A/N: Hello Everyone. C: Remember those days when I used to update every freakin' day? XD Well I'm not saying it's starting again but look what I accomplished! :0

I'm very pleasantly surprised with the way the last chapter was recieved. I hope this one doesn't cause my death though. --; Oh the Gaignunists.

Oh right. As you know we are getting close to the end of this and I just want to thank all of my reviewers again. CX I love you guys so much that I wanted the very very last chapter of this story to be a reviewer's tribute and after a really really long time of figuring what I was going to do I decided on one. Then I couldn't decide if I was going to through with it. XD So after deciding 10 chapters ago (wow this story's long) and finally asking Ganon XD what she thought about it I have decided

I am giving you guys a chance to ask any 10 questions of any character you want and have them answer them in the last chapter. And when I say any character that's any dead or alive. XD As long as they were mentioned in here. Any question too, no matter how ridiculous. XD Let's just not get too mean *cough* Gaignunists *cough*
You don't have to, just thought it might be fun. XD Limit is ten though, so make'em count. ;)

The reason I told you so early was to give you time to consider it. CX Once you've decided PM me the questions. Ganon's already thought of some outrageous ones. --;

Blah, blah let's get on with the...oh no! Wait before I forget! (b/c I keep forgetting --;)
The Original Oxymoronhas developed an ingenious Xenosaga community called godsibb(dot)net. Everyone here should check it out as it is freakin sweet! XD

And speaking of characters, you can send legit fanmail to the actual URTVs (not mine the actual ones. XD) on this site and have them respond. I keep meaning to do that but can't think of anything good enough to ask. XD

Right, now on with the story!

Conflicting Numbers
Chapter 37
Wake Up

"His eyes...his eyes won't open."

"But you can feel him, Rubedo. You can feel him just as I can."

"Albedo..."

Jr. stared at the hospital bed Gaignun lie in. This was different. This was so very different. The doctors themselves had been unsure of his brother's recovery. There had been so much neural damage... Jr. squirmed worriedly, terrified. He pushed himself up from the couch placed against the wall for visitors and stood next to the bed. He grasped Gaignun's hand softly, running his thumb over the skin. He let out a shakey sigh.

"Hey Gaignun. Hey, it's...it's time to wake up now. You're really scaring the hell out of me. Three weeks is long enough don't you think? I think it is." He sniffled and placed his forehead against his brother's hand. So far he had been able to stay calm. Gaignun had been in the hospital before, they both had so it wasn't as if such a place was scary or unfamiliar. The amount of time his brother had been under and the fact that this couldn't be cured with a simple nanosurgery was driving Jr. crazy. As if that wasn't enough, the connection between them was weak and that above anything else had Jr. panicking. "I think it is..."

"Rubedo," Albedo cooed softly, he placed a ghostly hand on his shoulder. "Nigredo once said to me that it would be alright to cry. I do not think that he would think less of you if you did so."

Jr.'s hand tightened on Gaignun's. "This is a test huh? You're trying to make me cry. Well it's not going to work, Gaignun. It's not."

"Rubedo..." Albedo said, pulling gently on his shoulder. "Let us go sit down for a moment."

Jr. nodded, his throat clenching in a desperate attempt to keep his tears from surfacing. He flopped down onto the small couch, lying to stretch out across it. Albedo followed him, lifting the boy's head to place it in his lap.

"This couch looks big compared to you, Rubedo." Albedo chuckled, running a hand through his hair. Jr. sighed at the feeling and scanned his eyes across the tiled floor, tracing the leg of the hospital bed to where Gaignun was. "We've spent a lot of time in hospitals," he said, "And for once it's not your fault."

He chuckled and rolled over onto his back to stare up at his brother. "Or not exactly anyway."

Albedo didn't respond, only continued to run fingers though Jr.'s hair. "Can anyone see you, Albedo?" he asked suddenly. "Can anyone see you but me?"

Albedo shook his head. "I believe that only you and Nigredo can see me."

Jr. sighed. "I'm running out of questions to ask you. Gaignun really needs to wake up."

"Rose, rose, rose, red, will I ever see thee wed?"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I wonder what he'll do when he wakes up. Will he remember you?"

The gravity and seriousness in Albedo's tone bothered him. Jr. shot up from his seat to stare angrily at him. "I don't have time for your bullshit. Are you trying to make me even more depressed? Why the hell are you still out here anyway? Why are you pretending we're not one person? Finally realize that you never really wanted me to begin with?"

Jr. was surprised when he was suddenly slammed onto his back, Albedo crawling on top of him. The look in his eyes made him shudder. He knew that look.

"Yes you do, Rubedo," Albedo whispered against his neck. "You know it so very, very well."

"Heh, what are you gonna do," Jr. asked, defiant as always, "We're the same person, idiot."

"I am more than just some figment of your imagination, Rubedo. I am reality. I can take you anytime I wish. And I can make sure that you feel every part of it. Every part."

Jr. frowned. "Great, Gaignun's trapped me here for you. Why didn't he just tie a pretty bow around my neck for you? What the hell was he thinking?"

He felt Albedo smile but instead of placing his lips against Jr.'s neck, he pulled back. "He was thinking that I wouldn't do that." Albedo said plainly, offering a hand to help Jr. up from his position. Confused but thankful that Albedo hadn't went through with his threat, he took the hand and allowed him to pull him up.

"And you won't?"

Albedo shook his head, "Not unless you want me to, dear Rubedo," he said, a sparkle of amusement in his eyes.

"Huh..." Jr. said, thinking. "So then it's true, what you told dad, you don't love me?"

"Does such a sentiment bother you, Rubedo?"

"Of course it fucking bothers me!" He exclaimed, jumping down from his place on the couch to stand in front of him. "You put me through all of that! You forced me into submission. You-you inflicted all of that pain for nothing? Just because U-DO made you do it?"

Albedo seemed a little surprised by his outburst. "Rubedo, I informed you countless times of my disease. It was the basis for my every action."

Jr. stared dumbfounded and angry at him. Albedo stared back, a serene expression for once covering his face. As if U-DO had never touched him with its madness. "You...you bastard," Jr. finally managed to whisper. "You motherfucking bastard."

"Rubedo? Did you wish for me to pine for you always?" Albedo asked, "To constantly fight for the smallest amount of attention from you? To force you into unwilling compliance? Push Nigredo out of the way for my own space? Torment you always?"

"No! No...but..."

"Nigredo has your heart, Rubedo," Albedo said, touching the right side of Jr.'s chest softly, "Mine has belonged to you from the beginning. Sane or insane, dead or alive, I love you, Rubedo."

Albedo frowned, "The problem with us is that no matter how hard I tried in delusion to make you understand you would never accept it."

He felt his smaller half relax at the realization, "The only emperor is the emperor of ice cream."

Albedo smiled, "I did spout nonsense."

"Beautiful bullshit."

"Ah, indeed."

Jr. sighed and made his way back to Gaignun. "At least it made sense to you. If you pay close attention and spend time to dissect it maybe more of it does. It's just who really gives a fuck, Albedo?"

Albedo grinned in delight, "And that is the aforementioned attitude."

Jr. grinned also, "Yeah, I'm a pretty rude dude, huh?"

Jr. scanned the monitors and counted wires for what seemed the thousandth time that day and the zillionth time during the weeks Gaignun had been strapped to the bed. The Durandal's infirmary hadn't worked, as Jr. had guessed but the bridge and the rest of the ship had been eradicated of enemies so the moment he stumbled in with Gaignun the crew forced the barely operational Durandal back to Second Miltia, the closest planet. Helmer had been contacted ahead of time and people were ready and waiting to take Gaignun away. Originally they tried to take him without Jr., but a lot of threats and convincing from chaos persuaded them to change their minds.

"Blunt, rather. Truth isn't always a beautiful thing."

"Ain't that the damn truth?"

He gazed sadly at the man, "But Gaignun's going to wake up. He's going to wake up really soon, aren't you?" Jr. leaned up to stroke his arm lovingly. "I'm so short."

Arms wrapped around him softly. "This is not a bad thing."

"I couldn't even lift him without you. If you hadn't been there he might not have made it this far. I'm not strong enough to protect him."

"Apart we're weak. Nigredo has sought to remedy that. How do you feel now, Dragon?"

The door slid open loudly behind him and Jr. jerked toward the sound, blushing at the fact that Albedo's arms were around him so intimately until he realized no one could see him.

"Jr.?" a small voice asked softly.

"MOMO." Jr. said, smiling. That seemed to give her enough courage to enter. The Realian made her way in, blue hat in hand, an unsure glow in her golden eyes. "Hey there. How's it goin'?"

"Pêche." Albedo smirked, as way of greating.

She can't hear you and even if she could you would never never call her that. You understand me?

Albedo huffed at that but Jr. ignored him and set his attention on MOMO.

"How's Gaignun?" she asked timidly, wringing the hat in her hand.

"Same, unfortunately," he answered, his smile dropping. Worried that she'd said something wrong she searched frantically for something to say. Jr. shook his head, finding the situation cute. "It's alright MOMO. He'll wake up soon. He's just lazy that's all."

She's still infatuated with you. Poor little Pêche.

Albedo, I'll find a way to kill you, I swear.

"Of course he will," MOMO nodded.

Loud mechanical footsteps sounded from the hallway. "Old man," Jr. laughed, "I'd know that clank anywhere."

"Yes," MOMO giggled, "Ziggy wanted to check up on the two of you."

"Heh. Well isn't that nice of him."

What manner of beast is this? Albedo asked excitedly, walking up to the cyborg once he entered.

"Jr.," Ziggy spoke in his deep voice, completely unaware of Albedo's presence. "How is he?"

"Uh..." Jr. said, trying to take his eyes off his brother, "He's still out of it."

Albedo what are you doing?

Albedo walked around Ziggy in predatorial circle, his trademark wicked smile on his face. Why wasn't I informed of the existence of such a lovely specimen?

Jr. tilted his head to one side, earning him strange looks from his friends.

"What about you? Are you alright?"

He shook his head and forced his eyes up to Ziggy's. "Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. I didn't think you were capable of emotions, there old man. Tell me the truth, MOMO made you come down here didn't she?" He winked at her, causing a pink blush to color her cheeks.

Albedo, really what are you doing? You've seen him before. He fought you at the Song of Nephilim.

Really? I was unaware of everyone but you, Rubedo.

"I came down here of my own accord. Is that so unbelievable?"

No, what was unbelievable to Jr. was Albedo's fascination with the cyborg. He poked at him, fingers sliding through metal. The younger man proded at him and attempted to move the wheels and mechanics that operated him. Jr. held in a laugh as he answered, "To me it is."

He was trying so hard to contain his laughter as Albedo shoved an arm through the middle of Ziggy's head that it surprised him when MOMO asked, "And Albedo? How-how's Albedo?"

Albedo stopped at that too, looking down a little amazed at the Realian, surprised also that she would care.

"He's fine, MOMO," Jr. said smiling softly at her, "It's sweet of you to ask."

Indeed. Albedo sent, standing behind her.

"Well...could you, could you tell him I said 'Hi'?"

"I hear you, Pêche. Tell her that I am sorry, Rubedo. For everything."

Jr. nodded happily and walked toward MOMO, pulling from around his wrist the bracelet she had given him. He picked up one of her hands and placed it in her small palm.

"He hears you and says he's sorry. Thank you, MOMO."

Her eyes sparkled happily, searching the room for something to tell her where Albedo was. "Well he took care of you...or sort of and you're ok and Gaignun's going to be ok so I completely and utterly forgive him. Be nice to Jr., ok, Albedo?"

"I like this synethetic better than the real thing." Albedo voiced, coming to stand behind Jr. "If not for your wanting of Death I would approve of this one."

Jr. rolled his eyes. "He says he will. In fact he promises."

MOMO nodded happily, clutching the bracelet to her chest. Jr. looked up to Ziggy, "You don't have to follow her around anymore you know?" He quickly turned his attention back to her. "Did you tell him how awesome you were? She saved my life."

The blush turned deep red at his words as she tried to hide behind her hat. "Is that so?" Ziggy asked, placing a hand on her shoulder, smiling warmly down at her.

What do you mean, Rubedo? Albedo asked curiously. Jr. told them all the story of the fight with Citrine. MOMO blushing the whole time and trying to vanish behind her hat while Ziggy listened intently, both upset that she had faced such danger without him and proud that she had stood on her own.

"Yes, I definately approve."

"You are never to put MOMO in such danger again."

Jr. sighed, "Yeah, yeah."

MOMO abandoned her vanishing act and peaked out from behind her hat. "Ok Jr. I have to go see Mommy now. I just wanted to stop by and see how you were."

Jr.'s smile dropped a bit at that, knowing her visit with her "mother" wouldn't be as exciting as she was hoping it would. He was thankful for Ziggy. Albedo frowned too at the emotions emitting from Jr. Jr. shrugged it off and took her goodbye hug happily. He made another quip towards Ziggy that the cyborg ignored as MOMO waved a goodbye to Albedo who returned awkwardly. Once they were gone Jr. returned to his post at Gaignun's side, urging him to wake up. Which for Jr., came in the form of curse words and half-empty threats. Tired, Jr. made his way back to the couch, settling down to rest for a few moments.

"So tell me," he said to Albedo, "You got a crush on Ziggy now?"

Jealous?

"You wish."

Albedo grinned. "No really though, what was it about him that had you all over him?"

I have heard of him before from someone who's madness stems from a darker place perhaps than even mine.

"Someone's got it out for cyborg?"

He is a walking corpse as I am now a restless spirit. We both have wished for it but have been denied death. His pain is greater for he has tasted the afterlife and was ripped harshly from it. Blinded during youth rather than at birth.

"Are you saying that it's harder for him than it was for you because he's actually gotten to experience death and was brought back?"

Albedo nodded. Something along those lines. I believe he has found happiness in this life.

"And you?"

Albedo snickered. Intriguing.

"Albedo where did you go? I mean, who did you talk to and how did you get this power?"

Albedo ignored him. "Albedo?" When he continued to ignore him Jr. gave up. He had his entire life to figure it out.

"Well I like Old Man Ziggy and I need him around for MOMO's sake. If he doesn't undergo life extension soon he's gonna be out of the picture."

From the way he looks at Ma Pêche, I am certain he will do so if it is in her best interest.

Jr. looked back over at Gaignun, worriedly checking his heartbeat again. Thinking about life extension alerted him back to his brother's condition.

He will be fine, Rubedo.

"Yeah? How can you be so sure? He's...mortal. Fragile."

You have always been aware of it.

"Not until I had to fight him. I mean hell I could've shot you until the world collapsed and you'd still be alive. One bullet in the wrong place and he could die instantly. You shattered a few vertebrae when you slammed him against that floor too, you know. Ever heard of being gentle?"

Gentle is a word that has no meaning if the person I am fighting wishes to harm you.

"Yeah but it was Gaignun."

It was Dmitri.

Jr. placed the palm of his hand against his head to ward off an oncoming headache. "No."

To get to one I had to attack both. There was no other way, Rubedo.

"I didn't cut the link fast enough. I must have hurt him or something."

Rubedo...

"What am I going to do? If he doesn't wake up I'll--I'll--"

Rubedo, calm down. He will be fine. I promise you.

Jr. frowned and rubbed his head. "Even if he does wake up he's not going to live forever. I'm going to out-live him. Either way he dies and then what?"

Albedo chuckled darkly at that. And now you understand my dilemma.

Sharp anger cut through him, giving Albedo a strange pleasure at the fact that a link didn't need to be open between them any longer.

People die, Rubedo. Even the ones we love most. But when Nigredo is gone I will still be here. And while the death of the Executioner does not bring me as much joy as it used to, it will be then that I can truly have you.

Sick bastard.

Love: What criminals it makes of us.

Jr. felt a sudden need to be near Gaignun. He needed to be sure that he was alive and that he was real.

"I love him, Albedo."

"And I love you, Rubedo."

Jr. took hold of Gaignun's hand. Then what are we going to do about it?

Albedo leaned close to Rubedo's ear. "I am going to sleep because your Juliet is about to wake from her slumber so be quick and forsake your poison."

Jr.'s eyes widened as the grip on his hand tightened. A small painful groan escaped the man in bed.

"Gaignun!"

"Call for me, Romeo, when you are in need."

"Albedo?"

I will marry thee at they will, sire.

He felt his brother slip away, going quiet and finding his place in Jr.'s mind. Another groan and Gaignun's eyes were beginning to flicker open. Jr. could barely contain himself. He cried out happily and tried to climb onto the bed but was too short. Too ecstatic to be frustrated, he ran around the hospital room and dragged a chair over to the bed. He scrambled into it. When he made it into the chair and was about to make his way onto the bed he was delighted to see Gaignun's eyes wide open. His eyes scanned the room, confused until they landed on Jr.

"Jr.?"

"Gaignun!" Jr. yelled again, uncaring of the volume of his voice. He dove onto him, wrapping his arms around his neck.

"Gaignun, I can't believe it. I can't fucking believe it." His arms tightened. "You're awake and you're here! You're here and I'm here...we're both here! And I have no fucking idea how to say what I want to and I can't even think I'm so happy!"

He was sure now by his grip he was probably hurting Gaignun. The fact that he wasn't saying anything was bothering Jr. but he just decided that he had surprised him in his fit of excitement. He pulled himself back to look at his brother. Gaignun stared back at him strangely as if examining him. Jr. didn't notice. "Well?" he asked, beaming at him, "Aren't you going to say something?"

Gaignun's eyes suddenly turned angry. Before Jr. had time to react, Gaignun's hand was around his throat.

"I'm tired of this, Dmitri!"

"Gaignun?!" Jr. choked, trying to pry his fingers away from his neck. Gaignun snarled angrily and tightened his hold, cutting off Jr.'s airway completely.

"I'm getting out of here one way or another!"

AN: Yeah. I did that. *siigh* Team Albedo I beg you to bury me b/c Team Gaignun? They're going to kill me. --;

Reviews are my muse so inspire it up, people. CX