Title: Exploit the Weakness
By: angstytimelord
Pairing: Carl Hickman/Louis Daniel
Fandom: Crossing Lines
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 448
Disclaimer: This is entirely a product of my own imagination, and I make no profit from it. I do not own the lovely Carl Hickman or Louis Daniel, unfortunately, just borrowing them for a while. Please do not sue.

***

Genovese was still in his head.

Carl closed his eyes, cursing silently. He wished that he could simply forget the bastard, forget all that he'd said, all that he'd done. But he couldn't. Those taunting words would stay in his mind forever, those words that told him he'd failed.

This was going to be his weakness for the rest of his life. He would always know that he'd let Genovese get away, to the detriment of so many lives.

Carl was sure that it was Genovese who'd been behind the attempt on Louis' life. That bastard was the reason his lover had been in the hospital, and had nearly lost his life. Somehow, it just didn't feel like Dimitrov. No, it was Genovese all the way.

Somehow, he'd found out about Carl's relationship with Louis.

Genovese would know that the best way to destroy Carl was to get to Louis. He must have somehow known about the feelings Carl harbored for him.

How could he have known, though? Carl had never let his feelings for Louis slip to anyone. He thought that they'd kept that brief, intense attraction that they had felt for each other so many years ago well-hidden; he didn't think anyone but Dorn had seen it.

A thought occurred to him, one that chilled his blood.

He had been delirious when Genovese had drugged him. He could have said anything.

There was no telling what that bastard might have heard, no telling what he would dredge up to use against them. Carl had no idea what he might have spilled when he was drugged; he could have said so many things. Genovese had exploited his weakness.

Though at this point, Genovese hadn't called him to taunt him, or claim credit for what had happened to Louis. That was unlike him.

But this felt like Genovese. He was good at using people's weaknesses against them.

He didn't want to think about the bastard, Carl told himself with a sigh, closing his eyes and pressing his hand against his forehead. He wanted to forget about Genovese, forget what a nightmare that man had been in his life. But that wasn't possible.

Genovese knew his weaknesses, and he probably knew by now that he was living with Louis. He would see Louis as just another weakness to exploit.

Which could put Louis in grave danger, now that Genovese was on the loose again. Carl sighed softly, wishing that they'd managed to keep the man locked up, where he belonged. He really should be on the top of their list of criminals to put back behind bars.

He hoped they'd get the chance to so sooner than he thought.

***