Clothes were flying across her room every which way as Kate rifled through her closet full of business attire. She was too excited to care that she was making a mess of her floor.

Professor Broom had said he was going to pay a visit to one of the retired B.P.R.D. agents. Kate had, at first, been disappointed to hear that Broom alone would have the opportunity to interrogate the former agent, but he'd invited Abe, Hellboy, and herself to come along. Even more exciting, was that this particular agent was one included on Broom's mysterious list.

Holding up a tweed suit in front of her, Kate huffed and threw the clothes over her head. Broom had indicated that Kate should wear something less formal so as not to attract attention on their excursion.

Psh, as if Abe and Hellboy wouldn't stand out, she'd thought. But, Broom had covered that as well. The pair would follow them "secretly," Broom had said, and Kate was left only to imagine how they would get to the location without being seen.

She pulled out another dark pencil skirt and matching jacket, adding it to the growing pile covering her floor and bed. Absolutely nothing was going to work. Defeated, Kate sat dejectedly on her bed, resting her chin on her palms. A thought came to her and she glanced at the clock, grinning when she saw she still had a few hours before she had to meet Broom in the library. After diving for her bag on the other side of her bed, Kate then righted herself and headed for the door, taking a quick look in the mirror on her wall and adjusting her glasses. She slipped briefly on a grey skirt, but the door handle had saved her, and she exited the room swiftly thereafter.

---

The library was empty when Kate arrived there around six, and she grabbed the book of Edgar Allen Poe poems from its new place on the shelf and sat on the couch. She wetted her finger and began flipping through pages until she reached the poem she'd found the book open to that day at the library.

"Thy soul shall find itself alone, 'mid dark thoughts of the grey tomb-stone," she read aloud.

She read the line over once more in her head. Ystehogol was foreshadowing a death…but whose death? One of the agents on Broom's list?

"The spirits of the dead who stood in life before thee are again in death around thee and their will shall then overshadow thee."

It was a threat; it was almost a vow to whoever Ystehogol had threatened to kill that he would have eternal revenge. For what?

"The breeze – the breath of God – is still, and the mist upon the hill. Shadowy, shadowy, yet unbroken, is a symbol and a token."

"Beautiful, isn't it?" came Broom's voice.

Kate snapped the book closed in an instant and looked up at him where he was standing in front of her, his hat already placed atop his head, his jacket hanging over his shoulder, and his cane in hand.

"Beautiful," Kate repeated, "but eerie."

Broom grinned. "One can often interpret a poem in a different way than another, Dr. Hayward."

He smiled down at her and Kate thought. Was it true? Was she interpreting Poe's words the way she was only because she so strongly believed it was a message from Ystehogol?

Shuffling from across the room alerted her to a third presence, and Kate craned her neck to see Abe adjusting his breathing apparatus.

"Ah, Kate. You look well," he said cheerfully as he crossed the room.

Kate rose from the couch and went to put away the book. "I'm feeling better," she replied.

When she saw Hellboy approaching from the doorway she turned from his view, still humiliated at their last meeting the day before.

"Damn," he breathed, and Kate instinctively turned to see what had shocked him.

To her surprise, he was staring straight at her. Using Hellboy's useful escape route, Kate had left earlier to shop for some civilian clothes and was currently sporting a pair of jeans, a grey t-shirt, and some white tennis shoes. She'd even worn her hair in a ponytail, rather than her traditional bun. While her apparel was nothing special, Hellboy's reaction reminded her of how snug her new clothes were fitting her. Anything she'd tried on that day seemed to fit the same way, and she'd simply assumed that was the current style. Suddenly, she felt overexposed and clutched her bag to her stomach.

Hellboy, embarrassed at his outburst, rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably.

"You look different," he mumbled, then gave her a sly grin. "Dressed up for the occasion?"

Kate raised a finger in protest and was about to retort before Broom spoke first. "I thought it would be best if we didn't alarm our interviewee with formal attire," he said pleasantly.

Hellboy's smirk disappeared, and he sighed impatiently. "Are we ready?" Abe and Broom both nodded. "Okay then," said Hellboy.

"Come with me, Dr. Hayward," said Broom. "We'll meet them a bit later."

Nodding, Kate went to follow him, but caught Abe gesturing for her to come over to him. Briefly heading his way, she leaned in to hear him. "He thinks you look nice," he whispered.

When Kate appeared confused, Abe tapped a finger to his head and then indicated Hellboy. Kate followed his gaze and watched Hellboy shrug into his signature leather coat. What was so attractive about jeans and a t-shirt? As the thought crossed her mind, there was a twinkling in Abe's eyes. He left her then with a pat on the shoulder, and Kate caught up with Broom at the golden doors.

---

The taxi ride had been short, as Agent Gold's home was not located far from headquarters. They'd even taken a real taxi, wanting to make as little fuss with the Bureau as possible. Broom had not spoken a word to Kate, and she wondered if he was anticipating the meeting as much as she was. When the taxi came to a stop, it was in front of the last house on the street. On one side of the house, the next house over was built with two feet of space between the buildings, but on the other side was an expansive park. Kate stepped out onto the curb first, helping Broom out next and then handing him his cane.

"Thank you," he breathed, looking up at the house.

"Professor, did you let Dr. Manning know that–"

"What Tom doesn't know won't hurt him," he answered indifferently, already making his way towards the Gold residence.

Allowing a satisfied smirk to creep into her features, Kate followed behind him, quickly grabbing her bag from the back seat of the cab and handing some money to the driver. At the top of the steps leading to the front door, Broom pushed the doorbell with the base of his cane. There was some rustling from the other side, and the door creaked open slightly.

"Trevor?"

Broom smiled. "Yes, James. It's me."

Obviously satisfied with Broom's answer, Gold pushed open the door fully. "It's great to see you," he said, but his features held no trace of happiness.

"It's unfortunate our meeting must be under these circumstances," said Broom solemnly.

Gold nodded. "Come in." He disappeared into the darkness of his home, leaving Broom and Kate to follow behind him.

Once they were in, Kate closed the door behind her and waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. It was a wonder anyone could see, as there was not one single light on in the entire house. Gold led them to a sitting room and sat in a worn armchair. Kate sat with Broom on a couch across from him.

"James, this is Dr. Katherine Hayward," he said hastily, clearly just remembering she was with him.

Kate nodded in Gold's direction, and Gold returned the gesture.

"I see you have made it here safely as well," Broom said, and Kate wondered who he was talking to until she saw the outlines of Abe and Hellboy standing behind Gold's chair.

Gold spun around to look up at them and brought his hand to his heart. "You can't sneak up on me like that," he said reproachfully to the pair. "These days I'm always wondering if I'm being followed."

Abe took a seat next to Gold in another chair, and Hellboy came to sit next to Kate. The three were now so crammed on the couch, as Hellboy took up a great deal of space, that Kate's leg kept bumping into Hellboy's.

The group was silent until Abe focused intently on Gold. "What has happened?" he asked, sensing Gold's nervousness.

Gold, who Kate could scarcely see, ran a hand through his shock of dark hair. "Nothing yet," he said, his voice barley above a whisper.

"We wanted to continue our discussion from the other day, James," explained Broom.

Kate sat up straighter. Wait, Broom had already visited him before? So, that's where they'd been that day she was attacked; they'd been here. She glanced at Hellboy who stared back at her, apparently having the same revelation. They were quiet again for a while.

"What else is there to say? I only knew about the trip, Trevor, but I never found out what happened. Nobody did. You were the only one that went."

Hellboy's head shot up. "What trip?"

Sighing, Broom leaned forward. "Some years ago, I'm sure you remember that I left on a long expedition. I'd been gone so long, that you'd assumed I had been killed."

Instantly picking up on what he was talking about, Hellboy asked, "What happened?"

"He doesn't know," said Abe, shaking his head. "I've even worked to locate a memory from those six months he was missing, but there isn't anything left…just blackness from the moment he stepped on the boat until his return home."

Boat?

"Professor," said Kate, reaching frantically for her bag at her feet. "You weren't by chance leaving to go to a place called…" She felt the paper in her grasp and pulled it from her bag, unfolding it to read the faded text. "…Bull Harbor?"

Broom leaned closer to view the paper in her hands. "As a matter of fact, yes." He took the receipt. "November 10th, 1992. Yes, that was when I left for the Arctic."

"The Arctic?" asked Hellboy. Broom did not acknowledge his question.

Kate was beginning to piece the puzzle together. "This list," she continued, pulling the list of agents from her bag. "Are these the agents who…who knew about this excursion?"

Broom watched her approvingly. "It seems you weren't far behind me in my own discovery, Dr. Hayward. Yes, that list is the list of retired B.P.R.D. agents who were told of my trip before I left. When I was notified of the previous agents' deaths labeled as unknown causes, I tried to find any common traits between them. I soon realized that these were the agents who I had met with to discuss my expedition before I left."

Hellboy leaned across Kate to look Broom in the eyes. "Wait, you're saying seventeen other guys knew about this, but you never told me?"

He sounded furious, not hurt, and Broom merely sighed. "I did not want you coming with me. The expedition had the potential for being extremely dangerous, and I had no idea what would happen–"

"So? I do that kind of stuff all the time," said Hellboy indignantly.

"These attacks we'd heard of weren't caused by some brainless monster," said Gold suddenly. "Natives were being tortured in their sleep when nothing was around, waking up with unexplained injuries. Scientists who'd gone to research the problem were not coming back alive. They weren't normal attacks; everything had to do with the mind. People went crazy, or died from internal injuries that no doctor had an explanation for."

He closed his eyes. "It wasn't normal," he repeated quietly.

From the way Gold was turning pale, Kate suspected the case must have been taxing on all the agents involved.

As if Broom had read her thoughts, he spoke. "I took the burden upon myself to go and see what was causing the attacks, as many of the agents were too uncomfortable with the excursion."

"And you have no memory at all?" asked Kate softly, engrossed in the new information.

Broom shook his head. "But…you think this has something to do with Ystehogol? You think he caused those attacks?" she pressed.

"These attacks are real similar to the ones that were happening in the Arctic," said Gold, grasping the arms of his chair so tightly that his knuckles were turning white.

Kate watched him. "But, what would Ystehogol want from these agents?"

Clearly, it was not a subject Gold wished to approach, as he visibly tensed.

Broom noticed his discomfort, but addressed Kate. "It's impossible to say right now."

Kate thought for a moment. Something must have happened on that trip that Broom couldn't remember. Ystehogol obviously knew about these agents, so he must have come into contact with Broom all those years ago. Had Broom done something to anger him? Maybe his revenge was to kill these agents.

Gold seemed physically uncomfortable, and Broom watched him quiver in his chair. "Would you like us to send some agents here to protect you?"

Gold shook his head, but looked unsure. "No, I-I'll be alright. Just…try to find out what it wants and stop it."

"We'll do everything we can," said Broom comfortingly.

Looking at his watch, he made to stand up. "Well, I believe we've already taken up enough of your time, James. I'm sorry for the trouble we've caused you."

Gold shook his head frantically as he rose to escort the group out. "No, no. I'm glad you warned me. I just…want to stay safe."

Broom took his hand and smiled warmly. "You will."

---

By the time they arrived back at the Bureau, Broom seemed exhausted and went off to bed soon after returning. For Kate, it was still too early to turn in, so she waited in the library for Abe and Hellboy to return. It wasn't long before Hellboy burst through the golden doors, holding a six-pack and gulping a beer.

"Where's Abe?" asked Kate, peering around Hellboy to see if the he was following behind.

Hellboy shrugged. "Said he had something to do," he said, breaking off a can from the pack and tossing it to Kate.

She caught it and eyed the can warily. "I don't drink," she said simply.

Hellboy plopped down on the couch next to her, took the can from her and opened it, then handed it back. "Just drink it," he said.

Sighing, Kate took a quick sip, scrunching up her face in disgust. When he wasn't looking, she set the can politely on the coffee table in front of them. Remembering something, she reached into her bag.

"Professor Broom asked if I'd give this to you." She held up a Baby Ruth candy bar in front of him.

Chuckling, Hellboy took the candy from her. "Thanks, kid," he said, punching her lightly in the shoulder with his stone hand.

Trying not to look pained, Kate rubbed her shoulder briefly. "Where'd you get that, anyway?" she said, indicating the beer. He'd hardly have had time to get it from the kitchen.

"Swiped it from some guy in the park," he explained, taking another gulp.

Kate smiled and shook her head. He certainly seemed to have cooled off considerably after their meeting with Gold. Staring lazily into Abe's tank, she heard the sound of a crinkling candy wrapper and glanced at Hellboy. He'd proceeded to pop the entire candy bar in his mouth and was chewing loudly.

"Didn't want some, did ya?" he asked, noticing she was watching him.

Kate laughed. "No. No, I'm fine," she said, giggling as he finished the candy.

"What?" he asked.

Kate laughed again. "Nothing, I just didn't realize beer and candy went so well together." She couldn't stop laughing, and now her stomach was beginning to hurt.

He looked mildly offended sitting there with a beer in one hand and chocolate all over his face. "That beer going to your head, kid?"

Holding her stomach, she shook her head but couldn't speak. It wasn't long before her laughter became infectious. Hellboy suddenly began laughing too, and it was a while before they'd both calmed down enough to speak.

"Here," said Kate, still letting out a few remaining giggles. She reached into her bag and produced a tissue, handing it to Hellboy to wipe his face. He did so and then tossed it behind him.

"I think we needed that," she said, thankful for the laughter after such a serious meeting. Hellboy nodded. Kate leaned back into the couch and Hellboy did the same.

"You worried about all of this?" she asked, becoming serious.

Hellboy watched her gaze out into Abe's tank. He thought for a minute, then punched her in the shoulder. "Nah. I'll handle it. That thing won't even know what hit him," he said, feigning cheerfulness. "What about you?"

Kate shrugged. "Not really," she breathed, but she was only kidding herself; she was worried.

There was a moment where Hellboy simply watched her face fall, lines of worry etched into her features. Without warning, he reached for her glasses and pulled them away from her face. Kate watched him, confused. He scrutinized her for some time, turning his head to look at her from different angles.

Handing the glasses back to her, he nodded as if coming to an important conclusion. "You need contacts, kid."

Giggling, Kate put her glasses on. Her cheeks felt warm. "I'll think about it," she said with a smile.

There was a splashing sound then, and Abe was suddenly in his tank, swimming effortlessly through the water. The mood quickly changed now that there was someone else in the room and Kate and Hellboy both instinctively moved away from each other.

Of course, Abe picked up on the change right away. "What?" he said, treading water.

Kate quickly reached for the beer sitting in front of her and took a nervous gulp. "Nothing."

A/N: Alright, I've got a few different notes today:

So, first of all, I want to give a huge thanks to everyone who reviewed on chapter fifteen. Thanks, you guys!

Second, I wanted to explain a something about this chapter. If you are familiar with the comics, Broom goes to the Arctic in November of 1992 with the Cavendish brothers where they run into Rasputin. Rasputin turns the brothers into frog creatures, but lets Broom escape unharmed. Obviously, this is not what happens in this story. I've taken the idea that Broom went on this excursion to the Arctic and that he has no memory of what happened, but I am changing the events which took place there. No Rasputin, okay? I'm just letting those familiar with the comics know so I don't receive reviews telling me I've gotten the story wrong. I know.

Last, but not least, today is the one year anniversary of Need! I can't believe a year has gone by since I began this story! I really just want to thank everyone for sticking with me through my slow updates, and for continuing to read. I'm really glad you are all enjoying the story, and I love writing it.

Well, I think that's about it. As always, take the time to leave a review. I really appreciate the feedback. I hope you enjoyed this chapter!