Author's Note: I think I'm only going to do ten chapters for this story - I'm so sorry. The whole Mark situation is going to be somewhat resolved in this chapter and although there may be unanswered questions involving him, I'm leaving it open to interpretation.

~ 

Chester packed up a bag and couldn't help but smile a little. He was allowed to leave and he didn't even need to sign himself out. He was truly feeling better, though he knew it wasn't safe at home. He figured that because Mike knew what was going on, he'd never be left alone with the guys. He said his final farewell to Talinda and went to stop by Mark's office before he left. 

"I'm leaving," Chester told him, watching him sit at his desk, already facing him. "I hope you know that even though you tried to push me off the deep end, I still managed to pick myself back up. I didn't need help from anyone, I can withstand everything you have to throw at me and still become strong enough to pull through. I hope you sort out whatever problems you have and work to be a better person."

Chester was pleased with what he had said and turned to leave.

"Good luck, Chester."

He smiled softly and walked out the door.

~

"Who should we question next? Brad?" Mike asked and the others nodded, not knowing where to start. They all passed out in Mike's living room after deciding Phoenix was innocent and woke up, not knowing what step to take next. 

"Maybe we should just invite them both over, then at least we know it's someone in this room," Phoenix suggested and Mike nodded, agreeing that the idea was good. He sent out a quick text to the remaining members, asking them to come by as quick as they could. 

Within minutes, both the drummer and guitarist said they were on their way and Mike sighed contently. He was ready to discover who hurt Chester, yet stressed about losing one of his friends. He was nervous when it came down to the last two band members, thinking about each of them individually and what they brought to his life.

Brad had been his best friend for as long as he could truly remember, he would always make Mike feel like the smartest person on earth and could make him laugh with just one funny face. Brad was like a brother to him - much like the rest of the guys - besides Chester, of course, who he felt overly romantic for. Brad brought a sense of sincerity and warmth that was uniquely his own, the aura constantly being around him. If it happened to be him, Mike didn't know what to do.

On the other hand, there was Rob, the shy drummer who was a surprisingly gentle giant. Mike couldn't remember a time where Rob had hurt anyone, just brought comfort and advice that couldn't be mimicked by anyone else in the band. Rob had always been someone Mike could count on, whether it be for a simple favor or dropping Chester off at home - the thing he considered most precious in his life. 

Mike felt torn between his friends and wanted to just snap and break down as Chester had. He didn't want to face the fact that he'd have to disown one of his friends for what they did, they could never be forgiven. He wished he could go back in time and stop this all from happening. He blamed himself once again, believing that if he had spent more time with Chester, the vocalist would've opened up to him or would've been with him more instead of being open to such pain.

A knock at the door tore Mike away from his thoughts and he went to answer it, seeing that both the drummer and guitarist had arrived at the same time. He stepped aside, silently welcoming them in, and watched them both fall onto the couch straight across from three chairs, which were ready for interrogation.

"What's going on?" Brad asked as Mike took a seat in one of the chairs, being directly in the middle. 

"Would either of you like a soda or something else to drink?" Mike questioned them softly and Brad gave him a strange look.

"What's going on?" He asked again. "Are you... interrogating us? Good cop, bad cop?" 

"Yeah." 

"What's this about?" Rob finally spoke up and Mike tried hard not to scowl, seeing both of them appeared confused, though he knew one of them already knew.

"Chester," Mike simply said, looking at both of their faces, immediately seeing concern beyond their eyes.

"Is he okay?" Brad asked, frowning. Mike sighed, wanting to just get this over with. 

"One of you two hurt him and you've been hurting him since the beginning of the last tour. Cut the crap," Mike snapped and both of their faces fell, turning to look at each other. Mike heard a car door shut and soon after, footsteps and the door opening. His eyes widened as he saw Chester, who was smiling until he saw the rest of the guys. 

Chester's face fell and he wanted to run to Mike, hide behind him, but instead, he quickly rushed passed his friends and went upstairs. He heard them calling after him, asking questions, but he ignored them, hearing someone coming up after him. He wanted to lock himself in the bathroom and go back to who he was when he was admitted to the mental institution, but his thoughts softened when he saw it was Mike who came after him, allowing his boyfriend to wrap him in his arms.

"Chazzy, you're home," Mike breathed out and kissed his head. "I'm sorry you had to see the guys, I didn't know you were coming back."

"I wanted to surprise you, I took a cab home," Chester said softly and sighed, pulling away to run a hand nervously through his hair. "Why are you doing this, Mike? You don't have to, it's okay."

"It's not okay! One of them hurt you! I need to know who. I'm not going to let them go, knowing they won't stop," Mike said firmly, hoping Chester could see the logic behind it.

"Please, Mike, without this band, I might as well drop dead," Chester begged, wanting more than anything for Mike to let it go. 

"Chester, we can replace whoever it was."

"It won't be the same. Please, Mike, he's our friend. I hate him, but I still love him at the same time. We can't just push him away, please. Please let it go," Chester pleaded desperately, but Mike didn't want to let it go.

"Chester, just tell me who did it," Mike pushed again, looking him deep in the eyes. Chester hesitated, a slight tremble to him.

"Mike, it's complicated."

"How is it complicated?"

"Just drop it."

"No! I don't want you getting hurt again and if it happens, you'll hurt yourself! Save me the heartache, please, Chester, I'm fucking begging you," Mike exclaimed, almost in tears. "Just tell me, let me protect you."

"Mike..." Chester sighed, allowing some tears to flow down his cheeks.

"Tell me," Mike pleaded once more, watching as Chester seemed to start caving.

"It was Brad, Mike. Brad hurt me."