Author's homepage: http://hey.to/GeoFin

Disclaimers: the two main characters are not mine and I make no money from this. This page is nothing to do with the author of this home page.

Notes: cb4 is a movie staring Chirs rock, some stories may contain sexual content. you must be 18 or older. if any pages are listed and not shown then it will be uploaded within a few days. Tarkan is a turkish singer who is now in NY trying to make a name for himself. to see him is the only way someone can understand the reference made in the story. look for simarik.

Summary: (read the first paragraph)

Warnings: violence

Rock Me - part one
By GeoFin

A dark Black clad figure walked into a damp cave. He followed the hallowed passage until he came into a stone chamber. Kneeling down he slowly pushed one finger on a small pebble that laid on the ground. A soft word was said and he stood, leaning against the cave wall closing his eyes. He always hated this part. He felt the weightlessness as his legs were elevated and his head came back. As if he had done a black flip, which is what he eventually did, he landed crouched down in a sitting position on the other side of the wall. The man was well built and even though his body was hidden by the leather he was wearing, one could see that he trained furiously. Muscles like those did not happen naturally, at least not where he was. He walked slowly, because he was tried and sweaty. He glanced to meet the gaze of people passing by, or just sitting, and waved or gave nods to a few. He went to the end of the now narrow passage and took a sharp right, then a quick left turning into an unnoticeable gap. He stopped, placed a hand on the wall in front of him, and again muttered. A door slid open to his right and he stepped in. As it slid shut again behind him, his shoulders sagged and he took a deep breath exiling as if he had never done so before. He was now in a dimly lit room, illuminated only by a now almost burnt out candle. He walked forward wincing as his heavier-than-it- would appear sac fell from his arm to the floor. Walking as if a heavy weight was lifted, and indeed it was. The room was not big, but not tiny either. It contained a big pile of pillows and a small cot beside it. There was a shelf containing various items. He reached up and took a candle, stooped down and parted the now useless wax from its saucer on the floor. Lit the fresh candle, turning it sideways allowing a few drops of wax to hit the saucer and then placed the new candle where the old one had been. He did this to two other candles that were burnt all the way down. Looking up while taking his jacket off he saw what he wanted. Moving into the same position he had done for what seemed like centuries he sighed. ' The vent was working.' He thought. He knew it was but checked every night regardless, what he had was too valuable to him, and paranoia was more than just a word, it was almost his definition.

Now in only his boxers he walked over to a figure laying on the overly thick piles of pillows. The man appeared to be sleeping as he had been since he had been carried into the room. The man in the boxers bent down and checked the comatose man's vital signs. It was still the way it had been yesterday, the days before, and the months before that. The sleeping man was also in black boxers and wore an expression of complete serenity. The muscled man reached for this sac and took out a pile of wires. 'I've tried everything else, but I'm not gonna give up just yet.' He thought as he separated each wire 'I refuse to die here alone'. Reaching for in the sac again he pulled out a vial. Lifting the unresponsive figure's head, he poured it in the man's mouth. The untrained eye might not have seen the cable extending from the sleeping man's chest, which was not visible until he was lifted into a slight sitting position. It was not under the skin, and a cloth like substance in the shaped of a wafer was the catalyst for the connection of the man and the wire. Now that he was laying back again the cable disappeared into the dark sheets and the dim light around him. The muscled man reached down and found the wire he was looking for. It was the one attached to his sleeping friend, and even though the room was lit well enough, he did not need to strain his sight to find it. He knew exactly where it was. Plugging the cord into a black box that was in between the sleeping man and the cot, he flipped the lever on the box and a green light appeared. The whole screen was glowing with green, which made him sigh in annoyance. The sleeping figure was in the center of the pillows, a pile that was big enough to fit five people. He was well defined with short hair, laying on his back with his head to the side. In spite of the fact that he seemed calm, the charts on the little black screen said differently. His body was the embodiment of pain. His collogue tried to keep him as still as possible which helped, and making noise was not an option. "Tomorrow is my birthday man . . . And I'm asking for a miracle." He said as he laid down beside the silent man and stroked his face. He frowned as the box brightened beside him and the silent man tensed under his touch. He did not expect anything else, but was disappointed none the less. He moved as close as he could and sat up to loosen his breaded hair. He started to speak again softly as he laid back, scooting as close to his friend as he could. "Jim . . . Man this has got to work" there was, of course, no answer so the man once known as 'Blair' went to sleep.

Blair woke up to a low beeping sound, it was low but woke him as soon as it began. The room had been silent for so long that if the candle burned out he would know. He had not chosen the room but considered himself more than lucky, although, others would disagree. Panic rose in him as he saw the source of the sound. The black box no longer had a green screen. In fact it was blank. Seeing this did not relax him. It was beeping because it was not picking up any signals from what it was attached to, which could only be caused by two things. A. the batteries were defective, or dead. Or B. Whoever it was connected to was dead. The panic was now intense. The batteries were changed the day before. At the thought he shot up like a bolt and headed for the exit. He pushed a button and screamed with hysteria. "RED! RED get in here." He sounded as if he was about to break down. "GET IN HERE!" He could hear the footsteps approaching but he did not approach the man who he hoped was not what he appeared. The fear that this was reality was too strong, so he began to pace, summarizing that there was not much else he could do. He didn't get the chance to learn how to handled this, it was too expensive, although he was saving up for it. Now the savings were useless. At the sound of the thumping he placed on hand against the door to calm himself as well as to open it. He mumbled and the door slid open revealing a worried facing, looking further down the body attached to the face was holding a gray case.

"What happened?"

"He's not responding" it was obvious that Blair was on the verge of clasping.

The worried face became more calm. Someone had to be. "You know the drill"

"No I don't, this has never happened before"

"Well it's just like any other time. Start lighting some candles and get the usual stuff. Oh and run a bath."

"A bath he could be.."

"Just do it!"

Blair did as he was told, first lighting candles and placing them around the pillows as he'd done too many times before. It would also appear to the untrained eye that he was about to walk into a wall but he turned quickly, disappearing into a well camouflaged opening. He almost dropped the battery pack when he heard a voice say "Ahhh!"

The owner of the previously worried face stuck her head around the corner and gave Blair a big smile. The smile said 'I know something your gonna love.' She was wearing more of a coat than a robe that was hooded and covered almost all of her face. "I'm not needed here" she said as she walked over and kissed him on the cheek. She whispered "congratulations. I'll talk to you in the morning."And walked the way she came leaving a stunned Blair motionless, still holding the battery. "Just keep an eye on his vital signs" she yelled while heading out the still open doors. He placed down the pack slowly and started to walk back to close the door.

'False alarm?' It was a false alarm' he thought while placing his hand on the wall. He mumbled again and the door closed. "False alarm" he growled, with a bit of anger. "The shit I went though for that battery, I'm gonna kill Met!" he said sitting down and falling back on the bed. He turned his head to his companion and almost had a heart attack when he saw two eyes studying him.

"Who's Met?" Blair scrambled off the pillows so quickly that he burnt himself against a forgotten candle, causing him to jump up completely and spread against the wall like a spider.

"That looked painful chief" the voice was gruff and sounded unused. "Your heart is gonna snap if you don't calm down." The once sleeping figure said, again his voice was slow. The look of horror that was now encompassing Blair's face was unnerving. "Chief, I can't move" Blair was still ridged and his expression did not change. "Chief?" The previously comatose man's name was Jim and he now had a mission. This mission was to find out why his friend look at him like that. It was a small and hopefully short mission. "CHIEF!" after he yelled it seemed as if a switch came on as Blair blinked and bent down like a man moving on an escalator, and kneeled next to his friend.

He placed a hand over his mouth and began to laugh hysterically. A confused look was on Jim's face now as his best friend tried to speak. Blair did not speak quick enough for Jim's eyes closed slowly and he fell back into a deep sleep. Blair glanced at the box. It was still black. He checked Jim's pulse and was more than relieved to find that it was steady and strong.

It worked.. "It worked!!" he squeaked and covered his mouth at the same time. He'd risked his life for that vial, he might have had it sooner if things weren't so hard to get. It was more poison than a cure, and was designed to make a person catatonic, stopping all nerve response necessary for touch, taste, and smell, but not hearing and sight. He was not sure if it was enough but he didn't want to risk deafening and blinding the love of his life. He was told that it would take a few days to wear of, so he sat there the whole night just staring at what the perceived to be the most beautiful creature in the universe. He did not sleep again for the rest of the night, fearing he would wake up and realize that this was a dream and he was once again alone.

Jim woke, and trying his head to the left, focusing he saw someone hunched over. 'At least I can move my neck.'

"Chief?" Blair's head jerked out of his hands and he tried without success to pull himself together. He now had Blair's full attention. "Chief? What happened, why can't I move?"

The look that came over Blair's face reminded him of when his first girlfriend broke up with him. She had that same look, she wanted his best friend because he had nicer hair. He struggled to push this little childhood bitterness out of his mind.

"I'm not paralyzed am I?" now it was his turn to panic. Blair shook his head, still silent. "Then what.. Talk to me chief.. What's going on?"

"What's." Blair's voice cracked.. He tried again. "What's the last thing you remember?" Jim's eyes became glossy as he strained to remember.

"I.. My body.. Was burning.. I was holding my breath.." He started softly.. "my skin.. What happened?" he asked again.

Blair moved closer laying down on top of his friend's motionless frame. He had wanted to do this for so long, his action surprised Jim. They were friendly but this seemed too passionate. Although this was not a normal Sandburg response he didn't protest. He just listened as the voice came, muffled, and extremely relaxed.

"It's poison.. Well not really.. It's used when you want to kill someone slowly. Keeps the person conscious while at the same time stopping the nerves.. But not the ones in the eyes and other parts.. Pretty much.. You slip someone one of these and if you can find where they roost then they're yours. It was designed for mostly torture. The brain gets all the pain .."

He stopped for a second, because his head was perched in Jim's neck he didn't see the half look of concern and a half look of disgust that was on Jim's face.

"There was.. Lets call it an accident, for now, they tried to find out how much you could .. How well your senses were and as far as I know they tried to mimic it. Someone screwed up, and you lost control of your senses and when they brought you back you didn't respond. Later on I realized that you were 'stuck.' All your senses were maxed and couldn't get down. So your mind pretty much took a vacation cuz your body was too much. So I found a way to shut your senses off. What I gave you was supposed to turn them down not stop them, and that's why you can't move. It will ware off, the important thing is to be able to keep your senses under control. They might come back quicker than I expected. And them im back risking my life for a new batch."

"What do you mean?" a voice of genuine concern.

"Nothing." Blair started to smile. "It doesn't matter." Jim felt the wetness on his chest as Blair began to sob. 'At least he wasn't conscious the whole time.' At this thought Blair was happier than anything else in the world. 'He wasn't awake.' He squeezed Jim closer.

The moment was shattered when Blair stood quickly.

"Gimma sec." Jim gave him an inquisitive look and was silent as his colleague was about to walk into the wall, he relaxed when Blair turned and disappeared around a corner. Blair allowed his hands to rest on the sink and took deep breaths to calm down, turned on the tap, washed his face with cold water, reached for a towel that hung on the side of the sink and whipped up. Then quickly started his journey to the door. The man on the pillows watched him cross the room, and place his hand on the wall. He was more than curious to know the command that was said to open the door. A very blond man stood rigid, was tall with a lean body, with gray pants, army boots and a t-shirt. The outfit, although was well fitted, seemed out of place on him, the attire obviously did the opposite of what it would do for other people. For some reason Jim was not expecting anyone to be overweight and this man definitely fulfilled this premonition.

"Red mentioned the new arrival" he did not look in Jim's direction, his expression was of a man who became one with not just the stone but with the mountain. "Will he be needing solid food?"

Blair glanced back in Jim's direction. "Yeah.. Lets start with B.S.R and go from there." Blair was nothing like he was two minutes ago, he was now calm, with little or no emotion.

"Your contract is almost expired," the man said this with concern, he seemed to Jim to be an accountant who was wondering why he was in the trenches and not in the office, which brought him back to wondering about the out fit.

"Will there be a check today?"

"Yes .. In ten minutes."

'Shit!' is what Blair thought but said calmly. "Thanks Met... man I owe you one." Sentinel vision or no, Jim did notice the man lifted his eyebrow when the words 'Met.. Man' where uttered. With a cautious nod the door way was empty again. Another mumble and the door was closed.

Blair gazed at Jim, in a 'what am I gonna do with you' way. Jim gave him the same expression Met had given him. There wasn't much time so Blair got to work. He reached down for his sac and produced a piece of paper in a plastic bag. He was too excited he had to calm down. 'Take a deep breath' he told himself holding the bag as if it was explosive. Walking into the bathroom and coming out with a glass of water he knelt silently bringing Jim's arm into his lap.

"Chief?" Blair looked up surprised to see him speak then remembering that Jim was awake.. Finally awake.

"Yeah Jim?" he replied while spreading water on the inner side of Jim's arm and slowly opening the bag. He held his breath as the seal of the bag broke. The fumes rose and disappeared quickly.

"what is that?" Jim was eyeing the paper with fear and feeling foolish for doing so, but Blair was taking it serious so it must be serious.

"Just a little life saver." Blair pulled out the paper.

"If you can move.. DON'T." Jim couldn't move but definitely felt it when the paper was placed on the wet spot and covered with the plastic bag.

This is another thing Blair always hated. Even when he knew Jim was in pain regardless, it still bothered him to do it. They both watched as the paper dissolved, leaving an illegible image behind. Blair quickly reached under the pillow that Jim laid on and pulled out bandages. Pulling off the bag and replacing it with a piece of the bandage he wrapped the arm. The bandage loosened as the pressure of Blair's hand released it. He looked up to see Jim's eyes closed, they opened and he was overjoyed to see those eyes again. Then the feeling of clear and present danger crept up his spine and he remembered where he was and got back into action mode. Disappearing back into the bathroom, running the water over the empty bag, and threw it into the garbage. He returned and unwrapped the arm. Jim glanced up and for the first time saw the tatoo on the inside of Blair's arm. Blair was wearing a close fitting black shirt now unlike the night before. Jim gave his a questioning look, Blair met his gaze and gave a weak smile.

"Don't worry man yours won't last." now it was a bigger smile, more to himself.

"And yours?"

The smile quickly faded. He opened his mouth to answer but the voice that was heard was not his own.

"Auf machen kleine. Du bist dran"

"shit ... they're early." Blair got up quickly leaving the water on the floor and tucking the cloth back to where it came from.

"Don't say anything.... please." Blair said this as he placed his hand on the wall. There were four seemingly similar faces in the same out fit when the door slid back. One of them was Met, but the smallest of the men spoke first.

"Same as usual?" he looked at Jim when he said this.

"Yeah" Blair answered, backing away to allow the men to enter. Two of them commenced in looking around. They were holding what looked like flashlights raising them up and down.

"Any new panels?" The little one asked with suspicion.

"Bath room above the shower" one man approached Blair. But he moved out of the mans reach and started for the door. He was stopped by a firm hand, the owner spoke quietly.

"You don't need to.."

Blair looked up from his study of the floor and gave Met a even look. "Yeah.." he said.. raising now his eyebrows. "Yes I do"

he was allowed to step outside and the 3rd man who approached him now followed him out.

Jim watched as Blair walked out, one man came from the bathroom and nodded to Met. The other was still looking around. He was obviously new, he went towards Jim.

"NO." Met's voice was stern

"but sir.. Everyone is checked."

"Not him... he's paid for." They both simultaneously stared at Jim's hand.

"The tatoo is not the issue... he's paid for." Jim raised an eyebrow feeling as if someone had slapped him.

Outside the room Blair entered the hallway. He didn't want Jim to see him. Not like this. He took off his boxers and his shirt and dropped them on the floor, as he placed both hands against the wall and waited. The people that passed by glanced but made no eye contact, for which Blair was all too happy about. He lowered his head as the man behind him used his own leg to spread Blair's. Feeling a little comfort in the knowledge that his hair hid parts of his face, but everyone knew him on site so that didn't help the situation. The humiliation finally rose when he felt the hands roam his body, looking for any discrepancies in the bone or the skin tissue. It never got easy and this was definitely one more thing he hated. To be out in the open was in no way ok, but he couldn't let Jim see this. His teeth clenched when he felt the probe, and he wanted to die. He remembered when he saw a man like this for the first time, but he couldn't imagine why someone would allow this to happen. Later on he saw the man with his child and almost understood. He definitely understood now. Better your peers seeing this than a loved one. Strangers you didn't have to look in the eye each day. When it was over he picked up his boxers and shirt quickly pulling them on. Brushing back his hair, sighed and walked back in with as much dignity as possible.

"An inventory will be made.." the smaller man began but stopped when he saw Met's expression. "Someone will be sent." was all they heard as he made his exit. A young man appeared at the door. Met was the fist to break the silence.

"The B.S.R is here. Don't mind Van he's pissed about the lateness..." his voice trailed off. "We can talk later. Good day kleine, Mr. Sandburg" he said nodding from Blair to Jim. Caused by how Jim was refereed, Blair was afraid that he was glowing with redness. And he was as he closed the door behind them.

"Stop looking at me!" Blair didn't mean to snap but didn't apologize. Jim simply closed his eyes and turned his head. Blair drug the tray that contained the food and Jim turned to look, it was on the floor where Blair had asked for it to be placed. There was not much on it, but anyone could see the wrapped needle and syringe that was beside the spoons.

"Is that for me or for you?" Jim wasn't a lover of needles.

"For you" Blair said raising the tray. "Everything's for you." he mumbled under his breath, but Jim still heard it.

Feeding time did not change much. There was a bottle in the sack that contained the closest thing to food Blair could find for the situation he was in. After the shot, he started to feed Jim with the meager food. Jim was silent, which made both of them nervous. Afterward Blair ran a hot bath. He came back and to Jim's surprise straddled him. His hair hanging down, the man messed it when he was searching for discrepancies.

"Are we married chief?" It was not a question that both of them expected. Blair didn't answer.

After 5 minutes without a reaction he was about to ask again but stopped when Blair got up to turn off the water. He came back, disconnected the wire leading to the heart and picked Jim up with ease, but not before taking Jim's boxers off and shedding his own clothing. Jim wasn't small, he was still bulky, not as bulky as he was before he when into the coma but much more than he was when he arrived where they were now. One could be deceived to think he was light as he was carried like a bride towards the well lit room. The bathroom was small but big enough for both to pass through without problems. When Jim was closer to the corner he realized how deceiving the distance was, it was a big hallway and the end was a big tub half fun of steaming water. Less of a tub and more like a small pool. Blair placed his friend into the water. Seeing Jim's reaction told him that the normal senses were surfacing. He became more nervous, how was he going to explain everything? Jim was responding quicker than expected, the drug was twice the normal dose, it was hard to get, and if he relapsed it would take months to be in reach of a new opportunity to obtain more.

First in a sitting up position Jim now found himself sliding down into the water. He held his breath but instead of submerging he felt himself lifted as Blair sat behind him wrapping arms under his and around his chest. They both sat silently in the warm water enjoying the peace of the moment.

"After they dropped you into my room that night I didn't know what to do. The next day I was told we were to be released. We're on an island. On that hardly anyone leaves. Pretty much a dumping ground. I can't show or even say how happy I am that your ok. It's been 1 year four months, 2 days, 3 hours, and 2 minutes since you spoke to me. They took you away for days. At least I think it was days. They just dropped us here and I dragged you as far as I could until... Until anna found me. She taught me what I needed to know. There is so much to explain but we have time now" Blair squeezed his friend as tight as he could. "To answer your question, we're not exactly married."

He began now to reach for the shower gel that was on the rim of the tub. It took a lot of practice to get it right but Blair had the lang of it. After soaping up a sponge he began to wash Jim's stomach as he spoke. "We're in a safe house, but its not free. I had to give a payment.. You pay for everything here... when I came they wanted you too as well but I refused. In the end I told them you weren't useful and they said I was allowed 300lbs of luggage. I told them I owned your heart so they agreed that the rest of you was mine. Since you couldn't disagree.. You're my luggage. When you can, you can change whatever you want. Your muscles shouldn't give you anytrouble. I struck a deal.." He ended there and turned him Jim around putting his legs around his waist. It was obvious that the tub was designed for such movement, and he had no trouble. Jim held his head up looking at the wall. Blair ignored this, and continued to wash Jim's chest, then both his arms. He was at Jim's legs when Jim jerked back.

"What is it?"

"I thought I saw something on the wall."

Blair wasn't hallucinating and neither was Jim the image appeared on the wall in front of Blair's vision. As if there was no on there Blair drew Jim close and began to wash his back. Jim thought he heard or felt Blair kiss his shoulder.

"What?" with the aggression in Blair's voice, Jim assumed that his friend was not speaking to him.

"Is that any way to talk to your.."

"Sorry" Blair started before the face could finish. The face on the wall was a red headed older man who was extremely pale. Blair spoke more calmly.

"Its just out of the ordinary to get a message here." The face seemed to be thinking. Then spoke.

"Got a job for you." he waited for any objections and when none came he continued. "Tonight at New York you can meet your contact. It will take two days. That is.. If you want the elete advantages. This time you'll have to.." again he was cut off.

"I'm not a whore." The face seemed to become larger.

"Not yet. How much longer do you think you can keep him alive? The food, the rooms, everything. He cost as much as ten people. Even if you sell him, if you haven't already, its not enough. You know where the big bucks are. You don't heal as quick as usually.. What happened.. ? stopped eating again..?"

Blair's expression was solid.

"You do ok with the fights, but without a death... there's no real money." Jim looked down and saw the scars, and coloration on Blair's back. They both didn't move.

"This tatoo means I can't work for anyone else. I don't have to remind you of what it DOESN'T mean." Blair clenched his jaw. The face was now red with anger.

"It means that soon you've just forfeited 10 jobs, and will soon be homeless" there was no way for a response, the face was gone.

"Shit!" Blair got up slowly holding Jim with one hand and balancing with the other.

"I soo don't need this." He pulled the limp figure and hauled him over his shoulder. Holding him there by placing a hand over Jim's backside, he strode slowly out of the bath room. Being very thankful that the place was carpeted. Still holding his love he pushed the side wall perpendicular to the entrance of the big room. He pulled out two towels. Throwing them onto Jim's back he made his way to the pillows.

"Can you stand?"

"Yeah. I think so." Jim's legs shook under his own weight but soon steadied. After toweling Jim off and placing him on the pillows naked, he covered him and went towards the button on the wall he pushed it and waited.

"Yo?"

"I need that room now"

"how is he?" the voice was joyful and friendly.

"He's not talking"

"and?"

"And that scares me" the laughter brought a smile to Blair's face.

"I find it interesting that Mr. Silent is complaining. When do you want the room?"

"By tomorrow."

"Haaa. This ain't the Ritz. Sorry hoshi... but its gonna cost ya."

"Im elete" there was a silence.

"Ok.. Tomorrow. 07:00 and then at 13:00.. That will take care of the minor details.. Ok?"

"Done. One more thing.." How could he say this without becoming sick. "The tatoo.."

"Ahh yes.. I'll look around... what about your man.?"

Blushing is not a word that does justice to Blair's reaction. "Just get the room ready and I'll bring him up."

"Hoshi..." the voice was concerned.

Blairs voice was soft and humbling.

"No one touches him... he's payed for.."

"Oh k.. I'll bring you something... you can leave him here.. The room will be ready by the time your finished. If you can do some mining then I can give you something extra."

"We'll see."

Jim woke up in a big warm bed, he thought briefly that he was in the loft but knew differently when he looked over and saw Blair sleeping on the cot next to the bed. His back was exposed, and he was sleeping soundly. On the floor was a cloth and a bottle. Blair's hair was brushing on the floor, the cot was small and his head and legs hung off. There was blood on the back and arms and the smell of it hit Jim like a bat. He quickly tuned it down. To his relief he was able to move now and he crawled to the end of the bed and to get a better look. His heart broke when he saw the lacerations, fortunately they weren't deep. He turned his attention to the door. The room was definitely a bed room. It was empty safe for a chair the cot and the bed. There was a bathroom to the right of the bed. He heard the beep again and remembered what woke him up. He stopped at the door 'how do I open this?' He placed a hand on it trying to find a weakness. After hitting it twice it slid open. Jim drew his hand back as if he was burnt. Hearing the beep again he went down a empty but big hallway. Passing a few doors he came upon what he could only described as big, and elegant. This was obviously the living room. His eye caught the blinking light. It was above the door.

"Hello?" The voice was muffled by the thick steel of the door.

"Yeah?" Jim answered.

"food sir"

"how .. How do I open the door.?"

"Just put your hand on it twice. It hasn't been programed yet."

After doing as he was told, Jim was rewarded with the door opening and finding a big tray held by a young kid.

"Here you go... the raw material will be here later." The kid handed over the tray.

Turning to the left he saw the kitchen, it resembled the loft, Jim realized this as he placed the tray on the counter. He turned around and the kid was gone. Failing in his attempts to close the door he decided to concentrate on the food. After everything was in the fridge, which fortunately, had a normal handle, he hurried back to the bed room. The cot was empty and the shower was running. Leaving a plie that consisted of pants, shirt, and underwear, Blair made a daring attempt to shower. Finding it difficult to stand he sat in the tub and tried to relax, eyes closed he winced as the water touched the open wounds.

"Chief?"

"Hm?"

"I can't close the door" that's not what he wanted to say.. But the whole fact that he didn't know where he was and why his friend was in a bath tub bleeding was getting to be too much to think about.

"You need the code.. If its open then something is wrong and within ten minutes people are all over the place." Blair's babbling was slow and groggy.

"What's the code?"

"Jim."

"What's the code?"

"That is the code."

Jim closed the door and started to pace. Which was unlike him. He looked down and realized that he was wearing black. The material was soft and clung to his body, he had to admit it wasn't bad tasted. 'This is bull shit ' he found himself in the bed room again and stripped, he wasn't wearing underwear, and didn't want his out fit to get wet. He was not in the mood to try to find out how to get a new set. A creature of habit he folded his cloths and left them on the bed.

"Blair?"

"What?" Jim's head was peering from behind the shower curtain.

"Why is this salt wa.." he stopped when he saw Blair's chest. "How do I.." finally looking up he saw the well illustrated knob. "Ok stupid question." he turned the water off .

Pulling Blair up, frowning at his struggles, with Blair's arms around his neck he half picked have dragged his battered friend out of the tub. Finding a towel at an easy reach he dried Blair off and walked slowly back to the bed with him. The comforter was soft, Blair was thankful for that as he was lowered on to it. The body that laid still on the bed was not as Jim remembered it. He was still small but covered with scars, and more tattoos. Every part was defined and almost hairless. The only part of the body that was without bruises was the hips and the lower abs. It was covered by the towel. Jim found himself lifting it slowly, but was stopped by a hand pulling the towel back into its previous position. Jim's face became beat red, he turned quickly on his heels as he saw his own little arousal. He reached back and felt for the towel that covered Blair and yanked it away, and placed it around his waist. A growling stomach is nothing to ignore besides, Blair was beat, it's better to let him rest. Jim started his journey to the kitchen, he felt like he hasn't eaten for a year. And in fact he was very much in the right.

Jim was sleeping soundly on the couch when a soft voice brought him from his slumber.

"Hoshi.?'

"Hm?"

"Hoshi?"

"No.. Its me" he rolled over and saw the source it appeared to be a person, face covered by a cloak.

"Ah mr. Sandburg? Where is your man?"

Jim rose an eyebrow but answered. "Sleeping"

"oh .. Well at least he's still breathing. Tell him that Red has said he has a week and I found someone." She paused. "Are you feeling ok?"

"Where am I?"

"You might as well sit up ... I have a few minutes. Since you were moved to this room four days ago you've been sleeping. You're underground. I can't tell you much about the structure. What has he told you.?"

Jim Sat up and focused. The image was on the wall and there was no sign of any light source.

"Just that this is a sanctuary"

"well I probably shouldn't say anything but I know its been hard for him. He loves you.. Hmp.. MORE THAN ANYTHING." Jim's expression wasn't suspicious but she took notice of it.

"I guess he hasn't told you everything."

"I guess not"

"does that brother you... wait don't answer that. Any how I'm running short on time. This is a sanctuary. But only for slaves anyone with a tattoo is someone's property. Anyone without is not allowed. Unless you pay.. And the price is too high for anyone, even the elete. Couples can sell each other, therefore you won't find too many . Longer than anyone can remember this place has existed. Its for convicts but mostly experiments gone wrong. Sometimes for prisoners who get mercy from a tried guard or a scientist. For a long time they mixed and the powerful ones prayed on the weak. The sanctuary was built by the weak, who had knowledge. A slave is given room and B.S.R. And in return they do something for the organization."

"What's B.S.R?"

"Basic Starvation Recovery. The more you work the better your stations. As a slave you get more rights. The term is sometimes temporary and sometimes not. You can do extra things for money. Medical is the most expensive. Mostly what we do is build defenses, its not easy, most people are sterilized (as in fruitless)and most aren't.. So we have children who are stolen or ... used. There are a lot of sicko's on the outside who pay a lot for it. Paper money does not exist but electronic does. The people who designed this place made it high tech. The main concern is security. Everyone is checked mostly random. No one cares what you do as long as it does not harm the colony. There are mines all over. Dangerous.. But profitable.." Deciding to give Jim time to digest this, she waited. "Im not sure if you want to hear this but you are married. He did not speak much of you just did one job after another.... but he's better now.. Just because of you. I guess I'm talking too much." Jim looked up.

"No .. Not really... what's elete?"

"That's harder to explain.. We can talk again. Be patient, he's been through hell.."

"Defense against who?" The cop in Jim awoke.

"What... oh ... well everyone is screened intensively.. We are segregated from the heavy convicts. Mostly sexual predators. We have a big problem protecting the few children we have. I have to go. Don't be angry with him." The image disappeared, then re appeared briefly. "Hey .. He doesn't work for a week make sure of that.. " before Jim could answer she was gone.

"Jim" it was more a cry than a whisper. A few moments later Jim was standing beside the bed. Blair was in a fetal position and looked a lot smaller than he was earlier. Jim lifted the covers, 'black sheets?' and crawled under them. Pulling his friend towards him and dragging the covers up. He turned Blair over and spooned behind him. With a part of the sheet separating them completely.

"Yeah.. I'm here" with groans of pain the bruised man turned, eyes closed and reached out trying to find the object of his affections. When he was unsuccessful Jim took his hand and held it close to his own chest.

"What time is it?"

"I have no idea... I don't see any clocks."

"Clock" the wall glowed on Blair's order.

"Its 8:00"

"what..!? shit" he was silent for a moment. "Are you holding me down?" he said pitifully.

"No big guy.. Your just tired." Jim looked at him with curiosity and finally saw his former friend. "Tell me something chief"

"Yeah?" it was a cautious and soft.

"What does hoshi mean?"

Blair chuckled and winced with the pain that resulted from it.

"It's.." he smiled.. "it's, roughly speaking, the German translation of 'dude'.. Red Is too valley. What did she say?"

"Just that you have a week off and that she had 'someone' for you."

Blair sighed

"It was my birthday when you woke up. And I couldn't even enjoy it. I'm sorry if I snapped at you. You know, you're incredible calm."

"I think everything hasn't hit me yet."

"Good ... did Red say anything else?"

"Not really..." He kissed Blair's hand and rubbed his cheek against it. But Blair, because of the pain he was concentrating on ignoring, didn't notice.

"If its only been a year then why are things so advanced.?"

"Cuz this is where most experiments are made, and with each great discovery there is a terrible one. Most things are made here, the people live by trading it. A few scientists took pity and joined together with patients who were either prodigies or intellectually enhanced and designed these places. Trust me.. Its not that cheap.." he took a deep breath. "Most of the time we're out there stealing back info. Some things were meant to cure the unfortunately ones but were misused... " his voice trailed off as he yawned then rose louder when he said. "EMERGENCY communications ONLY." The walls became brighter, that was the last of Blair's strength, he used it to be as private as possible in the room. He'd never used it but everyone was guaranteed at least 2 hours of it each night and he had saved his for a special occasion. He yawned again and his body went limp as he begun to breath at a slow pace as he fell into deep sleep. For at least one night he wanted to forget that he was 'elete.'

Red was standing at the threshold, she was dressed in baggy clothing; lose fitting pants, t-shirt, and to Blair's amazement, another lose and larger shirt that wasn't buttoned. She was always wearing at least three layers. Her head was uncovered so that definitely meant something. Her hair was short and black although she argued that it was 'brown'. "That's just racial stereotyping" she'd said to someone who had the balls to disagree. Now that Blair thought about it, he hasn't seen that guy around of late. She had light brown skin, and stood sheepishly with her doc's.

"What's up?" Blair was now dressed in pants, similar to the one's Jim dawned the night before.

"Are you up to training? I thought you might want to lay off but your communications were down."

"Oh." Blair had a big smile on his face.

"So that's why your all dressed.. Well if you can call it that."

"Thanks... well I thought... hmm no com," she gave him a dirty look and grinned. "I'd hate for the guy to meet me in his birthday suit. One of us has to look presentable. So what will it be?"

"Come on in.. Hungry?" she shook her head, as always, but it never hurt to offer. "Ok basic would be good. Just to keep the blood flowing, besides I think if I stop I won't be able to move again. I'm still saving up."

"Ok let's get started I have to meet a man about an interrogation."

Blair followed her into the hall and she stopped at the fist door, opened it then closed it behind him. Leaning against it she touched the wall in front of her. Blair's image flashed on.

"Ok lets see if you can do 50?"

"50!? That's not much"

"Just get moving. Lets start out slow this time."

Smiling from ear to ear she watched as Blair stood in the middle of the room, concentrated, and took a deep breath. The room was completely white, and dimensions where not visible. Someone with keen eyesight could see that at all four sides of the room there were planks in a slant position. He started out slow, jumping from the plank to his right and then to his left. On the second jump from right plank he went into a rolling position and retracted again when he made contact with the other plank, with enough momentum, the diagonal walls moved up and back, eventually stopping in a firm vertical position. He moved to fit each new position the planks made until he too was moving back from one to the next with great speed an precision. Springing from one wall to the next each time rolling into a ball in between.

'It's like watching human pong' Jim thought, when he heard the thuds he went to investigate. He was about to say something but Red's expression advised him otherwise.

She place a finger over her lips "shhh" they both watched in silence until red saw her cue "49!"

The dismount was more impressive than the beginning, but less graceful. The wall began once again to slant. On the last jump off the left plank he spun up into a 90 degree angle, did three rolls in the air still crunched up and then before impact on the ground he landed in a kneeling position. Red had her hand on Jim's mouth, he was about to protest, thinking Blair would land head first.

"Why did you cut it so close?" There was no answer, Blair was in the same landing position, his braid hanging from his shoulder. He was breathing heavily, so heavily that the echos caused Jim to almost shut his hearing off. His head was the first part to move and then like a butterfly he opened, and stood majestically. Red placed a hand on the screen and a new image appeared.

"Ja?" it answered

"I need a medic." Red's voice was calm and sounded routine, as if to say 'again'.

"Sandburg?"

"No.."

"I can't pull anymore strings. The credit is almost exhausted, Sandburg is paid for but.."

"I'll pay" The face was more concerned than shocked.

"You can't afford it." it was a scolding tone and an attitude Red didn't like.

"He's elete. I can afford the rest." Red folded her arms firmly, daring him to disagree.

"Why didn't you say so?" he smile meekly "Someone will be there in 2 minutes. Sag hallo zu dei kleine fur mich"

"Got it." With the placing of another hand on the screen the face was gone. "Can I ask you a favor?" The question was directed at Jim, he didn't answer. "I'll take that as a yes.. When he comes I need you to go into the room and stay there ok?" Jim nodded in response, when he heard the beep he started towards the bedroom. He didn't know what was going on but if Blair had gone through so much trouble to hide it, the least he could do was accept that.

"Wait.. I need you to open the door."

After opening the door and letting the 'medic' who was dressed in gray with a bag in his hand, he was blond as well. Since he knew the room Jim assumed that either he'd done this before or all the rooms were alike. Jim had a feeling that the medic had done this before. The man walked, without saying a word to the room where Blair still stood ridged. The door closed before Jim could look in. Red walked with him back to the bedroom. Jim sat on the chair and she found a place on the floor. In the light Jim realized that she had dark brown eyes, he turned up his vision, he hair was in fact brown. She looked taller sitting down Indian style her black boots sticking out. She looked young. She acted old, anyone would assume that she was old, but now she looked young. She saw him studding her.

"How do you feel?"

"You ask me that often"

"because I want to know. I mean.. Waking up a year later to find yourself underground and tattooed." She looked at his arm on command. The tatoo was now a little faded. She said without feeling. "He didn't tatoo you." Jim met her gaze, without much concern. "Fuck" is what she said next as she stood up pressed a small part of the wall that sunk in under the pressure. Somehow the swear sounded out of place, it was like a preacher had said it, not that a preacher was any holier than thou, but the image didn't fit the language.

The wall pulled away and the closet came into view. Jim watched with interest as she took out a shirt exactly the same as he was wearing but with longer sleeves.

"Put this on" it was a definite order as she threw it next to him. Once he was in his new warmer clothing she started to pace, then stopped. "Ok.. Things are not so bad. I guess.. I mean.. Oh k. this could be bad."

It was Jim who broke the silence, red was deep in thought and he was hanging on to his last nerve.

"It would feel a lot better if I knew what was going on." She did not look at him when she spoke.

"Ok.. There is too much to tell. Chose a topic"

"the tatoo is a good start." He tried to ignore the fact that she knew her way around and it made him jealous.

"Oh k. What about it?"

"Why is it a big deal that I don't have it and why is everyone here tattooed?" he gave her a 'there how's that,' look.

"I can't explain all of that, but I will do my best. It's a symbol.. Well more than that. The ones who created this place were tattooed mostly to identify who experimented, or rather owned, who, but they kept the tattooing system to remind everyone that this is a prison, and it will always be. It' s like tradition, it means possession, you are not married. The tatoo signifies marriage as well, well as close as you can get, but even deeper than outsiders can handle. This red part here..." she took his arm and pointed to the faded tatoo, then decided it's better to use her own as an example. Extending her arm showing the red mark surrounded by intertwining lines she continued. "Means that your willingly owned by someone. It means your heart belongs to them. Literally! If you die they can sell your body, being alive does not make the rules different. You have given yourself. The only ones that you won't see tattooed too often are the children, unless they are .. Used. By the age of 21 everyone has a tatoo. Either showing that they have a purpose, that they belong to someone, etc. the marriages are permanent, if your mate dies you are still theirs. If they requested it then you will be buried in the same position etc, if they say you die with them, then bye bye. No one can marry someone who is or has been married. Everyone must have a tatoo if they want to live here." she paused and sat down on the ground, turning her head to look at the carpet.

"Your either tattooed to the colony or someone else. Most people who are not useful are disposed of, or recycled. Each time I've seen you, you had one, the tatoo I mean, and trust me.. The fake you have there is not cheap, its worth at least a week's worth of food and labor credits, or one night..." she stopped.

Jim was really beginning to hate that. "What does it mean that I don't have one?"

"It means that your fresh meet."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning" she mimicked "that you are free, you can leave the island, but the hard part is getting you to 'D.O.G'. Your past the age of 30 so anyone who catches you can keep you. People, property, its all the same. If you get tattooed by one of Gorgan's no one will give you food or work, well depends on what your willing to do, and even then its hard. And you won't get past the boarders. You could make money on the side by doing 'favors', whoreing.., and pretty much whatever you can sell that's yours. But that's illegal if .. This is going to be along night if I have to go into detail. For example your mate.. I assume that you've never slept together, you have good teeth, and body. Your untouched and strong. That's not hard to achieve here, but the fact that its 'natural'.. That makes you almost priceless. He kept you clean, that was the hardest part." Jim noticed that she did not say "hoshi", just like Blair she slipped into a mode that was uncharacteristic. "You're ten times the value of anyone in here, maybe more, in other words, grade A material. Most new comers are picked off quickly, and even if they are not, they eventually do what they have to do. Now I can see why he worked so hard to get you in here."

Jim listened, his face blank as if someone was telling him that his car was broken. It didn't hit him yet but he was sure it was going to later.

"Is that why they call me Sandburg?"

She nodded.

"Who ever is the owner or the breadwinner takes the lead in the house. All you carry is the family name, when your owned by a business then you're probably a number."

"Why make things so depressing. Besides it seems like a regular thing but a bit more sticky."

She shook her head in slight annoyance. "You're not listening. This" she pointed at the label on her arm again. "Does not come off. We can make things that makes your mind spin, hell makes our mind spin, but this was meant to never come off. Even if it's a temporary job, its there to make you see that you had to submit, someone owned you, or you owned someone, each time you look in the mirror, you'll know. It was designed to haunt you. This place can be paradise, but a lot of us don't want to pay the price for that. We cannot finish this conversation now, you cannot leave this place unless you don't plan to return. Without a tattoo you won't be allowed in, although I believe you can roam around. You got in because your liebling is a really good talker. After about 5 months things came down and they made him get you a tattoo, conscious or not since you were organic and 'alive' they wanted you to have one. You'll learn as you go that its all a mind trip, the foundation is not to enslave the body, but the soul. You can get what your heart desires, but balance is what we live by."

"I didn't see a tattoo on him like yours"

"He doesn't have one. All you need is one that's valid, both people don't need to own each other, that's why slave is used as the generic term. When your in love you're a slave to that person regardless."

They both paused.

"What was he doing?"

She was happy to see that he was more concerned about his friend than the fact that he was not at a secure part of life.

"Just basic training. He can do better."

"And what's he doing now?"

"Probably screaming in pain." she sounded uncaring, but that was not her intention. Jim got up to make an attempt to satisfy his curiosity. "I wouldn't do that.. Please sit. He doesn't want you to see, that should be all you need to know." She surveyed the room. "Well he got this place fixed up finally. He's had it for a few months now and his eye on it even before that."

"Why didn't he move in earlier?" Jim sat slowly, this was too interesting to risk missing.

"Two reasons. One you have to be elete to choose where you live and when that happened he didn't because of you. All the electricity around gave you seizures. So when he had free time he, sometimes we, fixed it up a bit." He laid back on the bed leaving his feet to touching the ground.

"Why can't I hear him?"

"Could be because A. he is not screaming, B. he finally re enforced the steal, or C. your hearing is too high for you to pick up the octave he's on."

"Or D. I'm finished and you've missed your chance." Blair was bracing himself on the door frame. "The medic is gone."

Red walked over to help him. Placing a hand around his waist and headed towards the bed. He had bandages all over his chest, torso, and arms, and resembled a poorly dressed mummy. After Jim finally helped her push him into bed she kneeled beside his head and took his face in both hands to make sure he was paying attention.

"Hoshi?" Blair looked at her through bloodshot eyes as she spoke slowly. "... your wasted, probably out for a month or more, I'll come back in the morning to check. If you don't turn on your com we'll be on drill number 5. If your caught outside its gonna be house arrest. Stay here and take care of your friend. We'll talk tomorrow"

Blair nodded weakly taking note that she said "friend". "don't tell Metska" he pleaded softly, and in response she mimicked his nod while at the same time leaving the bed.

All Jim could do was watch, he was definitely a stranger in a strange land, it was a feeling that was extremely uncomfortable.

"Follow me.. I'll show you how to find your way around, he might not be able to help you for awhile." She was annoyed with herself for sounding so bitchy. Jim realized that she looked old again.

They both stopped in front of the couch. She turned to face him when she spoke.

"Ok you want to know about this place you have to check the library, you only have minimal access. It will have to be basic info, for example the walls do in fact have ears. It responds to any one sentence or one word command that makes sense, so to speak. You can order food etc. if you want info on how to do something put your hand on the wall and speak. Once your voice pattern is picked up then you can say commands without touching the wall. Where you place your hand is where the screen will appear if you don' t touch the wall the screen will appear in the last position it was in. You could search the directory for commands. The sending message feature is there but not receiving, unless its an emergency. The door matches your D.N.A so the doors need that to open, so touching is required and it needs to be living tissue. If you get angry please try not to hit the wall, it hurts Norman."

Even though Red said she would come by, for the last two days Jim saw no sign of her. He spent the time trying to figure out how to take a shower as well as the menu. Needless to say he was burnt very often and hunted the damn vacuum that seemed to be laughing at him. Blair slept the whole time without trouble, and slowly but surely Jim discovered that his senses were not fully operational yet. Each day the smells got stronger, and the noises were louder. Everything heightened until he noticed that the room was not at full illumination. The theory was confirmed when he said the command for lights off and thought the damn thing was broken, then he tried the opposite and learned the hard way that experiments are not always a good thing. Everything in the 'house' was turned down and unbearable when turned to normal settings. It took him 10 tries but he finally got the shower to produce comfortable water temperatures. Happy as he had ever been to find a hygienic tool he used the tooth brush as a holy relic. This was too much technology at once, but he decided the best thing to do was to get over it, and try to adjust, even though he did not know WHAT THE HELL he was adjusting to. Met had never gotten quite a greeting as he got when on the 3rd day he went to check on Jim and to give him something to keep him occupied. That morning Jim noticed that his tattoo was back, Blair had gone into a room the night before without saying a word. All in all they had not spoken. Jim was keeping busy enough just trying to figure out how to make toast that he tried not cause trouble by stirring the waters. There seemed to be plenty of time later.

"Hello Mr. Sandburg" Met was now wearing glasses with thin golden frames. "I have come to see if you would like anything, or perhaps to start work"

Jim backed away inviting the slender man in.

"Morning.. Working doing what?"

"Well it depends.. What was your previous position?"

"I was a cop" Met seemed sunrise by this, as much as one could tell from his expressions that seemed to always be the same expression just in different mindsets.

"Well then I believe that basic training would be ideal for you."

Jim realized that he stood and never made any indication of wanting a chair, 'always ready to go.'

"Wait a sec... there is no way I'm gonna be able to do what Bl.. To do that pong stuff.."

"I assume your speaking of lesson one of ten. No.. That's far too advanced for you, most humans can never achieve such level of concentration, just ALF's"

"Alien Life Forms?" Jim intended this to be a joke, but realized that far too late that it was too lame to be humors and Met was too honest to pretend that it was. After the short awkward silence Jim sat down behind the counter and waited.

"Artificial Life Forms, we chose this term because it translates better in this section. They are used for the more advanced jobs because of the skill. The 'pong' you speak of is a basic trait. You should be proud to be associated with someone who can accomplish it. We only have a few ALFs and they are 99% of the time elete, but expensive. So they take the more dangerous jobs which pay better, because they too value life.

"So now I get a tour?" Jim decided a long time ago to give up the subtle act. Most of it wasn't an act but he had been stuck in the room for almost a week and it was getting to him. The doors in the hallway had different codes and Blair had locked himself into one and had not been heard from since the night before.

He was given basic training which was also the class given to teenagers, it consisted of gun control and physical combat. Everyone was busy with day to day things and it was not uncommon to see a flashing light that read "Urgent mission request, requires; assassins, sharpshooters, buffalo" what buffalo meant he had not figured out yet. When the message came on a few people would place their hands on the walls and reported in, then another request would come up. That was petty much how the day went. Just because of the fact that his classmates where sometimes young enough to be his children, was enough motivation to pass the class quickly. Not before figuring out that not each kid there were what they appeared, but he got through without any bruises, which is always good. He walked around the compound for what seemed like hours and there was no end to it. There was also no map either, but it was good exercise for his senses. He could tell where he was by sounds instead of sights and soon found it easy to get around most areas. There were, of course, a lot of restricted areas that he carefully avoided, if what Red said was true about the tattoo then the last thing he wanted was to bring attention to it.

The month was half way through and he had not seen any signs of life from the room. He knew Blair was alright only because he would return home from his class to find a trail of clothing leading from the bathroom to the room. And sometimes food was missing. The food was something he couldn't get used to as quickly as he would like. They did not look appetizing but the taste said otherwise. Genetically enhanced and created, if he wanted it, he could have a spaghetti flavored apple. He settled for the regular food as usual. Everything went very quickly, he liked his classes, but resented the fact that he was back in a 'class'. Moving through them was not hard but he reached a wall when he was finished. All in all he would call it a refreshers course. Since he only had basic human strength he did not need much training unless he would do a job. Which he couldn't the teacher had offered but Met was adamant that Jim was not given permission to preform such 'jobs'. As for developing his skills no one mentioned it, something Jim assumed was also another thing that he was not "permitted" to do. He spent most of his time practicing tuning them in and out, and the days went by quickly. Red was out of sight completely. But reappeared on the 17th full day without Blair. When she entered she did not apologize for not being around, she simply walked in and asked Jim was Blair was doing.

"I don't know.. I haven't seen him"

"At all?"

"Nope"

"and this does not strike you as odd"

"why should it.. I barely know this place and I don't know what he does with his time. Why should it strike me as odd?"

"Perhaps because he has spent the last year making sure to be home on time so you would be fed and cleaned. And now suddenly when his only ambition is complete he is not around."

Arguing with women was not something he liked.. Or something he was good at, but she made a point.

"Is he in there?" she pointed at the door in the hall way.

"As far as I know"

She placed a hand on the door and took a deep breath.

"Norman?" There was no answer, but she waited, and waited, and Jim was losing faith in the o' magical wall. A face did not appear but a voice did.

"Yeesss" it was a young male voice that sounded cocky and at ease

"Hallo mein schatz.. I need a favor."

"Oh hallo mutti.. What will it be?"

"I need a temporary override of a type2 classified door."

The voice whistled "Will I be aiding in the execution of someone?" it was obvious that he was joking, well almost obvious.

Red was about to answer but the voice broke in..

"I know. I know.. Get on with it. Right well one sec. Ok done." the person was certainly playful in a deep voice he said. "Open sesame" and the door slid away revealing a stairway.

"Is that it?"

"Yup. Thank you"

"no problem.. Hey Jim, try aiming for the eyes when your doing the artery class it helps. Oh and even though you can't do jobs you can still go to the bars.. Ciao"

Red and Jim both looked at each other, and she felt the need to reassure him.

"It's from public files, he does not go into rooms."

"Why? Because it's not allowed?"

"Doesn't matter he can break any code, he just doesn't, take my word for it."

They both walked up the stairs to find a new room, it was smaller if not the same size as the one down stairs, and scattered with papers and computers. There was a book shelf and the books were obviously unused. The room was rectangular and they entered from the side. There were no windows, as there were none in the whole house, but where the windows should have been where drawings of blue skies. The bed was obviously slept in, the closet door was open and cloths were scattered around. This was obviously the room of Blair Sandburg. They looked around and there was no sign of Blair anywhere. Red hadn't expected anything else, but couldn't he even clean up.

A bulky man in all black was standing with his back resting on the rail of a three story mall, his hair hanging over his shoulders. His attention was occupied by the food in his hands. He was struggling and losing the battle with the chop sticks. 'Hmp.. I have the ability to disembowel someone who is 10 times my size but I can't even eat a meal.' He smiled to himself as he heard the voice. In the top of his right ear was a pink ear ring that matched the one embedded into his lip. He jerked into attention as he heard his instructions. Below him on the main floor was a boy browsing the stores, and window shopping. He was accompanied by two very large men with very thick coats. People automatically gravitated away from them. They were passing under the steps where the man in black waited. The man timed it perfectly. He started a graceful decent backwards after jumping back, with a series of 360 turns he was now falling, or rather gliding, feet first. He landed gently on the second story railing, moving into a sitting position to help the impact. This position did not last long as he somersaulted off just as quick as the first time. Again heading down head first he extended his hands out and caught hold of the railing the boy was now under. All in all this took about 20 seconds. He released the railing and landed behind both guards. Before they felt his presence, his guns were in both hands in a criss cross fashion, and by the time they looked back to see him he fired. The charges where low but effective they were both stunned and passed out, falling back with a thump. Someone else appeared to be quick as well. The man in black reached out an arm before the boy could flee and was now holding him by the throat, while simultaneously raising his gun to the boys head and to the man he knew was now in front of him. The click that indicated someone coking a gun is what drew the mans attention next. He looked up and was staring into the barrel of a gun, held by a tall black man with an expression that said 'try me'.

Simon Banks now stared into the eyes of a determined man, who was now terrified even though he held all the cards. He also took care to remember the gun that hovered a few inches from his nose.

"Simon!"

"..Sandburg?" The cop was surprised but did not budge from his stance or objective.

"What are you doing here?!" it was one of those questions you knew was stupid only after you uttered the words.

"Where else should a man go when he wants to sho?..I should be asking you what the hell you're doing here."

The boy started to struggle, trying to take advantage of the unexpected face off. Blair tightened his grip and the sound of the gun to the boys head charging soon helped him think of reasons why he should no longer move.

"Simon .. Man .. Im gonna need you to back up." Blair was almost deafened by the voice in his ear repeating the same orders 'take him out and go.' "You know me.. You trust me.. Please just put the gun down."

The boy started again to struggle, Blair squeezed harder and with the tone it was clear who he was speaking to as he half whimpered half yelled. "I wouldn't kill a person but don't doubt for a second that I wouldn't put you out of commission. Shut down now.. Or I'll shut you down. Do you understand me?" to put emphasis on the last words he tighten his grip more, almost choking the already week person. The body went limp suddenly in his hands but he did not move. His eyes were still on Simon, he knew the others were coming soon, he had to hurry.

Blair spoke softer now.

"We've been through so much together.. I can only ask you this one more time... please. Put the gun down and back up man."

Simon was still rigid.

"If you know me so well you know I can't do that. Talk to me Sandburg. I know Jim's death must have been hard..."

"He's not dead.." This got Simon's attention and the opportunity that Blair needed. He dropped the boy and one gun, something he has never done before (dropping a target), grabbed the gun from Simon's hand and within seconds was hold the same hand behind the stunned man's back. Blair raised the second gun to his friend's left shoulder blade.

"If you've ever cared about us, tell no one that you saw me NO ONE. Try to relax, it helps the pain. I'm sorry man" was the last thing Simon banks heard before a charge was sent through his body and he fell to the ground.

Blair moved quickly to get the target, slinging it over his shoulder like a potato sac he ran towards the approaching figures in civilian clothing, with pink earrings and lip rings. A realization suddenly struck him as the men approached, worry crept into his spine, because of this new recollection he did the second thing he has never done before, took a good running start and threw the boy into the air. An older man from the second story jumped and intercepted the unconscious figure and landed rolling on the ground. The others went to his aide and Blair heard on the earring that the target was safe.

'I can't leave Simon... their's always a clean up crew.' Knowing that the recovery of the boy took 2 minutes too long, he ran back to his fallen comrade and with the same ease threw him over his shoulder, and disappeared into the now forming crowd.

No one persuade him, he knew they didn't have to.

Two of the senior men watched him go. "Should we follow him?"

"No.. Don't bother.. He's earned this favor" the questioning man followed the other as they started out of the mall the way they came.

"but if he doesn't return..?"

"He will.."

"Why are you so sure?"

"Because he's done jobs here before, this is his home town.. Besides.. We have something he cannot live without. ...He'll be back." (this takes place the next day)

Continued in part two.