Author's Note: Hi everyone! I'm still around! Sorry this took so long to get out. Had some crazy life stuff going on. Husband was in the hospital for a couple days, followed by two minor surgeries (all unrelated to each other). Then my own hospital time and bedrest due to a pregnancy surprise. All three of us are healthy and going strong now.

I've been writing this slowly, maybe posting chapter one will give me the kick in the butt to get it going. But, hopefully be updating a couple times a week since I'm not working yet and the youngen is getting the hang of this sleeping thing.

Anyway, here we go. Takes place a few weeks after Frozen Emotions and Take Two. If you haven't read both of those, please do. This takes place between season one and season two.

Thanks for reading, I still own nothing but my computer.


"Awesome score." The blond muttered to himself, stuffing several pieces of electronics into his backpack. "Thank you Raspberry Pi, you have no idea how big this will be." He made a mental note to invest in the company before heading out. Exiting the store through a backdoor, Lucas found himself in a dark and lonely alley. He adjusted the bag and headed towards the bright and familiar light.

A voice made him stop, and spin. There was no mistaking the speaker, or the nickname. "Icarus…" The ragged man came from the deepest shadows, gazing at him in breathless desperation.

"Hans?!" Lucas' eyes went wide, the narrowed. "You escaped, didn't you?" He groaned, and rubbed his face in exasperation. "You're gonna get in a lot of trouble."

Hans fidgeted with the sleeves of the long flannel shirt he wore, despite the heat. "I must speak with you."

"You could have emailed, I haven't heard from you in weeks."

"I… I apologize, I was unable."

The breaking of his voice made Lucas pause. He looked down at the dirty and torn jeans, as well as the sneakers that had been taped back together, but were barely holding on. His hair was dirty and limp, having grown to nearly his shoulders. The shadows under his friend's eyes combined with the thinness of his face caused further concern. He had lost so much weight he looked like brittle skin over bones. "How long have you been out?"

Hans opened his mouth, but a loud car passing on the street startled him and he backed into the seclusion of the gloom again. He seized the younger man by the arm, pulling him safely with.

It was impossible to ignore the fact that Hans was trembling. Lucas quickly made a connection to his prior experience with medication, and surveyed him in the limited light. "Are you on something? You look high or strung out."

"High?" Hans stopped peering out at the street to look at him in confusion.

"Yeah, like on drugs or something." Hans continued to stare at him blankly, and he sighed. "It'll be alright, Captain Bridger and Dr. Westphalen are close. They'll help with whatever is going on. No matter what it is."

Hans twitched at the names, looking around nervously again. "Hey… it's okay, come on." Lucas coxed, he swung the backpack off and unzipped it. "Are you hungry? I just got some junk food before I stopped at the computer place."

His light grey eyes suddenly turned darkly ravenous at the sight of the candy bar. A hand snaked out, snatching the food from Lucas much like a frightened animal. "Dude, what happened to you?"

The tattered flannel sleeve had slid up his arm as Hans tore into the candy bar. A jagged and brutal laceration showed on the inside of his forearm. "That looks really fresh, and infected."

"It is nothing." Hans snapped between mouthfuls. "We must talk." He glanced around. "But not here, it is not safe."

Lucas chewed his lips. "Hey, um… are you sure you're…" He was reduced to silence by an excruciatingly passionate stare. "Dude…" Lucas forced out the uncomfortable breath. "What is going on?"

Hans blinked, breaking off the intense connection to carefully look at the street again. He did not, however, let him go. Instead, he carefully pulled Lucas closer to his side. "The house you spoke of in your last letter, it is close?"

"Yeah, I can text them and meet up." Lucas started to tug his phone from his pocket, understanding his questions would go unanswered for a while.

Hans stopped him, tightening the fingers on his arm. "Do not tell them I am here, we cannot be delayed. We can walk, as long as you stay with me."

"Um… I guess that's ok." He was starting to feel a measure of worry about how his friend was acting. Although they had put the past behind them, he couldn't forget what the German was capable of. Alarm bells sounded in his head. "I need to let them know where I am though."

"Yes, yes ask them to join us when they can. Only we cannot wait here." Hans nodded distractedly. The statement relieved something of the concern weighing in Lucas' stomach, as did Hans releasing him so he could use the phone.

After a moment, the phone buzzed in his hand. He put it away, and swung the backpack into position. Something told him it would be best if he was ready to run at moment's notice. "Okay, um, let's just go then. They'll still be shopping for a while, it looks like."

"No one else is there?" Hans asked sharply.

"Not anymore. They all left a couple days ago." Lucas answered hesitantly. He could tell something was terribly wrong and just wanted to help his friend. Or bolt, whichever became more necessary.

They started down the street, "it's only about a mile from here." As Lucas pointed, Hans' eyes darted around, watching people and vehicles. "Come on," he prodded gently. "It won't take long."

Walking in silence, Lucas again saw how Hans' tried to see everything at once, as if he was about to be attacked. He attempted conversation again. "Hey, um, are you okay?"

"Keep walking, we are too exposed here." Came the harsh reply.

"Look, this would be easier if you just…" Lucas' mouth snapped shut as Hans grabbed him by a shoulder strap and pulled him into a dark store entrance. The nervous young man peered out of the deep shadows to carefully observe the street. Two dark SUV's drove past, seemingly unware of the eyes watching them.

"Who are they?"

"Quiet!" Hans hissed.

It was so reminiscent of the orders he gave while trying to over the SeaQuest, Lucas obeyed automatically. A surge of fury came next, but was quickly abated. While the tone of Hans' voice may have been the same, his face was very different. It did not look angry or even superior. Only fear was there, true and anguished fear.

"We must get you somewhere safe."

The SUV's were gone, and no one seemed to notice them standing in the alley. Hans carefully leaned out, and the broke into a jog. Lucas hurried to keep. Their hands came close, and Hans grabbed Lucas', pulling him along to run at a frantic pace.