Title: Betrayed
Chapter 14 – The Price of Freedom

Dead. Dead? Dead! Arthur's dead…Arthur. Is. Dead. Arthur's dead. Arthur's…NO HE'S NOT! Eames mind starts to race as he feels his world linger in its limbo-like state a bit longer. The little boy makes a shuffle and his transfixed stupor is broken, forcing him to finally realize just what the old man told him; his brain still refusing to believe it.

"No!" Eames snaps as he cocks the trigger and shoves his gun back into the face of the old man. "Where…is the…antidote. I will not ask again," Eames demands in controlled anger.

"Your friend…"

"He's not dead. I'll give you…anything…just whatever you want, name your price. Ean White poisoned him…he's his nephew and he betrayed my friend by murdering his parents and then wanting to kill him for his inheritance. We need to make this…"

"Your friend…" the old man tries again.

"HE'S NOT DEAD!" Eames shouts as he hurries back to Arthur. "He's…not…dead! Arthur you bloody stubborn sod wake up!" Eames growls as he rushes back to Arthur, slams the gun down on the desk and starts to pump on Arthur's chest. "Wake up damn it!" He huffs as he lowers his mouth to Arthur's and blows in two angry breaths before he returns to a few chest pumps. "WAKE UP!"

But a few moments later a calm hand is felt on his arm, forcing Eames frantic blue eyes to look to the left but deftly step aside as the old man very methodically pushes up the dark fabric of Arthur's dress shirt, searching for the same vein that Ean had used earlier. Eames watches the tip of the needle pierce the skin and the bright red slowly liquid enter the waiting bloodstream; his breath holding and mind racing as the old man pulls out the empty needle and turns and looks at Eames.

"One thousand dollars."

"When he wakes, it'll be yours," Eames replies with a soft whisper as he reaches for his gun; the small boy's wide eyes watching in fear a few seconds longer until the gun is shoved back into his shoulder holster and Eames turns back to the old man with a tight lipped smile. All he could do now was pray it worked.

"Thank you for trying."

"Friend will be okay. Come and drink tea."

"Tea…could use a spot of tea actually," Eames sighs before he turns back to Arthur and then leans down, his hand resting on his forehead. "How long will it take?"

"Few minutes."

"It's been a few bloody minutes," Eames mutters under his breath as he takes off his jacket and lightly drapes it over Arthur's unmoving frame. "You better not leave me to clean up your mess on my own," Eames tells Arthur as he looks at Arthur's placid expression with a heavy frame; giving his shoulder a firm squeeze before he stands back up.

"My grampa wants to know if you'd like your tea now."

"Sure," Eames turns and offers a weary nod to the little boy, who turns and hurries back to his grandfather in the other room. But Eames doesn't go too far as he takes the small mug of tea and settles into a chair a few feet away from the small cot Arthur was still resting on.

"Don't leave me now," Eames utters in an undertone as he takes a sip and then offers the old man and small boy a tense nod. "Or else."

XXXXXXXX

'Where are we going mom?'

'We are all going on a holiday Arthur. Here's your bag. I've packed a few things now don't ask any more questions, we have to go.'

The small scared boy sat in the backseat, his wide eyes peering out the window as he watched the traffic zoom past, looking at the front and seeing his parents talking in hushed tones as the speed increased.

'Where are we going daddy?'

'We're going to visit a friend Arthur.'

'And then on a holiday?'

'Yes.'

'Where.'

'A tropical island far away. Would you like that?'

'Sure.'

But that holiday never came. A few minutes later, the car veered sharply to the left and then to the right…down a lonely unfamiliar street and finally coming to stop in a less than reputable part of town.

'Where are we mommy?'

'Arthur, daddy and I have to take care of a few things and you are going to stay with Garth, a friend of your father's. Everything is going to be okay.'

'I'm scared mommy.'

'I know sweetie but it's going to be okay. You're going to be okay. Just remember no matter what happens we'll always love you.'

Always love you….always…love…you…always…

Arthur's mind spirals round and round in the darkness as the lifesaving liquid in his veins continue to combat the death dealing components still attached to his cells and swimming in his bloodstream.

"If I say you're hot, don't let it go to your head darling," Eames smirks as his hand gently rests against Arthur's now warming cheek and then his forehead. He takes another sip of his tea and then leans back in his chair and studies Arthur's face and frowns. "If I pinch you will you at least give me a grimace?" Eames lightly huffs before he looks over at the old Chinese man watching him intently.

"Not long now."

"You said that five minutes ago," Eames retorts lightly as the old man holds his gaze.

"Friend has pulse now."

He couldn't argue with that so Eames leans back in his chair, raises his glass in a half toast and takes another sip before he turns back to watching Arthur.

'I don't want to stay here mommy. Please take me with you.'

'I can't sweetheart, you'll be safe here. Just always remember we love you and you'll be safe here. We'll come back as soon as we can.'

'Promise you'll come back.'

'I promise.'

'How soon?'

'As soon as we can.'

The little boy watched his parents hurry back outside; his father just having finished talking in private to the man named Garth. They got into the car and then pulled away – the small boy never seeing them alive again. He offered the strange man a tense smile before he rushed back outside and sat down on the steps to wait. He waited….and waited…and…waited…

"I hate waiting," Eames groans as he leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees, looking over at Arthur's still expression and frowning. "Now would be a good time to wake up and tell me to stop complaining."

'Arthur, are you coming down for breakfast?'

'I'm going to wait on the steps for my parents Garth. Do you think they'll be back today?'

'Arthur, there's something I need to tell you about your parents.'

'I know we're going on a holiday.'

'Do you have any other family that you know of?'

'No. I'm an only child.'

'How about an uncle or an aunt? Or a cousin perhaps?'

'No. It's just me and my parents. Why Garth what's going on? Do you know when they'll be back for me? My mom promised. She always keeps her promises.'

'Come with me Arthur, I need to tell you something about your parents.'

'Okay. Maybe when they come here we can all have breakfast together?'

But that never happened, instead the small boy was taken down to the unfamiliar office and shown a newspaper clipping about a couple that was killed in a car accident the night before – his parents. The child stared in disbelief at the words and then looked up at his would be guardian for an explanation. Garth explained as best he could. They were dead. He was alone. He collapsed to the floor in a sobbing heap. His future forever altered. Him forever alone.

"How much longer?"

"You need patience."

"I need a hot shower and a change of clothes but looks like I'm not getting that either," Eames sighs heavily as he looks at his watch. "Time to wake up now Arthur or else," he concludes with a small smirk as he looks at the young boy and winks.

"Patience. He'll awaken soon."

"Why did you help us?" Eames looks directly at the old man and wonders.

"For the money."

Eames feels his lips twitch as his brows arch; the old man smiling but not saying anything further.

"The money eh, I can live with that. Wasn't Ean White's name that forced action? Figured you two were still good mates."

"My grandfather hates Mr. White."

"Is that so?" Eames ponders in interest.

"去，並在另一個房間玩。" ["Go and play in the other room!"]

"Was it something I said?" Eames offer in sarcasm as he watches the little boy scamper into the other room and firmly close the door behind him; his eyes watching the old man reaching for something. Eames feels his frame bristle and immediately his right hand reaches for his gun, but pauses before actually drawing it out.

"Put gun away. This is for my tea. For my arthritis. I have no longer have loyalty to Mr. White."

"I'm sorry if it's a sore subject," Eames offers quietly as his right hand withdraws and his posture relaxes. "I'm grateful…I'm just curious."

"Mr. White kill my son, took his family. Leave me here with Arthur, my grandson. I don't want him to hear."

"Arthur? Your grandson's name is…Arthur?"

"Yes Arthur. Like King Arthur of Cam-e-lot," the old man over pronounces the word Camelot and making Eames lightly smile. "I owe Ean White nothing."

"Well I owe you my friend's life so thank you."

"He really is Mr. White's nephew?"

"Yes and what I said was true. Ean killed his parents also and left him all alone. Now Ean White wants to take by blood what's rightfully my friend's and he's the only one that can stop him for good," Eames states resolutely. "Now he just needs to wake up so we can get going."

"Wake up soon. More tea?"

"Thanks mate, I'm good," Eames replies as he turns back to Arthur. "Finally some color. Now just open those big brown eyes or…"

"Else."

Eames hears a small voice from behind and turns to see the small Chinese boy looking at him in wonder; the old man opening the door a few moments earlier to signal for the boy to return.

"Pardon?"

"You said or else a few times. What do you mean by that?" He innocently inquires.

"Well I hate waiting and I want my friend to wake up and if he doesn't I was going to threaten him with…."

"With what?" The little boy goads. "The or else?"

"Sure. Maybe I'd tickle him or try to scare him or…"

"Just don't wake me…with a magical kiss," Arthur's weak voice is heard, prompting Eames to turn to him in haste and the little boy run to get his grandfather. "Unless…you just did that? Eames…"

"Well you did kind of remind me of sleeping beauty," Eames winks as Arthur looks at him in utter horror. "I couldn't help myself."

"What?" Arthur hisses as Eames grins. "You kissed me?" He growls as Eames snickers.

"Why are you so angry? It worked didn't it?"

"But..." Arthur sputters in shock.

"Welcome back darling," Eames grins.

"Eames...tell me if..."

"Arthur we have company," Eames nods at the two strangers looking at him intently.

"Uh hi...okay we'll...finish this later," Arthur groans, telling himself that Eames was just jerking his chain. "We need to..."

"Rest a little while or I really will use those cuffs," Eames smirks as Arthur's face tries to offers a wry smile but ends up offering a grimace instead as he lowers himself back down. "How are you feeling?"

"Like I was…used as the football…at the super bowl," Arthur groans as he touches his face and then looks up at Eames with a small frown. "Thank you."

"All I did was buy the antidote," Eames pulls back as the old man appears. "He had the magic potion."

"You need rest."

"I need to…" Arthur tries to sit up; only to have Eames strong hand rest on his shoulder and gently push him back down. "Rest….fine I'll rest. But only for a few minutes and that's final…or else," Arthur finishes as he looks directly at Eames who grins.

"Glad to see you're getting back to your stubborn self," Eames retorts as the old man turns to leave, heading for the small kitchen to make Arthur a fresh mug of the strong herbal tea. "Was worried for a brief spell there when you wouldn't respond."

"It was odd. I remember you shouting at me in the car and then darkness and then…an odd painful sensation in the darkness and then…then I was back at home the day we left for the orphanage. I saw myself asking my mother what was going on and her telling me we were going on a holiday. Then to the orphanage and then I was outside waiting. Then I heard you say you hated waiting."

"Wait….you were awake?" Eames asks with a hint of gruff frustration as Arthur looks up with a somewhat sheepish smile. "Bloody hell, what else did you hear?"

"Something about you wanting to be just like me," Arthur offers with a cocky tone. "At least in the clothing department, which trust me I agree."

"Oh you wound me love, I know you adore my dressing."

"Yes I adore mocking it. Any word on Ean?"

"No but I'm sure we can both guess where he's going. I think you need to sit this one out – for your own good. Which bank has Ean gone to?"

"No…way," Arthur strains as he tries to sit up once more. "I have to be there…be the one to stop him. Eames he murdered my parents. I want to be the one to put him away for good. This is family business. It's personal."

"You think he's telling you the truth about being your uncle? He's also a con man and a forger of sorts."

"Well just before he dies we can ask if he won't mind giving us a DNA test," Arthur argues back.

"Now that's being practical," Eames growls in sarcasm.

"I don't care about being practical right now. I want revenge, plain and simple. Figured you'd like that because it's what you would do," Arthur states matter of factly as he holds Eames gaze for a few seconds longer. "And don't you dare lecture me on taking it easy because I know you wouldn't!"

"Well you're not me and that's why we work well together."

"I'm going and that's final."

"Right but despite the warmth in your cheeks you look bloody pale."

"I was just forced drugs, you expect me to wake up looking my best?" Arthur snaps.

"No need to get testy, I was merely stating a fact."

"Oh I know what you want to say Eames, you're not exactly a mystery."

"I've always professed to be an open book but this isn't about me, is it?"

"Eames! Where are you going?" Arthur asks with a groan.

"To look for chloroform," Eames growls under his breath before as he looks back at Arthur and winks as the point man glares back in contempt. "Relax I'm going to see if our car is still outside. Leaving you behind would only garner me a nasty tongue lashing."

"Well if you want me to physically kick your ass just ask," Arthur challenges, inwardly angry at himself for allowing Eames to ruffle his feathers so expertly as usual.

"Tempting love, very tempting," Eames chuckles as Arthur sits up on the bed and pauses before he stands fully upright. "But I've just been through hell and am not up to par."

Arthur only shakes his head as he finally looks over at the little boy who had been watching them in silent amusement. "You have any siblings?"

"I only have my grandfather, everyone else is dead," the small boy answers in truth as Arthur looks up at Eames in wonder as Eames nods in confirmation. "You fight like brothers but he has an accent."

"I was adopted," Eames grins as Arthur looks at him in annoyance.

"We're friends," Arthur states simply.

"Ask him his name."

"Arthur," the little boy replies, as Arthur's eyes slightly widen and Eames smiles.

"Good name," Arthur praises as he walks over to Eames and looks at him seriously. "Whether or not Ean White is actually my uncle, he did murder my parents. There was only truth in his eyes when he told me how much delight he took in killing them! Of that much I'm sure. I don't care about the rest."

"Ah but your eyes don't lie…you do care," Eames whispers as he moves in closer; Arthur slightly freezing before he looks down and grits his teeth, his jaw hardening. "And he could use that against you and in that moment of weakness, seal the deal and take delight in killing you."

"I can't just walk away from this. It's not about the money; I've survived up until now without much and I'll continue to do so if I have to. I want to make this right for my parents. I might have been told lies my whole life and just gone about my business none the wiser, but now that I know who really killed them, I have a duty to them. Eames I need to do this."

Eames looks at the mixture of desperation and determination in Arthur's warm brown eyes and feels himself giving in against his better judgment and offering a small nod of compliance. "I get it. I'd want the same so for me to say no would be hypocritical."

"I'm tired, I feel like hell and probably look worse but I have to face him Eames. I have to look him in the eye and tell him that he's failed. And then I'll pull the trigger."

"And then we can have that drink?"

"Of course darling," Arthur slightly smirks as Eames gives him a small head shake. "I thought that accent was pretty good."

"Gave me goose bumps," Eames teases before his expression turns serious. "You know I'll back your play every step of the way," Eames tells him in truth; having no trouble with Arthur's revenge mission. "But if I see you faltering, even if you haven't gotten everything you've wanted and your life is on the line, I'm pulling the trigger. I'll suffer your wrath before I worry about Ean White's."

"Let's finish this."

A/N: Ah so you knew I couldn't kill our dear Arthur right? never! I just like to worry Eames a little hehe and you all a bit too! (I blame the muse for the latter!) But the final showdown is coming up next. Will Arthur get his revenge? Will he get a DNA test and will he finally be able to put the past to rest and move ahead? Hope you all liked this update and please do let me know your thoughts in a review before you go and thanks so much!