A/N: Here is a chapter that will confirm that I am in fact ill, just kidding…Anyway, I obviously know a thing or two about addictions as I am currently addicted to writing my story. So I can relate to Roan's troubles...sort of...

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Roan was walking the streets in the wee hours of the night completely strung out. He'd woken up from a drug-induced slumber to find himself entirely cleaned out of all things poppy. In a fit of paranoia, he'd railed at Kyro for stealing them, as Kyro looked on in mild amusement. It was fairly obvious that Roan had simply used them up. So now he had been impelled to the streets for an emergency fix, only to find he really couldn't remember where, or who, his current dealer was.

As he searched, he made up a song in his head (at least he thought it was in his head) that listed off all of his dealers names. It was a rather good song, too. He began wandering down a dark and deserted alley. He was sure one of his dealers lived in a dark and deserted alley. Or maybe he could just make one up. He would call him Charlie. Charlie who lives in an alley, he thought to himself.

Vaguely, he noticed two shadows appearing on either side of him. "Whathefuck?" He mumbled, automatically preparing for a fight. He spun around to see two more behind him. The four large men surround him and closed in. He put up a good fight, too, considering the state he was in. At one point his foot connected with someone's head, and later he bit someone's ankle. But while he stopped to contemplate whether he was awake or sleeping, he was pounded on the back of the head with solid steel. It felt sort of nice to black out.

XXX

When he came to, he slowly opened his eyes. God, he needed a fix. So desperately he actually jerked violently. The result was his face on the floor. He was tied to a chair, and the chair had toppled over. He felt it yanked heavily up, with him following behind.

"Stay the fuck still, boy," a familiar voice said. Roan peered up, slitting his eyes in the dim light. Sitting across from him, smoking a cigar and wearing a pin-stripe suit was Joe Applegate himself. He had a face like a sirloin steak and slicked-back hair.

"Fucking Christ," Roan breathed.

"Surprised to see me?" Applegate asked, pleased. He just couldn't get over this whole "back from the dead" piece. It was just too much fun.

Roan shrugged. "Listen, Apples, I'm real honored by this whole "captive" thing. I mean, it's real dramatic and all. But I kind of have better things to be doing," Roan said.

Applegate exhaled a cloud of smoke. He was regarding Roan critically and was sorry to see that the rumors were more then true. Roan looked like a corpse, insect-thin, shadow rimmed eyes, mangy hair. It disturbed him not a little to see greatness so wasted. "So I've heard…" he responded, unimpressed. "When I first heard he rumors that you'd…lost your touch, I didn't believe it. "Roan Xavier?" I said, "no way!"" he smoked along, peacefully.

Roan was starting to feel the shakes coming on. Not from fear, but from recession. He was desperate for drugs. But he tried his best to hide it. "That's so sweet of you, Joe. You're a real class act, you know? I've always said that, a real class act," Roan said.

Applegate looked suddenly alarmed. "Jesus Christ, Xavier! You're shaking!" He exclaimed. He sighed in exasperation. "Do you have any idea how pathetic you look?" he demanded. "When Kinni confirmed that you had indeed taken the plunge, I considered taking action. I've always liked you, you know that, and it's a shame to see such talent go to waste. I considered locking you up, drying you out," Roan shuddered involuntarily. "But I've seen this too many times to be that naïve. I could lock you up for years and the moment I let you out of my sight, you'd still go running back to them." Roan had the strong and sudden urge to rip his arms out of the ropes that tied them. His shoulders strained with effort. "Jesus Christ!" Applegate said again, more wearily. He motioned to some of his guards to restrain him. Roan felt strong hands lock around his forearms, holding them in place. "Just sit the fuck still!" Applegate yelled, his legendary temper exploding suddenly. He took a colossal drag on his cigar. "All I want is to say my peace, and you'll do well to remember it," he took a breath in preparation. "This is it, Xavier, this is your one chance at life, at success, admiration, love," Applegate said with relish. "Don't throw it all away for nothing. Nothing, you here me? Because that's what your beloved drugs give you, nothing." Applegate looked quite pleased with himself.

"I've already had my share of lives, thanks," Roan replied. Applegate was surprised. This person was nothing like the boy he had known. It was uncanny and a little frightening. He may as well have been talking to a stranger. But he wasn't giving up that easy, Joe Applegate did not like to give up.

"You still running around with that blonde boy, that…" Applegate paused.

"Kyro," Roan filled in. Roan pointedly ignored his question, so Applegate knew the answer.

"Friendship? Well that's something any way, isn't it?" Roan continued to ignore him and Applegate concluded that he'd struck a chord. With a self-satisfied little smile he motioned to the guards. "Release him." Roan felt a jolt of exhilaration leap through his body. He was untied and immediately stood up to leave. As Roan approached the door, Applegate was hit with a sudden inspiration. "One last thing," he said. Roan would have elected to skip it, had he not been forcibly detained by a burly guard. The guard helped Roan turn back around. Applegate continued, "I met that Spot Conlon boy," Roan flinched in distaste and Applegate noted it with amusement. "Brilliant little kid…reminds me of you." Roan had the sudden urge to gag, which made him laugh a little. "But he'll go far because of that one key difference…" Roan knew Applegate wanted him to ask just what that difference was. Just like everyone else, Applegate wanted him to care, but he was over caring. That was the wonderful secret of drugs. Once you became addicted, nothing else mattered any more, except your next fix. Life was just a passing fancy. Caring was some silly thing that other people did. Applegate regarded Roan's dreamy expression and realized that this was one battle he was better off just giving up on. He sighed a final time. "I surrender," he said sincerely, tossing his hands. "Go. Leave. Get the fuck out of my sight." Roan didn't need to be asked twice.

The waning night air stung his cheeks as he charged outside. He was excited, elated, alive. He'd just remembered where his dealer lived.

XXX

Ahh! The wonderful world of hard drugs! I would feel bad from Roan…except I really don't.

Anyways, Applegate again, hmmm. So he knows Roan, he knows Kinea and now he knows Spot? Could he be a part of the plot? (Wow, neat rhyme!)

So, Roan really may as well shoot himself in the head at this point, as he is completely useless to everyone! Poor Kyro, though! Why doesn't he do something to help him? Can you do anything to help a drug addict? Particularly when you occasionally "chase the dragon" (as Kyro does) yourself?

Anyways, hmmm…the plot thickens…and how are our lovebirds? We shall see…