Hey all! Happy early Easter for those who celebrate it! Recently got into the new version of Hawaii Five-0 and it's awesome! Totally pair Kono and Adam ;) Disclaimer: I did not write the Bloodlines series, affiliated characters, nor did I create TGI Fridays.

"Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor."–Sholom Aleichem

CPOV

I actually managed to make it to class on time after Marcus dropped me off at my dorm. I feel guilty for missing AP Arabic since I've already missed so much, but I suppose it couldn't have been helped. I'm hopeful the teacher posted the notes on line. Annie raises a brow when I sit down and I offer a grin. She's now sporting hot pink hair instead of the blue it was when I left. She leans over to me with a sly smile.

"So, you and your boyfriend must've had a good night last night. Saw you leave and Tate said you didn't come back for your first class. Naughty, naughty Carly."

"Hush up! Marcus took me to his apartment because it was getting late. He looked into something for my sister and then we fell asleep."–Annie raises her brow. –"In separate beds." I finish with a hiss.

"Mmhm. Suuure."

I scrunch my face into a mock scowl and turn to the front as the professor begins his lecture on advocacy for sex crimes. I take notes diligently, but I can't help that my thoughts wander to last night. The party had gone on a while, and Marcus and I started in separate beds, but we hadn't stayed that way. Or more accurately, I hadn't stayed in a separate bed. The Nightmare, as I'd dubbed it, had come only hours after I'd fallen asleep. I'd gone into Marcus' room because the light was still on, only he was asleep with a thick book resting on his lap. Once the book was set aside and the lamp was off, I climbed in. So maybe I lied to Annie a little, but just a little.

Turning my attention back to the lecture, I sigh. Sydney very well might've been right. I care for Marcus, a lot.

MPOV

Sabrina calls me about midday with news. It just isn't the news I want. Alchemists have been spotted entering the greater Phoenix area. Great. I'm still packed so all I have to do is throw my security equipment into its proper place and I'm out the door. Once everything is in my car, I ring Carly.

"Hey this is Carly, leave a message."

Damn! "Alchemists are in Phoenix. I've got to jet…I'll call when I get to a safe house so you can have my new number. Don't know when I'll see you again. Good luck with everything in college, bye." I sigh and hang up before zooming away from the apartment. I stay within the legal limits, but still manage to make it out of the city in ten minutes. Phoenix disappears in my rearview and the Arizonian desert sets in. I wish I'd been able to reach Carly before I left so she wouldn't have to hear of my departure via voicemail. I suppose fugitives can't be choosers though.

Montana is very different from Arizona. I knew that, but it's still a shock. I'm only staying a night before I flee north into Canada. I try Carly's cell again to no avail. I don't bother leaving a message this time though. I'll leave a message once I get a phone in Canada.

CPOV

I stare dully at my wall before replaying the message Marcus left on my phone. Alchemists in Phoenix. Getting a new phone. Won't see each other for a while. I delete the message and blow air out slowly. It hits me as I lay back on my bed. I'm dating a man on the run. A fugitive. He will never be in one place for long. Pressing my hand to my mouth, I breathe slowly. Dear lord, what have I gotten myself into?

"Wanna go out to dinner? You can bring Marcus." Tate jumps on my bed excitedly. "Hey, what's wrong?"

I glance over at her, the lie slipping out easily. "Marcus' sister needs an organ transplant. She lives out of state."

"Oh my god. Is…is she okay?"

"She will be. Marcus is going to see her in case he's a match."

"So he'll donate a…"

"Kidney. That organ you have two of, but only need one."

"Right. I should've guessed."

"Yeah."

"We can still go to dinner. Call him then."

I nod and stand. This is life, so what if Marcus is a fugitive. "Let me get ready." Tate skips out of the bedroom and I shoot Marcus a text warning him about his 'sister'. After the text goes through, I change into something nicer than sweats and a tee. I don't have to talk much since Tate does enough of it for the both of us. I probably could've stayed in sweats since Tate's idea of dinner involves Fridays, but whatever. She insists we call Marcus as soon as we sit down, but I manage to cajole her into waiting until after dinner to make the call. It gives him plenty of time to put a story together. The dinner seems to go by too quickly and my palms are sweaty by the time we're done. The phone rings, and rings, and rings some more before it clicks.

"Hello?"

"Marcus, hey."

Tate butts in "I'm so sorry about your sister. That must be hard."

"Yeah. She lives in Illinois, so I wanted to leave as quickly as possible in case I could help her."

"Does she stay with your parents?"

"Tate." I admonish softly.

"It's fine. Yeah, she does. Neither of them are matches. We knew she was sick, but I…we hoped the other kidney wouldn't fail her."

"That's sad. I hope you're a match."

I take the phone off speaker and hold it up to my ear. "Hey."

"Hey."

"I got your message."

"Figured that's how I ended up with a sister whose kidney was failing."

I cringe. "Sorry."

"I'm not in Illinois."

"No duh Marcus. You wouldn't say it over the phone you've had for two months. It's an insecure line…I've danced with the Alchemists long enough to know how they work."

"Delete this number. My next message will be from a new phone. I'll be dark for a week."

"Everyone is moving. Zoe and you to god knows where, Syd to the Court, and Mom to a different town in Utah."

"I know. But the world keeps turning and time keeps moving. Nothing ever stays the same."

"Dually noted."

"I will call you again. We'll see each other. I promise."

"Marcus…"

"I promise." With that he hang up.

Tate's wandered a little ways away to give me privacy and I wave her back over. "Let's do something fun."

Tate smiles maniacally. "Gladly."

Tada! Too bad the Alchemists had to catch up to Marcus and he had to leave Carly. At least she's a good sport about it.

R&R

Ciao