Green with Jealousy
Part 2
By crystalquirt
Sibey yaoi - action adventure boyxboy romance. Barnue

Ideas for this fic contributed by:~loveless kittykat~Pandalover~Lycan-wolf96~forever tiki [Sadie] from DA

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Nana got out of the cab and ran two blocks to the hospital because there was so much traffic backed up and the streets were damaged. Power lines were down all over and fires had broken out in several places on Orchard and Lotus streets. She spotted Sid and Tobey sitting near the Emergency entrance on a truck's bumper and ran up to them.

"Sid, Tobey! What is going on?"

Sid and Tobey stood up and gave Nana a hug before either of them spoke. "Nana, Sue got mad and left us – we found her trapped by downed power lines and there was a fire burning right next to her. I didn't get to apologize to her or anything! She is so angry she even snapped at me while we were trying to rescue her."

"So she is inside getting cared for?"

"I hope so – things are crazy here – they wouldn't let us go in with her."

"I see, come on." Nana led the boys down the side of the building to the non-emergency entrance and they walked right in with no questions. Everyone was too busy dealing with the emergency. They went through the hospital to get back to emergency and as they got close they saw the hallways were lined with people waiting to receive care. Some were bleeding, some unconscious and most were waiting alone. A lump grew in Sid's throat thinking this was a far as Sue might have made it and she was lying somewhere waiting alone.

Nana walked right over to the nurse's desk and asked where the chart was for Sue Yi. The nurse didn't even look up at her, just answered, "Doctor has her chart in the treatment area. Treatment 6." Nana led the way back down the wide corridor. They stopped at the wide swinging doors to the treatment areas. "You boys wait out here. I will go in and find out what is happening."

Sid and Tobey reluctantly and impatiently waited as they were told. Nana went in and peeked around curtains until she found Sue. There was a nurse still with her, but the doctors and other nurses had moved on to other patients. "Excuse me, what is wrong with her?"

"Fire, smoke inhalation mostly, some minor burns. She has a broken arm as well. Who are you?"

"I am her guardian."

"Oh well then, her lungs are so inflamed from the smoke that she had trouble breathing. They intubated her and gave her something to reduce the inflammation. I am monitoring her until they can get back to her. There was a cardiac arrest in the next room."

"That's fine, thank-you. May I be alone with her for a moment?"

"Sure, I guess, I could really use a few minutes to get off my feet. I will be close by if you need anything."

Nana had a treatment of her own she wanted to apply without discussion and questions. As soon as the nurse was gone. Nana dug through her bag and mixed three different magic herbs in a water base. As she rubbed it into Sue's chest, high around her collarbones and around her neck. While she worked, Nana spoke softly to her.

"Sue dear, can you hear me? Come on honey – please respond. I know it hurts, but you will be fine. This will help. If you can hear me, try to swallow this." Nana dripped a few drops of the mixture very slowly down the outside of the tube that Sue was breathing through so she would swallow them. In seconds Sue opened her eyes and bit down on the obtrusive tube in her mouth.

"Hi honey! Don't bite. You are breathing through that tube. Leave it in place for a little longer. I'll be right back." Sue nodded slightly and closed her eyes again. Nana looked for the nurse, but she was not close as promised which worked out just fine since Nana planned to bring the boys in.

At Sue's bedside Sid found her hand and held it tightly. Tobey stepped up on the other side and found a hand to hold as well. Sue opened her eyes and looked from one to the other. "Sue! I'm so sorry you are upset! We promises to change- we will make sure you never feel lonely again."

"Boys, is that what Sue was upset about, that she feels lonely?"

"That's what she said Nana." Sid brushed Sue's hair off her forehead. Seeing her hair loose and down around her shoulders was so different from how they were used to seeing her, Tobey caught himself staring. Sue didn't verify or deny anything. She closed her eyes again. She was so uncomfortable and her chest hurt like an elephant had stepped on her.

The nurse came back and seeing so many people in with her patient she told them to leave. Sid leaned down and whispered in Sue's ear. "We won't be far away Sue." It looked to Sid like she was ignoring him, but really she was just too uncomfortable and weak to respond right then. Nana took the boys back near the main entrance and found a quiet waiting area.

"Boys, rest here. I will keep an eye on Sue and come get you if anything changes, alright?"

"But Nana, I don't want to sleep!" Tobey whined.

"You need to get some rest, after you've rested, we have to get out there and find out if Kong Li caused this earthquake . . . Wait, Sid – you've been bleeding! I am sorry I didn't see you were hurt before, why didn't you tell me?"

"I'm okay Nana, its nothing a shower won't fix."

Sid sat down on the nearest couch, Tobey sat next to him. "I'll take care of Sid Nana, please just make sure Sue is alright."

Nana agreed and left to go back to see if Sue's condition had improved more since she used the magic herbs on her. Tobey tried to get Sid to come to the restroom with him to get water to clean his stomach. "No Tobey, I'm fine. What do you suppose Kong Li is up too?"

"I don't know, maybe he is trying to make the 'Di Shaw Spicy Noodle Recipe' from memory and he has screwed it up?"

"I doubt it, Nana would know better than trying something like that, and unfortunately Kong Li is as wise as Nana in many ways."

"I think we should go check the wishing well." Tobey stood up.

"I think you're right, Sue is in good hands with Nana here, right? If another earthquake hits even the hospital could come down. If Kong Li is behind this, Chinatown is counting on us to stop him."

"Yeah, you're right, even if they don't know it, everyone's counting on us. Lets go, but can we pick up our bikes on the way?"

"Yeah Tob, we can go faster on our bikes anyway." Tobey grinned and ran faster in anticipation of getting to his bike. Sid ran faster too, just to keep Tobey in sight. As they ran down the street, Sid called Nana to tell her they left and where they were going. Tobey heard him telling Nana, "We will rest when we get back, Nana – we have to do this now, please? How is Sue?"

"She is better. They have taken the breathing tube out and she's breathing fine. They want to keep her though to make sure her lungs stay clear and they have to do surgery on her arm to align the bones. With the disaster, and patients with more severe injuries, they are delaying her surgery until tomorrow."

"That's not good Nana."

"Actually, this is one situation where it is good to not have to be first. Means she's not hurt so badly that they have to do something right away. She will be fine, you boys be careful, call me often."

"We will."

Sid and Tobey got their bikes and rode as quickly as they could the rest of the way to Chung Li Park. They found nothing. No Kong Li, not even any sign that Kong Li had been there. "What do we do now Sid?"

"We look for Kong Li. Is there anyplace in Chinatown that hasn't received damage from the quakes? I think that is what we should look for next."

"Alright. Lead away!"

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Every time Sue woke up Nana was sitting next to her bed and offered her water. Most of the time Sue was too groggy to take any water. Finally she woke up and tried to sit up. Nana helped her, and raised the head of the bed up. "Sue, how are you feeling?"

"My chest doesn't hurt so much. Actually, nothing hurts real bad."

"The doctor gave you something for pain the last time he was in. You were finally breathing well enough and seemed stronger."

"What is this I hear about you feeling lonely Sue?"

"They shouldn't have told you. I am okay – I don't have time to be lonely – I have too many responsibilites."

"After all that has happened, I suppose it seems easy to dismiss your feelings Sue, but talk to me. We don't have any other appointments. Sid and Tobey are out looking for Kong Li."

"They're out alone? You shouldn't have let them go!"

"Well, I didn't really let them. They left after I told them to stay in the waiting area and get some rest."

"See! They don't ever do what they are supposed to do – not even when you tell them! I get so tired of trying to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to do."

"Then stop."

"What Nana?"

"You have assumed all this responsibility on your own. It is not written anywhere that you have to be the boy's keeper."

"But if I don't tell them, they won't, and then things won't get done and stuff."

"So?"

"Then they will get in trouble! Customer's won't get their orders – Tobey won't do his homework. Like tonight before all this happened, they were out goofing off! If I hadn't found them and made them get back to work they would have been in trouble with Mr. Wu and the customers wouldn't have gotten their deliveries at all."

"That is okay Sue, it is not your job to protect them, unless you take it upon yourself to do it. Maybe if they get in trouble a few times, they will stop goofing off and pay better attention to what they are supposed to be doing – all by themselves. As it is, they know you will always be there to take care of things for them."

"What? I should just let them get in trouble with Mr. Wu?"

"See clearly it is not you – you are not letting them get in trouble. They will get themselves in trouble. Can you see yet how they are using you? They are using you for a crutch. They know you will take care of things for them, so why should they do what they are supposed to do?"

"But Nana, if they would do it, I wouldn't have to follow them around cleaning up their messes."

"Again Sue, you don't have to. In fact you shouldn't. Let them be responsible for themselves. I am sure they would argue that this isn't happening if we tried to talk to them about it and I am sure they don't even realize they are doing it. They are two wrapped up in their own fun and pleasure to even think about it."

"I guess you're right, but what do I do about it?"

"Nothing Sue, you don't have to 'do' anything."

"Oh, right – I think I see what you mean. You always make things seem so simple."

"It's not me. Things really are simple – unless you complicate them."

"It's daylight. I think I will go wander the halls. Hopefully they will come get you for surgery soon. I bet you're starving."

"I'm a little hungry."

"Sorry Sue, they probably won't feed you before they fix your arm, but I will make you a feast for when you get out of here."

"Thanks Nana."

"I will call Sid and Tobey too, to see if they found anything. I thought they would have called again by now. I will be back in a few minutes dear, here's the call button if you need the nurse before I get back."

"Thanks Nana." Sue put the call button on her stomach and kept her hand on it so it wouldn't get lost in the blankets. Nana went out in the hall and called Sue and Tobey. "What have you found boys?"

"We haven't found anything and there's been no more quakes. We have no clue about where Kong Li is."

"Well then go home boys and get some rest. I will call you with reports about Sue. She seems fine, she says she is hungry. All we are doing here is waiting for them to come get her for surgery.

"Nana will you call when she is going to surgery so we can get there?"

"Only if you promise to go right home now and get some rest."

Sid and Tobey looked at each other. "We promise."

Nana ended her call with the boys and put her phone in her pocket. There were signs pointing to different things all over the hallway, except showing the way to the bathrooms. Nana continued down the hall looking and then she planned to find the cafeteria since she was hungry too. She felt badly that Sue couldn't eat anything.

Sue heard someone at the door and looked up to find Barney. "Hey Barney what are you doing out so early? And doing it here?"

"I would have been here sooner but the hospital won't allow visiting before eight."

Sue blushed, "I'm glad you came – but I must look a mess."

"You look like you've been through hell, but even so – you are always beautiful Sue. I've never seen you with your hair down before."

"Barney? Um thanks! How did you even know I was here already?"

"Tobey called me at six this morning. Those earthquakes were terrible weren't they? What happened to you?"

"I zigged when I should have zagged. Is everything okay at Wu's Garden?"

Barney sat in the chair next to Sue's bed. "About like you'd expect Sue, a few more cracks in the ceiling and lots of broken dishes . . . And a lot of yelling. Dad made me promise to get home soon to help clean up before we open."

"Sorry Barney, I wish I could help, maybe this afternoon I can. They say they will release me after they fix my arm."

"No way I'm letting you work on the same day you have surgery on your arm to fix broken bones Sue. What kind of 'boss' do you think I am? I can manage. In fact, I will wait on you hand and foot my princess." Barney reached through the bed rail and picked Sue's hand up to hold. Sue blushed and smiled at him.

Nana came back in, surprised to see Barney there she came in quietly wishing she didn't have to interrupt. "Hi Nana . . ." Barney spoke to her first.

"Hello Barney."

"I guess I better be going Sue, don't worry about anything. We will all muddle through until you are well again." Barney leaned over and kissed Sue on the forehead before he left.

When Nana sat down Sue was still blushing. When they came to get Sue for surgery, Nana checked the boys GPS to see if they really had gone home. Tobey's wasn't on. But Sid's showed that he really was at Wu's Garden so she called him.

Sid and Tobey didn't get there in time to see Sue before she went to surgery, but they were there when she came out and waited at her bedside until she woke up.

"Good morning Sue!" Tobey smiled. Sid stood next to him smiling too.

"Hi gays, um guys, hahehe - Do you get it?" Sue was still very groggy from the anesthetic.

"Yeah Sue, we get it." Tobey patted the top of Sue's head and smiled at Sid.

Sid asked, "Did the surgery go well?"

"The doctors said there were no complications at least." Nana smiled hoping no news was good news.

"Can we take her home?"

"As soon as they get here with a wheelchair. I already have a cab waiting for us at the entrance."

If Sue had been alert at all, she would have been as anxious to get home as Sid and Tobey were, but during the ride in the cab, mostly she though the pink butterflies flying around her head were pretty. Once home, Nana helped her get ready for bed and made her stay there with extra pillows under and around her arm. Sid and Tobey sat in a booth downstairs waiting for Nana to see what she wanted them to do next about Kong Li. They weren't even sure yet if Kong Li was really behind the earthquakes.

Before Nana came to talk to them, Will came in. Sid and Tobey looked at the door when they heard the bell and were surprised to see it was Will. "Hey dude, what are you doing here?"

"Yeah, especially on a Saturday. Don't you have someone to prank or annoy?"

"No Tobey, no pranks today . . . Sid, how could you not call me when your sister was hurt in the quake. I would have come to see her at the hospital." Will sat next to Tobey in the booth, Tobey reluctantly moved over to make room for him. Sid answered, "Sorry Will, I didn't know you were interested."

"Well she is your family and I am your friend. I am interested, right Tobey?"

"Don't ask me. How would I know?"

"I am interested in many things." Will actually reached up and touched Tobey's hair. Surprised, Tobey turned his head away. Sid would have growled and said something, but he wasn't sure what he had just seen. Sid broke the silence, "Sue is home now Will, but she is resting in her room. It would be better if you visit her tomorrow."

"No problem, I have seen you, buddy and the one who interests me the most."

"What are you talking about Will?"

"I think your friend Tobey is cute."

"Since when? . . . anyway . . . First of all, Tobey and I have been seeing each other, and second, I thought you liked girls."

"I do, but I realized Tobey is just so cute."

"Well, keep your paws off him." Sid leaned forward looking a little like he wanted to punch Will.

"Easy Sid, I think Tobey is old enough to make his own decision about who he wants to hang out with. I have a better paying job than you, I can afford to feed Tobey very well."

"Not interested Will." Tobey interrupted.

"Too bad for you, Tobey. But you will come around. Soon – you will love me!" Will gave Tobey's knee a squeeze under the table and made him jump before he got up. He sauntered over to the door like he thought he was the coolest guy ever. "Ew!" Tobey exclaimed when Will turned back and blew him a kiss as he left. Tobey looked at Sid, and Sid was frowning at him. "Hey Sid, it's not my fault others are finally seeing how cute I am."

Sid reached over the table and pulled Tobey across by his shirt. Tobey yelped but quieted down when Sid started kissing him. Lying on his stomach across the table, Tobey kissed Sid back and when he was finished with Sid's lips he kissed down his jaw and neck. Sid laughed softly. "Don't worry Sid, I would never go with Will, I don't even like Will." Tobey slid back and sat on his side of the booth again.

"Glad to hear it Tobey, but where does he get the nerve to come over here and act that way?"

"It doesn't matter, he will lose interest and Will is crazy if he thinks he can get me to like him. You and I have history, buddy." Tobey yawned and made Sid yawn they still held hands over the table.

When Nana came to the dining room a little later, she found Tobey lying sideways on the bench seat and Sid had fallen asleep with his head on the table. She went over to them and woke them as gently as she could. Tobey startled and yelped. "Easy Tobey . . . boy's - you go up and lie down for a little while too. I will do some research and see if my magic can tell me where someone is cooking a magic recipe or if someone is doing any kind of magic." Sid and Tobey got up quietly and went upstairs.

Keeping the easily aggravated, angry Calvin Wu quiet all evening was a never-ending task for Nana. Barney was happy and whistling every time she saw him though. She thought it was only because he got to leave a couple of times an hour to take deliveries, but really he was thinking of Sue. They boys slept for much longer than a little while. They were exhausted. They slept deeply until well after dark. Tobey started talking in his sleep and rolling around. His knee hit the wall and woke Sid.

Sid realized he had to pee anyway so he got up. He found Tobey's comforter and pillow had both fallen off his bunk and figured he was probably cold and uncomfortable so he put the pillow back up by his head and threw the comforter over him before he went to the bathroom.

On the way back from the bathroom Sid saw Sue's light was on from under her closed door. He knocked softly wanting to check on her and see if she needed anything. She told him to come in and he found her sitting up on her bed reading a heavy book that was resting across her lap since she couldn't hold it up with one hand. Her cast was supported next to her on three pillows.

"Hey Sue, you even woke up before Tobey and I did. Do you need anything before I go back to bed?"

"No Sid, thanks for offering. Nana and barney have both come by regularly to take care of me."

"Barney too? Wow, the last time one of us was hurt he didn't even seem to notice."

"Sid, come over here!" Sue giggled and blushed, as Sid walked over to her bed. She grabbed the front of his white shirt and pulled him down before she whispered.

"Sid – I think Barney finally noticed me! He said I was beautiful and liked my hair down."

"Wow Sue, he even noticed your hair? This must be true love. I'm happy he is finally paying you some attention."

"He said he would wait on me while I recover, called me princess and so far he has been very attentive!"

"That's great Sue. If you cant get him for something, call to me. And I will help you."

"Thanks Sid."

"Tobey will be happy to help too, wow, you have four people competing to wait on you. Do you still feel so lonely?"

"No Sid, I am feeling much better. I realized how lucky I really am; surrounded by so many who care about me."

"Good to hear Sue, Goodnight."

"Night, bro."

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Sid was awakened in the night by another earthquake. This one didn't seem so strong, but he still sat up and held onto the sides of his bunk waiting to see how bad it was going to get. San Francisco had a lot of natural earthquakes year-round. Sid was still sure these were not natural quakes.

This time, the quake was a minor tremble, just strong enough to shake their bunk beds. Tobey didn't wake up. His vibrating bed triggered a nightmare. Even before the quake was over, Tobey kicked his comforter off again and spoke loudly, "I, Tobias, Slayer of all that's evil in Chinatown will banish the evil criminal mastermind, Kong Li!"

Sid saw Tobey's comforter fall and got up to throw it back up to him. He said quietly, "Shhhh, Tobias the Slayer, you'll wake everyone up."

Sid lie back down, but instead of quieting down, Tobey spoke louder.

"Sid! You have to get out of here! Kong Li knows you're weakness! Let me handle this!"

This time Sid spoke a little louder from his lower bunk, "Tobey! Shush!"

Tobey screamed, "No! Kong Li – leave him alone!"

Sid mumbled to himself, "Oh well, the earthquake probably woke everyone up anyway . . ." Sid knocked under his bunk, "Tobey . . ."

From his place in the warehouse, high above the floor, it was hard to see Tobey. His white bangs and cheeks reflected dimly in the light, but Tobey could clearly see Kong Li holding Sid with his arms twisted up behind his back and he screamed again for Kong Li to let him go.

In Tobey's dream, Sid wore tight, black leather pants, with his black studded belt and a tight fitting yellow mesh T-shirt that clearly defined his muscles and flat stomach. Sid also wore heavy black eyeliner and had multiple pierced ears with tight fitting silver earrings. When Kong Li twisted his arm harder, Sid opened his mouth and screamed softly, revealing a pierced tongue.

Tobey stood on a tall stack of wooden crates watching, unsure of how to help at first. While Sid was being restrained by Kong Li, Sue was fighting a hoard of shape shifters trying to get to her brother. Sue wore red tights under a black bikini-like bottom. Her costume was accented with gold trim on her red lace corset. She wore a black mask over her eyes that perfectly framed her beautiful almond shaped eyes.

A red and gold headband placed across the top of her head and just in front of her spiked hairstyle helped to amplify her telepathy and telekinesis. With the power of her mind alone, she scattered twelve of the shape shifters all at once like bowling pins and ran to her brother.

"Stop right there little 'Wonder Sue'!" Kong Li twisted Sid's arms tighter and made him scream louder. "Come any closer and he will suffer!" Sue pulled up short, but begged her brother, "Sid! Just take him out!"

Tobey fidgeted in his hiding spot when he saw Sid was looking straight up at him while he suffered.

"I . . . I can't!" Sid whispered weakly, his eyes pleading with Tobey to save him. From behind Sid's back, Kong Li held up a green-glowing fortune cookie. The green fortune cookie had been pressed against the back of Sid's neck so Sue and Tobey couldn't see it at first.

Now Kong Li held the green fortune cookie up so they could see for sure what it was. Once the evil villain was sure they recognized his cookie weapon and understood the danger their friend was in, just to be mean he pressed it to Sid's cheek and made him scream! The green color spread to his cheek and a nasty gray-green smoke rose from around his face.

Tobey screamed, "No! Sid . . . and Sue! – You get back, you will be vulnerable to the green krypto-cookie too! Let me handle this!"

Tobey jumped down from the pile of crates, his white cape billowing out behind him. The blue tights he wore under a black bikini bathing suit and tight blue spandex shirt accented his lean, strong body perfectly. The blue mask he wore only covered his face around his eyes, and half of the mask was covered by his hair. His white bangs blew gently and very heroically in the breeze when he landed with his katana swords in his hands.

"Let him go Kong Loser, You won't win this!"

"It is you Super Jerks who won't win this!" Kong Li released Sid's hands, but hugged him tighter, his arm still around his chest. With Super Sid weakened by the krypto-cookie Kong Li didn't have to worry about him getting away.

Kong Li reached over Sid's shoulder to put the krypto-cookie down under the yellow mesh that made up the front of his shirt. Sid moaned pitifully as his powerful body was rendered weak and vulnerable to injury by the green cookie being held right over his heart.

Kong Li glanced at 'Tobias the Slayer' and smiled just as he thrust his dragon staff through Super Sid from behind. The red end of the staff appeared even a darker red from the blood when it poked out the front of Sid's chest!

"NO Sid!" Sue screamed as he went limp, supported only by the staff until Kong Li pushed his body off and he fell motionless to the ground. Tobey started screaming, "Sid-no-no-no-no!"

'Wonder Sue' yelled at him, tears running down her face, "I though you said you would take care of it! You got my brother killed, Tobias the Slayer!"

Wearing his white shorts and t-shirt, Sid climbed up on the bunk with Tobey to try and calm him. "Tobey you're having a nightmare. Wake up!"

Sid patted his boyfriend's stomach and Tobey, already sobbing hysterically started swinging his fists and whined loudly. "You killed Sid! You killed Super Sid!"

"Haha, Super Sid, that's funny, but Tobey, I'm fine – Wake up!" Sid got over him and held him down just in time to save him from falling off the bunk. Tobey finally opened his eyes, and blinked as he looked at Sid. As though he remembered suddenly Tobey looked at Sid's chest. Still not convinced, he felt his chest where in his dream, the end of the red staff had been sticking out.

"Oh Sid! You're really alright?"

"I'm fine, you were having a nightmare, I think it was triggered by that last earthquake."

"That dream was awful Sid! Kong Li killed you! He rendered you powerless and weak with a cookie and stabbed you with his staff!" Tobey had tears in his eyes and was still breathing very fast, but thinking it was all over Sid started to climb down.

"A cookie? Funny Tobey – See? I'm fine! It was just a dream, there's no way Kong Li could do anything to make me 'weak' - especially with a cookie. Try to go back to sleep."

"No Sid, please don't leave me! That was the worst dream I've ever had! My nightmares have never gone so far that you or Sue actually died! What if it was a premonition?"

"I'm sure it doesn't mean anything, from what you told me I think you were dreaming about one of your comic books. You want me to come up there with you?" "Yes, I will never get back to sleep if you aren't close and I and sure you are okay."

Sid crawled back along side his boyfriend and carefully lie down between him and the wall. He lie on his side with his arm across Tobey's stomach and his head propped up on his hand watching him. Tobey's breathing slowed down and he shut his eyes.

"Are you alright now Tobey?"

"I'm okay, but never let go! I don't want to ever lose you!" Tobey rolled up on his side, pressed his face into Sid's neck and hugged him tightly. Sid spoke in that soft sexy voice of his,

"I won't ever let you go, Tobias the Slayer."

"Hehe, I guess I said that out loud huh?"

"Yep."

"Well, okay, on another subject have you ever thought about getting your ears pierced or wearing heavy eyeliner?"

"No Tobey, not ever. Try to go back to sleep."

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[TD]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

It was three in the morning and every time Sid or Tobey started drifting off to sleep, another quake hit. The last one knocked a picture off the wall in their room. Tobey startled, rolled away from Sid and looked around in the darkness. Sid pulled him back down and hugged him tightly from behind. He held him so close, he was speaking into Tobey's hair, "That was just a picture falling off the wall. I'll have some glass cut and fix it over next weekend."

"Sid, shouldn't we get under something? The earthquakes are getting stronger, maybe just down on your bunk? . . . You know – just in case the ceiling comes down."

"Okay Tob, if it would make you feel better."

Tobey jumped down and rolled onto Sid's bunk in one graceful move. Sid rolled in after him and squished him against the wall.

"Hey Sid - A little room please?"

"No, I like having you trapped down here with me."

"Okay, I like being trapped down here with you. You are now in the lair of the beast."

Tobey relaxed into the small space only because he knew he wasn't really trapped. "Speaking of being trapped, maybe I should go down and get us some shrimp fried rice, just in case the roof really does come down and trap us here; that way we won't starve."

"We won't starve anyway and I want you to stay here."

Sid held Tobey tightly to his chest and Tobey nuzzled his neck with a row of light kisses that made goose bumps run up Sid's arms. Another earthquake shook the bed and interrupted Tobey's show of affection.

"Really Sid! What if we are trapped in here for real by all these tremors!"

"Don't worry Tobey. These buildings have been here for a very long time."

"I know, but nothing is permanent right?" Sid couldn't see Tobey grinning in the dark, but somehow knew he was.

"No, nothing's permanent, but that doesn't mean the building's coming down any time soon. Don't use Nana's teachings as an excuse to be more nervous, they are meant to help you cope with stressful situations."

"But Sid . . ."

"An-jing. An-jing." Sid whispered and kissed Tobey on the lips to make him be quiet. Every time he relaxed a little another quake hit. Each quake got stronger as the night crept on and neither boy got any sleep. Tobey whined softly into Sid's neck and Sid started rubbing his back. Tobey instantly relaxed and purred, glad the earthquakes gave him an excuse to be close to Sid.

Before daylight, there was a tapping on the boy's bedroom door. Sid rolled over to face the door and answered, "Come."

Nana, followed by Sue came in and the light came on. They were both already dressed. Sue looked like she was ready to go out, even with her pink cast on her arm and Nana had a pile of books in her arms. She had been doing research all night.

Sue noticed Tobey's bunk was empty. "Where's Tobey?"

Tobey rose up from behind Sid and looked at them.

"Oh, I should have known where you were. Can't you guys feel the quakes?"

"Of course we can, we aren't asleep are we?" Sid frowned at his sister.

"Whats up Nana? I had a nightmare about Kong Li."

"Well Tobey, I think your dream predicted the cause of the situation correctly. I know you couldn't find him before, but my magic tells me that Kong Li is up to something. These are not natural earthquakes. Get dressed, we have work to do."

Nana left, but Sue lingered, "Really guys, Tobey - why are you in bed with my brother?"

Sid answered, "Tobey had a nightmare; the earthquakes really freaked him out. I was helping him calm down."

"Were you really?"

"Of course, nothing else."

"Right, well? Hurry up you two lovebirds." Sue closed the door as she left. Sid lie back, not wanting to get up. Tobey reluctantly climbed out over him and started getting dressed.

"Come on Sid, lets go kick Kong Li's butt!"

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[TD]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

Tobey continued. . .