Jan's stomach twisted into knots unable to suppress his growing anxiety, all traces of exhaustion miraculously erased. He tried to submerge himself in swells of paperwork, working ridiculously long shifts and waking up at his desk at odd hours of the morning. Anything to keep him from his bed. Anything to keep his mind from drifting to the prose that stained unpleasant memories, emotions of betrayal, guilt, and loneliness. Who had sent it? How could they benefit by drugging five-year old skeletons? Th questions churned in his mind. All that time he attempted to maintain a sense of normalcy. The cafeteria served breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The employee gym was always open, including the locker rooms and showers. He would stop at home around lunchtime to obtain fresh clothes, making every effort exit his bedroom as quickly as possible. It would have worked. Even the Rhino refrained from her rampage, seeing that he was making deadlines. But, despite his best efforts, Jan Masaryk unconsciously wore his heart on his sleeve.

And some men were too perceptive for their own good.

"Jesus, Jan. When was the last time you actually slept at home?!"

Masaryk's attention tore from his tablet as he gawked at Verstand. "What…what do you mean?" he replied with his best faux nonchalant chuckle. He always dreaded these meetings. Jan always harbored some amount of tension when speaking with the silver-haired gentleman in private. But since the recent conversation pertaining to the anniversary, the atmosphere felt even more on edge. Nevertheless, Jan remained resilient, trying to push that nagging feeling that pulsed at the back of his mind. Or was that his heart?

Unfortunately, Verstand was not amused. The old man's eyes narrowed with scrutiny as his jaw came to rest in his palm, rooted atop the desk. The blond furrowed his brow. "What?"

"You don't think I noticed?" Verstand pushed away from his perch, reclining in his seat as he tightly folded his arms. "I thought I was going senile when I saw you heading for the employee facilities. I normally leave work late so the first floor is usually bare. The only living souls I encounter other than the receptionist are the security personnel…who wear green. So guess how surprised I was to see a figure clad in white sneak by my peripheral?" Jan let out a laugh, desperately trying to alleviate the bite that had accompanied that last statement. He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "I guess you caught me. I should have known better than to think no one would notice." He averted his gaze. "To be honest…"

His gaze resurfaced, attentive yet emotionless. "I have a family reunion coming up at the end of the month so I am trying to get ahead of schedule." Jan spoke with a smooth, neutral tone. The doctor rivaled his gaze, his lips conspicuously contorting into a deep frown as his eyes narrowed. "Jan. You never put in a request for a leave of absence." Verstand closed his eyes, inhaling deeply as his tone became lackadaisical. "If you had Carla would have ransacked half of her floor by now. You know well as I do that the end of the month is the worst time for leave." He rolled his eyes. "Come on. I'm not an idiot." His expression hardened. "What are you hiding from me?" Aldrich was stone-faced, with the exception a quirked eyebrow. Jan would have found it almost comical if he wasn't about to bolt through the door. "Shit! Why the hell did I say that?!" But the blond didn't betray his fear, remaining equally as impassive the entire time. "Never show emotion in front of this person. That is what she taught me."

"That's right," he muttered, finally noting his tightly clenched fists, bound in his lap and obstructed from prying eyes. When he returned his attention to Verstand, the old man's expression had become slightly perplexed, lips pursed as he unfolded his arms.

"Al! I can't hold him off any longer!"

Instinctively, all heads swiveled towards the door. Anna, the director's secretary, had busted through with arms waving frantically. "If you don't answer Grant within the next minute he swears he's going to storm in here." She clenched both fists in front of her with determination. "I didn't want to drag my fists into this but I will if that what it takes to keep that brute at bay!" Jan and Verstand gawked at the elderly woman for a moment, trying to digest her declaration of war towards a man that was nearly twice her height and probably three times her weight. But Anna was full of surprises, given who she worked for.

Jan needed to remember that.

Verstand distractedly waved a hand of dismissal at the woman. "That won't be necessary, Anna." His silver gaze darted to the blonde. "Dr. Masaryk was just taking his leave, yes?" Jan knew what he was doing, trying to catch him off guard with a sudden dismissal, hoping he would betray the truth in his expression. But the young doctor was no fool. "Yes! I have much to do before I leave." Anna's ears perked up. "Leave? Where are you going Jan?! A reassignment?!" She pouted at the blond as he approached the door. His belongings were collected under his right arm as his left reached out for the door handle. The only obstruction was a worried Anna. He let out a hearty laugh. To his surprise, it was probably the most honest response had given in the past hour. "No, no. I was just granted some leave for a family reunion I am attending at the end of the month." The woman clapped her hands together with delight. "Oh, how wonderful! They will be delighted to see you!" Jan shrugged, maintaining his cheery façade. "Well I can't say everyone will be thrilled, being that I am the black sheep of the family." Anna was astonished. A hand flew to her mouth as she leaned against the open door, allowing Jan to pass through. "No! You?!" The blond nodded somberly. "I just wasn't cut out for my previous life, the only respectable career in their eyes."

The old woman shook her head. "A clan of politicians."

Then, she flashed a sardonic smirk at her boss. "Doesn't that sound lovely," she muttered.

The blond purposefully avoided eye contact with the envelope, unscathed, placed strategically in a location entirely out of the range of his peripheral . Unfortunately, ghosts of memories were unfazed, possessing much more potent methods to garner his attention. He read the same line for the fifth consecutive time before his pale blue eyes flicked to the letter. "A jest. Nothing more." A likely story that he had reiterated for what felt like the thousandth time in the past week. Frustrated with the sudden lack of fresh air, the doctor launched from his seat, poorly sequestered vigor punctuating every step through the threshold of his office and down the hallway to the elevator. He descended to the second floor, eager for a change of scenery. Passing a nurses' station without a second thought. His feet unexpectedly halted. Carla. More accurately, the child standing before her. The woman appeared to be browbeating a sullen shouldered brunet, head hung in embarrassment. Jan's eyes narrowed with suspicion as a remainder of his body made a consensus to their new destination.

Fresh air would have to wait.

"Carla, is there a problem here?" the blond announced with a surprisingly confident tenor as he approached. The boy spun around, caught off guard by the man's sudden presence. "Problem would be the understatement of the century! Apparently, this runt thinks that he repent for his crimes." The boy returned his attention to the stout woman. "I told you that I can be of help! You won't regret having me around this time!" he cried, planting an outstretched palm across his sternum as a gesture of confidence. "Kid, what is your real reason for parading around here, eh?" Carla folded her arms, reclining her stance to peer condescendingly at the child. "I thought the last time you were here had provided a plethora of evidence that you're more trouble than you are worth! The boy grimaced, his lips strewn tightly. Lest spat out something impulsive and be banned from the hospital for the rest of his miserable time on earth. Suddenly, he sharply gestured a thumb over his shoulder, at Jan. "He. Ran. Into. Me! Why is this so hard to believe?! If I had been walking as fast as he had with his nose buried in ten documents, I would have caused property damage too! If it hadn't been me, then what or who else would have had been nearly rendered obsolete!?" Jan's eyes flared with anger, his mouth already poised with a scathing counterargument when Carla spoke. "Are you suggesting that your little incident was a good thing? We were spared a calamity?" her tone was surprisingly the most conversational the blond had ever noted with anyone, especially him. The boy triumphantly assumed an akimbo stance. "I'm glad we finally agree on something."

Carla eyed him for a moment before erupting into a vociferous guffaw, startling Jan. When she finally settled down, a heavy hand fell on a small shoulder. "Well for starters you can save that poor man behind you from an aneurism." Her gaze flickered between the two individuals. "Jan, you take him." The boy and the doctor stood to attention. "Carla, I don't know what you take me for! A babysitter!? I don't have time to-"

"-why do I have to spend time with this geezer? He can't even-"

"-nor will the director ever consent to hosting a child-"

"-He'd rather throw me out the window-"

"-on this vagrant brat-"

The nurse smartly turned on a heel. With a casual wave over her shoulder she departed, leaving the pair who quickly steered their quarrels against one another.

"A match made in heaven."

"Don't touch anything," the man hissed after his guest. "I wasn't going to!" the brunet shot back with equal venom. He hovered about the bookshelf, carefully noting each item on display. Jan noted the subtle shuffling of feet, signaling the boy's slow transverse. Then, the ambiance originating from his guest died for a stretch of time. Jan, having occupied himself with unresolved matters on his desk, nearly forgot about the misshapen child invading his solace until the boy spoke.

"What was so great about her anyway?"

Jan paused. His eyes had hovered over the same word of a droning narrative he had been on his third attempt at reading to completion. He blinked, noting the boy's attention on a small memory. One he had wished he had kept stowed in his desk drawer. The child frowned. "Doesn't seem like she liked people all that much."

"What makes you say that?" Jan had surprised himself. This idle curiosity was rather uncharacteristic, given the circumstances. That thing was not a conversational piece. For all intents and purposes, he should have thrown the child out the moment he breathed any mention of that telltale photo. However, the blond begrudgingly noted that he could have avoided the entire conversation if he had thrown it away as he had promised himself every time he tidied his office for invited guests.

"That frown. It feels permanent."

A small smile tugged at the doctor's lips. "Is that so?"

"Yeah." The brunet eyed him over his shoulder. "Sounds like the feeling was mutual."

The doctor lowered his gaze as he shuffled papers on his desk, presumably resuming his work. "You didn't know her. Perhaps she liked some people more than others." His ears peaked to a small snort. "I find that hard to believe. Especially regarding you." Jan paused from his work again. He reclined in his seat, eyes directed at the opposite wall but focusing on nothing in particular. "Sounds like something she would say."

Moments passed with the conversation in limbo. But Jan paid no attention, slowly rocking the full range of motion his seat would allow. He poised his hands behind his head and continued to stare at nothing in particular….

"Why do you care so much?"

The rocking stopped. "About what?"

"About her."

The blond's attention flickered to the boy. This time his guest did not reciprocate. The child's gaze remained transfixed on the photo. "What makes you think that?"

The brunet shrugged. "People don't normally frame pictures in which their enemies are front and center."

"That isn't the reason why I chose that photo."

The boy turned around, granting the blond his undivided attention.

"Sometimes it's important to preserve a memory. Even if it is unpleasant."

"I don't get it-"

"I didn't expect you to."

"I don't get it but," the boy corrected, distancing himself from the shelf. "I lost someone important to me when I was really young." The boy glanced back at the photo. "I don't remember much, though. But, I feel that doesn't lessen the impact." He paused in front of the man's desk. "Seems like nothing good will ever come out of remembering." Jan coolly glanced at him before returning his attention to the droning narrative on his desk. "That's not true," he muttered. "You've gain something. Something irrevocable." He averted his gaze from the document. "Irreplaceable."

"But what if you don't want it!?" the boy stubbornly folded his arms. "Wouldn't you rather not have that memory in the first place!?"

Jan peered up at the boy. His gaze, sharpened on a wetting stone, was poised to pierce through the child's naivety. "You're too young to be asking such questions."

The brunet planted his hands on the edge of the desk, his gaze flashed with equal indignation. "And you're too old to not have an answer!"

The boy was surprised by Jan's softened expression, having anticipated a scathing quip in response. "Tis better to have loved and lost." He resumed reading the document. "Or something along those lines." Summoning a hand to scratch the underside of his jaw, he added: "There's not really much consent on the matter. Such is the cost of humanity."

The boy also deflated, his gaze fell to his feet. "That sounds like something a friend of mine would have said."

Jan glanced at the door. "Your friend is rather astute."

"Yeah, I guess he was."

The blond quirked an eyebrow at the semantics but knew better than to pry at this point. Despite his rash demeanor, the child had been rather poignant to transition away from any further discussion about the photo. The least Jan could do was bestow the same courtesy.

If he harbored compassion….

"I meant the one presumably standing outside my door," he continued. "So if you would be so kind as to let him in, I can get back to work."

Now there were two.

A pale gaze, distant and cryptic, scanned the pair. In return, a scrupulous pair of a more vibrant shade reciprocated the gesture: a declaration of war.

The challenger blinked.

"I will be forward." Chaud unfolded his arms and positioned them on the rests his guest chair. He gestured at his partner, arms tightly folded and a scowl fully etched to his features as he stood in the far corner of the room. Lan's eyes were fixed on the same bookshelf. Chaud glanced at the shelves before continuing. "My associate only wanted to apologize for his behavior the other day." His gaze tethered to the pensive pair of pale blue eyes, peering over the edge of wired spectacles. Jan's weathered frown deepened. He methodically blinked as his tongue writhed in the back of his mouth, patiently sharpening its rebuttal. The young official cleared his throat, as the doctor stewed in silence. "On the cusp of that apology, I'm afraid I must intervene to ask your assistance on an urgent matter. We are investigating the disappearance of a military officer. He is a subordinate of your director."

"And why, pray tell, do you believe that I am the most appropriate individual to approach on this matter?"

"Doctor, rest assured that you are the most qualitied. But I'm sure you are fully aware of such, given that you received my correspondence."

Said envelope was flung upon the desk. "What is the meaning of this?!"

"It's a proposition, Dr. Masaryk. One that you are free to reject if you so choose. I will in no way influence your decision."

"Surely you mean to jest! You expect me to believe such after your little stunt!? How did you even find this information?!"

"Unfortunately, I cannot disclose my sources for obvious reasons. Surely someone of your caliber can understand the notion of proprietary information." The young official squared his shoulders. "Doctor, I know that this is rather…unreasonable for us to come to you with such a request, especially under these circumstances but I-"

"I will be clear then: I want nothing to do with this. I refuse to fall into some cosmic game orchestrated by children! Official or no!"

Chaud frowned. "I understand your hesitation but all we want to know is what can you tell us about Dr. Aldrich Verstand."

Jan sequestered a sardonic laugh. "What you want to know?! His birthdate? Vitals? Results of his last cholesterol test? Psychological evaluation? Pre-existing ailment-"

"What was Dr. Verstand's role in the International Vanguard Summit five years ago?"

An ashen hue consumed the blond. He instinctively opened his mouth, drew in a shaky breath, and then clamped it shut. Jan swallowed. "What does that have to do with the disappearance of a military subordinate?" he quickly countered, struggling to control the vibrato that had crept into his tone.

"It doesn't." Chaud blinked. "But it does have to do with you. We want to know something that very few people would be able to divulge…because they aren't familiar with both sides of the doctor's reach." The young man straightened himself. "But you are." He leaned forward. "I want to know more about what is was like to be on the opposite end of the negotiation table, Vice Consul."

"How much do you know about me?"

"Enough to know to take advantage of an opportunity when I presents itself before me. Our meeting was a grievous coincidence. I don't believe in Fate. But I am not going to invoke logic as to why my colleague concussed you of all people." He glanced at the bookshelf again. "That woman. You have a connection to the doctor through her, yes?"

Jan averted his gaze.

Chaud took note of the withdrawal. "Perhaps this is a good stopping point. We don't want to take any more of your time." He slowly stood, legs protesting due to the prolonged seating, and nodded at Jan. "Thank you for your time, doctor." His partner followed suit in silence, not once making eye contact with Jan.

The office door softly latched behind them.

The pair strode to the elevator. The doors slowly closed and the boys began their descent to the lobby. Chaud glanced at the time on his PET. "You did well," he muttered to his partner. But, Lan didn't respond. The brunet was unusually pensive, gaze fixated on the elevator doors. The older boy eyed him suspiciously. "Lan?" The boy hesitantly planted a hand on the nearest shoulder. "Huh? Did you say something?"

"Is something wrong? You seem rather…contemplative."

"No…it's nothing."

"Don't try to dodge the question. I can tell your musing about something."

The brunet responded with a conceded shrug. "Why are we using this guy? From what I can gleam, he's useless."

"On the contrary. He might be the most important key. An unaccounted variable."

"Why? Because he has a hackable computer?"

"No. Motive," the older boy corrected.

Lan's eyes narrowed in concentration, knitting the threshold between his brows. "What dirt do you have on him?"

"What makes you think it's something incriminating?"

"I know you." The young NetSavior rounded on his friend. "Do don't hesitate playing dirty if it's necessary."

"How rude. And here I thought I was the epitome of a moral citizen."

"So what exactly did you do to his computer last time?" the brunet sardonically quipped.

"I simply want to see how far we can get without needing access privileges," Chaud continued, clasping his hands behind him.

His proclamation was awarded with an eye roll. "Probably won't be that much."

"All it takes is cracking a password."

"In addition to probably four other layers of encryption!" The brunet irritably added.

"Don't worry about that part," Chaud reassured with a small smirk.

Lan suspiciously quirked a brow after him. "Oh, really? So what am I supposed to do in the meantime."

"If I said 'stay put and be quiet' you wouldn't listen to me-" he turned to the brunet "-would you?"

"Don't insult me!" Lan countered with tightly bunched fists.

A sigh. "In that case, we need to find a healthy outlet for your insurmountable restlessness."