Part Twenty-Three

'Hehehehe…so the kittens have come to play…'

'Ignore them. They are of no concern to us.'

'Oh, come on, Bradley. You're the one who dragged us back here.'

'To be mindful. This could prove…dangerous in the end.'

'And you want to be on hand in case things blow up in their cute little face, am I right?'

'I have no intention of helping them.'

'Really now. Now even--'

'I want you back here now, Schuldig. No more fluttering about the city, and no tailing, either. Understand?'

'…heh. Whatever you say, Brad. Whatever you say…'

-----

Nagi stops dead in his tracks.

To anyone else it could be passed off as just a trick of the light, but he knows better. A flash of sunset orange. He is certain of it. Nowhere else has he seen a color quite that shade…

"Nagi-kun…are you okay?"

The young telekinetic barely acknowledges his friend's worried tone, his attention focused on the now vacant spot across the street where he would swear he just saw a familiar…something. Where he would swear he felt a certain something…he may still be in tune with.

'Are you out there…somewhere…?'

"Nagi?"

Nagi pulls himself back, not sure if he was close to connecting or not, but he has no time to waste on wondering. With a quick smile, he turns back to his friend. "I'm fine, Omi. I've just…I haven't been here since…you know."

Omi attempts a reciprocating smile, but is put off by Nagi's evasiveness. He knows quite well that none of them have been back to this country since Nagi first joined their ranks. And now here they are again, walking the streets of Munich, as they once traveled the countryside just beyond the city's limits.

Nevertheless, whatever is bothering Nagi is more than just nostalgia.

"Nagi…please…don't keep things from me." Omi begins with some hesitation. "I…love you. I don't want us to--"

"I thought I saw Schuldig."

Omi promptly shuts up.

"Over there by that street light." Nagi explains calmly, not at all resistant to sharing the truth now that Omi has pressed for it. "And I believe I sensed him communing with Crawford, though it is hard to be certain since they…have blocked me from the link. Still…it would appear they too are here."

Although Omi is happy his friend has chosen to speak openly, he wishes he could find a little solace in knowing there are no doubts as to whether or not he can trust the brunette when his concern for Nagi overshadows even that.

The boy has lost his only family and its members are purposely keeping him at arm's length. Purposely slamming mental doors to bar him from finding his way back to them, even if only to say hello.

Omi cannot even imagine…how lonely that must make his counterpart feel.

"Nagi…Farfarello and Sally said they'd be contacting us tonight about their arrival. If we hurry back…you can probably talk with him…if you want."

Nagi's somber smile lengthens if only for the effort Omi is putting into cheering him up, but it is still a disheartened expression. "Yes…that would be…nice. I hope he is well."

A flash of teeth on Omi's end and a tug on Nagi's sleeve to hurry the smaller boy along gets the pair walking again, and although Nagi aches to turn once more and look across the street…he holds steady and continues on. If it was indeed Schuldig, he will not show himself again.

'He was probably only passing by anyway…'

"Oi, chibis! Go on without me, all right! There something I need to…take care of!"

Nodding with only slight concern at the tall blonde some feet ahead of them as Youji dashes into a nearby phone booth, Omi remembers suddenly that the other man has been with them all this time. Curious that Youji did not notice how the boys had fallen behind.

Then again, Omi figures he can probably guess what the playboy is up to, and why he had been too distracted to notice the pair had stopped.

"Don't spend all your money calling back home, Youji-kun!" Omi calls as he and Nagi move on down the street.

Youji is already inside the booth, dialing away, and merely nods with an expectant smile Omi is quite certain has nothing to do with him.

The boy laughs, grabbing onto Nagi's arm to walk down the street a little cozier. "Call if you're going to be late, Youji-kun!" he calls, somewhat serious for a moment. "Let's go, Nagi." he turns to his partner. "Our errands are done, and everyone is waiting back at the rooms. Let's hurry so we don't miss Farfarello and Sally's call, okay?"

And as they hurry along, Nagi can only smile, and though he cannot shake the feeling he is being watched…or at least…somehow…observed…he refuses to be spooked. There will be more than enough opportunities for that later on.

Left behind in the phone booth, Youji taps his fingers on the glass impatiently, his feet shifting like a nervous young man about to ask someone for a first date. Youji and Asuka have far exceeded 'first date' after Youji firmly attached himself to the woman before Weiss and company left for Germany, but somehow the giddiness, the excitement and pure joy of it all…has not even dwindled.

And we all know what that means.

"Hey, Asuka? It's Youji. I…wanted to call, ya know, to…let you know we got here safe and sound and all. Yeah, I'm at a pay phone. Didn't want to risk any of the gang listening in and making fun, ya know? We're pretty good about giving each other a hard time like that. Yeah…yeah, I know I'm lucky to have such good friends as…business partners. Doing? Oh, pretty boring stuff. Lots of…paperwork, and…meetings to go to."

There is a small tickle in Youji's throat and he has no choice but to clear it. He hates having to lie, and he honestly has every intention of coming clean…eventually. But he figures…why upset the girl…when he might not even make it out of this to return home.

"You're such a doll, wasting time with a guy like me. Well, ya know, the way I'm so…oh, you think it's cute how attentive I am, huh? Well then, I guess I'll keep it up, if you don't mind it. Ya see…they say I'm pretty good at catching girls…but not so good at keeping 'em. You…Asuka…I don't want to let you get away again. Well…not again, I meant…at all. Ya know…I'd hate to let a good woman down. Yeah…I won't be able to call tomorrow…big day and all, but…the day after, if I…don't overdo it too, much…hehe…I'll…call right away, okay? Yeah. Thanks. You have a good night, too…Asuka. Bye."

Youji is trembling when he places the receiver back in its place. He instantly clenches his fists to steady them, shaking his head at himself for getting so worked up over…a woman.

But it isn't just because of Asuka. It's the whole idea of not making it back to see her again, to be with her, and fall…even more in love with her since he is almost certain he was a lost cause the moment she smiled at him in the hospital.

"I tell ya, kiddo…I sure hope you weren't just humoring me…coz that girl…she's everything I've been waiting for…"

-----

An hour or so later, the entirety of Weiss' main crew is safe and sound at their current base, all busily preparing for what tomorrow will bring.

Omi turns around in his chair after closing up the video-link, and looks back at Ran and Ken who are seated in the living room behind him. "That was Alpha-Weiss just now. They're all set up across town if we want to go over there and check in later."

"Alpha-Weiss?" Ken asks with a quirked eyebrow, as if he knows that name should make some kind of sense to him…but it doesn't.

"Shion and the others." Ran offers with an openly bemused expression. He then turns seriously back to Omi. "Whoever we send over there, remember--"

"Pairs." Omi cuts in, his face a beaming smile "I know, Aya-kun. No one goes out alone. You already scolded us and Youji for him being on his own, you don't need to tell us again. He's out with Shio-kun keeping watch on the perimeter."

Ran nods. "I know. But still. Let's none of us forget. From what Shioshiro has told us, the people of Rosenkruez and Estet most likely already know we are here. There is no need to give them an opening. Speaking of…where has Nagi gone?"

Fidgeting in his chair slightly, Omi debates how much he should share. He has nothing to hide, but…it seems like something…private, and his eyes lower a bit as he replies. "He's using his computer to speak with Farfarello and Sally. They called in just before Rindou did." Omi looks up suddenly, eyes wide. "That's right! Rindou said he had Birman and Manx make a base near the center of the city with as many operatives as they could spare. And…Aya-kun…Crashers is here too."

Although Ken's ears instantly perk, Ran shrugs the comment off with a little too much nonchalance. At least too much for Ken's liking. "I knew they would be here." the redhead mentions. "This will quickly become a kill mission, which isn't what they do, but we'll be needing all the help we can get, and not all of this mission will require the use of weapons."

"Ahhh…comment?" Ken speaks with a clear touch of growing annoyance in his voice. "Crashers is here and you're not at all surprised? What, been talking with Knight a lot lately." he asks, his tone quite accusatory.

Ran's head moves slowly as it turns to look at Ken and the redhead sends him a warning glare.

"Not that I'm jealous!" Ken puts in quickly, hands raising as if to defend himself. "I'm just…ya know…curious. Have you been talking with…Knight?"

Omi decides that this conversation has surpassed anything he needs to be apart of, and the young blonde turns quickly back to his computer to tune the pair out.

Ran…sighs deeply in familiar defeat.

"Ken…it has been almost two months now since Shioshiro first dropped on our doorstep. You have me. And I'm not going anywhere. Are we clear on that?"

Ken's face has taken on the most pitiful pout of pure, exaggerated innocence. He nods. "Clear as clear can be. But…ya know…you and Knight…

"No, Ken." Ran presses, standing swiftly from his seat to cross over to Ken's so he can cast his shadow on the other man as a sign of authority unwilling to waver.

Ken does his best not to cower.

"There is no me and Knight. There is me. There is Knight. There is you and me. That is all. What we have been told, what we have seen, experienced, and felt…so much what we have felt…proves we are doing the right thing, the only thing…by being together. Nothing is going to change that."

"Nothing, huh?" a new voice prompts. "I didn't think you dealt in absolutes, Ran."

There is no doubt in Ran's mind that he hates it when a certain blonde does this to him. "Yuushi." He says simply, looking beyond Ken's chair to stare at the casually leaning figure by the front door.

The Kritiker member is dressed in his customary white coat, but with a simple pair of jeans and a black T-shirt beneath. When Ken gets up from his chair to also look at this new arrival, Yuushi has the common courtesy to smile and nod a polite good evening, though the look is more devious than hospitable.

Ken is at a loss for words, recognizing the subject of their conversation, while also knowing that this is the first time he has actually met the man face to face. And there is no denying that Yuushi takes a little enjoyment in Ken's discomfort.

"He's cute, Ran. Not quite how I imagined, but…cute."

While Ken's entire frame tenses, he cannot refrain from blushing at such an open comment.

Omi, at the moment still seated at the computer, no longer feels the need to just tune out; he feels a strong urge to leave the room, and makes quick work of doing so.

After all, Nagi is probably done talking with Farfarello by now, and the boy will be wanting company. Yeah…that's it.

The others do not even notice he has gone. Some…don't even realize he had been there.

"Honjou Yuushi…this is Hidaka Ken. Ken…this is Knight." There is little mirth in Ran's tone during his introductions, and he is not about to allow Yuushi to get the better of him. "I thought we had an understanding, Yuushi. At least…you gave off the impression that you had grown up."

"Hey." The blonde protests, his eyes alight and smile still strong despite his quick defense. "I'm not hitting below the belt or anything. Just pushing your buttons. I miss getting to do that. And after all…someone else is in charge of the below the belt things these days, right?"

Ran is almost shaking now. That Yuushi would have the nerve to…to…

Ran turns abruptly to gape in complete surprise at Ken as the until-now silent brunette…begins to laugh. It is not forced or nervous. Ken is laughing heartily as if he just heard a fantastic joke. As far as Ken is concerned…he just has.

"No hard feelings, I hope, Knight-san." The brunette grins, throwing an arm around his dearly beloved redhead's shoulders. "I happen to be pretty protective of what I'm in charge of these days."

While Ran is still gapping, Yuushi's smile loses what is left of its malice. "Good thing. Be protective. He's worth a little extra…effort." The blonde pauses, debating whether or not to push those buttons just a bit more.

Well…why not?

"So…any complaints?"

Ran has since pulled from Ken's comfortable grip and turns his glare from where it had been focused on Ken to burn embers into Yuushi. "Now see here--!"

"No complaints so far." Ken says in an obscenely thoughtful tone. "Though he could be a little more aggressive, to be honest."

"Ken!"

"I know exactly what you mean." Yuushi nods, walking a few steps forward from the doorway as Ken and him continue their collaborating Ran-abuse. "You'd think he was the take-no-shit seme type, no question, but he's really pretty tame. He can be kinky, and damn is he giving, but I wasted a long time waiting for him to top me."

Twitch. "Yuushi…"

"I figured that." Ken says, happily playing along with ignoring Ran, despite the growing danger in doing so. "I so thought he was gonna throw me down and ravage me that first time, but nope. He made sure I was on top."

"…"

"And with his temper," Yuushi adds, "it makes you wonder what it would take for him to just…lose it and take you. Ya know?"

That's it. Every intuition telling Ran to strike out and clock them both, or start yelling obscenities, or even to grab for his sword, short circuits in his brain, leaving him with only one option.

He turns around and starts to leave the room.

"Come on, Ran, we were just joking around!"

"You know me, Ran-kun. I just have to see how far I can push things. Besides, I'm bonding with my replacement. You should be happy."

Ran pauses in the doorway that leads out to the hall. "What replacement?" he says through gritted teeth. "As of now…I hate you both." His voice is pure venom, but he makes no move to continue his trek out of the room.

"Crap. He's pissed, all right." Ken says sheepishly, running a hand nervously through steadily growing, brown locks. He casts Yuushi a serious, let's-lay-off-now look and offers a small bow. "All joking aside then…it's nice to meet you, Honjou-san."

Yuushi smiles a little wider, replying with his own little bow. "Oh, it is very much my pleasure, Ken-kun. And please, call me Yuushi. We have so much in common after all." His smile is still the smallest bit wicked, but since its victim is clearly a certain redhead rather than a certain brunette, Ken doesn't really mind.

That certain redhead on the other hand… "Honestly, Yuushi." Ran growls, glaring over his shoulder from his still unmovable spot by the door. "I appreciate the…effort you are making, but would you be so kind as to tell us way you are here. So you can leave."

Mission accomplished. Yuushi casts Ken an honestly friendly smile and then looks to Ran, all business. "As I informed your son outside, Crashers is set up and ready for your disposal. I only came inside to say hello. I thought you might think I was avoiding you if I left without offering at least that much. And in case you are wondering, the others did want to come along, but we couldn't risk leaving our base unprotected, and there is so much to do before tomorrow." A bit of that old smile slips back. "Pawn insists we take you out for a drink when it's all over, by the way, since he wasn't old enough last time we were all together. Hehe. Kids, right?" Yuushi laughs, and then makes a small gesture towards Ken. "Your…significant other is, of course, invited to join us. The whole Weiss crew is welcome. Including your son. We would have made it tonight, but…considering the circumstances, we figured you'd want to be with your own team right now."

"That…is all very thoughtful, Yuushi." Ran says at long last, the tension gone from his features and frame. He takes a few careful steps back into the room. "And I would enjoy very much accepting that offer. When this is all over. All of us…together. It would be…"

"Nice." Ken puts in, tossing Ran a quick smile. The brunette grins wide at Yuushi, and then extends a hand, honestly not minding this whole encounter in the least. "See you tomorrow then. And here's to one kick-ass party when we're through. Yuushi-kun."

Hands shake, evening pleasantries are given, Yuushi makes a few parting comments to ruffle Ran's feathers just a bit more for the night, and then Ran and Ken find themselves alone in the rented building's living room.

A sudden idea strikes Ken as he looks over at Ran. He could stammer out a few more apologies concerning his and Yuushi's earlier banter, but…he figures it is probably safer to just pretend none of that happened. No…he has something better in mind.

"Ran…ya wanna…have a look at one of my birthday presents? I think you should really see this…while we've still got the time to enjoy it."

Ran's eyes widen a little. He looks around the room, searching out possible eavesdroppers or bystanders, and then turns to Ken with more than a little exasperation. "Much as I would like that Ken, we really don't have the time to indulge ourselves in--"

"Ran, I'm talking about the present I got from Hiro." Ken interrupts, speaking his words slow and even. "So not related to sex."

There is a slight pause. "Oh." Ran responds. "In that case…what do you have to show me?"

Ken closes the small space between them quickly, grasps Ran by the hand, and leads the redhead to the small couch in the center of the room. He sits them both down, still holding Ran's hand as he reaches into his pant pocket with the other. "You're gonna freak when you see this…" he grins.

-----

"I am glad to hear you are so well…Jei. You are very lucky to have found someone with whom you share such a strong connection."

On the other end of the video-link, Farfarello smiles. It is strange for Nagi to see such a subtle and genuine expression on the once tortured man. It makes the weight of their mission all that much lighter for what they have gained so far, and all that much heavier for everything they have to lose.

Sally Schumars is standing just behind the albino from what Nagi can see on his computer screen. Both appear to be very well indeed, dressed simply and comfortably. Farfarello does not appear to have changed his look, still having his eye-patch rather than replacing it with something glass, and still sporting all his piercings. But his clothing is mellow in comparison to what it once was, and his face…for all its scars, has the man looking…eerily…normal.

'We might be cutting it close tomorrow with our arrival, but we will be there.' Sally speaks over Farfarello's shoulder. 'Jei and I have been working on a number of things together since we parted company with you all. We're quite a ways away, but as long as our flight is on time, don't worry about a thing. We'll meet you there, okay?'

Nagi nods.

'And…Nagi?' speaks Farfarello's ever-distinctive voice, so much softer than Nagi remembers. 'Have you…heard from Crawford or Schu at all? They would never admit it, but…I think it hurt them that we left. I haven't been able to contact them the way…we used to.'

"The link." Nagi offers. "I know. I think they're blocking us. Out of spite, I guess. I…thought I saw Schuldig tonight, though. I sensed something too. I think they're here, Farfie." he adds, using the Irishman's still favored pet name. "Do you…do you think they might…help us tomorrow?"

Sally's brow creases, remembering well her interaction with the other members of Schwartz. Farfarello remains silent for a long time.

Nagi is aware of Omi behind him, the blonde standing back by the door so as not to disturb his friend. Farfarello and Sally can most certainly not see him, but for that presence there…Nagi is very grateful.

'We cannot wait for them. We cannot…expect for them to come.' Farfarello speaks slowly. 'For a long time…we have been all any of us ever knew of…family. But they owe us nothing, and they will see this mission as…suicide. Foolish. I doubt they will come.' He pauses, that small smile slipping onto his face once again. 'But I think they know…that they would be welcome if they did. None of us have any love for Estet or Rosenkruez, after all. And…brothers are brothers…even without blood. I hope you know that…Nagi.'

A few million worry-lines disappear from Nagi's face. Life with Schwartz was never loving or even comfortable, but it was…what it was. And Nagi feels so blessed to know he can openly express his true feelings with one of his…brothers…for the first time.

The ex-Schwartz members share a quick goodbye, Sally smiles brightly and waves with quite a bit of enthusiasm, and…the link is shut off.

Nagi sits back in his chair, not having to turn around to know that Omi is walking towards him. They do not have to speak when Omi has come around to squeeze into the chair beside the small brunette. Both are happily experiencing as much peace of mind as they know they are going to get.

And for now…that is more than enough to see them through the night.

-----

Outside the rented rooms, Shioshiro and Youji remain vigilant, taking first shift at keeping watch. They would like to believe that their attack tomorrow will be a well-planned surprise on Estet's main building. They would like to believe that. But the main building is connected to Rosenkruez, and although they know many talented and dangerous people reside there, they also know—partially from what they have heard from Nagi, Sally, and Shioshiro—that many of the residents would sooner die than help Estet in a fight.

Most of the people 'living' at Rosenkreuz are no more than prisoners. Weiss and company is counting on that lack of loyalty. It may be the only hope they have for getting through this alive.

"So…you called her, huh? And how is Asuka?"

Youji looks back across the courtyard at Shioshiro, who is standing near the door while the blonde is posted closer to the edge of the building walls. "Well…she misses me already. That's something, right? Considering I occupied every second I could of her time before we left…she must be going through major Kudo-withdrawals."

Shioshiro lets out a hearty laugh. "Which is exactly what you were going for, right?"

"Damn straight, kiddo." Youji grins. "Always leave 'em wanting more."

They share a comfortable laugh, but in the still of the night, with so much at stake from now through tomorrow…it doesn't know how to linger for very long.

Youji casts his gaze back out over their surroundings, and then, slowly, he finds himself pulled to look at Shioshiro again, his eyes focusing on the small bit of moonlight glinting off the young brunette's ring.

"We're getting through this, ya understand." He speaks suddenly, catching Shioshiro off guard with his directness. Youji stresses his words with a sharp nod. "I mean it. We're going in there tomorrow and kicking ass like nobody's business. This is it. We've structured the whole damn thing around tomorrow, and we've got more back up than we know what to do with. This. Is. It. And we are not messing it up. I promise you kid. And I'm not just saying it so you'll feel better and think about going home to your girl. I'm saying it for me. I am not letting this woman down again. You hear me?"

Though Youji's face is stern, Shioshiro smiles. It is a sad smile, because as much as he believes Youji's words, wants to believe them, there is still much doubt in his heart. Regardless, he nods in reply to his…uncle's stubborn resolve. "I hear you, Yotan." he says softly, his words carrying over the lawn.

'I won't let him down again, either…'

-----

'This is Manx checking in, sir. We're all set to go on this end.'

'Glad to hear it, Red, glad to hear it. Tell your crew to get some rest, and I'll do the same. We gotta be ready for anything tomorrow.'

'Yes, sir, Rindou-san. You keep one eye open now, okay, honey?'

'Copy that, Red. Alpha-Weiss out.'

'Kritker-Main out. Sweet dreams, everybody…'

-----

In a section of the city chosen purposely for its distance from any of the sectors claimed by Weiss and company or by anyone loyal to Estet—which is not easy to come by at the moment—two free-lance super…somethings have set up their own base. Whether super-villains, or future super-heroes, that is still to be seen.

Walking ridiculously casual and slow-paced across the living room floor, hands stuffed into his duster's pockets, Schuldig paces, blue eyes darting every so often out the window beside him. His counterpart, Brad Crawford, is sitting in a chair near one wall, eyes closed behind his glasses. Whenever Schuldig's attention isn't looking out the window, it is focused on Brad as he waits…and waits…for the American to open those bronze eyes and say something. Anything.

The waiting really is insufferable. After all, Schuldig has never been a patient man. But he knows that if he speaks and interrupts the precog while meditating, it will break the other man's concentration and upset him to no end. Usually, Schuldig wouldn't give a shit, but tonight…and with tomorrow…and with his mind just itching to reach out for Nagi through their link to see anything that might be going on over there…

"You know, your thinking is far more disruptive than if you actually spoke."

Brad's voice stops Schuldig dead. He turns with a glare, noting that Brad's eyes have still not opened. "Well, excuse me, but I can't stop thinking. Would if I could, believe me. This damn waiting is driving me crazy."

"Well you can stop waiting then." Brad replies, standing suddenly from his chair. His eyes open then, slowly and anti-climactically as he turns his gaze on the redhead across the room. "No matter how hard I try, I still get nothing. I cannot predict anything about this. Not even a guess."

"Well what the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Schuldig demands, storming across the room now to bring himself nearly nose to nose with Brad. "You're the precog. If you can't see what's gonna happen tomorrow--"

"It means one of two things." Brad breaks in, his voice unfairly even and calm. "Either I am being blocked by an adept more powerful than myself. Highly possible. Or…"

"Or…"

"Or whatever is going to happen tomorrow…is so clouded, so…open to possibility…an outcome cannot be predicted."

"So…which do you think it is?"

Brad is silent a moment. Then, moving passed Schuldig to reach for his coffee, cold but still desirable as it sits on the small end table, he answers. "Probably a bit of both. There's no way to be sure." He takes a large, long drink. It tastes positively rancid being so cold now, but Brad doesn't really care.

Schuldig, at the moment, is down right livid. "No way to be sure!" he yells at Brad's turned back. "I've been waiting around for over an hour, keeping my mouth shut the whole damn time, mind you, and there's no way to be sure! Oh, fuck it! Fuck it all! What the hell are we going to do!"

Not even slightly fazed, Brad takes another long drink. "I suggest we stay here until an outcome has been reached. That would be the intelligent thing to do."

"What! But…we can't just…I mean…Brad! Weiss'll be creamed! Worse than that! All of them! And you know Estet'll just come after us when they're through!"

"We'll be long gone by then."

"Then why the fuck did we come back here!"

"In case Weiss and their fellows succeed."

Schuldig is silent after that. He isn't nearly placated, but…he is most certainly curious now…as to what exactly Brad is thinking. "Not that I care, or anything." The German begins, his voice down from its recent roar as he speaks still to Brad's back. "But…you do realize…Nagi could end up dead over this too."

For all his strength, for the briefest of moments a ripple of tension runs across Brad's shoulders. "Your point?"

"Heh. Right. You don't care. You raised the little shit, but you don't care at all."

"Should I? And what of Farfarello? I have seen that he and his…that woman…are also on their way. He could die. Isn't he your…best friend?" The endearment is spoken with a sneer, like some fowl word. After all, to people like them…it often is.

Schuldig shakes his head, not in dissension at what Brad has said, but…out of some twisted pity…for both their sakes. He would smile. He would laugh off the whole idea of it all. He would…feel nothing.

He should feel nothing.

But it has never been that simple. Even when he used to hurt those now missing members of their team, his missing…friends, somewhere in the back of his black heart he was showing…affection…through the cruel words and actions he dealt.

Affection. As that thought crosses his mind, Schuldig feels a sudden urge to throw up. But he knows it is the truth. He knows even more…that if Brad were the one who was gone, if Brad were the one facing possibly certain death, no amount of pride in his black heart could keep him from rushing to the rescue.

He wishes the same were true for Brad in regards to him, but…he will settle for knowing that Brad is feeling pretty shitty right now…at the thought of losing his prodigal son. After all, even Schwartz have to be human sometimes.

"Not intelligent, and not recommended." Schuldig says, repeated Brad's own words. The redhead steps forward, advancing on Brad's still turned back. He grabs Brad's wrist and forces the attached hand to set the coffee cup back on the table. When he lets go, having received no resistance, he coils his arms around Brad's waist from behind and pulls in flush, his chest and hips pressing firmly against the taller man's body. "Since when do we do what's intelligent, recommended, or right? We do what we do because it's what we want to do. And you know what…" Talented hands reach lower on Brad's waist and take a handful of what is so prominently waiting below the American's belt.

Still, Brad makes no objections, his breathing remaining remarkably even.

"…right now…I don't even wanna think about tomorrow…coz it's just gonna piss me off more. So why don't we…enjoy ourselves a little…before Hell's back waiting on our doorstep. Huh? What do ya say…Bradley…you wanna have a go…?"

'While I can still pretend you give a shit…about me…'

There is silence on Brad's end—even his breathing seems impossibly still—while the redhead begins to massage what his hands have such a delicious hold of.

They remain that way for what could be many moments, but when Brad strikes, Schuldig doesn't even see it coming. He never does…

Suddenly, the redhead finds himself pinned to the floor, his arms held above his head by one strong hand while another works at a pesky zipper. Brad never says a word, but Schuldig doesn't mind the quiet. Soon enough he knows he will be calling out into the night air, even if all he can get out of his lover are a few escaped gasps.

No, it makes no difference at all, because tonight they are relieving tension they have been holding onto for far too many days while traveling to this damn place again. And tomorrow…

'With you and me like this…I don't even need to think about tomorrow…'

A growl.

'Love you too, baby…'

"Schuldig…" Brad speaks aloud, nipping none to lightly at the German's jugular. "Shut up."

tbc...

A/N: Over 300 reviews! I love you people! And yay, look at me go! I'm gonna keep this pace up until it's done, so I can finish before I leave. I'll tell you now, there will be two more normal chapters and then an epilogue, all before next Sunday (not tomorrow, but...yeah) so...be ready!

Seph Lorraine: "And then there came cake. Then came presents. Then Ken came." Oh, did that have me laughing. hee.

Sumire1: Don't worry, an epilogue is sooooo planned, and should be something everyone will...enjoy.

anushkajan: You cried...for the first time? I certainly hope that is a good thing. For those who did not, I am not at all offended. Different things affect people differently. As long as you are all enjoying the ride.

Sachiko V: First, you so got robbed in the Blade & Claw contest. Great pic! And...bittersweet? That...I can deliver.

hiro: Another bittersweet hopeful. I've had the ending in mind since the beginning so...I hope it does the story justice.

NekoAnime: Shhhhh...I'll get to it, but I don't wanna spoil where it comes in. :-)

That wraps things up, minna, so be looking for the next chapter crazy-soon! Love you and how supportive you are being as we near the...end. sniffle. damn i'm going to miss this one. Ja!

Crim