"Hey, Tom. Sorry I couldn't make it earlier."

The hospital corridors were quiet, except for the occasional beeping of heart monitors and rattling of trolleys. It wasn't the peaceful kind; it was the deathbed-hush sort instead, which wasn't exactly comforting.

My brother was lying on the mattress in front of me, auburn hair brushed back from his forehead and skin clammed over with a light sheen of sweat. I swallowed hard, and took the seat next to him, trying to ignore the drips feeding into of his body, pumping who-knew-what around his system Looking at him, I was gripped by the urge just to get up, to run away, to not look back, to stand in the sea until my body screamed with cold and I could forget everything. Instead, I took his hand. It felt awkward beyond belief- which just made it worse.

"I didn't bring you any flowers, because I know you'd prefer rosemary or cinnamon instead." I bit my lip, watching for any sort of response, hoping, hoping that maybe my voice would wake him up. "You always did prefer cooking to any sort of gardening."

The only gardening he did was slicing up herbs.

"I...I've just finished making the plans with the rest of the Benedicts. They took ages, Tommy. Going over every last detail, to make sure it's all perfect. You know me- I can't stand any of that stuff." I allowed myself a smile, imagining my brother smiling back at me. "I was ready to punch the wall by the end. And I thought that only politicians could talk like that. I'm getting better, though. I didn't smash anything...that's probably Will. He's good at stopping me from doing that. You'd like him, I think, if you got to know him better. He's very outdoorsy, does some seriously crazy stuff. You know he abseiled from a cliff with only half a rope? I think you'd laugh at some of the stories he'd tell..."

Or maybe not. Guilt weighed my chest down like a sack full of rocks, making it hard to swallow.

"I feel so bad, Tom. It's...all my fault that you're like this." God, it was somehow worse saying things aloud than thinking them. But I had to say it- had to apologise, because it was my fault. It was.

"If we hadn't conducted the investigation...or hadn't been so blunt. I...should've kept my eyes open; it was my own stupid fault! But I didn't think it would happen to you, just me...and then I lost my head completely."

Angrily, I brushed away the tears that had sneaked down my cheeks. "Do you remember when we were little, and I was in primary? That girl- what was her name? Georgia, I think- hit you- I don't remember why, even. But I went crazy! I kicked and bit her, until you pulled me off. You were so disappointed in me...I swore I'd never do it again. But I did. I did. I need someone to pull me back... because I really went for that guy..."

Some spots of wet appeared on the bedsheets, and I swiped at my eyes again.

"It was awful. I feel so bad...but you've always...looked after me. Don't leave me, Tom...I couldn't bear it."

The lump in my throat was hurting, and I clenched my fists tight, letting fingernails cut into skin. "And I don't care what...what that man said. There has to be a cure. There is a cure. I'm going to find it, and I'm going to fix you. I promise. I really do."

But...I hadn't really made much sense of my attackee's talk anyway. He'd shaken his head when I asked him questions, trying to deny that he'd done anything. Yeah right. But maybe he'd mistaken my question about whether there was an antidote or not. I prayed that he had.

"Anyway...the sooner we go to Calais, the sooner I get you fixed. We're leaving tomorrow morning. Eurostar. Nice, eh? I'm actually going to France again! Hope it'll turn out better than last time...at least I have my Soulfinder with me this time..."

"What."

I almost jumped out of my skin right then and there. As it was, cracks ran up the vase next to Tom's bedside, and I toppled off the chair I'd been sitting on. Heart pounding, I looked through streaks of auburn into my brother's face. Shell-shocked didn't even describe it...though let's just say that he looked worse than the invalid himself. Cold prickles of dread needled my skin.

"Fred, I..."

"You'd better be joking." He said flatly. I scrambled up from my position on the floor, dragging the chair up too for support. Finally, then. The pretence was over. I wished it had never even started, but dreaded the outcome.

"No. I'm sorry. Fred..."

"Don't." He said jerkily. "Don't...say that. No..."

"Yes. I'm...I didn't mean for it to happen." I reached out a hand; he recoiled, and I swallowed back a fresh bout of tears. "It's not that...I didn't want to hurt you. Fred..."

"Not hurt me? Well, that's alright then." He leaned against the wall. "Who...should I even ask?"
"It's Will Benedict. You know, my mission partner." I bit my lip. "He's not that bad. Really..."

"Of course not..."

Without any warning, he swivelled and slammed his fist into the wall. I almost screamed as blood flowered across his knuckles and left poppy imprints across the plaster. "Fred!"
"That makes it alright, does it?" He hissed at me. His words were snake venom, poison in my ears. "It makes it alright, that you get to have a happy ending, and not me? Why not? After all, you and Tom got everything else I had, didn't you? My money, my time, care...why did Helene die- all for you to ride off into the sunset with your man? Tell me!"

"It's not like that!" I cried. "Why did Helene die? I can't say...but at least you don't have to give me any more money, time or care! I've been through just as much as you! Why don't I get a happy ending with the one healthy person who actually cares about me? I can't undo Soulfinderism, Fred...God knows I tried. D'you want me to kill Will, so we can live together in misery? You tell me that, Alfred!" My temper was rising to match his now; we both stood, mutually glaring, eyes slitted with anger.

Fred held my gaze for about two seconds, and then dropped it. Misery and anger flashed across his face, before his eyes screwed up like they always did when he was trying not to cry. For a second, we both remembered the time after Helene had died...the screaming in the night. My gunshot wound throbbed once, viciously.

"I'm sorry, Mara." He said eventually, heaving a deep breath. Then- as though that had cost him everything he'd had to give- he vanished in front of my eyes. I just stood there, chest heaving, watching empty space.

I'd finally told Fred; I'd finally stood up to Fred.

From down the corridor there came a long, drawn-out moan, like that of a tortured, hopeless animal.

It was a long time before I could bring myself to leave Tom's bedside. I'm not sure how long I stood

there, heaving silent tears. I don't think I'd ever felt so alone. I needed comfort; familiarity. I needed the sea, if not the sea, Will.

Leaving, I planted a soft kiss on my brother's cheek, and tucked the rosemary I'd brought next to his cheek. When he woke up, he'd be able to smell it. Then I gulped, turned my back, and left the same way my brother had.

As I left, I checked Penny's room, but it was empty. That meant he'd either gone one of two ways...I hoped that he was still in the land of the living. If so, it gave me some hope for Tom.

Either way, this journey would resolve things. Even if I didn't come back, though, I'd have stopped the virus.

Failure wasn't an option.

"Mara! Over here!"

I pivoted on my heel as the voice sounded in the crowded station, searching faces, looking for the voice...

"Here!" Sky's face loomed out of the mass, face pink from jumping up and down in an effort to be seen. Behind her, the Eurostar gleamed silver. "Come on!"

It was ten to eleven, and I was late for my train. I sprinted through the packed platform, shoving people aside left, right, and forwards. When they saw my face, they backed away sharpish. Not surprising- I'd had minimal sleep my strangely empty house, and sopping hair probably added to the madwoman effect.

"Thank god!" Sky exclaimed, just as I reached her, panting. "We thought you weren't going to make it. Now I can tell the others."

All the Benedicts had insisted on coming with us to France- as backups, Saul had insisted. They wouldn't be going on this train-they were catching a later one, to throw off suspicion, I think- but they'd be waiting on the sidelines in case anything happened- anything which was massive cock-up related.

"Cool." I told her, and dived inside the train, hauling my luggage on board and heaving a deep breath of pain (I had a killer stitch) and relief. Thank all the assorted gods that may or may not have been listening; I'd made it. France, here I came!

Actually, disappointingly, when I looked through the sliding door, the Eurostar didn't look any different from any other trains I'd been in. It was going to take me to France, for heaven's sake! It was international travel; shouldn't there at least be coffee tables and TVs in the back of the headrests? Sadly, no. Without any distractions, I was going to have to tackle my French essay on the way, which I'd been sadly neglecting so far.

"Wow, you're drenched!"

Well, I'll amend the 'no distractions' bit. Will had managed to sneak up on me, and had slipped an arm around my waist without my noticing. I inhaled mint and cologne, but didn't lean into him- my hair was still dripping. "Is it raining outside?"

"Er, no." The truth was in the reason that I'd been late- namely, that I'd driven to the seaside, and stood in the swell for about an hour before screwing up the courage to get on the train. My legs were still numb; I hadn't changed my clothes either. Thank god for suitcases is all I can say.

"Bye!" I turned to see Sky, now joined by Zed, Karla, Saul and Phoenix, waving outside the train. "We'll see you tomorrow!"

"See you then." I grinned.

"Hang on..." Karla's eyes were swivelling from Will's arm (which was still around my waist) to his face, to mine, then back. "Hang on...Will Benedict, I don't think you've told us everything about this young lady!"
I checked my watch hastily. The forces of motherhood were indeed astute...but the train was due to leave at any minute...

Will flushed a dull scarlet. "Oh yeah. I, erm, forgot. She's my Soulfinder. See you in France, Mom! Bye!"

And with impeccable timing, the doors hissed shut on their gobsmacked faces. Karla swelled like a hot air balloon, vibrating with thwarted motherliness, but with a lurching bump, the train jerked into motion, and their faces gradually disappeared from view, to be swallowed up by concrete.

"Good timing." I breathed out with relief. "I thought she was going to stop the train and climb on board to tell you off!"

"Me too." Will said sheepishly. He winced; I guessed that Karla was giving him a telepathic tongue-lashing. I didn't envy him one little bit.

"Well, you've escaped Karla. All you've got to face now is completing this mission." I told him. "You won't be forced to work with me then."

Hurt flashed across his face. "You don't want to work with me?"

"I'd rather not face sudden death on a regular basis." I smiled and bit my lip, watching the station flash away to winter-grey houses. "What did you think I was going to say?"

"As ever, I didn't really know." He teased, leaning close enough for me to feel his breath on my face. "And by the way, are you ever going to teach me how to dance?"

"On a beach in New Zealand, maybe. I don't want to take any chances; you might end up better than me!"

"You think so?"

"I'd rather not have any competition."

"Oh?" He raised an eyebrow in a way that made my heartbeat kick up a gear. I was vividly reminded of that day on the street when I had almost kissed him- before we'd been attacked. "I can beat you any day. My concentration is razor-sharp."

Was it? I'd give him something to think about, then.

Feeling rather stupid- but determined- I leaned in even closer, and looped one hand around his neck. The other I brushed down his face. I heard his breathing speed up with satisfaction, and no small bit of desire...

As he leaned in, I stepped back and waved his wallet in front of his face, creating a black leather wall between us. "Razor sharp? You just got pickpocketed by a girl!"

"You little minx!"

"Admit it; I'm better than you."

"Okay...but my dignity's going to cost you." He raised one eyebrow.

"How much?"

"Oh, I don't know...a kiss here?" He brushed my jawbone with his lips. I sucked in a breath. "Or perhaps...here?" Throat. "Or..."

The train lurched in a stern kind of way; I got the hint.

"I'm gonna go get changed! No, wait-you haven't admitted anything yet."

"Come on, Cooper! Fine. You are the best pickpocket in this carriage."

"Not quite."

"In the world...apart from me, of course." He waved my train ticket in front of my eyes. I goggled at him. He'd gotten me back!

That just wasn't fair.

Approximately four hours later saw me in a Calais hotel, trying to make sense of the enormity of the task ahead of me. In about twelve hours, we'd be breaking into a high-tech, possibly guarded, definitely Savant-unfriendly base. Once there, we were supposed to destroy this brother-stealing virus they were brewing there and not get caught. Personally, I wasn't rating our chances too highly. In fact, if I was a gambler, I'd be betting for the opposite team.

Oh, good. I always liked confidence-boosting pep talks.

I glanced around my room- it was the generic model. Soap, kettle, teabags (despite the fact that nobody I knew in France could make a decent cup of tea) and a small ensuite. My clothes were already settling in nicely, as they'd managed to spread themselves around the room, draping themselves in odd places like the towel rack and the desk.

I knew myself well enough to figure that I wasn't going to get any sleep here.

Was Will still awake? I probably shouldn't...to hell with that. I might be dead tomorrow. At least I wasn't in my pyjamas.

Quietly, I went across the corridor to his room, and knocked, knuckles light on the wood. To my surprise, it opened almost immediately to reveal my knight in the not-so-shining armour of a t-shirt and jogging bottoms. Well, it was ten o'clock.

"Mara?"

"Hey." I offered a sheepish smile. "I...uh...didn't think I was going to get too much sleep tonight. Unless...you're, um, busy..."

"What? No, of course not." He held the door open wide enough for me to step in and see that his almost identical room was in a similar state of disarray.
Awkwardly, I perched on the desk chair.

"I don't think I'll be getting too much sleep tonight, either." He admitted. "Life and death situations tend to do that."
"It's always the same for me...every mission I go on, I can't relax."

"Every mission?" He plonked himself down on the bed and stared at me curiously. "How many missions have you been on?"

"About, erm, six? Most of them small-scale, all of them with Fred or Tom."

"Six?"

"Yeah. Except I was a bit of a liability...blowing up things, you know. I, erm, the last time I went out, before I found you, I mean, we were in an old safe house. Tom was there, and then we got found out. I panicked and smashed the supports; the whole thing nearly came down on top of us." I grimaced ruefully. "This mission was Dom's way of saying he trusted me not to screw up again."

"Wow. You're a bit of a firecracker, eh?"

"Not by choice!" I said, firing up. "If I could, I wish that I wasn't this...this dangerous. I'd much rather have some ability like yours- I can't even go into a theatre without smashing a lightbulb when the play gets exciting!"

"Cool it, Cooper. I'm not saying anything. Don't worry, I'll only take you to operas. That way nobody will notice when you smash glass!"

"Thanks." I smiled. "I really think I lucked out with you."

"I think so too." He grinned back in a way that made my stomach flip. "Who else would be ready to tackle fire and flame all in the name of justice? You amaze me."

"Shut up!"

"It's true." He said intently. "You've gone through so much, but you still have such a clear sense of right and wrong...you're prepared to lay down everything for the people you love, and not care about yourself. You're single-minded, but blunt about it. You keep me grounded, but I never know what to expect from you. I think that you're good for me; you stop me flying away too much. All that travelling...I was always searching for the next thrill. I don't need that any more; you help me face reality."

My face was on fire with a mixture of embarassment and gratitude. I'd always thought that I relied on Will, not the other way around. I hadn't been counting on that speech, but not I realised that I'd needed it. But I didn't think I could make one back...word wizardry wasn't exactly my forte.

"Well, er...thanks. I think you're good for me, too." He was, thinking about it. I closed my eyes and thought about it. He let me know I was loved; he stopped me before I caused too much harm- either to myself or others. Wasn't that nice?

"Mara? You okay?" I looked at him- with difficulty, seeing as my eyelids were practically glueing themselves together. I opened my mouth to reply, but a yawn slipped out instead. Apparently I was more tired than I'd realised.
Talk about humiliating.

"Come here." Will got up, scooped me off my half-fallen position on the chair and carried me to the bed. "I'm not carrying you all the way to your room."

"Cheeky." I half-yawned.

"Sieze the moment." He chuckled. "I'm just pleased it's a double bed."

He flumped down next to me and put an arm around my waist. I didn't fight it- sleep was creeping up on me.

"I love you."

Did he say something? Strange.

Well, I thought I wouldn't be able to sleep, but now, here...

I was out like a light.