The rest of the crew were ecstatic to see Cortes back again. First thing he did was get the hell outta that sphere uniform. Vector offered to give him a check-up, but Cortes refused, he seemed panicky. He didn't want anyone seeing the bruises and lacerations from Oslo's attacks on him. He changed back into his familiar, beloved uniform. He'd forgotten how comfortable it was.

Then it was time to give his crew the whole story. He didn't particularly want to tell them the whole tale. He told what he could, leaving out Oslo's assaults, and the fact that he had certain abilities now. Sirus gave them the full info on the gene project, he'd been privy to nearly the whole thing after all.

"So then...that's why he nabbed you?" dahlia asked at last "to see if his little experiment would work..?" she trailed off, gawping as the laser bazooka resting against the wall suddenly lifted up and flipped in mid-air. They all glanced at Cortes, who was staring into space, idly motion the object.

"Captain!" Wayan said sharply, to get his attention. Cortes jumped, dropping the weapon.

"What, sorry?!" he squeaked. "I cant help it.."

"Amazing..." Vector said, peering closely at Cortes "its manifested in such a short time.."

"Believe me I didn't ask it to!" Cortes suddenly snapped. They all looked at him in surprise. He glared at his hands, "you didn't seriously think I WANTED a part of any of that do YOU?!" he glared at them all then turned and storm out of the room.

Vector sighed "hoo boy. He is NOT a happy bunny is he?"

Lena shook her head "I cant blame him. To be put through what it must've taken to create that kind of ability...it must've hurt. The sphere probably told him he'd never see anyone he knew ever again.."

Sirus sighed "Oslo put him through hell trying to create a lab-grown lackey. He did everything short of killing Cortes...he was put through more pain then any human would see in a lifetime. Oslo wanted to break him that badly.."

Vector sighed "well I did ask if he had any injuries, but he went nuts, and yelled at me to leave him alone.."

Sirus winced "yeeaah...there's a reason to that. But its not my place to tell you.."

Vector sighed, "I bet a can guess, he seems to be in considerable pain standing on his feet, he wont let anyone near him suddenly..oh dear.."

"What?" dahlia asked "what'd he do to him?"

Wayan went pale, "I think I can guess...good god, poor Cortes..."

Vector moved closer and asked Sirus if his suspicions were correct...


Back in his bedroom, Cortes threw himself onto the bed. Somehow coming home didn't feel like he'd thought. What he'd become, what he'd done. It haunted him still. Not to mention the memories of what had been done to him..

Someone knocked on the door.

"Cortes? its me, Vector. I need to talk to you.."

Cortes sat up on the bed. "...fine.."

The old man looked concerned as he shut the door behind him. "Captain...I know about your injuries.."

Cores growled "that idiot robot told you didn't he?!"

"He only confirmed it, I guessed it pretty well from the way you acted..." he sighed "I just need you to tell me, so I can call the hospital.."

"what more confirmation, the sicko raped me alright, repeatedly! WHAT MORE DO YOU PEOPLE WANT?!" his heads pounded, and out of frustration he fired a blast at the far wall. It left a smoking dent.

Vector eyes were on stalks "holy crap, captain..."

Cortes breathing was heavy, he looked pale "please, Vector...I don't need checking over. I just want to forget it ever happened.."

"But captain. I must ask you to reconsider. There's not just the physical damage, but the psychological after-effect of letting this go untreated, you should at least see a counsellor-"

"I SAID NO! Nobody is to know, nobody is to find out." Cortes shook his head "I'm sorry Vector, but I wont..please, just leave me be for now.."

Vector sighed, but nodded. He patted Cortes shoulder gently as he made to leave;

"Nobody here's persecuting you, to us you haven't changed, it just means Lena has someone to talk to about being a saijin. She wants to talk to you once your feeling better..."

--When will I feel 'better' though Vector?-- Cortes wondered morosely. Getting up he went to the cabinet in the corner of his room. From it he pulled a glass bottle filled with a clear liquid. He'd found it on a block a month prior. The label said "vodka" which was a rare type of alcohol. He'd never gotten completely pissed before, right now seemed like a damn good start...


After 45 minutes, Wayan decided to go check on Cortes, see if the captain was feeling any better.

He knocked on the cabin door, and heard a muffled assent to enter. As he entered, the door clicking shut behind him, he seen Cortes standing by the far end of the room. He raised what looked like a glass of water and drank the lot in one go. Then he turned to glare at the intruder.

"Whadya want?" he complained, then hiccupped.

Wayan stared at him. His face was flushed, he looked...upset? unstable?

"Captain? are you alright?" he asked tentatively.

Cortes slammed the glass down on the table and glared "what're ya implyin' eh?"

"Nothing.." Wayan answered warily, then spotted the captain reaching for a bottle. He quickly snagged it out of his reach, sniffed it, it had an odd smell. he tried some. And pulled a face.

"Yeuch, captain..this is pure vodka..have you.." he noticed the bottle was almost 2/3 empty, "..been drinking this..hoo boy."

"gimme that!" Cortes objected, making a grab for it. Wayan stepped back out of reach, "I think you've had enough captain. Any more and you'll be sick.."

"Since when'd tha matter?" Cortes grumped, glaring blearily at a potted fern.

"Uh..captain..im over here.." Wayan mentioned.

"Don't contradict me!" Cortes snapped, and the second fern next to it.

Wayan shook his head. the Captain obviously had a VERY low booze tolerance.

"I'll be right back.." he said at last. Cortes was too busy arguing with the fern to notice.


Everyone looked up as he re-entered.

"How's he doing?" Lena asked.

Wayan had to try not to laugh, "he's completely, utterly..drrunk."

"Drunk? off what?" Mahad asked. Wayan showed him the vodka bottle.

"He had this stashed in his office. He must've laid into it after Vector last spoke to him.."

"Just how drunk is he?" Sirus asked.

"He was arguing with the potted ferns when I left him, that's how DRUNK he is.."

Everyone that didn't snigger groaned.

"That idiot.." Vector sighed "he's not coping well with this at all.." he turned to Sirus "you've been the only person that's helped him lately, maybe he'll listen to you. He obviously thinks we don't trust him since he was stuck with the sphere for so long..."

Sirus sighed "well, ill try..." he left for Cortes room.


The captain was still in a foul mood when the angel entered. He turned to glare at him.

"Whaddya want? come to screw me over have ye?" he laughed coldly at his own joke.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I promised." Sirus answered calmly.

"Bah, you're so full of it aren't you ::hic:: you don't know what its like to have your own emotions go outta control..."

"Actually I do.." Sirus stepped up close and grabbed his shoulders, looking gently at him, "I don't ever want to let you go...being around YOU is driving me mad. I want to make you feel better, but I'm afraid of upsetting you..."

Cortes blinked, looking up at him, sobered somewhat by this statement.

"wha..whaddya mean?" he asked at last.

"I mean. I don't want to see you sad. I want you to be happy..."

Cortes looked at him, then shook his head, expression turning cold "why the hell should I believe that? You're capable of lying, we both know that. Your master probably trained you to tell people whatever will make them do as you want quickest!"

Sirus sighed, the captain really WAS too drunk to be reasoned with.

"You need rest. you've been through so much this last week or so...go to sleep.."

Cortes shook his head, pacing around the room "nonono, I don't wanna sleep, I don't even know if I wanna go home..people're gonna take one look at me an' see a traitor, even if it washnt my fault.." He looked out the window "I might as well fashe it, im screwed...pff.. he snickered, "seem to have a recurring problem with tha' don't I?"

Sirus could only sigh "please Cortes...don't do this to yourself, nobody here thinks that. They put together that whole plan just to rescue you, nothing else! Trust me...I've never tried to hurt you. Have I?"

Cortes sighed. He was right, but why did he care about him so much?

Sirus patted his shoulder gently "why did you drink so much of that alchahol stuff?"

Cortes shrugged sulkily "I wanted to pretend none of this crap ever happened, that I wash fine, jus for a while anyways..."

He pulled up his sleeves, where bruise marks could still be seen, handprints from being held down.

"Its not gonna leave me is it? NO matter how much I drink, I'll still remember!!" He grabbed the glass in hands. Because of the force of his grip, it shattered, cutting deeply into his hands.

"Oh SHIT! Sirus panicked, grabbing his hands "hold still I'll remove them-"

Cortes pulled away, shaking his head "not...not until..you tell me, why you're bothering with all this? Did Vector make ya? Cos I wont go to the doctor?" he looked at him, baffled "or ish it somethin' else...or maybe you just wanna use me for sex..like your fucking master!" this drunken rant ended on a sniffley note..

Seeing him in such a state Sirus realised Cortes had been bottling up all the pain he'd been suffering through the whole ordeal. Now he was back on his own ship, it was finally sinking in.

"No, nobody told me to do anything.." Sirus spoke softly "I'm doing this because..well...getting away from Oslo wasn't the only reason I asked to come with you. I've been on my own since start-up, stuck in that cold, lonely ship. With people so spineless they don't care who gets hurt. When I seen you, the strength you fought with, I wanted to stay around you. When I seen how much he was hurting you, I wanted to kill him." He was standing right in front of Cortes now. he reached out and gently brushed a hand across his cheek, Cortes flinched at first, then as he repeated the action, he seemed to relax, closing his eyes and calming down somewhat.

"See...I'm not going to hurt you....I wont." he gently brushed a hand through Cortes' hair.

"Why-?" Cortes asked, and the angel kissed him on the cheek gently.

"That's why" he said softly "I don't understand about it entirely. But I know I just want you, and only you...id do anything to see you smile. Just tell me and I'll do it.."

Cortes went red, he blinked up at the angel. Was this guy for real? Of all the people Oslo had caught, he'd fallen for HIM? he couldn't believe it...but he wanted to. After enduring what felt like a lifetime of cruelty, he found he wanted the kindness and attention more then anything. He wanted to know someone existed that wouldn't give up on him because of what happened...

He felt arms wrap around him, and he let himself relax. The warmth of having someone that close felt comforting...

"Will you let me take care of your hands? you're still bleeding.." Sirus said at last. Cortes just nodded, and let himself be led to the bathroom, where the angel cleaned and bandaged the cuts, removing all the shards of glass very carefully.

While he was tying up the bandages, Cortes began to feel sleepy. He leant against Sirus shoulder, closing his eyes.

Sirus smiled, looking at the human. It must've taken a supreme effort to do that. To let his guard down around him, he must trust him.

--I wont let you down, my precious Cortes...I've really fallen in love with you, I don't want to ever have to say goodbye..--

he picked the human up, and carried him to bed. He tucked him up in the blankets, and sat by his bed until the dawn light crept in.


Cortes was shifting about, moaning in his sleep, he sounded afraid. He bolted upright, crying out in fright.

"Cortes. what's wrong?" Sirus asked gently.

Cortes, feeling slightly sick and shaky, blinked at the angel, trying to remember through a hangover haze, just who he was. Then he recalled the previous few hours, what he'd done, he'd said...he groaned.

"Cortes?" Sirus asked, sitting on the bed, and putting his arms around him "what's wrong?"

"I...I'm sorry...I was acting like...a total asshole to you...to everyone..." Cortes said at last.

Sirus kissed his forehead gently "its alright...you've had a rough time, you're entitled to act that way.." he stroked the humans hair "don't fret about it, everyone understands,..they're all worried about you.."

Cortes thought about it. And about how this guy was so close..yet he didn't feel threatened or uneasy. The angel had been nice to him, helped him escape, bandaged him up when he'd hurt himself. He'd been the only person on the sphere ship he'd been able to trust. and now the angel seemed to never want to leave him. And, Cortes realised, he didn't want him to go either..

---What does this mean? I'm falling for someone who's so human its scary...and a guy?! Is this really a smart idea?--

"what's wrong?" Sirus asked, nuzzling his hair gently, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand. Cortes squeaked and collapsed against him. That was a particular weak spot with him..

Sirus laughed at the reaction, seeing Cortes about to laugh he did it again.

"Gywah!" Cortes laughed at last "that tickles damnit!"

"Heh, I got you to smile~ I'll remember this one~" Sirus grinned. Cortes glared "if you even THINK about doing that in public ill smack you."

"Duly noted.." the angel smiled, nuzzling his nose. Cortes blushed.

"hm.." Sirus seemed to pause for a moment, then he closed the small gap between them and kissed Cortes gently.

Cortes panicked initially, as h had done the previous time, then realised this guy didn't want to hurt him. It was a hard habit to shift since the assault, but he hoped he could. He relaxed and happily let the other kiss him again.

After a few seconds he pulled away from the blushing captain, "you look adorable when you smile.."Sirus said gently, nuzzling his nose again.

Cortes smiled, and he actually felt a little better. Sirus had proved he wasn't out to use Cortes like Oslo had, but that he really cared about him. He wanted to make him happy, was that what he'd said?

"I think were at your home.." Sirus said, looking out the window. All he could see was docking equipment.

"urf.." Cortes stomach gave a particularly unpleasant jerk and he dashed for the loo. Several minutes later he staggered out. He looked as white as a sheet.

"Don't feel too good...and before you rub it in, I know its my own fault for getting pissed!"

Sirus patted his hair "you'll feel better....you just need food and some fresh air..."

Cortes sighed. He still had to face up to fact; he wasn't normal anymore. Thanks to Oslo...he'd become a saijin, he'd been through hell while this power was forced upon him...

With a sigh he walked onto the main bridge. Wayan looked over at him.

"You look like hell sir.." he said calmly. Cortes glared at him "gee thanks Wayan..." he grumbled, almost stumbling as he went to find Mahad and Lena.

They were sitting with cheng up the far end.

Cheng jumped up and tackle-hugged him by way of greeting.

"Got bored talking to pot plants did ya Cortes?" Mahad asked. Cortes gave him a very rude gesture as he sat down.

"Conversation a little "wooden" eh? since their trees-OW!"

Cortes had glared at him, then with a flick of his hand, the comic book Mahad was holding rolled itself up and whapped him on the head.

Lena giggled watching them.

"Hey! no fair!" Mahad complained, as it bounced off his head again. Cortes snickered "I think it has its uses.." he said softly.

"Is it easy to control?" Lena asked at last. Cortes seemed to realise he was enjoying his newfound ability and quickly relinquished the object, dropping it on Mahad's head again.

"uh.." he shrugged, suddenly feeling uncomfortable again. "its annoying.." he said at last.

Lena blinked, noticing the sudden change in personality. It seemed as if he hated himself for enjoying the power he'd had forced on him.

Cortes sighed "I think its best I just ignore it..maybe it'll fade..." but by his voice they could tell he didn't believe that. He seemed utterly depressed by the whole incident.

"Cortes.." Lena said softly, trying to think how to cheer him up. But he shook his head "f-forget I mentioned it...its not important, it'll go away eventually...after all.." he got to his feet, "its only artificial, it'll break down eventually...right?" and he left.

Lena sighed "this is gonna be tricky....I don't think its gonna fade, he needs to learn to control it. Otherwise it'll only make him feel worse..."

Mahad shrugged "we cant begin to understand how he's feeling, Oslo practically tortured him, making him into that...now Cortes has to live with that, and he's probably afraid of what'll happen when the people of puerto angel find out.."

"Why would it make any difference?" Lena asked "he's still him.."


Cortes sighed as he walked off the ship, lagging behind everyone else. Sirus stopped and waited for him to catch up.

"Are you OK?" he asked softly. Cortes shook his head "no.." he stammered out at last, "how can I be? Sooner or later...people are going to find out.." his hands clenched tightly "and then its all over..DAMNIT!"

BLAM. A dent in the far wall. Cortes twitched, his breathing a little heavy. "Shit...I keep forgetting about those damn powers, every time I lose my temper I wreck the place..."

--The frustration is driving him nuts...he needs to accept it, try to move on...I know its hard. I wish I could help..--

Cortes followed them to the tavern, where it seemed Patrucci was complaining again.

"How do we know the saijin isn't dangerous! The sphere have been past here twice as often since SHE showed up!"

Cortes saw Lena flinch, a sadness creeping into her eyes.

He felt a surge of fury.

"Oi, you!" he snapped, getting his attention "what makes you think anybody gives a crap what YOU think?! hm?!"

Patrucci glared at him, "oh, it speaks! you're a pompous ass Cortes!"

"Shut up!" Lena yelled at him "you're the jerk around here!"

Patrucci made a grab for her, and Cortes lost it. A backhanded slap and Patrucci was knocked flying across the bar.

People gaped, not just because of the captains strength, but because of the blue aura. It faded as soon as it haded appeared, and Cortes stood between Lena and Patrucci's little gang.

"Anyone else fancy a try! Because ive just about HAD IT with you lot, all you do is whine, WELL NOBODY CARES, LET ALONE ME!"

People were gawping at him..

"He's...a..no way?!"

"Surely we would've seen it before..."

"The captains a saijin? How'd he keep it hidden for so long..."

Cortes could feel a headache kicking in. With a pissed growl he turned and stalked out.

Lena could only stare after him. he hadn't wanted anyone to know...yet he'd blown his cover to stop her getting hurt. She got the feeling the decision had been hard on him.

Sirus sighed, then ran after him. Cortes hadn't looked well...


In the bar people were whispering about the new info.

"People!" Mahad hopped up into a stool "lemme explain..."

10 minutes later..

"...and that's why Oslo took him, he wanted a guinea pig, and since he hates Cortes...he used him! This "sunlight gene" project thing...its designed to give ordinary people saijin abilities. Vector found out all about it! Cortes is still the same grouch he ever was, Oslo put him through all sorts of hell just to get his own back!"

Lena nodded "I can sense it, it hurt a lot to survive what Oslo did, so don't be mean!"


Cortes stormed back to his private room, slamming the door behind him. He was pissed off, at himself, at Oslo. At everything..

With a sigh he threw his uniform over a chair and ambled into the shower.

He sighed softly as the hot water cascaded over him. The heat seemed to chase away some of the pain, his head pounded painfully.

--Damnit,now everybody knows what I am---shit!!-- he punched the shower wall with one clenched fist, and sighed. He rested his forehead against the cool wall tiles, the sound of the water soothing to his fractured nerves. He didn't need to look to know the bruise marks were still there...they still hadn't faded away, it was like a constant torment...

The view of the shower floor seemed to blur as the pounding grew worse. He pushed away from the shower, making a grab for the curtain. But his mind had had enough, and he passed out. He grabbed hold of the curtain as the floor shot up to meet him...


Sirus sighed, he didn't know what to say to Cortes...providing he answered the door. He knew the captain was handling this whole thing badly, but he wasn't sure how comfort him...

He was just about to knock when he heard a muffled thump from somewhere within the room. Panicking he lock picked the door and ran in, slamming it behind him.

"CORTES?!" he called, then picked up on the sound of the shower running. He bolted into the bathroom and spotted who he was looking for..

The human-saijin had collapsed, and somehow gotten tangled in the dark blue shower curtain...

--Whaddda I do?!_ he panicked silently, then decided he should at least try waking him up..


My lap is dead....this laptop is fskin HEAVY.

Random Fact: The potted fern part? True story, i got utterly tanked once at my sisters 18th party, and spent a good ten minuites chatting up a potted plant before i realised. People STILL bring that one up...