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Of Wolf and Man; Who let the dogs out, who, who, who?
Topic Started: Mar 12 2016, 06:14 PM (14,173 Views)
Gene Hunt
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*Being a werewolf isn't easy. And neither is being under the thumb of a werewolf hunter. Someone who knows your secret and is only just barely holding back from tracking you down and putting a silver bullet between your eyes for the one reason that you're more valuable to him alive than dead. At the moment, anyway. And it's not like the relationship isn't mutually beneficial in some way. Even though Gene despises taking the money, he has no choice. It's live and live well with all the information he needs or die and end up someone's throw rug.

It's been this way for years, between Warren and Gene. It's routine. And so far Gene's fairly sure Warren's the only one who knows. His colleagues don't. They only know that he's unavailable for evening drinks once a month because of "wife commitments", though none of them have been brave enough to point out that they haven't seen his missus in years. Sam definitely doesn't know. It'd blow his little mind,considering how he's already a little peculiar.

But of course, like he always does, here's Sam bloody Tyler - his best mate, his right hand, his deputy dog - putting all of this at risk. He doesn't know the specific nature of the danger he's putting them both in, how could he. And Warren would never DO anything about it, he knows that Warren needs Gene too much. Having a DCI at your beck and call is nothing to throw away just because of some uppity little twerp rocking the boat. Right?? *
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene's face screws up as Sam moves him - out of pain, yes, but the humiliation is imprinted on him now. He's always wanted Sam to look up to him - to respect him. As both a copper and a friend. And that depended on him maintaining some kind of dignity throughout this whole thing.

Right now he must look as undignified as it's possible to be. What Sam's seen he'll never forget.

But then Sam's embracing him, pulling him up so that he's off thr ground a little... There's a strong arm round his back, holding him up... Something warm and soft touching his forehead for a moment...

.... Was that...?

"You'll be okay, I promise."

... Sam told him once that he always keeps his promises....

The moment is broken as Joni rushes into the room, shouting as she goes.

"The wagon's here! Shall I bring 'em dow--"

She cuts off, stunned by the sight in front of her. Sam's there, cuddling a naked form. A naked DCI Hunt... The pair of them look altogether tragic. Colour springs to her cheeks and she averts her gaze very obviously. Gene's clearly extremely injured, but his naked self is something she feels she definitely shouldn't look at.

"Uhhm-! They're here..."*
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Sam flinches as Joni rushes into the room, her loud voice breaking the silence, breaking the moment. But then, he realises what she said, and relief rushes through him. Still holding onto Gene, Sam turns, spotting her standing in the doorway. Absorbed as he is by his own emotions and worry for Gene, Sam doesn't even realise just what kind of scene is presenting itself to Joni.

He just nods, relief showing clearly on his tear-streaked face.*

T-tell them to hurry. He's... He's in a bad way...
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Gene Hunt
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*Joni nods, more than willing to be leaving the room again. This doesn't seem like the kind of thing she should be witnessing...

... Speaking of....

Before leaving the room, Joni spies the neatly folded camel hair coat on the edge of the table, next to the implements. Hurriedly she grabs it and drops it next to Sam.

"Better throw that on 'im before they come in. I'll go bring them down." And with that, she's gone.

Joni's voice is like both music and nails on a chalkboard to Gene - she's here too... She's seeing this...! The realisation draws a shuddering breath into Gene and he turns his face to rest against Sam's chest as though that'll hide him from view.*
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Sam Tyler
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*Sam looks up again when there's the sound of something dropping on the floor next to him - oh...

Gene's coat...

Sam wants to thank Joni, but she's gone before he has the chance to. And frankly, the way Gene's face is pressed against his chest now is distracting... Sam wants to hold Gene closer, to save him from any more humiliation and pain, but... this is all he can do for now.

So he reaches out and shakes open the coat before draping it over Gene's body somewhat awkwardly, already making a mental note to find the best cleaner in town afterwards, to get the blood stains out of it.*

'Ere you go...

*He tucks Gene in as best as he can, making sure to keep his back supported at all the times. Then, finally, Sam pulls him close again, burying his nose in Gene's hair, just like he had done with the wolf earlier.*

Y-you'll be out of here before you know it. Cavalry's here.
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene takes a deep shakey breath as he feels something soft cover him - something to protect his exposed skin from the cold and the gaze of anyone around. The thoughts in his head are spinning - it takes a while for him to come back to himself properly at the best of times, but this... he can't grab onto a thought and hold onto it. His mind is spinning.*

You.... You s-saw...

*He swallows, trying to force the words out.*

... Saw me change...?

*At that moment, Joni is back and waving in two ambulance drivers carrying a stretcher. She points, rushing up to Sam and Gene's side.

"He's there."*
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Sam blinks - Gene is asking him whether Sam saw him change...? Shit, his memory must be scrambled... He manages a nod, but before he can answer properly, Joni is back, accompanied by the ambulance drivers.

Sam's head snaps up and he turns around, just in time to see the men's horrified faces.

"Bloody 'ell!" One of them goes dangerously pale - the younger of the two, probably new on the job. The other man looks shocked as well, taking in the scene; the cage, the table with its torture instruments, the blood...

Sudden urgency thrumming through him, Sam calls out to them, though his voice is rough, both from Warren's assault and everything else that followed.*

He's lost a lot of blood... and he might've broken a rib - *Sam swallows, fighting to control his voice, staring up at the men almost pleadingly* Please, be careful with 'im....!
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Gene Hunt
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*Sam's comment of 'he's lost a lot of blood' turns the mens attention to the puddles on the ground. The large smears, the amount covering both Sam and Gene. That's.... Too much blood. Too much for someone to lose and still be living...

The older man steps forward, staring at the ground.

"This can't all be his...?"*
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*What...

An alarm bell starts ringing at the back of Sam's head - but at the same time, what do these men even care?! This isn't what's important right now...!!!

So Sam snaps, entirely at the end of his rope*

What does it matter?! You should be getting 'im to hospital instead of playing detective!

*He can feel Gene's stuttering breath - hell, he basically can feel his life bleeding out of him. Sam had thought it was all over, but with the state he's in right now... he's not out of the woods yet. And that thought scares Sam more than anything else; that after everything, he still may have been too late to save Gene... that can't happen........!*
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Gene Hunt
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*Sam's urgent tone snaps the two back into action, and though one of them looks decidedly pale, both move around the bloody patches on the ground to help.

"Okay, okay... We need to get him onto the stretcher..."

They place it down beside Sam, standing up and hovering over the pair, trying to decide the best way to start moving the man.

In Sam's arms, Gene is becoming aware that there are other people in the room now, and it's not helping his levels of worry. They don't feel like a threat, but he's so exposed... The coat is covering him somewhat, but it doesn't change the fact that he's completely vulnerable and on show. His hand grips onto Sam's shirt and he moans again - the situation is so far out of his control...*
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Relieved that the two ambulance drivers are finally moving, Sam begins to shift as well - he'll help them get Gene onto that stretcher... But then, he feels Gene's hand, clinging to his shirt... Hears that moan. It breaks his heart.

Sam reaches up reluctantly, trying disentangle Gene's fingers without hurting him.*

Ge-- Guv, it's the ambulance... We're gonna have to move you. Trust me, it'll be okay - y-you'll be okay...

*He lowers Gene down gently - and there, the older driver has already moved up, gentle but firm hands taking hold of Gene's armpits, while the younger driver takes his legs. Sam keeps his hands on Gene, trying to support his back and to keep the coat in place. Together, they slowly begin to move Gene - it's just a couple of feet.... They can do this....!*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene grits his teeth as he feels hands on him, under his arms and knees. They're moving him...

A stifled noise of pain escapes him as he's lifted, muscles straining as he tries to keep his middle from stretching - tries to stop that long incision down his body from opening up further. The lack of control makes his heart beat fast - only Sam's hands on him keep him from panicking. If Sam's there, then he's safe...

He grunts as his back touches the ground once more, but this time there's something between him and the cold surface.

Unable to piece together his fleeting thoughts, Gene turns his head to face Sam, eyes half open.*

Where... Where we goin'?

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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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Careful, there's- there's a large cut down his front...

*Sam is relieved when Gene is finally settled on the stretcher, one of the drivers throwing a large blanket over him. He'll be okay, he'll be okay...

Seeing Gene's eyes focus on him and hearing the question, Sam pulls himself together again - and keeps himself from placing a hand on Gene's cheek. Instead, he places it on Gene's shoulder - firm enough for Gene to feel it, but light enough to hopefully not upset his injuries any further.*

Hospital. They'll fix you.

*Sam even manages something like a smile.

Carefully, the drivers lift up the stretcher - they need to get Gene out of this place and up to the wagon...

Sam begins to pull himself up as well - he needs to stay in Gene's line of sight - but his legs feel impossibly weak. Sam collapses back to his knees with a groan, squeezing his eyes shut.*
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Gene Hunt
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*The ambulance drivers hesitate, eyeing Sam worriedly.

"'Ey, mate... You should come with us... You don't look that good either...."

Joni steps forward as the man speaks, grabbing onto Sam's arm and helping to support him. She doesn't want him collapsing on her as well!

There's a sudden flurry of activity - footsteps in the hallway - and then suddenly there's Ray and Chris, followed by Annie and a few uniformed officers. They stop dead in their tracks as they see the ambulance drivers already there - the blood, the dirt, Gene, Sam...

Ray's jaw drops open, eyes wide.

"Holy......!"*
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Sam is grateful for the support - after all this, his body just isn't prepared to obey him anymore.

But then... The footsteps, and that familiar voice. Sam looks up, and is met with Ray's incredulous stare, the stricken looks of the others.

Something clicks in his head - that's right, he still has an investigation to at least open...

Sam pulls himself up to his full height, forcing himself to stand up straight, only his hand still resting on Joni's shoulder. *

Sergeant. *his voice sounds tired, but not as tired as he really feels.* Stephen Warren is under arrest for abduction, torture and attempted murder on DCI Hunt. Miss Newton here is going to show you where to find him.

*He blinks, takes a breath.* Lock the place down. I don't want anyone in 'ere, tinkering with evidence.

*Sam throws a glance back at the table. That camera.... He can easily imagine why it's there.*

That film - I don't want anyone outside of CID seeing it. As few people as possible. Is that understood?
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Gene Hunt
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*The others stare as Gene is carried past them, his coat draped over him awkwardly. Gene barely looks conscious, and from the amount of blood spattered on the floor, it's not hard to see why. It's also clear that he's been stripped of his clothes, and though they know they shouldn't, they can't help staring.

Sam's orders hit deaf ears for a moment as they all try to take everything in. But after a horrified moment, Ray manages to snap out of it enough to take back some control. Sounding overwhelmed, he turns and waves Chris and Annie towards Joni. They can go deal with Warren... Ray needs to find out what the hell's been going on! Leaving the plod to go secure the entrances, Ray moves towards Sam.

"What the bloody hell--!!"*
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Sam is about to raise his voice, when the others finally snap to it. Joni looks at him questioning, but he merely nods - he'll be fine. She looks at him skeptically, but does let go of him; she's eager to get all this behind her... Be rid of Warren once and for all....!

Sam takes a step, but quickly realises that he really can't walk on his own. Pain is shooting up his leg and through his entire body whenever he puts weight on it... So he grabs onto one of the bars just as Ray approaches.

He looks up, opens his mouth - and closes it again. What can he say? How can he explain this?*

... Gene - the Guv was his target. Has been for a while.

*This probably isn't what Ray wants to know, but Sam doesn't feel able to go into details on what happened. Not while he's struggling with it all himself. Not while Gene's blood is still sticking to his face, his hands, his clothes.*
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Gene Hunt
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*'was his target?' What does that even mean??

Ray shakes his head in disbelief and outrage.

"What--? Well, is he gonna be okay??"*
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Sam grits his teeth - that's the question, isn't it...

No. It's not a question.

Sam's gaze hardens as he holds Ray's, slightly slumped against the cage as he is.*

... yes.

*He has to be. Sam did everything he possibly could have.... Gene has to be alright.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Ray can see the burning determination in Sam's eyes - and for once, he doesn't challenge him. To be the one who found the Guv like this... That can't have been easy. And though he's less convinced of just how 'okay' Gene'll be, he'll accept that answer gladly. They need to believe he'll be alright.

"You'd better go sit down or something... You look like you're about to drop, and I an't catching you."*

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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Sam stares back at Ray, then gives a slight nod. Despite the renewed adrenaline, he can feel his body shutting down... He needs rest, needs his leg to be looked at... Needs to make sure Gene goes the treatment he needs...

But he also needs to make sure that this is absolutely over, once and for all. So Sam keeps holding Ray's gaze, his own still intense and imploring.*

You make sure everything's done by the book. *Sam's voice shakes slightly with emotion.* Warren can't get away with this. We can put him away forever, but you have to make absolutely sure. Is that understood?
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Gene Hunt
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*Ray nods, jaw clenched.

"We'll take care of it. We'll make sure we get enough to put the bastard away 'til he keels over."

He gestures to a nearby officer who picks up the camera with gloved hands and puts it into a plastic bag, just as Sam'd taught them.

"And we'll get that processed. Whatever's on there should help nail 'im."*
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Sam nods again - good, that's good...

Then, he remembers one last thing.*

There... there's a bullet back there.

*He points behind himself to the cage, to the largest patch of blood - pointing with a hand that isn't exactly steady.*

Make sure you get it. Make... make sure no one n-nicks it......

*The bullet Gene coughed up in the end... the bullet that nearly killed him.... the would-be murder weapon..........

Suddenly, it's all too much. The events of the last 12 hours flash through Sam's mind - Gene's injuries, Warren's cruel smile, the screams, Warren's hands on his body--

Sam topples forward with a low groan, his fingers sliding off the bar he'd been holding onto, the ground rushing up to meet him as his vision goes blurry........*
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Gene Hunt
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*Ray turns to look at the ground where Sam points - but then a sound from behind him makes him turn back. He's just in time to see Sam's hair disappear from his line of sight.

Ray grabs out suddenly, managing to just catch the back of Sam's jacket fast enough to stop him from smashing his head on the floor.

"Shit!! Oi, some help over here!?"

Seeing what's happening two officers rush over to grab Sam's arms, hurriedly picking him up and carrying him towards the door, calling after the ambulance drivers.

After a second, Sam and Gene are both out of the building and in the ambulance, being sped towards help at last. *
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Sam is semi-aware of what's going on - of hands on him, a vague feeling of floating through space, voices... his consciousness blips in and out for a while, providing him with glimpses of the ambulance van's ceiling, Annie's pale, worried face... He tries to turn his head, to see if Gene is there, but the world spins again, and he's gone.

"... he's slipping away...."

".......... what....... keep trying........ not los--"


Sam wakes up to a light shining right into his eye. He grunts and tries to turn away. This is a good sign, apparently, as a moment later there's a pat to his shoulder, and a gruff voice saying that he'll be alright.

They patch up the cut on his cheek, tell him to keep his ankle suspended and to avoid walking as far as possible. But they also know that Sam's DCI is in the building, so the nurse leaves a pair of crutches leaning against the wall. He has to wait for about an hour for the IV bag to fully empty itself into his system, but after that he's allowed to get up. The woman even tells him which way he needs to go, to get to where Gene is going to be, once he's out of surgery.

And so, mere hours after their rescue, Sam slowly hobbles up to the third floor, and then lowers himself onto one of the plastic chairs, teeth grit. His entire body hurts; it's not just the mangled ankle and a few of the scars on his side and leg that have opened again under the stress, it's basically his entire system telling him it's had enough, it needs a rest. His muscles ache - his legs especially, after the mad dash to escape Edwards.

And then there's the feeling that he needs to go have a shower so, so bad.

Jaw set, Sam waits. Waits for someone to come and tell him that Gene's going to be fine, that he can go see him.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Sam has to wait for a couple more hours before anyone comes for him. Nurses have been before, trying to persuade Sam to go home, rest that leg, get changed, get some sleep - but lo and behold, here he is still waiting as the head nurse makes her way to the waiting room. She's tired - the doctors have been particularly baffled by this case, and baffled doctors aren't easy doctors to deal with. She heads into the room and towards its sole occupant.

"Mr Tyler?"*
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Sam's head is leaning against the wall at an odd angle by the time the nurse approaches him - he's been dozing, but the sound of her voice rouses him in an instant, and he sits up, blinking hard.*

Y-yeah. That's me.

*He takes in her appearance - she looks... exhausted. And he's not talked to her before... so she must be from the operating theatre. Sam's heart begins to beat faster as his mind, still muddled from sleep deprivation and exhaustion, slowly catches up with what's about to happen. What might be about to happen...

Sam gazes up at her, a hint of fear creeping into his expression. What is she about to tell him...?*
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Gene Hunt
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*The nurse can see the fear in his face, in the lines around his eyes and the dark circles underneath. The man looks drawn and utterly exhausted. She'd better deliver the news quickly, put him out of his misery as far as she can.

"Good. Then I'm pleased to tell you your boss made it through the surgery. He had extensive damage to his stomach... But we've repaired it to the best of our ability... It just needs time to heal now. Lots of rest.

We've given him a transfusion to replace some of the blood he lost and stitched the lacerations together...

He also has a broken rib, but we've decided not to strap it up due to the cuts on his chest..."

She's waiting for Sam to interrupt whenever he has a question - there's quite the list of things they've had to treat...*
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Sam takes it all in quietly, his eyes never leaving the nurse's face.

He made it.... Gene made it through the surgery....

As her words sink in, Sam feels at least part of the weight on his chest being lifted. The injuries Gene sustained sound absolutely horrific... but he's alive, he's made it...

Sam slumps slightly, exhaling and closing his eyes for a moment. When he opens them again, he looks even more tired than before, and his voice is hoarse with a mix of barely concealed emotions.*

So... so he'll be alright. Yeah? He'll recover?

*He knows that right now, Gene is in as bad a state as he possibly could be... but Sam needs to know if he'll be able to bounce back from it... that there is no permanent damage, no disabilities...*
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Gene Hunt
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*She smiles at him reassuringly, hoping to at least give him some semblance of good news.

"As long as there are no further complications, yes. We're closely monitoring him, so if anything happens we'll be able to try and tackle it as it happens. But we're optimistic."*
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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....

*Sam is quiet for a few seconds - then, he exhales with a long sigh and leans forward, burying his face in his hands.

He'll be okay. Gene will be okay. Sam has done his best to make sure of that, and he succeeded. Gene was strong enough.

Sam can feel his throat closing up as emotions threaten to overwhelm him, but he doesn't want to break down now, not in front of the nurse... So Sam takes another deep breath, trying to steady himself. When he looks up again, there is a shimmer in his eyes, but he manages to keep himself together.*

... can I go see him?
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Gene Hunt
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*The nurse looks unsure for a moment - Mr Hunt has only just come out of surgery recovery... But Sam looks so tired and so emotional.... Surely it'd do him good as well as Hunt.

"Well... Usually we'd advise Mr Hunt be left alone for a bit longer... But as long as you promise not to antagonise him I think we can allow it. And if he's sleeping, you're not to wake him up. Understood?"*
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*Antagonise him? Sam wouldn't dream of it. Not after everything that happened.

He nods, indicating his understanding - right now, he doesn't want anything to interfere with Gene's healing process... so he'll do whatever the nurse says, so long as he's allowed to see Gene.

He pushes himself up and out of his chair, grimacing as his body twinges and protests. The crutches help to some extent, but... at this point, every step he takes is agony.

Still, Sam looks up at the nurse once he's ready to move, waiting for her to show him the way.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Seeing Sam nod and stand gives her all the go-ahead she needs. With a concerned smile she opens the door again and holds it for Sam to limp through.

Gene's room isn't too far - up a short flight of stairs and then on the left. Due to the trauma he's recieved they've put him in a private room with a window so the staff can still keep an eye on him. But it's quiet and out of the way. Perfect, really.

The nurse opens the door and whispers to Sam, remembering to keep her voice low.

"There's a visitor's chair just there - I'll come back and check on you in a bit. Remember to keep things quiet and relaxed, okay?"

And with that she leaves Sam at the doorway. If he needs anything, he'll call, she's sure.

In the room, Gene is half-sleeping. He's been unconscious for what feels like a year - but then, anaestethic will do that to you. The drugs make him feel cold despite however many blankets they've piled on him, and there's an unsavoury taste in the back of his throat. Thankfully though there doesn't seem to be any real pain.... He's doped up enough to mask all of that - as long as he stays still, anyway. Moving hasn't been successful, he's already discovered what a bad idea that is.

The doctors have told him what they've done, Gene's sure of it... But his mind is so foggy he can barely even remember. The events of the past 48 hours seem a blur. A horrible, gut-wrenchingly terrifying blur. A prickling smudge of blades, blood and pain at the front of his mind.

Good job the drugs are helping with that as well, making it near impossible to latch onto a memory.

So, blissfully numb and sleepy, Gene floats in his own head like a cloud, not quite sleeping nor quite awake. He's existing - and that's all for now.*
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Sam Tyler
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Gladys
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*By the time they arrive at Gene's room, Sam is out of breath and yearning for a chair to sit down in again, but he does his best not to show it.

The silence around them feels unreal, and the way the nurse keeps her voice so low certainly doesn't help that. Sam again just gives a nod - he doesn't think he'd be able to raise his own voice above a broken murmur anyway. His eyes are on Gene already.

Gene as well looks unreal. Sam never expected to have to see him like this - deathly pale, bandages wrapped around his arms and what little Sam is able to see of his upper body... Even the cut on his cheek has been stitched up, and now it's covered by a large swathe of gauze.

But as unreal as the scene seems to Sam, it also reminds him of the pain Gene has had to live through. Trying to convince himself that that wasn't real would just about be the worst thing he could do... Denying Gene's existence in that way. Sam can't do it.

It feels like an eternity before Sam is able to move. He turns and quietly closes the door behind himself, before hobbling over to the chair stood next to Gene's bed, trying to make as little sound as possible - though the clacking of the crutches on the floor sounds almost like gunshots to his ears. Finally, Sam gingerly lowers himself down, carefully laying the crutches on the ground next to him.

Then, he doesn't quite know what to do. There's an urge to take Gene's hand, but... the way both his hands are wrapped in bandages makes him afraid that he'll hurt Gene.

God, he looks so fragile.

Blinking against the sudden burn in his eyes, Sam finally forces himself to hoarsely murmur*

... Gene?

*Maybe he's awake... though if he isn't, Sam doesn't want to wake him up...*
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Gene Hunt
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*through the complete emptiness in his mind, Gene hears something. A voice. The one voice he's been desperately hoping to hear, even if he himself hadn't realised it.

Sam.

On the verge of waking, Gene swallows against the sandpaper in his throat, adam's apple bobbing and eyes twitching for a moment. His neck is sore, inside and out. That bullet, the way it'd lodged there, scratched and scraped as it went down...

No, don't... don't think about that...

Determined to see if the voice was real or just a figment of his imagination, Gene forces his eyes to open just a sliver and he blinks in the light, trying to make out the blurry shape in front of him.*
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*As Sam waits for a reaction, his eyes settle on... on Gene's neck. The one swath of skin that isn't nearly white... to the contrary, the bruises there are dark, purple and blue, encircling his throat like... well, like that collar had. Even the thought of it makes Sam feel sick, his hands tightening into fists in his lap.

Then, he notices - Gene's face, it's moving... his eyes are opening. Heart suddenly beating faster, Sam leans in instinctively, doing his best to be in Gene's direct line of view.

Again, he says - no, hoarsely whispers*

Gene? It's-- *Sam has to swallow against the feeling of tightness in his throat* -- it's me. Sam.
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*Unable to open his eyes any further, Gene watches the shape move - hears the words it emits - and a shiver of relief runs through him. Sam. Sam's here. He's real.

Gene has the urge to reach out and grab onto Sam, to tether himself to him. To feel the physical comfort of him solid in his hands. But he's just too tired. He can't even lift a finger. Plus if he did try to move his arms, he's certain the medication wouldn't manage to mask the pain in the long cuts running from his shoulders to his wrists. So he just watches, gratitude in his eyes as he starts to make out some of Sam's features.

Voice hoarse and rough, Gene whispers.

"... Dorothy...."*
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*For the tiniest moment, Sam is confused, a frown showing on his face - but then, he lets out a short shakey laugh, letting his head hang low with relief. When Sam looks up again, the shimmer in his eyes is back.

And now, he can't hold back - Sam reaches out and lets his hand rest on the back of Gene's, his touch light as a feather.*

... Yeah.

*That's all Sam manages before his throat closes up entirely. His gaze grows misty, and after a moment a tear rolls down his cheek.*
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*Gene can't see the tear drip from Sam's eye, but feels the warm touch to the back of his hand and god, does he need that. The edges of his lips twitch upwards momentarily, and suddenly he can't stop his own eyes growing hot.

He made it.... He's alive and Sam's here...

If Sam hadn't come to find him, he'd be gone.

His lip trembles as he stares up at Sam, emotions beginning to well up inside him once more. This is the man who saved his life. Who marched into the belly of the beast armed with only handcuffs in order to save him from the horrors he was enduring.

He wants to say thank you. To grab onto Sam and hug him tight. But the words don't come. The energy isn't there. He can only stare and hope that Sam understands.*
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*His eyes fixed on Gene as they are - even with how blurry his vision has turned, Sam doesn't miss the way Gene's lip begins to wobble... Nor that look in his eyes Sam has never seen before. It squeezes his heart to an almost painful degree - he can't... He can't have Gene getting worked up right now...

Swallowing against the lump in his own throat, Sam leans in even further and places his other hand gently on Gene's cheek.*

H-hey...It's okay, you're - you're alright now. *Sam manages a wobbly smile.* You're alright...

*He can only guess at what Gene is thinking... God, hopefully he isn't getting upset because seeing Sam is bringing back memories of what happened...!*
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*He closes his eyes as Sam's hand comes to rest on his cheek - the warmth, the feel of it, reassuring and comforting... God, he's glad Sam's here.

Trying to get himself under control, Gene fights the prickling in his eyes. He can't cry... Not in front of Sam... Not again... Not after he's already become so helpless and weak in his eyes...

But the tear runs down his cheek before he can stop it, mirroring Sam's own.

A lump in his throat, Gene croaks.

"... You... Stopped Warren..."*
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*It's both the tear and Gene's croak that render Sam speechless, his eyes widening slightly at the sight. God, he's... Gene is.......

Tears are already silently slipping down Sam's face, but seeing Gene overwhelmed by emotions like this... It's only with great effort that Sam manages to keep control over himself. He can't bear to see Gene cry... Not after everything that happened...!

Maybe it's out of self-preservation that Sam's mind latches onto what Gene just said, and he just about manages to say*

W-well, technically it was Joni. *Sam sniffs, then huffs a shakey laugh.* Couldn't... Couldn't 'ave done it without her.

*Sam trails off, suddenly embarrassed and not knowing what else to say. He does realise that Gene is trying to say something that's much bigger than just those three words... But Sam can't cope with the implications, not right now. Not when he's still reeling from everything that's happened.*
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*Joni... Shit, Joni.... He'd almost forgotten she was there too... And she saw...

Guilt washes over him suddenly, for how he's treated her in the past. And she helped to save him...

He lets out a tired, regretful sigh.*

Sh.... Shit....
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*Unable to know what Gene is thinking, to Sam it seems like Gene is getting distressed - over what? The fact that Joni saw him? That she might tell on his secret? Whatever it is, Sam is beginning to panic slightly - he promised the nurse he wouldn't upset Gene, but so far it looks like he's accomplished the exact opposite...

So Sam hurries to try and alleviate Gene's fears*

It's, it's okay, d-don't worry - she won't tell on you...

*Sam squeezes Gene's hand slightly, ever watchful to not cause him any additional pain.*

And...and everything's getting s-sorted, I made sure of that. Warren is in custody, CID is in charge of the investigation... He won't get away with this.
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*Warren is in custody... The words sound odd to him. Foreign. He never thought he'd hear those words. It's been so many years, living in fear of the man that even after everything he's done, the thought of him being actually arrested still seems strange.

And Sam says Joni won't tell on him... it makes him extremely uncomfortable that she knows his secret now - she has a lot of leverage over him, that means - but Sam's right... he needs to trust her....

But trust isn't easy. Not after what happened, especially. He can't shake the feeling that he's going to wake up any second and find himself back in that cage...*

.... Ray's... Ray's got 'im?
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*Sam nods, eager to reassure Gene. Eager to reassure himself as well.*

Yeah. And he won't let 'im go, no matter what.

*Trying to further comfort Gene, Sam shifts the hand on his cheek slightly - his thumb rubbing across Gene's skin gently, trying to dry the track the tear has left. Sam needs him to calm down... needs him to understand he's safe now... Sam won't let something like this happen again...!*
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*Gene sniffs, a shuddering breath running through him as he feels Sam's thumb rub gently across the damp trail the tear has left. Warren's secure. He's safe. They're both safe.

He stays quiet for a moment, absorbing the knowledge Sam's given him. Appreciating the quiet, empty of screams or howls.

Then, still in a whisper,*

Are... Are you okay...?
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*The silence that settles between them feels calming to Sam as well - he drinks it in, the feeling of being in a safe place... a place that's (relatively) normal, a place where Gene can heal... Nothing to watch out for. And Gene's skin, warm and dry under his skin... not cold and clammy...

But then, that whisper. Sam's hand on Gene's cheek twitches, before going completely still.

It shouldn't be a hard question to answer. In comparison to Gene, Sam is more than okay. He has nothing to complain about, apart from the fact that his ankle is buggered up.

However, there's a lump in his throat that prevents him from answering.

He's not okay. His head is filled to the brim with what happened, and what could have happened. Seeing Gene and talking to him has calmed the storm in his mind slightly, but not enough. Not enough by far.

Sam's gaze drops and fixes on the blanket. He needs to say something. He can't worry Gene, not after everything. Gene needs to concentrate on himself.

Finally, Sam looks up again, trying for a shaky smile as he presses his hand a bit further against Gene's cheek.*

... I will be. After a good night's sleep.

*It's not a complete lie.*[/i]
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*Sam may not want to worry Gene, but he forgets - he's a terrible actor.

Even in his medicated, exhausted state, Gene can see through Sam easily. The twitch, the pause, the way his gaze drops - Sam isn't okay. And Gene can't blame him.

At least Sam half admits it in what he says.

Sleep. That's what Sam needs.... *

You... You should go home, then. Catch up on... On those Z's.
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*This time, Sam's smile is brief and sad, but real.*

I will. I... I wanted to make sure you were alright.

*Again,its only half the truth - but Sam can't exactly tell Gene that he fainted and had to be carted to hospital in the same ambulance, can he. He knows he'll need to leave soon as well... The nurse said she would come back at some point... And Gene needs to rest as well.

But right now, he wants to stay with Gene...*
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*Gene swallows again, eyes roaming Sam's face. He's telling the truth... He really did want to come to see if he was okay. Though the cut on Sam's cheek looks a lot cleaner now... He must have seen a doctor too...*

Someone looked you over... I hope?
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*Sam nods - he doesn't miss how Gene searches his face, his gaze lingering on the cut on his cheek. If his hands weren't otherwise occupied, he'd be touching it by now... *

Yeah. Nothing's broken, no serious injuries.

*None that are visible, at any rate - but as soon as he thinks that, Sam stows it away at the back of his mind. He isn't the one who went through 12 hours or more of torture... He isn't the one who had a bullet forced down his throat. He's fine. Nothing happened to him.

Sam tries to smile again, his hand stroking down Gene's cheek as he begins to slowly draw it back.*

Listen, I don't want to keep you up if - if you'd rather sleep...
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*Gene closes his eyes as Sam's hand traces down his face. Everything in his head is trying to tell him this is wrong - that Sam shouldn't be touching him this way... But the fog in his brain is blocking those thoughts. Where there should be fear there's just the appreciation for the touch. For Sam being there, being so close.

The nurse opens the door without warning, interrupting anything he might be about to say.

"Mr Tyler?"*
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*It's a good thing that Sam was already in the process of retreating his hand - when the door opens, Sam jerks back, eyes wide. Hopefully the woman didn't see the way he'd been holding Gene's hand...!*

Y-yeah. I, uhm, I was on my way out.

*That doesn't sound very convincing, seeing as Sam is still seated, so he quickly reaches down to pick up his crutches and then heaves himself out of the chair, trying not to hurry all too much. Hopefully he's pale enough for the heat he's feeling in his cheeks to not show...!

However, there's something he needs to ask Gene... So he turns back, an apologetic expression on his face.*

Is there anything you want me to get you from your 'ouse? I can swing by there later today.
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*Shit... The nurse... Does that mean--

Sam's hand leaves his face, the other letting go of his hand. Gene's fingers flex as though instinctively trying to hang onto Sam. Stop him from leaving.

He's too tired to care about the nurse seeing Sam's hands on him. He just wants Sam to stay. And it's with an effort that he makes himself remember the fact that Sam needs rest too.*

Uh...

*does he need anything? He can't even think. He can barely remember what he even has, let alone what he might want. So no jokes about whisky or cigarettes, or any requests for naughty magazines, just a croaky reply, quiet and tired.*

... Can't think.
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*Oh... Sam can see what's going on, and it breaks his heart. Gene is so exhausted that he can't even respond to a simple question like this...

With a glance at the nurse, Sam forces himself to smile. To not show just how hard it is for him to leave Gene here, the way he is now.*

Alright, well... I'll be back as soon as I can.

*Sam casts a look around the room - and he spots the camel hair coat. Someone folded it and left it on a second chair, stood against the opposite wall. Sam can see traces of blood...

His chest contracts painfully. Sam moves over and picks up the coat, almost as carefully as though it was a living being. He turns back to Gene, holding it up.*

I'll get this cleaned.

*And it's not just that... Sam remembers that the Cortina wasn't at Gene's house... so he must have left somewhere close to where Warren's goons got him... They'll need to find it. And once they have, someone will have to drive it back...

Sam shakes himself slightly, trying to stop his mind from rattling away.*

... you get some sleep.
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*Gene watches Sam move over to the chair to pick up his coat, and even through his tired, blurred vision he can see just how carefully Sam picks it up - there's no scrunching it, no slinging it over hos shoulder... He's holding it like it might as well be alive.

He'll get it cleaned...? Huh... It must be dirty... Blood? Maybe... He can't see from here.

It almost looks like Sam's stalling for time as he stands there, his mind clearly whirring away - Gene can almost hear the cogs in Sam's mind spinning. But eventually that statement is there. get some sleep.

Sleep... That sounds heavenly.... Although sleep means being alone. And Gene really doesn't want to be alone right now.

To the nurse, Gene asks with as much volume as he can, hoping his voice'll come out more than a whisper.*

When're visiting hours...?
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*The nurse, having heard Gene clearly enough, gives him a little smile.

"Two til six o'clock in the PM." She looks over to Sam, as though wanting to encourage him to say something, but he is still a bit stunned - that Gene would ask for visiting hours... that must mean that he wants Sam to come back.

So, with a second's delay, Sam says*

I'll be there.

*Sam hesitates, wanting to say more - If you need anything, anything at all, call me... whatever you need, I'll do everything I possibly could to get it or make it happen.... But he doesn't say any of that. Instead, he nods at Gene, not quite managing to smile again.*

Sleep well.

*He nods at the nurse as well, and with the coat safely under his arm, limps out of the room on his crutches.

The nurse holds the door open for Sam until he's safely outside, then she turns back to Gene.

"Anything I can get you, luv?"*
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*It's with unguarded, sad eyes that Gene watches Sam leave. He's too tired to be hiding his feelings now. He's been through too much to force his emotions down for today. Sam will come back, he said he would. And he knows Sam needs rest. That's the most important thing.

With Sam gone Gene suddenly feels vulnerable.

At the nurse's question, he shakes his head just barely - his voice has had enough. There are things he wants, but nothing she can provide. He wants to turn over, lie on his side... He wants water, throat lozenges... He wants someone with him, to make sure he wakes up again. He wants those cuts down his front and arms to disappear... Stop itching and tingling, reminding him of deeper cuts that never came.

He won't say any of that, though. He just wants Sam beside him. *
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*The nurse gives him an understanding smile.

"Well, if you think of something, just press the button." And with that, she sets to work - checking on Gene's IV bag, his vitals, scribbling something down on the chart attached to his bed. A few minutes later, she as well exits, leaving Gene on his own.

--

Sam doesn't miss Gene's expression, even as he hurries out of the room.

Gene doesn't want him to go...

Sam doesn't want to leave either - and yet here he is, limping down the hallways, his jaw set. The intensity of the feelings rolling through him scares him. He doesn't want to leave Gene's side again... not until he's made absolutely sure that Gene is okay and back to full health...

He'll move back in with Gene, to look after him. If he needs it. If Gene is okay with it.

"Sam!"

Pulled out of his thoughts, Sam looks up abruptly - and sighs with relief. It's Annie.

She updates him on what's been going on in the station. They're holding Warren - they've even charged him already, based on the unequivocal evidence found in that basement. It won't be long before he's sent down. Warren's underlings are being rounded up one by one.

They haven't found a trace of Edwards though...

Sam nods, trying to keep a straight face. He knows that sooner or later, a large carcass will be pulled from the Irwell... but it won't be anything to do with either of them.

Annie takes Sam home. On the way, the get the call that the Cortina has been found. Sam entrusts the keys to Annie, knowing she'll make sure to have the car safely delivered to Gene's house. He asks her to stop by there at first as well, so that he's got everything he needs to bring Gene when he goes back to hospital - spare clothes, a few books, a few tapes (Roger Whitaker, Sam notes with some amusement).

Then, finally, he's standing in his flat. On his own. Alone with his thoughts and memories. His hands aren't caked with blood anymore - someone cleaned them while he was unconscious - but... he can still feel it. The stickiness. On his face as well. His shirt is a mess, and his trousers... Only now Sam realises that his belt is still gone.

Oh, Jesus.

Without further ado, Sam makes his way to the bathroom. He needs a shower. His ankle is in a light splint, so he isn't really supposed to take a full-on bath, but he has to, he has to. Sam takes it off, then starts undressing as the tub fills up. With every item he sheds, his hands begin to shake a little more, and by the time he's naked he's tossed everything into a corner and is sat on the edge of the tub, shivering convulsively, feeling sick to his stomach.

It's just the exhaustion. He hasn't eaten in over 12 hours. He's just exhausted. It's nothing. It's... nothing....

Sam stays in the tub for what feels like an eternity. The water is cold by the time he heaves himself up again, feeling bone tired and wired all a the same time. A look at his watch tells him that he's still got a few hours left before visiting hours resume, so he can get a bit of shut-eye...

He all but collapses into bed, for once not minding the sickly squeaking of the springs. Just a few hours... just so he doesn't feel quite as shattered anymore...

Sam wakes up from the image and sensation of blood being poured all over him. He sits up with a shout, gasping as he struggles to breathe, the ghost of hands on his neck...

A dream. Just a dream. Memories gnawing at his overworked mind.

Sam gets up to pour himself a glass of water, to steady his shaking limbs, then realises it's time he got back to the hospital. Getting dressed doesn't take much time, and a few minutes later he gets into the cab he called to his flat.

Finally, Sam is back at the hospital, riding the elevator up to the third floor. He remembers where Gene's room is, so he heads straight there, softly knocking on the door before opening it to stick his head inside. Hopefully Gene is awake... Sam can't stand to be on his own with his thoughts right now....*

... Guv?
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*Sam's in luck. Gene isn't quite awake, but the uncomfortable doze he's in is disturbed by the door opening. Good thing, too. Gene's not finding it easy to sleep without someone there with him. Though he's now warm and safe, the quiet loneliness of the empty room reminds him of the night he spent in that place. Feeling like anyone could come in at any time, bark orders at him, pull on his collar...

So when the door opens and Sam's voice calls out Gene can't help his heart doing a little flip.

Still not quite with it, Gene looks over to him through half-lidded eyes, a slight smile ghosting over his lips for a moment.

He came back.

The scratches to his throat aren't going to help him sound any more alert, but Gene tries to speak anyway.*

You look... Marginally less like a corpse...
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*That smile... For the moment, it manages to put all of Sam's worries and fear to rest. He returns it automatically, relief in his expression as he closes the door and hobbles further into the room, sitting down on the chair next to Gene's bed like before.

Gene looks so much better... So much more himself. And even though his voice is wrecked, the fact that he's up to joking again is a good sign as well.

Still, Sam keeps his voice down as he responds*

You look more like yourself an' all.

*He hesitates, then asks more quietly*

... How're you feeling?
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*Gene smiles again at that - the irony of it. He looks more like himself. Less like a furious beast. Or a dead one.

He'd shrug, but he's not willing to pull on his stitches. In fact he hasn't moved his body since Sam left. He's scared to feel anything after that completely overwhelming barrage of pain of just a few hours ago.*

Alive. S'the main thing, isn't it...
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*Sam made Gene smile again. That almost feels like as much of a victory as it was seeing Warren go down unconscious. Sam relaxes a bit more, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees.

Alive... that is the main thing, yes... Sam's eyes flick down to what's visible of Gene's bandaged skin, then back up to his face again. The bruises around his neck still stand out like a flashing red light...

But Gene is alive. It's over. He won't ever have to go through anything like that again, if Sam has anything to do with it...

Sam nods, then realises he doesn't really know what to say. There's an overwhelming urge to just take Gene's hand, or better yet, hug him close... but he can't do that now, can he. Gene wouldn't want that, surely...

For a moment, Sam finds himself fiercely missing the wolf - the sensation of its soft fur pressed against his body.

Quickly trying to shake the thought, Sam reaches down and picks up the bag he's brought, holding it up so Gene can see it.*

Brought you some things. Change of clothes, some reading material if you fancy it...
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*A change of clothes... God it'll feel good to be back in something familiar. Since his shirt was cut from him he's felt so exposed. Shirtless, then covered in fur - his secret out there for Sam to see. And then after. That awful period after transforming back. Naked and disorientated and unable to get up off the floor. If he weren't so decidedly pale, Gene's cheeks would burn with shame that Sam had to see that.

Quietly, looking down at the blanket covering him,*

... Thanks.
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*Sam watches Gene, takes in his body language... and what he sees there is defeat. Maybe even... shame.

Christ, he has nothing to be ashamed of...

Slightly crestfallen, Sam lowers the bag back down to the floor. And then he doesn't quite know what to do with himself. Now that Gene is obviously more lucid, Sam is hesitant to reach out like he did earlier... What if Gene pulls back? Sam wouldn't blame him, but... he's not sure he himself would be able to cope with that kind of rejection at the moment.

So silence falls between them. Sam doesn't know what to say. He wants to ask Gene if there's anything he wants to talk about... but with his throat in that state, he doubts Gene will want to utter more than five words at once...*
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*Gene looks back up at Sam, the silence ringing loud in his ears. It's clear Sam doesn't know what to say, and the last thing Gene wants is for there to be awkwardness. After what they went through together... No, that can't happen. He needs closeness now, not distance.*

I, uh... M'sorry...
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*Sam looks up abruptly as Gene breaks the silence. He's... sorry? Sam swallows against the lump forming in his throat - that's... that's the last thing Gene should be....!

His surprise and shock are evident in his expression and voice, even though he continues speaking in a soft voice*

What... what for?
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*Gene exhales slowly, trying to sort through all the things he feels he needs to apologise for. He's tried so hard to keep other people out of this... And Sam could have died. Sam could have been killed... He could have...!*

.... He could've killed you.
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*Sam is stunned into silence for a few seconds, eyes wide.

Finally, he stutters out*

He-- he almost killed you! Jesus Christ-

*Sam leans back in his chair, a hand over his mouth and looking off to the side - he needs to digest this - Gene is feeling guilty because Sam was there...?!

He exhales forcibly, trying to gather himself. He can't lose his cool now, of all times....!*

Bloody hell Gene, you 'ave... you 'ave nothing to be sorry for...! If anything it should be me--

*Sam's mouth snaps shut as his throat closes up. He should've gone in there better prepared, spared Gene all that agony that followed... Hell, he should've noticed that Gene was in trouble sooner, should have found him sooner...!*
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*For everything. For the scars on Sam's face, for the pain he's been through - for having to put himself in danger to try to save him, for having to witness everything that happened...

For Warren...

His throat won't allow him to spill all those words out, so he has to pick one. And the one that he chooses is the one at the forefront of his mind.*

For what you saw. All of it.
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Wha--

*Sam's lips move, but he doesn't have words. Gene is apologising for what Sam saw?! This... He stares back at Gene, then shakes his head. Sam can't accept this. He can't accept Gene blaming himself for everything.

Finally, he manages to force out the words, his voice rough with emotions.*

Don't-- don't say that. Don't ever...

*Sam struggles to go on for a few moments, before repeating himself, more forcibly than before.*

You have nothing to apologise for. I should've found you sooner. I should've -- should've come in prepared -- spare you all of...

*Again he has to break off, unable to go on. Sam ducks his head, hands carding through his short, already tousled hair in a desperate attempt to stay calm.*
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*With his depleted energy reserves, the only motion Gene can muster in response is a small shake of his head. Sam saved him... there's no 'should have's that he can come up with to make Gene blame him for anything.*

If... If you'd brought backup... I could've torn them to shreds.

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Sam Tyler
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*Sam pauses - Gene might be right in this, but... *

... Still. None of this was your fault. It was Warren.

*Sam's hands curl into tight fists.*

And he'll answer for it. For every... Single... Bit of this.

*Every cut... Every bruise... Every tear. Sam is going to make sure of that.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene blinks, the rage in Sam's eyes giving him pause. He remembers the fear in Sam's voice after he'd changed - but it was fear FOR Gene, not of him. And now he can something else - defensiveness. Protectiveness. Sam still wants to protect him. To get justice for him.

It makes Gene's heart swell with gratitude.*

Make 'im pay for that, too.

*nods gently at Sam's cheek, still pink and sore looking from Warren's punch.*
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Sam Tyler
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*Sam looks up, somewhat surprised and confused - what's Gene talking about...? He reaches up reflexively, touching his cheek - and remembers. Christ, in the grand scheme of things, that punch now seems like a tiny inconvenience.

Struggling to repress the more disturbing memories, Sam just nods, looking back down at the fists in his lap. What happened to himself is not important, compared to what Gene's had to go through. Sam can't think about himself when Gene is only at the beginning of his road to recovery...

Quietly, Sam says*

... so please... stop apologising. I can't...

*he bites his lip, shakes his head.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene knows that it isn't his fault, but really... But he can't help feeling somewhat responsible for Sam's involvement. For dragging him into this world, for making him aware of the horrors that exist out there. And for making him follow Gene into the lion's den. Leading him to Warren's doorstep.

And the transformation... Sam having to witness that... How is he ever going to forget that?

Gene swallows against the lump in his throat and watches Sam carefully.*

Can't what...?

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Sam Tyler
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*Sam was so set on staying calm... but he can feel himself coming apart. Everything is starting to catch up with him, and with how little sleep he managed to get between the morning and now, he's struggling to put into words just what he's feeling.

Finally, he all but chokes out, his defenses and cautiousness practically nonexistent*

... I c-can't 'ave you blaming yourself, after... after everythin'. You almost died, in my arms--

*Sam breaks off abruptly, stopping himself just before he really blurts out what's on his mind. The thought of how close he had come to losing Gene scares the shit out of him - and he doesn't even quite understand why. Why the fear is so intense.

But he knows that the last thing Gene should be thinking right now is what happened to Sam. Especially when Sam himself doesn't want to think about it.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene winces slightly at the sound of Sam's voice, almost as choked as his own. It's true... God, how close he came... He still can't believe he's really here. It's unreal. By all rights he should be dead right now. And if Sam hadn't been there, Gene's sure that he'd not have made it through the transformation back to human. Not with the internal damage the surgeons had to clean up.

Quietly Gene murmurs almost to himself, a frown on his face.*

... M'not sure how I didn't.
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Sam Tyler
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*Sam looks up at the sound of Gene's voice, his vision blurry. He can still see the frown on Gene's face though. Shit... he hadn't intended for Gene to remember what he just had to go through. Oh he's making a right mess of this...

Sam closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, doing his best to gather himself. Then, after exhaling slowly, he reaches out, fist uncurling, and he finally does what he's wanted to do from the moment he entered the room: He places his hand over Gene's, holding it as firmly as he dares.*

What matters... is that you didn't. *Sam's voice isn't really steady and fairly quiet, but he does his best to sound convincing.*
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Gene Hunt
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*the hold Gene has on his emotions right now is unsteady. His entire being feels tired and weak, body and mind included. This vulnerability he feels isn't something he's used to, and so Sam's hand on his is a welcome sensation. He has an urge to be close to Sam now - a need to be touched, a need to feel like he's not alone. And thank god Sam was brave enough to come back and provide it.

Gene never thought anyone would be able to watch him transform and then still want to know him afterwards. Yet here Sam is.

His tired eyes flick up from Sam's hand to his eyes, true bafflement in his cracked voice.*

... You saw what happened. I got twisted up like a... Like a day-old Slinky.

*He frowns again, genuinely confused.*

Anyone else would've... Would've turned tail and legged it.
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Sam Tyler
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*Gene isn't pulling away. That's... that's good. Sam keeps his hand where it is, thumb stroking ever so slightly over the bandages.

The look in Gene's eyes gives Sam pause. He seems... he seems surprised. Confused, even. And then, his words...

A frown shows on Sam's face. Why would Gene think that...? It wasn't his fault - he can't help what happens to him on a full moon... Was he really expecting Sam to just... abandon him? Granted, that transformation... He hasn't seen anything as terrifying as that in his entire life, and probably never will. Even now, the memory of bones cracking like gunshots, Gene's body twisting and reforming, makes him shudder, makes nausea claw at his insides.

But to leave Gene because of that? No. That would be ridiculous.

Sam shakes his head.*

How-- how could I 'ave left you there? I couldn't just... leave you to your fate...!

*Sam squeezes Gene's hand a little*

You could've folded up like a paper crane for all I care - I still... I still would've stayed.

*And if he had a choice, he would still do it all again. Anything... to save Gene's life.*
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene takes a shaky breath, Sam's words hitting his heart like a bass drum. Sam must have been terrified, he must have. You can't see something like that and not feel repulsed. But still Sam insists that he'd have never left Gene like that. And god, to hear those words... After years of believing that nobody'd ever stick around if they knew the truth... He wants to reach up and hug Sam himself.

Staying and watching is one thing, though. What Sam did was so much more. That bullet... Sam got it out of him. He approached the wolf, not knowing whether it was going to tear his throat out...*

You knew, though. You knew... at first, it wasn't me in there... It was an animal... And you opened the cage anyway...
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Sam Tyler
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*Sam can tell that his words are having an impact on Gene - a profound kind of impact. He really must have believed that Sam would up and go... would let him die... and all because of something Gene can't even control.

Sam's eyes widen slightly with surprise - so he was right, back there... Gene had been gone. But what had been left? An animal, Gene says...

He lowers his gaze, suddenly slightly embarrassed, muttering*

I hoped... that I'd get through to you. I had to try...
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Gene Hunt
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*He had to try... Sam had to try, even though he could have been killed. And that is Gene's worst fear... That he might hurt someone he loves...

That he loves... *

The Wolf... It was goin' to kill you.
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Sam Tyler
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*Sam blinks. It's the way Gene says it - he knows for a fact that what he is stating is true.

Carefully, Sam says*

... it didn't, though.

*he hesitates, then continues* ... you... stopped it?

*It's question, because Sam still doesn't understand all of this. Gene is basically telling him that, in his wolf body, there are... two minds? Gene and the Wolf?*
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Gene Hunt
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Yeah. I stopped it. Just.

*He can remember... Clawing at the consciousness occupying his body, trying desperately to gain back control. Stop his own hands from ripping into Sam, his own teeth from tearing into his throat... *

... It was... I could feel it... It was... Bloody terrified...
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Sam Tyler
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*Sam listens without saying a word, his gaze dropping down to their linked hands when Gene falls silent again.

The Wolf was terrified... of course it would be, after everything that had happened... But that also means that the Wolf itself couldn't tell the difference between Sam and Warren... Something about that thought squeezes Sam's heart painfully.

Suddenly, Sam can't bear to have Gene thinking back to all that again. To all the extreme emotions he no doubt must have been feeling - both his own and the Wolf's... So he takes a breath, and tries for a slightly more confident voice*

... well, what matters is that you did stop it. I was counting on that.
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Gene Hunt
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*He did stop it. But it was so close. Too close. If he hadn't managed to overtake the Wolf and stop it then Sam would be dead. Gene would have had to watch from behind his own eyes as his body attacked. Taste Sam's blood as he bit down...

He shudders.

God, the trust Sam put in him... It's insane.

With a small hint of a sad smile, Gene whispers.*

You're nuts.
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Sam Tyler
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*That shudder doesn't escape Sam's notice, and before he knows it, his other hand is grasping Gene's as well, holding on protectively.

Then he sees that hint of a smile playing around Gene's lips.

Relief blooms in Sam's chest, and he huffs a somewhat shaky laugh, looking down for a moment. If being insane is what it took to save Gene, then he'll gladly take that diagnosis.

His guard momentarily down, Sam mutters back*

And you love it.
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene huffs slightly, unable to laugh without pain. Sam's sense of humour never fails to amuse, though he tries not to show it.

He doesn't have time to reply or formulate a response even, as there's a knock at the door. A moment later a doctor pokes his head around the door.

"Mr H- Oh, you have a visitor... Mr Tyler, I presume? You're listed as emergency contact... Mind if I come in? It might be a good idea for you hear this too."*
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Sam Tyler
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*Seeing that Gene has cheered up slightly does a great deal to alleviate some of his anxieties, and his own smile widens.

However, the knock on the door quickly puts an end to that. Within the blink of an eye Sam lets go of Gene's hand and even half-levers himself out of the chair, suddenly tense, ready too--...

... it's just a doctor. Sam lets himself fall back into his chair, heart beating a bit too fast for comfort.*

... Sam Tyler, yes. Of course, come in.

*That's odd - he doesn't remember putting himself down as emergency contact for Gene... Sam glances over at him. Did Gene...? Or maybe Annie, while Sam was unconscious...*
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Gene Hunt
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*The doctor takes Sam's invitation and walks in, shutting the door behind him.

"Thank you. Now... I was just going to ask Mr Hunt some questions and explain the procedures he's been through. If he's happy for you to stay in the room then you're welcome to do so."

Hearing this, Gene turns his head a little to allow him to properly see the man.

He looks alright. Non-threatening. At least it doesn't look like he's about to poke a needle in his bum in the next five minutes....

Gene nods, saving his throat. Sam can stay.

"Alright. Firstly, do you have any questions, either of you? I understand you might not have had all the facts yet..."*
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Sam Tyler
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*Sam watches the doctor come in - he looks non-threatening indeed... it puts Sam somewhat at ease. Although the prospect of hearing exactly what Gene has been through, what they've had to do in order to save him... Sam knows that won't be easy to hear. He never had the time to assess exactly what kind of damage Warren did...

But at the same time, he knows he needs to hear it. He owes Gene that much... and he needs to have hard facts to nail down Warren's conviction.

A bit belatedly, Sam nods.*

If you could start from the beginning... I - *Sam has to take a breath there, steadying himself mentally* - I was the one who found 'im.

... I'd like to know what was done to 'im. *Here, Sam glances at Gene somewhat apologetically and insecurely* ... if that's alright with you.
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Gene Hunt
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*Gene doesn't respond, staring down at the blanket covering him instead. He needs to know these things... But hearing them isn't going to be that comfortable. He just needs to listen. Needs to take it in. Surgery happened while he was out of it, and he'd like to know what kind of state he's in.

The doctor pauses, then looks down at his clipboard.

"Okay, so... from the beginning... The major damage was to your stomach, Mr Hunt... That's what we had to concentrate on first. It looked like it'd been scorched, almost. There were burns to the inside, and everything surrounding it was inflamed. Very unusual... Nobody gave us any detail as to what happened, so it'd be useful if you could fill us in on that?"

The doctor wants to know how that happened... But Gene's taking this information in. The bullet burned his insides... And that's exactly what it'd felt like, too... Like there was a ball of molten lava inside him - acid, eating away at him internally...

He's too busy absorbing this horror to respond.*
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Sam Tyler
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*Right... He'll be hearing all of it then. Sam tries to steel himself mentally, although he knows it probably won't be of much use...

And he's right. As the doctor describes what state Gene's stomach was in, Sam can feel his own insides twisting into painful knots, and breathing is suddenly very hard. There were burns... That must have been the bullet.

Sam is silent for a few seconds, staring down at Gene's blanket. Then he speaks quietly, not raising his gaze.*

... He was forced to swallow some kind of... Toxic substance. Something acidic. I - I don't know what it was.

*That lie comes easily...*
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Gene Hunt
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*the doctor looks at Sam, surprised. He said he found Gene? Then how does he know about him swallowing a toxic substance?

He frowns.

"Oh, really? How do you know this? Did you see what happened? You're sure you didn't see what he swallowed?"*
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*Sam looks up in surprise and slight shock - the doctor asked about this, so why is he doubting him now...?

But then Sam realises - he only said he found Gene. He never mentioned when it was that he found him...

Again, it takes Sam a while before he's able to speak; he opens his mouth a couple of times without saying anything, but then, finally, he manages to get the words out.*

..... I.... I w-was made to watch.

*And he remembers, clearly, the way Gene's throat was convulsing... the absolute, raw panic in his eyes, and Warren's dirty hands on his jaw, forcing Gene to stay still....

Sam soldiers on, a slight quaver in his voice*

... it was some kind of... capsule.... about this size.

*He holds up his hand, thumb and index finger apart to indicate the size of the bullet - but when he notices that his hand is shaking visibly, he quickly lowers it again, curling it into a fist.*

I don't know what exactly it was. M'sorry.

*Again, a lie... but silver isn't harmful to humans normally, and Sam doesn't know enough about toxic substances in order to pull off a convincing cover story... so better stick to this.*
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Gene Hunt
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*The doctor frowns at this, looking down at his chart again. Sam had to watch? Though come to mention it he does seem to remember a 'Mr Tyler' being admitted at the same time as Hunt was... Jesus, what the hell did they both go through!?

"That's... odd. Mr Hunt showed signs of poisoning when we ran blood tests, but there was no substance to be identified. If the capsule dissolved and the contents were toxic, we'd expect to have seen extensive renal failure... The damage doesn't quite fit. You're sure you don't know what it was?"*
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Sam Tyler
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...

*Sam grits his teeth, staring down at his lap. He links his hands together to stop the tremor. Christ, he shouldn't - Gene was the one who went through it. Sam didn't have to feel the pain, that mortal fear.

He wasn't the one who threw up a stream of blood.

Sam's grip tightens, and he takes a breath before quietly saying*

... I got it out of him. M-made 'im cough it back up. I didn't--

I didn't look at it again. It's with the police now.
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