Thank you Carrie, EVIL gummy bear love, Narutopokefan and PhantomoftheFiction for your kind reviews. :) Reviews keep me writing. Special thanks to narutopokefan for PMing me about the broken chapter. T.T I hope it works this time.

Chapter 10

oOoOoOoOo

Sebastian's flat is almost too clean, Ciel thinks. Too tidy to be the home of a murderer. It's filled with classy, trim furniture, and makes use of simplicity in design and array.

The trip to Sebastian's place was a quiet one, and Ciel only now looks Sebastian in the eye. His gaze is not altogether trusting, but he doesn't shy from sitting near.

"So." He leans his chin into his hand. "Tell me everything you know about them. Every last crumb."

A moment of silence passes. Sebastian lets his eyes drift over Ciel's face, from the tiny frown of concentration to the way his ankles are crossed. Sebastian raises an eyebrow, his expression bland. "What's there to know?" he drawls. "They're rich brats who run everything in their school. Hardly matters. They put me in a tight spot."

Sebastian never will be willing to give in easily. He may act like Undertaker's regular, or some innocent cookery student, but you don't have to look too hard to find an array of other truths underneath the surface.

Considering the various roles combating for dominance, Ciel tries to think of the implications of this.Sebastian will be difficult to control if someone else has him cornered, he thinks. He sighs. "What do you mean by that?" He asks slowly.

Sebastian echoes Ciel's sigh, but his expression is altogether undeterred. In fact, his lips twitch. "Do you want me to tell you that everything will be ok? That nothing happened?" His voice is rich, teasing.

He is met with stony silence. Ciel has been surprised one too many in the past weeks.

From farther back in the apartment a cat meows. Not inside. Ciel hopes. Maybe it's outside the window.

"Sebastian is involved in a murder incident."

Gregory had said. So he's keeping secrets. I knew that much, if not about any murder…but what does that mean to me?

He's not denying it, either… Ciel edges forward. "So you mean that it's true. That you were involved in a murder incident."

Sebastian tilts his head. "The information's there. It's a matter of public record." He smiles. "My involvement is, of course, hardly worth mentioning…"

Ciel falls back against the chair. "I will look it up you know." He wonders what he should say next. Where this new, unexpected game might take them.

Sebastian takes the opportunity to turn the tables on Ciel, starting a line of questioning of his own. "In the name of the Phantomhive's reputation, why don't you tell me what you think your father's up to?" His eyes glitter.

"You plan on finishing your assignment?" Ciel snorts, unamused.

"No." Sebastian actually laughs, and he shakes his hair from his eyes. "Ciel, if that wasn't me being fired, I don't know what is."

"Oh…"

"You can ask me worse questions, if you want. More personal…gritty details." He leans against the wall, sticking a pose.

A long moment passes as Ciel gathers his thoughts. He thinks about the conversation he heard over the phone, his aunt's words with his father. Finally, he thinks about their lack of funds. Confiding in Sebastian might not be the safest bet, but…

Slowly, he begins. "I think he's been cornered by one of the chairmen. He's letting others run most everything—he's not even in the office very often." He shakes his head and rolls his eyes. "Honestly, he's more interested in his hobby…"

"Which is?"

"Helping the police solve crimes."

"Oh my." The conservative phrase sounds ironic coming from Sebastian.

"Yeah." Ciel looks defeated. "He's made something of a name for himself…" He picks up a pillow and kneads it.

Sebastian considers the announcement. "So he's on the public's side after all?"

Ciel laughs darkly. "More like the country's. Not the public."

"We could make his good deeds known…." Sebastian muses. Then he sighs. "But, then if he falls too far, it'll be all the more obvious…"

"Yes, quite." Ciel agrees. "So, we should confirm his misdeeds if there are any, and rectify any that need addressing." He pulls at the sleeve of his hoodie. How we do that is another question…

"Might I recommend—"

"No hacking." Ciel deadpans.

"Yes. I was going to suggest you do an investigation for yourself. Look at his papers, check his phone messages…and if you are with me, perhaps we could follow him. See what he does in person." Sebastian's smile is coaxing, gentle.

Ciel stares for a moment. "And why can't I just ask him?"

"Would you be honest with anyone, if you had faulted?" Sebastian counters. "No. Best to see what he does without knowledge of your curiosity…" he snickers. "If you could keep quiet, that is."
Ciel blushes, but says nothing.

After a moment of silence, he looks again to the room. Studies the simplicity, and notices a complete lack of photos. His own family has photos on the walls, on desks in small silver frames, in albums shelved by warm fireplaces, and pictures sketched and filed all about his mother and father's studies. Their family's history, his mother's childhood, it's all within easy reach.

But Sebastian has nothing on display here. Maybe, Ciel thinks, he's just private…maybe it's in his bedroom…

"Tell me about your past. About the incident they threatened you with." He says slowly. "Investigating you is too damned difficult. Tell me already, or get the hell out of my life," Ciel demands.

Sebastian nods slowly. "You should text your family. Tell them you'll be out late…studying." His smile is long and ironic. "Otherwise they might assume someone kidnapped you again."

Ciel throws a pillow at Sebastian. "I'm still not sure you didn't have anything to do with that, you know. Your timing was just a little too good, you cellphone stalker."

Sebastian chuckles. He's quiet for a long moment, collecting words and remembering. At last, he speaks. "There was a boy I was familiar with. He died as a result of our...acquaintance."

Ciel leans forward to listen.

oOoOoOo

tbc…

A/N: Any guesses as to the childhood friend? :) (He is already picked out.)

tbc... still no Sebastian back-story. Sorry. Still working on his past. :D You may get 2 versions of it... one kinda cracky and fun (to fit this story), and one kinda horror-esque and dark (will be posted as separate one shot / story tho. Don't worry, this one's rating will stay the same.)

If this was too short for you, please check out "The Secret Name." Things are exciting over there…