Disclaimer: Okay, I admit it. I don't own Darker than Black. Woe is me... But, I'm not sure that I would want to, with how horrible season two is, at least compared to season one... Okay, enough rambling; on to the story! But first...

A/N: Just to let you know, this starts off during episode 25 just after Hei wrecks the saturn system (Jupiter system? whatever.) and while Dr. Schroeder is explaining things to the Pandora people plus Horai and Misaki. It's called the rings collapse, because they really do collapse.

The Rings Collapse

"It's called special particle luminance. He changed the particles on an atomic level, like the way an ordinary human can become a contractor," Dr. Schroeder said, smiling slightly. He started to say how surprised he was at the turn of events, before abruptly stopping mid-sentence. Freezing entirely, in the middle of a dramatic gesture, his eyes seemed to bulge.

"No...It can't be possible..." He murmured, and those in the room watched silently, still partially in shock, as they waited to be told what had surprised him.

"Yes, and just what has you so unsettled, doctor?" Nishijima asked in a surprisingly calm tone, despite his plan's complete failure.

"Changed... on the atomic level..." Schroeder seemed almost like he would faint, or explode with excitement, before pulling himself together.

"Ahem. Well you see, as I said, special particle luminance happens mainly in cases where contractors are involved. It can either affect an object which the contractor uses its power on, or affect the contractor himself when the power is used. As you all saw, we were surrounded by the 'glow' that is indicatory of this type of molecular change... and... it is my belief that we may have been affected by it. That is to say, we may have been changed into contractors ourselves."

There was a collective gasp as the occupants of the room stared at each other, or down at their own hands, in utter shock. At this, Nishijima finally lost his cool. He slammed his fist into the counter and rounded on the doctor.

"Are you sure?" he ground out. "You're quite positive?"

"Well, no... There is of course the chance that I may be entirely incorrect. But I certainly wouldn't chance pressing that button again. Even if the Saturn and Jupiter rings weren't in ruin, I wouldn't want to risk ending my own existence."

As a general consensus, everyone edged away from the control panel that had housed the Saturn System's launch system. Horai even looked slightly unnerved.

As for Misaki, her mind was in a whirl. She couldn't even begin to figure out what she felt about BK-201 using his power to change them, but it was apparent, at least to her, that she didn't think any differently-or any more logically- than usual. So, what was going on?

And she didn't—no she actually did know what BK-201 had been thinking. One thing was for certain: she wasn't going to try to arrest any of the men in the room. Because, no matter what the circumstances, they were high ranking members of the 'Syndicate' and they didn't want to die. They would fight the plan to destroy of Hell's Gate.

BK-201 had clearly thought this one through. No one in the room would act toward the destruction of contractors again.

As the others watched, one of the men managed to activate their powers for the first time, his eyes and body beginning to glow as he accidentally caused a computer monitor to fly towards his head. He ducked, and the monitor flew through the gaping hole in the side of the building. Then the man seemed to shudder, and grabbed instinctively for his notepad. Immediately he began to sketch one of his coworkers.

At that moment, the door burst open to reveal the members of section four.

"Chief—Director—what happened?" Saito, Kono and Matsumoto rushed in and headed toward their superiors.

Slowly, Misaki responded, "There was...a...conflict with BK-201 and the leader of Evening Primrose. Everyone's alright, but some of the equipment here was rendered ineffective; the damage is probably permanent."

And with that statement, she answered the unspoken question: the secret that they had been transformed would never leave the room. They would continue with their everyday lives, with only altered goals as well as minds and hearts.

Years down the road, Misaki still wasn't sure whether to hate BK-201 or thank him.

A/N: The first time I watched this episode, I was struck with the idea for this story. I mean, Dr. Schroeder practically said it himself. It was dying to be written. XD Anyway, I watched the episode ages ago, and finally got around to putting it on paper (or on the screen in intangible little letters?) But I'm not sure how it turned out. So, please, let me know what you think!

In any case, I'm writing the continuation of this right now. It's in the format of journal entries, sort-of; mainly it's snapshots of the future, and what the repercussions from Hei's choice are. It focuses mainly around Misaki from this point... Let me know if there's something that you'd like to see, and I'll try to include it!

Thank you all for reading!

~AP (is it sad when my little signature reminds me of school? I really have no life...)