Author's Notes: We have several chapters of this written, it's what we do
in our free time. ^_^ We'll upload as we get them edited, and as you guys
review.
Chapter Two: New Loyalties and Friendships
Schuldig cradled the American in his arms and rocked back and forth.
Julia thought for a moment, then smiled. She reached out her mind until she had contact with both Schuldig and Brad's minds. Without a second thought, she completely connected them and sat back.
Schuldig opened his eyes mentally and looked around. Brad lay before him, convulsing in pain. The young German knelt down. /Brad, can you hear me?/
/Yes./ Came the weak reply.
/You haven't been shot, / Schuldig said firmly.
/I'm bleeding, aren't I? /
/No. Didn't you hear Geheim's explanation? You're perfectly fine.... you're mind's just telling' ya otherwise.../
/I can't stop it, Schuldig, he's got me.../ Brad whimpered.
Schuldig opened his mouth to say something, but then stopped, eyes widening in pain. /I don't know how long I'm going to last in here,/ he whispered. /Please listen to me. I'm not going to let you die. I refuse to have another death on my conscience./
/Why should you care?/
/I just do, okay? Do I have to have a reason for everything I do?/
/I guess not./ His eyes went blank. /I'm sorry about what I said./
/It's okay. I shouldn't have reacted that way. You didn't know.../
/Never will. I'm sorry./ And then he was gone, and the connection was broken.
Schuldig collapsed from the strain put on his mind and body. His eyes fluttered back open only a half a second later to see the young American still lying there. /You better be alive,/ he thought.
He looked over at Julia before looking back to the oracle he was holding. "What did you do? Is he okay?" Julia frowned. If it had worked, Brad should have been awake...The dark head rolled to the side and his body went limp.
Schuldig looked at him, breath not coming to his lungs, then looked back at Geheim. "You son of a -" he started, throwing his entire mind at the man, trying to do anything to damage him.
Geheim easily blocked it and laughed. "That's what you deserve, Schuldig. And remember, anyone you try to befriend will end up like him." Geheim said, leaving the room.
Schuldig let out a choked sob as he fell to the floor, all energy gone from his body.
The three remaining adults watched in shocked silence as the sobbing German held onto Brad's body. Julia closed her eyes and stretched her mind, connecting hers with Geheim's, and in a split second she ended the attack. Brad inhaled and turned his head towards Schuldig, asleep in his grasp.
Schuldig looked at him, gold eyes fuzzy. /Brad?/
The older boy shifted, but did not open his eyes. /What?/ he thought groggily.
/You all right?/
Brad's eye's fluttered open and he turned a confused gaze on Schuldig. /I don't know. Were you totally in my mind a minute ago?/
/Yes./ Schuldig's voice sounded further away now as he began to feel darkness closing in around him.
/Don't drop me./ Brad told him. /How badly did he hurt you?/
/I don't know, but it hurts. I can't breath well either./
"Herr Geheim isn't going to be happy with whatever you did." Herr Conner told Julia. "You should help them." the silver haired woman replied coolly.
The young German felt a hand on his shoulder and looked back to see Amy. She smiled as she supported a good deal of his weight. She turned to Brad. "How are you feeling?"
"Spent." The American replied tiredly. "I'm fine physically." he added. "Will he be okay?"
/I'm fine,/ the exhausted, and barely audible, voice entered his head.
/Right. You look great, too./ Brad replied.
The gold eye boy gave him a wide smile. /You don't need to worry about me, Braddy. You're the one that nearly died on us./
/Please don't call me that, Schuldig.../ He said in a pleading tone. Nevertheless, he gave a small smile back to the boy.
/So you're all right, right?/
/As long as you're all right./ Brad agreed.
Schuldig started to say something, but the darkness that had been taunting him closed in and he felt himself collapse.
Brad shot an arm out and kept Schuldig's head from hitting the floor as the German fell over him. He shifted his position so Schuldig was leaning against him, the green-blonde head on his shoulder. "I'll take care of him." Brad murmured.
Schuldig cough and his golden eyes fluttered open to look at the American.
The American didn't notice as he glared at the adults in the room. "He apparently isn't as safe with you as you thought." He said quietly.
Connor knelt down. "Amy and I have done everything we can to keep him safe. It's very difficult with Geheim being telepathic..."
Brad leaned fractionally away from Conner when he got close to Schuldig and fixed a glare on him. "And what powers do you have?" he asked.
"I'm empath," Connor answered. "Do you suspect me of working with Geheim?"
Brad didn't answer his question. "Well then. If an empath can't protect him, maybe a precog can."
Julia raised an eyebrow. This boy had more potential that she had first thought.
"You're a young man," Connor stated. "What good can you do on your own for him?"
"What good are you going to do him if you bend and break to Geheim's will and you're plastered against a wall when he's strangling the life out of Schuldig? What good can you do on your own for him?" Brad said flatly.
/Please don't fight over this,/ Schuldig's quiet plead came to their minds.
"Gentlemen, if you'll excuse my intrusion, but Schuldig does need some medical attention and it is a regular school day tomorrow. Maybe you should have this discussion when the German in question can be more active in the conversation." Julia said.
Connor nodded as he reached forward to take Schuldig from Brad's arms.
Something in Brad's mind did *not* want this man to have him, and he subconsciously moved away again.
Herr Connor frowned. "Would you like to carry him, Mr. Crawford?" he asked, slightly annoyed.
Brad glared at the man. Julia leaned against the doorframe. "I think it would be best if he did, Herr Conner. It would be less of a jolt for Schuldig." she said.
Connor nodded reluctantly and stood. Schuldig let out a half-muffled gasp of pain as the American stood with him in his arms. His whole body tensed and he tried to curl up in a ball.
Brad took in a deep breath and tried something he hadn't done in several years. He reached out his mind and enwrapped Schuldig's, taking away some of the pain.
The young German relaxed slightly. His golden eyes fluttered open once more and he stared up. /Thank you,/ he whispered in German.
/You're welcome./ Brad replied in German as well. He followed Herr Conner out of the room, minding he didn't hit any walls.
"Don't mind Jack," Amy said as she fell into step with the slightly younger American. "He's very protective of that boy. He has been ever since he came to Rosenkreuz."
"Why?" Brad asked.
Amy looked to see the young German asleep and smiled down at him. "Jack's aunt was Schu's mother. When she and Schuldig's father died, Jack felt as if he needed to take care of him. He was attended Rosenkreuz at the time, so he brought him here."
"How long has Schuldig been the target of Herr Geheim's mind games?" Brad asked quietly.
"Several years now.... let's see... He was ten when Geheim took notice of him. He was probably thirteen when he started to take it out on him physically. He's been torturing him with mind games since he learned about his parents' death... He's made sure Schu's felt guilty about it."
Schuldig's earlier words rang in Brad's head. /I won't have another death on my conscience./ Brad looked over at Amy. "But he wasn't responsible."
"No," Amy agreed. "And yes." She sighed. "When Schu was around seven his powers began to show. Something happened that resulted in his parents' death. His mother was clairvoyant, but to a larger extent than you. She saw their deaths before Schu as born, and knew that they would die if she had this child, yet she allowed Schuldig to be born. Now Schu feels guilty over what happened."
Crawford frowned. "How did his parents die?"
Amy started to respond, but a cough came from the German boy in Brad's arms and she silenced herself. "How are you feeling, Schu? We'll be to the nurse's station soon." "I feel a little better," he whispered.
Brad couldn't help but feel a little annoyed with Herr Conner. What kind of nut case would bring a boy to this God forsaken school for 'gifted' children, as he had been told it was called. He took on more of Schuldig's pain to give the boy some relief.
/Why are you doing this?/ the German's thoughts entered his mind. /You didn't seem to care earlier./
/Do I have to have a reason for everything I do?/ Brad asked.
Julia had stayed in Herr Conner's room to make a phone call. "Mr. Takatori? Yes, this Julia. I think I found the first recruit." She said.
Schuldig's eyes flew open and he sat strait up in his bed, gasping. Blasted dream... Now the pain started all over again.
"It all came back, did it?" A voice asked quietly from the shadows.
"All of what?" he responded, unsure.
"Pain. At least I can take aspirin for my headaches. I...I came because I knew you'd have nightmares."
Schuldig relaxed as he recognized the person's voice. He fell back against the pillows. "You were right."
"I'm never wrong."
"So what do you see in our future, Herr Oracle?" the young telepath asked.
Crawford shook his head. "Nothing but trouble." he said dryly.
"Wonderful...."
"We've been volunteered to help the second graders with their swim class in place of gym tomorrow." Brad added. "Hope you can doggy-paddle."
Schuldig laughed, coughed, and then relaxed again. He whimpered slightly. "Not that I'm going to miss gym," he answered with a smile. "This could actually be fun."
Brad lifted an eyebrow. "Yeah. Dodging a bunch of eight-year-old kids with supernatural powers. Loads of fun."
"But I probably won't be in the water," the German said with a smile.
"How bad are you hurting?"
"It's fine as long as I'm not moving around too much. I'd say being dunked in the water by the little ones would hurt. Especially Abby. She's Amy's little sister. She's dangerous at times..." Schuldig laughed.
"What is she gifted with?" Brad asked.
"She's telekinetic."
"Hm. I've never known a telekinetic personally."
"This one's a hyperactive telekinetic. Frightening."
"Hai. I'll leave so you can sleep."
Just as the American was about to leave, Schuldig called out to him. "Why are you here, Brad? You know why I'm here, but I don't have a clue about your past at all."
The dark haired boy froze with his hand on the door. His past? He met Schuldig's golden gaze. "I'm here because I have nowhere else to be." he said quietly. "Guten nacht."
Chapter Two: New Loyalties and Friendships
Schuldig cradled the American in his arms and rocked back and forth.
Julia thought for a moment, then smiled. She reached out her mind until she had contact with both Schuldig and Brad's minds. Without a second thought, she completely connected them and sat back.
Schuldig opened his eyes mentally and looked around. Brad lay before him, convulsing in pain. The young German knelt down. /Brad, can you hear me?/
/Yes./ Came the weak reply.
/You haven't been shot, / Schuldig said firmly.
/I'm bleeding, aren't I? /
/No. Didn't you hear Geheim's explanation? You're perfectly fine.... you're mind's just telling' ya otherwise.../
/I can't stop it, Schuldig, he's got me.../ Brad whimpered.
Schuldig opened his mouth to say something, but then stopped, eyes widening in pain. /I don't know how long I'm going to last in here,/ he whispered. /Please listen to me. I'm not going to let you die. I refuse to have another death on my conscience./
/Why should you care?/
/I just do, okay? Do I have to have a reason for everything I do?/
/I guess not./ His eyes went blank. /I'm sorry about what I said./
/It's okay. I shouldn't have reacted that way. You didn't know.../
/Never will. I'm sorry./ And then he was gone, and the connection was broken.
Schuldig collapsed from the strain put on his mind and body. His eyes fluttered back open only a half a second later to see the young American still lying there. /You better be alive,/ he thought.
He looked over at Julia before looking back to the oracle he was holding. "What did you do? Is he okay?" Julia frowned. If it had worked, Brad should have been awake...The dark head rolled to the side and his body went limp.
Schuldig looked at him, breath not coming to his lungs, then looked back at Geheim. "You son of a -" he started, throwing his entire mind at the man, trying to do anything to damage him.
Geheim easily blocked it and laughed. "That's what you deserve, Schuldig. And remember, anyone you try to befriend will end up like him." Geheim said, leaving the room.
Schuldig let out a choked sob as he fell to the floor, all energy gone from his body.
The three remaining adults watched in shocked silence as the sobbing German held onto Brad's body. Julia closed her eyes and stretched her mind, connecting hers with Geheim's, and in a split second she ended the attack. Brad inhaled and turned his head towards Schuldig, asleep in his grasp.
Schuldig looked at him, gold eyes fuzzy. /Brad?/
The older boy shifted, but did not open his eyes. /What?/ he thought groggily.
/You all right?/
Brad's eye's fluttered open and he turned a confused gaze on Schuldig. /I don't know. Were you totally in my mind a minute ago?/
/Yes./ Schuldig's voice sounded further away now as he began to feel darkness closing in around him.
/Don't drop me./ Brad told him. /How badly did he hurt you?/
/I don't know, but it hurts. I can't breath well either./
"Herr Geheim isn't going to be happy with whatever you did." Herr Conner told Julia. "You should help them." the silver haired woman replied coolly.
The young German felt a hand on his shoulder and looked back to see Amy. She smiled as she supported a good deal of his weight. She turned to Brad. "How are you feeling?"
"Spent." The American replied tiredly. "I'm fine physically." he added. "Will he be okay?"
/I'm fine,/ the exhausted, and barely audible, voice entered his head.
/Right. You look great, too./ Brad replied.
The gold eye boy gave him a wide smile. /You don't need to worry about me, Braddy. You're the one that nearly died on us./
/Please don't call me that, Schuldig.../ He said in a pleading tone. Nevertheless, he gave a small smile back to the boy.
/So you're all right, right?/
/As long as you're all right./ Brad agreed.
Schuldig started to say something, but the darkness that had been taunting him closed in and he felt himself collapse.
Brad shot an arm out and kept Schuldig's head from hitting the floor as the German fell over him. He shifted his position so Schuldig was leaning against him, the green-blonde head on his shoulder. "I'll take care of him." Brad murmured.
Schuldig cough and his golden eyes fluttered open to look at the American.
The American didn't notice as he glared at the adults in the room. "He apparently isn't as safe with you as you thought." He said quietly.
Connor knelt down. "Amy and I have done everything we can to keep him safe. It's very difficult with Geheim being telepathic..."
Brad leaned fractionally away from Conner when he got close to Schuldig and fixed a glare on him. "And what powers do you have?" he asked.
"I'm empath," Connor answered. "Do you suspect me of working with Geheim?"
Brad didn't answer his question. "Well then. If an empath can't protect him, maybe a precog can."
Julia raised an eyebrow. This boy had more potential that she had first thought.
"You're a young man," Connor stated. "What good can you do on your own for him?"
"What good are you going to do him if you bend and break to Geheim's will and you're plastered against a wall when he's strangling the life out of Schuldig? What good can you do on your own for him?" Brad said flatly.
/Please don't fight over this,/ Schuldig's quiet plead came to their minds.
"Gentlemen, if you'll excuse my intrusion, but Schuldig does need some medical attention and it is a regular school day tomorrow. Maybe you should have this discussion when the German in question can be more active in the conversation." Julia said.
Connor nodded as he reached forward to take Schuldig from Brad's arms.
Something in Brad's mind did *not* want this man to have him, and he subconsciously moved away again.
Herr Connor frowned. "Would you like to carry him, Mr. Crawford?" he asked, slightly annoyed.
Brad glared at the man. Julia leaned against the doorframe. "I think it would be best if he did, Herr Conner. It would be less of a jolt for Schuldig." she said.
Connor nodded reluctantly and stood. Schuldig let out a half-muffled gasp of pain as the American stood with him in his arms. His whole body tensed and he tried to curl up in a ball.
Brad took in a deep breath and tried something he hadn't done in several years. He reached out his mind and enwrapped Schuldig's, taking away some of the pain.
The young German relaxed slightly. His golden eyes fluttered open once more and he stared up. /Thank you,/ he whispered in German.
/You're welcome./ Brad replied in German as well. He followed Herr Conner out of the room, minding he didn't hit any walls.
"Don't mind Jack," Amy said as she fell into step with the slightly younger American. "He's very protective of that boy. He has been ever since he came to Rosenkreuz."
"Why?" Brad asked.
Amy looked to see the young German asleep and smiled down at him. "Jack's aunt was Schu's mother. When she and Schuldig's father died, Jack felt as if he needed to take care of him. He was attended Rosenkreuz at the time, so he brought him here."
"How long has Schuldig been the target of Herr Geheim's mind games?" Brad asked quietly.
"Several years now.... let's see... He was ten when Geheim took notice of him. He was probably thirteen when he started to take it out on him physically. He's been torturing him with mind games since he learned about his parents' death... He's made sure Schu's felt guilty about it."
Schuldig's earlier words rang in Brad's head. /I won't have another death on my conscience./ Brad looked over at Amy. "But he wasn't responsible."
"No," Amy agreed. "And yes." She sighed. "When Schu was around seven his powers began to show. Something happened that resulted in his parents' death. His mother was clairvoyant, but to a larger extent than you. She saw their deaths before Schu as born, and knew that they would die if she had this child, yet she allowed Schuldig to be born. Now Schu feels guilty over what happened."
Crawford frowned. "How did his parents die?"
Amy started to respond, but a cough came from the German boy in Brad's arms and she silenced herself. "How are you feeling, Schu? We'll be to the nurse's station soon." "I feel a little better," he whispered.
Brad couldn't help but feel a little annoyed with Herr Conner. What kind of nut case would bring a boy to this God forsaken school for 'gifted' children, as he had been told it was called. He took on more of Schuldig's pain to give the boy some relief.
/Why are you doing this?/ the German's thoughts entered his mind. /You didn't seem to care earlier./
/Do I have to have a reason for everything I do?/ Brad asked.
Julia had stayed in Herr Conner's room to make a phone call. "Mr. Takatori? Yes, this Julia. I think I found the first recruit." She said.
Schuldig's eyes flew open and he sat strait up in his bed, gasping. Blasted dream... Now the pain started all over again.
"It all came back, did it?" A voice asked quietly from the shadows.
"All of what?" he responded, unsure.
"Pain. At least I can take aspirin for my headaches. I...I came because I knew you'd have nightmares."
Schuldig relaxed as he recognized the person's voice. He fell back against the pillows. "You were right."
"I'm never wrong."
"So what do you see in our future, Herr Oracle?" the young telepath asked.
Crawford shook his head. "Nothing but trouble." he said dryly.
"Wonderful...."
"We've been volunteered to help the second graders with their swim class in place of gym tomorrow." Brad added. "Hope you can doggy-paddle."
Schuldig laughed, coughed, and then relaxed again. He whimpered slightly. "Not that I'm going to miss gym," he answered with a smile. "This could actually be fun."
Brad lifted an eyebrow. "Yeah. Dodging a bunch of eight-year-old kids with supernatural powers. Loads of fun."
"But I probably won't be in the water," the German said with a smile.
"How bad are you hurting?"
"It's fine as long as I'm not moving around too much. I'd say being dunked in the water by the little ones would hurt. Especially Abby. She's Amy's little sister. She's dangerous at times..." Schuldig laughed.
"What is she gifted with?" Brad asked.
"She's telekinetic."
"Hm. I've never known a telekinetic personally."
"This one's a hyperactive telekinetic. Frightening."
"Hai. I'll leave so you can sleep."
Just as the American was about to leave, Schuldig called out to him. "Why are you here, Brad? You know why I'm here, but I don't have a clue about your past at all."
The dark haired boy froze with his hand on the door. His past? He met Schuldig's golden gaze. "I'm here because I have nowhere else to be." he said quietly. "Guten nacht."