Just A Number..

Mike held him tightly, pressing him to his chest.
"Your my baby boy, you dont have to ask to be held by me."

Rick sighed and hugged him tightly.
"Mike.. it's my fault. I was talking to Kevin right before that. He was going to get Zac and come right home.. he told me not to follow him cause he didn't want me to see where they'd been staying. If I wouldn't have listened I would have seen the guy. This wouldn't have happened.

"Yes it would have. Only thing is you would have gone and suffered the same fate." He shook his head.
"No...."

"No I will not let myself be touched like that. I don't care who the guy was. I could have taken him. I can handle myself... Kevin can't walk... he's weaker than me. I'm not calling him a child but you know what I mean."

"Rick, he and Biddy, they are strong than you think. Kevin was cripple or else I think he could have taken it.

"Still, he can't walk so..." Rick sighed. "I could have handled it too. My baby would know who I was if I had been there..."

"Your baby does know....In his head he don't....But I can see in his eyes, in his heart he knows."

Rick sighed softly as he nuzzled Mike's neck and frowned up at him.

Mike cradled Rick in his arms.
"Your cheek is red.....?"

"Oh... asshole hit me." He snarled. He'd forgotten about that...

"Quincy hit you?! Why!?"
He would kick his ass.

"I'm not sure...." He paused. "Oh, Zac was talking back. I told him to watch his mouth and he didn't so I popped him in it. Quincy hit me and told me to keep my hands to myself."
Thinking back it did seem a little fishy.... why did Quincy care?

Mike hummed, he couldn't...he wouldnt say anything about it. It was between Rick and Zac and Kevin and Quincy.

"Alright thats bothering me now...." Rick frowned slightly.

"What?"
He knew what but like he said, it was not his place.

"Well just think Mike.... Quincy let him stay the night... he had him act like his fuck toy. Even if they didn't do anything that still bugs me... and then he hits me for hitting Zac... Mike, if he's trying to lead my baby on just to hurt him... I'll fucking flip if he hurts someone else I love."

"Ummmm I think he has changed a little bit. He saved Kevin....made sure Zac was safe..."

"Mike you know how I feel about him... I mean I have to be grateful he saved Kevin but still..."

"Baby....And and Alex will always hate him....But me and Kevin....Not so much." He shrugged.

"Why? I just... don't get it at all... he raped you, he raped Kevin. Just WHY dont you hate him lik eAlex and I?"

"Baby....He has changed....And weather I like it or not, he is the father of one of my babies. I can't hate him. Kevin has his reasons. If he hurt you or another family member yes we would but its only us."

"But because he hurt you, that hurts us..." Rick sighed. "I never will get that.... do you know Kevin's reasons?"

"No..."
Yes he did. And they were Zac Evan McGuire.

"Mike... you might not think I know you too well but that is your lying face." Rick raised an eyebrow.

"Baby, I dont now for sure, I have an idea but I can say because its none of my business."