Author's Note: I know I promised this sooner but…exams make a person go insane. So does confrontations with earlier heartbreak mentioned…I didn't want that angst to create some influence over how this story is SUPPOSED to go…AnYways.

As a consolation-for those who care…I put up in the forum a fic sampler of upcoming projects I'm hoping to finish by the end of this year. Hopefully all will be tackled even by the end of summer? Who knows. Go check it out though, and comment what interests you-what you may want to see come out first. Just comment on that topic-I'd really appreciate it.

Disclaimer: Refer back to the prologue.

Warnings: Mostly action here. Pairing is coming up soon! Just gotta lead into it-the cool way, 'na mean? Though I'm sure you're all getting a bit impatient by now…? I'll try to upload fast!

Fic Note: Thank you ALL for your reviews last chapter. Working away! Hopefully will get closer to the half-way point this weekend!

Interesting how my writing style changes slightly from chapter to chapter, right? I've found this is the downside of many planned chapters and few days to write it in. Moods change, time changes, everything changes little by little. Oh well, I still have enthusiasm for this fic though-hopefully you guys are still with me 'till the end!

Chance Encounter

"Damnit!" Farel slammed his fist against iron doors. There was no equipment that could get the Trojans through these doors.

It appeared that the leader of the SRT group had fled for some reason or another and the defense had been smart enough to quickly regroup and block all entrances leading to the core of the base. At this point, Farel found himself keeping cool on the outside, but cursing a million curses under his breath inwardly. Had Lan still been with them, they could've found a way into the base, but right now-no dice.

As he regretfully told his troops to retreat until they could think of another way to approach the situation, he thought about why he was even at this base anyway. He chuckled-it was quite ironic. The one they needed most for this mission had betrayed them. As they headed back for base, Farel felt automatic mild concern for Lan's well being, though he didn't want to readily admit it to himself.

Chaud felt like a complete moron at the moment-to put it lightly. He had gone out in the middle of town, on his own, to find a person whom he didn't even know the set location of; he was simply wandering endlessly in the middle of nowhere.

He remained still in the quiet of the empty street. The area he was in was restricted to normal civilians, so they hardly received any traffic. He was leaning against the lamppost when he heard the sound.

The sound of crying.

It sent ripples of pain through his heart. Only one thought was on his mind as he ran in the direction of the sound.

"Lan…"

He didn't know how many corners he had turned to get to this point. Lan could've sworn he had been walking for hours, but he probably really only walked no more than twenty minutes. Megaman had stopped trying to talk to him a while ago-since he wasn't in the mood for answering anyway. He was just so lost.

Go home. A part of him was telling him to do so. However, he just couldn't bring himself to do it. A bit too angsty, one may think, but no matter how accepting his parents were-it still disgusted him to think he had a right to randomly come back home and say 'oh, hello, how are you? I'm the son you've been missing for years, how does it feel to see me again as an ex-criminal?' or something of that sort.

Eventually he ended up slumped in the cold corner of some random alley, somehow, but it didn't really matter to him anyway-all these alleys looked the same. Since he had stopped being Trojan leader, he no longer needed to know the difference between alleyways. Somewhere during his mild depression, he had forgotten all sense of needing to know where he was headed anyway.

So here he was, crying. For no reason at all. At first, he had wanted Megaman to console him, but he realized that to be a stupid idea. He had treated Megaman with disrespect recently, he didn't deserve any kindness at this point. He had screwed up, and badly, no questioning that.

Kindness and mercy. Two words he felt that he would never witness the meanings of ever again.

Drowned in his own pool of self-pity and depressing thoughts, he never registered the sound of rapid footsteps nearing his location. In fact, he didn't register anything until he saw two black boots in front of his face, and the familiar army pants from so long ago, all tied together with the heavy breathing of a figure bent over and clasping its knees, shadowing over Lan.

Empty brown orbs slowly looked up and locked with soft blue ones. Lan felt his jaw drop slightly. Chaud smiled, his blue orbs sparkling through his sweat-drenched hair. Standing up a bit straighter, yet still bend slightly, he offered his hand to Lan.

They remained like that for several seconds, maybe even a couple minutes-but it definitely felt much longer than that for both boys. Then there was a cool breeze that brushed gently against them both. That was all the push Lan needed. Taking Chaud's hand he buried his face into Chaud's chest and let the tears flow silently, feeling warm and protected in his strong arms, holding him closely, letting him release all of that stress. Chaud also let himself relax. The worst seemed to be over, for now.

"Lan…we need to have a serious talk."

Lan avoided Chaud's eyes and continued to stare at his feet. Chaud sighed. "Come on, Lan, work with me here…"

"…What do you want me to say, Chaud?"

Chaud felt exasperated, "Look, Lan…didn't we agree that Trojan activity would end that day?"

Lan laughed bitterly. "If Trojan termination is what this was about…I can't help you anymore, Chaud."

Chaud blinked, "What?"

Lan sighed, "…It's really out of my hands, Chaud."

"And why is that?"

"They…they got tired of me ordering them around! Okay!" Lan spit out, finally.

Chaud was caught by slight surprise. He thought about this new piece of information. He gripped one of Lan's shoulders and brought the younger boy closer to comfort him. "All right Lan…you go home now. I'll let your parents know that you're coming…they've been waiting a long time for you…"

"…" Lan paused a moment, then decided against telling Chaud his true feelings about that idea, "What…what are you going to do?"

"Don't worry about it."

"Okay…"

It was a cowardly way to do it, Chaud knew. He had commanded Blaze SRT to do one of the most childish strategy in the book. If nothing goes your way, play nights. His SRT located the Trojan base with simple coaxing from Lan and then they ambushed the base that very night, finally capturing every last one.

Except, of course, the new leader. Once again, Chaud had played cat-and-mouse with Farel. Finally, out of breath, he had the other youth cornered.

Click. Chaud's gun was aimed straight for Farel's head. Both boys had a small level staring contest with one another. Farel was the first to break the ice. "Who told you where we were?"

"You know who."

Farel chuckled. "Hn. I see."

To Chaud's amazement, Farel raised his arms in submission, dropping his own weapon. "All right. Take me in."

Chaud fidgeted a bit. "Why so simple?"

"There are no more Trojans…my former leader is nothing more than a spy. What more is there to fight for?"

"…"

"Absolutely nothing. But I hope you realize this was the cheapest way to do this?"

"…Yes."

"Hn. As long as you know."

Chaud buzzed in on the comm. "All right soldiers, to the center of the vicinity. I've captured the final member of the Trojans. Let's take him in."

"Sir, yes, sir!"

The eyes of both boys locked for a moment. For just that moment, both could share a brief moment of relief. For many different, yet similar reasons.

Hopefully that made up for everyone's long wait! I know I worked my butt off on this one! We're getting closer to the halfway point of this fic! Hope you all stick around!

-SaiKenYuu-