A.N.: Welp, as you can see, my chapters are slowly dying in words. That's okay because the next chapter will either be the shortest last chapter, or the longest epilogue. XD, yup. This story is coming to an ennnnnd!

Thank you all very much for supporting this story on the way! I have a sequel planned (It's slightly more original and doesn't involve, I hope, cliche plotlines). I think I'll work a little bit more often on TPB (the prince's bodyguard) before I put out the sequel. (will take at most a week, I hope).

P.S.S. The 200th review was claimed by BlueCookies214, thank you all very much

Wolf clenched the hand that held the phone, threatening to break it in his grip. He swore that some part of the phone must have cracked because he heard the sound.

"At least we know that Coyote's under his care," Snake spoke up after a moment of silence.

"It can be anyone," Wolf muttered absently, "We can't confirm it."

"The soldier had visual confirmation that the person looked kind of like Coyote," Snake glanced at him, "We can assume that it's him."

"But it-"

The door opened with as the metal handlebar was pushed down. Eagle poked his head in before pushing the door open completely and let Parrot and himself into Bear's hospital room.

"Did you trace it?" Wolf asked.

Eagle's shoulder shrugged slightly, "Couldn't."

Wolf wasn't exactly surprised. This was the brother of Edmonson, after all. People higher-up in the stairs needed security in their phone calls, Wolf wouldn't exactly blame them, but at the moment, he would.

Wolf took a deep breath.

"Alright, so what do we know right now?"

"You sound like an inspector on a case," Eagle commented as he took a seat beside Snake.

"Shut up."

"Well," Snake cleared his throat, "We know where Patrick Edmonson lives-"

"How?" Parrot asked.

Snake threw him a glance that spoke of mild irritation, "It was stated in the folder."

"Right, go on," Parrot nodded.

The man looked a little deep in thought, Wolf noticed as he glanced at Parrot. Perhaps the amount of training in the camp did harden the rich heir a little.

"We know his phone number as well as the fact that he knows something about Edmonson, his older brother's illegal involvements," Snake finished, "That's all we have right now."

"How badly wounded is Coyote?" Parrot asked.

"What do you mean?"

Parrot awkwardly cleared his throat, "Well, I mean, you can't exactly move a severely wounded person too far without risking their health. There aren't a lot of possible locations if you just scratch most of them out."

Wolf glanced at Parrot as the gears clicked inside his head, thinking about the possibilities, "Continue."

"Well, the soldier said that this man carried Coyote out, he didn't call an ambulance," Parrot said as he turned toward Wolf, "Shouldn't most normal people call an ambulance?"

"He trespassed a no-trespassing zone," Bear pointed out from where he was sitting in the bed, "He wouldn't exactly want to get caught."

"That's true, I suppose," Parrot trailed off.

"Then can we assume that Coyote wasn't that badly wounded?" Snake asked.

"Not really," Parrot said as he glanced at Snake, "What if he was rushed immediately to the nearest hospital? There're a lot of good hospital around that place."

Wolf ran a hand across his face and exhaled loudly, "We only have a few results. He's either in a hospital right now, or in that man's home." No one mentioned the third possibility that they were all reluctant to voice, "Parrot might be right. Nearby hospital are our top choices, then we'll look further. Questions?"

They shook their head.

Wolf glanced out at the window. The sun was setting. He glanced back at his unit. They were exhausted, both physically and mentally, he couldn't blame them, "Rest for tonight. As soon as morning hits, start your search."

"Are we still waiting for Edmonson's call back?" Parrot asked.

"Our search is irrelevant to his call back," Wolf replied, "First thing tomorrow, ask for patient logged under his name in nearby hospitals around the cathedral. We'll split up. Three will go to his house, and the two will stay here."

"What if he's in this hospital?" Eagle asked jokingly.

"It's pretty far from the cathedral," Snake commented, "It's not entirely impossible, but it's slim."

Wolf ignored Snake and stared at Eagle, "Well then, it will be your job to search this hospital."

"Just joking, Wolf. Ease up."

Wolf dialed the first hospital. It was picked up before the first ring was cut off, "Leonard Private Hospital, how may I help you?"

"Uh, I want to check if a patient is in your hospital or not," Wolf quickly said, wincing a little at how imprecise his wordings were.

"Hold on a moment," He heard the keyboard clicking before the person, a woman, picked up again, "May I have their name please?"

"He should have the last name of Edmonson," Wolf replied. Probably. Patrick would have put him under that last name.

The nurse paused at that and he heard the keyboard being clicked again, "There is no one logged under the last name of Edmonson. If you have the full name, I might be able to find similar matches?"

"Uh, no, I don't have the full name," Wolf admitted.

"What is your relationship, sir?" The nurse asked, her voice tentative all of a sudden.

"He's my colleague," Wolf replied. Not too off.

"Descriptions?"

Wolf frowned slightly, "Kind of dirty blond hair, brown eyes, sixteen looking but he's actually…" What was it again? Twenty? "About twenty."

"Please wait a moment," The nurse said as she tapped her keyboard a few times, "There's no one with the description or name coming into this hospital in the past two days."

"What about the past week?" Wolf quickly asked.

A pause, "No, sir."

"Oh," Wolf swallowed, "Thanks."

"Anytime, sir."

One hospital down. Wolf didn't know if he should be feeling glad that they were narrowing it down by one, or disappointed that he didn't get it.

"Not that one?" Bear asked as he lowered his phone.

Wolf shook his head, "You?"

Bear grimaced, "No luck here, but it's only the first two hospitals. Still a few more."

Wolf nodded absently. This was getting nowhere. At the minimum, he hoped that the hospital, whichever one it was, was taking care of Coyote.

Snake, Eagle, and Parrot were off to the man's house a few minutes ago, leaving Wolf and Bear to do the phone-to-phone requests. Wolf just hoped that he would be seen as some sort of prankster for calling the local hospitals. Though he did suppose that following the explosion, what he was doing probably wasn't uncommon.

Wolf glanced at the clock. It was almost ten already.

Wolf traced his finger to the next phone number and dialed. A man picked up on the second ring, "Hello, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, how can I help you?"

"I would like to find a patient," Wolf said.

"Name?"

"His last name might be Edmonson," Wolf said, then added, "I don't know about his first name. I'm his colleague. He should have been admitted, if at all, within a week ago."

"Please hold for a moment," The man said as he inserted the name, "Edmonson?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry sir, but there's no one logged under Edmonson," The man replied apologetically, "Do you have any descriptions of him or her?"

"Blond, brown eyes, medium-tall height," Wolf supplied.

"Age?"

"About twenty," He replied.

"We have a recent patient admitted who might fit your description," The man replied after a moment. Wolf felt his hope surged, "But he is not logged under the last name Edmonson."

"What's his name?"

"Sir, I'm afraid that I can't tell you any more without proper confirmations of your relationship with him," The man replied, hesitant.

Wolf threw his best shot, "My colleague was badly wounded. Burned and…" Bear had lacerations across his body, "Cuts. Just tell me if this patient is the same."

He heard the man double-clicking with his mouse, "…That's right, sir."

"Can you tell me his name?" Wolf said, trying to control his emotion, "He might be him."

"I am sorry sir…"

"I just need confirmations." Any names that might have hints of Coyote would be a clue. Wolf gripped the phone tighter. Come on. Dammit.

"Julius," The man said reluctantly, "Any recognition?"

"Just Julius?" Wolf felt his hope falling.

Julius was ordinary. An ordinary name.

"Julius Hawkerson," The man said, "That's all I can give you, sir. Is he the one you are looking for?"

"…No," Wolf shook his head, even though he knew that the man couldn't see, "Thank you."

"I'm sorry, sir."

Wolf hung up. He shouldn't have led his hope and expectation surge too far ahead.

"No?" Bear asked from the side.

"No."

"You were nearly yelling," Bear commented dryly.

"Thought I found him," Wolf replied as he took a drink of the glass of water set on the nightstand.

"Under the name of Julius?" Bear blinked.

"Coyote doesn't go under that name," Wolf said, "He wouldn't give out his real name in this insecure condition."

"What was the name he gave you? Julius what?" Bear asked, curious.

"Julius Hawkerson."

Bear paused, then slammed his hand down on the cover, wincing slightly in pain but recovered immediately, "Wolf, that's him!"

"Julius Hawkerson?" Wolf was confused. How did Bear know Coyote's real name?

"That's the undercover name he went by," Bear explained, "Call them back, Wolf."

Wolf seized the phone immediately, but a ringing cut him before he could dial. He was about to decline the call when he recognized the caller ID.

It was from Patrick Edmonson.

Wolf glanced at Bear, "Patrick Edmonson."

Bear grimaced, "Better answer it and see what he wants."

Wolf accepted the call tersely.

"You're Wolf, right?" Patrick asked immediately.

"Yes," Wolf replied tersely, "Have you come to a decision?"

"Wolf?" Bear interrupted them, "Put the phone on speaker."

Wolf did.

"How do you know him?" Patrick ignored his question. Wolf was slightly surprised at hearing the near-panic in the man's voice.

"Him as in Julius?" Wolf asked.

"Yes."

"We're colleagues."

"Can I trust you?" Patrick asked.

"You can't, but he can, at the moment," Wolf pointed out. The man had no reason to trust him.

"Julius is gone," Patrick finally said after a moment.

Wolf and Bear froze, "What do you mean?"

"He's gone," Patrick repeated, "My brother took him."

Bear inhaled sharply, "Shay must have realized by the name…But how did he know that Julius is in your care?"

"I asked him for help after you called me…" Patrick said hesitantly, heavily regretting his decision, "Julius said that he was in some trouble with the government so he had to stay low. I called Shay to ask for help."

"You thought we were the people from the government?"

Wolf took a deep calming breath and exhaled. Keep calm. Anger, frustration nor panic would get them anymore.

"You said so."

"Right…" Wolf recalled saying that and grimaced, "Do you know where he is at the moment?"

"Airport," Patrick said immediately, "Shay is transporting him to a different hospital."

"I thought Shay doesn't like him very much," Bear frowned, "Why would he do that?"

"No, he doesn't," Patrick agreed, "I think it's only a cover for what he is doing."

"And what is that?"

"I don't know."

Wolf clenched the phone tight in his hand, "Which airport?"

"JLA, Shay paid a huge sum to get a personal parking space in that airport," Patrick said hurriedly.

"When were they gone?"

"Five minutes ago," The man replied, "They haven't gone for long."

"Right, thank you," Wolf hung up.

"New destination?" Bear suggested almost nonchalantly but Wolf could see the tension in the man's postures. Shay Edmonson must not have been an easy man to deal with.

"Call Snake and the rest," Wolf threw Bear the phone, "Tell them to go to the airport and get back up."

"Backup?" Bear asked, "What for?"

"Shay Edmonson is declared a criminal approximately two hours ago," Wolf smiled without humor, "Official order. Apparently, the disk that Coyote retrieved contained very useful information that covered more than that. We should catch a criminal on the way."

"Where're we going to get back up?" Bear asked, "The sergeant told you that this mission never existed. This mission is unofficial."

"The sergeant will find a way around it," Wolf replied. He hoped.

"And where are you going?"

"Secure the perimeter and make sure that Shay Edmonson's plane does not leave the hangar."

Bear smiled. Slightly. Coyote…

"Later."

When Wolf got to the airport, it was already in a shutdown mode. He faltered. Someone got here before he did? He rushed to find Shay's plane. It wasn't hard to find. There was a whole sectioned off area outside and crowds were standing around a small personal jet. Polices were pushing the crowds back as the crowd surged forward, pressing against the caution tapes to get a glance at the inside.

"What's happening?" He muttered.

"You must be Wolf," Someone spoke from the side.

Wolf started, caught unaware. He swung around and turned toward the man, "Who are you?"

"I'm currently going with the name John Smith," The man replied cheerfully. Somehow, Wolf didn't think it was a good time to ask as to what the man meant exactly.

"How do you know me?"

"I don't actually," John, or whatever his name was, shook his head, "But my, uh, colleague wants to see you." John clearly hesitated on the word 'colleague'. There were more respect than equality in that word.

"And who's that?"

"Someone who helped you cornered Shay before he left with Coyote," John smiled, "It's your choice to see him or not." He cleared his throat, "just like what William Shakespeare once said, to see or not to see, that is the question'."

Damn. Just by throwing in the word Coyote, they knew that he wouldn't resist, "Lead on."

"Right this way."

John took him to a section where there were several more police in front and flashed them his badge. The police respectfully made way for them. Suddenly, Wolf felt that he was underestimating the man. John might have acted casual and innocent, but his rank told him a different story.

"Who are you exactly?" Wolf asked in a low tone as they entered the sectioned area.

John ignored him, "Shay has shut himself in his personal plane, saying that if they dare to enter his plane, he was going to blow it up. It will undoubtedly kill anyone around. We don't know if he's saying the truth or not." The man trailed his hand nonchalantly across the sleek white surface of the plane.

"Who's your colleague?"

"Oh, you might actually know him," John glanced at him as they headed to the closed door of the plane where two men, a police and a civilian-dressed man, stood before. The police nodded and walked away when John came near. The remaining man took off his sunglasses when John and Wolf stopped before them.

"Pleasure to meet you," The man said to Wolf. No hands were extended, not that Wolf expected one upon hearing the man's voice. It was bristling cold.

"Who're you?" Wolf narrowed his eyes. John was wrong. He didn't know this man.

"That's not important," The man stiffened, "You came for Coyote." It wasn't a question. It was a statement.

"Yes, I did."

"Good," The man turned toward the closed plane door, "In a moment. I will be smashing this open."

"I thought…"

"Don't talk."

Wolf swallowed his comments. His instincts told him that he shouldn't anger this man if it wasn't necessary. The man seemed barely willing to help, and definitely not willing to accept any arguments.

"Good," The man commented with something akin to amusement but Wolf couldn't confirm, "After I open the door, you will find Edmonson. Stop any attempts of ignition."

"What if it explodes when we open the door?"

"Well, you die," The man glanced at him as if he was unintelligent. Not stupid, but unintelligent. Wolf nearly groaned in irritation.

"Knock him out once you secure him," The man said, "Kill him if necessary."

Wolf faltered. This man… Who was he exactly, talking so nonchalantly about killing?

"Questions?"

"Who are you?"

The man looked him dead in the eyes, "Evans. Anthony Evans."

Somehow, Wolf knew that the name given was about as real as the name John Smith given to him by the man.

"Questions?"

"No," Wolf replied after a moment.

"Good."

Wolf was unprepared when the man simply lifted his hand and pushed the door to the side, "Wasn't it loc-?"

The man glared at him, "Remember what I told you."

Don't talk.

Wolf pulled out his gun and hurriedly rushed inside, keeping his footings light. Turned out, Edmonson was already waiting for them.

"I said I'm going to blow if you step in!" Edmonson appeared on the end of the plane, his hand hovering over a red button.

Wolf froze immediately. Well shit. He heard the sound of a gun's safety being flickered off. Anthony. He turned quickly. The man had his gun pointed at Edmonson, "Where's the boy?"

Boy? Coyote must have looked more boyish to them.

"I'll press!" Edmonson threatened. Wolf could see sheen sheets of sweat breaking out on the man's forehead.

"Go ahead," Anthony said calmly.

"Are you mad?" Wolf rounded on the man, "It will blow!"

"It's fake," Anthony replied coolly, "Now, where's the boy?"

"It's will blow, it will blow!" Edmonson nearly yelled hysterically at them, his thumb hovering over the button.

Anthony brushed past Wolf, his gun still trained on Edmonson, "If you won't tell me, I will search for him myself."

Wolf flinched when the man lashed out, his leg catching Edmonson squarely across his large belly. The rich businessman was thrown, crashing into the back wall of the plane with a loud thud.

"Hey, you can't just-" Wolf said but stopped when Anthony glanced at him, his eyes narrowing.

The man had an air of authority that suppressed the people around him and Wolf disliked it very much.

Anthony turned his head toward the opened door on the side and jerked his head in the direction, "He's in there."

Wolf, for a moment, didn't process what he said.

"Coyote's in there," Anthony repeated.

Wolf's eyes widened.

"He's unconscious," The man continued, "Edmonson had drugged him to sleep, but it-"

Wolf didn't wait for the man to finish before he rushed forward, stepping into the room. He paused at the doorframe.

It was a white-lit room. That was the first thing he noticed. Grand, but small, just like the plane itself. He saw the bed in the center. The white sheets covering the figure. The IV drips, the mask, and the mess of blond hair. Then he saw Coyote.

"Shit," Wolf didn't know what to do all of a sudden, "Shit."

"What are you going to give in return?"

Wolf swung around to face the man, "What do you mean?"

"I've helped you, and my service comes with a fee."

"I…" Wolf was at a loss for words.

"Just this time," Anthony said as he headed toward the exit, "It'll be free. But if you ever bring harm to him again, you will regret it. Deeply."

With that, the man left the plane, undoubtedly to bring the police and call for an ambulance or paramedics. Wolf didn't have time to ponder the question before he was propelled forward automatically by his mind.

He crossed the room and stopped beside Coyote's bed. It really was Coyote. The dirty blond hair. Pale face. Dark bags under his eyes. Wolf could almost imagine Coyote glaring at him with his dark brown eyes. Oh shit.

"I'm sorry," Those were the only words Wolf could think of saying, "I'm sorry."

Coyote didn't respond.

Wolf watched the man's chest raised up and down beneath the cover, slow but steady. Slow but steady.

Yeah. Coyote was alive. He had seen it with his own eyes.

He will be fine.

This is probably the only time in this whole entire story where I led things go the easy way... I guess you already know who that guy dude person thing who introduced himself as Anthony Evans is. Great job if you do. If you don't, well, you will later.

Well then, I will pour my guts out in the next chapter, so I will keep the ANs for this one short. ^ ^

Next time

P.S. I'll finish the epilogue before I do TPB, because I want to finish this first.