Chapter 19

phoenix the 1st: I wish they'd do that too. ^_^

Cat in the web: He most certainly is.

russle: Admittedly I prefer it when Bryan is angry too, but I see him more as someone who is in control up until breaking point, in which case you must run for you life!!!

Bloody Mary: You can understand what they're both getting at. And I can't wait to see that story!

Castles in the Sky: Kev is not annoying. In the series he is simply a try-hard 'give me some attention here' kind of person, that's all. But yeah, despite the fact Ian has some cool lines in the series, he's annoying. :p

Jay Kamiya: I'd actually ignore Ian if he asked me that. Then again, I would spend the next little while plotting revenge... -_-;;

KuronekoHikage: Tala and Bryan have off hours? And here I thought they were turned on all the time. *nudge nudge, evil grin*

phoenix of order: Let us pray that Ian decides to keep his big mouth shut then. ^_~

LadyOrient: Also one of my favourite mental images from a fic. You can just see it...

eyriess: Good luck to him? Okay, let's insert the sarcastic infliction to the voice. Do you understand what I was saying now?

Fire4Ice: Can't kill them? I could. Heh heh. :p

Ashla: Major back surgery a couple of years ago. Not really a secret. And why is it that everyone likes the pissed off Bryan? ^_^

Acey1: As I always say: only one way to find out.

And now some more 'alone' time…

Disclaimer: See first page

"You really need to do something about that temper of yours."

"Shut up."

"There it is again." Tala looked toward the closed bathroom door. "I'll admit Ian asked for that this morning, but belting the crap out of him wouldn't have made things any better."

"It would have made me feel better."

"Perhaps, but it would not have improved the situation in the long run." Tala sighed. "Ian just needs to learn when to keep his mouth closed. He's only 12 after all. He probably didn't even know what he was saying."

"Oh, he knew." Bryan opened the door, still towelling his hair dry. "You learn that stuff early around here. That bastard knew exactly what he was saying."

Tala sighed. "Bryan…"

"He pretty much said you would rape me while I was out of it. And I could not let him get away with saying such a thing."

Tala raised his hands in defence. "He was joking–"

"Rape is no joking matter!" Bryan sighed, leaning against the doorframe and closing his eyes. "What the boy does not understand is that some things should not be spoken of, not even in play. The only way to teach him better is to smack him around the ears when he does it. That way it might sink in."

Tala raised an eyebrow. "You sound like you're his father."

Bryan sighed heavily, tossing the towel aside. "Sometimes I feel like I am."

A silence hung in the air for a moment before Tala slid from his chair, picking up Aizik's formula and setting out two teaspoons. "Are you feeling any better?"

"I am actually." Bryan stepped away from the doorway and limped toward him, taking one of the spoons. "Not feeling as run down as I was. And the meat helped."

"Agreed."

They met each others eye, setting themselves before they swallowed the medicine, fighting to keep from wincing. They tossed their spoons in the tub, taking a glass of water and washing the concoction down.

"Damn that stuff's nasty."

Tala nodded his agreement. "Seems to work though." He ran his eye over his comrade. "And personally I don't think you should be moving around so much. You need to save your strength and give yourself a chance to heal."

"I needed a shower."

"You took a long time having it."

"Had to be careful of the wound."

Tala's eyes drifted downward. "Speaking of which, how is the wound?"

"The bleeding's stopped. Can't tell you any more."

Tala nodded, setting his glass down. "You really should go back to bed."

"Depends how you look at it, Wolf." Bryan set down his own glass and leant back on the table. "You say going to bed will help me heal, I say going to bed will heighten the chances of my passing out when we make a run for it. I gotta get used to being up."

Tala glared at him. "You're countermanding my orders again, Falcon."

"They weren't orders." Bryan pushed himself up from the table, reaching out to brush the hair from Tala's face. "Besides, don't you think I would know what's best for me?"

Tala nuzzled his hand. "I say you do it deliberate to rile me."

"Don't take much to rile you, Wolf. But I'm not as good at doing it as Phoenix is." Bryan brushed his lips against Tala's, raising an eyebrow. "And I recall telling someone to sleep a couple of nights ago, and being promptly ignored."

Tala chuckled, sliding his arms around Bryan's neck and kissing him hard. Bryan returned the kiss with equal force, pulling the younger and taller to him, enjoying the moment. Tala was no different, having waited for this since two nights before: time alone with the one that had captured his heart.

The kisses became more heated, both fighting to keep themselves from dragging and throwing the other onto the bed. Tala moaned softly as Bryan trailed fingers along his spine, sending a pleasant shiver through him as his heart thudded in his ears.

They heard a throat clearing to the side, Tala raising a hand and signalling for one minute more as the two wound down the kiss, letting it slid to teasing licks before finally breaking apart.

Bryan raised an eyebrow. "Thought you guys only came twice a day, Panas."

The elder shrugged, biting back a smile as he stepped further into the room. "Got a couple of hours off, and since I missed coming down this morning I thought I'd drop in and see how you both were." He raised an eyebrow. "Frisky, by the looks of it."

Bryan snorted.

Panas looked at him. "So, have you shown him how good you are in bed?"

Bryan threw Panas an amused look. "Give me time. Besides, I never slept with you, so how would you know?"

"I guess." Panas glanced at Tala, nodding toward Bryan. "Is he still a good kisser?"

Tala blinked. "Wait a minute, you two were…"

Panas shrugged. "A few years ago, yes. But only for a couple on months. We decided it would be best if we were just friends."

Bryan flicked his gaze toward the elder boy. "You were scared Boris would find out."

Panas returned the gaze. "Once in the dungeon was enough for me."

Tala looked toward Bryan, frowning. "You never told me that."

Bryan shrugged, leaning back on the table again, crossing his arms over his chest. "It was not important, and I saw no need for you to know."

"Besides," Panas smiled sheepishly. "I kinda had him promise not to tell anyone."

Tala met Bryan's eyes. "I think it's 'he was petrified that Boris would find out', not 'scared Boris would find out'."

Panas glared at him, then shifted. "Speaking of Boris, the reason I came down here is to tell you there is news of him." The two boys looked up, Bryan gesturing for him to go ahead. "Overheard the head guard talking to a couple of the more senior guards while we students were running our drills. Boris has managed to clear the Abbey of any wrongdoing, and the team as well. However, the authorities want Boris to remain in Moscow for two more days in regards to other dealings."

"Two days?" Tala frowned. "So you're telling us we have two days?"

Panas nodded. "I suggest you leave tomorrow night."

Tala shot a look to the side. "But Bryan–"

"I'll be fine, Tal, don't you worry about me." Bryan looked toward Panas. "Ian and Spencer know?"

Panas shook his head. "I was planning on telling them tonight, but Boris sent orders for them to train this evening, right up to the curfew."

"Find a way to tell them, cause they need to know," Tala said, shaking his head. "This isn't enough time. We need one more day."

"Well we ain't getting it," Bryan told him, smirking. "Besides, we do our best work under pressure. After all we've been through, this should be a breeze."

Plot's really starting to get moving. And how's that for a twist; Panas and Bryan were once an item there for a short time. Bet you never saw that coming. And Bryan being an optimist? Wonders never cease. *Ducks another swipe from Bryan*