel begins pulling things in his grasp down to the ground to trip them up but his attempts are unsuccessful. Detective Vincent comes up with a plan being that he's knowledgeable of the neighborhood. He cuts through a building so that Samuel will be surprised to see him giving him no choice but to stop. He runs down an alley that he's sure will cut him off so he can draw his gun and yell for him to freeze...but Samuel is rather fast and he can be seen ahead still running at full speed. What Samuel doesn't know is that the detective is close to him and now he's being grabbed by his shoulders and brought to the ground. As he's being cuffed...

Samuel: "I didn't do anything"!

Marteau: "Really? So why did you run"?

Samuel can't even answer that question and now he's hearing his rights being read...

Marteau: "Samuel Picard, you are under arrest for burglary and the attempted murder of Mr. Larry Bourgeois".

Detective Vincent is now at the scene looking on and with Samuel cuffed he blows out a sigh of relief as their suspect has been captured...

--------------------- 

A/N: Hey my loves. I'm sorry the update took so long but I hope this more than made up for it. So, what happens next? Will there be a victory or another snag in the case? Sound off in the comments! Love you guys. :)