Kiss The Ring

Frank had been sitting in the darkened room brooding for the last few hours. Four armed guards were outside the door, Mikey and James had left briefly to clean up and see what was going on. Hoards of reporters crowded around outside, anxious for news on Gerard Way and to see just what would happen next. Linda had taken Nancy home an hour ago and now all was silent, Frank had even turned his phone off and was now finally alone with Gerard.
Leaning over the bed, Frank ran his fingers down the warm skin of Gerard’s cheekbone. He was relieved to see the steady rise and fall of his chest but wanted nothing more than for Gerard to open those sweet hazel eyes to look back at him. He stayed like that for a while, thinking things through in his head. He hadn’t wanted to alarm the others but Frank knew that this was potentially a very powerful enemy to have. The plan depended on Gerard being whiter than white. If Frank played it wrong it could end up with them all going to jail for a very long time.
He ran a hand through his hair, feeling the beginnings of a headache. Usually Gerard would be there to soothe it, make everything better.
“C’mon Gee wake up, come back to me.”
Nothing disturbed the whirring of the machines, no movement to say that Gerard even heard him. Frank did the only thing he could think of, brushing his lips gently against Gerard’s. They too were warm, soft, inviting. Frank couldn’t help himself, allowing his tongue to caress the warmth. One hand rested against Gerard’s neck as a thousand memories crowded Frank’s mind. It was wrong, fucking hell was it wrong but his other hand worked its way into the top of the loose hospital gown. The smallest groan escaped his lips at the feel of Gerard’s chest against his fingers until they brushed something else.
Bandages.
Frank jumped back, blinking. Was he really that far gone that he would think of fucking his comatose lover in a hospital ? Frank looked down. The answer to that would appear to be yes. He glanced back at Gerard, knowing he would have found that really amusing before reaching for his phone. A distraction, divert the mind from that inviting embrace that is so close by. Hold onto sanity while you can.
There were four missed calls, two from Ray, one from his girl and one from his press officer. Sure as hell glad that he hadn’t picked that one up Frank dialled Ray.
“What’s up ?”
“Not much. We can’t get near the shooter, feds have it locked down. Sharon is looking around for us but we can’t be obvious. We’re gonna have a problem with Mikey, he was last seen heading for the bar. If he draws attention to himself, it draws attention to the connection to Gerard and us.”
Frank sighed. Mental stability had never been the kid’s strong point.
“I’ll talk to James. If anyone can keep Mikey under it’s him. Anything else ?”
“Press office is going mad. Linda and Nancy have given statements but you know they want a soundbite from you.”
Frank checked his watch, noting it was getting late.
“In the morning. Keep hunting Ray, we need to know what we’re up against.”
He cut the call, looking over again at Gerard before dialling another number.
“Hello ?”
“James, its Frank.”
There was a pause, Frank could hear the noise of a bar dwindling in the background.
“Hi Mr.Iero, did you want Mikey ?”
“No, I wanted to talk to you. How is he ?”
James hesitated before answering that one.
“Drinking up a storm, he’s still pretty angry.”
“Listen to me James, talk to him. Now. Before he goes and does something stupid that kills you both or makes thing difficult for his brother. We will get the bastards but I won’t let Michael ruin everything Gerard has worked for. Am I clear ?”
“Yeah. How‘s Gerard ?”
“The same, hanging on. Tell Mikey ok ?”
The phone went dead and James turned back to the bar. Mikey had been drinking for several hours, there had already been one fight and now this. The threat had been fairly clear and was to be taken seriously. A good working relationship was one thing but he knew that one foot out of line and it would be an unmarked grave for both of them.
James liked his work, loved his partner and had no intention of taking a bullet in the head anytime soon and that meant Mikey needed to see sense. Iero would come through for them and when he did, well all bets would be off. A smile spread across his face at the thought as he pulled Mikey to his feet.
“We’re going home, that was the boss. Gee is doing ok.”
Mikey grunted, pushing him away.
“Where the fuck is he then ? We should be hunting down the fuckers that did this. They shot my brother and I’m in a damn bar.”
They squared off for a moment, Mikey carefully avoiding looking James in the eye.
“We’ll get em baby but when the Don says so.”
The right hook took him by surprise, planting James on the floor dazed and a little confused. Mikey staggered toward the door.
“Fuck him, I’ll do this my way.”
James stood up, rubbing his jaw and feeling his temper starting to rise. Mikey Way was the only person that could do that and live but it didn’t mean James had to put up with it. He caught up with Mikey in the street, tripping him easily.
“Not gonna happen. Are you fucking stupid ? Do you have a death wish cos I don’t. If you kill a fed or a cop, that’s it game over. If they don’t kill you Frank Iero will.”
Mikey went for his legs, pulling James onto the floor. There was a brief tussle but Mikey’s drunkeness meant it was fairly one sided. James landed two solid punches, straddling Mikey as he squirmed. It took another slap before Mikey pushed him off, wiping blood away from his nose and lip.
“Ok, alright. You made your point but if my brother dies I’m doing it on my terms.”
James nodded, once again helping Mikey to his feet. They leant against each other, Mikey finally allowing James to at least try and comfort him. They headed back toward their little apartment, James hoping that his planned surprise would help.
Mikey couldn’t quite believe his eyes but smiled.
“Hiya Claire.”
Claire wrapped them both in her arms. It had only taken one phonecall from James for her to come running. Mikey and Claire had known each other since they were kids, had dated for a long time and even now remained close. She might not approve of his occupation but if he needed her, Claire was there to help.
Mikey felt the tears come, breaking into helpless sobs as they both held him. Apart from Gerard, they were all Mikey had. And now someone had hurt Gerard and there was nothing he could do. He needed them both. Whatever his problems, whatever happened, the three of them would see it through.

Notes