Jack lowered his head, mumbling back out to Mark.  "I only have four minutes left".  Mark's warm hands slid down to cup Jack's neck.  Pulling him very carefully until their foreheads touched and Mark whispered.  "I don't care".  Jack's closed his eyes, holding his breath as Mark tilted his head to brush his lips over his lips.  When Mark's pressed against his, Jack could taste the hot sauce on his lips.  Smirking, Jack scooted closer to Mark until he was right against him.  Chest to chest.  Mark's hands carefully drifted along his bare shoulders to wrap around his back.  Being in Mark's strong arms took all the pain away.  Jack felt safe.  Nothing felt stronger than Mark.  Jack's hands gripped Mark's broad shoulders and he broke their kiss to nip at his collarbone.  It was only when he felt the patch that he stopped.  Jack's thumb lightly brushed against the tape holding the small square patch in place.  Mark's bullet wound.

Jack opened his eyes to stare at it.  Mark had took a bullet for him.  He would have taken two.  Laying his head against Mark's shoulder, Jack placed his hand over the patch.  Mark leaned back a bit like he was trying to hide the pain... but Jack could see it in the way Mark's jaw clenched against his neck.  Jack removed his hand, whispering in a weak voice.  "I'm sorry. I forgot I wasn't the only one hurting".  Mark's voice was a deep purr against his shoulder.  "Jack, I barely feel it".  Jack shook his head slightly.  He knew that was a lie.  Another scar.  Only this one was his fault.  Mark's arm tightened around his lower back as Mark shifted to lay Jack back across the bed.  Jack didn't resist it.  He was tired of fighting.  Mark laid over him, but couldn't see him, when he whispered down to him sweetly.  "Do you want to stop"?  Jack shook his head, then smirked to himself.  Mark couldn't see.  Leaning up, Jack touched Mark's cheek.  Mark leaned against his hand and Jack whispered whole heartedly.  "I need you to finish".

Mark started to sit back, asking a bit curiously.  "This is what you wanted, isn't it"?  Jack curled a hand around Mark's neck to stop him from moving as he answered.  "This is what I want. I never wanted your submission... I just needed you".  Jack released Mark and laid back against the bed.  Mark didn't move for a moment, before he moved his hand over the mattress to Jack's cool hip.  Jack took a deep breath and closed his eyes.  Flashes of Roger and Trevor grabbing his hip with aggressive fingers shot to his mind in a mess of blurred painful memories... then the images burned away like paper in fire as Mark's hand gently caressed his hip.  Tender and loving.  The longer Mark's hand lingered there, the more he couldn't recall anyone else's touch.  There was just Mark.  Mark leaned down to kiss his stomach and Jack's hands gripped the bedsheets tightly as he gasped softly.  Images of Barry fondling him and violating him with his vile tongue began to burn too as Mark kissed parts of his stomach with such tender wanting.

Jack licked his lips as he forced himself to open his eyes and watch Mark.  This is what he needed.  Mark's touch was cleansing every part of him.  No amount of water or fire could burn away those images like Mark's warm touch could.  Mark kissed a slow trail up his chest and Jack's heart raced.  He'd never say their names again.  They were a nightmare.  Mark was real.  Jack ran a hand through Mark's fiery red bangs, smiling as Mark kissed his collarbone.  Mark couldn't see it... but he was healing him.  Mark ran his warm palm down one of Jack's arms to his wrist and Jack could feel his warmth burn through every layer of his skin.  When Mark intertwined their fingers together against the mattress, Jack breathlessly whispered into Mark's ear.  "It scares me how much I need you".  Mark turned to look at him without seeing him, answering just as breathless.  "You've always been able to take care of yourself, Jack. With or without me. You don't need me. You love me". 

Jack spread his legs wider to let Mark lay over him more comfortably.  Reaching over toward the bedside table to grab the last item.  Putting the item in Mark's hand, Jack told him lovingly.  "I do love you. Now help me forget everyone except you".  Mark's fingers curled around the small lube bottle and Jack took a deep breath.  This would finish off the last of the nightmares.  Mark took his time prepping him up.  Nothing was rushed.  Not even when Mark pressed into him.  Jack savored the feeling of Mark's warm breath panting heavily against his neck.  The feeling of Mark's body heating up as it sped up.  The alarm began to blare and Mark refused to slow down as he smacked the clock off the bedside table.  The loud crash of it smashing against the wall, causing Chica to dash out of the room in surprise! 

Jack could tell Mark was close, but he needed one last thing.  Pushing Mark up a bit, Jack cupped Mark's face.  His fingers gently pushing under the tape and forcing it up off Mark's face.  Mark's eyes were closed when the tape came free and the second he opened them... Jack grinned.  Staring into those beautiful brown eyes of his, Jack told him breathlessly.  "I love you".  Mark's eyes were glazed over in lust, but they were as soft as a teddy bear as he panted back.  "I love you too".

It took a few weeks, before Jack requested to return to the club.  Only this time it was done much differently.  Jack wasn't in some puppy leather.  He was dressed in torn up black jeans and his sneakers... but no shirt.  Just the green tape bands on his arms and his collar.  Mark sat at the table with David, dressed in his leather pants and his white tank top.  Jack draped his arms over Mark's shoulders to snag a cookie off Mark's plate, telling Dusty loudly.  "I'll be there in just a second"!  Mark snatched Jack's wrist before he could dash away, pulling him close to playfully scorn him.  "Jack! You're going to spoil dinner".  Jack took a bite out of the cookie as he answered with a mouthful.  "No. I just need the energy".  Mark narrowed his eyes at him,  but Jack kissed Mark's cheek.  Then sweetly whispered into Mark's ear.  "I've got two more rounds to win and then I'll eat".  Mark released Jack with a sigh, telling him.  "Alright, but after that we eat". 

Jack didn't wait.  He happily waved at Mark and then ran to join Dusty at the door.  Dusty shifted around anxiously, when he told an approaching Jack.  "Hey, Jack. I found someone to fill Tony's spot this round".  Jack smiled excitedly, when a familiar voice behind him said.  "Hello Jack".  A cold chill ran up Jack's back as he slowly turned around.  His smile fading.  Standing behind him was... Trevor.  To Be Continued...