"Who is this?" Takigawa asked worriedly as he signalled for Lin to stop. Lin was panting where he'd been running up and down the closest alleyways, desperately searching. John was somewhere in this area, or at least he had been. He was certain. He could smell his candyfloss scent lingering in the air. He must have driven here. There was no way he could have walked, and the subway would have taken him in circles and made it more difficult to pin down his location. Lin looked frustrated at being halted, but then he sensed something different. John wasn't scared anymore. He was peaceful. The woman on the other end introduced herself to Takigawa before asking about his relationship with John. "I'm John's co-worker and friend. Is he with you? Is he safe? We've been searching for hours!" Takigawa sighed in relief and gave Lin a thumbs up. John had been found.

Lin stepped a little closer, looking anxious. He'd been worried when John left the meeting in such a hurry, and he'd known something felt off. I should have stopped him. I should have insisted I take him home! He'd thought it a hundred times already. When John's heat had arrived, Lin had been beside himself with worry. He'd felt it, and just barely scented it on the breeze. He already knew John wasn't at home, and he'd refused to answer his phone. Lin had checked in with Takigawa first to see if he was heading to his apartment, but Takigawa hadn't heard from him since the meeting. Sensing how terrified Lin was, Takigawa had insisted on helping him search. John was more likely to let himself be found by another omega, and he could also use his scent to calm Lin's turbulent mood. It wasn't safe for alphas to run rampant in the streets. Lin could end up in a fight if he lost control and slipped into a rut.

"Oh, thank God! Thank you so much for your trouble," Takigawa replied gratefully as the lady filled him in on what had happened and where they were headed. Takigawa nodded and hummed in agreement as she told him the address. "Great, thank you again. I'll head right over," he added before hanging up and turning to Lin, who looked hopeful but haggard. He'd never seen Lin so exhausted, not even those few times Naru had collapsed. He was always somewhat solemn and quiet, but not tired and lethargic as he was now.

He remembered the way he'd been the first time that Naru had ended up in hospital. They'd all been surprised at how devoted and over protective he'd been. He'd absolutely refused to leave his bedside. Takigawa had actually started to wonder then if perhaps their relationship was a little more than that of co-workers. He'd toyed with the idea of them being potential mates, but neither of them gave off that vibe, nor did they have mating marks. It all made sense when it came out about Lin having more or less raised Naru and his twin. Even during those times, Lin had kept a cool head. This time was a completely different story. He'd been almost out of his mind with worry, and God help the alpha who'd attacked John's car if Lin discovered his identity.

"He's safe…He had a bit of an accident with his car, but he's totally fine. They're driving him to the hospital to have him checked over now." Takigawa was relieved to see some of the tension leave Lin's shoulders at the news, but he didn't fully relax. He wouldn't be able to relax until he had John safe and sound, nestled in his arms. He needed to see him. He needed to touch and feel every inch of his body to make sure he wasn't hurt. He needed to hear his voice telling him he was alright. "Let's hail a taxi," Takigawa decided as he stepped to the curb and held his arm out.

It took barely a minute for a taxi to spot them and pull over. They climbed in and Takigawa gave the address. While they had a moment, he quickly typed out a message to send to Ayako. He'd actually been on his way over to her place when Lin first called. Ayako had offered to get out and help, but she'd agreed to stay at home when Takigawa asked her to. Lin was worried enough as it was without another alpha getting involved. He wouldn't let Ayako near his mate, especially not when he was in heat.

"Takigawa…Thank you for your assistance," Lin murmured stiffly as he glanced at him. Takigawa almost snorted at the formality. He would have helped even without Lin asking. He felt really protective of the younger people in their group. Especially the two omegas. It was important for younger omegas to have someone older to go to for help and advice. John was especially vulnerable, considering what happened a couple of months back.

"He's my friend too, you know. Of course I'd help!" Lin's dark eyes soften ever so slightly. It was hard to believe there was only two years between them in age. Lin always acted so much older and more responsible. It was only in times of crisis, like this, that Takigawa let his maturity show. During the search, he'd been a reliable anchor and sounding board for Lin, calming his fears and reassuring him. He'd used his scent to level out his raging pheromones, preventing him from spiralling into a panic, and minimising the effect he had on others. It was clear he had experience in dealing with alphas. Lin would have gone feral by now if not for his steady presence, especially when he'd sensed the arrival of John's head and the terror he'd experienced as a result.

Once they reached the hospital, Takigawa led the way to the front desk in the middle of the busy ER. He felt Lin stiffen in discomfort. He felt on edge as he failed to pick up John's scent. There were so many other alphas in the vicinity and it was making his teeth lengthen. His omega was there somewhere, but he couldn't pick out his scent. He could tell he'd been there at some point, but he couldn't find a trace of him. He must have been unconscious wherever he was because he couldn't sense any feelings. It was like turning on a TV and getting static. The nurse eyed him warily. He was close to becoming feral again in his quiet distress. His chocolate eyes seemed darker, and it almost seemed the veins around his eyes were darkening.

"John Brown…Ah! The foreign omega that was just brought in. The doctors are seeing to him now…I'll just need you to answer a few questions…" she trailed off anxiously. Her dark eyes shifted as Lin levelled a hard glare her way and a growl rose in his throat. Takigawa gave her a reassuring smile as he laid a gentle hand on Lin's stiff shoulder and released his pastry scent to calm him. It was a perfectly normal and reasonable request. Lin was just getting impatient. They'd been looking for hours. His mate was in heat. He needed to be cared for. Takigawa understood, but he also knew they needed to be patient.

"Of course! It's only natural. You wouldn't want the hospital letting just anyone in to see John, right?" he said with a little more warmth as he looked up at Lin. Lin knew what he was getting at. He may have to wait to see John, but that also meant that no other alphas could just walk in and see him, either. Lin nodded stiffly, quietly accepting the offer of a small tranquilliser. It was more or less routine to make such offers to unsettled alphas when they came into the hospital. They really couldn't afford for them to go feral and upset the healing atmosphere. There were even some waiting rooms specifically designed for alpha use, with calming pheromones being pumped in constantly. "How are you doing?" Takigawa asked quietly as he led Lin to a couple of empty seats and sat him down. The nurse hadn't even needed to leave the desk to administer the shot. They kept a supply of tranquillisers sealed and ready for use beneath the desk. All she'd needed was for Lin to roll up his sleeve and hold his arm out. A small prick, and it was done.

"I'm fine." Takigawa could tell the shot had thrown him off more than he'd like to admit. Lin closed his eyes for a moment as a wave of fatigue washed through him. It was mostly drug induced, but he wouldn't allow himself to bend to it. John was somewhere in the hospital, and he wasn't about to just lie down and sleep when his omega was vulnerable. He was alone, and would likely be terrified upon waking. Takigawa let out a small sigh as he patted Lin's shoulder, offering a little of his usual comfort and support.

"I'll take care of the paperwork. Just sit tight," he added before hurrying to the desk to sweet-talk the nurse. He filled in what he could. He knew John's address and phone numbers, though he couldn't do anything more personal. When it came to the family section, he just filled in Lin's details. They weren't married or anything on paper, but they were mated. That was almost the same thing by social standards. They couldn't deny that Lin was John's alpha. One sniff of the mark on John's throat would confirm it. "Any idea when he'll be allowed visitors?" Takigawa asked as he handed the papers back. He really wanted to see John himself, to confirm that he was unharmed.

"It shouldn't be long but…From what we've been told, Mr. Brown was very frightened when he arrived, so perhaps a calmer presence might be wise…" the nurse suggested meaningfully as she eyed Lin nervously. Takigawa nodded his agreement. Lin was on edge as it was, and although the hospital staff didn't know it, John was still quite scared of him. It was something he really hoped they'd be able to figure out one day. It wasn't fair. To either of them. He understood John's point of view. He'd never agreed to the mating. He'd never wanted it. He also understood the hurt Lin felt. He didn't say it, of course, but they all knew. It was hard to miss the sad, lingering glances and the way he always held himself back from touching John. It hurt him not to be close to his mate. It hurt him to be rejected at every turn.

"Don't worry, I'm sure Lin won't mind if I go in his place." Takigawa knew his own omega scent wouldn't put John on edge the way Lin's alpha scent would. It was soon agreed. Takigawa would visit John in person. Lin followed him as far as the door, checking on John's timid form through the small window before retreating. He knew John wouldn't want to see him, so he'd keep his distance for now. He returned to the waiting room and sat. Waiting. He eyed the clock impatiently as he wrung his hands. John…