Intro:

Jack was standing in the corner of the room when Tony came in. A guard closed the door and locked it behind him.

When Tony saw Jack he immediately rolled his eyes.

"So they'll f**king let me touch you but not my wife. Great." He said flatly.

Jack smiled. Same old smart a*s.

"Hey Tony."

"Jack." Tony said with a flicker of a smile. Jack came up and put his hand on his shoulder, about to hug him, but Tony flinched. Jack let go and rebounded by pulling a seat out for Tony.

He sat. Jack went and sat across the table from him.

"How are you, Tony?"

"Been better. How's Michelle?"

Jack saw the dodge.

"She's good, Tony. You don't have to worry."

A look of relief briefly crossed Tony's face.

"Good" was all he said.

There ensued an awkward silence. Tony kept his eyes on table, and Jack kept his eyes on Tony.

Finally Jack had enough of the game.

"Tony." He asked him straight up "What've they been doing to you?"

Tony's looked up at Jack. There was fear in his eyes, but Jack responded to it as if it was just surprise. He wouldn't tell Tony his suspicions, but let him reveal what he would.

"Come on Tony! I can tell the difference between an unhappy, tense prisoner and an abused one."

Tony's mouth tightened. "What the f**k does it matter Jack?"

"I'm your friend Tony."

Tony couldn't argue with that. As much as he wanted to, he could not tell Jack to f**k off. He deserved better. Jack had been a real friend to him. Tony bit back the bile and venom and tried to calm his rising tension.

"Tony, look at me." Jack said gently.

Tony reluctantly looked him in the eye.

"What?"

"How many times have they beaten you?"

Jack saw how his shoulders tense up even more.

"I don't know, Jack! I don't keep count." He snapped. "And don't you f**king tell Michelle about it." He said in the gravest tone.

"I won't." Jack assured him and then asked, "Guards or prisoners?"

"For what?" Tony answered, caught off guard. Then, he realized what he'd just said and hoped Jack hadn't noticed. Unfortunately Jack always noticed everything.

"The beatings." Jack said cautiously, eying Tony.

"Oh." He said quietly. "...Guards. ...they must get a buzz from kicking the shit out of the traitor" He finished bitterly.

"...and the prisoners?" Jack ventured.

Tony's eyes darkened. Jack saw it and his heart fell. Tony knew that Jack saw right through him.

"Don't worry about it, Jack." Tony manage to spit out.

Jack felt something in his heart that he'd never felt before. He took his que and rose to leave. Tony kept his eyes focused on the table as Jack walked to the door.

Jack knocked on the door and just before the door opened he said "Palmer will pardon you, Tony."

Tony did not respond and Jack left.