In hindsight, he could have, and probably should have put the note in the trash where it belonged. Newbie would be none the wiser. Perry's life would be back to normal, and hopefully Newbie's would be to. But there was some irritating nagging voice, that wasn't Carla for once, telling him what he needed to do. So he grabbed his coat and stepped out into the rain. He probably should've told Carla that Patricia had buggered off, but then he'd of get an irritating bleat for the next half hour about 'not upsetting my Bambi!'

His house was closer, so he decided to go there first, and get warmer clothes and an umbrella. It was really pissing it down, droplets of water jumping into the air where they hit the ice cold road. He shuddered all the way to his house.

He stopped.

There was his Porsche. His Porsche, which he had left on the other side of town. His Porsche, which he was pretty sure no one had the keys to (except him, obviously). Now that was just freaky. He opened the door to his house, never taking his eyes off of the car. He kept staring at it through the window as he phoned Jordan.

"Hello?"
"Jordan? Is that you?"
"Gee Perry, let's do a recap! In the house is me and Jack. How often has Jack answered the phone by saying 'Hello' in a feminine voice? Because if the answer is 'ever' I'll be really pissed you made him gay without consulting me. You know I haven't decided on that one yet!"

"Jordan, this is important. You know Sacred Heart band night?"
"What? Tie Ted up by his ankles and stuff his pockets with chilli night? Yeh. That was really fun…….."
"What? I missed that? Damn it…" Perry said, momentarily distracted.

"Anyway Jordan, did anybody drive my car home?"
"Nope-a-doodle. I was the last one to leave at 2 in the morning and it was still there. It's only five AM now. Wait a minute- WHY THE HELL ARE YOU RINGING ME AT 5AM?"

Perry wanted to explain, he really did. But right now he had more important things to do.

"To annoy you" he said lamely. A string of swear words came to the other end of the phone, followed by a bang as a moody Jordan hung up. Perry sighed and pulled on a jumper and a coat. Grabbing his keys, he locked the front door and closed all the windows. He figured if someone was following Julie then it would somehow lead to him. And, if he was honest, he would rather a ski mask wearing weirdo didn't break into his house while he was gone. He had a TV! And beer! Clearly he had everything a thief could want.

He slowly opened his car door, standing to the side in case of flying knives or something. Nothing. He slowly slid into the seat, just waiting for bullets or blades or threatening notes. Nothing. Nothing at all. He twisted his key and the Porsche started up as usual. He drove forwards a few feet, then pressed down on the break. It stopped. So his tyres weren't slashed, his engine wasn't stolen, and his break fluid hadn't been drained. Maybe it was just a friend. Either way, he had a car with working heating. He was very pleased.

Perry was halfway to the kid's house, and worrying that he knew the way, when something caught his attention. It was a bundle of clothes on the side of the road. He probably would have left it….if the pile hadn't moved. Perry drove closer. Was that a…hand? Oh shit. It was. Perry drove closer still and slowed down to a stop.

"Are you okay?" There was a groan, but no answer. Shit. Perry clambered out of the car, ignoring the traffic behind him. There was a red car honking it's horn furiously; a dirty white van that said 'Harry's Hats' on the side; and a blue van that's owner didn't seem as pissed off as the others.

"Sir?" he inquired nervously. The man wasn't moving as much as he should be. Perry cursed, and without even looking at him he picked up the body. The unnamed man was slightly heavy, but not so much that it hurt to carry him. Perry got the man to his car, and had a rare selfless moment when he helped the muddy, soaking wet and almost unconscious man into his newly cleaned Porsche. It was only when Perry actually got a good look at the face he realised who it was.

The rain had changed his appearance. His white shirt had turned almost see through and his hair was jet black, plastered to his face. He had a black t shirt draped around his shoulders and a pair of jeans that had become, if possible, even more skin tight than the last time Perry had seen him. His pale skin had turned almost transparent and his blue eyes had lost their usual sparkle.

Dr Cox smiled softly.

"Heya JD."