Section Two: A Crash Course in Bravery and Courtesy

The chaos, the man, the screams, images and visions, imprinted themselves in his psyche. The dream and the painting whirled through his mind, blurring together, so he no longer remembered which had been imagination and which existed.

Maybe both were fiction?

Maybe neither were false?

Draco's thoughts were still in complete disarray as he left the museum, crossing the street, so he could begin the walk to his nearby apartment.

He was so preoccupied that he never saw it.

The car, that is. The driver was obviously intoxicated, swerving from lane to lane, flying past stop signs, but Draco never noticed this. In his mind, he was running through lists of names, lists of movies, lists of faces, lists of anything that could have inspired his momentary lapses in sanity.

That was when Draco made the connection. After being pushed out of the path of the car, all he saw was that face. Leaning over him, asking if he was all right, and the only thing he could think was, "Oh, well that makes sense."

"Sir, what makes sense?" The voice sounded from above him, pulling him from his internal dilemmas and bringing him back to the material world.

I said it aloud, I guess.

He sat up. His back and head were sore, Draco noted calmly. Finally composing himself once more, all signs of the life-threatening experience were slowly brushed away by a firm hand and blank look.

"Nothing, and I thank you." He nodded at the familiar man, who seemed slightly disturbed at the way the man in front of him had recovered, flawlessly recovered, his poise.

Making a recovery of his own, the man nodded his head, longish, messy black hair moving with the motion. "Of course, sir, but are you sure you are alright? You didn't hit your head?"

"No, I'm fine." His voice was cold as he issued his veiled dismissal.

He better leave soon. I want to get home as soon as I can.

But the man didn't give up. His cold façade wasn't working.

Damn.

"Sir, at least let me che-"

"I. Am. Fine. If you'll excuse me," he forced the words out, all the while striving for a polite tone. His sore back and oncoming headache were protesting any conversation with such an annoying human being.

Realizing he was still sitting on the side walk with this insufferable man kneeling over him, Draco stood up, attempting to hide the wince this action brought.

But, obviously, the man had noticed, and he reached out an arm to steady him on reflex.

"You are hurt. Please, my office is just there. I can give you Advil or find medical assistance if you need it."

Ah, now there's a sensible thought. Advil.

But Draco would never allow himself to show such weakness, willingly, to a stranger, even one that felt so familiar. "No, thank you." A pause. "But I would like one thing."

"Anything, sir."

"I would appreciate it if you would remove your extremity." Draco regally nodded at the hand that had been placed on his arm, helping the dizzy man keep his balance.

Confusion spread across the man's face before comprehension dawned. "Oh, yes, of course." He removed his hand, and Draco immediately regretted his request.

The world swayed, before the familiar stranger grabbed him once again with a small smile. "As I thought. I believe we should get you checked out."

All he managed before his world swirled to black was a grumbled and half delirious, "You are not knight, but knave."

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Review! Please! Anything! I would probably even happily accept a flame!

Thanks

-Jessy

P.S. 1)YAY! The beginings of a romance!

2) Next chapters are being revised as you read!