"Balinese, I see the target."

"Where is he?"

"Coming towards you. He should be there in a few seconds." The whispered conversation fell short as both men held their breaths. They were in a science lab, and their target was a scientist known for chemical and biological experiments. Both men had had to stay cautious during their time on the mission because their target was known for staying inside the lab once the other scientists had left the building.

Neither felt very comfortable around all the chemicals, considering how many missions in labs they had been on where the chemicals altered their minds or bodies in some way. However, they had been the ones chosen for the mission, and they were not about to let a little nervousness screw it up. Unfortunately, Yohji also had a few other things on his mind. Namely his partner's safety. The redhead didn't know it, but every time he went on a mission, the person(s) going with him were subjected to two lectures on keeping him safe. One lecture came from the redhead's older brother, and the other came from his boyfriend.

Before Yohji could think further on that train, he heard the footsteps signaling the approach of the target. Before the man had a chance to think, the blond man's wire was wrapped around his neck. During his struggle for life, the scientist knocked over a large container, spilling greenish liquid all over the man codenamed Abyssinian.

As the man died, Yohji and Ran locked eyes, and Ran groaned. "Wonder what'll happen this time," he said resignedly, making a face as he wiped a glob of goo out of his face.

"How do you feel right now?" Yohji asked, concerned not only for himself. The redhead had actually had an allergic reaction to one of the chemicals spilt on him once, and had spent the next two months in ICU.

"I don't feel different at all. Maybe a little more energetic, but that could just be post-mission adrenaline."

"You don't fell fuzzy, dizzy, furry, or smaller?"

"No," Ran stated, smiling. He remembered each of the incidents Yohji was alluding to. Over the years, Omi had been turned into a mouse, Ken into a cat, Yohji had shrunk, and Ran himself had experienced nasty fainting spells. And those were the ones that had been cured quickly. Farfarello's fingertips were still slightly orange at the tips from a dye that he had fallen into a few months back.

The two men chuckled at the different problems that had arisen from each of the different experiments, including when Crawford thought he had gotten pregnant. They headed back to the Koneko in high spirits. Ran decided not to mention that he was filled with more energy with each moment that passed.

"RAN! What happened? You're soaked!" Schuldich cried, wiping the gooey liquid off of his younger brother.

"I'm fine, Schu. I got a chemical spilt on me during the mission is all."

"Do you feel okay? No dizziness? Fuzziness? Furriness?"

"I'm fine Ken, I just need to get a shower, that's all. Don't worry about it!" That said, Ran bounded up the stairs, oblivious to the shocked expressions on the other three's faces. Ran never bounded anywhere. He preferred to move at a more graceful, slower pace.

"Yohji, you didn't give him sugar did you?" Ken asked, gesturing in the direction his boyfriend had gone.

"No. After the mission he just had a little excess adrenaline. He bounced the entire way home."

"Sounds like one of the kids I coach," Ken murmured softly. "That kid is always hyper. I wonder what got Ran so full of energy, though?"

"Maybe getting that chemical poured on him was a good thing?" Schuldich suggested. The other two gave him blank stares. "What? It's possible!"

"Name one time that lab spill has had good consequences."

"… Uh…"

"I thought so."

A/N: Hate to end it there, but I'm tired, so I'm going to close up. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please review and tell me what you think! And to let you know, one of the things I've noticed about kids is that they seem to have ENDLESS energy! So, I thought that I'd… add to Ran's energy levels!

Knight: That was my idea!

Elfsong: And what a wonderful idea it was! Allow me to introduce my muses! This is Knight from Crashers…

Knight: Hey!

Elf: And Ran and Schu. You know where they're from. They decided to come and make sure I stayed in the same storyline as I had in 'Family Ties'.

Ran and Schu: Hi…

Elf: Please review! I'll update on the next day that I finish my homework early enough!