Notes from the Author: Christmas is almost here and I have yet to finish my Christmas fic, but I'm picking up where I left off here first before I proceed with that. Anyway, thanks once again for the reviews, most of which I really take into account that helps this fic shape into...well something else entirely different than the original I wrote, which means even better! I hope I've satisfied you with my answers so far: to laurose, thanks so much for the feedback! I'll do better next time! To the readers, I'm really overwhelmed, to think that anyone would actually read this. lol. Anyway, to continue with my madness, here is the next installment, which I hope you'll enjoy!

Chapter 5

The blond downed his fourth glass before swerving to face the dance floor. He felt good that Omi understood his position, but was saddened at the fact that Aya, and probably Ken saw him as a traitor. He tried to put it out of his mind as he confirmed from the bartender that a certain man who fits Schuldig's description used to frequent this bar. It was three months ago since he was last seen. Other patrons he said, used to be buddies with him, and they still come, usually when the club is less crowded.

That couldn't be right. When you go to a club your intention is to lose yourself in the noise and the sea of unknown people. If you go a few minutes before closing time, all you'll see are bar girls righting up chairs and tables and putting away empty bottles. He asked the bartender if he knew any of the other employees in the club; he shook his head. The guy mostly kept to himself, and if he did chat among the other patrons, it was mostly mild banter.

He stood up wearily. This isn't the only joint he usually went to; Schuldig was probably inclined to go club hopping and this was often his last stop; the patrons were a bonus, and assuming he shared small talk with them, he probably considered them decent to talk to. He never figured him as someone who could actually do that and still go home sober; perhaps Nagi was right in that Schuldig may not be right in the head sometimes.

"It's Kristiaan you're looking for, am I right?"

Yohji turned to see a decent looking gaijin, probably Crawford's age. "Excuse me?"

"The redhead."

Yohji watched the man take the stool beside his. He followed his lead and reclaimed his seat. "Uhm. Yeah. German, tall, nasaly -"

The man laughed. "At's him all right." He raised his hand to the bartender and ordered two drafts. "I'm Colin." He turned and offered him a handshake to which Yohji took. "You seem familiar."

"I come by every now and then." Yohji said, although it's been quite a while since he visited clubs; his hard-earned money must be spent wisely. Going back, he figured Schuldig would probably use an alias. "So, Kristiaan, um, have you seen him?"

"Yeah, well I used to be a regular here. But since Kris left, I somehow lost the interest. I only come when our other chaps go, you know?"

"He went, where?"

"I dunno, he never really was very outspoken. But darn good at poker, you see. It's why we have these meetups late into the night, not the best place, I know but somehow we came to know each other here. Ei, bartender?"

The bartender only shook his head ruefully. "I've been serving them for a few months now, and still he doesn't remember my name." He put their mugs down and offered a handshake to which Yohji accepted. "George."

"I know it." The man laughed. "Anyway, I'm really sorry mate I can't help you, but you can wait a few for our fellas and ask around. There has to be a soul somewhere here who knew where the fella went."

Yohji smiled courteously as the man patted him on the back. "Thanks."

Yohji proceeded out into the hall, swung both doors open and ran the last few steps down towards the parking area. He had connections at the German embassy, but that didn't help him either. They have never seen anyone that matched Schuldig's description.

"Do you really think he'd need to go to the embassy if he didn't have documents to begin with?"

Yohji whipped around to find Oracle standing near a post. "Heavens will you stop doing that?"

Oracle's face was deadpan. "Haven't you ever considered the fact that the man's very existence is illegal?"

"Hey, we shared the same occupation but I do have legal documents."

"He doesn't. I told you already. Legal documents are required at the embassy." Oracle walked with the blond to his car.

"Couldn't he manipulate the people into thinking that he had them?"

Oracle smiled ruefully. "Then why go through the process? If he wanted to go abroad, he can go straight to the airport, fool the staff into thinking he was one of the passengers, and get in the plane headed to heaven knows where."

"Can you stop playing devil's advocate for once? You should be helping me out. Do you really want them found or not?" Yohji growled irrately, fumbling for his keys.

"I'm just giving you possibilities."

"Then maybe I should look around the airport, see if anyone can identify him." Yohji shut the door of his seven, but that didn't stop Crawford from leaning over his window.

"He's a telepath, Yohji. He can manipulate people's minds."

Yohji groaned and rested his head on the steering wheel. "Do you want me to stop this? You can ask me nicely, Oracle. Hell, you're not even my client and I'm giving you the authority to withdraw this case."

The older man chuckled. "It's Brad Crawford."

"Fine, Brad Crawford. I don't care anymore. Tell Nagi you want me out of this case."

"If it's going to help you, I don't think Schuldig can get out of the country just yet."

Yohji looked up wearily, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. "Really?"

"I think so. After all, I have control over our funds."

Yohji's frowned at that. "Schuldig's apparently very good at poker."

Brad arched a brow.

"He's been playing with these group of gaijins at one of the clubs. He might have used his winnings to get him out of the country."

"He might." Brad nodded.

Yohji watched the man walk away from his door, only to find him go around the car and let himself into the passenger seat. Yohji didn't know whether to be irked at this. "What are you doing?"

"Sitting in your car. It feels more comfortable than it looks."

"Why thank you. Now leave."

"So rude, Balinese. I'm just trying to help."

Yohji stared ahead infuriatingly, gripping the steering wheel hard. "Don't call me that." 'I'm not Balinese anymore.'

"I'm sorry. It won't happen again." Brad said after a while, leaning back. "Anyway, I suppose it doesn't help that information is not made available to you, if not existing, forbidden. It's frustrating and depressing."

Yohji peered over his companion. He was probably talking about the both of them, how Yohji couldn't seem to gather enough information or traces, while Crawford could not see anything in the immediate future regarding his missing teammates.

"Funny how Schuldig used to pay me back big time whenever he thinks I annoy him." Crawford smiled bitterly, tapping the dashboard and stepping out the car. He did drive himself to the embassy after all, and had no intentions of leaving his own ride.

"Can you do it again?" Yohji said suddenly before the American could walk away.

"What?"

"Annoy him. Maybe he'll come back."

Crawford chuckled. "I wish it were that simple."

"Come on, Brad. If there's one thing that annoys the hell out of him, what would it be?"

Brad smiled. "Hurting the ones he love."

Yohji furrowed his brows. Schuldig loves someone?

Brad sighed. "Love can also encompass platonic relationships. I can see in the future that Weiss will meet me soon. If by chance Schuldig gets wind of it, he'll come back."

"What if he doesn't?" Yohji asked.

"Then you have your clue that at least he's not in the city." Crawford then walked away, hand raised to bid him farewell. Yohji shook his head, started up the ignition and left.

"Humor me, oh great Oracle." Yohji frowned, when after a week Weiss and Oracle did meet and fought in a mission.

Brad smiled bitterly. Schuldig used to chide him like that. "What's on your mind?"

Yohji momentarily stared at Oracle's bandaged arm before looking out the hotel balcony. "Three things. First, why are we here?"

"My client's hideout has been found out so we moved here temporarily until we've found a place to relocate."

"Didn't you see that coming?"

"Is that the second?"

"No, follow-up question." Yohji turned to accept the complimentary drink from a personal butler of Crawford's current client.

"Like I said, I don't see everything happening. If I did, I'd have known where the other half of my team went, and Nagi wouldn't need your service. Nonetheless, my client is grateful that whatever is important to him remains untouched. Hence Weiss was not successful."

Yohji nodded. He cared for his ex-teammates, but their business was no longer his own. "Okay, then second thing. No Schuldig?"

"None." Crawford answered simply, bitterness lacing his voice.

"Not in the city then, possibly." Yohji muttered. "Either that or he knew you've hurt yourself on purpose to make him come."

The older man snorted. "I beg your pardon, this is an accident."

Yohji sipped from his glass wine before gulping down hard. "With a gift like yours? How could you not see that one coming?"

"I am not magnanimous, Kudou."

Shaking his head, Yohji thought he could never comprehend how Schwarz's abilities work. Maybe in time...'In time, Kudou? Do you intend to spend more time with these people? It's been jeopardizing your ties with your friends.'

Crawford turned to him with a bemused smile on his face. "Sometimes I think you spend more time than you should on this case."

"Like I said I take pride in my work." Yohji frowned. "I take care of my clients, so in turn they can bring in more profit."

"Ah, spoken like a true businessman."

Yohji shook his head. "I have to; what I'm being paid now compared to how much Kritiker gives me during my time isn't much. We may live together in a shoe box but it's a very nice shoe box, and I happen to own a very nice car."

"Then why don't you go back?" Crawford asked.

"Because, it's a sad life to live. Yes, it's rewarding if you're on the vengeful side, or if you don't care where the money came from so long as you can provide for your luxuries. I'm through with that. No amount of money can pay for the nightmares I have or for the loved ones I lost." Yohji sighed. "I'm not saying you guys, or Weiss for that matter, should leave, there is no right or wrong way. This is my decision and I'm standing by it."

The older man nodded curtly, looking at his companion. "I respect that." He raised a finger to make another point. "Although, I'll have to say that you should remain vigilant. Weiss is popular in the underground as is Schwarz. There are people who have personal vendettas against people like us."

"I know that." Yohji frowned. "Why are you smiling?"

"Smiling can mean many things." Crawford shrugged, turning to the view of the city before them. "One can mean amusement and surprise to learn that you thought you know something, only to find out that there's still some things you didn't know."

Yohji snorted, examining his empty glass before sauntering inside to find a place where he can leave it.

Crawford followed suit, and found himself at the dinning room with the blond. "What's the third?"

Yohji placed his glass on the table before turning to the older man. Never in his lifetime would he have thought to hold a decent conversation with the American, without spite. Once again he was reminded that like Weiss, Schwarz is also human, in a way, sans the talent they happen to possess. If the roles were reversed, he was sure he would have done the same, taken advantage of the opportunity to overturn all of their enemies with a flick of a wrist, a commanding thought, or a few seconds of bought time.

If anyone else in Weiss other than him had been standing in this spot, that person would have attacked the Oracle without hesitation. He observed that the more frequent they meet, the more they let each other's guards down. It was a mistake, in the event that Yohji happen to change his mind, or if Oracle suddenly saw something that would justify him having to kill Yohji right now.

He realized Crawford was waiting for his answer, and thought that he wasn't that comfortable yet with the older man to be discussing his third concern. "Maybe some other time."

Crawford smiled.

"Unless you've forseen it. In which case I apologize for asking." 'God I wish he hadn't.' Yohji mentally hit himself in the head for always forgetting that minor advantage the Oracle had against him, when ironically he never failed to chide the other man how he couldn't see certain things ahead of time.

"I have no clue as to what you're talking about."

Yohji sighed with relief.

"Oh wait, there it is." Crawford grinned, when it looked like something suddenly dawned on him.

Yohji didn't know whether to be amazed or be ashamed of himself. While he find it amusing that he can make the Oracle laugh, he also found it embarrassing that he can make such a complete fool of himself in front of the leader of Schwarz.

The older man waved his hand in disregard. "I don't mind, really. I actually find your question quite valid."

"Well, it just kind of hit me what you said about Schuldig being protective of the ones he consider important." Yohji carefully reworded his inquiry. "It's normal to wonder if he ever had someone special in his life."

"None that I know of. I don't exactly keep track of his conquests or the clubs he frequent." Crawford smiled. "But he's especially mindful of Nagi, hence their closeness, and he fears me out of all of us, if you can call that respect. He did have a sort of interest in you back in the day -"

Yohji arched a brow at that. "Seriously?"

"You're not hard to like." Crawford swallowed his mirth. "Unlike your comrades, you have an open mind. It would have been possible for us to be friends if you weren't in Weiss."

He thought about that and silently agreed. "Well the reason I asked anyway is he might have gone with that person, whoever he is."

"He left with Farfarello." Crawford shrugged. "But I reckon they've gone their separate ways."

Yohji sighed, running his fingers along his hair. He was frustrated that the case was going nowhere. He was probably looking at it from the wrong angle. 'Then how should I look at it?' "Maybe if I look for something else other than Schuldig, then this would work."

"Who, Farfarello? He's almost as tough to find. The only real information I can give you about him is already in Nagi's files."

Yohji nodded curtly. He knew Farfarello's real first name only, which was Jei. An Irishman, a son of a catholic nun - probably one of the reasons why he renounced his faith.

"Well, if you start by checking every catholic church in the country, you might find him."

"You're serious?"

Crawford shrugged. "Every religious gathering you can find, unless he left the country. In which case, you have two options. Ireland, or Italy."

Yohji fervently hoped Oracle was wrong about Farfarello abroad and mentally took note of everything else as he turned to leave.

"Kudou."

Yohji paused and glanced at a smirking Oracle.

"I really didn't have a clue about the third one until you gave it away."

The blond glared, before hastily leaving the room with a slight blush on his cheeks.