Don't you dare touch him.

Foster was lying near a trash can on his side in an alley when I found him. His clothes torn and hanging off in pieces. For a second time stopped, I couldn't believe my eyes and my heart started pounding in my chest.

"Oh God no….no please no"

I ran the short distance to the injured man lying unconscious and cradled him in my arms lightly slapping his face to get even a slight reaction from him, but all I found was burning skin and blood on slightly parted swollen lips. There was a large purple bruise on Foster's right cheek.

I put my arm under Foster's and the other under his knees, intent to lift him. My blood turned cold as I felt stickiness between Foster's legs, for the first time noticing the lack of lower garments, I brought my hands back only to find red coating my fingers.

I choked back a sob and solely focused on getting him to a hospital.

I swooped Foster up in my arms and ran.

"Mr. Jaro?"

I looked up from the seat at the doctor standing beside me, a grim expression on his face. I stood up quickly and loomed over him.

"how is he?"

"He'll be ok, he is unconscious but out of danger. He lost a lot of blood and there were severe rectal tears but its all been taken care of. It's just...these kind of cases don't come out clean, there's usually some mark left on the victim's body and soul for a long time- let's just hope he is emotionally strong enough to get through. You can see him."

The doctor was sympathetic and kind but it didn't calm my nerves any.

"He is strong, stronger than you think, he looks frail but...he is, he has to be," I said more to myself than anybody else.

"I am sorry for what happened to him"

I gave a weak nod and walked into Foster's room.

He looked too small in the large hospital bed or was he just that delicate? I didn't care. All I could think of was that when Foster would wake he would tell who did this to him and then, I will make them pay, all of them, slowly, painfully.

I sat on the chair beside his bed, holding his hand; I looked at the angelic face of my lover and vowed vengeance on everyone who had hurt him.

When Foster woke up, his first instinct was to scream and run as he felt hands holding him down, pinning him, clutching at his waist, his wrists, touching him, but all he could do was groan as he couldn't even find the strength to turn his head.

He blinked dizzily and tried to clear his head. White lights came into focus along with grey blue walls and he blinked some more to keep his eyes from hurting. As the surroundings cleared he felt a hand holding his, he jerked his hands away he didn't want anyone touching him.

The movement woke me and I realized Foster was trying and failing to move away. In an instant I was up and moving towards the struggling form.

"Foster, Foster its okay, its just me."

But Foster was too terrified to hear and comprehend anything and doubled his efforts, "no, no, no please let me go," he whimpered and sobbed.

"Shh, its me, look at me Foster its Gabe." 

I took Foster's wrists in one hand, carefully avoiding the deep blue bruises just visible under the white bandages and pressed the emergency button at the head of his bed.

Foster continued to struggle until tears welled up in his eyes and he couldn't breathe, he slumped back, mouthing weak nos. He felt a hand gently running through his hair and waited for the usual harsh treatment he had been enduring for the past day. A moment later he opened his eyes and blinked through tears to look at the perpetrator of the tender gesture only to find himself staring at the man he loved.

Shock and relief flooded through his system and he was he was suddenly up and into Gabriel's arms, sure, strong, protective.

I wrapped my arms around him and kissed his hair. Foster was trembling in my arms and the pain was returning but I didn't want to let go.

I gently lowered him on the bed as the doctor came into the room closely followed by a nurse and a uniform clad officer who asked Foster a few questions. But Foster was tired and in pain, unable to answer right away, it was too soon. They left with a promise to return when he was feeling better.

Foster turned towards me who smiled at him before the smile faded and the question I wanted answered blurted out.

"Who were they Foster?"

Foster was quite for a moment, eyes downcast. I did not press instead watched as he swallowed a few times and closed his eyes. A few tears escaped the closed lids before he said in a voice barely above a whisper, "I don't know, they weren't familiar."

I didn't say anything just reached out to wipe the fallen tears and cupped the side of his face. Foster leaned into the touch as I said "We will find them, some samples have been sent to the lab and the results will be back by tomorrow. I'll find them and-" I was cut off as warm lips met mine softly, hesitant discomfort evident when Foster pulled away, too soon.

"Don't. Let the cops do their job please they're dangerous and I...I need you." I nodded and moved to lay down with him holding him close.

"Mom and John-"

"I called them. They're boarding a plane as we speak. They'll be here by morning. Try to get some sleep."

"John's ok?"

"Still has a broken leg but he's fine. Now go to sleep before I ask the nurse to give you a sedative." Foster turned to look at me his expression hopeful "you'll stay?"

A mischievous smile graced my features, "I got 'permission' to stay with you."

Foster shook his head but a smile slowly appeared on his face and he settled closer to his partner. I nuzzled his head "you take a lot of space," I said playfully. 

"No I don't you do," I laughed and kissed Foster's forehead. Soon we both drifted off.

When the nurse came to check on the patient, she didn't say anything seeing the two men curled against each other. It was evident that they loved each other more than anything.

The next day when I woke up, my neck was stiff and my right leg asleep but I didn't complain. I smiled warmly, placing a hand over the fist in my shirt making sure not to disturb the IV. I have Foster in my arms and I am never letting go.