“Matt, what are you saying?” Brian Snr leaned back on his chair, staring hard at the younger man. Matthew lifted his head to meet his gaze.

The two of them were sitting in Matthew’s basement studio, discussing the situation that had been forced upon them since Johnny’s return to the Astor. It had been almost two weeks now and the guys had been forced to rearrange their sessions at the studio with Eli. Jimmy had gone back to whatever he kept himself busy with. Brian was at the college helping out English Lit students; Zacky was working on the Mayor’s car as there was no other business and Matthew…was here with Papa Gates.

Matthew shook his head slowly, “We can’t move forward without him. And then there’s the added complication of where the General stands in all this.”

The elder male nodded. “Tell me about that?”

“I went and saw him again. Didn’t give anything away. But, he knows more than he lets on.” Matthew sighed. “Eli was with him.”

Brian Snr blinked. “He was?”

“He was. I don’t know what’s doing with that.” He sighed again and stood, pacing the length of the room. The elder man remained silent, watching him. Matt turned to look at him, brow furrowed. But he also said nothing, because what could be said. Johnny was out of the picture, and they had the campaign to think about.

Brian Snr shook his head slowly. “We have a week until you guys have to front to the public.”

Matthew nodded, dragging his fingers through his hair. “I know. I need…” He frowned as a thought dawned on him. “Dan. I need Dan.” He pulled his phone from his back pocket and headed for the stairs. “Come on, I have an idea.”

* * * * *

Dan was heading for the entrance of the barracks when Jason caught him, a deep frown on his face. “Where’re you going, Abell?”

Dan paused, phone clutched tight in his hand. “Family emergency. Why?”

“Got a call from the Astor. You need to get down there.”

“Now?” the stocky male grimaced. “I really need to go.”

Jason shook his head, expression tight. “It’s Seward. He tried to hang himself in his cell.”

“Fuck…” Dan groaned and rubbed at his face, shoving his phone in his back pocket. “How long ago?”

“Just now.” Jason crossed his arms his face drawn. It was obvious to the other male that the new T-One was actually worried. Then again he was human, wasn’t he? And Luke Seward had been his friend too.

“Crap…why me?”

Jason sighed. “Well, I doubt he’d be happy to see me, do you?”

Oh. “Right. I’ll go then.”

“You want me to check on your family?”

Dan shook his head. “It’s not that much of an emergency…my sister can’t get in the house.”

“But, she can wait?”

Dan snorted. “Not the first time.”

Jason laughed slightly. “True enough.”

“And it’s my half day, anyway.”

“True again.” Jason nodded. “Keep me informed.” Dan pulled out his keys and nodded as he headed for the exit where the guard cleared him and buzzed him out. He looked back once to see Jason watching him, brow furrowed in consternation. Shaking his head, he made his way to his truck, not wanting to analyse what the T-One’s expression meant. The past was the past, after all and people could stop being friends without any commentary being made.

As he started up his truck, his phone rang in his pocket. He tugged it out and answered gruffly as he pulled out of the parking bay.

“Abell speaking.” He flicked the indicator as he waved to the guard at the guardhouse. “Shads? What’s up?” He frowned as he steered out onto the access road. “What? Where are you now?” He blinked hard and pulled across to the side of the road. “Say that again? You’re at the Astor?” Dan peered in his rear-view mirror then looked out his window. “It’s not visiting hours…”

He shifted in his seat, engine running. “Where am I? On the way to the Astor…” He grunted. “I’ll tell you when I get there.” He clicked his phone off and spun back onto the road, heading for the Maximum Security Facility.

* * * * * *

Matthew sat in Papa Gate’s SUV, glaring across the street at the security gate of the Astor. Brian Snr sat in the passenger seat equally serious.

“How do you want to do this? You’re probably no longer allowed access.” The elder male finally spoke up, breaking the heavy silence. Matthew shook his head.

“Gotta wait for Dan.”

“He’s coming over?”

“Yeah, apparently he was headed here anyway.” Matthew glanced out the window then waved as a truck rolled passed. “And, there he is now. Let’s go.” He got out of the vehicle and jogged across the bitumen. Brian Snr followed, locking up before he joined him near the entrance. Dan brought his truck to a halt next to them and his window slid down.

“Get in.” He jerked his head slightly. They climbed in the back, Matthew leaning into the front when the door was shut.

“What’s the deal?”

Dan looked at his friend. “This isn’t a social call, Shads. Johnny tried to off himself.”

Matthew sat back, blinking hard. “Fuck.”

“Fuck is right.” Dan shook his head as he drove up to the security gate. The guard cleared him without a second glance and he parked just inside the gates. The three of them got out and headed for the entrance.

Matthew and Brian Snr remained silent as Dan signed the register, nodding to the guard as they were buzzed in. The two men were trying to come to terms with what Dan had told them. It wasn’t really surprising that Johnny had made an attempt to end it all, but it was a sobering thought.

The guard that buzzed them in joined them and spoke to Dan in a low voice. He nodded toward Matthew and Brian Snr with a frown.

Dan said, quietly, “They’re with me, officer. They’ll stay outside while I go in if that’ll work for you?”

The guard glanced warily at Matthew. He knew the former T-One, all the guards did; he had come to the Astor many a time. Though it was odd to see him now that he was no longer under The Creed’s employ. But, then again, it wasn’t a huge shock. Considering the past.

“No, that’s fine. Young Seward could do with a friend.”

Dan nodded, glancing at the other two. Matthew frowned before speaking up.

“How bad is he?”

The guard shook his head. “We got to him before he could do any serious damage.”

Dan lifted an eyebrow. “So he didn’t actually?”

“Never got the belt around his neck. Cell mate managed to tackle him to the floor.”

Matthew snorted. “Anything broken?”

The guard sighed. “Just his spirit, poor bastard.” He shook his head. “Kid doesn’t deserve any of this. You didn’t hear this from me, but I’m shocked he’s back here.”

“That makes four of us, then,” Dan muttered. “Can we go see him?”

“Sure. We put him in isolation, for his safety.”

Dan nodded, not looking at Matthew this time, because he knew the bigger male would be mad about that. Though when the former commander spoke up again it wasn’t to refer to that.

“How the hell did he get a belt, officer?” Matthew’s voice was a dangerous growl. The guard blinked at him. He glowered at him. “Wasn’t that removed before he was processed?”

“I will look into that, sir.” The words were automatic but they all registered it.

Matthew flushed and murmured, “I’m just a civilian now.”

The guard nodded apologetically but made no comment, just turned to lead them to the isolation block. He knew it wasn’t necessary to talk about that, it was obvious to all of them that that was the case.

“I have to warn you, he’s not in a communicative mood…”

Dan grunted, and Matthew muttered, “Not surprising.”

The guard halted outside the entrance to the isolation block and looked at the two men. “He’s the only one in here at the moment. So, he’s got free reign of the facilities within.” He glanced through the panel, frowning. “I will let you through and remain out here. There is an emergency call button to the left of the double doors. If for any reason-”

“We know the drill, officer,” Dan interrupted firmly, as he sensed that Matthew was getting impatient behind him; the big male was shifting on his feet.

The guard swiped his card through the scanner and pushed the doors open at the beep. They nodded to him as they entered then waited as he secured the doors behind them.

“Ugh, good guy, but I never thought he’d shut up,” Matthew grumbled once they were well away from the doors. Dan rolled his eyes and scanned the open space.

“Which way?” Brian Snr asked. Matthew pointed down the corridor to where the cells were. There was a light on in the first one and the door was ajar. The three of them looked at each other then quickly made their way across, each of them quietly afraid of what they would find.

* * * * *

Johnny leaned his head back against the edge of his cot, staring up at the ceiling. There was nothing in his mind. He was too numb to process anything. He couldn’t even tell what he was feeling since his failed attempt on his life. If he could even call it that. His ribs hurt, though. Some cellmate that other kid had been. Almost crushed his ribs…

He blinked and then blinked again as the door to his cell was suddenly filled by three recognisable and considerably concerned faces. His mouth worked for a moment, but he couldn’t find his voice and so he just stared as those three faces – bodies even – crammed into the small space.

“Uh…” He couldn’t speak. So, he shook his head and leaned his forehead on his knees.

“Johnny,” Matthew’s gruff, yet kind voice filled his ears and he felt his body start to tremble. Then he felt a warm, strong hand grasp his shoulder and squeeze.

Lifting his head slightly Johnny managed to meet his friend’s steady gaze. But, he still couldn’t speak. There were no words to say; he just continued to blink slowly. He vaguely registered Dan and Papa Gates, but all his focus was on the man who was crouched down beside him.

Matthew looked more serious than he’d ever seen him and Johnny knew, somehow, that the former commander was going to do everything within his power to resolve this situation. He didn’t know how he was going to do it, or even how he knew that. He just knew.

Matthew was going to change everything. For better or for worse.