A/N: I felt so good about this chapter that I couldn't wait to write and upload it. It's so good. shadowcat: Thanks a bunch and here's Tala for you. He's feeling better…or is he? Carmen: Oh yes please. I love chocolate. Well, it's finally up. I'm feeling much happier today and yes, you're on the right track, but I'm saying nothing more.

Chapter Fifteen

Bryan panted heavily, slumping down onto the bed next to his redheaded lover, now drenched in sweat after partaking in an eventful session that had left him also, out of breath. Through his lover's now tousled locks, he saw a grin, a smirk that had seemed up until now, long forgotten. Tala was back.

"So did I deliver, or did I deliver?" The redhead smirked, pulling Bryan closer under the warmth that the duvet and their body heat was producing. His voice was low and sensuous.

Bryan smiled back. He couldn't recall how long it had been since they'd made love, but the absence of it for the past few weeks, had definitely made the newly rekindled action inconceivable. Never before had Tala controlled him so recklessly and in the morning nonetheless, where anybody could have wondered in. Not long after the doors had been open, Tala had suggest they stay in for a while and once the door had been closed, it hadn't been long before he'd been ripped out of his clothes and the fireworks had begun.

"So what brought that on?" Bryan asked, brushing some of the hair away from Tala's face.

The redhead chuckled.

"I just felt like it," His smile was a tease.

"Well, I'm glad to see you're back to your old self,"

"I guarantee things will get a little more interesting from now on,"

"You sure?" Bryan questioned, moving in to wrap his arms around the smaller form. "I know how things have been lately."

"Things couldn't be better," Tala snuggled into his boyfriend's chest. "One of Ian's plans is actually working and I have you."

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Bryan asked again, becoming very sceptical of his boyfriend's new positive attitude.

Tala looked up at his lover innocently, though Bryan knew otherwise.

"Kai," He reminded.

There was a short pause.

"Kai is no longer a threat, Bry'" Came to response.

"No longer?"

Tala sighed.

"He's been dealt with now and he wants nothing to do with us, so why should I let it bother me?" Tala declared.

It was nice to see that Tala was feeling much better these days. Previously, he'd stay by himself and avoided conversation with anybody aside from himself and Ian, if he could help it. He was beginning to regain composure, striking fear into those on the Wing and becoming a rebel once again, but Bryan had a hunch that it was just a cover-up. He also, couldn't help thinking that Tala would somehow be happier if he and Kai got back together, but of course, where would that leave him?

He cared about Tala deeply. Affection was beyond words he could comprehend and he didn't want to loose him, but he reckoned deep down, that his lover was still emotionally unstable.

Bryan sighed. For once he felt completely useless.

-----------------------------

"Rei".

"Rei".

That voice again. It was calling him. He was calling him.

"Rei".

He could see clearer now. It was no longer a blur. A tall sleek form stood in front of him, completely immersed in white. The twinkle in his garnet eyes, the way the wind blew through his cotton-like hair and his smile; one that only legends bore; wicked sexy.

"Rei".

And that voice. That low husky voice…oh so…

But wait.

Where was he going? He was fading somehow. How was that possible? He was right there. Why was he leaving?

"Come back" He tried to shout, but no sound was heard.

He felt himself running now, but the more he ran, the more the figure moved further away, fading into nothingness.

"Rei" He heard the figure say.

"No, don't leave me"

He bolted upright with a start, unsure of where he was at first, until he heard his name being called again. Blinking several times, he then saw Lee, standing over him, a concerned expression on his face.

"Hey, buddie. You alright?"

Rei rubbed his eyes. It had been that dream again. The one that haunted him every night for the past week.

Rei cleared his throat.

"Yeah, I'm fine," He spoke through uncertainty.

"You don't look so good," Lee said.

Rei smirked. Outside, Lee was stone-faced, but deep down he was always the compassionate one.

"I'm fine, really," Rei acknowledged. "Just a dream."

"Oh, well, its five past nine anyway," Lee stated. "You coming for breakfast?"

"Erm, yeah, I'll see you down there," Rei sat up, placing his feet on the cold hard floor. "I'm just gonna do my laundry"

Lee nodded with a smile, before he pulled open the sturdy door and disappeared. Once he was out of range, Rei flopped back down onto the mattress again with a heavy sigh.

--

Heaving down his clothes was even more of a problem today as he was still tired. He hadn't got much sleep as that dream kept popping up for what seemed like every five minutes, making him winded every time he came to.

He knew who the figure had been. The lone wolf, who was stationed on the ground floor so close and so far away. Kai. The very sound of his name made Rei tingle all over.

At first he had thought himself confused, but every night he seemed to get closer and closer to touching him. How he wouldn't mind if that could be so.

Rei shook his head out of his daze. What was he thinking? Why was he thinking like this? It was killing him. For the past few days, he had felt rundown, as if he going crazy. Every time he saw Kai, he felt weak, as if he could keel over at any moment. Every time he heard his voice, he cringed, for it was like no other. But it was unclear as to why Rei felt so. Up until now, he had thought himself as straight. He had walked into the prison feeling scared but sure of himself. Now he had never felt so perplexed. It was as if he was loosing his identity.

He slinked down the corridors slowly, blinking ever so often to keep himself awake, before he clocked onto the greenish door that was the laundry room and pushed it open. The smooth humming noise of the washers soothed him a little and the familiar scent of washing powder swept his senses. He took a deep breath and then advanced to the washing machine at the far end of the room - the one he usually went to. Absentmindedly and automatically, he opening the entrance to the drum and throwing in darker clothes first. Once he poured the washing powder into the slots, he slammed the tub shut and switched the knob to 60 degrees. He then sighed again, standing up and turning to lean on the machine. He then suddenly drew in his breath.

"Kai?" He choked, eyes widening.

Was he really standing there or was he seeing things?

Ruby eyes stared back at him like livewire. It was as if he had appeared instantaneously. Rei was sure he'd been alone when he'd entered, or was he really that hung over.

"I didn't even see you there," His heart was pounding, but not only because of the shock.

"I've been here all the time, Rei," Kai replied, in a monotonous tone. "Wish I could say the same for you"

Rei breathed in again, trying to settle his heart rate. It wasn't working.

"I know," Rei smiled weakly, avoiding all eye contact. "Just been a rough night"

Kai nodded.

In the meantime, Rei was subtly doing double takes. He looked over Kai fully, taking in the sight that stood before him. Kai was leant up against the opposite wall, half in the shadows, half not, which in turn made him look incredibly mysterious. His eyes were vibrant, calling out to him in their silent way. His poise was dignified, yet inviting. Rei tried to hide the blush that was creeping across his face. Where were these thoughts coming from?

"So," He attempted to strike up a conversation in an attempt to hide his embarrassment. "What brings you down here…so early in the morning?"

Rei inwardly cursed himself for such a poor question and an even poorer cover up.

Kai closed his eyes in the meantime. How divine.

"Tyson likes to bitch about how that Oliver and Enrique ruined his relationship," Kai replied. "It gets old fast."

"But I thought he broke up with Max," Rei asked.

"He did,"

Rei nodded, before a mild silence reigned.

In this time, his heart rate skyrocketed. Though he was looking away from Kai, he could feel his gaze upon him. He could imagine that smirk of his too, lips curled up at both sides. How he wouldn't mind touching those lips.

But what would happen to him, if he tried. Kai would surely withdraw hastily, taking care to deck him in the process to finalise any chances that Rei thought they had together. But then Kevin had told him of Kai's subtle interest in him. Maybe it was Kai who didn't know how to approach him – not like he knew how to approach Kai either.

Kai was an unpredictable someone. You never knew quite what he's thinking. Maybe that was what made him so attractive; his whole cool, casual and shady demeanour. He was a difficult catch. He was intelligent too, not to mention he was packing a brilliant physique. How he wouldn't mind running his hand over it either.

Rei blushed hard this time, even more so because he was certain Kai could see. Nonetheless, Kai said nothing. When he glimpsed him briefly, he saw that Kai's eyes were still closed, his arms folded. Only the sounds of the washing machines were eminent, but Rei could take it no more.

His clothes were just begging to be ripped off – not that Rei knew anything about gay sex – but he just wanted to see what it would be like. Kai was dazzling in those loose trousers and that tight vest top and hugged his torso firmly. He just wanted to…just wanted to…

And before he knew it, Rei had dashed forward, noting that Kai's eyes had flew open as soon as he gripped his face in his hands and planted a desperate kiss on his lips.

TBC…