I had to buy some heavy drugs for Quatre before the meal. As it was he had trouble sitting up. I knew he wouldn't be able to take an hour or more of sitting on his current medication. Unlike when his arm was injured, Heero could not go to get these drugs, for they were potent enough to be illegal. Instead, I was able to retrieve them, as a master, and was able to converse with the clerk about where the drugs came from. I was pleased to find that they were medically safe, bought from L-2, where it was not illegal to purchase radical drugs.

The drug system in Collar was pathetically simple. The color denoted the effect of the drug, and the number its potency and duration. Red 1-1 was the lightest painkiller and would last only one hour. Blue 2-2 was the second lowest aphrodisiac and would last two hours. Yellow 4-2 was a fourth level anti-depressant that would last two hours. Green 3-6 was a third level sedative that would last six hours. And so the range went in each of the four colors through every level and time period up to level nine and twelve hours. Using my best judgement, I got Quatre a combo pill, an Orange 2-4, which mixed the Red painkiller and Yellow anti-depressant. I hoped it would be enough. I knew that the painkiller injections I was giving him were safer, but I also knew that these pills were stronger. I would need Quatre free of care for the dinner.

When I went back to the room, Quatre was still asleep. I wasn't surprised, as he had worn himself out attempting to get up to help me by doing God knows what. I had lost my tempter with him, I admit, seeing him struggle so hard in such a weak condition made me want to lash out at those who hurt him, and, unfortunately, Quatre had been hurting himself at the time. I still remember his terrified, pale face as he backed away from me on his knees, shaking like a newborn foal, his expressive blue eyes open wide in panic. He was not well enough to run, but had he been well enough I believe he would have tried to escape me.

It had been early afternoon when I had given him the medicine, and I knew that it would wear off long before the dinner, but I still fretted a bit over Quatre's still form, feeling his head for his fever which had, thankfully, gone down. I didn't want to take him out of the rooms before he was ready, but I needed to use him to make sure Marcel wouldn't go back on our agreement.

I had decided, after Heero's slipup with the party, that it was time I got another able-bodied slave, as much as I cringed at making such a purchase. It was simply becoming too much for Heero to handle, watching me, Quatre, his own recovery, and his training toward Collar. He needed help, but he wasn't going to like getting it.

Heero came back from his workout a few minutes before lunch which, because of Collar's strange schedule, was around six PM. We were expected at the dinner at eleven, but I still needed to find Quatre an outfit. Quatre was much more slender than Heero, and the clothes of Collar were made to fit just so, so it was necessary to purchase him a set of clothes all his own, instead of letting him wear Heero's. The trick was, he would not be well enough to try them on, so I would have to take his measurements and guess about the rest.

I sent Heero to take a shower while I called for lunch. The special was pasta, so I ordered two bowls and a bowl of soup for Quatre. By the time the food arrived, Heero was done with his shower, so the two of us ate. Once we were finished, I called Heero to help me feed Quatre. I worried that the boy, drugged and half asleep, would be difficult to feed.

My worries were completely unfounded. After pulling Quatre into a sitting position, which leaned his shoulder against the headboard of the bed as he still could not take weight on his back, and making sure he was awake enough to realize we were going to feed him, I barely had to do anything but hold the bowl as Quatre slurped it down noisily. The spoon lay forgotten on the dresser, but that was probably for the best, as hand feeding him every bite would have been an arduous task.

It seemed that Quatre, with his fever mostly gone now, was finally feeling the effects of the race, blood loss, and sickness that had depleted his small nutrient reserves. I could only hope that he would begin to eat to gain back his strength, and made a note to send down for quick snacks for the boy incase we were busy and Quatre was hungry.

Once Quatre finished I wiped the small trail of broth from the corner of his mouth, then helped him to lay back down. Looking like a kitten gorged on milk, I'm sure Quatre would have liked nothing more than to go back to sleep, but he forced himself to stay awake when I made no move to leave and instead pulled out a measuring tape.

"Whazzat?" Quatre slurred, struggling to hold his eyes open as he looked at me over his shoulder.

"Master's going to measure you for clothes," Heero interjected, moving from his place in the doorway to the bed. "Would you like some clothes?" he asked, taking Quatre's attention so I could begin to work. I gave him a nod in approval, then began to measure Quatre while he was distracted.

"I guess... so," Quatre replied, sleepy and wary at the same time.

"Any particular kind?" I asked to keep the conversation going.

"I... Anything with an open back, master, please," he said, suddenly sad and afraid. I paused.

"I'm not going to put you into something skin tight, if that's what you're thinking, but the open back idea might be a better option. Good job, little one," I praised, hoping to relax him a bit as I pulled back the blankets. It didn't work very well, for Quatre snatched the blankets and held on, preventing me from pulling them down.

"No..." he moaned, looking at me with pleading eyes. I had been expecting this.

"It's alright, we just want to measure you. It's just for a minute," I consoled, pulling the blankets out of his hands. He sniffled, burying his face in the pillows. I was quick with my measurements, taking them all down in my head, while Heero whispered solace in his ear and rubbed the shoulders of the crying boy. As soon as I was finished, I returned the covers to their original position and gently kissed the top of Quatre's head.

"I know this is hard for you, dear one, but you're doing very well. Just try to trust us, alright? We really are trying to help," I told him softly, then left the bed.

In the doorway, I paused and turned to Heero. "I have to leave now, or he won't have clothes for the dinner tonight. I want you to stay with Quatre, rest a bit, and keep an eye on him. You both need to be well rested and ready by the time I get back. I'm sure sleep will be no problem for Quatre, so I want you to nap along with him, alright?"

It wasn't really a question, so my only answer was Heero lying down beside Quatre to do as I commanded. I smiled softly at the pair, my pair. I sighed quietly at the thought. Unfortunately, my pair would soon become a trio.

Most of the clothes I bought for Quatre were baggy and made for sleeping clothes. I bought him an angel outfit somewhat similar to Heero's, only it was much more concealing and much less tight. The material was light, so I doubted it would hurt his back. The comparison between the two costumes would make Quatre look more innocent and Heero look more lusty. Hopefully it would also pull some attention away from Quatre and put it on Heero.

When I returned, Heero and Quatre were fast asleep, side by side, curled up like kittens. It struck me, then, that I had yet to come up with a slave name for Quatre, and the name instantly came to me. Quickly, for I knew that I would need him registered before the dinner, I logged onto my computer and drew up the documents to change his name electronically. In minutes, Quatre became Golden Sunshine Kitten.

I smiled softly and went to get my shower, giving them just a few more minutes of rest. The two deserved it, and would probably need it.

I woke Heero quietly once I was out of the shower and dressed, careful not to wake Quatre. His light blue eyes fluttered open, then followed the line of my arms from his shoulder up to my face. He smiled at me, relaxed and content, and I couldn't help but lean down to softly kiss his forehead before leading him to the kitchen.

"Morning, master," Heero commented, yawning and stretching.

"It's nearly nighttime," I commented with a smile. Heero merely shrugged.

"What are we going to do about Quatre?" he asked. My smile disappeared.

"As you know, I bought some drugs earlier today that should keep him quiet through dinner. I just don't know how he'll react to the drugs. I may need your help to give them to him."

Heero nodded solemnly. "We should do it soon, or it won't take effect before we leave."

I sighed, feeling as though the weight of the world had settled on my shoulders. The drugs were necessary to keep Quatre from feeling pain when we moved him and to keep him calm around the crowd, but I doubted he'd understand. Quatre was afraid of drugs, and nothing I said could calm that fear.

"We still have time," I told him, "Let him eat and rest a little more. We can get him ready after we're already dressed for the occasion. If worst comes to worst, we can leave him behind, but I'd rather not let it come to that."

"Why not?" Heero asked, being uncharacteristically bold, "Why is it so important that he goes with us?"

"Since the party, I've seen how much work I'm really putting on you. You've done very well so far, and I'm not chastising you for it, but we can't have another slip-up like that one. I think... we need to redistribute the workload, so I'm going to get another slave. Master Marcel promised me another slave because he "damaged" Quatre. Now, I have no intention of giving Quatre back, but I intend to take Marcel up on his proposition of another slave. I hope to use Quatre as a bargaining chip and... Heero? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," he replied curtly, though he had gone somewhat pale and closed off. "I'll go order dinner," he said, and left the room.

I threw my hands in the air. What the devil had I said wrong now?