A/N: And so, for you guys, a Christmas present. Hope everyone had a great Christmas. The first chapter of the sequel. And, as we can guess by the title if you read Glass Emeralds, a certain blonde reaper's coming back. Not to mention, the little teaser story Alan gave Ronnie towards the end of last story, you get Alan day dreaming the end of the story (because I like the idea that Eric was a total jerk before they got together and I like the idea of Alan telling him off) before we get into the little filler chapters that set up the big plot. Yays. So, yeah, please review and thank you if you do.

"Alan, sweetheart-"

"Don't you 'sweetheart' me," Alan snapped, folding his arms. He glared up at Eric for a moment before turning to stare out the window. "Grell stopped by earlier."

Eric laughed. "You're mad 'cause Sutcliff stopped by before me? Come on, I had to work. I picked up your slack. It doesn't mean I wasn't worried. What's wrong with you anyway? You don't look sick. Or is this because I left earlier?"

"Oh no, Mr Slingby," he said. Eric frowned and Alan glanced up. He hadn't called Eric Mr Slingby since they'd started working together. "That was entirely my fault, wasn't it? I should have known better. You're reputation isn't exactly a secret."

"That's not fair-"

"No, I suppose not. It's hardly your fault that you're a lecherous, horny, perverted idiot with no moral or personal standards," Alan said, adjusting his glasses slightly. "I was stupid enough to think the rumours were merely exaggerated despite having to listen to you bragging about your last 'score' all the time. You were just so gentle and caring. Is it just me that sees there's more to you than a bored, hormone driven jerk who only sees people as objects to be used for sex so you don't have to think about how depressingly tedious your life must be when he has to get drunk and laid every night to keep up some sort of charade of contentment with your life." Eric's eyes widened and Alan knew why. He'd never snapped at anyone in front of Eric. As far as Eric knew Alan was always a mild mannered, professional, shy little kid. Grell had made that perfectly clear earlier. "You have no idea what a selfish, arrogant- ah!"

His chest burned and writhed and he broke down a coughing and gasping. A pair of nurses came in and helped him sit up, holding him steady as he tried to suck in breath, hot tears springing to his eyes.

"Alan?"

"Get him out of here," Alan groaned.

"Come on, Mr Slingby," one nurse said, pushing him out. "Unless you're secretly a doctor you're no good here."

"But- what's wrong with him?" Eric snapped. "Hey, someone tell me something, he's my partner."

"Out, Slingby," snapped a tall, blonde doctor. He walked over to Alan and smiled reassuringly. "How bad?"

"Worse than normal," Alan gasped.

"Alan," Eric called. "Alan, tell them-"

"Get out!" he cried.

He was in too much pain to deal with Eric right now. He'd known Eric for two and a half years, he'd looked up to him and seen him as his closest friend. Eric had always been a good friend to him before but this and his attack was just too much. He'd never had attacks this bad for so long, or so close together. He knew what that meant. He'd been through this before. He'd have an attack worse than he'd ever had before, then another, closer together than before, then the old ones would seem slow and dull in comparison. He knew exactly what it meant by now; the Thorns were developing. He'd never wanted Eric to see him like this. No one he saw regularly knew except for Dr Burns- Alan had almost thought that name ironic the first time he met him- the nurses and William. And none of them would say a word. William didn't care for gossip and wouldn't talk about anything and the medical staff couldn't.

"Alan..."

The door shut and Alan was given medication for the pain and to ease his breathing. It helped, but didn't solve the problem, just reduced it. Finally, after fifteen minutes or so, he sighed and lay back against his pillow, taking slow deep breaths.

"Mr Humphries, you realise you're illness is progressing?" Dr Burns said, glancing at the chart. Alan nodded slowly. "We can give you some pain medication you can take regularly which should stop the sudden onset of pain but it might affect your work."

"No..." Alan whispered, closing his eyes. "No, just give me... just give me something to ease the pain when there is an attack."

"If that's what's you want, Mr Humphries. I'll get something sorted," he said. "And, if I might be so bold as to comment on your personal life, it seems Slingby isn't helping. Perhaps if you told him-"

"No, I can't," he sighed.

Dr Burns nodded and left one of the nurses to tend to him, helping him lie down and tucking him in. He suddenly felt like a kid. The door opened again and Eric stepped in, slowly shutting it behind him again and looked pale and shaken. He'd never seen Eric looking so nervous.

"Is he ok?" Eric said quietly.

The nurse smiled and patted Alan's head gently. "For now, yes. You just call if you need anything, Alan. One of us will be right in."

"Thank you, Marie," Alan whispered.

She turned and left them in an awkward silence. Alan sighed and Eric stepped forwards slowly to the side of the bed. "So, this isn't just the flu?"

"I'm fine," Alan hissed.

"Sweetheart-"

"Stop that."

"So... what is wrong with you?"

"That's none of your business," Alan muttered. He didn't want Eric's pity. He hadn't cared earlier, Alan didn't want him to suddenly feel like he had to care. If Eric stayed, it should have been because he wanted to, not because he felt guilty. "Leave me alone."

Eric frowned but instead of leaving he sat on the bed and gently brushed away a few tears from his cheeks. Alan frowned and went to push him away but Eric caught his hand.

"You think I'm going to leave you in this state? You're in the hospital with some mystery sickness and you think I'm going to just leave you?" Eric said, slowly tracing his fingers along Alan's jaw. "How much of an arrogant, selfish insensitive idiot do you think I am?"

"I never said insensitive," he muttered.

"You were probably thinking it though."

Alan smiled slightly until Eric place a gentle kiss on his cheek. He frowned and pushed his away as firmly as he could. "What are you doing?"

"Well, I was under the impression that we were partners," Eric said, folding his arms.

"And?" Alan snapped.

"I was worried about you," he said, like it was obvious and cleared everything up. Alan frowned and waited for him to continue. "I was also under the impression that we were in a relationship. Or was that just me?" Alan's eyes widened slightly and he couldn't help staring up at him. "I'm might be wrong, but I always thought it was kind of my job as your boyfriend to worry about you."

"Boyfriend?"

"Well, yeah." He smiled and Alan frowned. He really was... Alan sighed and shook his head. "What's wrong with that?"

"Alan. That doesn't look very comfortable. Alan?"

"I didn't think..." Alan stopped and glanced up at him. Eric was smiling uncertainly, as if he actually cared. "You don't have to be nice to me just because I'm... sick..."

Eric laughed and shook his head. "Don't be silly, sweetheart. I might be an arrogant, selfish idiot-"

"You forgot insensitive," Alan said quietly.

"You never said insensitive," Eric said, his smile widening.

"I was thinking it," he replied.

Eric laughed softly and nodded. "Alright, I might be an arrogant, selfish, insensitive idiot but I know what I want. And, sweetheart, what I want more than anything is you."

"I never had you down as the sappy type."

"Well, I... uh, what I mean is..." He laughed and shook his head. "I'm really not very good at this, Al."

"It's no good, Ronnie, let him sleep."

Eric cupped his cheeks and pressed their lips together gently. Alan gave a soft surprised mewl into the kiss. The rational part of him was furious; who the hell did Eric think he was? He'd tricked him into believing he cared and got him into bed just for a bet, then hadn't even had the decency to wait around and actually tell him to his face, then just waltzed in here acting concerned and... But his eyes slipped shut and he moaned quietly as Eric gently worked his fingers over his lower back, easing the burning aching.

"Does it hurt?" Eric whispered between kisses.

"A-a little," he gasped.

"I suppose I was a little... it's not unusual to be a little sore," he said gently. "I'm sorry, I tried to be gentle."

"No, it's alright," Alan said shakily, slowly tangling his fingers into Eric's hair as he trailed gently, brief kisses along his jaw. "I-I liked it, I just-"

"Oi, Eric." He sat up and turned to the door. Eric bunch of idiotic 'friends'- and Alan loathed calling them that because they were all cruel, shallow, drunken, mindless fools- were in the doorway watching with stupid, lewd grins. "We've been looking all over for you. How'd I know you'd be with your little pet?"

"Pet?" Alan growled. "Eric-"

"It's fine," Eric said gently, kissing his forehead. "Shh, you wait here."

"I'm not a pet."

"No," he said gently, stroking his cheeks. "No, I promise I don't see you like that. Just lie here and relax, don't make yourself sick."

"Eric."

He turned and shoved his friends out, shutting the door behind him quickly, but not quickly enough to stop Alan hearing them laughing and demanding Eric tell them everything. Alan sighed. He didn't know what to think about Eric anymore. When they were acting as just friends and it was just them, Eric had been funny and honest and Alan could actually see something more meaningful beneath the surface and then when he was with those idiots he was just like them, so vapid and disgustingly blind to everything but their own egos... Alan was pretty tolerant of most things, but Eric's friends just pushed him over the edge sometimes.

When Eric came back in he was smiling softly. He sat on his bed and gently pulled Alan up into his lap, wrapping him tightly in his arms. Alan frowned.

"What are-"

He was silenced with a quick, gentle kiss. He swallowed and glanced up at him. Eric was just smiling gently.

"It's like you keep saying," Eric laughed gently. "They're a bunch of morons."

"Eric?" he whispered.

"Well, anyone who thinks I should just abandon you, especially in this condition, isn't worth my time. Like I said I want you, sweetheart, and nothing else."

"Urgh, whatever, he might as well be out cold."

Ronald was not impressed.

He gave up trying to shake Alan awake and returned to his desk. Grell was watching with an amused smirk, chewing on the end of his pen, which Ronald had stuck rubber to in hope of preventing Grell chewing the pen open and spilling ink all over the reports. Ronald would be the one having to redo them. Their new temporary supervisor was even worse than William when it came to check list and procedures.

The problem was one of Grell's recent disasters had led to William getting a temporary suspension while the higher ups looked into whether William could actually handle being a supervisor. The sheer amount of rule violations coming from their division was finally becoming a concern. Ronald had no doubt William was the best qualified to handle their division, but William said they had to do things by the book and let the higher ups come to the conclusion on their own.

To go with their new supervisor, Mr Francis Corbin, had brought in a new Senior Dispatch Officer. Ronald didn't see why they needed a new Senior, Alan had recently turned sixty and would be promoted to a senior position in a few months. Of course, office policy was not to have more than two Junior Officers per division if it could be helped. After Eric's death seven years ago, Alan had been left without a partner to work with.

Even if Ronald had hated Eric at first for murdering a thousand people and collecting their souls- after getting over the shock of being the one to accidently deal the blow that killed him- he was glad Alan had been cured of the Thorns. Alan was slowly growing stronger, even if he'd never fully recover from the damage the Thorns had caused. He supposed it was the better of two evils; if Alan had died, Eric would have been in bits and if people had found out about Eric killing people trying to save him he would have been executed anyway. At least this way one of them got to live on.

"Come on, Alan," Ronald said gently, returning to Alan's desk and shaking him gently. "They're going to be back any second."

Alan's eyes opened slightly and he smiled. "Eric..."

"Ronald, Al," he said, pushing Alan's glasses from the top of his head onto his nose. "Remember?"

"Oh, yeah," he mumbled, sitting up and stretching. "How long was I sleeping?"

"Half an hour or so," Grell said, tapping his pen. "Muttering about Eric. Poor thing. It's seven years tomorrow."

"Yeah thanks, Grell," Alan muttered. "I'd completely forgotten the anniversary of Eric's death. What would I do without you?"

"Someone's cranky," he cooed. "Someone needs a nap."

Alan groaned and leant against his paper work. "Ronald... throw something at him for me, I can't be bothered with him."

Ronald laughed and scrunched up a scrap of paper, tossing in across the room and hitting Grell perfectly on the top of his head. Grell growled and glared over at him before tossing him back and knocking off his glasses.

"Crap..." He growled and leant down, patting the floor for them blindly. Grell was laughing madly and Ronald clenched his jaw. "It's not funny, Grell! How would like it if I'd aimed for your glasses? For fu-"

"Ronald," Alan snapped.

"Fudge," Ronald growled. "I was going to say fudge."

"No you weren't," he muttered. "You know we've talked about your language."

"You sound like William. I'm not getting overtime because of you, Grell."

"I should hope not, Mr Knox," Mr Corbin said suddenly.

Ronald jumped and went to sit up, cracking his head on the edge of his desk and swearing loudly. He blinked slightly and tried to focus on Mr Corbin and the man next to him. Alan sighed and came over, and a moment later his glasses were pushed onto his nose and the world sharpened. Mr Corbin was standing in the middle of the office. He was a tall, well built brunette who always kept his uniform absolutely perfect. In fact, in many ways, he was a lot like William, only William didn't shout. He kept his voice calm and steady in almost all circumstances- while at work at least. Mr Corbin didn't.

"Thank you, Ala- Mr Humphries," Ronald said quietly.

Next to Mr Corbin was Alan's new partner, Christian Moore. He was a lot more average in build with jet black hair and another who kept his uniform perfect. He strode over to his desk, picked up his files and took them into Mr Corbin's office. Ronald didn't like him either. He considered himself better than them. He was constantly making snide remarks and scathing comments. He'd been Eric's friend once. Alan often told him that Eric had once been a selfish egotistical jerk, something Ronald didn't have a hard time believing, and his friends were pretty much the same. Christian was one of them. Alan had also warned him that Eric's old friends had been shallow and tried to ease their boredom with one night stands and the challenge of seducing those around them. Ronald wasn't bothered by that. Despite what people still seemed to think of him, he was in a perfectly happy relationship and had been for seven and a half years now. He hated the way people thought he slept around and would go with anyone who tried it on. Everyone seemed to associate liking to drink and go out partying with being easy to get in bed.

"Have you finished your work?" Mr Corbin said. "You have only fifteen minutes left."

"Yes sir," Alan said.

Mr Corbin's gaze fell on Ronald. "Mr Knox?"

"Almost done, sir," Ronald said. "Just one more report to finish."

"Mr Sutcliff?"

"Yeah, yeah," Grell said, waving his hand.

"Mr Sutcliff, my office, please."

He said please, but he wouldn't take no for an answer. Christian returned and sat at his desk across from Alan. Grell sighed and went in after him, throwing Ronald a tired look as he went. Ronald leant back on his chair to look into the adjoining office. Christian cleared his throat and the door slammed. Ronald growled to himself. He was being silly again but he didn't like Mr Corbin being in his and William's office. Ok, technically William's office, but William was constantly saying Ronald was ridiculously and irrationally jealous and possessive. Ronald knew it was true, but he didn't care.

"Shouldn't you be working, Knox?" Christian said.

"Shouldn't you mind your own business, Mr Moore?" Ronald replied, giving him one of his charming, innocent grins but not bothering to hide the venom in his tone. "Are you staying with us tonight, Alan?"

"We'll see how it goes, Ronald," Alan said.

"I thought you didn't sleep around, Knox," Christian muttered. "Why don't you just let me show you what a real man can do?"

"Really?" Ronald laughed, shaking his head. "I'm pretty sure anything you can do the boss can do a hundred times better."

"Hmm, you wish. Come over to mine tonight, I'll prove it."

The problem with Christian and Mr Corbin was that they didn't actually break the rules. They acted dubiously but didn't break the rules. Christian might have been insufferable, but he had no black marks on his record. Ronald wanted to complain, he wanted to get them both out of their office but there were no reasons the higher ups would accept.

"How about you just-"

"Ronald," Alan warned.

"It's not happening, Mr Moore," Ronald said, flashing another bright smile.

"We'll see about that."

"Mr Knox," Mr Corbin said, pushing Grell out of his office. "Come in. Bring your reports."

Ronald nodded, quickly finishing his last report with a few quick signatures before getting up and heading into his office- well, William's office, he was never going to accept Mr Corbin there. He glanced at Grell, who for some reason looked incredibly depressed, his hair tied back with a black ribbon and actually wearing the regulation uniform. Mr Corbin was sitting behind the desk waiting for him. Ronald set down his files quietly. Without a word, he turned to leave, trying to get out as quickly as possible.

"Shut the door and get back here, Mr Knox," he said just as Ronald reached the door.

He sighed and shut the door, slowly turning but to him. Mr Corbin stood and strode around the desk to stand in front of him, a little close for Ronald's liking. He swallowed heavily. Perhaps he was a little paranoid, but he had a history of getting the worst luck of the division when it came to people. Everyone seemed to want to give him a concussion.

"You look a mess, Mr Knox," he said.

"I've never had any complains before," Ronald said with a smile.

"I'm not Mr Spears," he said, gripping Ronald's chin and forcing his head up. "Your little smiles and jokes have no effect on me."

"You're standing a little close for me to believe that," he said.

Before Ronald could register what was happening there was a crack of skin and the he stumbled aside, struggling to stay on his feet through the shock, his glasses falling from his face for the second time in fifteen minutes. He blinked a few times, trying to figure out what the hell had just happened.

"You hit me!" he cried, standing and turning to him.

"Yes I did," Mr Corbin said calmly.

"Corporal punishment is banned," Ronald snapped. "And you can't even justify that, I didn't do anything you can twist into making anyone think I deserved it."

"And you're going to tell the higher ups and get me transferred away so you can have you precious Mr Spears back?" he said.

"You bet I'm going to tell the higher ups," he snarled.

Mr Corbin gave a snort and caught his chin once more, gripping so tight Ronald was sure he could feel his jaw breaking. "Silly boy. You're showing your age. Now, do you honestly think anyone will believe you- a reaper who at barely twenty has had enough black marks and regulation volitions and inquests against his name he's quickly becoming infamous on par with the rest of this gods forsaken division- or me- a well respected reaper who for over a hundred and fifty years has had a perfect record and a reputation for being tough on slacker and straightening them out?"

"Let me go," Ronald hissed.

"Gladly," Mr Corbin said, shoving him away and nearly knocking him on his behind. "I don't like to touch dirty creatures like you. Now, take off your uniform."

"Sir?" he gasped, stepping back slightly. "I don't think that's appropriate."

"Don't make me repeat myself, Mr Knox," he said, and Ronald felt him moving around him more than he could see him. "Take off your uniform. And this time, when you put it on, do it right."

Ronald shuddered, his stomach churning, but nodded and slid off his jacket. Mr Corbin took it from him, quickly followed by his tie, waistcoat and shirt. Fortunately, that was where he allowed him to stop. He closed his eyes and let out a slow, shuddering breath, his face flushed with embarrassment. William was strict but he'd never make him do anything like this.

"How did you get the scars on your back, Mr Knox?"

"Training accident in the academy." Sadistic teacher, actually, but he'd only ever admitted that to the people closest to him and after a lot of convincing. "Nothing important."

"There's no record of it in your file."

"Then there's a mistake in the file."

"Don't lie to me, Mr Knox." Ronald laughed bitterly, his natural response to this line of questioning with almost everyone. "You think lying to your superior is funny?"

"I think that anything that's not in the file is none of your concern and I have no obligation to tell you."

"All your time with Mr Spears has got you up to speed on regulations, hasn't it?" He moved around and pulled Ronald's shirt back on. "Now, if only you were so up to date on uniform regulations. Do it up." Ronald nodded and did up his shirt, trying not to look at his boss. When he instinctually stopped, Mr Corbin reached over did up the buttons for him. "All the way, Mr Knox. Now, the scars on your back?"

"Richard St John."

It had the exact reaction Ronald had expected. His hands stopped and he pulled back. Pretty much everyone reacted like that when he mentioned that name. Richard St John was an abusive teacher who drugged the academy students just to see how far he could push their bodies, how much he could make them bleed and bruise before they gave out or someone noticed the abuse. He was only caught when he accidently pushed a kid too far and killed him. He was dead now. Ronald suspected Eric, Grell and Michelle Galloway- a supervisor of another division, most often associated with the phrase 'should have been a demon' and had grown very close and protective of Eric in his last few months- had killed him after finding out he was one of his victims.

"Poor child," he said. "Dress yourself properly and leave, Mr Knox."

"Yes sir."

He pulled his clothes, doing up his tie all the way and buttoning up his jacket. Mr Corbin ignored him, but Ronald waited silently.

"What is it?" he growled. "I said you could leave."

"You have my glasses, sir," Ronald said.

He sighed and Ronald's glasses were pressed into his hand. He pulled them on quickly and turned on his heel, striding out. Christian was already gone but Grell and Alan were still waiting for him.

"You got your uniform fixed too, huh?" Grell laughed.

"You're face is red, Ronald," Alan said, pulling on his coat and heading for the door.

"It was embarrassing," Ronald said, following him out with Grell right behind them. "You're going the wrong way, Al."

"No, I'm going the right way," he replied. "Only one side of your face is red, Ronald. No one should get away with that. Michelle knows what goes in this place better than anyone."

"She hasn't spoken to us since she and Grell had that big fight."

"She'll help if I ask her to. I'll see you guys later."