Title: Never Again
Author: Jaxson K.
Pairing: Don/Jackson (OC)
Rating: R
Summary: Don went too far before, but he never would again.....
Warning(s): Dark!Don, physical abuse, character death.

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Jackson came too slowly, a bit disoriented, and in plenty of pain. It seemed as though every part of his body ached, and it was agony to move. When he finally made it into a sitting position, he took a look around the room and groaned. Furniture was overturned, broken glass lay everywhere, Jackson's record collection was a shambles with LPs strewn everywhere. Books were literally torn to pieces, the television lay face-down in the living room floor. The apartment was a wreck of epic proportions, and Jackson knew he had to have it cleaned up, or at least be working on it, when Don showed back up again.

Before he could do that, though, he needed to make it to the bathroom to try and clean himself up. He looked in the mirror to see that Don had spared his face as usual, but his arms, legs, and torso had definitely fair game. He knew he had a few broken ribs and the bruises around his neck were starting to turn. He cleaned up the blood as best he could, changed his clothes, and went to get started on the living room. He knew it would take a while, and he figured the quicker he got started, the quicker he could try and get some sleep.

While he worked, Jackson's mind went back to when all this started. To be completely honest, he really couldn't remember. All he knew was that all started with an argument over Don's jealousy. In the 10 years they'd been together, Jackson hadn't so much as looked at a guy or even given Don a reason to think he'd done anything, but six months ago, Don got it in his head that Jackson was screwing around. He accused him of trying to get with Mac, then Danny, hell, he even had him trying to screw around with Adam! Jackson told him how ridiculous he was being, and that's was got him his first beating.

The first time shocked Jackson. Don had always been so laid-back, and then this! He immediately apologized, and promised it wouldn't happen again. Jackson foolishly believed him and kept quiet about the whole mess. Things were fine until one afternoon when Jackson was waiting for Don to get home from work. Adam had stopped by to talk, and Don came home while he was still there. Needless to say, Don was rather rude to Adam, and Jackson received another beat-down. No matter what Jackson said or did, Don was convinced that something was going on. Those were the events that led up to Jackson trying to get the living room straightened up and the mess cleared. The more he thought about it, the madder he got, and decided that enough was enough. Don Flack had kicked his ass his last time!

When Don finally made it home in the wee hours of the morning, Jackson was in bed. Don came in making lots of noise wanting to know why there was still a mess in the front room. Jackson sat up on the side of the bed and told Don it was because he was too tired, and hurt too bad to finish the job. Don went to yank him up off the bed, but Jackson turned on his side and kicked Don square in the chest. He scrambled over to Don's side of the bed and when Don grabbed him, he paled when he saw the pistol in Jackson's hand.....

"You've beat your last time, Don Flack. I won't take another beating from you....."

"You don't have the guts," laughed Don.

"That's where you're wrong, Don. I'll see you in Hell....."

The gunshot was deafening. Jackson knew he'd made a direct hit because at least half of Don's head was gone. Jackson picked up the phone to call 9-1-1, and sat down on the bed waiting for the police to come.....


THE END

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