Gavin gasped as he broke the surface, hot water rolling off his body as he sat up. His nipples hardened as cool air caressed his skin, the hair on his arms slowly rising to trap the heat. He ran a hand over his head, breathing heavily as he looked around for his towel. He knew he'd dropped it by the tub somewhere. Leaning over the side, he found it in a small heap. Once he was out, he crossed to the small sink and brushed his teeth. This was his routine now. He'd bathe and clean up, then Jack would be waiting to tend to his wound and give him breakfast. The wound wasn't exactly healed, but the skin was sealed enough for him to take a proper bath, which was a fucking relief.

Languishing in bed, covered in sweat and filth, only being able to clean with cloths, was the worst. The relief he'd felt upon being allowed his first bath after that was unbelievable. He'd needed more help that time. Jack had joined him, kneeling by the tub and helping him sit up, lie back, and climb in and out. His side still hurt like a bitch, but he could at least bend and twist without risking the stitches now. Feeling clean and content, he watched in the mirror as he brushed his teeth using the same electric toothbrush he used at-

Shaking his head, he rinsed and dried off before checking his stubble. He'd only trimmed it the day before, so it was looking pretty good. With that done, he headed through to the bedroom. Jack was there, as expected, sitting at the breakfast table with a covered plate and a first aid kit. Gavin smiled as he walked over, standing between Jack's legs and bending down to accept the gentle morning kisses like always. Cool hands caressed his hips, fingers teasing the edge of the towel until he worked it loose and let it fall to the floor.

"See anything you like?" Gavin teased, biting his lip as Jack's hands greedily caressed his hips and ass.

"I might see a thing or two." Gavin snorted, shoving his head as Jack grinned and gripped his thighs. They weren't exactly wasting, but they were a little softer than usual. He couldn't workout the way he usually did with the wound in his side. Tightening his core pulled on the stitches, making the wound ache and sting. Doing sit-ups would probably burst the stitches even now. Jack chuckled as he leaned his forehead on his pelvis and nuzzled his softening abs before reaching for the first aid kit. Gavin was patient as he stood between his thighs, wincing occasionally as he disinfected the area. Since the skin was closed, it didn't sting anymore, but it still hurt when it was touched. "There, good boy." Gavin shoved his head again as he finally stepped back to get dressed.

A few days ago, he would have pulled on fresh pyjamas, but since the wound had started healing properly, he felt comfortable enough to wear jeans. The waistband was just a little lower than the stab wound, so he could comfortably sit and move without it rubbing or getting too tight. He could feel Jack watching as he bent over to pull on his pants, blue eyes greedily roving over his bare ass until it was covered. Even after that, he knew they lingered. It was hardly surprising. His ass was his best feature. Gavin smirked over his shoulder as he reached into the closet and grabbed a soft woollen V-neck in his usual navy blue colour. He tried to ignore the fact there wasn't anything else to choose from.

"What are you staring at?"

"The worst stripper I've ever seen." Gavin scoffed as he walked across to the coat stand and grabbed his leather jacket. It had been cleaned up since the stabbing. Not a trace of blood. Just like when Chloe used to-He pushed the thought aside. Jack's words were bothering him. They sounded familiar, like he'd heard them before. That uncanny valley feeling returned, trickling through his insides like melting ice as he thought of the Eden Club. Did Jack and I have a case there once? He sort of remembered. Nothing really noteworthy. If he recalled correctly, they'd been chasing up witnesses for a murder that happened outside. It had been daytime, and the club had been virtually empty. "Put on a show, hoe!" Those words sounded familiar, too.

"I only strip for money." The words slipped out, so familiar on his lips. Looking at the breakfast table, Jack was grinning in amusement, already pulling his wallet out. That's right! I was checking out one of the empty podiums, and he...He could almost feel the cold metal on his palm. He remembered holding the pole and walking around it, looking up to see where it was bolted to the ceiling high above. There had been a female android at the other podium, but his one had been empty, either because the android was out for repairs or hired to one of the private rooms.

"I have-"

"I have a twenty for you right here..." Gavin interrupted, something grim in his voice. Jack faltered somewhat, putting the money back in his wallet before getting to his feet. Gavin swallowed hard, wondering how they even got hold of that footage. That was before the Hickory Killer case even started. How did he have a copy of that exact conversation? How much of Jack's programming was from recycled dialogue? A sick feeling coiled in his stomach as Jack pressed in and sealed his lips, caressing his cheek and stroking through his damp hair.

"Those were good times, right?" Those were good times. Good times he'd had with Jack. With a final press of lips, Jack took his hand and pulled him towards the table. "Come and eat your breakfast. It's a big day today!" That put him on edge straight away. What does he mean, big day? What were they going to make him do? He didn't have much of an appetite as he sat down and Jack removed the cover. Scrambled eggs on toast. Something bland and easy on his stomach. He always felt nervous when Jack hinted he'd be leaving the room. Leaving the room usually meant bad things would follow.

"Y-you know, I'm really not feeling well..." Gavin slowly forked the pile of egg, moving it around the plate more than eating it. He didn't dare look up. Technically, it wasn't a lie. The mere hint of him being forced to go outside made his stomach churn. Outside was bad. Here was safe. Here there was food, and comfort, and Jack. Outside was bad. Outside there was pain, and blood, and death. They made him do things. Terrible things he didn't want to do. Don't make me go out there! Don't make me do it!

"You want to see Kitty, don't you?" His stomach lurched at the thought. Of course, he'd blackmail him with her welfare. If he didn't see her, he wouldn't know if she was safe. If he didn't want to see her, it was a sign she was no longer useful, and if she was no longer useful...

"Sure, but you could bring her here, right?" Wherever they kept her, he was pretty sure she was well taken care of. She'd never looked unwell or underfed. Terrified and miserable, yes. Traumatised, absolutely. But he was certain they weren't hurting her when they were apart. She was probably in another room like his, waiting for them to drag her out and put her back in the cell. He shivered at the thought. He wasn't ready for that again. There was no way he could win a fight yet.

"That's not how it works, Gav." He knew that much, but it was worth a try. "Don't worry, you'll do great. All you have to do is embrace the choice! You have such power, such freedom!" It certainly didn't feel like power and freedom. He felt like a rat trapped in a cage. The subject of a sick little experiment where no one knew how it would end. Having the power of life and death wasn't something he'd ever wanted. Sure, it could be argued that it was part of his job, but he rarely had to make that choice. Fights were often physical, without weapons. His gun was a last resort and a deterrent. He didn't carry it to murder people. "Eat your breakfast." He could do that at least.

Feeling so anxious, it took longer than usual. Maybe he was trying to string it out. If he didn't finish, they wouldn't leave. If he didn't finish, he could stay in the room. The eggs were cold by the time he was halfway through. Soft and rubbery. The toast was thick and heavy in his mouth, dry as he chewed. He glanced at Jack now and then, quietly wondering if he'd hurry him along. Jack remained patient and somewhat unreadable, sitting back with his legs crossed. Gavin waited for the dizzy feeling to come over him. To feel heavy and sleepy until he passed out with his head on the table. He didn't.

"Good boy. Now, come." Gavin watched, stunned as Jack headed to the door and opened it. He'd opened the door out into the corridor and was waiting for him. Is this some sort of joke? They'd never let him outside before. Gavin licked his lips nervously as he stood. There was no way the Hickory Killer would let him set foot outside if there was a chance of him escaping. Looking out, it seemed he was right. There was a long, cramped corridor lined with plain plaster with heavy doors every so often. He couldn't say how many rooms there were or how big they were, but he could see at least five before the corridor turned. "This way."

They headed away from the turning. Dead ahead was a plain-looking door, but they didn't go to that one. Is that the way out? If they were underground, then one of these doors surely let to the stairs. They walked two doors down from his own and stopped on the opposite side. Jack opened the door and ran his fingers through his hair, quietly wishing him luck before pushing him inside and locking the door. Gavin turned and tried the handle, cursing and kicking the door before turning his attention to the cramped room.

"Phck, Kitty!" She was tied to a chair, humming and sobbing around the gag in her mouth. "Hold on-hold on, I've got you..." Gavin hurried over and knelt in front of her, caressing her flushed cheeks and kissing her forehead as he reached around to untie the knotted cloth. She struggled against the thin ropes tying her down and rubbing her skin raw. Her body was tied to the back, and each wrist and ankle was tied to a leg of the chair. Her sobs were much louder once the cloth was removed.

"Uncle Gavin! Uncle Gavin!" Gavin hushed her, stroking through her long hair with gentle assurances everything would be alright. She almost screamed as she nodded to her right to draw attention to a second chair with a much larger man tied to it. Gavin winced at the shrill sound, tempted to cover her mouth as he hushed her again. The man in the chair was a lot different from the last few. Rather than rough and ragged, he was slick and well put together, wearing an expensive suit that reminded him of Colin. He'd probably been snatched from whatever office he worked at, but there were no ID tags attached to his clothes to give him a clue.

"Here we are again, Gavin!" Aaron's voice. He was surprised the Hickory Killer had bothered to mask it since he'd heard his real voice. Unless I dreamed that...Could I have dreamed that? Why the fuck would he dream that? He didn't get off on killing people! The thought that he could hallucinate such a thing made him sick. "Hopefully this time you'll be a little more...motivated." Gavin wasn't entirely sure what he meant at first, but looking over his shoulder, he saw a table and a gun. It was the same choice again. Kitty or a stranger, only this time, he wasn't fighting for survival. He was holding all the power now.

"I-I don't-"

"Come now, Gavin. You know how this game ends." A shiver ran down his spine at the thought. If he didn't make the choice, the Hickory Killer would, and the Hickory Killer's choice would be both. He'd send Jack in to blow their brains out while he watched. Kitty had gone quiet, afraid of drawing attention to herself. If her crying annoyed the voice, he might kill or hurt her. She was a smart girl. Gavin felt sick as he walked to the table and picked up the gun. It wasn't loaded. The magazine was there, ready and waiting. He loaded the gun with a clean clicking sound and flicked the safety off. "That's it, Gavin...Take your time and line up the shot..." He felt sick as he did as he was told.

The suited man knew exactly what was going on. Either way, he wasn't walking out of here alive. He was frantic, yelling and screaming around the cloth in his mouth. Gavin could loosen it and find out who he was. Find out if he deserved to be there. He could be another murderer or drug dealer. Someone who blended in with a day job, pretending to be normal. On the other hand, he could just be Barry the banker, with no criminal history at all. He could be killing an innocent person. Killing an innocent person to save Kitty! Did that make it right? Did that justify it? If I don't, then they'll both die! Did not having a choice make it better?

Gavin didn't even notice as the door behind him opened. He was too preoccupied, looking at Kitty and the suited man with a sense of dread. He had to shoot a man in cold blood, and Kitty was going to watch him do it. She'd seen him kill people, but it had been in self-defence so far. Now he was actively choosing to murder someone. To protect her! I'm doing it to protect her! He tried to ignore the little voice in his head that second guessed him. That feeling didn't improve as a second body pressed up behind. His first instinct was to swing his elbow, but that thought stopped dead as a hand landed on his bent arm.

"What are you waiting for, Gavin?" He swallowed hard as Aaron's voice rumbled in his ear. The Hickory Killer was standing right behind him. He could feel his pelvis on his ass and his chest against his back. One hand stroked along his leather sleeve to rest on his hand, guiding his aim back to the man, who was staring at him with fearful brown eyes and shaking his head. Gavin's breath shuddered as the Hickory Killer's free hand moved to his hip, resting just above his injury. He wasn't wearing his gloves. Gavin could feel warm skin caressing his own, supporting his hand and teasing his waist. "You remember how good it felt last time...How freeing...You want to feel that way again..."

Words stuck in Gavin's throat, denials dying on his tongue. His mouth felt dry as the Hickory Killer pressed closer. He didn't dare move as the fingers on his hip moved to caress the gauze, stroking over his covered stitches. He clenched his teeth at the pain, grunting as he pressed harder before stroking higher. Warm fingers traced his abs before continuing upwards, almost making him lower the gun to squirm out of reach. What the fuck was he doing? Kitty was sitting right there staring at them! He gasped as teasing fingers pinched his nipple, teasing and rolling the small bud.

"Do it, Gavin...Pull the trigger." Gavin's hand trembled. Was he really going to do it? Was he really going to murder someone? Looking at Kitty, he reminded himself what was at stake if he failed. Licking his lips, he rested his finger on the trigger. All I have to do is pull. I pull and she's safe. It was easy to think that, but his body wasn't co-operating. His muscles had stiffened, leaving him rigid and unable to move. "It's alright, Gavin...You're a good boy. You can do this." Gavin wasn't so sure as he looked into those terrified hazel eyes.

"I-I-don-I-" The Hickory Killer hushed him, moving to roll and tease his other nipple. That wasn't helping. The adrenaline was making his heart beat faster, increasing his blood flow and sending it to places he didn't want it to go.

"It's alright, Gavin...Just pull the trigger..." A second finger came to rest alongside his own, the fingertip resting just above his knuckle. Where Gavin's finger trembled, the Hickory Killer's was steady. "Do it...You know how good it will feel when it's over..." Gavin shuddered. Good? He thought it would feel good? Of course he did! He'd proven it over and over. I'm not like that! I'm not like you! Warm breath brushed his ear, whispering gentle encouragements. Gavin glanced at Kitty with horror-filled eyes. She looked as sick as he did. He didn't have a choice. If he didn't kill the suited man, the Hickory Killer would kill Kitty. Gritting his teeth, Gavin tried to tighten his finger.

It was right there, resting on the trigger. Tightening his grip made his finger steadier, and the Hickory Killer was helping him aim. I pull the trigger, and it's done. Kitty's safe for today. He had to do it. He had to do it, so why wouldn't his finger move? Each time he told himself to do it, his finger twitched, but never tightened. Gavin huffed a frustrated breath. Why couldn't he do it? It was to save Kitty! She was dead if he didn't, so why?

"You're thinking too much...Don't think...Just do..." What the fuck did that mean? Focusing on his finger, he pressed harder. The trigger was pressed, but not fully pulled. I can do it! I can do it for her! Gavin flinched as the gun went off, a second finger resting on his own. D-did I...He wasn't sure. Was it him, or the Hickory Killer? Who'd pulled the trigger? He trembled as the Hickory Killer pressed closer, hot breath shuddering against his ear. A hard bulge ground as ass, a low hum rumbling in his ear. "Good boy, Gavin." Gavin shuddered, opening his hand and dropping the gun with a clatter.