The Nature of Things

Chapter 54

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Molly sat alone in the darkened condo preparing to take care of the ever growing problem her so called partner had become. He'd gone too far trying to kill off Ben. She gently caressed the heavy revolver that she held in her hands.

Emmett was just coming in from a Western themed wedding he'd planned and wasn't prepared to find anyone at home. Letting himself in, he nearly jumped out of his skin when he spotted Molly sitting on the couch.

"Honey, you nearly gave me a heart attack. What are you doing here?"

Quickly she slid the gun in between the cushions of the couch and made up a cover story. "I just didn't want to be alone, and Justin always said you were kind enough to listen to him when he was upset."

"So you thought you'd just come on over to Auntie Emm's house for a little Oreos, milk and girl talk. Well honey, you're welcome to stay as long as you want. Just give me a few moments to change into something more comfortable and we'll drown our sorrows in chocolate together."

"Thanks, Emmett."

She watched as he sashayed into the bedroom and thought that it was a shame he'd have to die, but she couldn't have things get anymore out of control.

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Brian woke to the beeping of Maya's heart monitor and almost forgot that she was going to be okay. He scanned the room looking for Justin and found him sleeping in the rocking chair next to Maya's crib.

He watched his partner sleep and a slow smile crossed his lips as he indulged his greatest pastime.

Justin woke to the feeling of Brian's eyes on him. He looked up and smiled at his lover, feeling that all too familiar tightening in his jeans he always got when he looked at Brian Kinney.

Brian quietly crossed the room to stand behind his partner, resting a hand on his shoulder, and joined in his constant vigil next to their daughter. They stayed that way until she woke and then they both spent the day enjoying her smile.

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The killer stepped into Michael's room and stood beside the bed. He let his eyes roam over the length of Michael's body, taking in everything he'd loved for so long.

He was still standing there an hour later when Michael woke up. Recognition flashed in his eyes when he saw him.

"You."

"Yes, Michael, it was me." An evil smile crossed the killer's face as he picked up the pillow. "It's always been me, Michael. I love you, I always have. Only you couldn't see it because you were so hung up on Brian. Then Dr. Dave came along and turned your head. I was so thrilled to see you come home heartbroken. I thought it would be our turn. Until the hunky Professor came along and caught your eye. Next thing I knew you two were married with kids and I'd lost all hope that we'd ever have our chance."

"You did this?"

"Yes, darling, I did. Only it wasn't meant for you. You weren't supposed to be driving the car. It was supposed to be the thing that brought us together. He was supposed to die."

"Why?"

"Because I love you and you're supposed to love me. That's how it should be. But now it'll never be that way. Now, you know too much. As much as I love you, I can't let you live."

Michael's screams were muffled by the pillow being held over his face. After several minutes he quit struggling and took his last breath.

The killer waited several minutes before leaving the hospital room. He smiled and chatted with a few nurses as he left the building. He didn't let his grief show until he was safely ensconced in his own car in the parking garage.

He carefully folded the picture of Michael up and placed it in the glovebox. Backing out he said a final goodbye to a way of life and to a friend who'd let him down more than once.

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Emmett never heard Molly enter the bedroom and nearly screamed when he turned to find her standing in the doorway. His heart skipped a beat when he saw the gun pointing at him.

"Molly, honey, what are you doing with that?"

"Taking care of problems."

"Ok, so why are you pointing it at me?"

"Because you just became a problem."

"How?"

"You weren't supposed to be here. You weren't supposed to see me."

"Sweetie, I live here."

"I know, but so does he."

"He? You mean Teddy? What does he have to do with this?"

"Everything. He's messed it all up. He's become a liability."

"Teddy? Molly, what's going on?"

Both heads turned at the sound of Ted's voice. "I think I can answer that."

Emmett ran past Molly to hide behind Teddy. "I certainly hope so."

"Molly, love, why don't you wait for me in the living room."

"I think I'll stay right here and watch you try to convince Emmett that you're innocent."

"I am innocent."

"And you did it all for love, right?" Molly's sarcastic laughter filled the air.

Emmett stared first at Ted then at Molly and began to question his own sanity. "Ted, honey, what's going on?"

"Molly's just upset that I took a little detour in the plan. But it had to be done."

"Didn't quite work out how you wanted it to, did it?"

"It worked out okay."

"Only the wrong man got in the car. The wrong man got hurt. How does it feel knowing that you are the reason the man you have loved forever may die?"

"He never loved me. He just used me."

"Who are we talking about here?" Emmett tried his best to keep up with the conversation but found himself in the dark.

"We're talking about the love of Theodore's life, Michael Charles Novotny."

"Michael? What does Michael have to do with this?"

"You want to tell him Teddy or should I?"

"Fuck you, Molly."

"Guess I will enlighten your little fag friend. Seems Ted here has been in love with Michael for years now. And Michael, well, he hasn't quite felt the same. So Theodore decided to get rid of the one man who stood in his way, only Michael ended up getting himself hurt."

"You mean Ted's responsible for Michael's accident?"

"And the death of that dyke and her little brat. Kinda worked out well me for though, since her death means my daughter lives."

"And Craig?"

"Well that one I helped with. But Casey, well Teddy gave him exactly what he deserved."

"And now it's your turn, Molly."

"Oh, no, Theodore, I hold all the cards." Molly turned the gun on Emmett and fired.

TBC.........

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