AUTHOR'S POV 

Marco: "Now you have 24 hours to get me what I need or those pictures will be exposed and there won't be anything you can do about it. Oh and one more thing". *pause* "No cops. You got it"?

*silence*

Marco: "Answer me Larry".

Larry: "Yeah". *pause* "I got it".

Larry releases the call then slowly drops the phone by his side. His nerves are completely shot by what Marco just requested from him. It's essentially being blackmailed all over again. Trying to get the pictures deleted nearly kills his twin, the love of his life...now this. Of course there is absolutely no way Marco can get away with all of this. He has to be caught and punished...not help leaving the country so he can do these awful things to someone else when he doesn't get his way. He has to be stopped. Larry is so deep in thought he doesn't hear Marcus calling for him at first...

Marcus: "Larry"? *pause* "Larry"?

Larry: "Oh. I'm sorry Marcus".

It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Marco is up to something else for a look like this to be on Larry's face...

Marcus: "What did he say"?

Larry: *clears throat* "He said that he needs 20 thousand dollars from me and I have 24 hours to get it to him". *pause* "And he said no cops...or the secret will get out".

Marcus sees the level of distress in his brother and it's making him beyond upset. He's infuriated...but he also wants to know what Marco can possibly have to blackmail them with. He told Larry that he didn't have to tell him anything and that he will still help, and he will, but now he feels he has to know...

Marcus: "Larry, I wasn't going to ask but with all that's happening I have to". *pause* "What does this guy have on you and Laurent? Whatever it is you can tell me. I won't judge you".

Admittedly Larry is skeptical even though Marcus is very much like a brother to them because this secret isn't exactly one anyone would see coming...but he does know Marcus and if he says he won't judge them it's a pretty safe bet he won't so after taking a deep breath...

Larry: "We're in love with each other". *pause* "We decided to be a couple and at us last workshop I thought we were alone so I kissed him but Franco...." *clears throat* "I mean, Marco saw us and he took pictures. I deleted them from his phone but he said that he has backups on his computer".

This confession brings about a silent shock for Marcus and when Larry looks at him he can see it written all over his face...but all he can do is wait for Marcus to speak...

Marcus: "Wow".

Larry: "Yeah. I know it sounds weird but...we're in love and we're happy".

*brief pause*

Marcus: *smile* "Then I'm happy for you".

Feeling a huge sigh of relief...although not surprised at all...

Larry: *smile* "Thank you bro".

Marcus: *smile* "No problem".

Marcus extends his fist to give Larry a pound to which Larry happily accepts. Then...

Larry: "Now I just have to figure out what to do. I can't help him get away".

Marcus: "He won't". *pause* "Listen I know you told him no cops but...we don't have a choice but to get them involved Larry. They will catch him without putting you in danger but you have to call the detective and tell him".    

Larry: *nods* "You're right".

Larry steps over and peeps inside the room to check on Laurent. He's still asleep so Larry steps as far away as possible to call the detective as he doesn't want anyone to hear this... 

"Detective Mitchell". 

Larry: "Hey detective. It's Larry Bourgeois".

Detective: "Hey Mr. Bourgeois. How can I help you"?

Larry gulped then proceeds to tell him everything and thankfully the detective already has an idea on how to help which is the biggest relief to Larry as he really just didn't know what to do...

*****

Detective: "Don't worry Mr. Bourgeois. We'll get him and it will cause no harm to you or further harm to your brother. You have my word on that". *pause* "Now do you feel comfortable with the plan"?

Larry: "Yes I do".

Detective: "Great. Then I'll see you shortly".

Larry: "Oki. Bye", he replies softly.

~hours later~

The detective and his team needed several hours to set everything up but now that the plan is in place it's time to put it in motion so following the detective's request Larry makes a call to Marco. Marcus is coming with him so that means Laurent has to be alone for a while. Initially Marcus wasn't going to be a part of it but Larry feels that he really needs a familiar face as close to him as possible. After all, this is something he's never had to do before so understandably his nerves are on edge. Fortunately, the detective sends a police officer to keep Laurent's room protected just in case Marco is crazy enough, and more than likely he is, to either send someone in to finish the job or he will try to do it himself somehow. As much as Larry doesn't want to leave his side he's grateful Laurent will be protected and that is of the utmost importance to him. Before they leave he asks Marcus to give him a minute as he wants to go inside and talk to Laurent. As he walks over to the bed he can feel tears building at the thought of leaving him...but he knows this is the only way to get Marco out of their lives for good...

Larry: "My love. I have to leave you for a little bit". *pause* "All this time you protect me and now it's time to protect you". *soft sigh* "I love you so much baby and if you wake up soon..." *cries harder* "I'm sorry I'm not here...but I promise this will be over soon".

He continues to gaze down at his sleeping beauty then takes his hand to caress Laurent's cheek. He leans down to give him a soft kiss on the lips and seconds later he hears a voice behind him speaking softly to him as to not disturb Laurent...

Marcus: "Larry? I know it's hard to leave but the detective is waiting".

Larry: *sniff* "Yeah oki".

Larry keeps his eyes on Laurent as he slowly backs himself towards the door. He eventually turns around to face Marcus and once their eyes meet they give each other a head nod then leave the room and out of the hospital where an unmarked police car is waiting for them. After getting in the backseat the car took off in the direction of Macy's department store. This is where the "drop" has been set up. Larry is a ball of nerves and he can just feel his stomach turning at what's about to go down...

Finally they arrived and as they're walking to the security room they agreed to meet the detective in it feels like the longest walk of life. Once there they notice surveillance cameras set up with a direct aim of the fitting rooms. After they all greet each other the detective goes right into the operation...

Detective: "Now I will be able to see everything that's going on with these monitors. After you make the drop be sure to come right back here, ok"?

Larry nods nervously then looks over at Marcus who reassures him that everything will be ok. Larry softly exhales as a way to relieve the tension he's feeling. Now with the bag of cash in his hands he walks out of the room and in the direction of the men's department. Shortly after, the detective speaks into his radio...

Detective: "Everyone take their places. Mr. Bourgeois is on his way over".

Even though this wasn't discussed with the detective Larry decides that it will make sense to take a few items of clothing to pretend he's trying on on since he will actually be inside of the fitting room and it will also ensure that the fitting room attendee won't be thrown off...

Fitting room attendant: *smile* "Hi. How many items"?

Larry: "Three".

She hands him the number three card and Larry makes his way to the last stall. He places the clothes on the hook then takes the bag of money out of his jacket to hide it. He attaches it to the bottom of the bench that is standard in most fitting rooms and stays in for enough time to make it appear that he is indeed trying on these clothes. Minutes later he comes out of the stall and takes the clothes to the attendant...casually telling her that he doesn't want them then makes his way back to the security office...

~meanwhile~

The three of them watch the monitors intently as they wait for Marco to come and retrieve the bag. Roughly five minutes later they notice a male heading in that direction...but he doesn't look like Marco so they think he's a regular customer. They watch him have a conversation with the fitting room attendee then walk inside. What makes this person suspicious is the fact that if he's simply a customer going into a fitting room why doesn't he have any clothes to try on? Then he's in and out rather quickly. It's barely been a minute and when he comes out he's walking away as if he's in a hurry. Larry is already back and has joined them in watching the footage and after they notice this suspicious behavior... 

Detective: "Something isn't right".

Marcus: "I agree".

Larry looks at the two of them and he agrees that something isn't right. The detective excuses himself then steps out of the room. Larry and Marcus don't even know what to say in the midst of this unnerving feeling. Moments later the detective comes back in with an extremely confused look on his face...

Detective: "I have someone from my team looking further into it. It may not be anything and this person may really be a customer but...it still seems off so we're checking".

Larry and Marcus nod and a second later the detective receives a call and what he says will confirm they're suspicions... 

Detective: "I knew it". *pause* "Ok. Follow the suspect because I'm sure he's meeting Franco but discretion is the key. We don't want to set anyone off".

After releasing the call he looks at Larry and Marcus...

Detective: "I need you both to stay here".

They both agree and once the detective leaves the office Marcus gets a feeling that he should be out there checking into this himself so he lies to Larry about where he's going...

Marcus: "I'm going to the restroom. I'll be right back".

Thinking nothing of it, mainly because he's nervous about the turn this whole thing just took, he simply nods so Marcus leaves the room. Marcus is completely oblivious to what he's about to witness...

*****

Laurent's eyes slowly flutter open and having no immediate recollection of what happened he confusingly looks around the room as his eyes come to full focus. He discovers that he's in a hospital and when he feels a pain in his lower body he's sure this has something to do with it...only he's not sure what it is yet. Of course his love will never be foggy in his mind but he doesn't see him. He slowly reaches for the call button and calls a nurse into his room. It doesn't take her long to get there and she can barely speak before Laurent does...

Nurse: "How can I help...." 

Laurent: "I have to know where my brother is".

*brief pause*

Nurse: "I'll send someone in here to talk to you about that sir".

That someone is the cop who's outside and guarding Laurent's room. He knows the entire situation and will be the one to explain it to him. The nurse leaves the room to alert him and the next image Laurent sees is the officer. He slowly walks over and explains what happened to Laurent and why Larry isn't there. Laurent can't say anything for nearly a minute for the shock of it all prevents him from doing so...but then he decides that he doesn't want Larry going through this without him so...

Laurent: "I have to go and be with my brother".

Officer: "Mr. Bourgeois, you have a severe injury and I don't think your doctor would recommend you leaving so soon. It's better if you stay and heal".

Laurent: "I don't care what the doctor says. I'm not staying here when my brother is out there. I have to be with him".

*brief pause*

Officer: "I understand. Let me go and get your doctor so you can speak with him".

Still annoyed Laurent responds with a somewhat sarcastic tone...

Laurent: "Great".

The officer was out and back with the doctor within a matter of minutes and before the doctor can even say anything...

Laurent: "I have to be with my brother. You can't keep me here".

Doctor: "Mr. Bourgeois I do recommend that you stay but you're right, I can't keep you here as you're an adult and can make this decision on your own. I just ask that you allow us to check your vitals and your wound. Then I'll bring the release forms for you to sign".

Laurent: "Fine. Just please check as fast as you can".

Doctor: "I will".

Laurent's condition is much better than the doctor expected so he brings Laurent his release forms although he did ask Laurent to pay attention to his body and if he feels worse in any way he should seek medical assistance. Laurent agrees then quickly signs the forms so he can get up and get dressed. He isn't in a severe amount of pain as the medication seems to be doing the trick. He feels more drained than anything as if he can use a bit more sleep but he's determined to be by Larry's side. The officer seeing this determination wants to help him so...

Cop: "Mr. Bourgeois, I'll take you to where he is ok? You don't have to worry about calling a cab".

Laurent: "Thank you".

Officer: "My pleasure".

Laurent is placed in a wheelchair and making sure he has all of his belongings the officer wheels him out, helps him in the car then begins driving in the direction of the mall...

~mall~

The undercover detectives are keeping a close eye on the guy that came to pick up the money as it's clear to them that Marco is trying desperately to cover his tracks but they're sure that where ever this guy is leading them Marco will be there. The accomplice ends up at the food court and there are several detectives scattered about the food court but thankfully the accomplice does't suspect anything. Once the accomplice receives his food he looks around for a place to sit but he isn't seated for very long as he eats his food rather quickly then picks up the bag and leaves. The detectives slowly close in on him confident that he will lead them in the direction of Marco now. What they don't know is that Marcus saw something they didn't, otherwise, they wouldn't be following him... 

~what really happened~

The accomplice took his seat behind a young woman who had been sitting there prior to the accomplice entering the food court. She was also eating and messing with her phone on occasion. He and this lady had identical bags and when the accomplice went to pick his up, he strategically picked up the bag that belongs to her while the lady picked up the bag that has the money inside. Being that the detectives were a good distance from them so their cover wouldn't be blown it was easy to miss and they did...but not Marcus. He saw it and is onto their scheme now which only fuels his anger. Now he's determined to get a hold of Marco himself so instead of alerting the detectives of the switch he started following the woman while the detectives followed the other accomplice...

*****

Laurent and the officer finally pull up in front of the store and Laurent is close to jumping out and going in to search for Larry...but the officer won't give him the opportunity to...

Officer: "Mr. Bourgeois, I want you to take it as easy as possible so I'll go inside and check what's going on first. If everything is ok I'll send him out here".

Laurent is grateful that the officer brought him here. Otherwise he would've been completely on his own so he won't argue, instead, he agrees so the officer gets out and goes inside. This wait will feel the longest wait ever to see Larry but of course it's a wait that is well worth it. For now he starts to lean back and rest...but before he has a chance he sees a woman walking out and a very familiar figure behind her. Marcus. He pushes the handle on the door to open it so he can catch up with him him but it's locked from the outside so he belts out "fuck" in frustration. Then he decides to bang on the window with the hope Marcus will hear him...

Laurent: "Marcus"!! *pause* "Marcus over here!!"

Marcus doesn't hear him but that's mostly because he's fixated on the woman who's helping Marco. Laurent sees the woman has turned around to face Marcus and their conversation seemingly escalates rather quickly. Laurent instantly has a feeling come over him that whatever this is...it definitely has something to do with Marco...

-------------------------- 

A/N: Hey everyone! Hope you all enjoyed! If so, please vote and comment! Update coming soon! Love you guys.