A/N: Yes two chapters in two days. The result of being alone while everyone else goes out and has fun paintballing. Yes, paintball. apparently my broken (as near as damn broken) jaw and paintball don't go. Yeah, sure. Anyway, yes, lots of hugs for Ronnie this chapter, his dreams are getting worse, Grim's looking pathetic, Grell returns and William's being distracted. Please review, and thank you to those who do.


William sighed, wrapping his arms around Ronald trembling body. Over the past two days since his collapse Ronald had woken up every hour or two from horrific nightmares that seemed to only be getting worse. He stroked his hair gently, trying to calm him. Resting his hand on his forehead for a moment, William was at least reassured that his fever had finally broken. The doctors had said the nightmares and fever were likely a result of the stress of Michelle's death, exhaustion and the strange substance the hybrids had given him. Finally, after what seemed like hours, the youngster's breathing slowed and he gazed up at him.

"Darling," he whispered. "I have to go to work."

"You don't have to," Ronald said. "If it's too hard... all your work is just voluntary at the moment..."

"If you want me to stay, say so, Ronald," William said.

"No, it's ok," he said quietly. "You should go and work. I'll be fine."

"If Grell turns up, try and keep him here and quiet, ok?" Ronald nodded and snuggled against him. "If you want me to stay, Ronald, tell me. You do need care."

"No, you focus on work. I should be ok by tomorrow, shouldn't I? I'll be back at work soon."

"None of the others are working, it's only been a few days, take your time."

"You were closer to her than any of us. Why are we allowed time off but you're not taking any time? I'll come back to work tomorrow and come and look after the kids with you."

"Just, go to sleep for now, Ronald," William said. He sighed and pushed him back, kissing him gentle and tucking him in. "I'll see you in a few hours, darling." Grim jumped up onto the bed and mewled, nuzzling up against Ronald and gazing up at him. "Yes, you look after him too."

Working kept William focused. He kissed Ronald one last time before getting up from the bed and pulling on his waistcoat and jacket. He didn't exactly want to leave Ronald. What was he supposed to do though? He needed to focus on work to keep himself from thinking about Michelle. If Ronald needed someone he could come to the office, or to see Eric and Alan. They had come over and sat with him while William was working yesterday. They'd taken him to the doctors that night and they told him everything was fine and would recover within days. It was still worrying though.

"William, isn't it?" He turned to a tall, dark haired man. He frowned. He'd barely been in London a few minutes before he'd been approached. "Do you know who I am?"

"I'm not sure I care," William said, turning and continuing on. "However, you seem to know who I am, so I will assume that you are at least have knowledge of immortals, making you mildly more tolerable than the rest of your kind."

"My kind? What do you know of my kind, William?"

"Either you are human, in which case you are of no interest to me, you're a job," he replied. "If not, you're a demon, in which case you will do well to bare in mind I have an extreme distaste for your kind and will kill in a second should you get in my way."

"My name is Ian, William," he said quietly. "It's good to finally meet you. I've heard, and seen, so much about you. And I'm not what you think I am."

William glanced back at him over before jumping up to the window of a house and stepping in. The woman was supposed to die in less than three minutes. She was in her bed, muttering feverishly. She opened her eyes and gasped. There was something about on coming death that let humans see things they shouldn't. Many humans who were allowed to live on, or fought on, reported seeing their life flashing before their eyes. They could see their own records for the moments before their death. They also saw something that William, nor anyone he knew, had been able to figure out. Those who were allowed to live reported seeing death coming for them, a person coming towards them, which wasn't that strange, but shrouded by living, dancing shadows like a cloak. It was particularly seen by those who were sick, or children. It was partly why reapers usually kept out of sight, those who were about to die were the only ones who noticed anything strange about them and if there were others around they would often make a scene. That was where their idea of a hooded figure came from though, he supposed. Ian had followed him up and was watching almost curiously over his shoulder.

"Stay back," she wheezed. "I'm not ready to go. My children need me."

"Why not just kill her?" Ian said. "Put her out of her misery."

"You're a young demon then," William said, striding over to the bed and gazing down at her, briefly reminded of Ronald's condition. He sighed and rested his hand on her forehead. "May Hardy, born 3rd of June 1860."

"No... how do you know who I am?"

She burst into a coughing fit and William swung up his scythe. "It's quite alright, Miss Hardy, I'm here to guide you on. It's your time." He really hated having to do reaping from up close but he didn't trust Ian not to snatch her soul away if he did it from a distance. Her records spilled out from her chest and William looked over them slowly. She was nothing special, he was more bothered by Ian watching him intently. "Died of pneumonia, 28th of July 1898. Remarks, none."

He cut the record, collected the soul and turned away, stamping her page as complete. Ian strode behind him and jumped back into the street below with him. "Why did you wait until her records appeared? Why not just kill her? It'd save you time you know."

"I'm aware of what simply killing the humans would do for our efficiency," William replied. "However, we would then have to ask ourselves at what point we kill them? Why not simply wipe out all the humans and then we'd never have to work again, but then the demons would have nothing to eat, not that this would be a terrible thing. I wouldn't mind seeing the end of the demons, but unfortunately, they can survive without souls, it merely weakens them, but I'm sure you already know all this." He turned on his heel and glared back at Ian. "Why do you insist on following me?"

"I'd like to propose something of truce, William," Ian replied. "I really don't want to get into fights. I'm merely trying to survive and not be persecuted for being something I have no control over. I didn't ask to be created, I'm sure you can sympathise. I was quite happy with the life I had."

"I, demon, am proud to be a reaper. Unlike your kind, we are a race who have morals and respect the dead, no matter how stupid their kind may be, and we take pride in our work and the people we work with. I have never regretted being what I am. I have never wanted to be anything else and I have no memories of being anything else, so I'm in no position to make comments on such a longing. Now, will you kindly leave me to my job before I put you out of your misery, demon?"

"That didn't sound like a request."

"It wasn't."

He turned and strode down the street, adjusting his glasses with his scythe as he check the next soul on the list. There were quiet footsteps behind him and he glanced over his shoulder. Ian was still following him. Well, he was persistent, William would give him that much. It didn't stop him being annoying through. He turned and swung his scythe up, squeezing the trigger so the blades snapped out either side of his throat.

"What exactly do you want, demon?"

"I want a truce, William-"

He growled and squeezed the trigger slightly, just enough for the blades to draw blood. "You should have more manners, demon. Don't be so informal."

"Mr Spears."

"How do you know me, demon?"

"I've seen it enough," Ian replied, pushing his scythe away. "Don't you understand what I am? Why Ronald's had such terrible nightmares since we saw each other? He's all I want, Mr Spears, but I know you won't let him go and he won't come easily. After all, you two are such a sweet, loving couple, but I need him, Mr Spears. He's the key to everything."

"You're one of the hybrids," William growled. "You're responsible for what's happened to Ronald and for Michelle's death."

Ian smirked and disappeared into a side road behind a carriage. William went after him for a moment before stopping and shaking his head, well aware that Ian was now on the roof above, watching him carefully. He glanced up at him for a moment before continuing on his work. He had work to do, he couldn't waste time thinking about the hybrid. He had souls to reap. He'd get back to the bastard who'd hurt Ronald and killed Michelle once he was done. At least he had a name and face now. As he continued along, he knew Ian was following and watching. The hybrids didn't know much about how immortals worked, he supposed he was learning. Much as William wasn't keen on teaching these creatures how to cause more damage, he wasn't going to rise to it. He was just going to finish his work and get back to Ronald as soon as possible.


"Where am I now?" Ronald said, glancing around. There was a small, redhead woman sitting on the bar in front of him. She smiled and adjusted her glasses. "What this time? I know this is a dream, I've got the hang of this now. Whatever you're going do to me, get on with it. And where's your boss? Isn't he usually here to torture me?"

"He's busy, Alice," she giggled, tapping his nose. "You're getting stronger. The serum needs several doses to take full effect, it wears off quickly. We haven't got long. Why not join us Give into it and become like us. You'll have the best of all worlds. You'll be the leader, you can teach us." She stood and slipped one arm around his neck and one around his waist. Suddenly, Ronald was very aware he was in a blue dress and had shoulder length hair. And they were in a very dark, smoking room with lots of people. "He's back, Alice."

"What are you showing me?" he hissed. "What's going on?"

She kissed him suddenly and Ronald wrapped his arms around her in return, his body moving beyond his control. He'd grown used to this. They were normally showing him things he couldn't change or control. Like watching a record only living it instead, but he couldn't tell what it was, whether they were showing him their memories or just showing him things to upset him. He couldn't make any sense of it, or how they were doing it, but he'd stopped fighting. There was nothing he could do.

"Miss Alice."

He turned and realised who he was staring up at. The words tumbled out of his mouth before he could even comprehend them. "Mr Spears."

This had to be something they'd conjured up to hurt him. There was no way this was anyone's memory. William wouldn't be in a place like this. Still, he caught Ronald's hand and kissed the back gently. The redhead giggled and William glanced up at her.

"I'm sorry, Miss Christina," he said, running a hand through Ronald's hair. "Much as I appreciate how aesthetically pleasing it is to see you two together, I'm going to have to take Miss Alice from you."

"Have fun, darlings."

He pulled Ronald away into a back room. Before Ronald knew what he was doing he stopped in the doorway, leaning back against the frame and turning William to him with a small, sultry smirk.

"Mr Spears, much as you are my best customer and my favourite, you still have to hand over your money first," he said quietly, flicking his hair over his shoulder. William sighed and pulled a few coins from his pocket, pressing them in Ronald's hand, before capturing his lips and pulling him into the room, shutting the door and pushing him back against the wood. Ronald slipped the coins into a small purse, reaching up into his hair as William pulled up his skirt. "Mr Spears... William..."

He pulled Ronald back onto a small, dirty bed, pulling him onto his lap and wrapping his arms tighter around him. "I hate having to pay for you, love."

"I know," he murmured. "I know, but I need money to live, William."

"Why not let me take you away from all this, Alice?" William said gently, squeezing his waist. "I'll take you away, you'll never have to suffer again. You won't have to be with men you don't know. It'll be just us, Alice."

Ronald would have frowned if he could have but he wasn't able. For once this actually seemed like a fun dream. He didn't care about what he looked like or what kind of awkward body they'd put him in, he got to be with William. Of course, it was too good to last, something would go wrong, but for now, he was content to have a sweet dream for once.

"Ronald..." He smiled and fell back to the bed, William kissing his neck gently. Suddenly there were handcuffs around his wrists, his arms pulled up above his head as William bit his neck. "Always were so easy, weren't you, Knox?" There was a burning agony in his and blood trickled down his stomach. He cried out and tossed his head, almost screaming as William drove his scythe deeper. "How does anyone put up with it?"

"Give up, Alice," the redhead giggled. "Give in to your nature, this is your last chance before we have to do something more drastic. Give into your demonic nature. Give in and become our leader. Give in to it, Ronald. Save yourself from him."


"Ronnie," Grell whispered hoarsely. "Ronnie, wake up." Ronald was shaking and sweating with tears slipping down his cheeks. "Ronnie?"

He his eyes snapped open and Grell jerked back, staring down at him. After a few moments, Ronald took deep breaths and closed his eyes again. Grell sighed and stroked his cheeks, brushing away his tears. He'd heard Ronald wasn't well and wasn't sleeping well.

"Morning," Ronald whispered.

"Afternoon, Ronnie dear," he said quietly. "Are you ok? You don't seem to have a fever anymore."

"How did you know about that?"

"I stopped in on Eric and Alan," Grell said. "They were worried about you, so I stopped over. You're like a son to me." Ronald cracked one eye open and Grell knew he was thinking how creepy that was. He always did. For some reason Ronald didn't appreciate his sentiments. He never did. "I'm sorry I haven't been around, Ronnie."

Ronald smiled and patted his arm. "Lie down with me, Grell. It's ok. I know you're hurting right now. William is too. He's just working all the time. He doesn't want to think about it. Do you want to talk?"

"Yes... but not about her," Grell replied as Grim bounced up and rolled over between them. "You talk. What are you bad dreams about, what's going on? Tell me."

Ronald frowned and rubbed Grim's stomach as he purred loudly. For a few moments Grim's purring was the only sound until finally Ronald turned to him. "I'm afraid, Grell."

"Ronald?" he whispered.

"William listens but I don't think he hears me properly sometimes," Ronald murmured, snuggling into Grim's fur. "It's not his fault. It's not that he's being mean or anything, I just think he's been putting it down to the fever and what I've been through, I think he doesn't want to think this is something he can't protect me from."

"He doesn't like things he can't control," he said quietly. "I don't blame him. I wouldn't want to lose someone I love to something I couldn't do a thing about or to stop... or didn't even know about..."

"She saved us, Grell," he said quietly. "Well, she saved Alan. I'm not so sure about me yet."

"Don't talk like that. What's wrong?"

"There's a serum that created the hybrids," he whispered. "I think that's the poison that made me sick. I don't think it's working at full strength, I think it needs a few doses but it's having some effect. I can feel them, Grell. They were made using me, my blood, like how demons can sense different races, they can feel each other. I can feel them. Everyone thinks it's in my head."

Grell patted his head and Ronald smiled. "I believe you. I don't know if what you're saying is true or not, I don't know if you're going to turn into one of those things or not but you're afraid, and that's the important thing. If you're so scared, then we need to make you not scared again."

Ronald nodded slowly and closed his eyes once more. "Thanks, Grell."

He smiled gently and picked Grim up. Ronald got up, following him quickly through to the spare bathroom across the apartment. Grim seemed to know what was coming and squirmed and yowled. They ran a few inches of warm water and set Grim in the water, washing him slowly. Ronald just sat there at his side, watching quietly.

"I don't want to be weak anymore, Grell," he whispered suddenly. Grell frowned and Grim splashed in the water. "I'm always the one who gets hurt and into trouble. I don't want to be such a burden. Will you help me get stronger, Grell? Please? You're like one of the most unstoppable reapers there is." Grell smiled and blushed slightly. Well, everyone knew Ronald was extremely good with words. He knew how to get what he wanted. He knew that, but looking into those big, babyish eyes he just wanted to protect him and to stop him suffering. "Please, you're the only one who can help me do this. And then we can go after these hybrids together, we can make them pay right?"

Taking a few moments to consider it, Grell glanced over him. He'd just recovered from a fever, William wasn't going to appreciate him taking Ronald off for training. He grabbed Ronald's hands and pulled him into a tight hug. Amazingly, Ronald didn't jerk back or push him off as he had almost every time before in the past few months. He wrapped his arms around him tightly, trying to keep from crying. Those hybrids had taken so much from him already, they weren't getting Ronald too. They were abominations, freaks of nature that need to be wiped out. Obviously they didn't value life or they wouldn't brutally slaughter reapers. If they wanted help like they'd told Ronald, why would the isolate the race that would be most willing to do so? No, he wasn't going to sit back and let them take Ronald away from him too.

"I'll help you, Ronnie. We're going to make them pay."

Grim plopped into the laps and mewled up at them, shaking off his fur so it puffer up. Ronald laughed and grabbed him with the towel, wrapping him up and hugging him tight as he patted him dry. It brought a small smile to Grell's lips. Poor Ronald. And William. He sighed and shook his head. William seemed to be ignoring everything from what he'd heard, just drawing back into himself and becoming completely insular. No wonder Ronald was suffering. It wasn't William's fault, of course. No one could blame William for suffering, even it William wouldn't admit he was.

"Leave a note for Will when we go."

"Where've you even been all this time?"

"With the Undertaker, Ronnie, where else? I've been finding out everything I can so I can make them pay."