Kate spun absently in her chair, making the conference room look like a blur of chrome with occasional red and blue blotches. When she began to feel lightheaded, she stopped and peered dizzily at the newspaper article on the table in front of her, the text coming in and out of focus. If the article had been any help at all, she might have been more interested in reviewing it again, but Kate merely shoved it aside with a defeated sigh. It was one of the few articles she had been able to find which dealt with the mysterious Arctic attacks, and the Bureau had obviously had a hand in how much information was released to the general public. While it did mention a few victims and their injuries, the article claimed the cause of the injuries may not have been attacks, but outbreaks of a rare disease which caused a variety of symptoms. Kate removed her glasses and rubbed her eyes, agitated. Across from her, Hellboy drummed his fingers absently on the cool metal table. Abe sat at the head of the table, a few folders in front of him containing some additional articles. They'd been at it for two days, searching every file and every book that might lead them to a better understanding of exactly what happened on Broom's trip to the Arctic, and if his loss of memory and the attacks had anything to do with Ystehogol. So far, it seemed their efforts had been wasted as there was a lack of information on the subject.

"Read me the next one, Abe," said Kate, laying her head on the table.

Abe cleared his throat and pulled an article out of the folder in his hands. "'Scientist found dead in Arctic home: Scientist Harold Jacobs was discovered dead in his Arctic home this weekend. Jacobs showed no sign of external injuries, and it is presumed his death was the result of a severe heart attack—'"

"Damn it," Kate breathed, running her fingers through her hair. "Why can't we find just one article the Bureau hasn't tampered with?"

It was obvious Jacobs had been attacked by Ystehogol, but they still held no proof as long as their sources made no claim of the creature's involvement.

"What's the date on that article, Abe?" asked Kate.

Abe scanned the page. "1992," he replied.

Hellboy sighed. "Why the hell would Ystehogol have waited this long between killings? We haven't seen any other articles of killings after 1992."

He had a point. Why had the killings suddenly stopped? And why had they just recently started up again?

"Perhaps he went into hiding," voiced Abe.

Kate and Hellboy waited for him to continue.

"It's possible that Ystehogol became worried that the exposure of his attacks would lead to his being found. He could have gone into hiding to assure that he would not be discovered."

Scratching the back of her head, Kate let her eyes rest on her lap as she thought. "But then why start killing again now? Wouldn't he still be worried about being found?"

Abe's large orbs scanned the room slowly, an action Kate had come to understand meant he was thinking deeply.

The three stayed silent until Hellboy grumbled and made to get up from his seat. "Well," he began, "we're obviously not getting anywhere. I say we give it up."

Kate slumped back in her chair. As much as she didn't want to give up, she had to admit that Hellboy was right; things were just going nowhere. "Fine," she said, "we'll give it a rest for now."

Hellboy nodded and headed towards the door just as Myers came rushing in with a folder in his hands. "Hey–the autopsy results are in. You know, the agents in the library?"

Kate brightened and stood. "Let me see."

John handed her the folder and the four crowded around to see the papers. Kate scanned the document quickly, excited for answers.

"'No visible head trauma'…'no internal bleeding'…'no signs of disease, organ failure, or lasting physical injuries.'" She stopped reading, her mouth becoming dry.

"There must be some mistake," whispered Abe.

Hellboy breathed a curse. Myers looked perplexed. Kate gazed down at the papers in her hands, shuffling through each one and skimming the text. Discouraged, she shut the folder abruptly. Her cheeks began to redden, and she glanced at the group.

"This is it? This can't be right. I–we saw them there, dead. There's no way they could have shown absolutely no injuries or internal damage. Somebody killed them and they were laying there dead." The images of the dead agents were vividly flashing behind her eyes. "They were dead," she squeaked, and her eyes glazed over.

What was left? There was no evidence to prove their claims that Ystehogol had been the source of any of the attacks. Nothing was certain, and nothing further could be done.

Defeated, Kate's shoulders slumped and she handed the folder back to Myers dejectedly. Myers looked down at the folder and then at her, his expression sympathetic. Abe reached out and took Kate's hand, and in a moment Kate felt her mind go blank, all disturbing images and thoughts of worry erased. She gazed at him wearily and procured a sad smile.

"Thanks." Her voice was barely audible.

Abe nodded. "You are going to rest for a while," he instructed, and if her mood had been lighter, Kate would have thought he sounded like a concerned parent. He began nudging her out of the conference room.

"John," said Kate over her shoulder, "call them up and confirm those were the correct results." She knew it was hopeless, but she couldn't help wanting make completely sure. Myers nodded once and was off, but not before flashing her his boyish smile.

Walking down the hallway with Abe, Kate looked behind them to see if Hellboy had followed, but he was nowhere in sight. Frowning, she shook off some unfamiliar feeling and continued onward, willing herself not to think of him. When they'd reached the library, Kate plopped down on the couch and curled up with a pillow. The warm expansive space in the library provided a comfort which her chrome-plated cell could never offer.

"Everything alright?" called Professor Broom's voice from across the room. Kate didn't turn to look, but she assumed he had been working at his desk when they'd come in.

"Just taking a break, Professor," said Abe, returning to the hallway once he was sure Kate was settled.

"We've all been working too hard," he finished just before leaving, nodding towards Kate.

When Abe had gone, Kate desperately tried to let herself rest, but her thoughts were racing. How could the autopsy results have returned with no cause of death? They'd been tampered with. How? Could Ystehogol have done it? He must be trying to lay low and keep the B.P.R.D. from finding out about him. Then it struck her. Could that be the reason for the differences in information the books offered about Ystehogol? It was possible; Ystehogol would want to remain mysterious. But, what does he have to hide? If he's so dangerous and invincible, what wouldn't he want known?

She was beginning to nod off amidst her train of thoughts when a loud snore startled her. Kate sat up and noticed that Professor Broom had fallen asleep at his desk, leaning back in his chair with his glasses on the tip of his nose. Smiling warmly, Kate went to settle back into the couch when Broom began to mumble.

"Professor?" whispered Kate, wondering if he had stirred.

He was silent. Glancing at the tank, Kate hoped to see Abe, be he was not there. Again, Broom mumbled, and Kate stood and crossed the room, stopping to watch him from across his desk. He was dreaming, it seemed. Kate could see his eyes moving rapidly beneath his lids.

As his murmurs became more coherent, Kate could discern only one word. "Jacobs," he said softly, his brow furrowing in distress. "Jacobs," he said again, this time louder.

The name stuck Kate, but she wasn't sure why. Who was Jacobs? One of the agents? Someone he had worked with? Suddenly, she remembered. The article—Harold Jacobs had been the Arctic scientist named in the article. Broom had quieted, but he continued to appear distressed. They must have known each other. Did that mean Broom had come into contact with him while in the Arctic? Kate started. If he remembered Jacobs, that meant he had memory of being in the Arctic. Kate moved around the desk and knelt down at Broom's side.

"Professor," she said gently, giving him a slight shake. "Professor."

Broom's eyes fluttered open, and he scanned the room quickly before he saw her beside him.

"Oh, Doctor," he said sighing, as if he had been worriedly expecting to find someone else. "You startled me. I was just taking a nap—"

"Professor, do you know the name Jacobs?"

Professor Broom contemplated this for a moment. "Jacobs…Jacobs…"

"Harold Jacobs," Kate pressed, desperately searching his eyes for any signs of recognition.

Finally, Broom shook his head. "I can't recall a Jacobs, Dr. Hayward. Why do you ask?"

Hanging her head, Kate sighed before addressing him. "It's nothing, Professor."

Maybe it had been nothing, but Kate wasn't willing to admit that it had been merely coincidental. For now, it was the only piece of evidence she had to hang on to.

XxXxX

Professor Broom had been truly worried about her after their exchange in the library. He'd insisted she get some sleep as she'd been working too hard and it was going to take a toll on her physical health if she didn't let herself rest. So, she'd gone back to her room, taken a shower, and paced the floor, hoping to make herself exhausted enough to force her to sleep. It was then that there was a knock at her door.

Kate rushed to grab a robe to tie around her pajamas, and pulled the door open, entirely shocked to see Hellboy standing on the other side. Hellboy too seemed shocked, as he was seeing a Kate he didn't know. He had never seen her so dressed down, and had never seen her hair loose, the auburn locks barely reaching her shoulder blades. Momentarily, he was stunned speechless, but quickly remembered why he had come.

"Figured you'd wanna get out for a bit and take a walk. You up for it?"

Too eager to get away from the Bureau, Kate forgot her usual sarcastic banter and pulled at his stone hand, signaling for him to come inside.

"Just a second," she said once the door had closed behind him.

Rushing to her closet, she grabbed the jeans and t-shirt she'd worn to the interview with Gold, and stole away to the bathroom to change. Hellboy observed the room distastefully, glad that he had been allowed to arrange his own room to his liking.

"Don't you think Manning has started to catch on to these little trips away from the Bureau?" asked Kate from inside the bathroom.

Hellboy scoffed and sat down on the edge of her bed. "Do you really think he's that smart?" he retorted.

There was a pause. "Good point."

Kate emerged smirking. She crossed the room to grab her bag, then went searching for a hair tie.

Finding one, she began to pull her hair up when Hellboy surprised her.

"Just leave it," he said, clearly trying to make it seem like she was taking too long, but the phrase came out rather frantic instead. Pausing, Kate studied him silently before tossing the hair tie aside and reaching for a brush instead. When she was finished, the two headed towards the door and left together in awkward silence.

The street lights were flickering eerily as the pair made their way down the empty street. Most of the city's residents had long since turned out their lights and gone to bed, and it was nearing one o'clock when Kate and Hellboy turned a corner to walk a different street."What're you thinking about?" asked Hellboy, his voice low.

Kate wrapped her arms around herself. "I'm thinking that I need to stop thinking about work."

Hellboy chuckled. "That's not gonna happen, is it?"

Kate shook her head. "Definitely not."

After a short silence had fallen between them, Kate glanced up at him. "What about you?"

Hellboy seemed as though he was taken off guard and struggled for words. "Nothing much," he finally answered.

Kate eyed him suspiciously, but kept silent. They had come upon a park, and Kate gazed out at a bench, realizing how sore her feet were becoming.

"Mind if we rest a while?" she asked, indicating the bench.

Hellboy nodded and they started off towards the bench. It was then Kate became aware that the park seemed familiar, and realized it was the one adjacent to Gold's house where they had been a couple of evenings ago. They reached the bench, Hellboy sighing nervously as he sat. Kate let her head rest against the back of the bench and closed her eyes. A cold wind was picking up, and Kate began to notice goose bumps on her arms. She must have looked cold, because Hellboy was suddenly taking his coat off and trying to drape it around her shoulders. Embarrassed, Kate refused to take it, and was reminded of her first outing with Myers.

"I'm okay," she said, shivering while she spoke.

"Don't be stupid. Just take it," Hellboy responded, placing around her. He indicated the black, long-sleeved shirt he was wearing so she wouldn't worry about him.

Kate nodded in thanks. The coat was warm and Kate found herself snuggling into it, comforted by the same smell she had come across while laying sick in his bed weeks earlier. Hellboy, meanwhile, was acutely aware of their shoulders touching, and was trying to distract himself watching an ant traipse across the sidewalk in front of them.

"You know the last time we took a walk," Kate began, "was back in my first week at the Bureau." She fell silent, lost in thought.

"You hated me then," said Hellboy, looking sideways at her with a smirk.

Kate laughed and gazed skyward.

"You still hate me?" asked Hellboy. His tone was light, but there was an undercurrent of seriousness in the question.

Kate looked up at him. "No," she answered with a smile. "In fact," she went on, "I think you're perfectly tolerable."

Hellboy laughed heartily. "Tolerable? Well, coming from you, I'd say that's a damn good compliment."

His smile faded when he looked down at her, and Kate thought she caught his eyes linger on her lips for an instant.

A deafening wail echoed throughout the park. Hellboy jumped up and scanned their surroundings for the source. Kate followed slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. A beam of light caught their attention and both simultaneously realized it came from Agent Gold's house.

Hellboy and Kate bolted across the park towards the house, each dreading what they might find when they reached it. They bounded up the front steps and Hellboy pulled at the door handle, and finding it locked, knocked it down with one blow from his stone hand. The two entered the same dark room they had sat in two nights ago. The beam of light had disappeared, and the house was entirely silent.

Hellboy procured his gun from his belt and pushed Kate behind him. Holding the gun up, he shuffled into the darkness. Kate remained close behind him, dreading to think she knew what they might come across. The room felt colder than it had seconds ago, and Kate found herself shivering once more.

"You aren't afraid, are you, my dear?"

The voice was all too familiar, and Kate shrunk behind Hellboy, placing her hands over her ears.

Hellboy kept his free hand on her, and shot at the area where the voice had sounded. A dark chuckling resounded in response.

"Come, come. You can do better than that, can't you?" teased the voice with a sinister tone.

Hellboy suddenly doubled over, the result of an invisible blow to the stomach. In the second his attention was diverted from her, Kate became the target, and felt herself being dragged to the middle of the room.

"We meet at last," whispered the voice in her ear. Kate felt fingers being pressed severely into her sides, and was aware of hot breath on the back of her neck. She struggled desperately, but to no avail; her captor had her in a strong grip.

"Kid!" yelled Hellboy, his eyes going wide. Obviously he was seeing something she wasn't.

Straining to turn her head, Kate came to face those familiar golden eyes sunk into dark sockets.

Ystehogol's face was skeletal and void of any color save for his bright eyes which held no pupils. He had no nose to speak of, only a hole where one would have been, and his lipless mouth revealed sharp, jagged teeth. Hollow cheekbones aided his cadaver-like appearance and his lack of hair revealed a deep crack in his skull which appeared to produce some sort of pus. The hands on her waist were gloved, and from what she could tell from her position, he wore a thick, dark trench coat.

Ystehogol's eyes narrowed at Hellboy who was immediately sent flying backwards into the wall.

"You, my dear, have been difficult to locate," Ystehogol said into her ear, tightening his grip on her.

Kate said nothing and continued to struggle within his grasp. "I believe you must have been quite put out after our last meeting. You put up a good little fight for a human, but don't think you'll walk away again with just a few bumps and bruises."

"What do you want with me?" Kate spat, surprising herself with the venom in her voice, even though the words were shaky.

Ystehogol snickered. "I should be asking you the same question."

Hellboy had risen and was beginning to trudge towards them when Kate stopped him. "Don't!" she yelled. "It won't do any good."

Kate knew Hellboy wasn't going to win this battle with muscle. He was accustomed to fighting brainless, corporeal beings and she didn't want to see him hurt again.

"You care for this demon, do you?" Ystehogol noted, leaning down closer to her. "That's all he is, a demon. He can't care for you in return. It isn't in his nature."

Kate got the distinct impression he was saying this only through her mind, as Hellboy did not seem to react. Ystehogol was using psychological tactics on her, she knew, and she wasn't going to let them work.

He seemed to realize this, for he continued. "You've been studying me, trying to figure me out. I've felt it. How is it you know of me? Are you in league with Trevor Broom?"

Broom? So, there was a connection between Ystehogol and Broom.

When Kate didn't answer, she became aware of him penetrating her thoughts, and desperately tried to remember and apply everything Abe had taught her. She heard Ystehogol laugh derisively behind her, but the laughing ceased. It was working, and somehow, she was blocking some piece of information he was looking for, as he quickly became enraged and threw her to the floor, her glasses falling away and skidding across the room. Not letting her mind wander, she continued to block Ystehogol's presence. It became harder when she could hardly breath and felt invisible hands clasped around her throat.

Suddenly, she was released, and gasped for air. Ystehogol was distracted, but without her glasses, Kate could not see what was going on. She heard a struggle, and heard Hellboy being tossed around the room. When he had righted himself, she could hear Ystehogol howling in frustration. Frantic, Kate searched the floor for her glasses, groping blindly in the darkness. A large crash was followed closely by a guttural growl coming from Hellboy. Kate listened to him emit a pained groan and continued her search desperately, determined to find a way to help him. Finally, her hands folded around something, but it was soft and most definitely not what she had been looking for. Leaning closer, Kate could vaguely see what she had taken hold of; it was an arm and she quickly found she was holding on to Agent Gold.

"Agent Gold!" she yelled, shaking him.

He didn't respond, and she could see his head rolling about limply from side to side as she shook him.

Shocked, she cried out in terror upon finding his dead form in her arms. This seemed to have alerted Ystehogol to her presence once more, as she was abruptly slammed into a fireplace, hitting her head upon solid brick. When she thought she would be thrown again, she heard Ystehogol yell out once more. Faintly, she could make out the outlines of the two, a red blob edging towards the darker figure with glowing eyes. They had come to a standstill, Hellboy advancing towards Ystehogol who appeared to be struggling. He shrieked with anger so loudly that Kate covered her ears, and afterwards she felt he was no longer in the room. Confused and in pain, Kate tried to stand, but fell backwards. Before she could hit the brick once more, she was aware of Hellboy's arms around her, keeping her from falling. His voice was muffled and she could scarcely hear him calling out her name.

Kate tried to respond, but no sound escaped her lips. She watched Hellboy's blurry form reach for a radio, and he said something she couldn't make out. Hellboy picked her up and carried her to the couch, placing her on his lap.

It was then he felt his own health begin to fail him. He hadn't survived the battle without suffering a strong mental attack from his opponent, and it was clearly beginning to take its toll. Slowly, he felt his senses fail him, and he rested his head against the back of the couch. He was so tired, and it was a struggle to stay awake. Sleep won over in the end, and Hellboy went limp, unconscious.

They remained that way, Kate fighting to keep herself lucid and Hellboy unconscious, but still cradling her in his arms until help from the Bureau arrived and discovered them there sitting amongst the devastated room and Agent Gold's body sprawled across the floor.

A/N: It lives! Yes, I told you I wouldn't leave this story unfinished. I deeply apologize for the incredibly LONG time you've had to wait for an update. Life just took off in a direction that left me with no time to write. Well, I'll say it again: there is no way I will not finish this story. I'm having too much fun with it. So, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. As always, much credit goes to my beta for being incredible. Write a review! Let me know if you loved it, if you hated it, if it needs work, if it was just right, whatever. Feel free to ask me anything about the story, but I won't give anything away that would ruin the upcoming chapters. Thanks for sticking with me, and even if the next update takes a little while I promise it will be there. Review!