"I can't live without you, Adam." Tim whispers as tears stream down his face, he brushes back the blond's hair. "If you leave, I'll follow."

"Tim, you need to move so Dr. Olusola can check him." Chance says as he takes Tim by the arm.

"No!" Tim says, jerking his arm away from the guard. "I'm not leaving him!"

Two orderlies come inside the cell with a gurney. Chance and Rob reaches down and grabs Tim's arms forcefully pulling him away from his unconscious lover.

"NO!!" Tim screams as he tries to free himself from the guards.

Samuel steps in to help the guards. Grabbing the hysterical prisoner and shoving him against the wall.

"TIM! CALM DOWN OR I'LL HAVE TO SHACKLE YOU!" Chance warns.

"Calm down? Chance, Honey, his lover just tried to kill himself." Avi says, hurrying over to Tim wrapping his arms around him in a comforting hug.

"Why? Why, Avi?" Tim sobs as he wraps his arms around the shorter man, burying his face in Avi's neck. "Why did he try to do it?"

"I don't know, Timmy." Avi answers, rubbing him on the back. "I'm sure after what happened, he wasn't thinking straight."

The orderlies loaded Adam upon the gurney and begin to roll him out of the cell. Rob was having to clear the path of curious on-lookers.

"What in the hell is going on?" Clooney asks, rushing up.

"Rupp tried to commit suicide." Rob answers as they hurry past him.

"Tim, you can go to the infirmary with him but you need to calm down. Buddy, I'm so sorry but I have to keep order." Chance says, rubbing Tim on the arm.

Tim nods as he tries to wipe the steady flow of tears.

"What did you do to him, Foust, that made him try to commit suicide? Or did you do it?" Clooney asks from the cell door.

Tim's eyes turn to a deep brown as he slowly walks toward the cell door and the warden.

"Tim?" Chance warns.

"You get the hell out of my way or they find you hanging from the ceiling." Tim growls as he glares at Clooney.

"You did try to kill him, didn't you." Clooney says with a slight nod.

Tim grabs Clooney's collar and slams him against the wall.

"TIM!" Chance and Avi screams out.

"Chance, you better shackle me right now or I'm going to kill the son of a b*tch." Tim says in a very low tone.

"I hate to do it, Tim. But it's probably for the best." Chance says softly as he takes the handcuffs that were hanging from his belt. "Hands behind your back."

Tim releases his grip on Clooney and places his hands behind his back. Never once breaking his glare at the warden.

"I'm telling you. The man is crazy." Clooney says as he straightens his clothes.

"If I were you, I'd go back to the safety of your office." Avi says with an evil smirk. "Tim may be cuffed but I'm not."

Chance walks Tim down the cell block holding onto his arm. Avi followed closely behind them. The curious prisoners moved out of their way, respectfully. No one saying a word.

As they walk into the infirmary, they see Adam being brought back from having test ran.

"We just ran an MRI on him to see if there was any brain damage from lack of oxygen to the brain. We'll know the results a little later." Dr. Olusola says. "There's no damage to the neck."

Tim nods as he watches them put Adam into a bed and put the restraints on him.

"Tim, you can only stay for a little while. It's close to lockdown." Chance says.

"No, please. Chance, please let me stay." Tim begs. "I can't leave him like this. Put restraints on me, I don't care. But please don't make me leave. I'll get down on my knees if that's what it takes."

Chance turns to the doctor for a reply.

Dr. Olusola didn't have the heart to say that he couldn't. Even though the couple hasn't publicly confessed their love, everyone knows.

"He can stay but he has to be shackled. Sorry, but that's the rules." Kevin says.

"That's fine." Tim answers with a nod.

Avi pulls a chair up next to the bed as Chance removes the cuffs.

"I have to go get some shackles. You sit right here and I'll be right back." Chance says.

Tim nods and sits down, rubbing his wrists. He reaches over the railing, taking his lover by the hand gently squeezing it.

"I'm here." He whispers as he leans over kissing Adam's cheek. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I'll let you know the results of the MRI just as soon as I can." The doctor says, squeezing Tim's shoulder lightly before walking away.

Avi had left with Chance since it was almost time for lockdown.

"I love you so much." Tim whispers as he gently rubs Adam's cheek. "Why did you try to leave me? I thought we had something special." A tear rolls down Tim's cheek. "Was I wrong? Sorry, but I just don't understand. Why were you going to let me be the one to find you dead?"

"Tim?" Chance speaks softly from the foot of the bed, holding the shackles.

Tim wipes his eyes then holds out his arms to be shackled, not saying a word.

"I'm sure he wasn't meaning to hurt you." Chance says as he shackled his friend. "He was probably just hurt and confused."

"I know." Tim answers quietly with a nod.

~~

Tim sit quietly in the chair fighting to keep his eyes open. He wanted to be awake when Adam gained consciousness.

The doctor had already given him the good news that there was no damage to the brain.

Tim's head begins to hang in slumber when he hears a weak hoarse voice.

"Tim?" Adam says in a hoarse whisper.

"Hey, gorgeous." Tim answers with a tired smile.

"I'm so sorry." Adam sobs.

Tim shakes his head. He wanted to hold his lover in his arms but couldn't even reach his hand to hold.

"I never meant to hurt you. I don't know what came over me." Adam sniffs.

"Why did you want to leave me? I thought you cared." Tim asks softly, batting back the tears.

"No, I do care, so much. I was just filled with so much hurt and anger from what they did. Maybe I was wanting to make them pay." Adam says. "With guilt."

"If they were capable of guilt, they would have never started their affair." Tim says, bluntly.

"I heard what you said." Adam offers a weak smile.

"What I said?" Tim asks. He had said a lot during the night.

"You told me that you loved me." Adam answers.

"I do love you. I was hoping that you felt the same but I guess I was wrong." Tim says quietly, looking down at the floor.

"But I do feel the same. I love you, Tim. Maybe it took this for me to realize just how much I do love you." Adam smiles.

"So, how are you feeling?" The doctor asks as he was making his rounds.

"Much better. My throat and my neck are pretty sore but I guess that's to be expected." Adam smiles. "I'd feel much better if I was in my own cot."

"Well, all your vitals are back to normal. There's not much more that we can do. Technically, physically you're fine. Emotionally, I don't know but that's not my department." Dr. Olusola says.

"Tim's arms are all the emotional support I need." Adam smiles.

"Alright, I'll get in touch with Officer Chance and you can go back to your cell. If you have any problems, let me know." The doctor says and pats Adam on the shoulder.

~~

After getting back to their cell and receiving hugs from their friends, Chance ushers them inside the cell.

"Samuel, can you make sure they don't get disturbed? They're both exhausted." Chance says.

"No problem." Samuel says as he pulls their door closed.

Tim leads Adam over to the bed. There was a fresh blanket folded on the bed. He unfolds the blanket as Adam lies down on the cot.

Both were very quiet, not saying a word. A million thoughts running through their minds. Tim gets into the cot wrapping his arms around his lover.

Tim closes his eyes but the questions in his mind wouldn't let him sleep.

"I'm sorry." He says breaking the silence. "But I have to know."

"Know what?" Adam asks as he lays cuddled next to the man that saved his life.

"You said you loved me." Tim says opening his swollen, red blood-shot eyes. "But what happens if you are found innocent and get released? Will you still love me or will you go home and try to win back Austin? I'm sorry, but you are gonna have to choose. Me or him." He sighs as he closes his eyes.

Tears come to Adam's eyes and a hard lump rises in his throat. The question sounded harsh but it was the truth. He did have to choose.

"Hey, guys?" Rob calls softly from the cell door. "I know you two are exhausted and need sleep, but you have a visitor."

"It's not visitation day." Tim moans as he rubs his eyes.

"Tim, it's your mom." Rob says. "She's in the visitation room."

"My mom?" Tim asks, raising his head from the pillow.

"Dena is here?" Adam asks.

"Yep, and she wants to see both of you." Rob smiles as the two begin to get up from the cot.

"I've never been to the visitation room." Tim says as they slip on their shoes. "Do we have to be shackled?"

"No, there will be a glass separating you." Rob answers. "I'll take you there."

After going down several flights of stairs and a few different hallways, they come to a metal door with a small window.

"I have to stay in here with you. Rules." Rob says as he unlocks the door.

They walk in to see Dena sitting on the other side of the window.

Rob pulls up another chair since each window only has one seat. They sit down and Tim smiles at his mom as he reaches for the phone. He holds it between him and Adam.

"Hi, mom. What are you doing here?" Tim asks.

"I was worried about you two." Dena smiles sadly. "Honey, you look so tired."

"I, uh, I didn't get any sleep last night." Tim answers.

"How come?" Dena asks with a worried look.

"That was my fault." Adam answers.

"How are you holding up, Sweetie?" She asks, directing her question to the blond.

"Not too well." Adam chuckles, shaking his head. "Dena, I tried to kill myself. Tim was up all night with me in the infirmary."

"Oh, my God. Why? I mean, I know you were upset." Dena says.

"To be honest, I don't know why. But I'm okay. No permanent damage." Adam says.

"I had a bad feeling. That's why I had to come see yall." Dena says.

"We'll be alright, momma. Please don't worry." Tim says, offering her a tired smile.

"I'm your mom. Of course I'm going to worry." She smiles with tears in her eyes. She places her hand on the window. "I wish I could give you both a hug."

Tim smiles as tears fill his eyes. He places his hand on her's. 

"I wish you could too." He says as a tear rolls down his cheek.

She holds the phone with her shoulder and places her other hand on the glass for Adam.

Adam wipes a tear and places his hand on hers.

"I love you boys so much. Stay strong." Dena smiles.

"We love you too." Tim says.

"Guys, I'm sorry but it's time to go." Rob speaks up.

The guys wipe their eyes and blow Dena a kiss as the guard on her side leads her out.

"Did that help?" Rob asks as he leads them back to their cell.

"Not really." Tim sighs. "I really didn't want her to see us like this."

They get back to their cell and lie down. Holding each other closely but not saying a word. Within minutes they were both sound asleep.

"Tim?" Chance says as he gently shakes the sleeping man's shoulder.

"What?" Tim growls without opening his eyes. Adam begins to squirm in his arms.

"I thought maybe yall would want to get up and eat breakfast." Chance chuckles.

"What? Breakfast?" Adam asks, raising his head from Tim's chest.

"Yep, you heard me right. You guys slept right through supper last night." Chance smiles. "I didn't have the heart to wake you."

"You probably would have gotten hurt." Tim chuckles lightly, rubbing his eyes.

"Maybe that explains why I'm so hungry." Adam says.

"Alright, let's go eat." Tim says, placing a kiss on Adam's forehead. "We'll shower later."

As they walk into the cafeteria, all eyes were on them. Adam hangs his head in shame as he walks to the counter to get him a plate.

Tim looks around at the people staring.

"I don't think yall want to f*ck with me today." Tim says calmly in a low voice.

Everyone drops their heads and begins to eat.

"That's what I thought." Tim nods as he walks up beside Adam.

They walk over and sit down at the table with Avi, Samuel, and Hunter.

"We thought yall we gonna sleep through breakfast too." Avi smiles.

"Probably would have if Chance hadn't woke us up." Adam says.

"So, how are you feeling?" Samuel asks.

"I'm alright." Adam answers as he takes a sip of coffee, not really wanting to talk about the incident.

They eat in a comfortable silence. The light conversation was certain to stay off the topic of what had happened during visitation.

"Good morning, Gorgeous." Grassi says as he steps across Tim's lap and sits down. Taking everyone by total surprise.

"Get the hell off my lap." Tim says through gritted teeth as he stares at Mitch's still slightly bruised face.

"I heard about Rupp not caring sh*t about you and that he tried to kill himself because he found out his precious husband was cheating on him." Mitch smirks.

"I SAID GET THE HELL OFF ME!" Tim growls loudly grabbing Mitch by his upper arms, fixing to throw him to the floor.

Before he could do so, Mitch grabs Tim by the hair and crashes his lips onto the lips of the unsuspecting man.

"I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!" Adam shouts, slamming his fists on the table and jumping up from his seat.

Walking around Tim's chair, he grabs Grassi by the hair pulling him from Tim's lap. He backhands Mitch, knocking him to the floor.

"Let's finish this, right here, right now!" Adam says. 

"Okay, Rupp." Grassi says getting up from the floor, holding his cheek. "Let's do it."

Everyone in the cafeteria was standing on their feet watching the fight.

Tim knew this fight was long over-due. A person can only be pushed so much before they reach their limit. Grassi had pushed Adam to his limit.

There was only one guard in the cafeteria at the time. A guy that had only been at the prison for a month. He ran when the fight started.

"KILL HIS ASS, ADAM!!" Avi yells.

Tim nervously watches as punches are thrown.

"Come on, Baby." He whispers.

Adam suddenly pulls something out of his pocket. It was wrapped in a paper towel. His back was to the on-lookers so no one saw what he had. He quickly unwraps the paper towel as Mitch charges at him.

Adam steps out of his path but quickly grabs him from behind. Grabbing Grassi by the head holding it back and placing a razor blade to his throat.

Everything seems to freeze as if time stops. The shocked looks on Adam's friends as they catch sight of the razor.

Adam's eyes meet Tim's eyes.

'Will you still love me or will you go home and try to win back Austin? I'm sorry, but you are gonna have to choose. Me or him.' Adam could hear Tim's words in his mind.  ' You should know who are the friends worth keeping, and the kind worth killing.' The governor's words echo in his head.

"Baby?" Tim says softly holding up his hands and slowly walking toward them. "Think about what you're fixing to do here. You could be free soon."

"DO SOMETHING!!" Mitch screams out.

"I did think about it, Sweetheart. Last night while you slept in my arms." Adam nods. "I choose you."

In one quick motion, Adam brought the blade across Grassi's throat. Tim gasps as blood spews out on him, covering his shirt.

Not a sound could be heard as Adam lets Grassi's lifeless body fall to the floor. Adam drops the razor to the floor as he stares into Tim's brown eyes that were wide in shock.

The cafeteria doors swing open as Chance and several guards storm inside. The guards freeze in their tracks as they observe the horrific scene. Both Rupp and Foust were covered in blood. Grassi's body lay lifeless on the floor. His throat sliced from one ear to the other. But who did it?

"It's over." Adam smiles as he looks down at his enemy's body. "You lose."

"RUPP! RUPP! RUPP!" Some of the prisoners start to chant and clap.

The guards rush forward grabbing both Tim and Adam, not knowing for sure who did it.

Samuel reaches out and grabs Chance's arm as the guard grabs the still shocked Tim.

"It wasn't him." Samuel says in a sad voice.

"Adam?" Chance asks, unsure and Samuel nods sadly.

The guards grab Adam and quickly handcuff his hands behind him. Chance uses a paper towel to pick up the razor.

"I can't protect him on this." Chance says softly to his friends, shaking his head.

The guards begin to drag Adam toward the door as Doctor Olusola runs in.

"I LOVE YOU, TIMOTHY FOUST!" Adam yells out as he is being dragged out.

"I LOVE YOU, TOO!" Tim manages to yell.

************

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