Feliks awoke to an empty house, as he was apt to do if he'd stayed up late the night before. As Toris had a job and he'd spent most of the previous night talking with Elizabeta downstairs while painting his nails and watching his soaps, something he hadn't done in weeks, he wasn't all that surprised. Visiting the people Lizzy had recommended relieved him more than he thought it would have, and he was feeling better already. They'd come and inspect the house tomorrow, supposedly, and Feliks got the feeling that somehow, everything would be ok. Joyfully, he skipped over to the phone. He'd have to thank Lizzy again, if only just for the peace of mind.

Darling, I'm here! I stayed for you, I waited for you. Oh, it took so long to find you…but that's ok. Why won't you answer me? Why won't you look at me? You told me you loved me, and I know you did. I saw the way you laughed, cried… I know why you won't come back with me. It's him, isn't it? I know you don't want him. I'll kill him, and bring you back with me, dear. Or even better… I'll come to you with him. Won't it be so romantic? We can elope right then and there, and laugh at the stupid expression on his face…

Alfred leaned back in the office chair behind his desk, peering over the top at the tall Russian on the other side.

"So, do you think it'll be serious?" Ivan shrugged.

"I would have to hear more about the incidents, the "accidents" that Mr. Lorinaitis mentioned, da?" Alfred watched as Ivan leaned down to adjust a piece of machinery – some kind of ghost camera or something. It'd been a while since they'd been on a supernatural case, but the span of time did nothing to alleviate Alfred's fear of everything otherworldly. He'd put on a brave face for Toris and Feliks, but in reality, he really hoped that the ghost was benign. Ivan, seeing Alfred's troubled face in his peripheral vision, paused in his work and turned to face him.

"There is no need to worry about danger, da? Both Arthur and I are very powerful when dealing with the supernatural. We'll protect you." Alfred snorted.

"The hero doesn't need protection." But the lack of conviction in his tone was thankfulness, and both men knew it. Ivan shrugged and returned to his work, but was glad that the American was reassured. Alfred was a good friend, and friends don't want friends to be scared, right? Suddenly, a thought occurred to him that he'd been keeping in the back of his mind for a while.

"Alfred, do you think we were explicit enough in our warning about not talking about us and our job in the house?" Alfred blinked, and then realization set in.

"Oh, of course. Plus, who would talk about that kind of thing in the house anyway? It's too scary to make good conversation." Ivan sighed, exasperated at the American's stupidity, and hoped sincerely that Toris and Feliks took it more seriously than he did.

Feliks lounged on the couch in the living room, one hand preoccupied with his cell phone, the other with a tin of thin Polish wafer cookies.

"Lizzy, thank you so much. I was starting to get so freaked out. I swear to God, some days I totally felt like there was someone else here. No more though, right? I wish Liet would stay home more often…"

Oh, my sweet love… we're so close, yet so far apart… Only one barrier separates us now – so thick, but I can see right through! I'm going to try to get you, dear, please wait on me a little longer…

"Oh! That sounds sweet! We should totally do it some time. You know what? I feel kinda lonely right now. Wanna come over?"

"Sure! I'll be right over. Oh, hey, would it be ok if I stayed the night? … Hey, Feliks, you there? … Please don't tell me you zoned out in the middle of inviting me to your house. … Feliks? … Hey, it's not funny anymore! … Feliks, please answer! … Feliks? Feliks? FELIKS!"

Toris received the call from Elizabeta in the middle of the work day. Usually, he'd be really annoyed at someone interrupting his work like that, but when it came to Feliks, everything else was a secondary priority. After hearing her panicked voice describe the way Feliks had just disappeared, Toris positively burst from his office, leapt into his car, and was currently tearing through the street at an ungodly rate. He should have listened to Feliks, gotten help when he'd wanted it. But no, like a fool he'd waited, thinking that Feliks was imagining things, worrying about costs, and now it was too late, and Feliks was… he didn't know. All he knew was that he needed to get home. With one hand, he pulled out his cell phone, and placed a very important call.

Toris was relieved to see a van pulling into the driveway at about the same time as him, because he knew, even though the van was unlabeled, who it was. Even as he was driving up the driveway the team was disembarking at top speed, unloading machinery with a remarkable efficiency. As he got out of his own car, the team was starting towards the house, Alfred lagging behind to talk to Toris. He spoke with clipped efficiency, and Toris was glad for it.

"News?"

"No."

"Keys, please." Toris handed them over soundlessly. He wasn't sure whether to call the ambulance yet, because it was entirely possible that the whole situation was a stupid misunderstanding, but he wanted to be prepared anyway. He then felt a bit guilty that he was more willing to waste the team's time than the ambulances… but not too guilty. He needed to see Feliks. Alfred had ducked ahead of him to unlock the door, and while the others went inside, Alfred stayed behind with Toris.

"I hope you understand that this could be – uh, unusual, ok?" Toris nodded. He didn't really want to think about it. He'd only been inside a moment when he heard his name.

"Mr. Lorinaitis!" called a voice from deeper within the house – judging by the accent, Yao. "You should come, and quickly!" Toris broke into a run, all the fears he'd been suppressing coming to the surface, and he skidded to a halt in the sitting room. Feliks lay sprawled on the floor, cookies spilled everywhere in one direction, phone lying cracked on the other side. Yao sat near his head, examining him, and Toris rushed over and sat down next to him.

"He is fine. Simple head injury, not concussive, no brain damage, just enough for unconsciousness. He'll wake up, soon." Yao was frowning, but Toris didn't notice. He was too glad that Feliks was ok, and was trying hard not to cry in relief. The blonde man stirred, then opened his eyes, and Toris grabbed him into his arms, one tear sliding down his cheek.

"W-what happened? Liet, why are you crying?"

"Shh. Oh, God, Feliks, I was so scared… I'm sorry."

Hush dear. I'm so sorry – I had to do what had to be done. I knew you'd understand, though. Soon we'll run off together, just like we always dreamed, and then we can laugh again, and I can leave this horrible place. Soon, I'll be holding you in my arms. Let me go with him, now…

After seeing that Feliks was not in as serious condition as Toris had thought, the team breathed a collective sigh of relief before leaving the room to investigate the rest of the house (and leave Toris and Feliks in peace.). They decided then to split into groups, Alfred and Ivan upstairs, and Francis, Arthur downstairs, while Yao would stay close to Feliks and Toris and make sure they were safe. As they set off, though, each member completely neglected to notice one little thing…

(A/N: Thank you very much, Voodka, for reviewing, and thanks to all the other readers for dropping by, too! I hope to continue to update periodically, but each update probably will follow this trend in not being very long – I'm getting really busy.)