Green with Jealousy
Part 9
By crystalquirt

Sibey yaoi – action, adventure, boyxboy romance, mild language
Ideas for this fic contributed by:~loveless kittykat~Pandalover~Lycan-wolf96~forever tiki [Sadie] from DA

Kong Li uses a spell that causes earthquakes and even lava to spew forth in Chinatown. But that isn't his plan this time. He uses the spell to lure out and weaken the fighting trio. Sid's innocent friend, Will from his history class is recruited by Kong Li to pursue his son to drive a wedge between Sid and Tobey and to help convince Tobey to join him once and for all.

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

After the poisoning crisis with Sid was over, Sue helped Barney up to his room. She stood by him as he sat down on his bed, he seemed so weak and he was sweating. She went to the bathroom and got a wet washcloth. She went right back into his room and entered without knocking. Sitting next to him on his bed, started wiping his face and arms with the wet washcloth and asked, "How are you feeling now Barn?"

"What you're doing feels great Sue, thanks. I guess I'm just sore all over. Is that what it's like to be hit with a taser? It felt a lot worse than what it looks like on TV."

Sue thought to herself – no - that was what it was like to be hit by the magical pulse from Kong Li's staff, but Nana had told him that Kong Li was a random thief with a taser. She seemed so thoughtful as she wiped his face with the washcloth even Barney noticed.

"What's wrong Sue?"

"Its scary being attacked at home. I mean – I know this is a business, but we also live here. I'm a little freaked out. But even worse - I'm so sorry that happened to you. I wish you hadn't been caught up in the middle of it."

"You couldn't help it if a crazy person came in - is Sid okay?"

"Oh-um, you saw Sid?"

"Only after he was on the floor, I didn't even see him or that crazy guy come in."

"Nana helped Sid. He is fine now."

"Sid must have tried to save Wu's Garden. Oh no – I have to get back down there – what if there's a customer? Dad went to the store."

When he tried to get up, Sue blocked his way. Barney groaned and lie back down. "Nana handled everything Barney. It is lucky Mr. Wu wasn't here or he might have been hurt too. Nana temporarily closed up for you with a note on the door. She offered a free egg-roll to anyone who mentioned coming by and finding you closed as sort of an apology to your customers."

"Dad's gonna kill me."

"No he won't - if he gets mad Nana will handle him when she and Sid get back."

"Where did they go?"

"They left to go find the guy."

"They shouldn't look for him themselves – why don't they let the police handle it?" Barney looked very worried. Sue was worried that she had said too much.

"They think he knows where Tobey is and don't want to wait for the police." she offered quickly.

"Oh no, NOT Tobey too. Why is this guy picking on us? Did he get some bad rice or something?"

"No Barn. I'm sorry – this is all our fault. Remember I told you Will was in trouble and I was scared for Sid and Tobey. Turns out they are in trouble with this guy now too and now you've even been hurt."

"What is it drugs or something?"

"No Barn, not drugs – its worse."

"Worse? Well too bad you are stuck in that cast. You probably could have kept them out of trouble if you were feeling a hundred percent."

"Thanks Barney, but do you know what a responsibility it is? – to try to keep those two out of trouble all the time." Sue sounded like she was getting choked up. "I was mad at them and told them I wouldn't help them anymore, but now I'm so worried about them and frustrated because I can't do anything to help. Nana won't let me even come down to help you in the kitchen."

"She's right, you need time to heal, can I help you somehow?"

"No Barn, but thanks for offering. You have enough to do with the restaurant and your dad."

Barney's voice got softer and deeper, "Can you handle this?" he pulled on the front of Sue's tank top to bring her lips over for a kiss. She cooperated, grateful for his strong arms around her. After a long kiss while she supported herself over him with one arm, she folded her arm under her and lie down behind him on his bed. He kept his arm around her and let her rest her head on his chest, her cast on his stomach. She thought briefly about when she caught Sid and Tobey lying like this on Sid's bed and teased them. Now she understood how nice it felt to be so close to the one you love. She had teased them, but she knew they weren't really doing anything inappropriate.

Exhausted and emotionally drained and because Sue felt so safe with Barney. Soon, she fell into a fitful sleep. Barney lie very still so he didn't disturb her except when she whined or cried in her sleep. Those times he hugged her tighter, spoke softly and kissed the top of her head until she rested quietly again. When he spoke it sounded like he was purring and in her sleep she found his voice very comforting.

After almost an hour the door to Barney's bedroom slammed open with no knocking or anything. Sue startled awake and lifted her head a little, Barney froze. "BARNEY! WHY IS THE RESTAURANT CLOSED? GRRRRR!" he growled when he saw Sue lying behind his son. " . . . And why is Sue in your bed? – I told mom if she didn't watch her closely she would turn into a tramp!"

"Dad! Sue is not doing anything bad!" Barney was sure he saw steam coming out of is dad's ears he was so angry. Sue took one look at Mr. Wu and started to cry. "I'm not a tramp!"

"Dad – calm down – We're both innocent of what you're thinking - I can explain!" Barney sat up and gathered his courage before he stood before his dad. Calvin's breathing sounded like a freight train barring down on him. "You're explaining nothing!"

"I have to explain! Sue was upset, she was taking care of me and fell asleep."

"Don't lie to me! Why would you need her to take care of you? What kind of 'taking care of you' was going on anyway? I won't be raising your child born out of wedlock – do you hear me? And you are too young and too naive!" Calvin grabbed Barney's arm and shook him, picking him up so he was on his tip-toes. "How could you let her trick you?" Calvin grabbed his other arm too and shook him so hard he thought his eyes would pop out.

Barney whined "Ow – dad?" Sue got up as quickly as she could. "Mr. Wu – stop!" She grabbed his huge arm with her one small hand trying to stop him from shaking Barney. Without thinking Calvin raised his elbow, striking Sue under the chin. Her head snapped back and she fell back on her butt.

"Let me go!" Barney twisted out of his dad's hold and bent down to Sue. She was crying and trying to hide her face. "You really hurt her dad!"

"No – I'm sure she's fine – you're fine aren't you Sue? - Just go back to your room – stay away from Barney! We will handle this when mom gets home!" Calvin stomped out. They could hear him all the way down the hall. Barney rested both hands on Sue's shoulders intending to help her stand. "Sue? Can you stand? I'll help you get back to your room and make sure you're comfortable."

Sue make a strange whining noise and her hand went to cover her mouth before she looked up at Barney, pain showing in her eyes. "Sue? Let me see your mouth."

She squeezed her eyes shut when he gently moved her hand away. Her lips were red with blood. Her hand had smeared the blood to include her cheek and chin. She moved her lips slightly to speak and another glob of blood came out. She whined through her nose and covered her mouth again. "Oh Sue, where does it hurt? Your jaw? Did you bite your tongue?"

Sue whined again and brought her knees up to her chest. Barney stood up stepped up right next to her and took out his phone. "Hold on Sue, I'm calling an ambulance." she looked up at him and whined again while shaking her head no.

"You're hurt Sue and I cant tell how badly! I don't know what else to do?" Sue gave in and leaned on his leg. She was worried Mr. Wu would get in trouble, it was only an accident – sort of. Besides Nana didn't need one more thing to worry about with Tobey missing. She hoped that by the time Barney got around to calling her that they would at least have found Tobey alright.

After he called 911 and requested an ambulance, he started to call Nana, but Sue held his hand and stopped him. She tried to talk, but it hurt so much she just shook her head no.

"You don't want me to call her? But why? She will be mad if I don't tell her what's going on." Sue shook her head again. The desk near where Sue fell had a pad and pencil on the top. Barney reached it and handed it to Sue. "Can you write if I hold it?"

Sue took the pencil and wrote, 'Don't bother Nana – need to find Tobey.'

"Okay Sue – what hurts then?"

She wrote, 'Bit through tongue, teeth broken'

"Oh Sue, try to relax, don't try to talk. Can you make it downstairs or do you want me to bring them up here to get you?"

She wrote 'Stay here, might faint.' Barney kneeled next to Sue and gently kissed the top of her head before he went down to wait for the ambulance. "My stupid dad." Barney grumbled. There were no customers even though Calvin reopened. From the kitchen Calvin heard Barney coming down the stairs and angrily came out when his son didn't come to see him. "Barney! Come here I want to talk to you."

"Not now dad, you are being unreasonable, unhelpful and I have to help Sue."

Barney had never talked back to his dad in his life and he had a knot in his stomach. He was thankful the ambulance pulled up out front with the lights on looking very official. He thought before his dad was through with him he might need a ride too.

"What is this Barney? They aren't coming here are they?"

"Yes they are, you really hurt Sue. She can't speak, but she wrote that her front teeth are broken off – and there is a lot of blood."

"What are you going to tell them? It was an accident!"

Barney got out the door and didn't even hear Calvin whining. He ran out to where they were getting equipment out to bring in. "Guys – my girlfriend – she got hit under the chin – she already has a cast on her arm. She said she feels like she'll faint if she stands up. She wrote it actually, she cant open her mouth to speak!"

"Okay son, lead the way." The paramedics a male, Jack and a female, Johnnie followed Barney back upstairs. Calvin hid in the kitchen. They found Sue still covering her mouth with her hand; her knees up to her chest like she was trying to hide behind them. Her eyes were closed and made Barney worry even more when she didn't look up. The Jack moved Barney out of the way as Johnnie kneeled next to her. Jack started opening cases and communications to the hospital. Johnnie gently touched Sue's hair "Hi honey, were here to help." and then touched her wrist, feeling for a pulse to count. She looked up at her, whining because when she moved the pressure changed in her mouth and caused pain.

Johnnie was taking Sue's blood pressure. Barney couldn't stand it. "Will she be okay?"

Jack answered, "We haven't even finished looking her over yet son – but I think so. How did she get hurt? You get a little rough boy?"

"No! Not me."

Sue whined loudly and shook her head no!

Johnnie glared at her partner, but asked, "Well then, what hit you in the chin, Sue?"

Barney answered, "It was an accident, my dad was yelling at me and she touched his arm. He's a big man and when he moved his arm . . . he didn't know she was that close!"

"Okay kid. Where is he?" the female paramedic frowned when she asked. Wondering why he wasn't here to see how she was.

"He's down in the kitchen - the restaurant is open."

Johnnie helped Sue scoot out from the wall so she could lie down flat. Jack asked Barney to bring his desk chair over. He did and they lifted her legs up in the seat. The woman leaned down and gently touched Sue's hand that still covered her mouth. "Okay honey, move your hand so we can see."

Sue cooperated, but she started shaking. Barney felt for her, there was even more blood than before. Paramedic Johnnie kept talking sweetly and calmly. "I need to touch your lips – I will be gentle, okay?" Sue lie still, Barney winced and covered his own mouth with both hands. Sue whined softly and tears ran into her hair as Johnnie parted her lips and looked at her broken teeth. Johnnie picked the pieces of broken tooth out of her mouth.

"Try not to move your tongue if it hurts, just open your teeth as much as you can so I can see." Sue did as she was told, and Johnnie frowned. She got two squares of gauze and folded them. "Can you open just a little wider? I want to put these in, they are non-stick and will absorb and help stop the bleeding." Sue squeezed her eyes shut tight and opened more. She whined a little when the gauze went in. Barney noticed Sue's hands were shaking, even the one in the cast. Then he saw her knees were shaking too. "Why is she shaking? Here's my blanket."

"I don't think she's cold, are you sweetie?" Sue shook her head no. "She is a little scared I think. Try not to worry. The dentist can make your teeth perfect when he repairs them. If the bleeding stops and the cut is small I don't think we even have to take her in today in unless you want us to. Can your father take her to have her checked this evening or tomorrow?" Sue shook her head no, her eyes pleading with Barney.

"No, he doesn't drive and there is no one else home right now." Barney put the blanket over Sue's legs just in case she was cold. It made him feel better. Paramedic Jack was on the communications equipment speaking to the hospital staff about their patient; relaying information to them and back to his partner.

"Let me look again. Sue." Johnnie gently touched Sue's lips to mean she wanted her to open. Sue closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She still whined softly when she opened and Barney whined softly too. "Aw Sweetie, the cut is just big enough that the doctors are probably going to want to stitch it. Sue moaned. "It will be okay. You will sleep through it or be completely numb and the stitches themselves will be so small you probably won't be able to feel them."

"Lets get the father's permission to transport. I'm surprised he is not in here already."

"Oh, my dad is not her father – and the restaurant is open – he would stay open even if I lost a limb. My Nana, is her guardian and she isn't home."

"So Sue lives here, Is your Nana on her way?"

"Probably not, Sue wouldn't let me call her."

"Why not sweetie? We have to call her now to get permission, okay?"

Sue gave in and nodded yes.

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

Nana had a cab drop them off around the corner from where they were to meet Kong Li. The first familiar sight Sid saw as they approached warehouse 14 was across the street. The rubble from the fire at warehouse 13 was still undisturbed. The only difference from when he last saw it was that it wasn't smoking anymore.

With crews repairing damage in public areas all around Chinatown they hadn't even started on private property unless it was causing further hazard. The mayor announced that damage on private property would have to be handled by the owners and their private earthquake insurance if they had any. Sid wasn't surprised that it was still there. It had been abandoned and the owners may not have even known about the quake yet if they lived out of state. He shivered as he remembered almost losing Tobey in there.

Kong Li waited in a shadow near the corner of Warehouse 14 until he saw Mei Hua and unexpectedly, Sid walking on his own toward him. Kong Li stepped out of the shadows as they got close. "Well Sid, I am surprised to see you on your feet. I thought Mei Hua would have had to drag you here in a half-dead weak version of yourself."

"Like I said, you will never win. WHERE-IS-TOBEY?"

"He is getting used to his new living arrangements – thanks for your concern, but he's not receiving visitors at this time."

Sid clenched his fists and growled. Nana spoke up before Sid could say anything else. "Yes Kong Li - I saved Sid without your antidote - did you think I wouldn't be able to tell what you gave him?"

"I had hoped not, I didn't think you were wise enough to figure it out – did you smell it on his breath or what? No-matter -just a minor set back. But with Sid cured, why did you bother to come at all and still with the cookbook?" He saw the magic cookbook in her bag when the wind blew the top of her soft, cloth bag open.

"We still have some trading to do. I want Tobey back!"

"Forget it, you said yourself, people are more important than magic. Now that I have my son back – I intend to keep him. Even if I have to keep him under mind control - forever."

"Where is he Kong Li? I promise – we will get him back!" Sid threatened.

"He's not here . . . you will never see him again – except in a fight against you in a few weeks perhaps; or maybe at my side when I announce that I am king of the world. Will is helping him remember who his real family is right now."

Sid growled and clenched his fists. "How is he helping him remember such total fiction?"

"Fiction, truth – such a fine line. The human mind can be made to believe anything under the right circumstances."

Sid whispered, "Nana, how will we ever find him?"

Nana whispered back, "Don't worry Sid. We will find a way."

Nana spoke louder at her old friend, "Kong Li, are you going to tell me you don't want the cookbook?"

"I want it and will get in, perhaps right now, but you will not get Tobey away from me."

Sid assumed his fighting stance. "Just return Tobey, Nana is ready to give you the cookbook without a fight!"

"Since when does a fight against you rejects scare me? . . . And today there is only one reject, weakened I am sure by his recent poisoning – you don't have a chance." Kong Li jumped at Sid and swung the head of his red dragon staff at him. Sid leaped back. Nana jumped in and with a chop to the villains wrist knocked the staff from his hands. Kong Li countered with a palm to Nana's neck. Sid yelled "Nana" as she fell. Kong Li had planned on taking her bag with the cookbook in it, but instead picked up his staff just in time to use it to block a kick from Sid.

His kick blocked, he threw a punch. Kong Li caught it and flipped him. Sid landed on his back and groaned. Nana ran by Sid to fight Kong Li. On her way by him she tossed the cloth bag and said, "Sid get out of here with the cookbook – I'll be right behind you."

"You cannot escape me – not when I am this close!" Kong Li and Nana exchanged a series of punches and palm strikes all were blocked by the other. Sid got up, shouldered the bag - "You sure Nana?"

"Yes – just go!"

Sid reluctantly ran away but he didn't go far. He stopped in the middle of the street and looked back just as Nana caught one of Kong Li's punches and flipped him just like Kong Li had done to Sid. The second he was down Nana jumped over him and ran to Sid. They both ran down an alley. Kong Li ran to the same alley, but didn't see them. He cursed under his breath and stomped angrily away.

Nana and Sid watched Kong Li from a nearby rooftop until he went out of sight. "Nana – what now?" Sid went to his knees, sat back on his heels and squeezed his eyes shut with worry about Tobey. Before she could answer him her phone vibrated. She answered the call from Barney and listened for a moment before she spoke. "Oh Barney – is she okay?"

Sid stood up, "Sue?"

Nana nodded at Sid as Barney continued, "They want to transport her in case she needs stitches in her tongue and make sure there is nothing else wrong. They say she can go to the dentist tomorrow to have her teeth fixed."

"Of course they can take her now. I will be there as soon as I can."

Barney handed his phone to the paramedics so Nana could tell them directly that it was okay to take and treat Sue. Sid had remained amazingly quiet for the rest of the conversation with Barney and the paramedics. With him only hearing part of the conversation his mind was running wild with all the most terrible things that could have happened to Sue. After all they had escaped Kong Li, but did he go back to Wu's and hurt her? Sid was right there there with questions the second she hung up. "What happened to Sue? Who is taking her where?"

"Barney said Sue hit her chin and bit her tongue so badly she may need a stitches to help it heal. She even cracked her front teeth."

"How did that happen? Barney knows better than to roughhouse with her while she is in a cast."

"He wouldn't say exactly how it happened but said he would tell us when we get home."

"Well, okay."

"Sid, do you want to meet them at the hospital?"

"No, Barney is with her, she is safe and being cared for. I want to find Tobey! I heard you tell them you would be there as soon as possible. Go if you have to."

"I will go, but it is not possible yet."

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

In a dark dungeon-like place on a cold stone floor with his hands bound tightly behind his back, Tobey looked a lot like a worm trying to squirm away from the blond boy with the whip. The chain on his leg prevented him from getting any farther away.. He heard the whistling of the leather lashes as they flew through the air at him and screamed pitifully; his eyes squeezed shut in anticipation of the pain.

The lashes slapped the stone floor right next to Tobey's shoulder. He looked back and saw Will had dropped the whip. "I'm sorry Tobey! I can't bring myself to hurt you! - not even for your own good! I'm sure you will remember how to feel about me without all that suffering – right?"

Will dropped to his knees and picked Tobey up in his arms as he rolled him over. Tobey remained quiet even though Will had him lying uncomfortably on his bound arms. Will brought Tobey more up so his face was close to his, Tobey turned his head when Will tried to kiss him on the lips. "Come on Tobey- I spared you the pain of what you would have to endure if I carried out your father's instructions. The least you can do is let me kiss you."

"No I don't want to! I do remember how I feel – it is you who is confused! I love Sid!"

"Sid is dead!" very angry now, Will grabbed a fistful of Tobey's hair and turned his head so he was facing him. Tobey tried to kick with the wrong leg and the chain jerked his leg back down. He kicked some more, but only managed to kick his shoes off. Tobey whined in frustration and pressed his lips together when Will forced a kiss on him. An image of Sid smiled at him in his mind.

"Tobey - how could you treat me like this?"

"Who's tied up here and WHO was almost whipped? Who's treating who like what?"

"What?"

"You know what I mean!" Tobey screamed at him.

In anger, Will pushed Tobey off of his lap and picked up the whip again. Tobey landed on his chest and made soft whining noises like a trapped animal as Will raised the whip again. Three times without pausing Will brought the lashes down, each strike leaving multiple bloody cuts and welts across Tobey's back and arms. Screaming loudly, Tobey arched his back and then tried to roll into a ball as he continued to be struck. The last strike hit lower on his back and stung his hands too. Tobey made fists and pulled at the pink cords holding his wrists. Will stopped and dropped the whip again.

"I'm sorry Tobey, but you made me do it you know? It wasn't my fault! Do you remember your feelings for me know?"

Tobey growled and glared at Will. If he could have made his head explode with his mind Will's brains would have been splattered all over the walls. Suddenly Will stood up. "I think I hear your father coming. I'll be right back. He will have some ideas of how to make you remember."

"I won't remember s-something that never was - no mm-matter what you do to me!" Cold, in pain and very upset, Tobey was stuttering. He could barely speak at all. Will growled in frustration and left the dungeon. As soon as he was gone, Tobey finally let the tears that had been trying to come well up and spill down his cheeks.

He sat up and leaned against the wall with his shoulder. His once-white tank top had been cut to shreds by the whip and what was left of the bloodstained material fell down around his waist when he sat up. The sting of the whip continued to burn his back and arms. He gritted his teeth against the pain and cried harder.

"Sid – he killed Sid. Kong Li didn't even give Nana time to save him. He probably has the cookbook now and only gave her sugar water or something instead of the real antidote." Tobey cried his hardest for Sid. "I hope Nana and Sue bring Kong Li down! Blow this whole building off the map! I don't even care if I die with him." After a short time passed in the cold room, the blood on Tobey's back clotted and also got cold. Tobey tried to stretch and reposition himself, but only caused himself more pain. He wished he could just pass out before Will returned with Kong Li.

He couldn't think of a way to get out of this situation and he felt completely hopeless. Tobey hadn't felt this way since he was old enough to understand that he was an orphan and didn't have parents like other kids. Not having parents was better than having Kong Li as his father. He wasn't surprised, but still struggled when Will returned with Kong Li. Will stood back while Kong Li went to Tobey and looked him over. He smiled at his son's suffering and looked at Will. "Good job, at this rate he will have to return to us very soon."

"You really are crazy, Kong crazy." Tobey whispered, his voice shaking. He was getting weaker and colder by the minute. Kong Li pulled Tobey away from the wall by his upper arm. Tobey whined in the back of his throat trying not to cry anymore in front of Kong Li. It hurt to be moved at all and especially to be handled so roughly, but otherwise he didn't react.

"Get on his other side Will, hold his arm." Will did what he was told, Tobey refused to even look at him.

With his staff, Kong Li tapped two places on the ceiling spread far apart over their heads and two more chains with cuffs at the end fell down. Then the evil man sprinkled blue powder on the pink cords binding Tobey's wrists. The pink goo turned into purple gel and oozed off of his fingertips. Too weak to fight, Tobey let his arms hang at his sides and kept his head down until Kong Li and Will lifted together. Tobey looked up to try to see what they were doing with him. They only brought him up as far as his knees, his ankle still chained to the wall straight behind him.

Kong Li put the cuff around Tobey's wrist and locked it while Will watched. Kong Li saw he wasn't moving to chain Tobey up. "Will move – chain him."

Will startled and lifted Tobey's wrist to the cuff. Tobey pulled weakly; the only objection he was capable of right then. From behind, Kong Li grabbed his arm at his elbow to force it up higher and hold him still while Will locked the cuff. Tobey lifted his head a little and looked up trying to evaluate his situation again. The chains were attached to the ceiling far enough apart to hold his arms out. Stuck on his knees by the cuff keeping his ankle back he couldn't stand up straight even if he was strong enough and if he tried to sit on his heels his weight stretched his arms up higher, pulling at the welts and cuts.

Tobey lifted his hips again to take some of the pressure off of his arms, but couldn't stay that way for long. He groaned as he put more weight on his arms again and now he was freezing. He didn't know it was possible to be this uncomfortable. Kong Li walked over to one of the tables and brought back a small jar that had something moving in it. "What Tobey? No threats, no insults. Kong Crazy is the best you can come up with now?"

"Please let me go – at least unchain me-it hurts." Tobey looked away, afraid to see what Kong Li was doing.

"My son, begging for something from his ol' dad. Too late, we are doing this my way. You will not change your mind or get away this time." Kong Li put his hand in the jar he held and the slimy thing uncurled into a furless, vaguely caterpillar-like creature about the size of Kong Li's index finger. The creature crawled from his hand to Tobey's chest. Tobey had to look when he felt something very strange on his skin. When he saw it on his chest he leaned back, shaking hard from fear he strained against the wrist cuffs. The thing crawled up his chest and across his collarbone to his shoulder. Its feet left a welt as a trail. His skin reacting to the venom in its body.

"What is it? Get it off!" he panicked. "Will? Help me!"

Believing he loved Tobey, Will really was afraid for him and took a step forward. Kong Li held him back, "Go away Will – this is between me and my son." Will backed up again, but didn't go away.

With Tobey's arms suspended above his head, the creature rested in the space between his neck and shoulder and he could no longer see it. He could feel it's little sharp feet scratching his skin and the slime trail it left over the welt like a snail. Afraid the thing would try to crawl in his ear, Tobey clenched his teeth moved his head to the side as far as he could against his arm. The little creature crept up his neck toward his ear. Tobey screamed and hung on the cuffs holding his wrists.

Will whispered, "No, this isn't right – why is Tobey's father treating him like this? My father wouldn't do this to me . . . my father?" it seemed Will was starting to doubt his programing. Some of what Tobey said really had gotten through to him.

Kong Li continued paying Tobey all his attention not even aware that Will was still in the room. "Now my son, drink this."

"No" Tobey pressed his lips together and turned his head with his face pressed into his arm. Kong Li stroked the creature on Tobey's neck backwards, from its tail to its head. The worm shuddered and two stingers, one at each end came out and slowly dug into Tobey's neck. Tobey screamed into his arm and pulled at the chains. His neck, chest and jaw muscles went soft and numb, numb from the venom in the stingers. Kong Li grabbed his head by his hair and tilted his head back. Tobey moaned, but found he couldn't speak, his throat felt numb too. Kong Li poured the potion down Tobey's throat. He had no choice, but to swallow or drown.

As Kong Li released him, he coughed weakly trying to feel his own throat. Kong Li went back to the table with the bucket of shape shifter on it and stirred. Soon, Tobey could no longer support the weight of his own head; his chin rested against his chest, he also couldn't hold his weight up on his knees, and he let his hips sink down as close to his ankles as the chains on his wrists would allow. Hanging from the chains with all his weight on his arms and back he groaned and started to cry. Sobbing felt and sounded strange with his throat numb and Will turned to look at him. His stomach muscles tightened and caved in under his ribs, released, and then tightened again over and over. Will thought it looked like a strange thing to be related to crying and stepped up closer to Kong Li, "What did you give him?"

"It was the same potion from before that you were giving him in the chocolate. Only now it is highly concentrated, no longer diluted at all by chocolate and in a greater amount – it will make him love you again and make it easier for me to 'train' him - if he survives the overdose."

"If he really loved me, why would he have to suffer so?" Will was getting more upset as he watched Tobey. The boy he thought was his soul-mate just an hour ago clenched his teeth and started convulsing. His stomach muscles tightened and relaxed in waves. His limbs jerking uncontrollably against the chains. The metal cuffs cutting into his wrists. Tobey was unresponsive when Will went to him and tried to talk to him. It scared him. "Kong Li, make it stop! He's suffering!"

"Yes, he is isn't he." Kong Li continued to stir the shifter, ignoring his son and Will who seemed to be getting his compassion back. "Tobey," Will whispered close to his ear. Tobey convulsed harder. Will held him with his hands on either side of his chest on his ribs to try and steady the jerking, but it didn't help except Tobey groaned. It was the first sound Will had heard Tobey make since the seizures started. "Tobey?" Will went to his knees in front of Tobey and hugged him, trying to make him stop. He could feel all of Tobey's muscles jerking in random contractions. After a moment, Will let go and begged Kong Li, "Please – help him – he's your son!"

Kong Li smiled at him. Unusual for Kong Li unless he was getting his way or finding a recipe. "You're right, I still need him he could use some rest I suppose." Kong Li moved the caterpillar creature from Tobey's neck down to his stomach. It clung tightly to Tobey's soft skin around his belly button and held on in spite of the boys convulsing body. Kong stroked it and it stung his stomach. The hard convulsing stopped his hands and feet still twitched.

"Thank goodness, will he be alright now?"

"The creature's venom paralyzes muscles by blocking signals from the nervous system or he would still be convulsing. Like I said if he lives long enough; if his heart is strong enough to endure the overdose of the love potion, we will find him much more cooperative when he wakes up."

"Love potion? Do you mean that's what made him love me?"

"You don't think it could have happened naturally do you? He developed some kind of weird feelings for Sid a few months ago. Tobey is loyal. Just loyal to the wrong people. I almost had him tricked once before, but Mei Hua got in the way. We must use a little something to help him change his loyalties permanently and for real this time."

"But its hurting him – Why would you take a chance on killing him?"

"Yeah, I told you pain might be necessary Will. I didn't mean whipping – but whatever. You softened him up for me. Thanks for you assistance."

"Oh no – I can't believe . . . I'm so sorry Tobey." Will mumbled.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing Kong Li. He is your son – I don't understand how doing this to him will help you."

"If he survives it – he strong potion will permanently wipe parts of his memory. He will never leave me again then he will be my son in every way and the prophesy will come true. I will take over Chinatown with him at my side. If he doesn't survive we can still use his DNA to revive the shape shifter in his image. My 'son' will still be at my side, even if it is not the original Tobey who stands beside me when I conquer Chinatown and then the world!"

"You mean you know he probably won't survive what you are doing to him – and that is alright with you? You would settle for an imitation of your own son?"

Kong Li became annoyed. "Your help is appreciated, but no longer needed. Kong Li hit Will with the dragonhead end of his staff. It left a bloody cut across Will's chest and upper arm his T-shirt hung from his shoulder, in shreds on that side. Kong Li then aimed his staff at Will intending to finish the job, but as the energy erupted from the dragon's mouth Will rolled out of the way and down a short fight of stone steps. The energy blast crumbled the stone wall where Will had fallen. At the bottom he rolled to his feet and ran. Kong Li didn't bother to chase him. He was too close to getting Tobey back one way or another.

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[TD]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Tobey continued . . .