World of Night

Let the Chase Begin


"Finally," David smiled, stepping forqard to embrace Craig. "I was almost starting to believe Karl's grumbling about you not going to let us in."

"Don't worry," Craig shook his head, warmly returning the embrace, "I just had some difficulties getting up."

"Difficulties?" Karl raised an eyebrow, stepping back as Craig moved to embrace him as well. "Were your difficulties by any chance called Harry?"

"Why do you dislike him so much?" Craig let his hands fall limply to his side, only to raise them again, reaching for Karl with his palms turned upwards. "And why have you been avoiding me since Harry and I became an item?"

"I haven't." Karl said, crossing his arms. A shadow flitted over Craig's face as he let his arms drop once again. "But I accept that you are getting on with your life and I don't want to stand in your way."

"But..." Craig trailed off, shaking his head. "I think you'd better both come inside," he said instead, gesturing at the door. People were already staring at them.
Karl nodded curtly and instantly vanished into the house.

David smiled weakly, hopping that it looked more apologetically than it felt. "I'm sorry," he shrugged, "Karl hasn't been himself these last few days."

"Karl hasn't been himself these last few years." Craigt said quietly.

David stared at him in surprise. There was no malice or anger in the other man's voice, just the sad certainty of an umwelcome truth.

"There's something between you." David said suddenly as Craig pulled the door shut behind them. Why had he not seen it sooner?

"No." Craig shook his head, a soft, sad smile ghosting over his lips. "But there could have been. Once." He chuckled at David's incredulous stare. "A long time ago."

"I'm sorry," Dave said slowly, "I know I shouldn't be asking this, but," he hesitated, "Why didn't you? I mean, get together with Karl?"

"He was too hurt. He still is. That's why he's so angry." Craig motioned for David to follow him, walking into the direction of the kitchen. Karl was most probably headed for the nearest beer.

"Karl?" David frowned. "Angry?"

"Yes." Craig nodded again, gently laying a hand on David's elbow. "He is like Marton in that respect."

"Like Marton?" David parroted, feeling incredibly stupid. Why was he unable to stop repeating what Craig said?

"Yes." If Craig had noticed his embarassment he had decided not to call him on it. "There are many similarities between Marton and Karl."

"So that's why I like Karl without knowing him." David mumbled, feeling a blush heating his cheeks as Craig chuckled in responce. He had not meant to voice that thought. Both, David and Craig stopped as they reached the kitchen door. Neither of them felt like disturing Karl.

The Kiwi was standing in the middle of the room, with a faraway look on his face. The knuckles of his hands were whitle with the effort of holding on to the table. Karl's whole body was as taut as a bowstring. His hazel eyes were trained on one of the top shelves. David had never seen anyone look so sad.
"You still have it," Karl whispered after a seemingly endless silence, "I was sure you had thrown it away."

"Never." Craig crossed the distance between them, wrapping his arms tightly around the taller man. Karl struggled for a moment, but Craig refused to let him go.
"You still haven't learnt to accept comfort when it's freely given." Craig whispered into Karl's ear, resting his head against the taller man's shoulder. "It's okay to let go every now and then."

David turned, studying hte trinkets and figurines on the shelf intensively as Craig and karl conversed in low tones. He had been the one to drag Karl here, but he now he almost felt like an intruder. The soft murmering reminded him of how much he missed Marton.

"And just what do you think you're doing?" A voice suddenly asked from the doorway. The three spun around, their faces showing different stages of surprise and guilt. None of them had hears Harry coming. The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees as Harry's glacial stare finally settled on Karl. "I want an explanation."


~***~


General Lee did not look up from the papers he was reading as his buter led a man into hi study. Instead he pointed at a chair and waved the butler away. He frowned as he looked up. The butler had left just as quietly as he had come but his visitor was still standing. He gestured at the chair again before folding his hands and resting them on the dark table.
"Do have a seat, Mr Dourif." He said, coldly sizing the small, bespectacled man up. "I loathe talking to people who are standing arounf in my office."

"Of course," Dourif's smile was completely toothless, "It has been long since we last saw each other." He sat, crossing his legs. Long fingers brushed over his shirt, tugging the sleeves down. "Do you want to find something or are you trying to lose something?"

"Straight to the point, just as always." Brad inclined his headm smiling secretively. "I knew why I like doing business with you," the general continued, "I want you to find someone for me. Two someones in fact." He opened a file, leafed through the papers within and then pushed them towards Brad. "These two individuals are somewhere in London and have to be located as soon as possible."

"Dominic Monaghan." Brad frowneed at the file, pushing his glasses further up his nose. "Isn't that the reporter from the Times? The one with the big conspiracy theory?"

"Yes." General Lee relaxed into his chair. "He should not be much of a problem. You'll have to be careful with the other one, though. Marton Csokas. He has served."

"So I see." The file gave a snapping sound as Brad closed it. "What do you want us to do once we have located the targets?"

"I need both of them alive and at least not permanently damaged." General Lee said at once. "Apart from that you are free to use whatever means and resources necessary."

Brad's eyebrows shot up. "Any means necessary, General? Are you sure?"

"I just said so." General Lee sounded irritated already. "Is there a problem I should be informed of?"

"No, Sir," Brad straightened himself, "I would like to use Jed to sniff Csokas and Monaghan out."

"Jed?" The general frowned, cocking his head at Brad. "Do you think it is safe to let him loose? He is an invaluable asset to our research program."

"In know Sir." Brad agreed at once, heaving a silent sight. "But I believe that he is ready to be tested in the field. And what could be a better test than a real search mission?"

"A trial run could indeed be very interesting," the general concurred, "But is he dependent enough on Lorien to do what is required of him?"

"I think he is." Brad grinned. "And he should not have any difficulties finding them. From what I have read in Csokas' file the death of his brother was quite a blow for him. Jed is still as attuned to suffering and pain as he was before he became part of the program. He will be able to snoff Csokas out in almost no time at all. And for Lorien he will do everything."

"Wonderful." This time general Lee really smiled. "It should work. And if it doesn't," his smile almost made Brad squirm, "I'll make sure that you'll be there to take Jed's place in the program."

Brad winced, but quickly caught himself and forced a thin smile. "I think this sounds like a very promising assignment."

"I hope so," General Lee got up, towering over the other man, "And I also hope that your involvement in this matter will bring a swift result."

Brad's smile cooled considerably. "My partners and I are always a guarantee for swift and satisfying results."

"Of course." The General briefly inclined his head. "Allow me to escort you to the door."


~***~


"Harry." Craig smiled, keeping his hold on Karl, who had once more frozen in his arms. "I did not hear you come in."

"So I see," Harry's voice became even colder. Let go of him. Now."

"No."

"No?"

"No." Craig stared at Harry from his place at Karl's shoulder, seemingly unpepertubed by the rattling doors of the kitchen cabinets. "Karl is my friend."

"And do you hold all your friends like that?" Harry's eyes darkened another shade as he stepped forward. Only the table seperated him from Craig and Karl.

"Erm..." David tried to smile, spreading his hands, "I think I'd better go and... leave you to," he hesitated, glancing longingly at the door behind Harry, "Sort things out or something."

"No." Craig's blue stare trapped David, "There's no reason to leave." The doors of the kitchen cabinets rattled louder. "I want you to stay." He shifted his gaze back to Harry. "And I want Harry to get a grip on his emotions. NOW!"

Harry flinched, stared blankly at the rattling doors and then closed his eyes, forced himself to exhale slowly. David let go of the breath he had been holding and even Karl relaxed a bit as the nerve-racking noise finally stopped.

"Good," Craig grinned at Harry, "And now," his grin switched back to a glare, "Now you're going to sit down and listen to me."

Dave stopped his imitation of a guppy, shaking his head as Harry actually complied. He frowned at Craig. He would never have thought that someone would actually be able to tame Harry, but it seemed that Craig had somehow managed the impossible.
"Ahem," David cleared his throat again. "Are you sure that you want me to stay?"

"You will stay." Craig declared while manhandling Karl into the chair that was the farthest from Harry's. "We're all going to go to the council together in less than two hours and I refuse to go there with Harry in killing mode."

"I am not in killing mode." Harry snapped.

"Uh-huh," Craig raised an eyebrow at his lover as he sank onto the chair next to Karl, That's why you're giving Karl your I-want-to-turn-you-into-sushi stare."

Harry crossed his arms, pointedly avoiding looking at Karl. "I am not."+

"Are so too."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Not."

"Too."

"Not."

Craig sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "See what I have to put up with?" He asked David, spreading his arms, "And believe me, that's Harry on one of his nicer days."

"Nice means delusional?" David asked, leaning back against the kitchen counter. "Karl's definitely meat, not fish."

Craig snorted. His resolve not to laugh lasted for all of about ten seconds. "Yeah," he gasped, patting Karl's arm, "Definitely meat."

Even Karl's lips twitched as he shook his head at the two smaller man. Harry just continued to glare.

"So..." Craig gasped after a while, clutching his tomach. "Now that we somehow managed to loosen the atmosphere," he let his gaze travek between Karl and Harry, "Let's get some things straight."

"Straight?" Three very surprised voices echoed.

"Yes, straight." Craig mock-glared at all of them. "Ah-ah," he raised his hands, "I'm going to say something and I don't want to be interrupted. Understood?"

One immediate and two reluctant nods answered him.

"Good," Craig slowly relaxed into his chair, "I'll leave Dave out of this since he isn't really part of the problem. Now," he glared at Harry, "Karl is an old and very dear friend," he paused as Harry started scowling again, "And I'm not willing to give him up. However," he continued, stillf ixed on Harry, "I love you. Only you. Even though you are stubborn and difficult at your best and I'm not willing to let you go either. I refuse to be forced into deciding between the two of you."
He smiled as a little bit of the tension seeped out of Harry's shoulder. "But if you two continue to behave like this I am going to move in with Dave."

"What?!?"

"No!"

"You really..."

"I mean it," Craig declared, walking over to David. "I can't stand this any longer and this is your last chance to get your act together. Have I made myself clear?"

Harry and Karl nodded, both too stunned to really say anything.

"Very good," Craig linked his arm with David's, "Let's go then." He led David out of the room.

Dazed Harry and Karl followed.


~***~


Brad's breath caught as he stepped into the silver-coated cell. Jed still managed to take his breath away. Every time.
"Hello Jed," he said softly, smiling at the angry hiss that answered him.
"Now, now, Jed," he sat down on the steel bench that was part of the sparse furnishing, "You might want to re-adjust that attitude of yours. After all we are the only ones who have what you need," his voice dropped to a whisper, "We have what you crave. I know you cannot be without it." Brad laughed as the hiss turned into a growl.

"Exactly," he continued amiably, "Is the withdrawal already that bad?" He waited for Jed to answer, disinterestedly studying the cell. It was beyond him how someone could manage to stay even remotely sane in such a confined space.

Brad sat absolutely still as Jed slowly walked around him, hissing and snarling every now and then. Finally Jed stopped in front of him and sat down on the floor. Grey eyes stared at Brad, captured his gaze, tried to draw him in.

Brad shook his head. "No." He said, "You know that you're not allowed to feed of me."

"I need." Jed snarled, his eyes flashing with an unholy glow.

"I know," Brad forced his voice to remain calm, "But you need Lorien more than the pain. And you will only get your next dose if you agree to co-operate."

"Work for you?" With a deep growl Jed was at Brad's throat, trailing uncut fingernails aver the man's tender flesh, "Why should I?"

"Because you'll die if you don't," Brad said simply, "You have been without Lorien for two days now and it's already taking its toll on you. You can't live without the drug anymore Jed, and you know it." He gently lifted the almost claw-like fingers from his throat, "And you will never get another dose of Lorien if you kill me or refuse to co-operate."

Growling Jed backed away, his eyes never leaving Brad's throat. "What do I have to do?"

Brad smiled. "Attaboy." He reached into the pocket of his suit, fishing out a photograph. "This man's name is Marton Csokas," he said, handing the picture over to Jed, "He and another man called Dominic Monaghan are on the run. We want them stopped."

Jed's whole face lit up. "You want them killed?"

"No." Jed's grin vanished. "We want you to find them and lead them into a trap."

"Trap?" Jed frowned. "You want them alive."

"Yes."

"And what's in it for me, except for the Lorien?"

"You are allowed to feed of them," Brad relented, "But you're not allowed to kill them."

"I need a death," Jed insisted, "The Lorien is good, but it's not enough. Even with the pain of the other prisoners it is never enough."

"You'll have a deat as soon as you have delivered Csokas and Monaghan to us." Brad promised. "And you'll get a week's ration of Lorien."

"And how," Jed cocked his head, "Do you expect me to find them?"

Brad smiled. "Simple." He said. "Csokas' brother was killed in a battle. Csokas heard and saw him die. The pain is still strong within him. You're a banshee, his suffering will call to you if you concentrate on him."

"Hmph." Jed seemed to think it over. "A brother... the pain should be exquisite. Do you really want them alive?"

"Yes."

"Pity."

"Do we have a deal?"

"We do." Grinning Jed offered Brad his hand. "But after that I'm out of here. When shall the hunt begin?"

"At once." Brad said, knocking at the door. Immediately a guard appeared.

"Lead Jed to the showers and give him some fresh clothes," Brad ordered, "And after that bring him to the nearest exit. He is free to go."

"Sir!" The man saluted, already leading the banshee away.

Brad could not help smiling again. They would have Monaghan and Csokas soon. No one escaped a banshee. Ever. Jed's hunger for pain and suffering was more dangerous than any suicidal thought could ever be. Humming he strode through the deserted corridor. All he had to do was wait.