"Andy, please report to Boss' office." Yoshi's voice came over the radio.

Andy got up from her desk chair and headed down to the office, opening the door slowly, "What's up?"

Tsukasa looked somber. "Come in and sit down. I need to tell you something."

Andy frowned but did as instructed.

"The General called me this morning. The higher ups have issued a presumed dead judgement on Tet. Kiba's been named as the new squad leader. Tet's life insurance had you listed as beneficiary, so in a few weeks you'll get a check. I wanted to let you know privately before announcing it." He gave her a look of sympathy. "I'm sorry."

"Where is he? What happened?" Andy tried to grasp what was happening.

"Six months ago he went undercover in a country bordering Darvestan. He vanished several days later and there has been no contact. It's safe to assume something happened, but we can't ask because of the fact that Crispin already tried to kidnap you once."

Andy shook her head, "He's been missing for almost six months and no one cared to mention it until now?!"

"I was the only one who knew. The squad just knows he's on a black assignment." Tsukasa sighed heavily. "I couldn't tell you."

Andy kept shaking her head before standing up and leaving his office. She headed into the hall, trying to figure everything out. If there was a body, there was a good chance she could revive it. Couldn't Tsukasa have just sent her to retrieve him? She looked around quickly. There was nothing stopping her from looking now, was there..? With her teleportation spell, she should be able to find him even if he's dead..

Kiba gave her a confused look as he passed her, but didn't stop as he entered the office. The door closed behind him.

Andy headed to their room and started pacing, wondering if she was being crazy and trying to chase any glimmer of hope. She didn't know whether to accept what Tsukasa said or if she should be crazy and chase that hope.

The comm system came to life, Tsukasa's voice heavy with grief. "Attention! It is my sad duty to report Tet has been killed in action. A memorial service will take place in the next few days. Kadoya out."

Andy growled. She'd been held hostage shorter than that by Branch. Unless they had proof of his death, he could very well be alive. She prepared herself to go searching.

Tet woke slowly, his brain slow to respond. He was still restrained, the straitjacket tight around his torso. He blinked groggily as he tried to remember where he was. His mind refused to give up the information and he sighed. He tried to recall Andy's face, kicking against the wall when the image refused to appear.

The door to his cell opened and he turned to face his captors.

"Are you ready to talk, inmate 29105? Or do you need help?" The woman held up a syringe as two burly guards grabbed a hold of him.

He struggled but couldn't keep the liquid from being injected. As his mind became foggier, the woman told the guards to set him up in the interrogation room. The world went dark as he was dragged into the hall.

Andy closed her eyes for a moment before saying the spell to teleport to Tet. She found herself in a small room and finally spotted Tet.

He was bound to a chair, one arm exposed to allow a IV drip of a green liquid. A woman yelled at two guards to grab Andy. She pulled a knife, lifting it to Tet's throat as she moved behind the chair.

"Give yourself up or I slit his throat."

Andy nodded slowly.

She gave a triumphant grin, then nodded to the guards to grab her. She replaced the knife into her belt, then returned to speaking to Tet.

"Just tell us where your base is so we can take you home. You must have family waiting for your return."

Tet's eyes opened and he got a goofy smile. "Darlin.. She's waiting so we can go to the beach.."

The lady nodded quickly. "We want to take you to her, but we need a location. Just give us the location."

Tet stared at the woman groggily. "Darlin can find me anywhere. She doesn't need your help."

The woman snarled and adjusted the IV's flow, then turned to Andy. "Maybe you can convince him." She pulled a full syringe of the same green fluid and approached.

Andy quickly recited a killing spell aimed at the woman and the guards.

All three went down in a matter of seconds.

Andy went to Tet and undid the IV and jacket before grabbing onto his arm and teleporting them out of there and into the infirmary. She moved him into a bed and gave him a soft smile. "Hey."

"This is a nice dream.." Tet's voice was shaky, his eyes unfocused. "They can't take you away here…"

"This isn't a dream, Tet. You're just drugged up right now. Go to sleep and everything will be better when you wake up."

He shook his head. "They'll take you away again. Stay with me please. Don't leave. They'll make it hurt and you'll go away and I can't stand it!" He clung to her desperately.

"Shh, it's alright. I'm not going anywhere." She ran a hand through his hair.

He began to tremble, the drug making his heart rate rise. "Why haven't you found me? I've been waiting but you haven't come…."

Tears filled her eyes, "I didn't know you were missing. You know I'd have found you sooner if I could have."

"You promised you would always find me…" His voice trailed off as his eyes closed.

"I know. And I found you as soon as I could," she said softly before kissing his forehead.

Tsukasa entered the infirmary and froze. "Andy?"

"Does he look dead to you?" Andy glanced over at him.

"Thank god." The dragon slumped into a chair. "I didn't want to believe it.."

"He was wondering why I didn't save him sooner.." Andy sighed. "Next time he goes missing, tell me sooner so I can save him. He's been getting drugged and they were trying to get info from him."

"I'm sorry. Next time the higher ups can fuck off." He slowly rose and went to Tet's side. "He looks half dead honestly. Have you done an exam yet?"

She shook her head, "No, not yet."

"Better do one before something happens. He's been gone six months, in my experience drugs are not the first things they try." He shook his head at her look. "Trust me, you don't want to hear that story."

Andy nodded before looking Tet over.

Broken ribs healing wrong, bruised kidneys, a gunshot wound to the upper arm beginning to turn septic. A massive amount of sedatives and hypnotics in his bloodstream.

Andy started cleaning up what she could before working on healing spells to fix the rest. She gave him a medicine to counteract the sedatives.

Tsukasa sat and watched quietly, only moving to cover a yawn.

When she was done, she sat beside Tet, staring at him sleeping.

"He won't hold it against you, you know. Now me, on the other hand, I expect him to punch me. And I deserve it." The dragon said quietly, staring at his hands.

"You were just doing as ordered," she said quietly.

"That's just it! When do I ever just follow orders when someone's missing? I went off on the General in a shorter period when you and Arie were missing. So why the fuck did I just let them gag me this time?"

Andy shook her head, "It's alright."

"No, it's not." He ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe I should take the retirement offer..you guys might do better with someone new."

"We don't want someone new. We want you," Andy answered.

"I almost got him killed! How can you want me?" His breathing became rapid as he clenched his fists. "How many times can I screw up before someone dies for good?"

Andy took a deep breath, "No one is going to make the right decision every time. But we trust you."

He raised bloodshot eyes to her. "What if I don't trust myself?"

Andy sighed, "You have a whole team behind you, who believes in you."

He gave her a wan smile, then he stood slowly. "I don't know if that's enough anymore." He stumbled out of the infirmary, his head hanging.

Andy sighed, looking back at Tet.

Kiba grimaced as he came in. "Boss looks like shit. Can you help me?"

"What's up?" She asked softly.

"Afraid to sleep. I don't want this damn promotion.. I can't believe it finally happened. Someone got the better of him and now he's gone and there's this deep aching hole.." The words spilled out as he stared at the floor.

"I found him," she said softly. "He's okay."

He raised his eyes to hers in disbelief. "What?"

"I found Tet. He's alive."

"Really?" The wolf finally looked around, his eyes landing on the sleeping man. "Oh my god.." Kiba grabbed Andy in a tight hug, his body shaking with relief.

Andy hugged him back tightly, "He's been held captive for months.."

"Is he really okay or are you just hopeful?" Kiba's dark eyes were troubled.

"He should be okay. Just waiting for all the drugs to work their way out of his body."

Kiba nodded, kissing her then letting go. "Maybe I'll be able to sleep now. Later." He left the infirmary.

Seconds later, Tet was staring at her. "Darlin? Is this real?"

"Yeah, this is real," she smiled as she went over to him.

"I thought I'd never see you again. My head hurt so much and I was so close to giving in.." He hugged her as tight as he could manage.

She held him close and kissed the top of his head, "I'm sorry I couldn't get to you sooner. I would if I had known."

He gave her a confused look. "You didn't know?"

She shook her head, "I knew you were on a mission. The higher ups wanted Tsukasa to keep it secret basically. But you were pronounced dead, which is how I found out. And you know I needed proof for that, so I came and found you."

He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry."

She shook her head, "I'm sorry you were stuck there so long."

"I got caught like a rookie." He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I made you worry."

"It's alright," she said softly.

Her radio erupted. "ANDY! I NEED YOU!" Daiki's voice was near hysterical.

Andy looked at Tet a moment before rushing from the infirmary and heading down toward Tsukasa's office.

The door was open, Daiki kneeling on the floor in a puddle of blood.

Andy cursed before looking for the source.

Tsukasa lay pale on the floor, both wrists slashed. A piece of paper with 'Sorry' lay bloodstained nearby along with a pocketknife.

Daiki looked at her in panic. "He took something too. His cup smells weird."

Andy nodded before lifting Tsukasa and carrying him to the infirmary. She set him gently on a bed before healing the wounds on his wrists. She tested what was left of his blood and injected him with some medicine before setting up a transfusion. After a while, she focused on him, gold light shining around him.

Daiki let out a shaky exhale as Tsukasa started breathing. He looked at her. "Why?"

She shook her head, "I know he was upset but I didn't think it was that bad.."

"About what? Tet?" The vampire looked over at the dozing tiger. "What was he supposed to do, send the team after him?"

Andy shrugged, "He was talking about how he never listens to the higher ups, but this time he did and he doesn't know why."

Daiki frowned. "He has been a lot more compliant ever since he came back from that Colonel's retreat last year.." His eyes met Andy's. "You don't think..?"

Andy's eyes narrowed, "You think they did something to him?"

"This is the higher ups we're talking about. Same ones who allowed Branch to do their fucked up shit." Daiki's voice was tight, one hand tightly clasping the dragon's. "The one time I was allowed to talk to him during that week, he complained of a migraine that hadn't cleared up since he got there..Since then, he's become a stickler for regulations. He yelled at Ryon for his hair last week and hasn't complained about paperwork once."

Andy frowned, "Yeah, there's definitely something wrong."

Daiki sighed. "I have to go clean the office. Tell me if we end up being right?"

Andy sighed and gave him a nod before going to grab her books from the office. She looked up everything she could think of related to what could have happened to him.

A crash from the recovery area made her look up.

"Andy? I could use some help!" Tet called out.

Andy went out and looked to see what the noise was about.

Tet was restraining Tsukasa on the floor, his face grim.

Tsukasa's eyes were wild, his hands scrabbling for the surgical tools from the overturned cart.

"He came to and tried to grab the scalpel, then the scissors. Was muttering something about not failing."

Andy rushed to grab the tools before him, then grabbed his shoulders, "Tsukasa, we think they did something to you. You need to calm down so we can figure it out."

"Can't fail my superiors.." He muttered in a monotone before blinking. "Huh? What?" He stilled and stared at her blankly. "Why am I in here?"

"Tsukasa, something's wrong with you," she said softly. "Just sit down for now, okay?"

He nodded slowly, climbing into a bed, a puzzled expression on his face. He stared at his hands like he was seeing them for the first time.

Tet grabbed her arm, moving her away. "What the hell is going on?"

"We think he's been brainwashed or something similar.." She sighed. "I've found a couple spells that should help."

"That would explain it…" He shook his head, then explained. "When he gave me the mission, I expected him to give me one of the porters as backup. Standard on a mission like the one I was given. Instead he nearly ripped my head off and insisted I was to be alone."

"And then they declared you dead and didn't even try to search for you? Makes me wonder if they were trying to get you captured or killed.."

Tet paled at her statement. "Katshiro didn't give the assignment. General Vargas did.."

Andy sighed, "We'll have to have a talk with Vargas at some point then, won't we?" She growled before moving back to Tsukasa. She recited a few different spells and watched to see how he reacted.

He gasped at the last one, his hands going to his head. "What are you doing to me?"

Tet grimaced, "I think I know what's going on."

Andy looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

"They brainwashed Boss to send me out without backup, knowing there was a high likelihood of capture or death. They were hoping for death.." He looked at Andy. "Vargas is a vampire, high born in my mother's clan. The area I was sent to is an enclave for them. They couldn't get me naturally, so they tried to set me up. And used Boss to do it."

Andy growled again, "I'm going to rip them to shreds."

Tet nodded, then swayed. "Can I help?"

Tsukasa blinked and dropped his hands. "What the hell is going on? Why does Tet look like he got run over repeatedly?" He stabilized the semi conscious tiger from falling.

"Lay down for now, Tet," she said gently. "I'll try to come up with a plan, okay?" She got him into a bed before turning back to Tsukasa, "The higher ups brainwashed you, you sent Tet on a mission alone, he was gone for six months and you never told us he went missing, but it's not your fault, it's theirs. And I'm probably going to go on a killing spree," she informed.

"Tet almost got killed? Because of me?" Tsukasa's face was horrified. He looked at the now horizontal tiger. "I'm so sorry.."

"It's not your fault. Tet thinks the vampires planned it."

Smoke erupted in a large plume. "Bastards.." The dragon hissed violently. "I'm going to stake a few fangs and probably end up in the brig."

"He said a General Vargas assigned the order. Want to go take them out with me?"

"There may be repercussions.. Are you prepared for them?"

"Has the threat of repercussions ever stopped me before?"

"Tet's dad was nothing compared to Vargas. This will probably result in us incarcerated and the squad disbanded. Vargas is one of the main movers behind the 'we're too much trouble' group." Tsukasa stood, his face serious.

Andy sighed, "Incarcerated I can handle, but I don't want to get the squad disbanded. Where will they all go?"

"In our vampires' cases, dead. In the shifter's, probably back to their old units. The porters and Kei will go back to Branch." Tsukasa refused to meet her eyes.

"As much as I want to kill Vargas, I can't do something that will screw up so many people's lives.."

"Let me do it. They'll leave the rest of you alone. You have to protect everyone. Especially Jun."

Andy nodded slowly, "Maybe we should wait.. If Vargas came after Tet once, it'll likely happen again. We could make it look more like an accident or a vampire issue than a military thing."

Tsukasa pursed his lips in thought, then nodded. "Alright. Just be careful. Vargas is smart, he used me to try to get Tet. He may switch plans if he thinks we've figured things out." He rubbed his temples, then frowned. "You didn't answer me. Why am I here in the first place? The last thing I remember is coming home from the retreat with a migraine and laying down."

"Daiki said the retreat was last year... You've apparently missed a lot. But you got upset and slit your wrists.. That's why you were in here."

"Last year?" Tsukasa's knees threatened to buckle. "I lost almost a year? And I slit my wrists?" His face drained of color and he began to shake.

"It's okay.. I know it's a lot to take in. And I know how it feels to lose that much of your time.."

He struggled to take a deep breath. "Who found me? They deserve a bonus."

"After you slit your wrists? Daiki.."

This time, he did collapse. He began to hyperventilate, sobs tearing at his throat.

Andy wrapped her arms around him, "Take deep breaths. It's going to be alright."

He shook his head. "He must have been beside himself. I swore I'd never hurt him."

"He knows something was wrong with you," she said softly.

At that moment, the subject of their discussion entered. He raced to the dragon's side, holding him tight before looking at Andy. "Was I right?"

She nodded, "They were messing with him to try to get Tet killed."

Daiki's fangs flashed as he snarled. "Who and where can I find them?"

Andy shook her head, "Tsukasa and I are working on it. This goes higher up and we don't want them coming after the squad."

Daiki slowly quieted. "If it's a choice between Tsukasa and me, I'll take whatever punishment. I won't let them hurt him anymore."

Andy nodded, "I know. We just don't want our actions breaking the whole squad up. I don't want them going back to Branch or worse. You know I'd be the first to go kill the bastard."

Daiki chuckled. "And Branch won't let them kill you cause you're too valuable."

Andy sighed and looked at Tsukasa before looking back at Daiki, "We should get him back in bed."

Daiki hefted the dragon, then stopped as Tsukasa gave the vampire a sly smile. "Uh oh.."

Tsukasa chuckled. "Who wants to set a trap for Vargas?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"Draft an email telling him we suspect someone high up wanted Tet dead. Drop a line that he was rescued but is in a coma. He'll do the rest and we'll catch him red handed when he comes to get Tet for "medical care and debrief"."

Andy frowned, "I don't see this going well, but if you think it's the best option.."

Tsukasa winked at her. "Did you know each commander has the right to protect his troops against any threat? Includes people in charge who try to kill members of a squad. That's one reason Katshiro gave in to you when the incident with Tet's dad happened. This way, I'll probably receive a letter of misconduct but nothing more and the squad is safe."

Andy nodded. "Alright."

Daiki sighed. "Fine. If we're going to commit suicide, might as well go all the way. I'll write the email."

He got Tsukasa settled, then disappeared.

Tet looked thoughtful. "Let me deal with Vargas. Can't get in trouble for protecting myself." He locked eyes with Tsukasa. "You better not ever do that again or I'll kill you. This is not your fault."

Tsukasa dropped his eyes and remained silent, his hands tightening on the blanket.

"Why don't you both just get some rest for now?" Andy said softly.

Tet gave her a smile and closed his eyes as Tsukasa sighed. He laid down, his eyes staring at the ceiling.

Andy sat down between them, hoping that they could take out Vargas easily.

Fifteen minutes later, Daiki returned. His eyes watched both men, frowning at Tsukasa's posture. "We may have to watch him.."

Andy nodded slowly, "Did Vargas respond yet?"

Daiki turned a fanged smile to her. "Oh yeah. He said he was coming to "give Kanamoto proper medical treatment."

Andy rolled her eyes, "Yeah, not like you have a trained medical professional here."

"I thought you'd enjoy that section. He'll be here promptly, he said. Hope you're ready."

Andy nodded, giving a small smirk before going to fill up a couple syringes and hide them in her pockets.

"I should get Boss out of here. If Vargas gets a hint that the brainwashing is broken, he may disappear." Daiki gently prompted Tsukasa to lean on him before taking him out.

Andy went back to her seat, taking a deep breath as she waited.

An hour later a tall muscular man stalked in, his eyes dismissing Andy and locking onto Tet. "I will be taking custody of Kanamoto now."

Andy sighed, giving Tet's hand a squeeze before moving away from him.

Vargas began to test if Tet was conscious. When he was satisfied, he withdrew a straitjacket from the bag he was carrying. "I would appreciate it if you kept this transfer to yourself, Miss Takimoto. He's been held for six months and must be taken care of properly."

Andy nodded slowly, fists clenched in her pockets.

He finished restraining the tiger, then removed a full syringe from his pocket and prepared it.

Andy's eyes narrowed, wondering if she should just attack Vargas and get it over with.

He looked at her, his eyes locking on hers. His voice lowered seductively. "Come to me."

She raised an eyebrow at him.

His eyes darkened as he realized his mistake. He snarled, using his speed to go to her side. He slammed the needle into her arm and began pressing the plunger.

Andy tried to fight him off in a panic, clawing at him. Soon though, she felt her movements slowing until she finally stopped moving all together.

He grinned, flashing fangs. "You'll be our King's first meal." He moved back to Tet's side and plunged his fangs into his neck.

"We definitely need help in here," Andy sent to Tsukasa as she struggled, trying to move her body with no results.

Seconds later both Kiba and Daiki raced in, matching snarls on their faces.

Vargas raised up and laughed, extending his hand and throwing both into a wall. He closed his fist and they began to choke as he returned to feeding.

A few minutes later, both men lay still.

Vargas wiped his mouth as he stepped back and smiled at Andy ferally. "Nice try. But you can't stop me." He brought out a dagger, quickly slashing his wrist and forcing it to Tet's mouth. "Drink, my King."

Tet tried to fight, but Vargas held his nose and made him swallow. After a few minutes, the vampire drew back.

Andy stared forward, her face blank as inside she was furious and trying to fight to get to Tet.

Tet screamed, his back arching in agony. He shook his head as tears streamed from his eyes. "I won't! Darlin!" He thrashed wildly, then went still.

Vargas bowed as Tet's eyes went red. "My King."

Tet's voice was low. "Hungry.."

Vargas nodded, going to Andy and yanking her to her feet. "Of course. I brought you food."

He undid the straitjacket, then shoved her into his arms.

Tet flashed his fangs, his eyes staring at her with no recognition.

A few tears escaped her eyes as she slowly lost hope. Finally, she tried one last thing to try to help. She focused hard, silver light surrounding him, hoping it would help him somehow.

He began to dip his head toward her throat, then froze. His eyes flashed between brown and red, then an agonized "Darlin…" escaped his lips. He threw back his head and howled, then pushed her away and charged Vargas. The two men attacked each other, fangs sinking in.

Andy could only hear from her position, still unable to move, and continuing to pray that Tet would make it through this.

There was a scream, then silence.

A minute later, Tet collapsed next to her. "Sorry, darlin. You're safe now.." Blood pulsed from a vicious neck wound as he shakily reached for her hand.

She focused once again, covering him in the silver light, watching the neck wound slowly decrease in size.

He gave her a soft smile before his head fell into her lap.

After a long while, she finally started gaining movement back. She ran a hand through his hair gently before moving to straighten him up in the bed. She checked him over, giving him a transfusion for the blood loss before going to check on Daiki and Kiba. She moved them onto beds before focusing, gold light shining around them.

"Vargas! Where is he?" Daiki shot up before coughing.

Andy pointed to the body on the floor.

"You got him?" The vampire's eyes narrowed.

She sighed and shook her head, "Tet did."

"Is he- did Vargas succeed?" Daiki shot a fearful glance at Tet.

"You mean, is he a vampire again? Yeah, seems like. I might be able to try to change him back again, but it's not like it's an easy process."

"If Vargas succeeded, he's full vampire now. There's nothing you can do." Daiki hung his head. "He'll be forced to take the crown. The vampires were reluctant to really force the issue because he wasn't pure. Now…"

"There has to be a way," Andy argued.

"You might be able to turn him human, but not shifter. Not unless you could get your hands on the fake vaccine. Tsukasa will be forced to remove him from the squad."

Andy nodded, "I've stolen a bunch of information from Branch. I might have the list of what goes into the vaccine.." She looked thoughtful.

"Are you taking his feelings into account? His heritage always caused him pain. Maybe he'd prefer being human.."

Andy nodded again, "You're right. I'll talk to him when he wakes up." She headed to her office to start looking through things.

Two hours later, she heard a soft "Darlin?" from her doorway.

She looked up, "Hey, how are you feeling?"

"Lucky. Are you alright?" He entered, wrapping his arms around her.

She nodded slowly, leaning into his arms. "What do you want to do now?"

He smiled, his head resting on her shoulder. "Eat. Shift for a while. I'll feel better after I run. I wanted to thank you for keeping him from succeeding."

"Did I? I felt so useless not being able to move.."

"Your light..it kept me from becoming fully reborn. Your seal killed the virus before I fed. I'm still me." He kissed her deeply, his hands entangling in her hair.!

She kissed back hard, wrapping her arms around him.

"I don't remember much. Just pain, then I saw you." His eyes darkened. "I almost killed you."

"It wasn't your fault," Andy said softly.

He tightened his hold on her. "Doesn't stop the guilt."

She sighed, "I love you. And you're okay. That's what matters, right?"

He chuckled and kissed her again. "Want to grab lunch with me?"

She gave him a soft smile, "Sounds good."