As he drove down the freeway Jayden remembered where he had left the tape. A bin three blocks from the hotel. It would be gone by tomorrow. The morning felt distant and unreal. Had he really helped Ethan Mars evade custody? It seemed like a dream. No-one back at the bureau would believe it. He was legendary for doing everything by the book. But then they probably wouldn't believe he was addicted to Tripto and ARI either. Maybe they didn't know him that well after all. Maybe no-one did. He sure didn't. He had done the right thing, hadn't he? Fucking Blake, making him question himself. Of course he had. You can't beat the crap out of a suspect, lock up an innocent man… When he got back to Washington, he would sort all this out. He would write reports - Oh fuck - his vision blurred, just for a second and his hands shook on the wheel. He shouldn't be driving. But he had to find Shaun Mars. Realistically, there was no-one else. If he didn't find him the boy was going to die. His stomach lurched and he felt the bile rising in his chest. He felt for that little blue vial in his pocket, just to check it was still there, just in case. Sometimes it reassured him, having it so close, sometimes it frustrated him. Right now he wanted some badly. He needed it, it would be safer to… no. If he hadn't taken some last night he wouldn't be in this state now. He just had to focus on the case. Find Shaun Mars.

Jayden turned off onto the dirt track. He stopped outside the open garage and stepped out into the rain. God, he hated the rain. He looked around, the garage looked deserted, but a bulldozer was running in the distance. He approached it, stepping carefully through the mud. "Can you stop that thing!" He called out.

A muscular black man in a white vest turned to look at him. This must be Mad Jack. He looked at Jayden for a moment, then grudgingly turned the ignition off and climbed down from the bulldozer.

"Norman Jayden FBI. Can we talk for a minute?" Jayden could still feel the stinging on his cheek. He hoped the redness didn't show.

"I'm listening."

"Can we go inside?"

Jack walked past him and Jayden followed him into the mouth of the garage. Inside Jack turned to look at him. Jayden could feel the hostility radiating off him. He put his hands on his hips, squaring up. "Im looking for the owner of a blue Chevrolet. Malibu 83. I don't give a damn how the car got here or whether you stole it or not. I just want to know who bought it from you."

"Sorry, man. Don't ring a bell. I got a real bad memory for names."

"Perhaps I can help you to remember. If we find out that you sold the car to the man were looking for, you're looking at some pretty solid time inside, Jacky-boy." More than ever, Jayden felt like he was putting on an act, the tough FBI investigator. Jack didn't look too convinced either. For a moment Jayden almost wished Blake was there. Seeing Blake go up against Mad Jack would certainly be interesting.

"You trying to scare me with your big talk? I never saw your damn car. Now take a walk." Jack strode off, back to the bulldozer. Jayden watched him go. He wasn't going to get anything out of him, not unless he found some real evidence.

Jayden put on his glove and glasses, settling back into the familiar world of ARI. He examined the concrete floor. He analysed each tire track, moving systematically further into the garage. It was only a few minutes before he got a match. He smiled to himself. First good news all day. He followed the trail to a parking space at the back. The car had been definitely been here. Looked like it had been re-sprayed. He walked back through the garage, analyzing the ground for footprints. That's when he found the blood. Ari couldn't find a match, the sample was too old to identify. It was spread over a fair few metres though, right over to the acid bath in the corner. He knelt down and lifted the sheet metal which covered it, slowly. A bleached white skull swam in the acid, grinning back at him. He stood up. Something pressed into the back of his own skull.

"One of your cop buddies asking too many questions. I had to solder up his little mouth." He heard Jack say behind him. Jack pulled Jayden's gun from his jacket and threw it on the floor. "Hands on your head pig." Jayden obeyed and Jack shoved him forward. "I aint got time to be playing around with you. Let's get you outta sight and finish you off."

Jayden walked further into the garage, all too aware of the gun at his back. He felt a shudder pass through him. A cold wave. Oh God, not now.

He had to do something. There was a hook hanging from the ceiling in the middle of the garage. As he approached it he readied himself. He needed to take his chance while he could still think straight. His head was starting to burn, his skin was freezing, he could barely walk. Why now? It's like his body was conspiring against him, trying to get him killed. He grabbed at the hook and flung it back, but not far enough. He picked up a spanner from the table, but Jack already had the gun trained on him. "Hey! No fucking around or I pop a cap in your ass."

He dropped the spanner and moved forward. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a trolley on the floor. If he could kick it back against Jack, distract him. He had to do something, or he was going to die. He stumbled on it, smacking back onto the ground.

Jack pointed the gun down at him. "Get up." he ordered.

Jayden did, shakily, looking around desperately for any way to save himself.

"On your knees."

Jayden felt Jack kick him in the back of the legs and he sank to the floor. This was it. He was going to die, Shaun Mars was going to die. What had he done with his life? Fuck all. He steadied himself for the shot. He was ready when it came.

He heard a thud behind him. He turned to see Jack lying on his back. There was a figure in the distance. Jayden took off his glasses and ARI faded away. Blake. He would never have thought he would be glad of his shoot first, ask questions later policy. Blake poked Jack's body with his foot as he passed, his way of making sure the man was dead. Blake reached out a hand to help Jayden up, but Jayden was shaking too badly to take it.

"Not this shit again." Blake knelt down next to Jayden.

Desperately trying stop the world spinning, Jayden didn't realise Blake had reached into his pocket until he saw the blue tube in the lieutenant's hand. "No." He managed to gasp out. He just needed time, to get through this, then he would be ok again.

"Too bad. I don't have time to fuck around." Blake grabbed Jayden from behind, one arm across his chest, pinning him. He raised his hand to grab Jayden's chin, holding his head still.

Jayden struggled for a few seconds than gave up, huffing from the tube Blake held under his nose. Immediately the sick feeling lifted. He felt a rushing in his blood and the room became clearer, brighter. Blake released his head and Jayden leaned back against Blake, relaxing into his arms as the intense feelings washed over him. He could smell Blake, his aftershave, he was warm and Jayden had to admit being held by him felt kind of nice, it had been a long time since he had been this close to anyone.

He felt Blake wrap his other arm around him and lift him to his feet. Jayden opened his eyes as Blake let go of him. It was amazing what a little Tripto could do. He felt like he had just awoken from a good nights sleep. He felt full of energy, and slightly embarrassed.

Blake had walked over to Jack. He kicked the body over, picked up his gun and pocketed it. Then he turned back to Jayden. "Ok, where is he?" Blake demanded as he walked towards him.

"Who?" Jayden asked, genuinely confused.

"You know who I mean. Ethan Mars." Blake's tone showed he was losing patience as quickly as usual.

Of course! Mars. He had given him an address at the station. That motel, what was it called…? Room 207. He was supposed to meet him this afternoon. How could he have forgotten? Fucking withdrawal. "This has got nothing to do with Mars. I'm checking out a lead on the killer's car."

"Bullshit." Blake growled. He stood close in front of Jayden, getting in his face. "Last chance Norman. Tell me where he is."

Jayden didn't feel like backing down. "How the fuck would I know where he is. I'm following up a lead on the killer's car. And I've found good information on it. But that wouldn't interest you since absolutely nothing about it points to Ethan Mars!"

"But you know where he is." Blake said, staring straight into Jayden's eyes.

Jayden refused to move or break eye contact. He was not going to show weakness. But he was frustrated. Blake had not even heard what he had said. "For Christ's sake he's innocent. Surely even you can see that. What good will locking up an innocent man do?"

"He confessed!"

"He doesn't fit the profile, every single clue points away from him! Are you so incompetent you can't see that?"

"Fuck your profile! He confessed! And you let him go! You let the goddamn origami killer go! If Shaun Mars dies it's your fucking fault!"

Jayden punched Blake. He did it automatically, without thinking. Blake stumbled back and fell to the floor. He looked surprised as he raised his hand to his cheek, but not as angry as Jayden expected. He thought he saw a smile ghost across the older man's lips as he stood.

Oh fuck, he was falling for it. He couldn't allow Blake to goad him into a fight, couldn't give him an excuse. He had to stay calm, professional. Adrenalin was coursing through his veins and he forced himself to breathe deep and stay still.

Abruptly Blake turned on his heel and started walking away down the garage. Jayden stared after him, confused, until he saw where he was heading. Jayden's gun lay between the workbenches where Jack had tossed it. Jayden rounded the workbench quickly breaking into a run towards the weapon, but it was too late. Blake had it. "You're not leaving here until you tell me what I want to know."

"What are you going to do? Shoot me?"

Blake walked to the table and set the guns down, his own, Jack's, Jayden's. He looked up at Jayden "Let's finish this." He ran at him. Taken by surprise Jayden fell to the floor, Blake on top of him. They struggled, rolling over and over until Blake finally managed to pin Jayden underneath him.

Jayden lay beneath him, cursing himself. Why hadn't he dodged? If he had stayed upright he might have had a chance. On the floor Blake had all the weight behind him. Jayden struggled, trying to get his hands free. He felt angry, frustrated, but there was something else too. Blake's body was so close. Too close. He was getting hard. Oh fuck this was embarrassing. New Tripto effect probably. He couldn't let Blake know. Jayden redoubled his efforts, trying frantically to push Blake off of him.

"Last chance, Norman." Blake said.

"Fuck you."

Blake leaned forward. One knee on Jayden's chest, releasing one hand to move his own to the agent's neck.

Jayden felt Blake's hand close around his throat, choking him. Blake glared down at him. "I just saved your life. You should be fucking grateful."

"I…am." Jayden gasped out. He said it without thinking but it seemed to have thrown Blake, as he let up his grip a little. Jayden was about to argue further when he felt something graze his crotch. Oh fuck, not only was he half hard, apparently so was Blake. He looked up at Blake, but the lieutenants eyes were guarded, betraying nothing. Then Blake moved back against his body, repositioning himself slightly, and then forward again. Jayden felt a spark of pleasure shoot through him as they made contact. Oh Christ. He must know. He couldn't not notice that. Blake ground against him again and Jayden couldn't help but push back. This was fucked up, but it felt so goddamn good. But he couldn't do this. Shaun Mars was out there somewhere. He had a job to do. Or could he?

"Why don't you let me show you how grateful I am?"

"What?" Blake sounded shocked and for a minute Jayden thought he had gone too far, spoiled the moment. But then Blake lifted off him, slowly, and stood, watching him intently.

Jayden got up. Blake was just standing there, looking like he wasn't sure what to do.

That made Jayden feel more confident. "You getting off on this, Blake?" Before Blake could answer he closed the distance between them and kissed him hard, pressing against Blake, forcing him to step back until he hit the wooden table behind him. Jayden felt Blake grab his shoulders as though to push him off, then he seemed to change his mind, pulling him closer and kissing him back, hard. Blake tasted good, clean, as his tongue forced into Jayden's mouth. Eventually he had to break off for air.

Blake looked at him with that fucking superior look. "I always knew you were a queer Norman."

Jayden knelt down in front of Blake. "Really? I didn't know you were a fag till today." Before Blake could retort he unzipped him and removed his cock from his pants. It was hard and Jayden stroked it hurriedly. He felt Blake's hand on the back of his head and moved forward to take the man's cock in his mouth. Blake's fingers tangled in his hair as Jayden sucked. Jayden tried to take as much of the length as he could without choking. But felt his erection waning. This felt uncomfortable, on the floor of an exposed garage with Mad Jack's corpse only metres away.

Then he heard Blake moan above him and that spurred him on. He sucked slow and hard, licking up and down the length. "Oh fuck." Blake moaned again. Jayden felt his cock harden again, enjoying the power he had over Blake. He pulled away, sucking hard on the tip, licking into the slit. Blake's fingers tightened in his hair. Jayden swallowed Blake's cock. His hand moved towards his own groin. Then suddenly Blake pulled his head back and came, cumming all over his face. Jayden dropped back, wiped the gunk off his face, and looked up at Blake. He was sat back against the table, looking satisfied still bathed in afterglow. That was it? Jayden couldn't help but feel a little let down. But why? This was his perfect chance. He reached inside his coat, pulling the handcuffs out. Quickly he cuffed Blake's leg to the table leg. Then jumped back out of the way.

"What the hell?" Blake looked down, then at Jayden, almost in slow motion. He tried to move his leg forward but was pulled up short.

Jayden turned and walked towards the exit. He wiped a hand over his face as he did. The cum thing made him feel a whole lot less bad about this.

"What! You can't just leave me here!" Blake shouted behind him.

"Blake there's a dozen tools on that bench. You figure it out." Jayden picked up his gun as he left the garage and walked out to his car. Now onto Ethan Mars. Hopefully he could solve this case before he had to see Blake again.