Chapter 3

Eric sat at the bar with Ronald unable to take his eyes off what he saw in front of him. Alan and Samuel sat in a booth laughing like school children. And to make matters worse had just previously witnessed Alan dance on the table with a few others from the office in a competition for free drinks. This wasn't the Alan he had known.
"Man has some moves."
"Don't encourage it."
"What? I can't deny what is in front of me. Alan never did that stuff when he was with you."
Giving Ronald the evil eye he went back to staring at his drink with Alan in the corner of it.
"He never accepted your advance did he?"
"I never got to the advancement part, he stopped me at trying to rekindle what we had."
"Maybe it's time to face it, Alan has moved on. You should to."
If only it was that simple. He was haunted every night with what he was doing in trying to save Alan. He couldn't remember the last time he had a decent night's sleep.

"Happy anniversary Alan!" Raising his glass of beer Alan had won for them they toasted in celebration of the day.
"Happy four months. Four amazing months!" Clinking their glasses together they drank in laughter. Alan never would have thought an anniversary would be spent at the bar but he was having a blast. He was glad they decided to stop in on their journey to find a place to eat.
"I can't believe you actually did that, though the free drinks are rather nice."
"I can't either; I'm not sure what came over me. It sounded like fun."
"Next time we'll have to do it together."
"I bet we would be unstoppable."

Tired of listening to Alan and his boy toy Eric paid and got ready to head out for the night. This was becoming a little too much for him. It seemed like they were rubbing it in.
"Heading out? I was thinking of doing the same. I can't afford to blow all my money here."
"What are you talking about? You do that all the time." Waiting for Ronald they headed out together to see what was available to do now. It wasn't too late out; other places of entertainment should be open still.

Alan laid in bed with Samuel after finally returning home for the night. Both had work in the morning and didn't want to be completely hung over for it. Kissing the others neck he felt hands gently pull him away for a moment to stare into his eyes.
"You know I love you right?"
"Of course I do Sam, why ask? What's bothering you?" Bringing their hands to his lap Alan stared at them for a moment, becoming lost in his thorn scars before meeting Samuel's gaze.
Seeing where Alan was looking he gently traced them with his own hand.
"I worry about you, about this. As much fun as tonight has been I worry about what it might have done to you. I know you stare at yourself in the mirror every morning we share, wondering how far they have gotten on you. And how self conscious you are when we spend some time alone. I love you Alan and I want to make sure you are safe."
"I know you do and I am. Believe me when I tell you I know my own body and I know my limits. I am still strong enough to do the things I love and spend time with those I truly care for." Stealing a kiss he saw his lover's cheeks form a pink glow from the simple show of affection.
"I trust and believe in you. I, I won't try to deny it; last month when you had an attack it frightened me. I wasn't sure what to do and you were in so much pain."
"Having you near me was enough. Your compassion for me helped ease my pain."
"It did?"
"It did and so long as I have that no attack will ever be more than I can handle." Moving closer to close all gaps between them Alan brought their lips together and allowed the night to be theirs.

Nodding a good morning to the members of the dispatch Alan couldn't help but hear Ronald going on about the higher ups and how they all had bones of demons shoved up their back sides. He didn't understand the statement fully but he couldn't help himself from laughing. Hanging his scythe up he saw Eric coming down the hallway to start the day as well.
"Good morning Eric."
"Morning Alan. You look in a good mood this morning."
"Thank you, I am. Spring is approaching and the flowers are starting to bud."
Seeing the wide smile on his face Eric couldn't help but smile back. Alan had always enjoyed watching the flowers bloom and spring start to wash over everything. He could do without the pollen personally but so long as he got to see Alan happy he would manage. Walking to their desks together they split off as Ronald was becoming rather loud. Alan stared over the work already on his desk and refused to let it ruin his good mood.
"Morning love." Looking up to see Samuel over him he smiled and pushed the work aside for now.
"Morning. But I thought we were keeping it a secret a little longer?"
Handing Alan his paperwork that had just received from the other office he smirked."I know but I couldn't help myself. There must be something in the air; everyone is in a good mood today."
"Spring is here." Watching Alan's face light up at the mention of the season they got lost in each other while Ronald and Eric went back and forth over someone Eric had once dated.
"Oh, what is this?" Looking over what he was given he took his attention off the craziness going on. William would have a fit when he showed up that was for sure.
"I'm not sure; I was just told it was for you. I'm still a rookie to everyone, they don't tell me anything."
"You're not a rookie to me." Giving him a one armed hug he sat down to go over this list better. It was a few pages thick.
"Alan! Alan you need to come drinking with us some night. Happened to be at the bar you were at last night, I feel I have left a nice impression on you." Watching Ronald slide over to him from the corner of his eye he really had no idea what he was talking about. He heard about being there last night but he missed the first half.
"Easy my friend, I'm not at your level just yet."
"Ah! But you will be soon enough!" Elbowing Samuel he went back to Eric to talk about the girl he was in love with and needed to take out on a date.

Going over this list once more Alan didn't like what he was seeing at all, this shouldn't be happening. Looking around and seeing William walking in, probably to complain about the noise, he rushed up from his desk and over to him.
"William! I am troubled by the report I received. According to this souls haven't been collected in the Westminster area for quite some time." Handing the packet to him he waited for him to look it over and see what he suggested they do next, if it was something they could do.
"I knew putting him on this assignment would be a waste."
"Sir?" Noticing he gained the attention of the other members of the dispatch he saw Eric come over and take the list from William. Something like this was unheard of for the most part; everyone wanted to see what was going on. Eric was his senior though, maybe he knew what they were looking at too, he certainly wasn't all the sure except for it not being a good thing. Realizing William was blaming Grell for this mess he looked over at Eric to see what he thought of this. Thinking about it, this wouldn't be the first time Grell screwed up this badly. Being handed back the list he heard William call his name.
"Alan, I want you take charge of this assignment, see what you can't do to repair that damage that has already been done."
"Yes sir. Of course." Heading back to his seat he tried to come up with the best method of going about this. First he needed to figure out how this was happening, if someone was behind it. It could be a demon, they were able to consume souls making it impossible for them to collect but for there to be this many, he didn't like his odds.

"Alan, what is wrong, what is going on?" Coming across Samuel at his desk, worried about the commotion he tried to explain it the best he could to him. He wasn't familiar with all demons were capable of yet. Hearing William start to explain he quieted down so Samuel could hear better, what better way to learn then to hear it from a great teacher.
"And he wants you to investigate it?"
"He does." Sighing he saw the look of worry cross Sam's face. "I'll be alright, I promise. I am doing nothing more than investing the reasoning behind all of this. If it is something greater than myself I'll come back here with my findings and let William decide what the next move is."
"Alright, if you say so. I just don't like it, if demons are involved."
"Then we deal with them, it is part of our job you know."
"I know." Seeing the confidence and reassurance on Alan's face he relaxed a bit. Both heard Grell going on about his demon love and Alan could stop his face from dropping. Why did he have this feeling Grell and that monster were working together somehow, he was going to have so much paperwork when this was all over.

"William! I will join Alan on this assignment!" Stopping what he was doing Alan looked over at both William and at Eric who decided to jump in.
"I don't need the help I can take care of it on my own!"
"I accept that decision, Eric you and Alan will lead the investigation."
"No! I don't need the help!" Why did Eric have to butt in? This wasn't some scheme to try and get him back was it? Having no discussion on the matter William walked out of the room to get his own work done and leave everyone to theirs. Seeing the smirk on Eric's face he knew this was just a trick. Why couldn't get the hint? Gathering the few things he needed before heading out he saw Samuel in the shadows watching him with worried eyes. Going to him he grabbed his shoulder in attempt to calm his fears.
"I'm not worried about your safety. I know you'll be alright, especially if Eric is joining you."
"I don't need his help."
"I know, but perhaps it is for the best. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if anything were to happen you out there."
Trying to understand where he was coming from he smiled and nodded.
"Alright then, I'll do this for you."
"I'll be here waiting for you to come back. And I trust you, don't forget that. I know no matter what Eric tries to pull I know you'll return to me."
"I love you Samuel don't forget that. And I'll be back before you know it."
"I'll keep the lights on for you." Both getting the other to smile they split ways before anyone noticed. The last thing he wanted to do to Sam was make him get grilled by William about their relationship. When he had dated Eric their closeness was accepted by the fact that he knew about the thorns, he couldn't say the same this time. Walking over to Eric he grabbed his scythe from him and walked ahead, making it clear that he wasn't pleased with this arrangement. If he kept this up, this trying to get him back, he would end their friendship as a final attempt to get his point across.