Wow, ok, so that took a long time. My apologies. I'm finally done all the rest of my stuff, so I can focus on this a bit more and it won't, hopefully, be months between updates. So, please enjoy what I have today, review so I know you did (or didn't), and as always, thank you for reading.

Chapter 4

Farfarello was bored with no one to play with and wandered his cell quietly for a bit. He played a game with the new guard, stalking him around the intermediate room; the man was so scared he almost wet himself and the blond fell from his perch above the door laughing. The outer door slammed and there was a clear thump from the other side as the large man's legs gave out. Just to scare him more, he behaved for an hour or two then hid, sliding along the walls soundlessly until he could pop up and look straight into searching eyes, sending the watcher stumbling back in a flurry of curses.

To amuse himself, he hauled out his knives and sharpened them then practiced dexterity on both arms. One of the cuts resembled a cross and he set off on one of his rants, scrawling passages on the walls in blood, voice raised in an accented song. Once he wore down, he noticed two meals waiting for him and ate quickly before a nap.

The white coated people came just past his final meal and he played catch with them for a little; just to tease, he sliced an assistant's arm open but quieted when his favorite doctor arrived. She was a pretty honey blond in her mid-twenties who never flinched, even when he attacked her or cut himself and smeared blood on her; he tried to behave decently for her so he'd have another chance to make her jump.

A little blue pill was presented and he opened his mouth, nipping the fingers that were too slow to avoid him. A pretense of swallowing was made and got tightened lips and a wave for him to hurry up. White shook quickly and he refused to give it back when it was demanded. "Fine. Keep it. I'm still giving you this." A needle was prepared and he let them swab his arm with alcohol, which tickled, and slide the hollow metal into his skin.

The assistants at his arms tightened their grips as his head rolled back and his hands started to clench and released uncontrollably; his supper was thrown up and he started to seize within a minute of the dose. An annoyed sigh and the sedative was given; as it worked, his legs gave and he was dropped to the floor, the assistants getting away as soon as possible.

The bags were repacked and the doctor crouched beside him. "I'm gonna get you. I'll figure it out and you'll do as I say." Manicured nails scratched his head and got a soft groan in response. "You'll see."

Brisk steps had her at the door when silver flashed by her face and buried in the wall, a lock of blond bang drifting to her shoulder. Her hand rose to touch her cheek and came away bloody. When she looked back, he was propped on his side, knife in hand; her chin tilted in defiance, refusing to allow him to scare her. "Not even you can destroy what God hath wrought. Only once He is dead and rotted can I be taken." The cool look faded, replaced by a child's smile, innocent and sweet. "See you next time."

Shudders raced down her back and she turned abruptly and stomped out, coding the door with an annoyed flick of her hand. Half way down the hall, her legs collapsed and she had to practice breathing on the floor. She canceled the order for a bath and left the boy in his dirty cell for the night; a petty punishment, and one he wouldn't be bothered by, but it made her feel better, avenged.

Experiments were put off until a new formula could be prepared and a mild sedative was placed in all meals and eaten without issue; physical lessons moved forward and took priority over everything else on the training schedule. For the most part, he was sweet, malleable, and relaxed and everyone stayed as far away as possible, wanting only to not be around when the explosion hit.

He wouldn't sit still in a classroom with others, throwing things, babbling to himself, or harassing anyone within reach, and was finally separated in another room. Math was a failure, given up when he started copying equations on his arms with needles, physics and chemistry ended the same way, and history was down right embarrassing when he fell asleep and couldn't be woken up; Taran almost burst a blood vessel when he had to go and get his charge. The blond refused to write the language test, sitting quietly until his time was up and doodling on the test sheet and table. Darias slipped in to give him an update on Schuldig while Taran was busy yelling at the exam coordinator; the news was met with bland indifference.

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"Number 928TX." Nothing, not even a flinch from the blond, who was sprawled out on the floor, scribbling quietly. He'd stolen a pencil from somewhere and made a huge fuss about paper, even attacking an instructor for his note pad; the deal of one piece earned for each perfect shot was made to keep him calm.

There was a tidy stack of pictures arranged beside the pile of blank sheets and it was all Darias could do not to smile whenever he saw them. Taran was having fits over spoiling the blond and was determined he was just acting up to get what he wanted; his partner refrained from pointing out that yes, that is what children do, especially if it works. Farfarello's acting up was just a bit more dangerous than most.

Taran gritted his teeth and made the effort not to squeeze the slim arm in his hand. "Farfarello. Come here." That got a peek of light eyes over the white clothed shoulder and the blond bounced up to come over and poke the girl the older man was holding. "This is Number 7JW29. She's your new partner."

Another poke and he turned away, walking over to sit down on the floor, back turned. "Where is Guilt?"

"He's gone. This is your partner now." His face was left carefully blank. The first time the brat spoke to him and it was to ask after that pest. "There's no training today, get used to each other and you can start tomorrow."

He was ignored and patted the brunette on the back, nudging her forward before he let himself out. She took a few hesitant steps forward, waiting for a sign she was, or wasn't, welcome. A little under 5'5, with close cropped hair and a just rounding figure, she'd been chosen because of her talent, a high 16 telepathic healer with the potential to go much further, and her maturing body, in the hopes that she would be able to get close to the unstable blond.

"He, hello." Another step closer and he didn't look up, scribbling a passage along the top of his picture. "I'm training to be a doctor. So, ah, do you want to see my things?" The small bag she clutched in her hands was opened and she sat on the floor behind him, pulling out bottles of oils, painkillers, bandages, disinfectants, and a few other loose ends and bits she'd collected. The soft clink of things lining up drew the blond's attention and he watched from the corner of his eye as she pulled out a book; it was grabbed immediately and he scooted away to look at the pictures, flipping through quickly.

She followed and sat beside him, pointing out interesting facts and adding little pieces of information not listed. His attention started to wander after a few minutes and he crawled back over to draw more. Again, she followed. "What are you drawing?"

"Victory." His pencil flashed, adding detail and filling in shades. There were two boys, one clearly recognizable as Farfarello, the other unfamiliar with long dark-shaded hair, Guilt maybe, standing on a mountain of corpses. The blond was balancing in cupped hands and being lifted to what appeared to be a cloud, fuzzy and unformed.

Her hand reached out to touch and he growled, low and deep in his chest; she yanked her hand away hastily. No other sound, no objection to her looking, so she examined the rest of the picture; the passage scrawled across the top was too messy to read but the rest was a bit fanciful, if gory with the mountain of corpses and broken bodies littered around the base. Until she noticed the face he was filling in looked a lot like her and she scrambled away, banging on the door. "They won't come. They don't care about you."

He was suddenly behind her, hands on her cheeks, nose tucked into the base of her neck. Shivers ran down her spine and tingled in her fingertips as he licked soft skin and tested his teeth lightly on her shoulder. A panicked push sent her sliding through the flimsy shields and she struggled in the swirling red, feeling it sucking her down as she clawed through; it wasn't so much a sound as a feeling of popping past the barrier and she fell to her knees on a soft hill.

Dark hair jerked around so she could see the flow of land and soft grass, her fingers digging into the slightly moist ground. This was strange, like a fairy tale picture with green and blue streaks mixing with red in the sky; she couldn't say it was disorganized, just, blank. No memory storage system, no thoughts, no emotions, nothing but a perfect picture.

A boy with dark hair, slender, a smaller, younger version of Farfarello suddenly stood over her, staring down. ::Who are you?::

Slow movements and she stood, brushing her pants to buy time. ::Are you, Farfarello?:: Soft laughter, childlike, and a small finger pointed upwards.

::No. He's up there.:: Dark hair tilted to stare at the sky, watching a white haired teen drop to stand before her, the small brunet form fading behind him. Were there two personalities? It would explain rumors of sudden, inexplicable rages, the contrasting sweetness he showed from time to time, and the way he randomly reacted to mentions of God, religion, faith, pretty much anything even vaguely related. Or that he deemed related.

A hard hand gripped her chin and dark gold glared at her. ::Who are you? I did not say you could come here!::

Her hand slapped his away and her chin lifted. ::You know who I am. I am your partner and you can call me 7J.:: Dark brown met the angry yellow. ::I do not need your permission to come here, I am strong enough to do as I like.::

The slightly pointed chin was grabbed again and she knew instinctively she'd never break this hold. ::Are you my friend?::

Thick lashes moved rapidly. What should she say? They said he hated liars but what would be the truth::I would like to be.::

::Why?::

::Because you are strong and I am strong. The strong should be placed together, and I do not want anyone weak near me.:: She mirrored her mental body with her physical, lifting her arms to touch his hands, tugging them gently down to her shoulders. A twist of her body brought them close and they brushed together; a hint of surprise from the blond when she moved her hips against his, feeling the half hard length between his legs. ::What do you want to be my friend?::

If it was sex, she'd done worse. And at least he was reasonably cute. His lips were chapped and she licked quickly to help soften them under hers. Sharp teeth nipped firmly and blood trailed over her tongue; a firm shove and she pounded a small fist against his chest. ::No! No biting, you have to be gentle.:: Her hands moved his down her sides to her hips. ::Girls like it when you are gentle.::

There was a pause and she thought he might ignore her; a soft touch of lips to her collar made her smile and she ran her fingers through his hair. ::Yes, just like that.::

No rush of desire but a slow burn of curiosity and interest washed over her as gentle hands slipped over her sides again, running up and down to settle at soft hips. Light kisses were shared, 7J licking a line up his neck to nibble at a delicate ear. How he could be so slender and fragile looking and have such a reputation was baffling but his body was all lean angles and thin limbs. Her fingers ran over his chest and counted each rib on the way down to tickle the flat stomach.

A slow squirm brought them closer together, chests touching, the boy's hands skimming her hips and ass, wiggling under her clothes to touch soft skin. She arched into his touch, encouraging the gentle hands. Her fingers slid into his pants, trailing the lean erection, young body eager under her experienced touch.

7J pulled away long enough to reach for her oils, digging out an anesthetic of clove to spread over his hands. He stared at them for a moment, curious before they were placed at her thighs, eased up the inside to touch soft folds. The oil made it tolerable, even a bit pleasant for him to explore her, dipping inside while they kissed, tongues mimicking what was to come.

Clothes were shrugged off in a heap and she stepped towards the nest. He growled and pulled her back, pushing the slender body to the cold floor. She kicked him and dragged at their discarded clothes to put at least once barrier between her skin and the icy cement. They rolled, pushing and kicking at each other until they came to rest with the blond on his back, hands gripping slender hips firmly, trim thighs straddling his stomach

The light of battle lust was beginning to overtake the physical lust and the brunette moved quickly, licking a trail from his lips to a flat nipple, sucking gently until it peaked. Its owner arched and moved restlessly under her but didn't attack or try to move her. A smirk was hidden but triumph flared as she scooted backwards to rock their hips together.

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"Where are they?" Taran stomped around the room terrorizing the aide and riffling through folders and pages on the desks. "Where are those files? I sent for them an hour ago!"

"I, I don't know, Sir. I just got here, I" The telepath gripped the front of his coat and lifted him until his toes barely touched the floor.

The tall brunet sneered down. "I don't give a shit. Find them."

::Taran.:: Argh, not him. That was all he needed today. ::The files are in the second drawer on the left.:: The door opened behind him and he ignored it to stomp over and dig out his folders. That little know it all.

Darias stood at the window watching quietly and his partner came to stand beside him, smirking as he flipped through charts and notes. ::Ha, he likes her.:: A slender shoulder rolled beside his and he nudged the thin side with an elbow. ::Looking good for my girl. Even if they don't match, he's decent breeding stock, don't you think?::

The smaller brunet watched quietly for a minute. ::Taran, I think you should pull her as soon as they're done.::

::What? Hell no, they're perfect.:: Darias didn't look at him, even when the older man turned to face him. ::What makes you think we should take her out?::

Dark eyes cut to him and a shoulder rolled again. ::Something feels off. I really think you should take her out. You can always put her back, right?::

The telepath looked down at his partner and considered for a minute. ::I don't think anything is wrong.:: He still ordered a team to be on call and double checked his guns. If Darias was being paranoid, well, then he was, but if he was right… It didn't hurt to be ready.

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The two teens lay quietly, relaxed. Soft words were mumbled against her neck and 7J nudged him back to hear. "Shouldn't lie." Teeth pressed to her skin in a wide smile. "Liars go to hell."

His shields were back in place, blocking her foray into his mind, showing only lazy swirls of red. "I didn't lie." A solid push and the shields… held? They weren't this strong before, she got through easily last time, what was going on?

Pressure at her throat cut her air off abruptly and he laughed down at her. "You came here to steal from me." The other hand trailed over her stomach, short nails scratching soft skin. "I won't let you, I'll take it back before you can lie and destroy it." Whimpers and panicked panting accompanied the struggling but a blade appeared in his hand, running over the quivering tummy. His mouth covered hers as he cut deeply, swallowing the shriek, ignoring the sharp nails that dug into his sides and back.

Voices came from outside and he sank his hand into the warm, blood slicked cavern, digging quickly as the door slammed open and a team of six burst in, guns up. "Back off!" He dug deeper, searching with quick fingers. "Fuck, just shoot him."

Shots scattered at the place where he'd been, just barely hitting him as he bolted backwards, blood from 7J and himself flying in thick droplets. "Cease fire. Get her out of here." Two guards jumped to lift the limp body and rush her to the medical ward to be put back together. The other four guns remained steady, Taran in the front waving the others back as he moved towards them, sliding his feet carefully backwards.

Yellow was glowing at him, staring straight into his soul, silver flashing between thin fingers from three knives, an endless cycle; not even the two grooves in his shoulder and thigh were enough to slow the silent, graceful pacing. One, two, three steps, turn, back three steps, turn; it was hypnotic and wrong and he slid deep, taking a firm grip on the bubbling mind.

Red waves moved under his feet and a child reached up, laughing, a twin to the original Number 928TX who had arrived bound and so drugged it took four days for him to just be able to think, never mind focus or stand. Chains captured the small form immediately and tightened sharply. ::Enough. I'll break you completely if I have to.:: The physical body froze mid-step, balancing delicately while the mental image shrieked and fought, growing stronger as the seconds passed, and Taran gritted his teeth and fought back.

More power was shoved into the links and the boy throbbed with his rage, body nearly pulsing with barely restrained power. Taran suddenly had the feeling he wouldn't get out of here. "Everyone out." The guards were already at the door but he could hear Darias, oh god, Darias, still moving behind him, close, close, too close, get out, go, go.

Laughter from the still blond and he looked into the pale eyes and saw his death snickering at him. The mental image of the brunet was no longer fighting and the red world went still, the soft rush of waves vanished, the thick brush of fluid dissolving into a crystal clear silence. The crimson sky seemed to darken slightly and dark hair moved frantically as Taran tried to see what was happening.

::You are rude.:: A low voice, past the high pitch of teenage years, masculine and clearly adult. And coming from behind and above him.

He whirled and stared in shock, mouth working. A man, with short, spiky white hair, scars on his face and hands, stood before him; Farfarello. He could think of no other name, certainly not his number, that was for the child, and this, this was what he would become. A patch covered one eye and he only wore leather pants, leaving his chest bare and smooth except for a few small scars. ::You are not allowed here.:: He didn't move but Taran choked, a hard grip on his throat.

::Release me.:: The brunet refused to back down and didn't reach for his throat, breathing shallowly and staring straight at the blond.

Thin lips tipped viciously. ::As you will.:: His uncovered eye closed and the telepath felt pressure shoving him through the red world and barriers, slamming him back into his own body. For a second, the gun dipped then came back up, facing the still laughing blond.

The boy took a step to the side, then back, bouncing in place. "Bring me Guilt." The knife touched his skin and it parted instantly from shoulder across to a thin hip. Blood welled and was flicked at the tall brunet.

"Guilt is gone." A step back, then another, if he could just get closer to the door, Darias would stay behind him and they might get out.

The red covered knife flashed to land between his feet. "You shouldn't lie." A bright smile and another knife was juggled lightly. "He won't love you anymore if you lie." The second knife was thrown and Taran ducked to the side; unnecessary, it was too far to the left to hit him and a soft gasp from behind him told him the target.

A quick look showed a small cut on his partner's bicep and he growled. 'You little bastard.' He took an involuntary step forward and immediately realized his mistake when the blond darted forward, weapon up. ::Darias, go!:: Maybe, maybe he could buy enough time for the younger man to get out.

One shot, then two were squeezed off but the boy was too fast, movements unpredictable, impossible to hit. Taran's senses sharpened and he felt everything slow, details bright; the sharp grin and amber eyes, the brush of cloth as his arms moved in an effort to track, the faint tap of Darias' foot behind him, warm cinnamon breath sliding over his cheek and a strong hand on his shoulder, shoving him in a turn. The perfect black of Darias' eyes sent a jab of panic down his back as he spun and tried to track the moving body again.

Time sped up again, the crack of a shot over his shoulder deafening him just before the white and crimson blur slammed into his partner, rolling them to the floor to end with the blond straddling slim hips, the empath's weapon hand trapped between a hard hand and the cement floor, knife already cutting delicate skin at the pale throat. The pair stared at each other as the older brunet took aim; a perfect shot and his fingers started to squeeze the trigger. ::Don't shoot!::

"Why?" Soft, a bit of lilt in the young voice, and wide eyes looked up, pupils swallowing the iris. The empath could feel the rage being tamped down and focused on controlling himself, speaking quietly to answer the question.

"Because. He is my partner." A questioning sound and the younger male shifted his weight, moving further up the slender body to touch noses and stare at the dark eyes. "It's what you do, when you have a perfect partner. You can't live without them."

White tilted, noses still touching, long lashes fluttering softly, tangling with Darias'. "What?" The bloodlust was fading quickly, washing away under curiosity and the brunet felt his fading as well, felt himself come down and back to his own emotions.

A slight smile and his free hand waved to Taran, who slid closer, careful to keep his gun pointed at the blond head at an angle that he would miss Darias. Probably. Hopefully. "It's a talent empaths have. I can feel emotions, change them, manipulate them, use them. Temporarily feed off them as energy, fuel for my own." Slow blinking and the close face pulled away, knife steady as his legs flexed to bring him to his feet.

Quiet steps took him to his nest and he ran his fingers over the bedding, touching his favorite blanket lightly; Schuldig's favorite blanket, the one he always insisted was his and that he wasn't sharing. "Partner." He looked back the pair standing by the door, Taran's arm around the smaller man's waist and raised his last knife to his face. "Bring me Guilt." The blade bit deeply of his cheek and struck upwards, slashing over his left eye and through his eyebrow; blood gushed, flooding his vision and flowing over his chin and chest.

The empath reached to him but his partner pulled him back with one arm, fumbling in his pocket for a handkerchief. The soft blue cloth was tossed to the blond and he dragged his resisting partner away, ignoring the struggles and slamming the door behind them. "Taran, he needs help, we have to" A hard kiss stopped the words and in the shocked silence that followed, they were through the outer door and locking it behind them.

"No. He'll tie it off and if he loses it, he does." His legs finally gave, leaving the pair sprawled on the floor, the smaller hugged tightly enough to cut off his air. ::Why didn't you leave? You little idiot, you know it's dangerous to do that.:: He could have lost him.

::I can't leave you behind, Taran, you know that. And I may as well lose myself protecting you as watch you die.:: Gentle fingers trailed through the short hair and the empath pushed lightly, letting happiness at being alive and affection move through their link.

Loud throat clearing indicated they weren't alone and they looked up to see the guards lined up along the hall and their supervisor watching them. "What is going on here?"

The pair on the floor looked at each other; covered with Farfarello's blood, Darias bleeding sluggishly from his neck and arm, hands shaking, and then looked back up. Taran pushed himself up, leaning on the wall. "Sir, I would like to retract my prior statements. If Number 928TX can be controlled by Number JD910, put them together. Otherwise, I strongly suggest he be put down." There was a faint protest from the man at his feet, struggling to get up but his coat was caught under his older partner's foot and the smaller form couldn't move. "There is something seriously wrong with him, his mind is too twisted to use and I'm not sure it can be broken. At least not by us."

"Careful what you say. I might mistake it for a lack of faith in the organization." The oldest officer took a step forward and checked the window to the cell. "He's fine now." Farfarello was curled in his blanket, eye wrapped in the blue handkerchief, and Hardring turned back. "Keep trying. There are still three weeks left before your deadline. I want him matched. Use stronger talents, 18 or above."

A small fist slammed down on Taran's foot, hard enough for a soft crunch to be heard and Darias scrambled to his feet when the offended body part lifted to shake a bit. "Sir, there are only four student 18's here and two are already matched. Anything higher is already paired and are instructors. There isn't anyone to match him with!"

"Break the pairs. I want him matched by the end of the week." Before they could protest again, he turned and strode down the hall, his straight back daring them to come after him.

::Shit, Taran, if we do this, his training alone will break Rosenkreuz. And, breaking pairs? What about you?::

::I think we've already established he won't take to me. Or you, for that matter. So. We start with the unmatched ones and work our way up.:: Out loud, he started giving orders for a full team to be on standby in three hours and for his first choice to be ready. ::We'll do as we were told and keep as many alive as possible. In the meantime, you go look after those cuts and check on Number JD910. We'll need him by the end of the month.::

Dark eyes stared up at him, filled with worry and uncertainty. ::Alright. Be careful, ok?:: A tuck of a smile. ::I won't be there to save you again.:: A faint laugh and a large hand rubbed his head before giving him a push towards the medical ward.

The sedative dose was increased, doubled per meal. The telekinetic male they sent in first forced the lock and bolted; they dragged him back and he settled in a corner near the door, completely ignored until it was time to eat. Then the blond was vaguely interested in him, calling him over with nice little waves and a soft voice before slicing a gash in his arm. The liquid was gathered in a bowl from his meal and used to paint with. They took the boy out.

A twenty year old telepath was next. She lasted almost an hour before they took her out, dazed and rambling vaguely in Gaelic, a language she hadn't known when she went in. The matched students were next, their partners waiting at the door anxiously to take them back to their rooms when they stumbled out, bleeding or crying.

Taran called it for the night and made a quick stop before heading back to the room he shared with Darias to find his partner passed out on the bed, maxed out on painkillers and sedatives.

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Long chapter this time but I couldn't find anywhere to cut it off properly. Oh well. Please review! Thank you.