Shifting restlessly, sheets tangled around his legs Arcane was ready to give up on getting any sleep. Emotions he'd denied during the light of day resurfaced with a vengeance now his mind was resting. Graham's death shouldn't affect him this much, the man was just an assistant. So what if he was loyal, there were lots of other loyal employee's ... well, no. Arcane couldn't really fool himself on that account. His other employee's feared him, did what he told them because he signed their paychecks and for what he'd do if they disobeyed. For all his faults, Graham had been loyal because he'd actually cared about him. A rare event in his life, he was more used to people shouting death threats or cringing in his presence. Not that Graham didn't sometimes cringe, Arcane grinned nostalgically, it was ... his smile faded as his mind made the correction ... it had been an oddly enduring trait.
Dammit, that was it. There was no way he was going to lay in bed and think about ... there was no way he was going to grieve. Graham was an assistant. That was it. End of story. If sleep wasn't in the agenda, it would have to be work.
Pulling on a dressing gown, Arcane made his way down to the main lab. Usually, at this time, he'd find Graham working, late at night seemed to be the man's favourite work hours. Intent on his memories, wishing for that familiar figure to be waiting for him as expected, he wasn't surprised to see Graham's image before him ... it took several seconds for reality to intrude upon him.
"No," eyes wide, a small whisper escaped, Arcane's face drained of all colour, " ... it can't be. You're, you're ..."
"Dead, sir?" Graham smiled, looking amused as Arcane struggled to speak.
"I'm hallucinating," strangled, Arcane backed up a step as Graham got to his feet, "Yes, that's it. I'm just overtired. Stress from the day and all that."
"Or perhaps guilt," Graham carefully suggested, moving forward until Arcane was backed against a counter.
"Guilt," Arcane straightened up, no hallucination was going to talk to him like that, even if it was one he dearly wanted to believe in, "Don't be ridiculous. I have nothing to be guilty over."
"I thought killing me might inspire some guilt," his dead assistant pressed closer ... making Arcane all too aware of his - phantom- warmth.
His throat closed up and for a moment he couldn't speak, couldn't breath ... "It was self-defense. I, I had no choice ...I ..."
"Shh, now," Graham laid a gentle finger across his mouth, stroking his bottom lip in a caress that left him breathless for an entirely different reason. "I wouldn't hurt you, you know that." Vivid blue eyes seemed to stare into his mind, soothing, blocking out the pain, "I love you."
Soft lips settled briefly, then more firmly on his own, bringing more warmth and comfort than any other kiss he'd ever felt before. Graham's lips parted and with a small whimper of desperation Arcane deepened the kiss, clutching the man closer, sinking into the taste, the smell, the warmth that was so familiar, so perfect he never wanted to let go of this moment ...
... gasping Arcane struggled to free himself from the clinging grasp of tangled bed sheets. A hollow pain spreading cold numbness in place of heat when his grasping fingers encountered only cool linen instead of warm flesh. Closing his eyes he determinedly swept his mind clear of the dream - especially the meaning of the kiss. Fighting his way free from the bed Arcane stumbled into the bathroom, not bothering to hit the lights before turning on the shower. Stepping under the soothing spray, he could feel his thoughts settle, calmness flowing over his skin. Now he could face the day, face the trial he was sure Graham's funeral was going to be.
As if to mock yesterdays tragic events, the day had dawned bright and clear. Clear blue skies looked down onto the tranquil setting of grey gravestones and colourful flowers. Spectators gathered around the newest addition in the cemetery, the freshly dug soil fragrant in the cool air. Few of those there showed up from genuine regret, curiousity seemed to be the prevailing emotion. This was the first time Dr. Arcane had arranged a funeral for any of his employee's ... although the rumour mill had it there'd been many more dead then the official reports stated. Will and Tressa watched from the back as Arcane arrived on the scene and made his way to the front of the crowd.
Surveying those gathered Arcane fought to restrain his impulse to glare at every person who dared to pretend that Graham's death meant anything to them. He, however, couldn't keep the biting sarcasm out of his tone, "it's heartwarming to see all of Graham's 'friends'," pausing briefly, he observed several people shift uncomfortably, "have come to bid him goodbye. I know he would have been - touched - by everyone's presence. For myself, I have only one thing to say," Arcane clenched his hands behind his back, brutally shoving his emotions to the furthest corner of his mind. Where it kept this mornings dream company. "As an assistant Graham certainly wasn't the best - not even close. But Graham wasn't just my assistant, he was also my friend." Turning he threw the first handful of dirt on the gleaming casket, whispering quietly past the tightness in his throat, "I will avenge your death Graham. Woodrue will pay." Without another word, or a look backward Arcane strode towards his vehicle while the priest took his place to perform the final prayer.
"Nice speech, Doc," Will couldn't resist calling out as Arcane passed by, "Very touching, one'd almost think you cared."
"Yes, one would almost," Arcane barely paused in his path towards his car, leaving a confused Will behind him.
In the quiet greenness of the Swamp, the morning's early sunshine shone down on the water with a dappling pattern of light and dark. Slowly Alec stirred from the position he'd inhabited all night, "Yes, I sense it too ... the source of the emanations is from that building." Surging out of the water he nodded in agreement with the Swamp's whispered suggestion, "I'll go investigate immediately."
Traveling swiftly through the dense jungle of trees, Alec reached his destination in rapid time. The emanations of now searing agony were starting to take their toll on the sereneness of the Swamp and he was anxious to get answers to the mystery. Stopping on the edge of a clearing he stared at the odd building that stood there.
Obviously hastily constructed, it held an air of quiet shabbiness. If he didn't have the Swamp's senses to tell him otherwise Alec would have easily believed it was abandoned. The front door opened just as he started closer and he hurriedly stepped back out of sight. Luckily he hadn't been noticed by the two men that made their way outside. He furtively made his was nearer in hopes of overhearing something - anything that would give him a clue about the buildings purpose.
The man nearest to his position was short, with blonde hair and glasses. His companion almost the opposite with a clearly six foot frame, and dense black hair. About the only thing they had in common was their identical plain white lab coat.
"I hear we'll be moving out soon," the shorter man was saying. He dragged out a pack of cigarettes and lit one up with a sigh of relief.
"Yup, we just have a few loose ends that need to be tied up and then we're being shipped out." the taller man slapped at a mosquito. "And it won't be a moment too soon for me. Give me a dirty, noisy city anytime over all this nature crap."
His friend laughed, "it's not so bad Fred. Makes a nice change from rushhour traffic." He paused with a troubled frown, "do you know what's going to happen to the poor sap in the lab?"
"The boss will probably eliminate him now he's no longer needed." Fred replied, shrugging carelessly, "it's probably for the best anyway. You know his brain wave activity has been all but non-existent the past twenty-four hours. I don't know a medical procedure capable of allowing him to be any more than a mental vegetable."
"I know all that ... but ..."
"But what Cal? Would you want to live with the mental capacity of a two year old? Less even."
"It just doesn't seem right to kill him when he can't even defend himself. Couldn't we drop him off at -"
"NO!" Fred glared at his shorter friend, "Don't say and don't even think it. Our lives wouldn't be worth the mud on the bottom of your shoe if the Doctor even got wind it was in your mind. No," he gentled his tone, "trust me Cal, this is for the best."
"Alright," Cal conceded reluctantly, crushing out his cigarette, "You're right as usual. Let's at least get back and make him as comfortable as possible."
"If it'll make you feel better," Fred slung a arm across Cal's shoulders. "You really gotta learn not to care so much Cal, it'll make things go much easier." Their voices faded away as they moved out of range and back into the building.
"I'll have to get inside, find out who is in there," Alec looked around at the clearing in which the building stood. There was no chance of sneaking up there, he'd be spotted the moment he left the shelter of the trees. He would have to wait for dark in order to even chance getting closer. Still, the emanations that had so disturbed the Swamp were clearer and stronger here. Perhaps he could learn more about the source; the mysterious patient the two men had been discussing seemed a likely bet.
Concentrating, Alec tapped into the sensation deeper then he'd ever been able to achieve. Blocking the agony that felt all too real, for the first time he was able to pick up on a thread of desperation under the pain ... there was a name there, a refrain that kept repeating. If only he could make it out! Closing his eyes Alec focused intently, straining to ignore the fiery spikes of pain.
Arcane ... Help!
Wrought with anguish, and barely understandable, Alec was able to pick out the words before having to drop the connection. *Arcane,* he sighed, one hand pressing tiredly against his head, *I should have known you had to be involved in this in someway.* Sinking further into the shadows Alec struggled against what he knew he had to do, what nature demanded he do. There was no choice, he couldn't allow anyone to suffer such pain without helping ... even if it meant he had to ally himself to the one man who'd been the source of all the misery in his life. Reluctantly, but determined Alec headed back into the Swamp to confront Arcane.
Arcane was in his lab, staring dully at the wall. His latest experiment - a little something to ensure Woodrue got what was coming to him - sitting untouched in front of him. He was finding it hard to concentrate, mind straying to thoughts and images of Graham. He'd never admitted to Graham how much he'd ... counted on him. Angrily shoving upright, Arcane swept a row of drying beakers onto the floor. He wasn't going to do this, wasn't going to mourn his assistant. No one was going to have that power over him anymore.
"Dr. Arcane," Stella's voice over the intercom interrupted his silent rant.
"Is this going to become a habit," Arcane hit the 'talk' button, sarcasm thick in his tone, "or can I, MAYBE, manage to get my work done without being disturbed SOMETIME THIS YEAR!"
"The General wants to speak to you," Stella struggled to control her temper. While she usually wasn't prone to telling people off, Graham's death had shaken her normal calm serenity.
"What's that senile old twit want now?" Arcane closed his eyes wearily, this was the last thing he needed to deal with now. "Alright, Stella, tell him I'll be there in a moment," Leaving the lab he headed to his office, an cloying sense of deja-vu pervading the atmosphere as he settled in front on his desk.
"General, what can I do for you?"
"I'm simply calling to express my condolences on the loss of your personal assistant," Sunderland's even metallic tones showed no signs of his professed remorse.
"Thank you, Sir," Teeth gritted, knuckles turning white on the edge of his desk, he had to bite his tongue to stop the rage from spewing forth.
"Yes, it is especially tragic when loyal personnel betray your trust," As the accompanied text scrolled past the screen the faint nagging doubt that had been plaguing him from his first conversation with the General turned into a full fledged suspicion.
"Sir," Arcane pondered his choice of wording carefully, "I was away from the Complex yesterday. You didn't by any chance visit in that time? I've had several conflicting reports from security guards of you being seen."
"If I decide to visit Doctor," Sunderland's disdain came through clearly, "I would certainly call beforehand. Now, if that's all, I have several important matters to attend to."
"Of course, Sir," Arcane mumbled, mind momentarily stunned by the possibilities of what this could mean. If the General from yesterday wasn't the real General that would have to mean that Jason knew. No one else would have been able to pull off a stunt like that. But why?! What did it gain Woodrue. Access to his lab? Even Jason couldn't be naive enough to believe he'd allow that, no matter what Sunderland ordered. So something else then.
Tiredly Arcane pushed himself away from his desk, perhaps fresh air was needed to clear the cobwebs from his mind. Strolling along the perimeter fencing he mulled over the problem. What did Woodrue have to gain? Revenge was the only thing that occurred to him. Their game of one-upmanship the past few years had been in his favour. It would be like Jason to do all this solely to cause him grief. How did he convince Graham to go along with the farce then? Despite the last few weeks of betrayal he knew his assistant ... and the Graham he knew was incapable of conspiring to kill him, no matter the incentive. So, *it couldn't have been the Graham I know,* Arcane swallowed, almost not daring to believe what he was thinking. "He's alive," he breathed.
"Speaking to oneself is the first sign of madness," Alec's gravelly tones came from behind him, causing Arcane the spin around. "However in your case, perhaps it's the last."
"You," Arcane sighed, crossing his arms in annoyance, "don't you have a home to go to?"
"I had a home ... before you destroyed it," Alec growled, taking a threatening step towards the Doctor.
"Yes well," Arcane backed up, holding his hands up placating, "these things have a way of happening. So," he gestured towards the perimeter, "what brings you to my doorstep, as it were?"
"I'm here against my better judgment," Alec repressed the desire to just leave, "there is someone who needs your help."
"My help?" Arcane almost laughed, if he didn't know better he could have sworn the Jolly Green Giant looked disconcerted.
"As unbelievable as it sounds, yes." Holland shifted backwards, "You must follow me."
"I don't do house calls, Holland, perhaps you can find some other person for your little errand of mercy," Arcane waved a hand airily, "And now, if you'll excuse me, as lovely as chatting with you is, I have other matters to attend to."
"Matters more important than finding out why some unknown Doctor has constructed a building, hidden on the edge of the Swamp?" if possible Alec would have smirked as Arcane abruptly halted and turned back.
"What are you talking about?" Arcane glared, "What Doctor, what building?"
"I've seen it," Alec quickly re-counted the conversation he'd overheard, "Whoever is being imprisoned is sending out telepathic pleas for help. Pleas to you."
"Graham," Arcane abruptly had to blink back tears, the possibility his Graham might really be alive was suddenly a lot more probable, "it has to be Graham."
"Isn't Graham dead?" Scrutinizing Arcane closely Holland was slightly surprised at the open relief the man displayed.
"Come now, Holland," Arcane patted him on the arm, grinning, "you don't think I would actually kill Graham, my most loyal assistant, do you?"
"If it suited your purpose," Holland ignored the now glowering Doctor, "We must leave now. There's no time to lose."
"Why?" Arcane started back towards his Complex, "I need to plan, to gather the appropriate forces ..."
"There is no time for any of that," grabbing Arcane by the arm, Holland pulled the grumbling man behind him, "From the increasing amount of agony the Swamp has been perceiving, Graham doesn't have much longer to live."
"Why didn't you bloody well say so in the first place?" Pulling free Arcane strode ahead, calling back over his shoulder, "Well, come on now, what are you waiting for?"
Rolling his eyes Alec moved in front of Arcane, pointedly setting out in correct direction. Ignoring his enemy's muttering, which sounded unsurprisingly like insults he tramped on in silence.
"Well, it doesn't seem very impressive," critically Arcane surveyed the building that had helped cause him so much trouble over the weeks, "I don't spot any guards patrolling, although I do spy a rather large limousine attempting to hide behind some bushes."
"Five men left half an hour ago," Alec broke his communion with the Swamp, "but ..."
"Jolly good of them ... let's go." Arcane interrupted brusquely, stepping into the clearing. Only to be quickly hauled back by Holland, and not too gently either. "What the bloody hell do you think you're doing? Graham is in there!"
"Look," Alec pointed to the door, which had cracked open to admit two heavily armed thugs.
Arcane backed further into the shadows at the sight of their vicious weapons. Opening his mouth, he quieted without saying a word when Holland held up his hand, "Listen."
"Are the charges set?" The question came almost too softly for them to hear. Swallowing dryly Arcane strained to hear the answer.
"Yup, she'll blow in ten minutes. Let's get out of here." Wasting no time the two men climbed into the waiting limo, pulling out onto a small dirt road it was mere moments later that silence once again settled into the clearing.
Arcane didn't even glance back at his companion, he had less than ten minutes to find Graham and get him out. Failure was not acceptable. Pulling at the door, he cursed as he found it locked, "Bloody marvelous! What kind of idiot sees fit to lock the door of a building set to explode!"
"Move aside," Pushing Arcane not-so-subtly out of the way, Alec concentrated for a brief moment, plant fiber straining as he set his strength to ripping the door off. With a reluctant shriek it yielded to the pressure upon it, without a word Alec threw it aside and strode into the darkened interior.
"Remind me not to make you angry when I'm within reach," Arcane muttered, staring at the mutilated door before stepping inside. The chill air was the first thing he noticed, then the faint odour of antiseptic. Dim red emergency lighting led the way past the first room, into a hallway that opened onto several living quarters and a washroom. Spying Holland pulling open a door at the end of the corridor Arcane made to join him when he noticed a door to his right.
It was cleverly hidden, being in the same colour of the walls with no doorknob. Frowning Arcane pushed against it, surprised when it swung open without any trouble, "Wait Holland, I think I've found something." Taking a deep breath he entered the room.
It was obviously a medical lab, equipment and monitors littering every spare inch. Everything was quiet except for the faint beep of a heart monitor, while reassuringly steady was altogether too slow. The still form in the centre of the room drew him forward, and Arcane haltingly moved forward. He was almost afraid to look, afraid it might not be Graham ...
... breathe escaping, Arcane had to bite of a curse of the sight of his assistant's bruised and beaten form. Metal electrodes were attached to bare skin that was covered in cuts and abrasions. A thin blanket and pale green hospital pants was the only covering. Ignoring the trembling of his hand Arcane touched his assistant, biting his lip and the how cold and clammy the man's flesh felt. This was not good.
"It appears as if Graham put up quite the fight," Holland commented, watching a stricken expression flit over Arcane's face.
"This is all my fault," Arcane whispered, almost too quietly to hear. Shaking himself he abruptly ripped the electrodes off, unattaching the IV he snapped at Holland, "well, don't just stand there, give me a hand with him."
Repressing his natural instincts to give this man as little help as possible, Alec picked Graham up. Carrying him carefully, he was momentarily distracted at the disturbing lack of any surface thoughts or emotions. It was like holding a corpse, only he could feel and hear a heartbeat. *Something is very wrong here!* Holding Graham securely Holland followed Arcane out of the building.
Running, they had nearly reached the surrounding trees when the world exploded behind them ... the shockwave pushed Alec off his feet, and it was only with a surprising agile dive that he was able to avoid crushing Graham under his weight.
Fire was spilling into the sky, black smoke roiling forward to dirty the clean air. Alec was sure it could be seen in Houma, he could feel the Swamp urging him to leave quickly. Most disturbing however, was even the sharp jar of hitting the ground, and the deafening roar of the explosion hadn't disturbed the death-like stillness of Arcane's assistant.
"That was too bloody close," Arcane staggered upright, ears ringing so much he almost couldn't hear his own voice, "Another moment and the world would have been deprived of my genius."
"The world would never be so lucky," Holland dryly commented, sparing a brief look at Arcane before picking Graham back up, "We need to leave this place, the risk of discovery is too great." Striding further into the Swamp, he ignored Arcane's automatic protest against 'not having to follow his orders.'
"Er, how is Graham doing?" Arcane asked, hurrying to catch up. Trying to mask the concern in his voice ... realizing he'd failed utterly when Holland actually shot him a look of sympathy.
"He's," Alec hesitated, normally he'd be blunt with the man ... something was terribly wrong with Graham ... but the unexpected emotion Arcane showed stopped him. Cruelty was not a trait he endorsed, even towards the one who'd shown him nothing but cruelty. "I'll know more when we stop," he finally compromised.
Arcane didn't protest, now that he had Graham back he found himself almost afraid of what damage he'd find. Whatever Woodrue had done to him couldn't have been good ... he had the feeling that would prove to be the understatement of the year. If any permanent injury was made to his assistant Jason would find his continued living an impossible thing to remain doing.
Presently, they came to a halt in front of a large tree, its branches and roots providing a cradle in which Holland gently laid Graham. Arcane held his breath, the very air felt still as silence descended in expectation of what was to come.
Laying his hand on Graham's forehead, Alec concentrated intently. Ignoring the first impressions of overwhelming darkness; an endless void where thought and emotion should be, he probed further into Graham's mind. It was with an abrupt and painful lurch that he broke through the void; only to crash into a maelstrom of agony and desolation. Alec tried to move forward into the confusion, hoping to find the cause of all the destruction. Memories and random thoughts tore past him, coiling around his senses; he was unprepared for the abrupt surge of rage and hate that sent him hurtling back into his own mind.
Reeling back from Graham's still form, Alec dimly became aware of Arcane shouting at him, "Dammit Holland! What the hell is going on?!"
"Stop shouting," Alec wearily straightened to his full height, throwing off the lingering effects from the severed connection, "I, along with the rest of Houma, can hear you."
"Well?" Impatiently Arcane glared, "What happened then? How is Graham? Why isn't he waking up?"
"His mind has retreated into a coma," Holland couldn't help but notice how Arcane's face paled at the word coma, "It's unlike anything I've ever seen before. He seems to see me as an intruder, a danger ... I'm unable to get close enough to even attempt to repair the damage. And if that damage isn't repaired soon, he will die," Alec had to look away from his stricken enemy, unsettled by the guilt he felt at his inability.
"No," Arcane backed away, shaking his head, "You've brought people back from the dead dammit. Don't you dare tell me you can't fix this!"
"I can't," Holland met Arcane's devastated gaze calmly, "there's nothing I can do. I'm sorry, Arcane, the damage is too great."
"If, if you could get close enough, could you repair the damage?" Arcane swallowed, the answer had to be yes. There was no way this was going to end like this.
"Yes, I believe so," Alec knew that look, Arcane had something up his sleeve, "I can't get close enough though, it's impossible."
"Nothing is impossible Holland, you of all people should know that by now," Arcane met Alec's eyes, "We need to get him back to my lab."
"You can't possibly expect me to voluntarily go to your lab," disbelief dripped from his tone.
"I expect you to help Graham," Arcane replied collectedly. Bending down by his assistant he gently pulled him into a sitting position. "There's no time to argue about this, Holland. Now get the bloody hell over here and help me!" he finally snapped in frustration as the overgrown plant remained unmoving.
"I will not be fooled by you Arcane, and I do not trust you," Alec stated firmly, backed by the Swamp's silent agreement. Too many incidents with this man had taught him well.
"For god's sake Holland!" Arcane gestured roughly, "this isn't about trust, this is about Graham! Dammit man, he'd dying! You can't just let that happen!"
"If there was anything I could do, I would," Alec sighed, "But I will not endanger myself for you."
"Fine!" Arcane pulled Graham closer, struggling to get to his feet under the man's dead weight, "I'll heal him myself. I will not let him die this time!" here Arcane's voice broke and for once he couldn't continue. Almost already he could feel defeat dragging him down past his normal total belief in his genius.
Holland shifted uncomfortably, his determination not to trust Arcane wavering. Graham, after all, was an innocent in this and it simply wasn't in his nature to allow anyone to suffer. And despite who he worked for, he liked Graham, admired his loyalty and devotion. "Arcane, wait," groaning inwardly at his own conscious, "I'll help you ... but if you double-cross me I swear you'll regret it."
"You have my word that no harm will come to either yourself or the Swamp," Arcane promised fervently, gently handing his assistant's limp body over to Holland, "Believe me, it's the person who's responsible for this atrocity I'm after."
"Alright, let's go, we don't have much time left," Alec pushed his doubts aside, his course was decided and only fate would determine if it was the right decision.