Disclaimer: I realized that I might actually need this. I was wondering what the chances are of Ms. Quick stumbling onto and I figured that it was pretty reasonable. I don't own OffBeat or any of the characters portrayed. Ms. Jen Lee Quick does and I'm a big fan.

AN: I'm sorry if I disappointed any of you who expected/wanted a different direction with the story. I may or may not regret this, but I didn't want to do a strictly love story. Noticing that the two weren't going to be able to build a trusting relationship or grow until all the secrets came out, I created this chapter. I also know that may people like OffBeat for the reason that it is about two boys (me included) but it's also a sci-fi story, so keep that in mind. Please review.

Respect for my reviewers:

Fallen Latte: He he. Please continue reading and tell me what you think. This is my first fic and all so I was thinking I'd try to developing a plot.

ariatainted: Always nice to hear from another OffBeat writer. Thanks for the props. I hope you keep reading.

Mintgreentea and Kyonkichi89: Here's another update, nothing like fresh drama to start the afternoon.

Rating: T

Chapter 7: Cruel Intensions

"Do I have ay choice? What is this about?" Tory asked. So many scenarios were running through his head.

"We would just like to ask you some questions sir." The officer said. "Please come with us peacefully. I have the authority to use force if necessary, but none of us want any ugliness do we?" The officer opened the rear door and motioned for Tory to enter.

Tory took the cue and got in the car. Oh my god! I'm being kidnapped by the NSA. How could this be happening? Both men got in the car and closed the door behind them. Tory heard the click of his door automatically locking. Immediately, he felt trapped and claustrophobic.

As the car began to drive, the one that called himself Henry was first to speak. "We are just taking you to a secure location. I'm sorry if we scared you but this is a matter of much importance," the officer told Tory.

"Could you at least tell me what this is about?" Tory's heart was pounding uncontrollably.

"Please be patient, we will be there shortly." The officer seemed disinterested in Tory's obvious fear.

The car drove through the neighborhoods for some time before coming upon an industrial area. Tory could see smoke stacks and old factories and the Manhattan skyline receding in the distance across the sound. It reminded him of old mafia movies. All I did was kiss him, that's all I did! Tory couldn't figure out what could have precipitated this. He felt he barely knew Colin Stevens and nothing of the Gaia Project except its name. A thought flashed through his mind as the car pulled onto a side street. This has got to be related to the call last night. Maybe they think I know too much. Oh God, maybe they are here to kill me. Tory shortly considered jumping out of the car, but he saw that he couldn't access the lock. Maybe if I surprise them…. Tory's thoughts were interrupted by the car stopping.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Meanwhile, at home, Mary Blake drove up to her house. Her work schedule freed up that afternoon and she wanted to come home early to be with her son. She had made a special effort to go straight home. She felt she needed to be there to offer any support her son needed especially after what he had told her yesterday.

"Tory!" She called out as she entered the door, but there was no response. She saw Paul coming down the hall.

"Hey Paul." She was absently concerned that Tory hadn't come home yet.

"Hey Ms. B, you look nice."

"Thanks Paul."

"Hey, you know where Tory is?"

"No, I was going to ask you. I guess he's just taking long to get home. He's probably with that Colin kid." Mary said, but some part of her was nagging that something was wrong.

"About Colin, I think you need to know that there's some serious stuff going on with him."

"You talking about their relationship? Don't worry I know. Tory told me about it."

"No, this is something else." Paul's expression serious.

"What do you mean?" Paul's tone was getting her worried.

"I found out some stuff about him. I have it on my computer. I was going to show Tory now that they're, um, so close. I think you should see it too."

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Tory looked around and saw that they were by a warehouse next to an old nondescript industrial plant. Tory could see that they were near the water, maybe a block or two away from the bay. He couldn't see the familiar Manhattan skyline. There was nothing familiar about the area. Tory realized that he had no idea where he was and cursed himself for not paying closer attention to the route they had taken.

The door lock popped open and the men got out leaving Tory inside. Tory guessed that they were talking. At least they didn't shoot me when they got here. Isn't that how they do it? Or do they take you to the river and give you cement shoes? Despite himself, he laughed at the image of these rough government types sinking him by the docks like an out of date drug lord. Fear and nervousness was making him hysterical, he realized. After a minute or two, Henry opened Tory's door. "Come on," was all he said.

Tory could see that there we others now. At least three other men and one woman were standing outside the car that Tory could see; all of them wearing nondescript black suits, the woman in a dress suit. Unlike his abductors, none of them wore sunglasses. Tory could make out their faces and took a mental note of each one. Cautiously, the redhead slowly got out of the car.

The woman was first to speak. She was smiling, "Sorry if we scared you Tory, we are not going to hurt you."

Tory blurted out, "What's going on? Why did you arrest me? I get a phone call right? I want to call my mom!"

"Please calm down, you aren't under arrest, and no I'm sorry you can't have a phone call." The woman's cool attitude was getting on Tory's nerves. They kidnap me and ask me to calm down?

"What do you want?" Tory asked.

One of the male officers was the one to answer, "We need your help. You're acquainted with Colin Stevens right?"

Tory didn't think before answering. "Where is he? Do you have him? Is he hurt?"

"Please let me explain the situation," the officer replied and Tory stared at him expectantly. Clearing his throat, he began, "We have been monitoring a pseudo private sector research project, 'Gaia.' I believe you have heard of it. The Musen Corporation, which primarily deals in pharmaceuticals, has been funding undercover genetic research in independent labs for some time now. Most of it has been minor and well within legal limits but a few years ago, there was evidence that they had made a major breakthrough. Considering the nature of genetic research, we were called to investigate the potential that a biological weapon had been developed." Tory's eyes went wide.

The man continued, "Because the Musen Corporation has its base of operations in Eastern Europe, outside of our normal jurisdictions, the resources available for this investigation were limited. They were able to hide the bulk of the information regarding the project from us. We did find out, though, that what Musen developed was not a bio-weapon as we had assumed, it was something completely different."

"What was it?" Tory found himself asking.

"They found a key. There are small segments in our genetic code that is shared by all organisms on the planet. More specifically, there is a particular set of genes that, when expressed, act as a common receptor. Are you following?" Tory wasn't. He was too worried about his predicament to concentrate on what the man was saying.

"What does this have to do with Colin?" Tory asked.

"Colin Stevens was given a retrovirus that altered certain parts of his DNA. We can only speculate, but we believe that instead of being the receptor, as all organisms usually are, the modifications make him act as the transmitter. The implications of this alone are cause for concern." Tory wasn't sure whether to be interested in any of this. His primary concern for his and Colin's safety and couldn't get rid of the nagging feeling that something wasn't adding up.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Well, it seems that last night, you might have unwittingly contracted fragments of the retrovirus. They might have been inert, they might not have been, but the point is, it may be swimming around in your bloodstream right now." Tory didn't know whether to feel embarrassed that they knew about the kiss or scared of what could be inside of him. Either way, he was getting uncomfortable.

"What do you want? A blood sample?" Tory asked.

"Yes, but that's not the only reason you are here. Last night we lost track of Colin Stevens. You were the last person he had contact with that we know of and you are the most likely person he would try to contact. We brought you here to minimize our exposure. We need to find him and we need to know what Musen intends to do with the Gaia Project. To do that, we would like your cooperation. We need to protect you and Colin from any harm. That's our first priority." Tory sensed the man was lying. Something was wrong with this whole performance or maybe it was just too much to believe.

"What are you going to do if you find him?" Tory asked.

"If we find him and this whole thing is nothing, we'll probably just continue to gather data. We aren't ready to make any move yet and we don't think Musen is either." The officer's face was hard now, Tory knew now he was omitting something.

"What if it is something?" Tory asked. He could practically hear the man calculate his answer.

"Then it would be a matter of national security." came his reply. His face was a stone. The young teen could only imagine what that meant. They are going to kill him aren't they? I need to find Colin and warn him. No, I need to help him get out of here. These guys seem dangerous; they don't seem to have limitless power and no normal restrictions on what they can do. Tory then remembered what the officer had said. I have the virus too, they think I'm a threat too or they wouldn't have gone this far. Tory thought again about escape, but it seemed impossible.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"This is impossible." Mary was saying. "How can that be?"

"There's more. Colin is the center of the project, but there are others. They were all given the MC-198 virus, but here's the kicker. There is some speculation that the virus could be transferred via close human contact."

"Oh my God, Tory!" Mary was mortified. "We need to call the cops, we need to get someone on this."

"They already know. Musen struck a deal with the feds for development. They provide some funds, keep an eye on the subject, and cover the whole thing up and Musen delivers the finished technology when it's ready. It seems that Musen didn't tell them all the details of the project, and someone high up decided that the project was too dangerous when they figured out some of the missing pieces. I think they're going to try to terminate it."

"You mean…"

"Yeah, I think they'll try to get rid of all evidence of MC-198." Paul said gravely.

Mar Blake felt weak.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

The NSA officers had taken Tory inside the warehouse building where they had set up a makeshift medical station. There was simply a chair and an equipment stand. The setup seemed so lonely in the big warehouse. The two officers who hadn't spoken earlier had donned white medical coats and were putting on latex gloves next to the chair.

"Please, sit down." Tory saw one of the men preparing a large syringe. Tory hesitated. Tory wasn't normally squeamish around needles, but then again nothing was normal about any of this.

"Go ahead." Tory could feel the officers looming closer, ready to force him if necessary. Just then Tory heard a loud bang. Then the lights in the big warehouse went out plunging Tory and the agents into almost total darkness. The only light was a small silver where the door had not completely closed. Tory was startled for a second then quickly decided, I need to make a break for it. This could be my only chance.

"Dammed! Don't let him get away! Block the exit!" Tory could hear the officers scream. Tory hadn't even started to run yet, but all the fear and adrenaline free flowing through his system told him now that running was his only option and run he did. Tory ran flat out towards the light hoping, praying that he would make it out of this okay. He could hear footsteps around him, running, trying to cut him off. Then, all of a sudden, they stopped and Tory heard a series of muffled plops, the sounds of bodies falling on a hard surface. Tory didn't stop to wonder. He reached the door and bust through and kept running. No one followed him.

It was then Tory saw him.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"My baby. My baby is in danger." Mary felt powerless. She didn't know what she could do.

"Don't worry, I don't think that they are going to make their move today. Besides, if he's with Colin, I don't think that there is much that they can do."

Mary felt an overwhelming need to find her son. "We need to find him Paul."

Paul nodded. "Yeah, I agree."

Mary made her decision. "You stay here in case he comes back, I'm going to drive around to see if I can find him. Call me on my cell if anything turns up." She got up and started for the door.

"Alright Ms. B. Good luck."

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

He was waving at him. The boy with the raven hair. The boy with the great killer secret. The boy Tory loved.

Colin.

Tory gave no second thought. He ran to his love and hugged him deeply. It was then he noticed Colin was crying. "Are you okay? I'm so sorry Tory, I didn't want it to end up like this. I didn't want you to get hurt." Tory's heart almost broke looking to those scared, crestfallen eyes on the face of the one he cared for so much.

"Don't worry about it, I'm fine. Let's just get out of here." Tory said.

AN: I think I'll stop here for now. Please keep readin' and reviewin'. The update took a while due to a busy weekend. I should put out a few chapters this week. No promises though.