*Fade to roughly a month later. There has been no sign of Kal's "big thing," and everyone has relaxed somewhat. Things have settled into a semblance of normality - and then, on a Saturday evening, there's a knock at San's apartment door.* San: *looks up from a book he's reading in Latin* ?.? *Another knock.* San: Come in! Josh: *pushes open the door and walks in, almost staggering* San: *gets up, rushes over and helps him stand* San: What happened?! Josh: *face is dirty, bruised and tear-stained; back is a bloody mess* Josh: *tries to wipe his face a little, only smudges things more* San: O.O! *sits Josh down on the couch, gets first-aid kit* Josh: *muttering* Pervy *bastard*... Josh: I thought... he was gonna fucking kill me... *sits, not very comfortably* San: *starts fixing him up* Stay still... San: *curses* I don't have enough stuff to fix you up... Josh: 'm fine... *is lying through his teeth* San: *picks him up, ignoring his protests* You have to go to the hospital. Josh: NO FUCKING WAY! *tries to get down* Josh: I'M NOT GOING TO ANY FUCKING HOSPITAL! San: *isn't letting him, glares* Yes fucking way. Josh: *tries to hit him* I'm not - fucking - going...! San: YES YOU ARE! *losing his temper with worry* San: *dodges the swing* Josh: *almost hysterical* I'm not going just so those goddamn doctors can act all fucking sympathetic and shit, and then as soon as I'm gone they'll be like, ha ha, look at the stupid fucking faggot kid that got himself - that got... Josh: *unable to finish; begins crying again with pain and humiliation* San: *hugs him, almost cries himself* Josh: Shit... shit... I thought I was going to fucking die... San: *silent, being a comforting presence* Josh: Not - not going to the goddamn hospital... *wants to be sure they're all clear on this point* Josh: Shit... *pulls away from San; really doesn't want to be touched right now* Shit. San: *lets him go* Josh: *tries to scrub his face again* Shit... San: *goes and picks up the first-aid kit* Josh: *lies on the couch on his side, since sitting is not exactly comfortable right now* Josh: *curled up into a little tight ball, but not asleep* Josh: *the shirt is almost falling off his back, in tatters* San: *sighs* Josh: Fucking pervy bastard... San: *really wishes Josh would let him take him to a hospital, knows he can't help without revealing everything* Josh: *falling asleep* ...'stard... Josh: *asleep* San: *sighs, uncurling him and beginning to work on his back* Josh: *doesn't stir* San: *finishes, with it being a mass of bandages, then picks up the phone* San: *dials number, then waits while it rings* Dr. Lynn Moravitz: *picks up* Hello, this is Doctor Moravitz. May I help you? San: Hello, Lynn. Lynn: Angelico! *half-shocked and half-pleased* Lynn: It's good to hear from you, but now's not the time for - San: Look, I know it's kind of late, but I really need a favor. Lynn: What is it? San: There's... a friend of mine, and he's really beat up... he won't go to the hospital, but he needs a doctor... Lynn: Oh. I see. Lynn: If you bring him in, I'll do what I can... San: *shakes his head* I can't bring him anywhere. He won't leave. San: He really got freaked out when I mentioned the hospital. Lynn: *glares at the phone* And I can't operate in your living room. Doctors don't make house calls any more, remember? San: *sighs* All right. San: I'll be there in a few minutes. Lynn: I'll be waiting. See you, Angelico. Lynn: *hangs up* San: *hangs up, then goes over to the couch, picks up Josh, and races to his car* Josh: *stays blissfully unconscious* San: *puts him in the front seat, buckles him in, starts the car and zooms out of the parking lot* Lynn: *is preparing things in her office* San: *gets there in 3.5 minutes, miraculously NOT getting pulled over by a cop* Lynn: *stands in the front doorway, looking for Angelico and his "friend"* San: *gets out of the car, gets Josh, and walks up to her* San: Hi, Lynn. Lynn: Hi... Lynn: *looks at Josh* Jesus, Angelico, he's a mess... San: *sighs* I know... Lynn: *drags them both inside* Come on, let's not waste time. Lynn: What the hell happened to him? San: I'm not sure... San: It had something to do with (ahem) a client of his... Lynn: Oh. Lynn: *looks down at Josh* Poor kid... Lynn: *sighing* Thanks for destroying my faith in humanity, Angelico. Lynn: Not that this is the first time, but... San: Please, don't say that... Lynn: *smiles at him exhaustedly* I'm a doctor - I always get to see us at our worst. San: *sighs* Lynn: Thank God that I see us at our best, too... *gives him a pointed, appreciative look* San: *blushes* Lynn: ^-^ *takes Josh to an examining/operating room* Lynn: *shoos San out* Scat! San: *hovers outside the door* Lynn: *works on Josh, along with some other qualified people, for anywhere from 1 to 3 hours* San: *does various worried-style things during this time, like pretending to read, sitting next to cold coffee, and trying to peek in the door* Lynn: *after the unknown period of time passes, comes out, looking tired but triumphant* San: *instantly on his feet* Well? Lynn: He should be fine. San: *sighs in relief* Lynn: If I could, I'd keep him here for recovery... Lynn: But as I sense that's not likely, he'll have to stay with you. San: Oh, he won't go anywhere on my watch. Lynn: Good. San: How long until he wakes up? Lynn: Not long - no more than half an hour, and probably not that. Lynn: You know what to do while he's with you, right? San: *nods* Lynn: No strenuous exercise, no drugs, no alcohol, NO SEX, etc... San: I know, I know! Lynn: Not that he should be having sex at his age, anyway... *grumbles* San: I know, I know... Lynn: He should stay with you for two weeks at absolute minimum. And for God's sake, if there's any way you can keep him off the streets after that, USE IT! San: Can I have him back before he wakes up? He'll never trust me again if he thinks I took him somewhere... Lynn: Sure. Josh: *is still fast asleep, but looks much better even with the bandages* Lynn: And - one last thing... San: ?.? Lynn: *gives him a real smile* Thank God you brought him in. Lynn: You're an angel, dear. *kisses him* San: Uhm... Uh... *blushes* Lynn: *smiles at him again* Go on, then. You can pick up the necessary medicine at the front desk. San: Thank you so much, Lynn. Lynn: ^___^ I knew there was SOME reason I picked a profession where I have to look at human guts. Lynn: Go on. Shoo! *makes shooing motions* San: *sweatdrops, goes into the operating room and gathers Josh up, then gets the medicine and leaves* Josh: *still asleep* San: *drives home with the top down, renewing the sleeping spell on him so he doesn't wake up until they're home* Josh: *wakes up on the sofa bed* e.e... San: *is cooking dinner* Josh: Wha... Josh: *sits up, wincing* Shit... San: *calls* Don't move so much! Josh: -.- *lays down again* Josh: Shit... I can't go back like this... San: *finishes up with the food (which happens to be pork chops) and brings it out into the living room* Josh: -.- *is starving* San: *hands him a plate* Help yourself! San: And you're not going anywhere until you're done healing. Josh: -.- *takes almost all of the pork chops and wolfs them down* Josh: *through a full mouth* Ifv gfftf tf gft bckf... San: ^__^; *goes into the kitchen, brings out more, having anticipated this* Josh: *eats* San: *eats a little bit himself, but not much* Josh: *after demolishing five or six pork chops, returns to the crucial point of the conversation* I gotta get back. San: I'm sure you do, but you also gotta heal. Josh: If I don't get back, I'm not going to get the CHANCE to fuckin' heal. They'll fucking KILL me! San: *gets a dangerous look on his face* Not if I have anything to say about it. Josh: *ignoring him* I mean, thanks for - for helping me and all this shit, but I gotta go back. San: I'll let you go back when you're healed. Josh: -.- You haven't SEEN the muscle Rog hires, have you? Josh: I don't think they ever found all of the last guy who tried to "help" someone leave. San: Yeah, well, that last guy wasn't me. Josh: -.- You ain't that tough. You're a teacher, fer Chrissakes. San: I haven't always been a teacher. Josh: ~.- San: I'm serious. San: And I'm not letting them hurt me or you. Josh: *is completely failing to understand how ANYONE would willingly risk themselves for a beat-up whore* Josh: Jeeeeeeeeeeeesus. Mister, you're a loony. Josh: *flops on the bed* Why the hell would you go through all this shit? Josh: You haven't even fuckin' SLEPT with me. San: Because I care about you. Josh: *looks at him, starts blushing* San: I don't want to sleep with you. San: I want to take care of you. Josh: *blushes more* San: And I'm not going to let some jackass pimp hurt either of us just because he's losing money. Josh: But - but - why me? San: Because you remind me of a very old and very dear friend of mine. San: And I'd like to think that if he were in your situation - someone would be doing the same for him. Josh: *blushes even more, curls up in the bed* I just don't fucking get you... San: That's okay. San: You don't have to. Josh: e.e? *still really tired, about to fall asleep again* San: Go to sleep. Josh: *yawns* Yuh. Sure. No... problem... San: I'll see you in the morning. Josh: *falls asleep again* San: *makes mental note to call in sick on Monday; isn’t going to school until Josh is well again* Josh: *sleeps, all curled up* San: *watches him for a minute or so, then sighs and heads to bed* *It's the Monday after the incident with Josh, and Shiko and Alison walk into the Latin room together, Damien just a little behind. However, instead of San napping at the desk, there's a stranger, looking nervous.* Alison: *sits down, whispers to no one in particular* I wonder where Mr. Watcher is... Shiko: *sits next to her* This is bizarre... Shiko: There shouldn't be any reason for him to skip. He's not THAT lazy, and he can't get sick... Alison: I hope nothing bad happened... Shiko: *forces a smile* I'm sure he's fine. Maybe if he's still gone tomorrow, we could go over to his apartment and check on him... Alison: Yeah, that's a good idea. Shalohim: *relaxes in the knowledge that he gets a day off from being a nervous wreck* Alison: Uhm... Do you know where his apartment is? Shiko: Eh, I can find it, no problem. Alison: Okay. Substitute: *hears the bell, tries to call the class to order* Hello, everyone. Mr. Watcher has called in sick today, so I'll be your teacher. I'm Mrs. Johnson, and if you'll all be quiet for a minute, I can take roll and we can begin on the work he left for you... Shiko: 9.9 Oh, lovely. Makework. Shalohim: Shiko-san... *looks slightly shocked at her* Shiko: *sighs* San had BETTER have a good reason for skipping out... this really isn't like him. Alison: Yeah... Mrs. Johnson: *hands out worksheets* Shiko: *takes a worksheet, breezes through it in about five minutes* Shalohim: *same* Shiko: Ne, Alison? Need any help? Alison: Nope, I'm okay. *Finishes fairly quickly and works on other homework. Shiko and Shal's language skills have begun to rub off on her a little, although she's still not anywhere near as good as either of them.* Shiko: ^-^ Shalohim: *secure in the knowledge that he doesn't have to deal at all with San today, takes a nap* Alison: *Watches Shal sleep for a little while, amazed that he looks even more innocent when he sleeps. Also rather bemused, wondering what Shal and San's relationship is, exactly.* Mrs. Johnson: *clears her throat* If anyone is done with their worksheet, please bring it up to me and I can give you another one. This is a classroom, not a bedroom. Alison: *makes face at teacher, then takes her worksheet up and gets another one* Shiko: >.< *does the same* Shalohim: e.e? Shalohim: *obediently turns in his and gets another sheet, too* Alison: *works on hers and also finishes it fairly quickly* Mrs. Johnson: *looks at Shiko and Shal's papers* 0.0 Mrs. Johnson: In- incredible... Mrs. Johnson: Miss Amaranth? Mister Argent? If - if you would come here for a moment... Shiko: ?.? *walks up the desk, dragging a confused Shal with her* Shiko: Is there something wrong, Mrs. Johnson? Mrs. Johnson: No - no, not wrong, as such... Alison: *watches them curiously* Mrs. Johnson: This Latin you're using... there's, ah, something a bit - odd about it... Shalohim: Oh, that. Well, that would be because - Shiko: *puts her hand over his mouth* What Daemon means to say, Mrs. Johnson, is that we studied under an Italian teacher at our last school, so we learned some nonstandard grammar and so on! Yup! Shalohim: Mrgrmfm frrfmfr! Mrs. Johnson: *slightly taken aback* Ah - is that so? Well, I suppose that explains it... Mrs. Johnson: You may return to your seats. Alison: *snickers quietly to herself, knowing the truth* Shiko: ^-^ Yes, ma'am. *drags Shal back and sits down, then proceeds to glare at him* Shiko: What on EARTH were you thinking?! Not two months ago I told you to keep to your COVER, and now you practically blurt everything out to a SUBSTITUTE TEACHER?! Shalohim: 6.6 Alison: *giggles* Shalohim: Well, she asked... Shiko: 9.9 That does NOT mean you have to TELL. Shalohim: Hai, Shiko-san... Alison: You two are so funny... Shiko: ^-^ My pleasure. Shalohim: ^-^;;; *The next day, Angelico is still absent. Shiko and Alison have set out to find his apartment and discover what's happened. Damien has declined to join them, instead tending to mysterious business of his own elsewhere.* Shiko: *walks purposefully down a street, lost but undefeated* Alison: *looks around* Are you sure we're supposed to be downtown, Shiko? Shiko: *confidently* Yeah, San always picks a nice expensive place... Alison: But downtown is where all the cheap stuff is, you knew that, right? Shiko: ?.? Alison: *looks kinda embarrassed* We have a backwards town... Shiko: ^-^ Oh, you should have seen my hometown. Shiko: Anyway - so where would the high-class apartment-type places be? Alison: *points* A ways that way. Shiko: ^-^ Let's go! *heads that way* Alison: *follows, rolling her eyes at Shiko's optimism* Shiko: *now pointed in the right direction, leads them straight to the apartment and knocks triumphantly on the right door* Alison: *blinks* Shiko: This is the place. Trust me. San: *opens door* Hello? Shiko: *offhand* Hey, San. Whatcha been up to? San: Oh, hi, Shiko. I have a friend who got in an accident, and had to have home care. Unfortunately, he doesn't happen to have a home. San: At least not a good one. Shiko: ~.- Reeeeeeallly. San: *shrugs* Yeah. So he's staying with me. Shiko: Sou desu ne... Shiko: *waits to be invited in, as is only polite* Josh: *still on the sofa-bed, half-asleep* e.e San: So, ah, wanna come in? Alison: *has been standing politely and silently behind Shiko* Shiko: Why, yes, San, that would be lovely. *goes in, looking around with interest* Alison: *follows* San: Oh, Alison. *didn't see her* Hi. Alison: *smiles* Hi. Shiko: Hmmm... nice stuff. This is a LOT better than that last place, with all that neo-classic art. Junk, the lot of it. San: -.- I happened to like it. Shiko: ^-^ Well, you happen to have no artistic taste. So there. Where's your guest? Josh: *sits up, wincing slightly* What the hell...? San: Oh, uhm, Josh, this is my friend Shiko, and this is my student, Alison. Shiko, this is Josh. Shiko: 0.0 Sha- no. Josh? Alison: *slightly miffed at only being a student* Shiko: e.e Hi. Who the hell are you again? San: Shiko, remember? Shiko: ^-^;;; Yes. A friend of San's. Josh: 'Kay. Alison: *stays silent and in the background, doesn't really know what to do* Shiko: *turns to San* San, I think we need to have a talk. A long talk. San: So, uh, is anyone hungry or thirsty? Shiko: *voice changes* Josh: e.e? San: Eep! *obeys, ushering her into the kitchen quickly* Alison: *sits in a chair across from Josh awkwardly* Josh: Sorry, who're you again? Alison: Alison. San's student. Shiko: Oh, yeah. He's a teacher, I almost forgot. *lies down again* Niceta meetcha. Alison: You also. Josh: *keeps one eye on her, but relaxes into a half-doze* Shiko: *voice goes back to normal* I think it would be safe to assume at this point that you've noticed the resemblance, wouldn't it? San: *now that she's normal, feels like it's safe to be sarcastic, since he's tired from worrying about Josh so much* No, I thought he looked like Elvis. Of course I noticed, Shiko. Shiko: San: Eep! Shiko: San... *sighs* Oh, there's no point in having this argument again. San: Look, he was in trouble. He probably would have died if I hadn't helped him! Shiko: I know. And I'm glad you are helping him. Shiko: But if you - well - then I'LL be the one to come after you this time. That boy doesn't need more hurt. And... *hesitates* San: *is shocked* I wasn't even thinking that! Shiko: Good. San: *Isn't lying. Well, not really. He isn't WILLINGLY thinking of that.* Shiko: Because... *hesitates again, then just plunges ahead and says it* He is of my line. From Llan and I. San: !.! Shiko: It's through his mother's side, I believe. San: R- really? Shiko: Yes, although I'd have to examine him more closely to be sure. Shiko: But he is certainly of my blood, mine and Llan's. San: !.! Shiko: *sighs, putting her face in her hands* Life is such a funny thing... San: Seems that way... Shiko: Llan... *one tear slips through her fingers* Oh, my Llan... San: *shares a respectful silence* Shiko: *pulls herself together* What do you know of the boy's story? San: He's been walking the streets for a really long time. Shiko: *shakes her head sadly* I feared it would be so... That's how you met him, isn't it? San: Yes... Shiko: *gives him a quick hug* You are a softie. San: *blushes* Am not. Shiko: ^-^ I know these things. Anyway, go on. San: I met him, and basically treated him to a night of doing absolutely nothing for full pay. Shiko: ^-^V Shiko: What of his history? San: He hasn't told me much... Shiko: Which means what to you? You have your ways, San. San: *sighs* I’m not sure if you’ll want to hear this... Shiko: I’m a big girl, San. Tell me. San: *takes a deep breath, then begins talking* His father killed his mother when he was two. His father - abused him and his older brother Jonathan. They ran away when Josh was ten and Jon was twelve, but Jon disappeared after only a couple of weeks and Josh has been on his own since then. San: *hesitates, then goes ahead and says it* His father is dead. He - was one of the ones Shal and I killed... Shiko: *after listening to that little recital, feels sick* Oh, my child... Shiko: And his father was one of those who would have attacked Alison... *shudders* Alison: *in other room, gets a shiver down her spine* Shiko: San: I already am, and was planning to continue doing so, Shiko. San: *isn't being sarcastic, just matter-of-fact* Shiko: Shiko: *shakes her head quickly* Well - we'd better go back to Alison, then... we just kind of abandoned her with Josh... San: *nods* Alison: *hoping she isn't being insulting by not talking, but she doesn't know what to say* Shiko: *walks back to the living room* Alison? San: *follows Shiko* Alison: Yes? Shiko: ^-^ All okay here? Alison: Yup. Josh: *wakes up out of the half-doze* e.e San: Are you hungry, Josh? Josh: Yeah, I guess... San: Does Chinese sound good to you? Shiko, Alison, would you like to stay for dinner? Shiko: Sure, dinner'd be great! Shiko: I looooooove Chinese... Josh: 'S fine. *slightly jealous* Alison: *torn between staying and going home, since her mother might be lonely without her* Shiko: Ali? Why don't you call your mother and tell her where you are so she doesn't worry? Alison: That's just what I was about to ask. Mr. - San, can I use your phone? San: Sure, Alison. It's in the kitchen. Alison: *goes into the kitchen and calls her mother, asking if she can stay for dinner* San: *calls for Chinese with his cel phone* Shiko: *sits down next to Josh, putting one hand on his forehead* Josh... Josh: *flinches slightly* Shiko: *tries to hide the pain the flinch causes, but another tear leaks down her cheek anyway* San: *gives them their privacy* Shiko: Shiko: I will protect you. San will protect you. It - is safe, here... Josh: ?.? Shiko: *wipes away another tear* Go back to sleep, Josh. Don't let this worry you. Josh: *obediently falls asleep* Shiko: *brushes his hair away from his face, whispers in ancient Celtic* "There is nothing of you in him, love - but my blood is strong, and perhaps that will be enough... Rest without dreams, little one." San: *to Shiko* He'll be awake in time for dinner, right? Shiko: Yes. Alison: *comes out of the kitchen* San, would you mind driving me home after dinner? My mom doesn't like me being out after dark... San: Of course, Alison. Shiko: *looks back and forth between them, but says nothing* Alison: *notices Shiko's glance, blushes* Uhm, so... San: The food’ll be here in half an hour Shiko: Good, I'm absolutely STARVING! ^-^ Shiko: What'd you order? San: Vegetable fried rice, vegetable lo mein, and plain white rice. Shiko: ^_____^ Sounds delicious. Shiko: *jumps on the food as soon as it arrives, starts parceling it out* Josh: *waking up* e.e? Alison: *eats silently and politely* San: *eats because he likes Chinese* Shiko: *wolfs down food happily* =d Josh: *looks at it as if it's an alien substance* What the hell IS this? Shiko: Food. Good food, at that. =d Josh: It's a bunch of VEGETABLES. Shiko: Which makes it any the less food - how? Josh: *looks at her* Shiko: ^-^ Josh: *gives up, starts eating* Alison: Good noodles. Shiko: Un! ^-^V Shiko: *finishes up her plate* Almost done, Alison? Alison: Yup. San: *has been done for a couple of minutes* Then I'll take you back now, if you don't mind. You want a ride too, Shiko? Shiko: No - I think I'd like to walk around for a bit. Thanks for the offer, though. San: *shrugs and takes Alison away* Alison: *goes, is driven* Josh: *through full mouth* You're crazy to walk around by yourself. Shiko: I'll be fine, Josh. *smiles at him* Take care of yourself, okay? Shiko: *leaves* Josh: Hmph. Bunch of wackos. *sets about finishing up the Chinese* Alison: *looks out the window* You sure live in a nice neighborhood... San: Well, I liked it. Alison: It must be nice to pick where to live... *says this without even a hint of bitterness, but more than a little wistfulness* San: *firmly pulls his foot out of his mouth* I'm sorry. Alison: Oh, it's not your fault. I just wish sometimes, you know. San: Everybody does. I wish sometimes, too. Alison: *looks back at him, surprised* What do you wish for? San: Lots of things. I wish people weren't so awful to each other. San: And I wish they'd just try to get along... San: And... Lots of other things. Alison: *studies him for a moment* What about Damien? What do you wish about him? San: *silent, thinking* Alison: *senses his pain on the subject, tries to take the question back* I'm sorry... I really have no right to intrude... San: No, I guess you should know... San: I wish... I wish he would be happy. San: Shalohim's a very loving person... But so many things happen that make him unhappy... San: Sometimes... *voice drops to a whisper* I wish I could take him in my arms and shield him from all the bad things in the world... Alison: *listening sympathetically* San: But I can never do that. Alison: *doesn't want to be the one to say this, but says it anyway* Alison: Here's my house. San: *stops, gets out and opens her door for her* Here you are, Alison. Alison: Thank you, San. *still getting used to calling him that* San: *as she turns to go in, he catches her arm* Alison... Alison: *turns slowly* Yes...? *As if both of them are dreaming, almost in slow motion, San pulls her into an embrace, kissing her on the lips. As he breaks the kiss, he whispers in her ear.* It will get better. I promise. *Then, almost as if it never happened, Alison is left standing alone and bewildered on her front steps, neither San nor his convertible in sight.* *It's the day after the lovely Chinese dinner, and San and Josh are both relaxing at home. Then - suddenly - there's a knock at the door.* Josh: e.e? *still rather sleepy most of the time* San: *stands up* I'll get it. Rog(The Pimp): *is standing outside the door with two gigantic hired thugs behind him; knocks again before San can open the door* San: *opens door* Yes? Rog: I heard that you been takin' care of a buddy o' mine, name o' Josh. So, like, thanks for the effort, but I'd kinda like him back. Rog: And that ain't a request. San: *eyes narrow* Now, really. San: That's incredibly interesting. San: Am I supposed to care? Rog: -.- Give 'im back. Now. San: What if I say no? Rog: Then you get to say sorry. AFTER we rough ya up a little. San: *laughs, a harsh, bitter sound* Josh: *gets up and walks out to stand behind San, limping only slightly* Look - look, mister, don't bother. 'S okay. I'll go back. Josh: *glares at Rog* Okay? San: *blocks Josh's way* You're not going anywhere. San: You're still not recovered. Rog: Now, I don't wanna get rough with either of ya, but I will if ya make me. Come here, Josh. Josh: *starts walking out to Rog, almost looking as if he's about to cry* San: *holds Josh back gently, but firmly* San: No. Josh: Come on, mister... *wants to say that he doesn't want San to be hurt, wants to say that it's not worth it, can't say any of it because he's never really learned how* San: *looks at Josh* You're not going anywhere. *the look on his face isn't anywhere near desperate or angry, but incredibly serious* Josh: Oh - oh, shit. Rog: Well then, boys. Let's take him. *motions the muscle forward* San: *Pushes Josh back. Way back.* Josh: *pushed back, watches helplessly* Thug 1: *steps forward, cracking his knuckles* Thug 2: *right behind him* San: *stands firmly, coolly watching the thugs* San: *waits for an attack* Thug 1: *pulls his right fist back and takes a leisurely swing at San* San: *ducks it easily* Thug 2: *takes a swing from the left* San: *ducks that one too* Thug 1: *getting annoyed, tries to close and just pummel San* San: *ducks out of the way and lands a sweeping kick on the guy's jaw, with surprising force for being so much leaner than the thug* Thug 1: *knocked over backward* 0.0? Thug 2: *a little more cautious, feints a bit and then tries for a CLAMP-style punch through the chest; is big enough to pull one off* *Just like in X, San dodges and it reverses. His fist goes through the thug's chest, and he rips out the man's heart.* Thug 2: *dies, collapses onto the doormat* Rog: 0.0 San: *turns to Rog, his face as cold as stone* Is this what you wanted? Rog: *starts backing away slowly* San: *is still holding the bloody heart in his hand* Josh: 0.0!!! *The muscles spasm one last time, blood spurting out of torn arteries.* Rog: *takes one last look at Josh, San, and the heart, then turns around and RUNS* Rog: *is soon out of sight* San: *Is covered in blood. As soon as Rog is gone, he throws away the heart and looks at Josh, his face a mix of emotions, one of the more prominent being self-loathing.* Josh: *shocked out of his mind* H- holy shit... San: *turns away again and begins dragging the bodies out the door, to be disposed of out of Josh's sight* Josh: *stands there, shell-shocked* Josh: *partly horrified that the two guys just died, and partly amazed that anyone would bother on his behalf, and even more amazed that San scared off Rog, who is the scariest person Josh knows* San: *finishes dragging the bodies out of view, does something mysterious that disposes of both very quickly* San: *comes back in the door, closes it, then heads for the bathroom, to take a shower* Josh: *follows him into the bathroom* You - you really meant what you said, didn't you? About not letting me go back till I was better... San: *Splashes his face with water and looks up again. His face says it all.* Josh: Er... *blushes* Th- thanks. I g- guess. San: *wearily* I need to take a shower... Josh: *blushes even more* S- sorry... *goes back to the sofa bed and just sits on it for several minutes, blushing* San: *takes a shower to wash the blood out of his hair* San: *Comes out of shower, long blonde hair dripping wet and plastered over his bare chest. Walks into the living room so he can go to the washing machine and get some extra clothes.* Josh: *has a coughing fit AND a slight nosebleed* JEsus! San: *ignores Josh for right now* San: *rummages through things* Hmm... Josh: *hides his face in the sheets, occasionally taking quick peeks and starting to cough again* San: *Slips underwear and jeans on during a brief period of hiding. Rummages on shirt rack for a while, offering glimpses of his bare chest as he does so.* Josh: *nosebleeds on the sheets* Shit... San: *finds a good, long, button-up shirt, slips it on, moving into full view, and takes quite a while sexily buttoning it up, almost as suggestively as if someone else was unbuttoning theirs* Josh: *unable to stand it* GOD! If you're not going to let me do anything, then don't fucking DO that! San: *looks up* Huh? Josh: *nosebleeds* Shit, now there's blood on the fucking sheets... San: *finishes with the shirt while Josh's preoccupied* Josh: *looks around for tissues, incredibly embarrassed and horny* San: *hands him a box of tissues* Give me the sheets so I can wash them before they stain. Josh: *takes the tissues and hands him the sheets* 'Nks... San: *slips the sheets and his old clothes into the washer, sets the setting to kill or be killed* Josh: *makes free use of the tissues* Josh: What the hell was THAT for, anyway? San: What was what for? San: *left his shirt slightly unbuttoned, enough to be tantalizing* Josh: *blushes and applies another tissue* The reverse stripping, you jerk! San: ?.? Josh: Shit, you're gonna make me have a fucking HEART attack, and I'm way too fucking young for one of those... San: I don't know what you're talking about. Josh: 9.9 There's no fucking WAY you're that innocent. Nuh-uh. Not a chance. San: *raises an eyebrow* If you really have a huge problem with it, you can just close your eyes. I'm not forcing you to look. Josh: *blushes furiously* San: Really, if it bothers you that much... Josh: *buries his head in his hands* Jesus... you just have no fucking idea... San: *whispers, mostly to himself* Maybe I do... Josh: *doesn't hear that, just gets his nose to stop bleeding at last* Well. THAT sure was fun. Let's not ever do it again. San: *shrugs* All right. *changes the subject* So, what do you want for dinner? Josh: Um... *trying out a new territory of behavior* Um - how about something you like? San: Hmm... Well, I'm rather partial to Italian... Josh: Okay. That sounds good. *Fade to the next day; San and Josh are relaxing again, this time confident that no one will be after them.* Josh: *having nothing else better to do, has borrowed one of San's books and is trying to improve his rather rusty third-grade reading skills* San: *reading another book, actually a children's book* Shalohim: *four streets over, is being hassled by Rog and two new thugs; doesn't want to use his powers, since Shiko forbade it, doesn't want to kill them because Alison wouldn't like it, and getting more scared by the minute* Rog: Come on, Josh. Come back. Forget that slutty blond bastard. New Thug 1: *cracks knuckles menacingly* New Thug 2: *same* Shalohim: *finally gives in, yells telepathically* {SAN!} San: *sits upright in his chair* {SHALOHIM?!} Josh: ?.? Something wrong? San: *to Josh* I have to go! *bolts out of his chair and out the door* Josh: *to thin air* Huh. Rog: *grabs Shalohim's arm* I'm not going to ask twice, baby. In fact, I might not ask at all. San: *finds Shal in a few seconds, recognizes Rog and two new thugs* Shalohim: *almost crying with relief* San... Rog: The hell...?! San: *Smacks Rog out of the way quickly and gather Shal into his arms protectively. Turns to Rog, white-hot fire blazing in his eyes.* Get away. GET AWAY NOW!!! Rog: *runs his ass off to get away, the two thugs trailing behind, confused* San: *hugs Shal for several minutes, rocking him gently and not saying anything* Shalohim: *wraps his arms around San, burying his face in San's chest* I was so worried... I didn't want to make Shiko-san or Miss Alison upset... I d- didn't know what to do... San: Shh... It's all right... *holding back tears at the thought of what might have happened* Shalohim: *looks up at him, his bangs falling away from his face so both eyes are visible and seeming blacker than ever; has that strange, not-quite-wistful look that asks for everything and for nothing* San: *realizes what he's doing* I... I left Josh alone. I have to go back. I... *doesn't make any more excuses and just leaves* Shalohim: San... *abandoned on the street, angrily scrubs at his face and shakes his head until the bangs fall back into place; walks back to his own place, trying not to start crying again* San: *leans on the apartment door when he gets back, putting a hand on his forehead and trying to think* Josh: *still sitting around with his book, wondering what the hell happened to San* San: *walks back into the living room, wondering what to say* Josh: *looks up* So, who walked over YOUR grave? San: *very quietly* That's not funny. San: *sits down in the chair he was sitting in before and puts his hands over his eyes* Josh: *decides shutting up might be a good idea and looks at his book again, but can't concentrate* Josh: *tries again* Uh - how about, "What happened?"? That better? San: *wonders how he could possibly explain anything at all* San: A friend of mine was in trouble. Josh: Oh... Okay... *wonders how San could know, but doesn't think asking would be a great idea* San: *continues sitting with his hand over his eyes, looking the part of the sinful angel perfectly; all he needs are the wings* *Fade out.*