"What do you want from me?" Eric yelled across the dining table not able to control his anger any longer.
"The truth! I need the truth Eric! What have you been doing every night that keeps you away until the early morning?" Alan's body stood firm as he demanded answers. Eric would not escape him once again.
"I've told you, it's nothing like you think!"
"If it's nothing then you can tell me!"
Watching Eric try to think of a way out of this situation Alan turned and moved down the hall to walk out the front door.

Chapter 1

Alan stepped into the dispatch as he did every morning looking over the news while he finished his Danish. Usually he tried to look more composed then he was but this morning he somehow allowed himself to sleep in past his alarm. He wasn't late by the dispatch standards or by William's but he was later then he liked for himself. Wiping his hands with his handkerchief he neatly folded it back in his pocket before meeting the others who were waiting to start the day.
"Alan! Hey man, this is a first."
"Hi Ronald, good morning."
"Alan."
"Eric. Morning." Both didn't keep their gaze on the other long, it was normal for them now a days. It had a taken a while for people to realize that were no longer arriving together or attached at the hip but soon word spread that Eric and Alan were both on the market.
Hearing William coming down the hall, commenting about getting to work the three split to go their separate ways for the time being, they would rejoin for lunch most likely.

Eric looked over at Alan's desk to see him focused solely on his work. Typical, he had been trying for weeks to actually talk to him but Alan acted like he didn't exist anymore. It was like he didn't even want to try and fix things between them. It had been months since Alan left his house and never returned. While he hadn't officially moved in Alan had his own few drawers and closet space and rarely did they spend the night apart in separate houses. That decision had come after learning of Alan's illness and seeing the pain he dealt with from every attack. How many attacks had he suffered alone from their break up? How far were the thorns now?
"Eric, I was thinking of hitting the bar tonight, it's ladies night." Seeing Ronald coming over, using the stack of paperwork in his arms as his excuse for dropping by he gave the idea a thought. A night at the bar did sound like fun and he could use some fun in his life. Stealing a glance over at Alan to see he had not even spared a glance his way he took Ronald up on his offer.

"Alan, have you been well?" Eric kept his hand in his pocket while they walked the streets of London together. It wasn't all that often that they had this chance and it was one Eric took full advantage of.
"Same as before." Alan looked in the opposite direction of Eric's eyes trying not to have their gazes meet. He would never tell Eric how at times he missed the bed they had shared but it was something that occurred every so often, and something he didn't want his eyes to show.
"That's good to hear. I worry about you."
"I know you do. But I'm fine." Making his words clear, though his teeth were clenched, he stopped at the site of their victim. Hearing the tone Alan gave Eric sighed. He hated that tone, one that spoke great volumes to him. It said "I'm not lying, unlike you." It wasn't that he had ever lied to Alan he just simply couldn't tell him the truth. Their breakup had been a foolish one but until his task was completed he couldn't try and sway Alan. He could only hope he would wait. Silently following the directions they gave each both set up for proper placement of their targets. This assignment was larger than most, that had been the reason for their pairing up. They were both grateful it wasn't as awkward as it had been a few months ago. Hearing the bullets hit the ground below them they waited for their cue. Seventy-five people were to be collected from this incidence, another one involving drugs. When would London realize something had to change?

Finishing up both looked over their lists making sure all souls were collected and accounted for.
"That was easier than I anticipated. The last one took us much longer."
Looking over his paperwork Eric realized Alan had spoken to him. It was rare Alan ever started a conversation anymore.
"Well the gunman took himself with him this time; we didn't have to deal with the police." Watching Alan look at his watch Eric wished he had more time with him. Once they went back to the dispatch things would go back to the way they were and neither would proper speak to the other for some time.
"It seems we got done earlier than planned, care to grab some tea before we head back?" Was Alan actually suggesting they do something together?
"I know of a decent shop not too far from here and it's on the way back." Finishing up they walked side by side to the shop a few blocks away. There may not have been deep conversations but Eric would take this. Ordering both sat outside enjoying the breeze and the smell of life coming back to nature from the harsh winter.
"Ronald and I are going to a bar tonight, if you're free."
"Oh, thank you for the invitation but I actually have plans tonight."
"Next time then. It feels like it has been years since the three of us went drinking together."
"Of course. And it does seem like it has been awhile hasn't it. Is Ronald still with that one woman? Bridgette was it?"
"Nah, dumped her a while back. Now he is pinning over some other woman, someone from Affairs I think." Seeing Alan smile as he shook his head over Ronald's habits with women Eric couldn't help but stare. It had been what felt like ages since he saw Alan's smile. It was still as beautiful as the first time he saw it.

Standing in the lobby of the dispatch Eric waited for Ronald so they could head out together. Seemed stupid to wait at the bar for the other when they were here. Seeing Alan walking towards the exit, paperwork in hand his body froze when he saw him leave with someone else. Moving towards the fountain he sat on the edge trying not to seem like he was eavesdropping as both men stopped to allow Alan to adjust the paperwork.
"Are you sure you don't want to help you with that? I really don't mind."
"No it's alright, I've got it. Let me just drop this off at my house and I'll meet you in a bit."
"Alright Alan, see you soon." Watching them exit and split off in two different directions Eric sat there frozen by event. Alan, was he dating someone else? Had he moved on? Where they really over?
"Hey man, sorry to keep you waiting, ready to go? Eric?" Seeing Eric staring off into space Ronald waved his hand in front of Eric's face. Snapping out of it he saw Ronald in front of him.
"Sorry. Got carried away."
"It's a sign you need a beer. Come on, let's get going before someone else takes our woman." Following the other out he couldn't get Alan off his mind. Was he really too late? No, he wasn't going out on a date he was just hanging out with someone. They did that with others while they were dating all the time. It was probably the same person he hung out with outside of their crew. Yes, that was it. How foolish for him to become so worried.

Waving the empty glass for another beer Eric looked around the bar, they got here too early. It was ladies night but they didn't show up until seven most times. They arrived at five.
"Eric. Man. I hate to ask but you look like you've seen a ghost. Something happen on the field today? Alan get sick or something?" At the mention of Alan Eric's head spun around to face Ronald who he could tell was watching him.
"Nah, it was pretty uneventful all things considered. We even had time to stop for a break."
"So then what's eating you?"
"Do you know if Alan is dating anyone?"
"Hmm?" Putting his beer down he thought about it for a second. "Not that I know of. I mean I haven't heard of anything. But, I also don't talk to him as much anymore since you two split. He is always focusing on work."
"I see. I saw him leave the dispatch with someone and I heard them talk about doing something tonight."
"Jealous?"
"No. Ronald. Look. I know I messed up by letting Alan walk out but, I don't know. I thought he wouldn't move on so fast."
"You do realize it's been about six months since you two spilt right? And what exactly happened between you too. You've never talked about."
"Alan thought I was having an affair with someone, since I was getting home late every night or some nights not at all."
"Oh yea, I remember now, he had asked me about it. I told him I had no idea what he was talking about, because I had no idea what he was talking about. Were you cheating on him?"
"No. I wasn't, I wasn't doing anything to hurt him. I. I was and still am trying to find a way to cure him of the thorns. I was out every night following leads on information."
"Then why not just tell him that when he asked?"
"Because, if he knew he would have had a fit. I was waiting until I had everything before I told him but he walked out before I got that far."
"Eric. You're an idiot."