Author's Note: Well Don't really know what to say about this chapter, speaks for itself I guess. Review please. :)
"So," Ventus said, laying Axel down on the floor. "How's it been doc?"
"Well, it seems I should ask the same from you." Ansem gestured to the boy on the floor.
"I know you think Vanitas did it, but I swear, he didn't." He spoke this next sentence with false bravado. "Haven't even seen him since I left here."
"Then, why did you say he was here?" Ansem asked, a bit unnerved by the lie, but retained his calm demeanor. There was a moment of silence."You needed immediate help, I assume."
"Yes. Axel has disconnected memories, a broken heart." He pointed to the boy. "I'm not at liberty to explain how exactly this happened, but figured you might be able to keep him somewhere safe until this is resolved, if this can be resolved."
"Poor man," Ansem replied. Explanations were never Ven's forte, so he had come to only expect the bare minimum. "I'll take care of him."
"Thank you, I have to go now." Ven spoke this farewell, thankful that Ansem had not pushed him for further details.
Ven left the red head in Ansem's care, hoping the boy couldn't be fixed, for Namine's sake.
Roxas awoke with a yawn. He noticed Namine. "Hey,Namine. What are you doing here?"
"I'm so sorry. Did I wake you?" She feigned concern. Lying is dirty. She felt dirty, but knew this was just the beginning of a lifetime of lies.
"No, I think you just helped the process a little along." Roxas got in a sitting position and patted the seat next to him. "So, why are you here?"
Namine walked over to her brother and sat down. "It's about Axel."
Roxas stretched a bit. "What about him? Where is he anyway?" The blond looked around, searching for his boyfriend. "I don't remember seeing him when I came home. I fell asleep on the couch." He laughed.
"Actually," She explained. "Axel called me a few hours ago. He said his job was taking him out of town for a few weeks, and that he knows he left his stuff because it was so unexpected. He felt really bad he couldn't come by and kiss you goodbye." She giggled.
"Aw.." Roxas smiled. "He's sweet, but what am I supposed to do while he's gone?" The blond shrugged.
"Well, Ventus, Xion, and I should be able to keep you company." She suggested.
"Yeah, so, what time is it anyway?" He got up and went to the kitchen, grabbing a soda out of the fridge.
"Like two in the morning." She faked a yawn. Okay, I hope Ven was able to take care of the body. She scoffed. I'm already talking about him as if he is not a person. Shouldn't I feel remorse?
Ventus got back in his car, thankful that Ansem's offices were open almost all the time.
"Hello gorgeous." Vanitas taunted, smirking. Ven's looked in the rearview mirror, seeing his other, mimicking the expression.
"I have an irking feeling that this car is haunted."
"Well, we should do something about that, shouldn't we?"
Ventus glared at the reflection. "We aren't going to do anything together. I'm going to stand on my own, and you are going to go away. Forever, capiche?"
"Oh Veni, rejection is a bitch." Vanitas sighed. "So when are you going to introduce me to Namine? She seems like a nice girl. Needs a little darkness, if you know what I mean."
Ventus flipped off Vanitas, who reciprocated the action. "Love you too, Ven."
"Fuck off!" He screamed, smacking himself in the head. And Vanitas was gone.
His phone went off. He had a message from Namine.
I'm eternally grateful for your help tonight, but Roxas is awake now. Why don't you come by my place tomorrow? We can discuss how we're going to handle this.
Looks like we are in this together now. Vanitus is going to be visiting me a lot then. He grunted, thinking of a reply.
We'll deal with this. I won't leave you alone to face this. I'll be there.
He waited for a reply.
Thank you Veni. :)
He shuddered. That's what Vanitas called him. He'd have to tell her not to address him as this. It was a tick, Ansem told him about this when he was a patient.
No problem, Namine. See You then.
He put the car in drive and made his way home.
Ansem observed the boy who lay on his floor. "Olette," He called out. A girl in an orange top scurried in the room.
"Yes sir?" She asked, waiting for orders.
"We're going to need to ready a pod. He's going to be asleep for a while." He gestured to Axel. "I don't know how to restore him, but I will try."
She leaned down by the red head's form. "He looks so peaceful." Olette smiled. She brushed a hair out of his face.
"Olette." Ansem demanded. She looked up.
"Oh, right away sir." She got up and walked at a brisk pace out of the room.
Ansem walked over the lifeless form on the floor and examined him. "What happened to you?" He asked. There were no signs of struggle. His black sweater was not disheveled, neither were his pants. It simply looked as if he were asleep.
Olette returned with a boy pushing a gurney close behind. The boy had spiky blonde hair; he wore dark clothes and was very apathetic. He simply asked, "Where is the body?" Olette pointed to the red head on the floor.
The boy lifted him up and placed him on the gurney. He wheeled him out of the office. Olette remained. She had a question for Ansem the Wise.
"Dr. Ansem," She paused, biting her lower lip.
"Yes, Olette." He acknowledged.
"I was wondering," She faltered. "If I could." The brunette facepalmed, then gathered her composure. "Dr. Ansem, may I supervise the recovery of this patient alongside the pod director?"
"Permission granted." He returned to his desk, sitting down. "I am taking a special interest in this situation and will need more people on the case. And if you will, please contact Ventus. I want to schedule a follow-up appointment to determine if Vanitas is still a factor in his daily life."
"Thank you, sir." Olette responded with almost too much enthusiasm. "I mean, thank you sir. I will contact Ventus at a more convenient hour. Like nine in the morning, when most people are up." She laughed. Then she exited the room.
"I have a feeling Vanitas may have something to do with the broken heart." Ansem noted, pondering how Ven handled the situation.
Author's note: Wow. I can't believe Namine's plan is working, can you? And something's sketchy about Ven and Vanitas. Guess we'll have to wait and see what happens there.
Axel: Being trapped in nothingness sucks. And not in a good way. *smirks*
Roxas: I miss Ax. *sighs*
Ventus: Ansem seemed to be suspicious, he doesn't think I did that to Axel, does he?
Vanitas: You don't have the guts, he'll think it's me, of course. *winks*