A/N: Just to clarify things, please remember not to take into account everything that new episodes are showing. This fanfic takes off right after the episode "List of Life", the episode where Amanda finds out Charlie is cheating on her. I may draw inspiration from the current episodes regarding to Kyle's training, but nothing of the plot will receive any influence from them.

A/N 2: This will be one of the longest chapters! It contains many important plot turnovers, as well as an introduction to two of my original characters! Pay attention!

Chapter III – "Heart Wounds, Revelations, and Vengeance"

Lately he was so focused on Declan, and the meaning of the words he said a week ago at the park, he almost forgot about Amanda. But there she was, sitting by herself at a study table in the library, concentrating on a textbook with a hand to her head. Her eyes were filled with empty sadness, scanning the pages as if looking for solace. It was her distraction. Every human needed a distraction from their own emotions, no matter what it was. The books were hers. If he didn't have the incredible ability to process information at the lightning-speed rate of a computer, Kyle just might have chosen the books as his distraction too. But no, his distraction was his training with Tom Foss. The tough conditioning training forced him to focus on nothing other than the task on hand.

He still felt guilty about his inability to take action. He wanted so much to tell her how sorry he was. It was a desire that burned deep within his stomach. It was so strong he could literally taste it at the tip of his tongue. "Amanda, I apologize sincerely about everything. It was my fault. Please, don't push me away forever." He wanted it. Perhaps he should use what they call "prayer" to console his own feelings. Humans seemed to think that if they believed in a higher being, they would be rewarded for it. Maybe it worked. Maybe it didn't. All he could do is trial and error.

He was about to head over to her table when Declan suddenly came into view, flirting with a girl between bookshelves. Declan was smiling, playfully pushing her and tickling her, causing her to giggle. Then he leaned in and gave her a teasing kiss on the cheek. For some reason Kyle felt antagonized by the girl. He didn't like seeing her with Declan like that. It was also weird seeing the girl being someone other than Lori. He liked it when he saw them together. But, that relationship was over. It seemed like Declan no longer cared for her.

"What are you doing, Kyle?" a voice interrupted his gaze. He looked to the direction of voice, and it was Amanda standing in front him with her textbook in her arms. Her eyes stung at him, still irritated by the sight of him.

"What are you talking about?" Kyle said bashfully, unable to think of anything else to say.

"You're standing there, zoning out. You were either looking at me…or behind me."

The bookshelves Declan and the girl were between were definitely behind Amanda, now that she pointed it out. Kyle didn't realize it. His face suddenly felt flushed from embarrassment. "I'm sorry. I guess I have a lot on my mind. Things like…you."

"Kyle, don't." Amanda said, putting up her hand. "Don't try and apologize now. I'm trying so hard not to break down every time I see Charlie, and it's barely working by a single thread. If you apologize now, you'll cut that thread, and I won't be able to handle it anymore. You'll soften me up, and then Charlie wins."

Along with their distractions, humans had their defense mechanisms. When Lori and Declan broke up, Lori's defense was to get drunk so she could numb her emotions and the pain that she felt. It seemed like Amanda's defense was to put up a social barrier against the people that hurt her. She wouldn't talk to them, listen to them, or even look at them. At one time, Kyle saw Charlie try and approach Amanda, perhaps to apologize, or just to talk, and Amanda just pushed him away. That was her way of protecting herself. She believed that if she could protect herself from Charlie…or even him, she could win the game of enduring the pain.

Amanda walked away a bit quickly, hugging her textbook, like a pillow for comfort. Kyle watched her depart until she disappeared behind the library doors. Then he looked back where Declan and the girl were. He was looking back at Kyle, with seemingly sympathetic eyes. Then, within the next second, he took the girl in his arm and began to kiss her. Kyle's heart gave a big thump in his chest, watching him what he believed was "making out" with the brown-haired girl.

Something unexpected occurred. Declan shifted their standing position where the girl's back was to Kyle. They were tilting their heads back and forth, opening their mouths against one another's. Declan's eyes opened suddenly, watching him while he kissed the girl. Their eyes connected. Declan's gray-green eyes were filled with that same luster that Kyle saw the night at the beach. Only this time it was different. Those eyes seemed challenging, trying to prove something to him. They wanted to make sure Kyle was watching. And they succeeded. Kyle couldn't take his eyes away.

There was some sort of pain in his chest. It wasn't physical pain, like when Tom had him lift a half a ton bucket filled with rocks with one hand repetitively, like bicep curls. It must have been emotional pain he was feeling. It was like cold ice melting inside, making it hard to breath. What was this he was feeling? Is this what it was like when someone has their heart broken? He felt like he wanted to lose control, give into the melting ice. He wanted to get lost in it. And feeling intensified when Declan deliberately rubbed the girl's arms and shoulders the way he rubbed Kyle's chest before.

"Okay, break it up you two," the school librarian chastised, catching them by surprise. They immediately separated, Kyle and Declan's eye contact broken. The librarian put her hands on her hips and began to hiss about how PDA was frowned upon on school premises, especially the library. Kyle took this opportunity to flee, hasting out the library door. What he didn't wait around to see was Declan pushing the girl away when she tried to kiss him again after the librarian left them alone. He walked away from her, causing her to moan angrily and stomp her foot.

Kyle was hyperventilating, sweat forming on his forehead. If felt like his lungs were clogged up. He was panting for breath as he made his way to his locker. He scrambled to grab a hold of the lock and fiddled hopelessly with the combination knob. No matter how many times he did it, he couldn't get the combination right. He had the numbers right in his head, but his hands were shaking, unable to get it right. He kept trying, wanting desperately to open his locker so he can occupy himself with getting something. He yanked the lock, panting harder, wiping sweat from his forehead. His eyes blurred from moisture filling it. His nose was suddenly runny. He shook the lock again, trying the combination relentlessly. What was this he was feeling? Why couldn't he breathe?

Lori was walking with her friend, Hillary, when she saw Kyle. Concerned, she immediately went over to him. "Kyle, are you alright?"

"Why won't this open!" Kyle snapped, huffing anxiously. He gave one great pull and broke it off by accident. Lori gasped and gawked at Kyle. He stared at the broken combination lock and realized what he just done. The pain in his chest was becoming heavier. He keeled over, as if he was in physical pain. It filled both his chest and stomach. A sob escaped his lips. "What happening to me?"

Tears streamed from his eyes as he cried softly. Lori put her arms around him and dropped down to the floor with him, trying to sooth him. Kyle never cried this hard before. The tightening of his chest was fading away as he let it all out. He felt tears drop from his chin to his hand. He looked down as he saw the droplets spot his palm. He leaned his head against Lori's chest, welcoming her embrace.

"Kyle!" Josh said, rushing toward them. He looked at Lori with a demanding look. "What happened?"

"I don't know," Lori answered. "He just broke down."

"Move along people!" Josh shouted, shooing away the people that slowed down to inspect the scene. "There's nothing to see here! Get to class! You don't want to be tardy do you?"

While Josh fended people off, Kyle began to calm down. Sobs were still coming out, but less intense and more controlled. He wiped his face with the back of his hands. Lori held Kyle tighter. She looked up to see how Josh was handling the people. She saw Declan slowly walking by. They saw each other, their eyes meeting for the first time since they broke up at the beach party. His eyes, for a moment, looked down at Kyle, then back at Lori. They were filled with sadness. Lori could have sworn she could see hints of tears forming. But before she could say anything, he turned his head away and walked on, not looking back. Lori watched him disappear into the departing crowd as the warning bell rang. She was going to get answers later on today.

Josh kneeled down beside Kyle when the hallway was emptying as students hurried off to class to avoid being late. Five minutes later, the tardy bell rang. The hall was completely quiet. By this time, Kyle ceased to be crying. He recollected his thoughts and breathing. He sniffled and wiped the remaining tears away. He no longer felt the pain anymore. Josh put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, are you alright, buddy?"

"I'm fine now," Kyle said weakly, pulling away from Lori. "Thanks for staying here with me. I don't want you to miss class."

"What happened?" Lori inquired. "Why are you so upset?"

He didn't want to tell her about what he saw in the library. Talking about Declan with another girl might upset both of them again. Instead, he told them the next available truth. "I saw Amanda in the library earlier. She didn't let me apologize to her. She said she didn't want me to talk to her at all any time soon."

"Oh man," Josh said. "This must be a huge girl problem if it made you break down like that. Take it from me, man, she'll come around."

"Yeah," Lori agreed. "Just give her time. Something like figuring out her boyfriend is a cheater on a list that is distributed to the whole school…that is very devastating to a girl. She's really hurting right now. All she's trying to do is protect the wound until it heals. Until then, she's not going to want to talk. It's not just you. She's not talking to me or Hillary either."

"Yeah…you're right," Kyle said. "I should give her time." Just like he gave Declan time. Kyle got up to his feet, Josh and Lori doing the same. "Listen, I'm okay now. Go to class. We'll talk some more later."

"First, we'll need to get passes," Lori told him. "Let's go to the office to get them. If we explain the situation, they'll give us one for sure."

"Yeah," Josh said. "Here, let me see your face." He inspected Kyle's face. "Yep, he still has tear spots and red eyes. Don't mess with it…!"

-------I have to put "Scene Change" here because ffnet doesn't allow quadruple space-------

Throughout the entire day, Kyle was unfocused. Though he was listening intently to his teachers, his mind juggled between thoughts of Declan and Amanda. It was like the two were battling for his attention, each tugging at his thoughts like a game of tug-o-war. He didn't like it. It gave him a headache and frustration. During lunch, Lori and Josh sat with him, making sure that he was in good shape. He didn't talk much. He only nodded and ate his food to avoid having to speak.

Lori saw Declan exiting the cafeteria and decided that now was the time to take action. "Excuse me for a minute," she said. "I need some…lady time." She quickly got up and walked as fast as she could toward Declan without rousing suspicion from the surrounding students. No one knew about their broken-up relationship except for Kyle, Hilary, and Josh. She didn't want to news to fly around the school. The last thing she wanted was that kind of attention.

"What's lady time?" Kyle asked Josh.

"Trust me, you don't want to know," Josh said. "It's horrible and traumatizing to a man's mind."

"Then what's boy time?" Kyle said, cocking his head in curiosity.

"You are going to find that out for yourself," Josh laughed. "I am not going to have that conversation with you."

Meanwhile, Lori succeeded in getting Declan alone in a rarely populated hall spot. "Declan," she called after him.

He turned around and surprise illuminated his eyes. "Lori, hey," he said timidly, looking shyly down to the floor. "…What are you doing here?"

She scoffed and crossed her arms. "Is that all you can say after weeks of not talking? After not seeing each other?"

"Well, I don't know…," Declan said, imitating her. "Am I erased from your mind?"

"Don't give me attitude," Lori retorted. She forgot why she was even talking to him in the first place. Her anger boiled up. "I'm not the one that went around without telling his girlfriend what was wrong. I'm not the one that was incapable of talking, or keeping secrets."

"Who said I was keeping secrets?!" Declan laughed darkly. "I never lied to you, Lori!"

"You may not have been lying, but you were definitely not mentioning something," Lori shot back. "It hurts that you couldn't sit down and talk with me. You know how that made me feel? It made me feel like I wasn't enough for you. Were you talking with someone else? Were you secretly seeking comfort from someone who was better than me? Tell me Declan, why did you want to break up with me? I've been nothing but caring for you. You were seeing someone else, weren't you?"

"No!" Declan proclaimed. "I was not going to someone behind your back! Stop accusing me of these things!"

"Then tell me why you broke up with me!"

Declan's temples were getting really hot from the frustration he was feeling. His hands were clenched into fists, trying to retain control of his temper. "I…can't," he said.

"Why not! What's so hard about it?!"

"I just can't do it!"

"You're lying!"

"I'm not!"

"Then tell me you jerk!"

"I'm in love with someone else!"

Those words that popped out of his mouth, like frog leaping from sudden darkness, forced them both to an awkward silence. Declan turned away, not wanting to face her. Lori was lost for words. She sighed and leaned against the wall, looking at Declan with his back turned to her. He scratched the back of his head and shuffled his feet uncomfortably. The silence lingered over them, like a ghost presiding over their discussion, moderating.

"Who is it?" Lori said finally, breaking it.

"Lori —"

"Just tell me who it is!" She insisted. "I promise I won't get mad. I just need to know."

"I don't want to," Declan said.

"Is it someone I know?"

"Stop it."

"Is it Hillary? Who is she, Declan? You have to tell me!"

"Will you stop!" Declan said, on the verge of breaking down.

"Tell me who it is! Who did you choose over me?!"

"I didn't choose anyone!"

"Then who do you love? Say it, Declan!" She began to push him on the shoulders. "Say it! Say it! Say it!"

"It's Kyle!" He shouted. Lori immediately slapped him in the face. It was unclear if she even heard what he said.

They both gasped and fell quiet. Declan held his stinging cheek while Lori just stood there, soaking in what he just said. Declan couldn't believe it was Kyle's name that was blurted out of his mouth. For some reason, he felt relieved that it was finally out there. The pressure was reduced immensely. His thoughts were somehow recollected, finally making clear of things. It was true he was in love…and it was with Kyle. Just saying it out loud finally woke him up to the truth.

"I'm…in love…with Kyle," he whispered softly.

"With Kyle?" Lori said. "Are you —?"

"No!" Declan reacted hastily. Then he calmed down a bit and thought for a moment. "I mean…I don't know. I'd never thought I'd feel this way…for a guy. But then he comes along…I don't know. I just don't know, Lori. I feel something for him."

"Declan…."

"No, no more," Declan pleaded. His eyes were getting puffy. "Please…this is enough for now."

The school bell rang to mark the end of lunch period. Students began to fill the halls heading back to class. Declan gave Lori a sympathetic squeeze on the shoulder then walked away along with the rest of the students. She stood there, still paralyzed by the shock of the revelation made to her. Only when Kyle came up to her did she snap out of her faze. "Hey, are you alright?" he asked.

"Yeah," she said automatically, unsure of her answer. "I'm fine…."

-------Scene Change-------

"Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry!" Mrs. Trager apologized to the woman she accidentally knocked away her coffee cup with her shoulder. They were in Starbucks. The woman, a young, beautiful Asian, was heading out of the store while Mrs. Trager was heading in to get her traditional caffeine. She was walking so quickly, she didn't pay attention to the woman as they crossed paths. The cup of coffee was in her hand. Fortunately the coffee did not spill on their clothes, but it may a huge splash on the floor, barely missing their shoes. Mrs. Trager made a move to pick up the cup and cap.

"It's alright," the woman said with a polite smile. "I can buy another one."

"No!" Mrs. Trager insisted. "I'll buy you another one. I'm just on my way to get one myself."

"Are you sure?" she asked.

"No problem!" Mrs. Trager encouraged.

She led the young woman back to the store counter, where they waited in line for their turn. She inspected her. The woman looked like a college student, really innocent, sweet, and warm. She had beautiful, silky black hair that formed a straight ponytail along her slender back. "I'm sorry, my name is Nicole."

"I'm Holly," the woman said modestly. "It's very nice to meet you."

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be invasive or anything, but are you from Seattle?"

Holly laughed and shook her head. "No, actually. I'm from the Midwest. I'm staying here with some family for a while."

"Did you just get out of college?" She asked.

Again, Holly giggled. "No. I graduated from the Washington University School of Medicine."

"What?!" Mrs. Trager exclaimed in surprise. "You look so young!"

"I'm twenty-five," Holly grinned. "But don't worry, you're not the first one that mistakes me for a college student. I'm quite used to it."

They were up next. Mrs. Trager took their orders. They continued chatting while they waited. Holly was interested in becoming a brain surgeon. Mrs. Trager shared with her that she was a psychologist. Just when they were caught up in an interesting conversation, the clerk returned with their drinks. They took them and walked together out of the building.

"Well, thanks for the coffee," Holly said. "It was really nice of you. I appreciate it."

"No problem," Mrs. Trager smiled. Then she unzipped her purse and took out a business card. "Here. If you ever need, or know someone that needs, some help, just give me a call. I don't do private practice now, but I'll make an exception for you."

"Thank you!" Holly said gratefully. Suddenly her cell phone rang. She dug it out of her small purse and looked to see who it is. "Oh, I'm sorry, I have to take this. It's my fiancé. Nice meeting you though. Take care!"

"You too!" Mrs. Trager said. They took their separate ways, leaving an air of good feelings between them.

But the feeling soon went away the second Holly answered her phone. "Aaron," she said in a soft, anxious voice. "How are you?"

"I'm okay," the voice said at the other end. "How's Seattle? Was your flight comfortable?"

"It's great. I just met this wonderful psychologist at Starbucks. It seems like a really friendly place."

"H-how's Jason doing?"

"He likes the house. He misses home, but he's adjusting."

"That's good. I miss him."

"Aaron…," Holly sighed, walking slowly on the sidewalk. "Quit stalling. What's the verdict?"

She heard him sigh as well. It wasn't a good sign. All her fears were forming into a reality. "They found me guilty. First degree murder. They sentenced me to fifty-years in prison. My first chance at parole will be in twenty-years. This is not good, Holly. I'm going to be sent to Oswald State Correctional Facility, a maximum security prison. Prison, Holly. Prison."

Her eyes filled with tears. She began to weep softly, walking briskly through the street crowd toward her car in a nearby parking garage. Aaron Kao was her fiancé of five years. They have been together since their senior year of high school. Seven years. And now they were going to be separated for at least twenty years. That was her fear. It was her fear that she would have to take care of their son, Jason Kao, by herself. She hoped against all hope that his punishment would be lighter. But what he did was something that was unforgivable, even for her. Even for Aaron himself. Now her fear was becoming true.

"Aaron," Holly whimpered. "What am I going to do? Without you here, I don't know how I'm going to feel safe. What if the Mafia finds us? What if the Yakuza finds us? I don't know how I'm going to protect my son."

"Holly, calm down, sweetie," Aaron said in a gentle tone. "Listen to me. I've made sure that no one will find you there in Seattle. An-Lei is my father's sister. She and her husband know the situation. They will make sure you are safe. If anything happens, just make sure you remember everything I've taught you. Be strong, Holly. Be strong for our son."

Holly gave out a sob and nodded her head, agreeing with him. "I will. I'll be strong for Jason." She could hear him crying on the other end as well. They were sniffling, croaking, and taking deep breaths of solemnity. "What about you? When are they sending you to prison?"

"Tomorrow."

"Will you be alright?"

"I'll be able to handle it."

"Can we visit?"

"Yes, but you have to call a week ahead of time," Aaron said. "But, please don't visit for the first few months, okay? I don't want you getting caught trying to visit me. Let the Seattle cover settle in, and then come visit."

"Okay, I won't," Holly said, getting into her car.

"I have to go now. My call time is almost up. I'll call you as soon as I can in the prison."

"Okay," Holly said, taking a deep breath. "I love you."

"I love you too."

She slowly closed her phone and gave out a loud wail in the closed confines of her car. This was the worst thing that ever happened to her in her entire life. Her soul mate was being taken away. And all that was left was a broken heart….

------Scene Change-------

After school, Kyle made his way into the boy's bathroom to wash his hands. For some reason his palms were feeling sweaty. There was a sense of anxiety over him, as if he felt like something was lurking in every corner. He wasn't sure whether it was because of his breakdown earlier, or if it was the onset of a new, unknown ability that he had deep inside. But it was there, and it was not going away.

Then he heard a familiar heartbeat behind him. He stopped what he was doing and turned around. There, Declan was standing, looking at him with painful, yearning eyes. Tears rolled down his face. His heart was thumping madly. Kyle looked at him with concern and confusion. He was uncertain as to what to say, what to do, or what to feel. He remembered seeing Declan with that girl in the library. The way his eyes were kept on him as he kissed her. And now seeing him like this, it made him feel even more uncomfortable. What did he want? Why was he here?

"Declan, what's wrong?"

"I didn't feel anything," Declan whispered. "I know you saw me kiss that chick. I was counting on it. I wanted to prove to you that…I wasn't one of those guys that didn't follow the rules. But…I didn't feel anything."

"What are you talking about? What were you supposed to feel?"

"Something," Declan said, beginning to approach him in small, single steps. "Anything. But all I could do was watch you, looking for signs of reaction. You were looking back at me. And then I saw you crying in the hallway. I knew for sure then that I would never feel anything with a girl."

"What are you trying to say?" Kyle inquired, trying to make sense of what Declan just ranted.

"Do you know what love is, Kyle?" Declan said, getting closer and closer, his eyes not leaving Kyle's.

"Sure," Kyle said. "It's when two people like each other more than friendship."

"I've never realized this until now," Declan said, stopping when he was standing right in front of Kyle. "I'm in love with you."

"W-what?!" Kyle said, stunned at the last phrase. "I don't understand."

"I don't either," Declan told him, putting a hand in Kyle's hair. He expected Kyle to move away, but he didn't. "But that's how I feel."

"What about the rules?"

"Fuck the rules," Declan said, sniffling and wiping his tears away. Then unexpectedly, he grabbed Kyle's face and kissed him. Kyle grabbed Declan by the sleeves of his shirt, about to shove him away. But then he felt his own heart beat strongly. It was in sync with Declan's heartbeat. He felt warmness spread through his entire body. Maybe it was because Declan pressed his body close. He knew it was more than that, however. Along with the warmness came an air of calm and delight.

Kyle pulled Declan even closer, backing into a wall. He remembered how Declan kissed that girl, opening his mouth with his hand at the back of her head. He did the same, putting his hand in Declan's dirty brown hair and opening his mouth, tilting his head to the side. Declan responded and tilted his head in the opposite direction, opening his mouth too. Then Kyle felt his tongue slip into his mouth. At first it was uncomfortable. Then when Declan began to rub it against his own, he felt a sensation that pleased his mind. He heard Declan's low groan. It sounded like he liked it too. Their lips pressed hotly against each other as they made moaning sounds. Things were getting hotter with each passing moment.

Just when it was feeling like it was only them in existence, a bag slammed into the floor. They instantly separated and saw Charlie standing there, his mouth gaping at the sight of them. "Ha! I knew it! You guys are faggots!"

"Charlie, you better keep your mouth shut," Declan threatened.

"Or what? You think I'm scared of you? You're nothing but a fucking Nancy boy!"

Declan shouted furiously and charged at him, tackling him to the floor. Kyle watched in shock as they wrestled. Declan was smaller than Charlie. He had no chance. Declan was relentless anyway. Suddenly, Charlie punched Declan in the nose, causing him to bleed and fall back onto the floor. Declan cried out in agony and covered his nose. Charlie growled and got up and yanked Declan up by the shirt. Then he threw him with all his might into the wall. Declan yelped and fell to the floor, writhing in pain.

"Declan!" Kyle said, stepping forward. But Charlie whirled around and brandished a pocket knife at him, with the blade pointed at him. Kyle stopped in his tracks, his eyes on the knife cautiously.

"It's all your fault, Kyle," Charlie sneered. "You fucked up my relationship with Amanda. And now you're going to fucking pay!"

He charged at Kyle, the knife thirsty for blood. Kyle caught his wrist before Charlie could stab him, but the blow of Charlie's entire body knocked them both to the ground. Charlie dropped the pocket knife. Kyle hit his head on the floor, his consciousness disoriented and blurred. Charlie clenched Kyle's throat with his two massive hands, howling with rage. He was choking. Kyle couldn't breathe. His strength was fading. He couldn't even nudge Charlie off. Declan was still recovering from his crash into the wall. His heart was pounding.

Then Kyle looked to the left and saw the knife a few feet away. He reached out for it, but it was too far. Charlie's grip was tightening. Groaning, Kyle tried his best to concentrate. The knife slid quickly into Kyle's hand. He grabbed the handle and immediately thrust the knife wherever he could. He stabbed Charlie's shoulder. Charlie cried out and let go of Kyle's throat. Kyle coughed and regained his breath. He shoved Charlie off with all of his might, sending him flying into a bathroom stall, breaking the door. He lost all control. He felt what humans called anger. He went over to Charlie and kept punching him in the face. After he had enough, he tossed Charlie into another wall. Then he began to kick him hard in the stomach. Charlie groaned, the knife still lodged in his shoulder.

Then the next thing he knew, a dart was shot into the back of his neck. Kyle stopped and felt it with his hand. He turned around and saw three security officers, one kneeling down beside a hurt Declan, and the other two pointing tranquilizer guns at him. He sighed, his strength immediately evaporating. He passed out onto the floor….

Con. Note: This chapter had been so hard to write! I wanted to make it big and very crucial to the story! I would really like to hear what you think about this one! I hope it gave you satisfaction! It will be a while until the next chapter. This chapter is so huge it will be hard to think of what should happen next. But I'll post it ASAP!