Hello everyone! I do not own Stephen King's The Dark Tower, nor Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child's Brimstone. All characters are used out of admiration for such a great authors. I also do not own the following anime Chrono Crusade, the Get Backers, or Hellsing. This is a work of Fanfiction, based off of ideas of myself and a friend of mine.

S.O.S

Chapter 4 – Tea for Two

After exiting the church Fr. Piatak moved onward to the rectory. The meeting room lights were still on. Did I leave the Playstation on? Or was it the Gamecube? He put the key in the lock, turned it and walked into the kitchen. It was a small kitchen, despite the house's size. True only two priests were in residence, but the events that occurred called for a much larger kitchen. However, they made do. He could smell the dinner that he had missed not but a few hours earlier. His stomach gave a great lurch, as if seeking revenge on its executioner. He shrugged off the mental image of a cartoon stomach grumbling about food as he hung his keys on the rack.

He closed the door behind him and first thought of getting some of those treasured leftovers. He pulled out the plate left for him out of the fridge and a drink. We walked out of the kitchen to the meeting room to find out why Remmington was wasting power and to eat his dinner. He entered the room and nearly let his dinner slip out of his fingers. His superior, Sister Kate, sat in the head chair sipping her tea, evidently awaiting his arrival.

Stammering he said, "S-s-sister Kate! Why are you here? I mean, uh, it's a pleasure to see you Sister.

"I wish I could say the same, Fr. Kyle. It seems whenever we speak now it is always in reference to the recent string of killings that your branch has been investigating."

Trying to regain his composure he placed the dinner on the table and took a seat. He hadn't been expecting his superior to drop in so unexpectedly and catch him ready to shovel food down his throat. He hadn't a clue either she had decided to show up in person, an "honor" reserved for only special "clients." He could already feel himself switching into panic mode, but bit his tongue in an attempt to stay focused.

"Fr. Kyle, I will be frank with you. The Magdalene Order is growing worried with the recent murders. If it were not for your superior record I would have pulled the case from your jurisdiction at the first opportunity," she paused for a moment to stir her tea, letting the silence emphasize her statement.

Well isn't that comforting?

She continued, "However, Fr. Remmington has the utmost confidence that you are on the verge of a breakthrough."

"You see, Kyle, if you keep forgetting to check into headquarters occasionally the boss may grow suspicious."

Fr. Piatak turned to see the man from whom the voice came and was not surprised to find Remmington leaning against the door frame, conveniently tucked away.

"Sister, Kate informed me of her intentions to visit the city, and although I tried to persuade her otherwise, she thought it was necessary to come."

"You conveniently left that out when I called earlier."

"So sorry, must have slipped my mind," he said with his usual grin.

Sister Kate spoke again, "The point, Fr. Kyle, is that this case is an unusual one and I expect frequent updates on your progress. It's hard trying to keep the Council satisfied with vague details."

"I understand, Sister."

"I'm glad to hear it," she placed the finished cup of tea on the saucer and wiped her mouth with her napkin.

"….so…can I have dinner now?"

"No."

He sagged into his seat even further at this upsetting news. How does she expect me to work without at least a little snack?

Remmington chuckled at his reaction.

"You should have grabbed something before you went out to train the deacons."

Fr. Kyle returned this statement with only a death glare. Remmington could be really irritating on an empty stomach.

Looking towards Sister Kate he asked, "So what else is there to report, Sister Kate?"

After a few moments of silence she lifted her head to meet his eyes and met his stare with her cold piercing eyes.

"We have reason to believe that your patron is present in this country."

Straightening up in his chair, attention in full gear he could not help but let his jaw drop in amazement.

"Here? But how?"

"We have been tracing an energy signal that we picked up a few months ago. It appeared suddenly, and then disappeared just as quickly. At first it was believed to be nothing but a small Hell-spawn that found its way out. But then it came back, stronger than before. The signal is similar to that of the last sighting. Surely you remember what it was like?"

How could he forget the day when heaven and hell itself were torn open from a celestial war? The day that that thing fell from the sky, Pandemonium.

"We have traced the signal to several key points in the last few months. If you recall there were similar cases to this one in the last year. His energy source, though weak, seems to follow them."

"Are you saying that Raphael is somehow connected with the recent string of homicides?"

"All I am saying is that the factor cannot be overlooked. I just pray that it is not so."

Fr. Kyle still stared in disbelief at Sister Kate, as she went on to explain the Order's plans to pursue the case. He hadn't realized that he had been shaking the entire time, or that his knuckles were pure white and gripping the arms of his chair. He tried to loosen his grip and attempt to listen again to Sister, but could not. Raphael, can you really be here? Is it possible?

"Did you hear me, Fr. Kyle?" Sister Kate asked with an impatient tone.

Remmington walked away from his place at the wall, moved beside Fr. Kyle, and laid a hand on his shoulder.

"We understand the situation, Sister Kate. We'll keep you updated on our progress, and also provide information if found concerning the sightings of Raphael if they come about," Remmington stated with the intention of ending the meeting.

"…very well. I wish you both the best of luck. And…God willing…we will find Raphael."

"Thank you, Sister Kate."

Remmington walked her out of the room and guided her to the convent next door. Fr. Kyle was left alone, his mind still racing. He would remain in this state until Remmington returned. He simply could not believe that his comrade could possibly be right under his nose and he couldn't so much as sense his presence. Maybe he had forgotten what he was like? No, that wasn't it. Something was wrong, something that he couldn't quite understand.

The sound of Fr. Remmington re-entering the rectory snapped him back into reality. His fingers cracked and his hands ached as he released the chair arms. He relaxed in his chair and stared at his dinner, but he no longer had any appetite for it. Yet another meal that he had missed. Captain's log…I'm starving…send for help…please?

Remmington entered and stood in the door way looking at the tired figure that was his brother priest.

"I hope that wasn't too much news at once for you?"

"I still can't believe that he's here, and yet I can't feel him. The three of us were always able to trace each other."

"I know. However, after his disappearance it is understandable that some changes may have occurred, ones that we were left blind to."

"I guess…but…how much?"

"Who knows? Evidently this it is part of God's plan, whether we like it or not."

Fr. Kyle groaned. "Why does He have to be so complicated? I think He enjoys messing with me."

"Well there was that one time you-"

"Don't say it!"