Author's Note- This is probably not what you guys want to hear, but in reality I have no clue where this story is going. However, I do have three ending scenarios in my mind at the moment, so now there's only to bridge the gap between them. I promise that I'll update the other two stories as well, but they're winding down where as this one is just getting started. I'm expecting there to be between four and six chapters left of "Can You Hear Me Now?" and possibly a sequel to that. As for "Give Me Something to Die For" I'm thinking maybe another three or four chapters left of that. Anyway, that's enough rambling, on with the story…

I need some shelter, I need some safety. Photographs they haunt me lately
Chasing shadows as the evening takes me, I'm still searching but the picture's fading

A large building loomed over them, casting a shadow over the pair. Cassian took a deep breath, shaking his head as though it would clear the uneasiness he was feeling in the pit of his stomach. The place didn't look familiar, but it held that same feeling of oppression that DELILAH's headquarters once had. His heart was slamming painfully against his chest as he watched Jizabel walk to the side of the large structure. Reluctantly, Cassian followed, standing just a few steps behind the younger man as he dispersed a rusty key from his coat pocket. There was the sound of grinding metal before the door creaked open.

Finally, he found his voice,

"Doctor?" Jizabel looked at him, brushing a strand of hair away from his face as their eyes locked.

"Yes, Cassian?" The question was practically burning Cassian's mouth as it danced on the tip of his tongue. He had to know where they were right now.

"What is this place?" Jizabel passed him a confused glance, and his assistant quickly added, "I mean…is this DELILAH's headquarters?" he whispered the last two words only after looking around to be sure that no one was around to hear him. The doctor shook his head.

"Not exactly…I can't explain now, but you will know soon." The older man shook his head, and grabbed Jizabel's hand in his own, before he could disappear into the dark doorway. The long, thin fingers were ice cold, but he didn't let go.

"Why can't you tell me now?" he squeezed his hand a bit unknowingly. Jizabel looked at him in confusion. "Doctor, up until now I've followed you. I've trusted everything that you've told me, though you gave me no evidence of why you're alive, or how you happened to find me earlier. All those years ago, too, I stayed by your side without asking questions…now, I want to know." Cassian's voice was stern, and traced with bitterness.

It took a few moments for Jizabel to respond. He searched the other man's eyes as he thought. Once or twice he opened his mouth to speak, but no words would form. The only thing he could whisper was,

"Cassian…I know that you have no reason to trust me, but I need you to. I promise that I will tell you everything, but not at this moment." The frail hand was dropped, and Cassian stared at the ground.

Two years ago Jizabel had never talked like this. He'd give orders, ridicules orders, and expect them to be carried out with no questions asked. No, this was not like Jizabel at all…but what could Cassian do? He'd already come this far, so there was little point in turning back. He had to know why all of this was happening, why the doctor was alive after he was supposedly dead, and how DELILAH was still being run without Alexis there. Was it possible that he too was alive? Cassian shook his head. He had to stay with him, because he wanted to know the answer to all of those questions. He needed to.

"Ok." the words were uttered coldly.

The first thing Cassian noticed was the overpowering smell of thick perfume, mixed with something else…something familiar, yet, he couldn't make out exactly what it was. He nearly choked on it walking into the dark room. Jizabel seemed to know exactly where he was going as he weaved his way past chairs and tables. As his eyes adjusted to the dark, Cassian noted at least two dozen tables, some with chairs knocked over, but the one's that weren't were all facing towards a giant stage at the centre of the large room. It took a moment for him to realise where they were.

"Is this a-,"

"Burlesque house? That's the half of it." Jizabel interrupted, carefully avoiding broken glass on the floor as he made his way to the side of the grand stage. "It's also an opium den…at least, it was." After he mentioned that, Cassian instantly recognised the odour that was being masked by the thick perfume. The unmistakable stench of opium. He remembered that Cassandra had smelled of it on a few of the occasions that they were unfortunate enough to run into one another. A sick feeling washed over Cassian, for he now inhabited that man's body. Why wasn't Jizabel at all affected by this. Surely, as one of the head priest's favourite playthings, he would be sickened by the overbearing scent more than anyone.

The two of them found their way backstage behind the gaudy velvet curtains. Why were they here of all places? Cassian didn't ask. Finally, Jizabel stopped at the foot of a wrought iron spiral staircase that seemed to lead up to catwalks above the stage.

"We'll be staying here for the night." The doctor answered his assistant's question before he'd even asked it. Cassian only nodded, and said,

"Alright." Their shoes clicked loudly against the steps, and the whole staircase shook. No doubt it was old, Cassian only prayed that the catwalks that they led to would not give way beneath them as Jizabel quickly walked across one, and stopped at a platform at the end. Cassian followed, feeling a bit less confident than his former superior. The iron frame beneath him shook, but held fast as he joined the other man on the platform on the side of the stage.

There was a small door in front of them, one Cassian assumed was either for storage, or lead to the balconies. When Jizabel took out another key from his pocket, the door turned out to lead to a hallway.

"This is where the dancers used to stay…this place has long since been shut down."

"Are we going to stay in their bedrooms then?" the older one asked, feeling just a bit uneasy about using the bed of a girl who was probably living on the streets now.

"We don't have a choice." The doctor said, walking down the hallway with Cassian close at his feet. "We'll only be staying here for one, perhaps two nights tops."

After what seemed like hours of searching in silence, they finally came to stop outside of yet another door. This one opened without a key. The layout of the room was simple enough. A large, brass framed bed sat in the far corner, right next to a window that Cassian suspected overlooked the alleyway. There was a wardrobe on the opposite side of the room, along with a vanity right next to it. Pieces of a shattered mirror littered the ground right next to where they stood, and the scent of perfume had faded. As Cassian gazed at the room, Jizabel had already walked over to the bed and pulled a quilt off of the mattress, tossing it to the floor.

"You can sleep on the bed." Cassian's eyes grew wide, but then he shook his head. The man in front of him was almost the opposite of the 'old' Jizabel…and yet they were the same.

"Are you sure…I mean, I believe you're the one who lives here."

"Yes, but I should also tell you to get some sleep. We're leaving here early tomorrow morning, it won't be safe here for much longer. Twice now I've seen the police investigating this place at night, but they never make it up here." Cassian raised an eyebrow, and whispered in a low tone,

"Why are they investigating?" Jizabel sighed, and ran a hand through his hair in thought.

"I suppose they're still suspicious that it may be being used at a spot for drug trade."

"Is it?"

"No. Well, not that I know of." a moment of silence passed before Jizabel said, "But never mind that, get some sleep tonight." Cassian nodded, slipping off his jacket, kicking off his shoes, and crossed the room to the bed. It wasn't terribly comfortable, but compared to the featherbed he'd been using in a loft above a pub before, this was like the queen's mattress. Jizabel did the same, only he pulled his coat over him to use as a blanket.

"Are you sure you don't want the bed, doctor?" Cassian asked right as he heard the younger man begin to shiver.

"N-no. I'm fine." He shook his head, and sat up.

"Here, why don't we share it. You're going to catch your death if you don't cover up, you know?" He almost smiled at the 'catch your death' part. It was too ironic. Jizabel did not deny the offer, and he slowly crawled onto the bed. The mattress barely sunk in against his frail body.

Still, even when he was under the covers, he continued to shiver. Cassian moved a bit closer, and lay a hand on his shoulder. Once again, the doctor's skin was ice cold to the touch. Jizabel gasped a bit, then sat up to face the other man. Cassian gently pushed him back down, and then, without a thought wrapped his arms tight around Jizabel's thin waist. He felt a shiver run through the other man, but then it stopped.

"Is it alright to sleep like this, doctor?" Jizabel nodded quickly, moving even closer to Cassian for warmth. The only light that entered the room was from two lit lampposts from outside the window. A crack in the glass sent a cool breeze through the room. Cassian pulled the doctor closer, and Jizabel rolled over so that his head rested on Cassian's chest. Cassian smiled, and ran a hand through Jizabel's hair. All the questions from earlier had left his mind as sleep took over, then, just as his eyes were about to close for the night he heard the man in his arms whisper something. It sounded like "Thank you." but he could have been imagining things.

And nowhere else has ever felt like home and I can't fall asleep when I'm lying here alone.
I replay your voice, it's like you're here. You move the earth but now the sky is falling

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So what'd you think? Leave a review…and if you like the little bit of fluff let me know or if there shouldn't be a coupling…well tell me that too. I'm not sure if I'll listen, though. Lyrics from the song "Retrace" by Anberlin Thanks in advanced! ~Savvi