Short chapter I know. Butt! Hehe, uh.... Next time I'm gunna get this thing really going. So be a little patient! Thanks everyone, enjoy reading the story. And since I haven't said it in awhile.... I ..Uh...don't own...them. Got it out!









They merely stared at each other for a few seconds. Aquamarine spheres searched the suddenly warm yet wary hazel eyes. Quatre watch silently as the battle was waged in those depths, one that could determine his fate as well as the man in front of him. The man hesitantly reached a hand up to the wound on Quatres cheek and he shook his head sadly. The battle had been lost for now Quatre realized.

" Come on kid, someone wants to see you and we have to make you presentable." He took hold of Quatres abused right arm and pulling him from the room. Though Quatre noticed he was much gentler than the other soldiers that had handled him. The man was confusing him.

Anders led Quatre down the hall and into a small bedroom. Looking around as the man released his hold and shut and locked the door behind them. The room was sparsely decorated with only a small bed and a table with some upholstered chairs. A little bathroom lay off to the side and at the moment it looked very inviting. He rubbed absently at the blood that was dried on his neck and shirt. The wound had started to bleed again from the ruff treatment and he could feel he blood running down the side of his face and drying even more on his pale neck.

Anders watched the boy inspect the room cautiously. A unfamiliar pang twinged in his heart as the blood flowed freely down the left side of the silent boys face. Clearing his throat he caught Quatres eye and motioned to the open bathroom.

" There is a shower and a change of clothes in there. I be out here waiting."

" Thank you." Quatre bowed slightly and walked into the bathroom. Closing the door behind he leaned against it feeling a little nauseous. " That dart. Ughh." Sinking to his knees he pulled himself over to the tub. He striped and crawled into the cold porcelain bowl and turned the water on full blast, letting it beat against his sore muscles. Leaning back he rested his head on edge and stretched his suddenly sore legs out. His head felt like little men were beating out a march inside his skull. Trying to clear his mind he went through all his symptoms. ' Les see, I uh I, an allergic reaction?....Poi....se...'

Anders looked worriedly toward the bathroom door. Quatre had been in there for half an hour now. The water was still running. but he had heard no other sounds for at least twenty minutes. Shaking his head he tried desperately pushed down the feelings of care and worry. He was Not supposed to like the kid. Not with what him being that mans nephew. It would even be dangerous to care about him. Pushing these thoughts away he looked once more toward the door. No movement could be heard from the other side of the oaken door.

" Enough!" Standing up he strode to the door. Banging hard he called out, " Quatre!" Nothing was heard in return. Opening the door he stormed in fearing the kid had done something stupid to himself. His heart leaped in his throat at the sight of the teen laying motionless in the tub, water rising to his chin. Rushing over he gently lifted the unconscious boy into a sitting position and unplugged the tub, letting the water drain slowly. Feeling his neck hurridly he sighed in relief when he felt the strong pulse.

" Jeez kid, almost gave this old man a heart attack." Shaking his head he allowed himself to care, if only just for a little while. Picking up a soft cloth he lathered it and began to carefully to wash the slim body.

An hour later Anders emerged from the steamy room with Quatre held carefully in his arms. He had dressed the boy in the spare clothes that his uncle had provided. The blue jeans clung smugly to his hips and the black sweater hugged his bodies curves. Laying the boy gently down ont he turned down bed he let him rest aginst the cool sheets without pulling the comforter over. Studying the sleeping boy he realized sadly how he look like just a normal teenager at the moment.

" I'm so sorry kid." Sitting in one of the chairs he sat down and opened a book.