Chapter 21

Disclaimer- I own nothing!

Things never changed, not really anyway. And Alan had worked here and knew people long enough that he should have know that, especially when one of those people was Eric Slingby. He still spent most nights out thanks to Ronald. He personally didn't care if he did since he didn't care to go with them and get drunk, the appeal was something he still couldn't see. But so long as Eric swore he was never with anyone else and had no intention of changing that every time he went out for a gathering then he was happy for him to go out with Ronald. Of course Eric also teased with him that he was breaking a lot of hearts this way and he should feel honored to be with him but he knew the women would somehow manage. Given no reason to doubt Eric and not hearing Ronald talk about any incident he happily let Eric go out. Plus, as much as he loved being home with him he wasn't possessive. Eric deserved a life outside of work and them. Coming from punching in for the day he heard Eric a few steps back yawning. He hadn't come home again last night; Ronald must have kept him at his place from being too drunk. Eric promised him he would come home every night so Alan wouldn't sleep alone but this was Eric after all and he knew him too well. And he could tell the drinking was helping him cope with the fact that he was dying. While he would have preferred him using another method at least he knew Ronald took care of him when he got so bad and didn't want them to break up. That fear always got to him, that Eric would realize them staying together was pointless and end it.

"Aah! So tired!"
"Eric did you go out again yesterday night?" He may have already known the answer but others were around them. Others that they left in the dark about their relationship and they that they lived together.
"Na, I have a lot to do you know?"
That was surprising then why didn't he come home?
"As a senior, you must act as a role model!"
"I know, I know." Okay so Alan wanted answers, yea not going to happen. He skipped drinking to collect souls. Souls he didn't want to tell Alan about.
"If you keep acting so rash, how can you become a good role model?" He deserved answers and they were helping rookies prepare for finals, all nighters that were nothing but partying could get Eric in a lot of trouble. They were finally working together again he didn't want Eric to blow it for them.
"Got it."
"Moring!" Ronald came up between them in a great mood as always, did he ever have an off day? Eric grabbed the paper from the end of the hall before sitting at his desk. He really needed coffee; he wasn't feeling work right now. Hearing William talk to Ronald he easily tuned him out.

Alan sat at his desk hearing the daily conversation between Ronald and William, those two had to be friends. The way Ronald spoke to him was much too laid back for them not to be.
"Oh you're kidding! I wanted to go on a group date with the girls from the General Affairs Department."
It was hard for Alan not to smile at that one, he sounded so bummed at the thought of working late and not being able to go out. As he walked past his desk Alan couldn't help but give him some words of wisdom, help him feel a little better.
"Ronald! You must remember, actions speak louder than words."
"Got it Alan." Respecting his superior and friend he happily took the advice before starting to walk away. Remembering something he wanted to ask him he turned back to him.
"Ah won't you come with me? There are not enough people today." Plus it had been forever it felt like since Alan joined him for a night out.
"Oh! I'll come." Barely lifting his eyes from the paper both looked over at Eric. So he had been paying attention to their conversation.
"Eric!" The man hadn't been home for a complete night in weeks. While he didn't look as exhausted as he had in the past he still wished he would take it easy. Plus he really wanted to talk to him about that and in general.
"Pssh, even if Eric comes it will turn out to be something like that group date with the secretary department. Nothing but drinking." Down side to Eric being in a serious relationship, he lost in partner in crime for picking up the ladies. At least Alan had a cute face; woman flocked to him whether he wanted them too or not. It helped him personally swoop in and work his magic. Eric didn't do that for him, his face reminded woman of a bad boy which got Eric woman but they wanted to stay with him. Walking away to do what he had to while they talked Ronald grabbed some paperwork for Alan as he did every morning.
"Ah that sure was fun. It's wonderful when someone else pays for your drinks."
Hearing what Eric and Ronald were talking about Alan's interest in the conversation perked up. Secretary department, no way, he wouldn't, would he? Seeing Ronald come back to his desk he was handed his paycheck with a few other papers, well that was at least one pleasant thing this morning was bringing.
"Oh, Eric really does not understand what real fun is." It was true, serious relationships once again killed the fun of flirting and having friends with benefits. Still he was happy about the success he had the other night with the one department. The woman of his dreams arrived thanks to Eric and his former connection with her. And he wouldn't tell Alan this of course but he felt those two still had something. He wasn't sure if they acted on it but the history with them was still pretty strong. "And the idol of the secretary finally came…" Just those words alone made chills of excitement run through him.
"Oh! I dumped her!" Okay dumped wasn't the proper word since he wasn't technically seeing her. But she had been clingy to him whenever they got together and he was tired of telling her to back off so he ended things completely with her. Made her hate him so she would get the point that he was no longer interested, that he hadn't been interested since he ended it with her. Glancing over at Alan he hoped this conversation wouldn't led to a fight later. He wanted Alan to know he was still the only one he had and wanted.
"No way! Was she dumped by Eric?" No! They couldn't have ended that relationship; he wanted to try to put his moves on her. Now she probably wouldn't come anytime she knew Eric was coming. "I am quitting!" Losing his will for tonight he collapsed in a ball near Alan's desk. Alan got where Eric was coming from and tried not to smile too hard.

Luckily for him his attention was pulled from Ronald's despair as he really looked at the daily list he received from last night. The report bothered him, it was a good thing William was still close so he could ask him about it and see if he knew what it was about.
"William. London, West Minster area had no designated deaths but people are dying continuously. And more over not one single soul was collected from there." Handing the list over to him he waited to hear what he said about it. Seeing the look of disgust on his face meant he probably saw this coming. Eric looked up completely from the paper hearing what Alan said. Trying to not worry too much he internally cursed the person that gave that list to Alan. Nothing good would come from that. He was for once grateful to hear Grell show up and go off about something. Maybe that would change the topic away from that list. But if William knew about the deaths without collected souls already then what else did he know? The more he heard the more it sounded like Grell was in charge of the one assignment and William suspected it was due to demon work. That was good it could stay like that. Relaxing back into his chair he was about to forget about it until he heard William talk to Alan about an assignment.
"Alan Humphries I appoint you as the new person in charge of case number six hundred sixty-six, forty-two, forty-two." Seeing the look of shock on Grell's face he knew that was the one they were talking about before the red heads arrival. Shit. Now what should he do? Wait that was perfect if Alan got the case then he could make sure he wasn't found out until he finished collecting the rest of the souls.
"I'll support him!"
Seeing the look on Alan's face he could tell he didn't like that idea, that he believed he still didn't think he could handle it due to the thorns. It may not have been the truth but it would work as an excuse for them to work together.
"But Eric?" Why? Why couldn't he let him do a job alone? It had been months since he had an outside assignment and even longer since he did it alone. He wanted to prove himself to everyone. Let them see that he was still strong, still able to handle everything about this job without constantly being watched.
"Eric Slingby. Fine then I'll leave it to you."
No, this wasn't fair. "What support? I'm fine on my own!" Seeing William walk away he started to go after him. Hearing Grell behind him and that gaining William's attention he knew the partnership was final. Pissed he turned to take his weapon from Eric and went to follow Grell. Eric knew Alan was mad at him for butting in since he walked behind him and kept his distance while they headed to London. Whatever, so long as Alan stayed safe and didn't learn the truth. They would be on this assignment for a while; this whole thing would blow over in no time.

Walking through London they both knew Grell had run off, they figured as much and so long as he didn't create more trouble they didn't care. Neither had spoken since they left and Eric personally was tired of it. He didn't see Alan staying mad at him this long.
"Come on, this isn't so bad is it?"
"I can't believe you."
"What, oh come on. I only said it so we could work together."
"Yea right. Who are you trying to fool?" Trying to stay disconnected he admired the shops they were near. It was hard but he was determined to make his point clear, Eric could only pull the same stunt over on him once.
"Alan, think about it. It's been months it feels like since you and I worked together. I took this opportunity to change that. I thought you would like the idea too."
"It has been awhile hasn't it?" Seeing the truth he relaxed that Eric had really just wanted to work together with him. Perhaps he was finally starting to learn. "I would probably be on this assignment for awhile too."
"Exactly, I probably wouldn't see you in days and that's best case scenario."
"Okay. Well then maybe I'm not so upset with you after all."
"Good to hear."
Seeing the light blush on Alan's face Eric smiled to. It was great to know he still did that to him. Moving to the roof tops they moved faster looking for clues. Eric didn't want to move too fast and over exert Alan but he hated sauntering about as well when on a mission. He may not have wanted Alan to look too hard into this or find anything to prove it was him but doing things differently would only look more suspicious.

They had been at it for hours, they couldn't even find Grell and with Alan so close he couldn't even try to collect souls. Perhaps joining him wasn't the best idea, all this was doing now was wasting time, time he really didn't have. Looking over at Alan he could tell he was exhausted, he may not be having an attack at the moment but the thorns had clearly weakened him over time.
"Why don't we find a place for the night? Morning will be here soon."
"We don't have to stop because of me. I'm fine."
"I know. I was just thinking that's it's been a while since I was actually with you for the night. I miss holding you."
Seeing the wide, beautiful smile he loved cover Alan's face he knew agreed with the idea.
"Sure. Let's find a place than. I think we passed an inn not to far back."
Following Alan they both were happy to get a room, well Alan came through the window since the innkeeper only had a room with one bed left but they weren't complaining. Sliding into bed together, feeling the warmth of the other, how both missed this. Eric kept him as close as possible. Every night he spent away from him he tried to see if he could handle not feeling Alan in his arms. It turned out he couldn't, he would just toss and turn. Being unable to sleep he would continue his hunt, his search for the souls to save Alan's life. Feeling Eric holding him tight Alan snuggled closer to him. How he missed this, how he missed him. He wanted this, just this for as long as he could. He needed nothing fancy, didn't need to keep working, didn't need assignments, so long as he had Eric, had this, than nothing else mattered. So long as he had him, had their love for each other then he could die happy, die feeling fulfilled no matter how much the thorns tried to get him to think otherwise.

Rolling over Alan noticed the bed was empty. Opening his eyes he saw he was right, he was alone, not again. Sitting up he hoped to see Eric in the adjacent bathroom, seeing it dark he sighed and sat up further. He should have known that even a mission wouldn't keep Eric here. Hearing the door handle turn he saw Eric trying to sneak back inside the room.
"Oh. You're up already."
"How drunk are you?" Crossing his arms he didn't even try or want to hide the attitude he felt towards him right now. He couldn't even spend one night with him anymore without drinking? What if they had had sex, would he have stayed then? Coming inside fully he shut the door behind him. "Not drunk, terribly sober right now." Joking and with a smile on his face he held a brown bag up higher for Alan to see better, "Got us some breakfast since I was up a little earlier and didn't want to wake you."
"Oh." Uncrossing his arms he dropped the attitude and instantly felt bad for thinking he had been drinking. Having Eric join him back in bed he accepted the scone he bought him. "How long have you been up then?"
"A few hours. I don't know about you but I couldn't sleep with this mattress."
"Really? That's funny because I enjoyed it. I thought it was comfy and soft. If you didn't sleep well then want me to go out and investigate for us while you relax?"
"Nah I'm alright. Besides I don't think staying here will help me much."
With that once they ate they gathered the few items they had and left. It hadn't dawned on them that Alan came in through the window until they came down the stairs together and Eric checked out. Well looked like they would have to find a new place if they stayed in London for another night. Doing nothing or not last night didn't matter much to humans when it came to un wed people and bed.

It was mid day and they hadn't even come across Grell yet. They both hoped he wasn't doing anything that would get them into trouble. Eric was already trying to make sure he covered his tracks from the morning he didn't need to deal with any trouble Grell brought. It seemed the women he killed this morning were in the mid day paper already. He needed to really be careful and watch himself to make sure Alan didn't catch on. Not yet, he couldn't learn the truth yet. Telling that Alan was becoming frustrated with finding out nothing useful for them on the streets he followed him to the last place he really wanted to go, the Undertakers. Of course he would have information on the case; he also knew the truth behind the deaths. Not to mention he didn't like the fact that he wanted to get his hands on Alan for some pre-planning over his death. If it wouldn't get him in even more trouble than he was already in he would slap him so hard across the face he would be forced not to talk to them about it. Getting closer he stopped seeing two people walk out from there.
"Well I'll be damned."
"Eric?"
Seeing Eric smirk and mumble something he saw what Eric was looking at. What was something like that doing at the Undertakers?
"So, you are the rumored Sebby-darling? Pretty hot indeed."
Seeing him move closer to the demon Alan stayed close behind. He wasn't going to let his guard down to a demon the way his partner was. He hoped they didn't start fighting right now though, not that he didn't want to or couldn't but they were on a mission they couldn't afford to get sidetracked. Unless, had Eric discovered that this pair, this human and demon pair were somehow involved in the recent killings. If so then why didn't Eric tell him? What was he trying to hide from him?

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Chapters may come up faster since I am where I am. Reviews are still amazing though and I love them as much if not more then I have before. Love everyone reading this story.
~Femalefighter~