A/N: To make up for the super short GB8, I'm posting GB9 which is quite long. Thanks to pryrmtns and Kate and the rest of you for the reviews. As always, I am happy to answer questions if you get lost or have a concern or even a techincal glitch. Remember, sign is in English syntax and all errors are mine. Read on...

dvdv

Green Book 9

"Arashikage." Thomas answered his phone. The mole in the Fed building would be reporting on his little 'gift' for Agent Manning. "What do you mean? Someone figured it out…Was it him? No? Then who? What do you mean you don't know? Where's Manning now? Leaving? Okay... I'm on it." He closed his cell.

He had parked nearby in the hopes of luring his 'brother' out of hiding. Instead, he saw the lanky Aussie hail a cab and followed. Surprisingly, he didn't go to his own apartment but to another building several miles away. "Curiouser and curiouser," the Asian man said to himself. "First the sailor. Now an agent. What am I missing from this puzzle of yours, brother?" He tapped his lip with a finger as he thought. "A new love? No…I know where your heart lies. No, it must be something equally as strong. What could it be that would bring out this protective honor of yours?"

He narrowed his dark eyes and watched as the FBI agent exited the cab and stood on the sidewalk. A small smile played about his lips as he saw the taller man run a shaking hand through his hair and begin to ascend the stairs to the apartment building. "So, I did get to you after all. Very well. We shall see how this plays out." Thomas made to leave his car when his cell rang again.

"Arashikage. Sir? No, sir... Agent Manning has managed to elude my little surprise... No... I am following him now... I believe I shall have him and my enemy shortly." He rolled his eyes at the phone and held it away from his ear as the screeching went on for a good sixty seconds. "Sir, I… I understand." Shaking his head, the Asian man wondered for the umpteenth time why he worked for the egotistical fool.

Getting out of the car, he went into the building he'd seen the taller man enter. He eased up the stairwell, listening for any telltale sound that would indicate where his quarry had disappeared. It was the time before noon. Not many people were home and those that were usually had the TV on. Those he tuned out. Cocking his head to the side, he listened for voices at each door. At one door there was a female voice. Talking on the phone. He went to the next door. TV. Up the stairs. More voices. A male. Talking low. Not steady. He approached the door and slid his gun out of his holster. A female voice. Quiet. Strange clicking. A dog.

Oh-so-gently, he tested the doorknob. It was unlocked. He eased it on open, listening to the conversation.

"He told me to watch you."

"How did he know?"

"I don't thi—" A gloved hand cut off her voice. Sue was jerked back away from her friend who had instantly jumped up and had his gun aimed at a spot next to her head.

Thomas pointed his own gun at the FBI agent and waved at him to move. Bobby stood still and brought his blue steel gaze to bear on the intruder.

"If you wish the young lady to survive, you will put the gun down, Agent Manning." The Asian man spoke with a cool tone.

The tall Aussie narrowed his gaze. "If you hurt her, I'll be the last thing you see, mate." His grip on the pistol tightened perceptibly.

Sue was very still. She could feel the man holding her speaking. He was very deliberate in his movement, calculated. She could see Bobby unyielding in his stance. Glancing frantically around, she didn't see Levi anywhere. She looked back to the man in front of her and took a breath to calm herself. No one would get hurt if everyone remained calm.

Thomas spoke in the woman's ear. "Move slowly. Do not try to escape. I want to see what my brother finds so interesting about you."

Bobby mouthed the first part so Sue could obey.

"I see you didn't quite receive my 'gift', Agent Manning. Very well. It wasn't personal. You see, I wish to know what has drawn my brother out in to the open." Thomas moved slowly across the living room toward the mirror. He kept his eyes on the taller man and a tight grip on his prize. "What is it about you, woman, that has his attention?" Turning both of them to look in the mirror, he swore. Keeping his gun and one eye on the agent, the Asian man whirled the woman around. "Terry?"

Sue looked at her captor in confusion. "No, I'm Sue." A dark blur passed before her and the next thing she knew she was behind James who held her with one arm while staring down the sights of his weapon. Peeking around his arm, Sue watched as the other man slowly lowered his gun.

Bobby moved in and took the weapon. "Stay nice and still, mate." Patting him down, he removed several knives and some smaller firearms. He cuffed the Asian man and made a call. "Hey, Sparky, you'll never guess who I found…" he walked to another room to finish.

Thomas looked at the silent man. "I understand now. You already have your heart. Now after so many years, you have found your hope." He bowed his head in acknowledgment. "This honor debt, I owe you, brother."

The silent man returned the head bow. He signed and Sue translated. "I will hold you to it, brother. If you fail…" She faltered. Looking between the two, she sighed in frustration.

"It is…all right. I know what he said." Thomas bowed to Sue as well. "My apologies, sister of my brother."

dvdv

Blue Book 9

The big timber wolf lumbered into the room and jumped up on the bed. Still sleeping, Wreck moved to let the lupine rest his head beneath his hand. Psyche came into the room and sat watching the sleeping man. His little chat with Sgt. Hauser hadn't gotten him all the answers he wanted but enough to know he was on the right track. He settled in the chair and dozed off.

It was a bit later when he awoke to the sound of his patient talking to the wolf.

"Hey, Timber, old boy. How'd you get back in? Not talking today? 'S'okay." The sailor played with the lupine's ears. " I miss her. I miss seeing her and talking to her. She'd listen to me and get me past the jokes to the real hurt. She had a sweet voice. Yeah, the girls teased me unmercifully about it but they never knew or cared enough to find out why." He had a bitter tone. "No one cared enough to want to find out. No body but me knows she's really gone, except Crash. He's the only one I told. Funny, huh? Not even my own team."

He shifted on the bed so he could sit up. He turned to the window were the sun would be. "I'm guessing it's close to lunch time. I'd better stop talking to you or Psyche might never let me out." He smirked at that. And was quiet.

Lt. Rich dared not breathe. His mind reeled with what he'd just learned. A teammate had suffered a loss and no one knew. How had they missed it? He thought quickly about Wreck and his personality. A bit of a cad, flirted with every woman alive, stereotypical sailor…used humor rather than dealing with issues. Inadvertently shifting in his chair, he alerted Wreck to his presence.

And Wreck knew without a doubt who it was. "Psyche, get out…" he spat. "Get the hll out, now."

"Wreck, I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, honest. Someone has to keep a watch for a couple of hours due to your head injury. I…"

"Out." The sailor felt his way off of the bed and went to sit in his chair by the window, effectively shutting out the shattered psychiatrist. The wolf bared his teeth and Lt. Rich backed out only to bump into the shift nurse. I'Lee was carrying a lunch tray.

"Oops. Excuse me, Lt." She stopped at the look on his face. "What's wrong?"

He closed his eyes as if to shut out the scene he just lived. "I screwed up again."

"Let me take this tray in to him and we can talk." She winked at him. "It'll be okay, Psyche. Take a minute. I'll be right back."

Walking into the room, the shift nurse could feel the tension radiating off of the injured man. She shook her head. This case got more complicated by the minute. How were they supposed to treat him if they didn't know all of the information?

"Wreck, I brought your lunch. You want it there or should I just leave it?"

He didn't answer and the wolf just looked at her.

"Not talking to you, big boy. Your food will come later. Much later."

The sailor sighed and said, "Tell him it's not his fault. Crazy Psycho thinks it's always his fault."

I'Lee smiled and moved the tray within reaching distance. "I'll be back to check on you in a few."