Sorry for not uploading on Saturday, but as some of you know the server was down and I couldn't access it but fortunately it's up and going again so here's chapter 10! XD Thank you very, very ,very much for your continued support so far and please keep it up! (you're not going to find any complains from me... XD) ENJOY!

10

Gregory could feel his conscious thoughts trying to rouse him. He reached for them and grabbed on, letting reason drag him from under the dark of sleep. He opened his eyes gingerly, groggily, finding it hard to focus. That was unusual since he could snap into awareness in the snap of a finger usually. Why was it so difficult to make sense of his surroundings?

'You're finally awake.' Gregory's forehead creased in confusion. He lifted his head, the effort shaking him up a little, to look in the direction of the voice. The room he was in was dark with only moonlight streaming through a window to his left. The figure with him was nothing but a dark silhouette with one red eye, until his eyes adjusted a little and he realized the red eye was the burning tip of a cigarette. He still couldn't make out the man's features but he thought he recognised the voice. His brain tried frantically to wake up.

'Who are you?...' Even his voice was groggy. He tried to remember how he got himself in that situation but all he could remember was a white fog.

'You forgot me already? I'm 'urt Gregory.' Understanding struck him with the force of a freight train. He narrowed his eyes and sure enough he could see Christophe grinning at him. He tried to sit up but found his hands were cuffed and his legs were bound. The memory of following Craig and falling into the laughably simple trap like a novice returned to him and his lips widened into a slow grin of his own.

'How could I ever forget you Christophe? Though I do wish we met under different circumstances.' Christophe scoffed and got to his feet, having dragged in a second chair for himself while Gregory was still asleep.

'Zat makes two of us. You know what comes next, don't you?' The question was nothing more than a formality. Gregory's smile didn't waver as Christophe flicked the bud of his cigarette to the ground.

'You bring out some tea and crumpets while we have a lovely chat?' Christophe neared the incapacitated assassin, letting the moonlight show just how funny he found Gregory's quick wit.

'We are going to 'ave a chat but zere will be no tea or crumpets. I doubt it will be lovely. Zough zat all depends on you.' Christophe was wrapping a torn cloth, from one of his spare shirts, around his knuckles. He never used tools when he interrogated people. It wasn't that he wasn't skilled at bringing out the most unimaginable pain with them but most sang like canaries long before that was necessary. He had no problem getting messy.

'You know I won't talk.' Gregory's smile dropped so suddenly Christophe nearly wondered if it had ever been there. He saw the certainty on his old friend's face and knew Gregory was telling the truth. They'd both been caught before and were no strangers to being interrogated and neither broke down once. It was one of the main reasons why they were the best.

'And you know I 'ave no choice but make you change your mind.' Gregory inclined his head in a sad nod. He could tell Christophe didn't want to do this but he knew the other would do it anyway.

'Do your worst.' It wasn't a taunt. It was a hint. Nothing but Christophe's worst would have any effect on the blond prisoner. The mercenary struck out with lightning speed, his fist twisting in Gregory's gut. The other had been bracing himself for something similar but the blow still winded him and he heaved with the need to bend over but unable to because of his tight bonds.

'Careful what you wish for.'

Stan winced when he heard the sound of Christophe's fist meet Gregory's flesh. He and Craig were in the furthest room, both silent as the grave. Christophe had been interrogating the other assassin for just over two hours and the two didn't dare leave the room. Occasionally they heard a muffled cry from Gregory but other than that he refused to answer any of the Mole's insistent questions. They could tell Christophe was getting impatient from his raised voice and heavy steps. Stan feared the mercenary would forget what the end game really was and end up killing Gregory in his passion. He paled at the thought and hoped the other had more self-restraint than that.

Craig suddenly sat up and Stan looked at him. Then he realized what had changed. The other room was silent and a moment later they heard Christophe leave, banging the door shut behind him. Stan followed Craig out but they both froze when they saw Christophe. His hands were coated in blood as was his green shirt. Some crimson drops even reached his face and when he turned to glare at them, Stan nearly bolted. What he saw inside those dark eyes was sure to haunt him in later nightmares. He heard Craig swallow before moving towards Christophe. He never realized his friend was that fearless and seeing the other touch Christophe's shoulder, still alive, gave him strength to move.

'Stan. Go and clean some of his wounds. I don't want 'im bleeding to death.' Christophe didn't turn to look at him, his eyes firmly glued to Craig's and Stan was grateful for that. Without a word he picked up a bowl of clean water and the accompanying cloth, ready just for this, and left the blood stained mercenary with his friend.

He didn't give himself time to prepare for whatever awaited in the new room and as soon as he closed the door behind him he regretted it. He nearly dropped the bowl from his hands when his eyes took in the sight of Gregory. The other's head was slumped in front of him and he didn't seem to register Stan's presence yet. Bright drops of blood dripped from his chin and a cut above his left brow. His once tidy hair was a mess, stained red in places with matted blood. Worse of all was his chest and stomach. Stan winced just looking at the fresh bruises. They were already beginning to darken and he could only grimace at what they'll look like in another few hours. He wondered if Gregory had any broken bones... He had no medical knowledge and certainly didn't know how to deal with that. Carefully he stepped towards the beaten assassin.

'And who might you be?' Stan was surprised at the steadiness of Gregory's voice. When he was within reaching distance, Gregory lifted his head to look at him. Stan went on one knee silently before Gregory, not trusting himself to speak. 'You're the one who sprang the trap. I must admit, you look much more handsome without that gas mask on.' Stan's fingers squeezed rigidly the last drop of water from the cloth. He carefully pressed a corner against a bleeding cut on Gregory's lower lip. The other studied him carefully, not pulling away from the show of kindness.

'Why don't you just answer his questions?' Stan realized he'd voiced his thoughts out loud only when Gregory answered him.

'Because that would make me a pathetic assassin.' Stan felt a surge of anger course through him like molten lead. He pressed the cloth a little too harshly against the cut and Gregory winced.

'You're letting yourself be beaten to a bloody pulp because of your pride? That's the dumbest shit I've ever heard.' He didn't know why he was seething with fury all of a sudden but he couldn't hold it in check. Gregory watched him calmly and silently until Stan finished with his lip. Next the brunet moved the freshly cleaned cloth along the bridge of his nose. Christophe had made an effort to avoid his face and his nose wasn't broken but it had bead when the other back-handed him across the face.

'You've grown since we last met.' Stan's fingers froze before resuming their work, albeit with a small tremor in them. 'You didn't honestly think I'd forget you Stan, did you? Tell me, how's Wendy?' Stan gritted his teeth, reminding himself he was here to help Gregory not take over Christophe's job.

'How should I know? She went to England.' Gregory arched an interested eyebrow.

'Is that so? I take it from your unwillingness to discuss the subject that she would be available.' Stan twisted the cloth between his hands hard enough to make his knuckles go white. By the time he was done he was surprised there was any moisture in the material at all. He soaked up the blood along Gregory's cheeks.

'I told you I don't know. I haven't kept in touch.' Gregory's tongue darted out and he licked his lower lip, noting the way's Stan's eyes fell to the movement as if with a mind of their own. He kept his sly smile to himself.

'Answer me one other thing. Who figured out that you have a preference for men first between the two of you?' Stan dropped the cloth from his hand and looked into Gregory's knowing eyes like a dear staring into the barrel of a shotgun. He paled and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't get his tongue to work.

'How did you?...' Gregory rolled his eyes.

'Oh come now Stan. I realized you were gay the moment I saw you. Anyone with half a brain would have come to the same conclusion but this is South Park after all...' Stan continued to stare at him, getting paler so Gregory explained it further. 'What gave you away was how you looked at your friend, Kyle. It was quite obvious. And there was me.' Stan's startled as if Gregory had physically slapped him.

'You?...' His voice was almost a crock and Gregory grinned to himself. Getting under Stan's skin was just as easy as he remembered.

'Me. I know Stan. I always knew and I waited patiently for you to do something about it but you missed your opportunity. I never imagined I would meet you again under those sorts of circumstances. It's quite a surprise.' Stan felt like the ground was crumbling below his feet. All those years he'd thought he was good at keeping his orientation a secret and all this time he'd apparently been dead wrong. Without any warning he felt his anger return.

'Yeah well you went out with Wendy.' Stan picked up the cloth again and began cleaning the cut across Gregory's temple. His gentle touch was gone but the assassin didn't show any sign of discomfort.

'To attract your attention.' Stan paused but chose not to say anything and continued his work. 'She told me you were a terrible kisser.' Stan blinked, not even sure how they got to that subject. He stared at Gregory like he'd grown a second head.

'She lied to you.' Stan hoped she had anyway... He was held too securely under Gregory's thumb to realize the other was just riling him up.

'She seemed fairly convinced and I can spot a liar. Wendy was not lying about this.' Stan's expression darkened. He wanted to show Gregory just how wrong he was. No! What the hell was he thinking?! This was a dangerous assassin, bent on killing his friend and he was thinking of kissing him?! 'There's only one way to prove me wrong...'Gregory's voice dropped to a sultry whisper, the words entering Stan's ear with tempting smoothness. He unintentionally glanced at Gregory's lips and saw the pink tongue move slowly against the lower one.

'You're crazy.' Stan knew he was in danger, he could feel heat ignite in his gut. His head was spinning with the possibility. Was it really so wrong to indulge? He felt like he was under a spell.

'No I'm not. How many dreams have you had about me so far? This is your chance to act out your fantasies...' Stan didn't realize he was leaning in, drawn in by Gregory's enticing whisper. He didn't even argue the existence of said dreams. What was the point when they both knew the truth?

Stan didn't realize he'd moved until he felt the warmth of Gregory's lips against his. He suffered a moment of panic at the realization but Gregory's tongue ran along his lips smoothly, encouragingly. Stan lost himself to the kiss, letting his mouth dance its dance. He tasted some of Gregory's blood, the cut still bleeding sporadically but instead of revolting him, it turned him on. He let Gregory's tongue guide his inside his mouth and felt the two verbal muscles intertwine before he drew his tongue back, letting Gregory follow instead. He was not about to so willingly dance to the other's tune. He felt the Brit's lips stretch in a playful smirk but gave into Stan's demand and pushed his own tongue past the slack resistance of the student's teeth. Stan wasn't sure how long the kiss went on for but he knew he had to breathe or risk suffocating.

When someone cleared their throat loudly behind him, Stan literally jumped back from Gregory. He pivoted on the heels of his feet to face an amused Mole with his fists resting on his hips. In an instant Stan felt his skin catch fire and he was sure his blush matched the puffball on top of the hat he'd worn back when he was in 4th grade. With more speed than he'd thought possible, he bent to retrieve the discarded wash cloth and the bowl of reddened water.

'I'm sorry to interrupt but I zought you might be 'ungry. I sent Craig to order some pizza.' Stan muttered something under his breath which Christophe took as some sort of apology and ran out of the room. The mercenary looked at him leave and chuckled to himself, just loud enough for Gregory to hear too. Finally, he closed the door.

'And things were just getting good... You really have bad timing Christophe.' The Frenchman shrugged, lighting a cigarette. Gregory noticed his face was cleaned of blood, his blood, and the bandages around his knuckles were fresh.

'I 'ave perfect timing.' Gregory narrowed his eyes at the other assassin.

'You know?' Christophe nodded, his expression sobering. 'Did you tell him?'

'Non. It's not my place and I know zat. You can tell him yourself.' Gregory regarded his captor coolly, the dangerous look which sent people running for their lives sparking in his glacial cold eyes.

'You brought him here so you can use him as a bargaining chip? That's low even for you Mole.' Gregory only called Christophe by his title when he was really angry with him.

'You are mistaking. I didn't even want him 'ere. He volunteered to keep his friend alive. Zat's called loyalty. You might remember what it feels like.' Gregory scoffed, the action sending a jolt of pain through his cracked and bruised flesh.

'Says the man betraying the trust of his employers.' Christophe took a good long drag of his cigarette before moving to sit in his chair, directly in front of Gregory.

'I was never loyal to zem. I worked for zem. I was loyal to you and if our positions were reversed I would remember zat.' Some of the iciness in Gregory's glare thawed and he sighed a tired sigh.

'You would be exactly in my position because you are too stubborn to give up. You wouldn't keep your mouth shut because of loyalty but you would because of your pride.'

'Perhaps you are right. I am stubborn.' Gregory's lips twitched with the beginning of a small smile.

'But you are right. We once fought for the same side so I will do you a favour. I will answer one of your questions.' Christophe didn't miss a beat before he asked his question.

'Why are they after Craig?' Gregory's confusion was plain to see.

'That's what you want to know?...' Christopher nodded sternly and Gregory wondered what sort of mythical creature this Craig was to wrap the stubborn Mole around his fingers so quickly.

'A deal's a deal. Do you know who's the ring leader among the board? The real power, not the old men who are little more than decoys?' Christophe wished Gregory would just tell him, not make him work for the answer but he knew once the Brit had a bone he was reluctant to give it up.

'That old geezer, the one who was once 'ead of 'Omeland Security.' Christophe never bothered remembering any of their names.

'That's the one. His name is Richard Mann. As you so astutely pointed out, he once was the head of Homeland Security but I bet you don't know why he's no longer that, do you?' Christophe shook his head impatiently. 'It took me quite a lot of digging to figure it out myself. There's more to that man that meets the eye. He's a Guinea Pirate and Craig is the only one who can stop him from conquering the world.' Christopher stared at the other assassin incredulously. So many questions rushed to his mind that it dizzied him.

'I always knew you were good at inventing stories but zis is far-fetched even for you.' Christophe was in no mood to be toyed with and he got to his feet in a very threatening manner.

'Ask Craig then. When he was eight Richard Mann, our employer, tried to have him killed. Ask Craig about his time in Peru.' Christopher paused at the naked certainty in the other's iron gaze. He knew Gregory valued few things above his pride and once he made a deal even Satan himself couldn't stop him from bringing it to an end. It was the main reason why he feared the other wouldn't abandon his mission and join with them. And if Gregory didn't do that then Christophe knew it was only a matter of time before they were all killed. They're lives rested in Gregory's hands and Christophe could only hope the other wasn't aware of it.

'Zat doesn't add up. Why would he wait until now to 'ave Craig killed?'

'That I don't know but I do know why he sent you to kill him.' Christopher gritted his teeth at Gregory's playful grin. Oh he was so loving his damn bone.

'Why?' Gregory frowned in mock confusion.

'I believe this is a second question.' Christopher took a threatening step towards Gregory but the other wasn't cowed. 'But I can make an exception if you untie my legs. The rope is cutting off my circulation. You know I'm too weakened to break free from the handcuffs, even if you hadn't searched me so thoroughly.' Christophe weighted his options. On one hand he knew giving into Gregory's demand was asking for trouble but on the other he was confident the handcuffs were enough.

'Fine. I remove the rope once you tell me why zey sent me on zis mission.' Gregory's grin widened.

'Because they wanted you to fail so they could have a reason to eliminate you.' Christophe physically recoiled from the words.

'What?'

'You've been thinking of leaving the company for a while and they know it. They're not as dumb as you might think Christophe but they didn't dare provoke you without a reason. If they tried to get rid of you on the sly, some of the other assassins would have backed you up, myself included but if you failed a mission it becomes protocol. They know you don't like killing people for the fun of it which was why they hid the true reason behind Craig being a target. You must have noticed they've been pushing your buttons for a while now. This was just the straw which broke the camel's back.' Christophe couldn't argue with any of that and suddenly everything made sense. He wanted to smack his head against a wall for being so blind. In the end it didn't really matter since he was going to desert them anyway but he hated being a pawn in someone else's game.

They were going to pay for that, he swore it on his shovel.

Oh Gregory, you charmer you! XD Thanks for the read! I hope it was an enjoyable one and please let me know you thoughts through a much appreciated review! Thank You in advance! XD

HAVE A LOVELY DAY!