I'Son woke up slowly. At first, he felt fine waking up, but then, little by little, the nights events returned to his mind. Bleylock going completely feral on him. And the beating...he could still feel the soreness all over. His back seemed to have taken the worst of it. And also, his lower ribs. HE then noticed he had been bandaged. And laid in bed. And beside him lay..Bleylock. To see the dark silhouette of the other man, sleeping net to him, sent fears deep into his heart. He thought Bleylock capable of many things, but this attack.. He never thought he would do this to him. I'Son tried to distance himself ever so slightly from the other man, but to move felt painful. Clearly he had cracked some ribs. And then, Bleylock moved, placing a hand to his bare chest.

For some reason, that felt a lot more uncomfortable than it should have. I'Son could tell it was the break of dawn, by the small glimmer of light from outside. Artificial sure, but he knew it only came on during the daily hours, to simmulate a normal cycle of light and dark. Bleylock moved closer.

I'Son felt frozen at what to do. First, Bleylock beat him senseless, and now he wanted to cuddle. That was not first on his list of priorities after what had happened. Then, he saw Bleylocks yellow eyes open.

"You are awake, thank goodness. I was afraid I had killed you.." Bleylock whispered, in a strangely soft voice.

I'Son was not sure what to make of this. And that made him hesitate to answer.

Bleylock noticed.

"I'Son..I..I never meant to hurt you.." he stammered.

I'Son only looked at him.

"And yet, that is exactly what you did.." he whispered back, not looking at him.

All of this had caused him to feel fearful of his lover. This dark side..that was whom Bleylock had tried to suppress, his own inner demon, the one he was trained to be, without emotion of any kind. Was he always like that? How could he have missed all the signs, if there had even been any? But he knew why. He had been so taken with the idea to get ahead in his research, that he chose to ignore warnings, all to get to the information he needed, wich he had sucked in as a sponge. Maybe becoming Bleylocks lover had been a really bad idea, it was not like he had not been given warnings. His friends on Akillian, Peter, the first one he ever discussed matters such as the ones they had now, with. The one that introduced him to this side of human nature. He recalled last time he was at Akillian and met his friend, talking with him. Peter knew him well, and had instantly picked up on what had been going on. And as soon as he had told him, Peter had looked compassionately at him.

"I'Son, I am not going to tell you how to live your life. You are an adult, and in life, there is much wisdom that comes from the hardest experiences you can endure. But promise me one thing. I care about you as a friend, and as much as I hate the idea of you getting hurt, I fear you are on the fast track to that happening now. Please I'Son, for your own sake, and all of those that love you, be careful with General Bleylock. Right now, he is reeling you in, with all the promise of what he can do to help you, be careful this information dont come at the price of your own life" he had said.

Now,this memory came back in full force.

He could not stay in this relationship. Bleylock was right about that. This was quickly turning ugly. A relationship based in fear would lead nowhere.

But again, it seemed Bleylock had other plans.

"You got a few cracked ribs, and some severe bruising to your back. I already reported it in, saying you were attacked outside the house. As of now, you are on sick leave for two weeks to recover.I will be working from home this time, to take care of you till you feel better. Right now, it is reccomended, you just stay in bed, and try to rest. The doctor that examined you, left a perscription for painkillers to get you through the worst of it. I suggest you take a few before you try to stand up. I will help you to the bathroom, so you can get yourself cleaned up. After that, you stay in bed. I dont want to hear any arguments. Is that understood?" Bleylock asked, voice sounding more like that of a military commander than the lover he once knew.

I'Son nodded. For the next two weeks, he was trapped in Bleylocks home. He had better be careful not to make him go feral one more time...

After two weeks, things was finally healed enough for I'Son to get back to work. He had to reduce his hours a bit, but for now, he still had the teachings.

That made him smile. He hoped his students, especially Helena, had not been too worried about his absence. If his body could handle it, he would see if he could fit a small consultation with her, into his schedule. As he parked outside the campus, he saw her come walking with some friends.

"Professor I'Son! I am so relieved to see you back. We were not given much information, only that you had been attacked and was on a two week sick leave. Are you feeling better?" she asked, looking slightly worried.

I'Son smiled.

"I think it can be compared to being tackled by a Ryker, not having any flux to protect yourself. But really, just some very tender muscles remain, and a few cracked ribs. I will live to fight another day" he assured them.

Helena looked at him.

"Would you mind if I had a look at those injuries Professor?I got more questions about the foam too. You could consider it a trade off" she said, challenging him to give her an answer. I'Son smiled. No doubt Helena was flirting with him. In her eyes, he was an attractive male, and to her knowledge, available on the market, for reasons unknown. At some point he had to make the decision to either stay with Bleylock, come what may, or free himself completely. And nowdays, he started to lean more towards the latter. The passion now felt filled with fear to make him go feral again, he really did not enjoy it the way he once had. And Helena... With her, things just felt so right. She got him, who he was and what he hoped to accomplish. She was also the same age as him. Surely what Duke Maddox would have deemed a fitting partner for someone like him. And he actually wanted to move forwards with her, more and more every day. During his sick leave, he had plenty of time to think. And Helena Ortiz, she was definately a match to him and his values. He had been in contact with his football team, whom had informed him along the way, Helena had asked them about him, wondering if he was ok. It was genuine concern for his well being, and him as a person. I'Son noticed her female friends starting to make their way into the campus building. Helena still stood in front of him, smiling.

"I will accept your offer on one condition Helena" he said with a smile.

Her honey yellow eyes looked at him.

"And what condition is that Professor?" she asked.

"You allow me to ask you on a dinner and movie in return." he managed.

She smiled.

"I would graciously accept such an offer from the hottest professor on campus"...

Duke Maddox looked up as Bleylock had entered his office. It was not long ago he had to have his eye taken out due to a disease and a cybernetic eye had been chosen to replace it.

"Well, I see your progress reports General, a lot of break throughs with prisoners lately. We may be finally starting to hone in on where this Magnus Blade and his men are hiding. I got a new assignment for you. I need you at the Technoid base at Ascaron. Professor Monteague will be travelling with you. There is a couple of new projects there I need you to protect. Also, we got military mixed with the liberation army from Ascaron, wich dont want us here, and they have received some enforcement from Chissia. An elite military group from there,has joined the fight. Something about them having families there. I need you to go and look into it. You are my best man at the project General. I expect any and all attacks to be stopped" he said.

Bleylock bowed graciously.

"It shall be done your highness" he said as he retracted.

As he exited, a young woman with ginger hair and a sweet smile entered the office.

"I am here to give you your anti rejection meds, Your Excellency" she said.

Duke Maddox smiled.

Bleylock left the room.

"How was it to have professor I'Son back?" he smiled at the young woman.

"A real pleasure. I am not going to say a bad word about professor Labnor, who filled his position, but he was very technical, while I'Son has a more hands on approach to deal with matters. I never quite understood Professor Labnors explanation, so I asked for a personal consultation with Professor I'Son on it" she said as she handed him his pills and prepared a syringe.

Duke Maddox smiled.

"I heard the rumour that you are taking a great liking to I'Son. I even heard you went on a movie and dinner date" Duke Maddox smiled.

Helena chuckled at that.

"Not quite like that. He told me what kind of injuries he sustained in the attack,and I decided to ask if I could have a look. His condition for allowing that, was I let him take me out to dinner and movie" she smiled.

Duke Maddox smiled as he heard that.

"I hope you had a good time. I have heard a lot of good about him as a scientist, but he guards his personal life well" he said.

Helena laughed.

"I enjoyed it very much. He is not as dry as the others. And also, he is young, much like myself. He needs to get out more, definately, not being locked up with work all the time. And I do think he is quite handsome, and a good kisser" she smiled.

Duke Maddox chuckled.

"I am happy to hear you get along. To my knowledge, he is available, but Bleylock is his mentor, and that often makes for him working long hours. So, I have sent Bleylock away on a special mission for some would allow for you and I'Son to spend more time together. Enjoy it. And take care of this fine young man" he smiled.

Helenas eyes glittered with humour.

"I will do my best Your Excellency"...

They struck back yet another attack from the rebell forces. Now he got why Duke Maddox put him here. They needed to use some of the elements he had from planet Abraxor to fight of the Chissian fraction of this army. It seemed a fierce little group of soldiers, clearly elite. From what intel he had, it was led by a sergeant. It sounded like the commanding officers of the group was either dead or unable to fight. But they were fierce. One attack after another, strategically planned. They also used high end explosives to take out important command posts, crippling the Technoid compound further. Something had to be done. Bleylock thought for a moment, then, he went to his personal office in the compound, and made a holo call.

"I need to speak to Lieutenant Marshall right this instant. His men are getting to be a menace around here. Who is in charge, and how can I stop them?"...

A dream. Just a perfect dream. I'Son leaned back on the sofa, with a glass of wine in his hand. Helena sat next to him , leaning her head to his chest, under the blanket, staring into the fire place.

"This is perfect, if I am dreaming, dont wake me up. I will just continue dreaming" she said.

I'Son gently kissed her.

"Then I guess we are both dreaming the same dream.I am also not planning to wake up" he joked.

Helena put her wine glass down, and took I'Sons too.

Then she looked at him.

"I'Son,I think I am starting to fall in love with you. Like..really falling in love with you. But I have also had my heart broken in the past. So,if for any reason this is not something you feel comfortable about, please tell me now, before things go too far" she said, voice sounding strangely vulnerable.

I'Son looked at her.

"I am feeling the same way as you Helena. And I too want to move forwards with this. But..there is a few complications I need to take care of first" he admitted.

Helena looked at him.

"You are not available, is that it?" she asked.

"No, the matter is my mentor. General Bleylock. He has had some..moodswings lately. I have thought of moving out, sharing house was more out of convenience, as his computer has higher access clearance than the library. But, I am afraid he may do something stupid, if I decide to move out. He..has some rather strange abandonment issues, rooted in child hood trauma. We are not a couple, but house mates" he managed.

There, now he had said it. And for some reason, that was exactly how it should have been all this time, instead of letting a romantic connection become part of it. I'Son realised just how dangerous this was becoming and fast. Helena, bless her heart, was offering him a way out of this.

But now that he knew, remained the worst part.

Helena looked at him.

"Would you want to be my boyfriend if I asked you?" she asked, looking at him.

I'Son smiled.

"And are you asking Helena?" he replied.

Helena nodded, a bit more serious now.

"Yes, I am. I finally found someone I feel well with. Someone I think I could build a future with. But I need you to be free to make such a commitment too" she said.

That changed everything. It was what he needed to act.

"Yes Helena, I would love to be your boyfriend" he said.

Helena got up and took his hand.

"Then, lets seal that deal, by going to a part of my apartment that you have not seen before...the bedroom" she said.

I'Son halted for a moment. Then he smiled. This was the right decision.

"Lead the way"...

He had to get some papers from his home before he returned to Ascaron. I'Son was probably at home, working as usual. In that regard, he was very for developing something to wipe out the pesky chissian army that was progressing slowly but steadily forwards. They were worse than flies. And nothing seemed to slow them down either. He would put I'Son on the case as soon as he came home. And if possible, a quickie in bed before he had to leave. But what awaited him, was not at all what he had hoped for. I'Son had packed up most of his belongings, and seemed surprised to see him.

"I'Son? What is all this about?" Bleylock asked,confused.

I'Son straightened himself. This could potentially be a very dangerous thing he got into, but it had to happen.

"I am sorry, but this is just not working out any more General. When we were lovers, it was fine, but then, since you told me we have no real future, it is best to end this now" he said.

Bleylock looked at him.

"What are you talking about?" he asked.

I'Son looked away.

"I did not mean for it to come to this, but with how things has been since the attack,I got no other choice. I..I dont feel the same way for you as I once did. Your temper, it scares me" he admitted.

Bleylock spun around and activated his laptop, then punched a code that allowed him to use the security cameras across Technoid base. It did not take him long to find the images of him and Helena on a date.

"That is it? You now fancy girls? Are you planning on a family or something, since you are now dating a girl, right under my nose? I dont recall us having broken up yet I'Son, as far as I am concerned, you are still my lover, like it or not" he yelled in a high pitched voice.

I'Son could hear the anger and rage build up. He still recalled last time. This time, he was in part to blame for it coming maybe he even was last time, but he had to stand his ground. They had no future as a couple, Helena and he did.

It seemed Bleylock was thinking.

"I wont let you leave me I'Son, I cant. If you need to have a female for reproductive measures, I am sure I can find someone more fitting to your needs than her. She is quite...ordinary looking to me. You deserve much better than that. But I will accept it, if you will just stay. I need you I'Son, like I need air to breathe" he said.

There, a clear ruse. Bleylock tried to guilt him into staying in a relationship that was now over. I'Son sighed heavily. What he was about to say was sure to have only one outcome, and for him, it would be painful.

"I am sorry Bleylock, but I cant continue this.I have met someone that I feel I do love, and she feels the same way. I will remain your friend, but I cant continue to be your lover. So, I am moving in with her. It is better this way, with a clean break" he said.

Bleylock looked at him, and I'Son took a step towards the door, this was going to be even worse than last time.

The attack was brutal, and a godsend that he passed out. But this time, Bleylock did not throw punches. He used a belt as a whip. The bloody marks was beyond understanding.

Somehow, I'Son managed to get into the car and drive to the student dorms. He had still held his dorm room,just in case. With great pain, he managed to get to the door of his dorm, but then, the loss of blood got the better off him. He had managed to escape, only to collapse outside his own dorm...