I do not own.

An aging Asian man shuffled to the stove and retrieved the whistling kettle. Pouring the hot water into the tea cup, water bounced out and hit his bare foot. Placing the kettle down on the table, the realization chilled him. He hadn't felt a thing.

Quickly he sat down and examined his foot. Peering closely, he could see tiny scales covering his foot. As he ran his hand over the top, he stopped. Picking up his hands he lifted his hands to the light. Scales were growing on them too.

"Kuso." He swore lightly in Japanese.

0o0

"How is he?" Six asked Five as they walked through the barren landscape.

Five shrugged. "As well as can be expected." They continued silently up the mountain. The island had seen better days. When he had first came to the place it had been lush and green. It was a perfect place to live hidden from the world. Then the catastrophic event that changed everything happened. The vegetation nearly disappeared over night. It was as if the health of the island was linked to the health of its long time resident.

They reached the opening in the mountain. Six could feel the heat from the magma in the now active volcano. The volcano had always been dormant when he lived there. There was smoke once in a while and some rumblings but never posed a real danger. Now it threatened to blow at any time.

"We're here." Five stopped at a bridge.

Six looked across to see a man made structure dangling precariously over the boiling lava. "A little overly dramatic, isn't it?" Six pushed his sunglasses further up his nose.

"I have to warn you, he's changed… a lot." Five called out as Six started across the bridge.

Six paused a moment but continued along the swinging bridge. When he reached the other side, he knocked on the door timidly. Strange how even as a grown man, habits die hard.

"Just go in ya nit!" Five called from the other side. "He can barely talk!"

Six gritted his teeth and entered the room. He looked around. It was brightly lit with his master's favorite things… things to soothe him. He could barely make out the scrawling on the top of the room. I am a man. Something red shifted in his field of vision. Refelxes made him get into a fighting stance. A humanoid figure covered in red scales greeted him.

"Six." It croaked.

Six immediately kneeled before the figure. He would recognize his master anywhere, in any form. "Master." He replied.

One waved his hand which started to look like a paw. "Too formal." His voice was strained. "Good to see you my boy."

Six got off his knee and removed his shades. "Master, I came as soon as I heard. I… I'm sorry I left. I promise I'll be back more…"

One raised his hand again. "No, live your life. I've lived mine."

"I've decided to join Providence. They are working on the EVO problem… maybe… maybe they can find a way to help you." Six ignored him.

One shook his head. "Too late for me."

"No!" For the first time Six's voice carried emotions and his eyes flashed with anger. "No, it's not too late. You've always said as long as there is life, there's hope!"

"Six," One said soothingly. "I always have hope."

"Then stay alive, Master. I will find a way to help you I promise. I'll make you proud." He placed his sunglasses back on his face. He bowed and left.

"I've always been proud of you." One rumbled but Six had left already. One's shoulders slumped. He sat back on the ground in the lotus position and closed his eyes.

0o0

Five sat Six come out of the cell. He walked with a resolution that she had not seen in a long time.

"He's changed." She said as he came nearer.

"No, he's still the same." Six answered flatly. He walked past her with out breaking his stride.

Five's eyes narrowed. She jogged to catch up. "So you don't thing red scales is much of a change?"

"He's still One. He'll always be One." Six replied.

"And when this disease robs him of his mind? You know he'll be a danger to everyone." Five argued.

"He will fight it." Six insisted.

"For how long?" Five questioned. "It's killing him. He loses a little of himself everyday."

"I'll find a way to help him." Six said determinedly.

"How? That new fangled organization you just joined? As far as I can tell, they just kill the bloody things!" Five huffed.

"Don't worry about it." Six said curtly. They had reached the opening to the outside. A fresh cool breeze blew over them. "Take care of him." He said in a kinder tone. Then he sprinted away.

Five glared at his retreating back. Then her expression softened. She knew how much Six loved their Master. She sighed looking back at the volcano.

"Kyrie eleison." She muttered under her breath. Then turning to see a jet flying off, she gave a half smile. If anyone could help, it would be Six. "Good luck and god speed."

Kuso: Japanese word for darnit

Kyrie eleison: It means Lord have mercy in Greek. There's this old 80's song by Mr. Mister called Kyrie. I always misheard the lyrics as "carry me a laser" instead of these words: Kyrie eleison. It's a good song but it dates me.

princesss02 and guests: Thanks for your review.

Sephiria Arks: I have more stories on the Numbers. But it'll be a while before I can get to them all. Hope you like this one.

Promise! I'm working on the next chapter of Lost.