Tick, tick, tick.

Garnet eyes refused to acknowledge what his ears already confirmed. It had only been two hours since his phone went dead. Two hours of wondering what had befallen his friend. And needless to say, Robert hadn't gotten a wink of sleep since.

He sighed and ran a bare hand through bedraggled hair. Sleep would elude him the remainder of the night and he knew it. Staring at the ceiling was by no means entertaining for an overactive and troubled mind. He needed to do something, call someone, anything to keep busy. So he made the effort to throw off the blankets and greet the chill night air.

He made his way first to the bathroom, deciding if he was up now, he might as well stay up. Perhaps a hot shower would help him confront the rest of this long wait ahead of him..

"Ack!" he hissed as the light came blindingly alive, forcing him to shield sensitive eyes if just for a moment. He was sure he had asked someone to fix that infernal thing! The only non-adjustable light left in his room, it had to be here.

Luckily, the hot shower was without incident, although it wasn't as relaxing as he had hoped. His mind just kept drifting back to that brief call that started this whole mess. That sinking feeling that something went wrong refused to be pushed away. In fact by the time he got out of the shower he practically stalked back to his room to fetch some clothes, slamming off that blasted light and frowning all the way.

He didn't need light to throw on the first thing that found his hand, soft crimson draw string pants and a laced, or rather, unlaced, shirt. And it was mere second nature that brought his blade, Grypholyon, to his hand on the way out the door.

//"Hello?" Robert had answered, still half asleep from the suddenness of his waking.

"It's me."

"Johnny? You're breaking up. I can barely hear."

"I know, listen ---"//

Robert shook his head in the dim lit halls of his manor. It was just their luck to have the phone die just before something important was to be discussed. He walked the halls in silence; only the soft ringing of his boots across marble marked his passing. His mind was in complete turmoil. What could Johnny have possibly wanted to tell him? Were they in danger? He growled slightly in his frustration as he opened the double doors to his private room. At least here he could avoid the questions the servants would undoubtedly ask if they found him awake at this hour. At least here he could be himself.

He tossed his blade gently on the desk in front of him as he leapt into his comfy seat to the Beyblades metallic parts chiming together. Blade and Blader were both settled in a matter of moments, the Cross Gryphon attack ring aligned in such a way that his Spirit was facing him in all its glory, and Robert, slumped in his seat with feet atop his desk staring into the Bit Chip for even just a moment of peace..

For the first time, he found none.

"Dammit Johnny. You better be alright." He sniffed and averted his gaze painfully towards the window.

~*~ ~*~

"Uh oh. I know that look," the fiery youth crossed his arms and leaned back on his chair.

The two Majestics had just finished off a candle-lit dinner in Roberts's private room some time ago and the young Prince hadn't spoke a word since. He was as laid back as his Scottish counterpart, chair so close to tipping it would un-nerve some people, feet so ungraciously placed on the now clear table, but he never lifted his gaze. Roberts eyes were fixed somewhere off in the distance, while his hand, particularly his thumb, was quite active with an object in his protective grasp. Johnny knew from experience it was his Blade in his hand, and he was fidgeting with the Bit Chip. That only meant one thing.

"All right Tough Stuff," Johnny brought his chair down hard on purpose, snapping Robert back into reality and right on the Scots now straight face, "What's on your mind?"

"Nothing," Robert gave all too easily, keeping his face clear and calm, actually he kind of looked like he been caught red handed for something.

"Heh, liar." Johnny couldn't help but smirk, he knew Robert too well to be fooled, "Don't make me ask Grypholyon," he pointed to the blade in his sheltered grip.

Robert made a quick glance down at his hand, his thumb still nervously stroking his precious Bit Chip for comfort, and sighed deeply knowing full well he'd been caught. But instead of gracing Johnny with an immediate reply, he rocked his chair first, eyes glancing at everything but the fiery youth himself. But it didn't last long and he soon gave in to Johnny's persistent stare, tossing his Blade onto the desk where his feet would have been if he hadn't decided to sit up.

"Come on!" Johnny's eyes turned from stern to worried, "This is way not like you Robert."

"I'm troubled."

"Naw shit," Johnny snorted at the obvious.

This managed to stir a frown, if only for a brief moment before pooling back into that troubled expression Robert had been wearing all night, "It was a call I got a few days back."

"Okay, now we're getting somewhere," Johnny had crossed his arms loosely over his chest and leaned back in his chair once again, "So spill already!"

Robert sighed and closed his eyes, as if willing the words to come, "It was Kai."

"As in 'Breaker Kai? What the hell did he want?" Johnny couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"Him and Rei had been working on a plan together and the final phases required my assistance, and more importantly, my house and hospitality." Robert continued, refusing to give too much detail, which nearly drove the other young knight up the wall.

"Would you stop being so vague? It's annoying," Johnny gave Robert a warning glance, "Plan to do what? What could they possibly want with you and your house?"

"Alright, alright," Robert raised his hands in defeat. "Kai and Rei are going to, or to be more accurate, in Russia right now on a rescue mission. They wish to free the Demolition Boys from Voltaire's evil clutches and hide them here until further notice."

"They want to do WHAT?" Johnny kicked himself off the table in surprise, and put himself on a very dangerous angle in the meantime. Having to hold himself up in the chair as it perched on the two remaining legs touching the floor, it took a moment to ensure he wouldn't tip back and spill him ungraciously on the floor.

"Rescue the Demolition Boys," Robert stated again in all seriousness, even ignoring the fact Johnny almost ended up on his backside on the floor.

"WHY?" Johnny asked, "Why them? Did they forget the World Championship so easily?"

"No," Roberts voice remained calm even though he wanted to spill everything to his closest friend right there, "no, no one has forgotten those few dark days."

"Then why, Robert?" Johnny barraged him with that same question, determined to get an answer, "They were Monsters. Incredibly powerful Monsters. what could they possibly need rescuing from?"

"Because life in the Abbey is not a life even Monsters deserve," Robert had gotten to his feet and slammed his fists on the table sending Grypholyon rattling.

That move seemed to startle Robert as much as it did Johnny. Johnny had fallen dead silent just staring at Robert in total disbelief at the sudden outburst. Robert took notice of that and quickly shook his head. With a polite cough he returned to his seat and kept his gaze to anything but those violet pools of his Scottish counterpart.

"Robert?" Johnny dared to ask, and even then did so quite timidly.

"They are not Monsters, Jonathan." Robert offered barely audible, "Yes, they are powerful. yes they did terrible things. but they are not Monsters."

"Well I'm still not convinced." Johnny muttered, seeking out his Salamander necklace for reassurance.

Robert only signed, not feeling up to continuing the issue further, "Well I agreed to help, regardless of your feelings towards them. They will be arriving soon."

"Then I'll just insure I'm far away when they do."

That stung. Robert knew how Johnny felt about the Demolition Boys, and he couldn't fault him for it either. After all, Robert had been withholding the truth of the whole matter; Johnny was just acting on what he was provided with. But now he was torn between his closest companion and helping rescue children who desperately needed to escape the tortured life of Biovolt. It stung deeper then he would have ever expected. Which made everything so much harder.

"Jonathan," Robert started more formally, a nickname could never hold the gravity of Roberts request, "I want you to travel to Russia and escort them back." he raised his head and caught Johnny's gaze once more, hoping to the heavens he could hold back the tears at his friends flat out and most definite refusal.

"What?" it was so unexpected Johnny almost missed it altogether, "wait a minute. me? Why me?" his grip on his sacred spirit had become noticeably more desperate as he looked to Robert with a 'how could you ask this of me' expression.

"Because you're my friend. because I trust you, and because regardless of your feelings towards them I know you'll get the job done right." Robert offered up freely and without pause.

//Because I love you and want so bad for you to understand. and I didn't have the strength to tell you myself.//

"But. Gods." Johnny leaned his elbows hard on the table and sought the support of his Beast, burying his head in his hands for just a moment. With a forceful sigh he raised his head once more, "no, no way! Why me? Why not you?"

"Because I can't!" the strain in his voice was unbearably noticeable as he fought back a wave of tears, suppressed memories, and past aches.

//Gods how I would love to be there right now. in your place. //

"I just can't.." now it was Robert seeking comfort in his Bit Beast, concentrating all on the tiny Chip in front of him and the soothing presence of Grypholyon in the back of his mind.

"Why not?" Johnny's temper was beginning to flare with Roberts's evasiveness.

// Why did you have to ask that.? But then again, I should have saw it coming.//

Robert inwardly flinched, "Biovolt would not hesitate to recapture me," Robert knew he could no longer keep on hiding with an answer like that.

"Recapture? Robert what are you talking about?" Johnny went from angry to worrisome curiosity in less then two seconds, a new record.

He closed his eyes one more time, letting his Beast give him the added strength to continue, "I was in the Abbey once. I know what Boris puts the Boys through. I've been put through it too." he couldn't help it, he shut his eyes tight against the memories that threatened to devour him.

"Go no further," Johnny stated immediately after he saw Roberts's eyes fly shut hard and fast, "Lets leave the rest unsaid." He couldn't accept to see Robert hurt like that, even if he had no idea why it hurt him so.

"No, you need to hear it. you deserve to hear it.."

~*~ ~*~

And I told you everything. Robert had long left his chair to pace quietly near the large window overlooking the castle courtyard still bathed in moonlight. As much as it hurt you to see me like that. he sighed, remembering those violet eyes resting on him, silently begging the young Prince to stop torturing himself. All the abuse, torture, and experimentation one would go through on a day-to-day basis. It made you sick; as much as you tried to hide it. he couldn't help but smirk remembering how badly he was trying to be tough through the gruesome details Robert just couldn't help but let slip. The memories were just too vivid to be ignored. I know. I know you Johnny. He sighed again and veered back to the comforting presence of his Beyblade.

Then there was the little fact of how I should be dead by now if not for my beautiful Grypholyon to protect me. Robert had picked up the Blade and was habitually running his thumb over the polished surface of the Bitchip. Ha that one scared you further then you would ever admit. After all it should, I still fear the night, not knowing if I will wake again. The thought of those chemicals running unaltered through his veins made his blood run cold even now. Biovolt had made it quite clear that if they couldn't have the young Prince, no one should, and Boris was ordered to administer the poison.

//"I could kill Boris for all he has done." Johnny spat as he continued to absorb everything Robert had forced out of himself and at the same time tried to comfort the young Prince in one of the darkest hours he's seen yet. //

But no matter how many gruesome tales he told of Boris' handiwork in Biovolt, Robert could never actually hate the man.

//"No. you mustn't." Robert found himself replying through the tears and sniffles that choked his voice, "Boris is completely innocent. he was ordered to do those things."

"Robert you actually believe that?" Johnny took his hand away from Roberts shoulder if just for a moment.

"I do." Robert made the effort to reach out to Grypholyon, grasping the blade in trembling hands.

"How?"

"I just do." Robert replied bringing his Beyblade to his chest, "Its just something I know"//

"I just do." Robert repeated his memory, holding Grypholyon close as he returned to his chair, "You won't let me hate him," he spoke to his blade as easily as if he'd done it a thousand times before.

//"How?" Johnny asked again, not satisfied with just a feeling.

"He's my. my."//

"My father." he finished aloud once again. "Boris is my father. I cannot hate him. He's family. My proud and noble family. Grypholyons family," he traced around the attack ring with a gentle finger, "he knew this would happen. he asked you to protect me. and you did."

~*~ ~*~

"He's your. oh Gods Robert!" Johnny couldn't believe his ears.

But Robert remained in place, silent and still trembling, holding Grypholyon like it was his life. By now his face was completely a mess, tear stained and puffy, hair askew from nervous hands and sleeves stuck to his arms from the amount of tears shed into them. Johnny stood ever faithful by his side, hands massaging tense shoulders with unusual gentleness.

"I never knew. I would never have guessed." Johnny was at a loss for words to comfort his distraught friend. "I'll go. I'll do it."

"Hm?" Robert released his hold on his Blade to look up over his shoulder.

"I'll go and escort them all here for you," Johnny repeated in more detail. "It's the least I can do for questioning you."

"But."

Robert was silenced with a touch of two gentle fingers to his lips and a shake of that fiery head, "Don't."

"Thanks." Robert nodded and tried a weak smile, ".when?"

"In the morning," Johnny replied but before Robert could put words to that 'why not sooner' expression he was gathering, he added, "Tonight I shall hold the line against the darkness."

~*~ ~*~

He left that morning, just as he said, and with no complaints.

Robert had placed his Beyblade back onto the desk and ran a hand through his purple crested head. That had been the most comforting night in a long time, curled up against the Glasgow Warriors soft skin, totally fearless of the night or never waking. Johnny was there, and that was all that mattered. The tears had ebbed away, the memories forgotten for another time; all that remained was endless warmth and a gentle hand through his hair, and that was all he ever wanted. Anything more would just have been an added bonus.

But reality prevailed, Johnny was gone, and there was no way to know when or if he'd come back. Robert groaned and thrust the heels of his hands in his face, he really needed to do something or he'd go insane before sunrise.

He let his hands fall back to his lap as he scoured the room for something, anything, to keep his mind busy. There was the chessboard, the last game to be played out between the two young knights still stood unfinished. Robert shook his head and turned away; that wasn't going to help him not think of Johnny.

He sighed again; maybe he should call some one. It was definitely a better option then suffering alone. But a quick glance out the window made him rethink that last thought. It was, after all still very early in the morning. None of his friends would be up at this hour.

But no matter how much he told himself no, he never took his eyes ff the phone. Maybe Oliver would be kind enough to forgive such a rude awakening just this once.