Time, of course, passed. They had more dates, many of them. They made love for the first time. Eventually, Tobias moved in with Jordan, and although it was a bit difficult for Jordan to be woken up every two hours so Tobias could quickly regain hawk form, although there were impediments, things that had to change for both of them… They were happy. Ridiculously so, in fact. Tobias opened a bookstore, close to the agency where Jordan worked as an advertising executive, so he was often picked up from work with a surprise kiss. Tobias felt really normal, for the first time in his life. He felt normal, content, and completely happy. There was a time, even, when he stopped being scared that someone would come and wrench the happiness from him, as he always had when he was younger.
This, of course, was a mistake.
"Sir, we're going to need you to come with us."
Tobias turned from where he had been replacing books on the shelves. Two humans. Two humans were no problem. Two humans with beamguns, the human equivalent of a Dracon beam though, were a problem, especially since he was already in his most ineffective morph. Ah, well. "What for?"
The men looked at him impassively, one straightening his very black, very expensive looking suit. "We need you to save the world again, Tobias," one said.
He looked like the kinder of the two, Tobias decided, so he turned his attention to him. "How did you find me?"
The man looked slightly nervous, looking down at his feet. "We're not allowed to disclose any information to you at this time."
"Why the hell not? What do I even need to save it from? And haven't I saved it enough already? You can't just force me to go."
"Actually, we can." The other man told him. Tobias hadn't noticed him fiddling with the power setting on his beamgun, which he now raised, and pointed at his head. "See you later, Animorph."
Tobias's world went black.
Jordan walked quickly toward Tobias's book store. He was late, he had been in a meeting, and things had gone on much longer than he thought they would… He hoped Tobias was still waiting for him, and not angry. Normally it wouldn't have been a problem, but Tobias had something special planned for tonight, he had told him, and made a special point of telling him not to be late. He was annoyed, at his job and himself. Bah, Tobias would make him feel better, anyway. It still seemed to him that all he had to do was touch the other boy, even see him, and something on his shoulders melted away and all he could stand to notice was him, him, him. He couldn't help smiling widely as he pushed open the door of the store. "Tobias, I'm sorry I'm late but--" It was empty, the lights off and darkened. It was strange that the door hadn't been locked, but Tobias was forgetful sometimes, it was probably nothing. Jordan locked the door and closed it tight.
It was a pity the lights weren't on. He would have noticed the singe of beam fire, blackening the very shelf Tobias had been standing in front of when they shot him. But they weren't, so Jordan left, and went home.
"Tobias?" He called into the darkness of their apartment. No answer. He went to each room, flipping on the lights and peering around them for signs of, he didn't know, anything strange. Nothing. He paused by Elliot's cage, scratching his head through the bars. Actually, that was something strange. If Tobias had been here, he would have let Elliot out. Jordan sat down on his bed, staring at his hands. He felt strangely numb. Tobias… Tobias certainly wouldn't have run off just because he had been late. No. Maybe he had gone out flying? But he would have left a note, he always did… Jordan clenched his hands into fists, suddenly inexplicably angry. Something must have happened to him. There was nothing else, no other explanation. He was scared. If something bad happened to his Tobias… Jordan shook his head, trying to clear it. He couldn't call the police, no, they'd tell him it wasn't a proper missing persons case unless he'd been gone for much longer, and besides it wouldn't be good to let people know that Tobias was here, in this city, Tobias wouldn't like that. So… he'd have to find him himself. Jordan left his apartment, leaving a quick note to call him in case Tobias happened to come back, and stepped outside. He crouched down in the entryway, hidden by the darkness, and began to morph.