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Chapter 75: To Talk Him Down

Geoff was sitting in his basement doing his homework, after a late tea, when his phone rang. He picked it up and noticed it was Agent Ella. He frowned but answered, "Hi, Agent. This is Geoff."

Ella sounded very tired, "Geoff, please, do something about Nathanial."

Geoff felt his blood chill, "What did he do now? Destroy another office in Ottawa?"

Ella paused, Geoff could hear her claws dig into her phone, making the plastic crack, "Another office? He destroyed an office in Ottawa, as in a Society office? What was he doing there?"

Geoff smiled, "Uh, never mind." He could hear her about to protest, "He was there for some tests for his magic levels or something. Due to the things you wrote about him, you and Jay. He, um, tried a new spell and it... worked a bit too well. Then another thing showed up. That rooster thing that attacked Lara."

"Oh, gods. Was anyone hurt?" Ella sounded scared, "Did he... did he go a little... strange? Agent Hugh is watching him; he doesn't think Nathanial is safe. Please, Geoff, try to keep him out of trouble. If Hugh and another person, like in Children's Services, decide he's a threat, he could be locked up or, um,... neutralized."

"How would I know what happened? I only know what Nathanial told me and I don't think he notices it, or remembers, when he goes a little crazy." Geoff hated saying that word, but Nathanial was certainly not always all there.

"He's not... crazy, Geoff, he just needs to relax and recover from everything. His mother was killed in front of him."

Geoff shivered as he said, "Twinkle, twinkle." Ella squeaked before catching herself. Geoff didn't laugh at her response, "That wasn't sane, Agent. I can't believe that was all an act."

"He's your," She dropped her voice to a whisper, "He's your boyfriend, Geoff. How can you say he's crazy?"

Geoff ran a paw over his head, then tugged on the tuft of fur on his chin, "He's not super, psycho, crazy, but he isn't stable. I agree, he needs rest. He'll be fine, then, but your siccing the Society people on him because of his magic is really working against him."

"I didn't sic anyone on him, Geoff! How can you think that?"

She sounded indignant and hurt, but Geoff pushed his point, "Because they were going to schedule his tests in November until Marcia Banks, the woman scheduling them, found the report you filled, and then twenty reports Arrie filed, along with many others the lot of you have been writing. Apparently you even taped the fight with the Investigators to blackmail him with!"

Ella growled, "I did not tape anything to blackmail him with, that recording Jay made was for his protection, to prove that he was fighting in self defence! Well, and to try to figure out how he does the stuff he does. Those reports I filed," She lowered her voice again, "Were buried to try to hide them. I do my job, Spirit, and it demands reports be filed. If no one was looking for them, they would never have seen the light of day. The first one was for his benefit, what he does could be dangerous for him and everyone around him. He needs_, we_ need to figure out what he is doing, how he's doing it, and if that is behind the reason the Hunters are after him. How they knew he was... special before anyone else is beyond me. He knew I was trying to get him tested, I told him that the day I met him. At the time I figured it'd be sooner than it ended up being, and I never could have guessed the rest of this was going to happen. The young people being tested are monitored so if they get too stressed the tests can be paused. They would've been stopped long before his health was jeopardized."

Faelen came downstairs, the tea stuff must be all cleaned up, and began pulling out his homework. He looked at Geoff quizzically as Geoff said, "Okay, we're off topic. I'm sorry I accused you of blackmail, I'm just a little, a lot, concerned. What is he up to? Why are you calling me to do something about him?"

Ella let out a long deep breath, "He was with a Knight today." She paused as if expecting Geoff to react, but carried on at his silence, "He was looking for help to track down the bodies of the Hunters that attacked you guys when his mother died."

Geoff put his head in his paw, leaning against the table, "Jezebel. She was the sister of the secretary at school, Ahmed Gomeche. He wants to find the body so Ahmed can have a funeral. I knew he was going to do a job shadow with the Knight, and we knew why, already. Why are you so concerned?"

"Why? What do you mean why? He wants to go around Halifax Harbour, somehow, and pull up who knows how many bodies trying to find a pawful of specific bodies, and you wonder why I'm concerned!?" Ella voice climbed in pitch and volume the whole time, until Geoff had to hold the phone away form his ear and Faelen had his paws pressed over his own. She brought her voice down to a normal volume and pitch, but she was still worked up, "He's seen too much death already. Going out into the harbour isn't safe, there's a lot of traffic and it can be rough. I also don't know how he plans on doing this, probably magic, so there's also the issue of being seen. How does he plan on pulling out the bodies? What will he do with them? How will he find them? Does he know what happens to bodies that are dumped into bodies of water like that? It's... horrific, Geoff. Even adults that deal with death all the time have trouble dealing with it, mentally and physically. It's not good. It'll really be bad for him in the state he's in."

Geoff sighed, she was right. He agreed with her on every point, as far as he had any basis for an opinion, and he believed she had his best interests at heart in the areas he couldn't really make a judgement on. He shook his head, "Okay, you're right, we should be concerned, but, again, what do you want me to do? Why can't you just tell him not to go?"

Ella laughed, "Sure. Fine. I did. Does that mean he won't go, anyway?" Geoff made a drawn out, non-committal noise as he tried to think of a way to answer that, Ella answered herself, "No. Nathanial will do what Nathanial thinks is necessary, in Nathanial's own way. I'm going to go talk to him, again, once my shift is over. That's a bit after five. I want you to be there, and that means Faelen, too, to back me up. I'm also going to call Smith-sensei. Anyone who might be able to stop him, I want there."

Geoff was nonplussed, and drew out the 's' of his first word, "Sure... okay. You aren't over reacting just a little? I agree he shouldn't do it, and I'll go with you to try to talk him out of it, but if he goes, he goes. I doubt anyone can stop him, short of drugging him. It'll be a bad scene out there, but he's seen bad stuff. It'll be dangerous, but he's done that. It may bring him some closure, too. I think the deaths he's caused are really eating him up, probably more than seeing his mom die or anything else. If he finds peace by helping Ahmed find peace, isn't that good? Worth a little risk and an upset stomach? Perhaps rather than trying to stop him, which we both think is unlikely to work, we should try to control him. Say he can go, but under terms we set out. He'll go along with that."

Ella was a quiet and Faelen had a thoughtful and surprised expression. Geoff looked at him with a raised eyebrow. Faelen smiled, "You're right. I think Nathanial would go no matter what anyone said, even if he's normally very obedient, but he'd agree to just about any restriction to do it 'legally', as it were. It's the best way of handling this."

"What did Faelen say?"

"He agrees with me."

"All right. Can we try to get him to promise not to go, first?" Ella sounded very tired again, "The thing that pup puts me through."

Geoff smiled, he could feel his heart swelling as he thought of his adorable pup, "Yes, Agent. The Hunters are right, he is special, but I think my pup should be protected and cherished because of that, not killed. I love him, and I'll do whatever I can to help him."

Faelen was grinning broadly when Geoff finished, and Geoff could hear the amusement in Ella's voice, "Geoff, you are so sweet sometimes. So, I'll see you shortly after five at Nathanial's?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good, good day." She hung up.

Geoff put his phone down with a sigh, "Gods, Faelen. Liam doesn't cause much trouble, why does my boyfriend have to be the troublemaker."

Faelen laughed, "The Fates seem to have personal interest in your pup, sir. I don't think you'd give him up even if he caused twice as much trouble."

"Stop with the sir. No, I'd probably be dead, or half of the city destroyed, if he got into that much trouble. I'm working on Integrated Science, how are you doing? Oh, I'm going over a bit after five." Geoff got up and began pacing, occasionally throwing punches.

Faelen opened his Integrated Science book, "Pretty good, better after Nathanial explained it. The three of you are really smart, but Nathanial seems to be able to explain it in a way I can understand. He's better than Mr. Chopra." Faelen paused, "Well, all three of you are. Betty might be better. Mr. Chopra knows his stuff, I just can't get it when he tries to explain it, and the book isn't much better. Liam sometimes goes off on tangents, the last time I tried to get him to explain something was in Chemistry, and Lowell started going on about the alchemical origins of different experiments and how some guy in the sixteen hundreds was rumoured to have made a philosopher's stone." Faelen rolled his eyes in amusement, "Don't tell me it's only your boyfriend that can make life interesting. I wonder what Liam's doing? He was really worked up about something during football practice. A few times, actually. One of them had him angry."

Geoff stopped in mid-swing, "Really? Wasn't he going to Kung Fu? Why would he get angry there? They worship him." Geoff meant that literally, despite what Liam said.

Faelen tapped his pencil on his notebook, "He didn't get on the bus to go to Kung Fu, he went back into the school. Something happened in the office, I bet. I... felt him leave a few minutes later, he was agitated; he was... concerned, scared for someone. It was a little while after that he got angry, he was still moving in a vehicle. He was talking to someone, they said something to make him angry."

Geoff was looking at Faelen with wide eyes, their bond was freaky sometimes. Then again, so was Nathanial's bond with Snow. If Snow knew what was happening to Nathanial all the time, like it was part of him, did that mean that Snow could 'feel' when he... Geoff cut that line of thought off, quickly. He could tell his face was turning bright red and quickly walked to the washroom. Faelen chuckled, "Thinking about Nathanial's bond with Snow and how Snow must be able to feel you ploughing Nathanial? However he feels the things that happen to Nathanial?"

Geoff was just about to splash his face with cold water, 'How the hells does he do that? Is he psychic?'

Faelen started laughing in the next room, "No, sir, I'm not reading your mind. I just know you and I can read your body language extremely well. You were obviously thinking about the bond between Liam and me, then you got a little aroused, scared, then embarrassed. That had nothing to do with me, so it must be someone else who has a bond. Nathanial. The embarrassment had to be how Snow would be able to sense you two having sex. That was one of your simpler jumps."

"Shut up. Stop it with the sir." Geoff splashed his face with cold water a few times then began drying off.

"Sorry."

When Geoff came out, Faelen was frowning as he read the Integrated Science work. Geoff sat next to him and put an arm over his shoulder, "So what are you looking at?" He quickly looked at it and tried to explain it to his friend.

After he finished, Geoff could feel the strength in Faelen's shoulders and back, and the warmth. He didn't pay it much mind as he looked down at the text book to see what else Faelen might be having trouble with. He shuffled a little closer, smelling the comforting scent unique to Faelen. Faelen tensed up slightly beside him, "Uh, Geoff, why don't you go finish what you were working on and I'll read this over again. It should make more sense, now. Thanks." Geoff moved over to his seat, a little confused. Every time he sat next to him, now, Faelen quickly became tense and had them move apart. Was Liam trying to drive them apart? It didn't make sense though, Liam said he approved of Faelen choosing his duty to Geoff over his love for Liam. So why would he make a fuss over Geoff sitting close to Faelen? Then again, Faelen did this before they moved here, too. He used to think it was because Faelen was straight and didn't want a guy sitting so close to him, but that's obviously not... Faelen cut in, "We've been over this Geoff, if not directly or explicitly. You still have feelings for me, it's obvious to everyone but you. It makes me uncomfortable, it upsets Nathanial, and I don't think Liam likes it either. He wouldn't care if we had sex, neither would Nathanial, if you didn't have lingering romantic feelings."

Geoff was stunned and couldn't believe what he was hearing, he choked out a weak laugh, "Ha, wh-what? Feelings? Uh, you're l-like a brother, um, Faelen. I got over you a long time ago. I, we, um, we've been over this, yeah, and I told you all this already." He could feel his stomach sink to his hindpaws and it felt like his heart was going to break even as it climbed into his throat.

Faelen twitched as if he was going to get up but stayed on the far side of the table, "No, Geoff. That isn't true, the part about you being over me or loving me just as a brother. I can smell it. Whenever you get closer to me, like you just were, you begin to get aroused. The same way you do when you get close to Nathanial. Nathanial can tell, that's why he asked you about it before. Please, don't sit close to me like you just were."

Geoff felt his world crumbling around him, Faelen hated him. A small voice whispered in his head, 'No, he just said don't try to cuddle him, I can still be his friend. He didn't say anything about how he feels toward me, he just said my amorous attention makes him uncomfortable.' The doom and gloom voice was having none of it. 'He hates me, touching me must make him so sick. What sort of brother am I perving on him all the time? He must think I'm disgusting trying to love him and Nathanial, trying to fool everyone and only fooling myself. I'm so stupid! They both think I'm a cheating horn dog only after a quick fuck.'

His mind's voice became more and more vicious when Faelen pulled him into a hug, "Shut up, Geoff. I still love you, I'm just not in love with you. I just don't want you to, even subconsciously, try to pursue something between us. It's not going to happen."

Geoff began to think clearly again, "But doesn't Nathanial make you aroused at all? Why is it all right if I have sex with Liam, or you with Nathanial or Nick, heh, or even your da, but not us? You love your da. You're dating Liam, so why do you guys, the three of you seem to think it's all right to have sex with other people?"

Faelen rubbed his back, the strength and kindness behind his friend's touch seemed to go straight to his groin. Faelen tensed up and moved away, "It's because that's not romantic love. It's more physical and affectionate. The way you smell to me, when I hold you like I just was, is very similar to the way Nathanial used to smell around you. If we had sex it would be far more to you than just... sex. I can fuck Da and we both..." Faelen trailed off a little in thought, "enjoy it. Or if I top Nathanial; we're friends, it's fun, it feels great, and we think the other is attractive, but there isn't any more to it than that. I... probably shouldn't have sex with Nick, anymore, he's in a similar situation to you. He's getting feelings for me, too, and for Liam. Kind of hard to tell sometimes, he's almost always aroused."

Even though Geoff knew Faelen seemed to be convinced about this weird delusion, he had to try to correct him, "I still think you're crazy. I love Nathanial, I-I've said it before. I'm dating him, not you. What do I have to do to prove it to you guys that I love Nathanial?"

Faelen looked sad and sympathetic, it made Geoff start to feel angry. How could he find this amusing and be so... so condescending? How could they doubt his love for Nathanial like this? Keep throwing it in his face? "I know you love Nathanial, we all do. It's really obvious and sweet, Geoff. No one is saying you don't. What we are saying is you love me, too. You mostly love me the way I love you, as a best friend, a brother, but mixed into those feelings I really cherish are the remains of that crush you had on me. While we were kids it wasn't a problem, but now that you have a serious relationship with Nathanial and I have one with Liam, it is."

Geoff shook his head in disbelief, "Okay, so I think you're hot, fine. Yes, you are. So is Dirk and Da, and many other guys. I can get turned on by being close to any of them when I'm horny, that doesn't mean I have a crush on them. Or you."

Faelen's sympathetic look faded and was replaced by annoyance, but he still looked a little sad, "I know what I smell, Geoff. When Da hugs you you don't smell the way you do when I hug you or sit close to you. It's completely different. It's different than the way you smell when you're with Nathanial, too. I can't describe it." He shook his head and put his paws up, "Enough, this won't go anywhere. You were wondering why I keep pulling away, you have your answer. Agree with it or not, that's the reason."

"So I'll never be allowed to cuddle with you?" Geoff wanted to bite his tongue as soon as he said that. He could see Faelen tense up, so he jumped in, "Never mind, I was joking. It was in poor taste, sorry."

"No, Geoff. Not for a while. Even then, we probably shouldn't, you are my boss. It wouldn't be right." Now Faelen looked really sympathetic and... almost in pain. Geoff felt that he really should've kept his mouth shut. Faelen's face relaxed into a completely impassive mask, "So, we have thirty problems in math to work through. We should start that now, sir, if we're going to try to diffuse that situation of Nathanial's at five bells."

"Don't call me sir."

---

Faelen hoped this didn't take long, he had a lot more homework to do. Now that he was actually trying in school, he really had to be more careful about his time. They were running through the woods toward Nathanial's home, it had quickly become Geoff's preferred route to get there, and were just approaching the stone gate. Faelen moved ahead of Geoff and paused beside the gate, quickly sniffing the air and listening for any ambush, before pushing it open and slipping through. He didn't smell any trouble, but it did smell like it was going to rain in a few hours. The coast was clear, so he relaxed and Geoff followed him through. Geoff pushed the gate shut and they began jogging toward the house, Faelen leading his master in a slightly wider circle around the small stand of pine trees in the yard. They entered through the back door into the basement. Faelen glanced over at the Kung Fu mats, wishing that they didn't have football practice so often, he really preferred Kung Fu and missed it whenever they had to skip practice. He also hated the time apart from Liam. The way he moved as he led them through the forms was so graceful, so... beautiful. The peace that fell over Liam's face as he lost himself in the movements; that hidden pain in his eyes seemed to fade away, leaving the kind wisdom he gained over his years, but none of the hardness or the regrets over the lives he'd taken. Liam never talked about that, but Faelen would almost swear he could see the shadow of each life taken lurking in those brown pools. He could smell Geoff starting to get amused, so he stopped scrubbing his hindpaws and moved to the living area of the basement. He suddenly felt Liam become furious and terrified, but the feeling began to quickly fade, so he kept quiet. No sense in alarming anyone... other than himself. He knocked on the door to the common room and walked in, glancing about before letting Geoff through, too. He sniffed the air, Nicholas and Micah were in Micah's room, the smell and noise in the kitchen would say Nathanial was up there. "Upstairs, si- Geoff. We should say hi to the pups, first. They're in Micah's room." Geoff rolled his eyes, with a smile, they walked over and poked their heads in. As expected, Nick was tied to his little brother. Geoff started to smell slightly aroused from the smells in the room and the sight of the pups in their post-sex tie, Faelen could feel himself start to swell in his sheath, too. 'Damn, that pup smells so good.' He started to think back to the last time he had sex with Nicholas, and felt himself start to slide farther out of his sheath. He cut off the thoughts, Nicholas must be affecting him. As if on cue, the pup looked over and made a small thrust into Micah. Micah put his textbook down onto his stomach and tipped his head back to look, then wave, at them.

Geoff tolled his eyes again, "Hi, guys. Ella is on her way over to talk to Nathanial, she wanted us to be here, too. We just popped in here to say hi before heading up to the kitchen." Geoff paused, "Um, hey. Would you, ah, Nicholas, would you mind if I called Nathanial 'Nats' sometimes? I know it's your name for him, but would it bother you if I used it, too?"

Nicholas seemed torn, Faelen could see it was starting to bother him, so he stepped in, "No, Geoff. Not yet, anyway. Things are a little chaotic around here, let them keep a little... tradition. Maybe when things calm down." He could see the gratitude on Nicholas and Micah's faces, along with a little... more on Nick's. He should probably excuse himself before Nicholas' subconscious desires began to force themselves onto him. Faelen could feel the pheromones start to affect him a bit more strongly, "Ah, Nick. I don't know if you can control this, but your... magic is starting to affect me. Can you stop it?"

Nicholas blushed, his paw started to stroke Micah's erection, it looked like it was subconscious. "Um, I can try. And, hi. Both of you." Nicholas' paw stopped moving as he concentrated, Faelen could smell the pheromones in the room fade slightly, along with his own arousal. Nick winced slightly and opened his eyes, "Better?"

Faelen smiled, "Yeah, thanks, it's appreciated."

Nicholas' eyes lit up and his tail began wagging against the pillows behind him, "Sure, whatever."

Micah smiled, twisting his upper body around slightly to try to look at them the right way, "What's Ella want to say?"

Geoff shook his head, "Can you two separate? Ella will be here soon." Micah nodded and began pulling away from Nicholas, while the older pup grabbed a towel to put beneath black dog's rump. There was a soft pop as Nick's knot slid out. Geoff answered the question, "Nathanial wants to go out into the Harbour to look for the bodies of the Hunters that attacked us. You heard about that at supper. Ella doesn't want him to, she thinks that it'll be too hard on him. Apparently it's a horrific experience, even cops and people who do it more often find it really hard, mentally, and it gets bad enough that it can make them feel really sick. She thinks Nathanial has been through so much that this is the last thing he needs."

Nicholas cleaned off his shaft while he gave Geoff a searching look, "You agree and disagree, don't you? You think it may be really hard on him, but he may need it, too."

Faelen was surprised at the perceptive question. Geoff sounded just as surprised as Faelen felt, "I, yes. I do. This is one of the deaths, Jezebel's, that Nathanial talks about the most, usually when he's... troubled, like a nightmare, or... Anyway, I think if he can help Ahmed find peace, he may find some peace. I just don't know if he needs to do this all by himself, not necessarily alone, but at least being part of the whole process, or if doing this much is enough. Knowing him, he won't forgive himself unless he's there the whole way. However, Ella is right, too. This is not going to be... pleasant, he's seen too many unpleasant things. I don't know if he could take something that made Ella sound sick just talking about."

Micah was cleaned up and sat cross-legged on the bed, "He needs to do this." He shrugged, "Nats is Nats, he feels responsible for stuff. This Ahmed is sad, he's lost his sister, and Nats blames himself for the pain Ahmed feels. Even if it's her fault, she wouldn't be dead if she didn't try to kill us. But Nats doesn't see it that way. I want him to go, and I'll help him, too. I can make you a boat and hide us from the Mages and the other boats, if you let me, Nats." Faelen gave a small start and looked around, but Nathanial was still upstairs. Micah tipped his head to the side, listening, "So? Would that stop you? Ella is a cop, she can tell you no. Dad can and will say no, he's your dad, too. Even if he was gone for a while he can say no. How is that different than you telling me no?" Micah scowled, listening, "Dangerous? Like getting your soul back, dangerous? Nats, I want to help! Nick, does, too! Why do you keep thinking we can't do anything? If you don't let us try, how will we ever learn? How will you ever trust us if we never have a chance to prove ourselves? You keep saying 'practice your magic, you may need it', this is good practice, and you'll be there to make sure we're safe, right?"

Nicholas scowled, "He's right, Nats. Now, shut up and we'll all talk to you upstairs. Stop picking on Mike."

Nicholas began pulling on clothes, as Micah hopped off the bed and spun around. He stopped and was wearing his leather harness again, making Nicholas freeze with a needy whine. Micah giggled, "Oops, I was, um, thinking of something else." He eyed Faelen, sending Nicholas' gaze toward the wolf, followed by a louder whine from Nicholas. Micah stifled a giggle and spun around again, stopping in a pair of small shorts and a tight top. He laughed and twisted to look at the way the fabric stretched taut over his rump. He lay on his side on the bed, propped himself up on an elbow, and stuck a finger in his mouth with an innocent expression on his face.

Geoff shook his head and walked out the door, Faelen followed him, trying not to laugh. Nicholas whimpered and tried to keep up as he pulled on his clothes, an eager note to his voice, "So, um, Faelen, do you have anything like that? Can I see you wear it sometime?"

Faelen kept his ears from flattening, "I probably have something like that back home. I'm sure there are some shorts I used to wear when I was fourteen that'd fit like the ones Micah was wearing, but they'd just look silly on me."

Nicholas looked annoyed, "No!" He stumbled as he pulled his shirt on, "Not that! The leather! Dirk has some, but I haven't seen him wear it, and people say you look good in it, so I thought you, maybe, might have some, too? I was thinking of getting some, so I wanted to see how it looked on you."

Faelen hid his amusement and annoyance, he really didn't want to get into that scene, "No, Nick, I don't. I don't plan on getting any, either. That's Da's scene; I don't like dominating people or inflicting pain, even consensually. I can do it on occasion, but it's really not my thing. I think only one of Liam's lives liked it, too."

He could smell the sharp disappointment, like a very strong vinegar, but Nick only answered a quiet, "Oh." Faelen's insides clenched, he'd really hurt Geoff, and now Nicholas, but how could he avoid it? Geoff needed to know the truth, and the same for Nicholas. He couldn't be what either of them wanted, but at least Nick was honest about it. He doubted Geoff even knew he still had a crush on his servant. His brow furrowed slightly. After this long, was it actually a crush or was it an intense, and now buried, love? If it was more than an infatuation that'd go away in time, what could he do about it? What could anyone do, even Geoff?

They walked into the kitchen, Nathanial's homework was spread out on one of the counters, while Garret sat on one of the stools. Nathanial was in the cooking area fixing dinner, he said something in French, but Garret said something before anyone could answer. Nathanial blushed, "Pardon," He repeated it, Garret nodded, and Nathanial said, "Hi, I just added some extra food; I'm making enchiladas, Spanish rice, vegetable tacos, a spinach salad with a spicy vinaigrette, and virgin margaritas." He held a paw up, "I know, I know. It's surprising to think that there'd be anything 'virgin' in this house, all things considered, but I mean there's no alcohol in them. I had some extra enchilada's made for lunches tomorrow, but I can fix something else after Ella's pending lecture."

Garret sat up at the mention of her name, but turned to Geoff and Faelen first, "Hi, boys." He turned back to Nathanial, "Ella's coming over? You could've mentioned that earlier! I better go change." He was in his typical jeans and a tight t-shirt.

Nathanial put his paw on his father's, "Why? I don't think you need to change. You're smoking hot as you are."

Garret smelt very uncomfortable and his eyes flicked down to Nathanial's paw, but outwardly he seemed calm and patted his son's paw with his free one. "Still, I'd prefer to look a little nicer. Why is she coming over? You were also saying you had an interesting day with Sgt. Heimdolf?"

Nathanial smiled and his pencil began writing in one of his scribblers. He moved over to the stove and stirred the rice, "That's a tale to tell, Dad. Let's just say it was an interesting day, even by September's standards. Is anyone else coming over? I was going to tell it over supper, or wait until Ella was here, she'd probably find it interesting, too. Um, Liam needs to hear about it, it involves the Grand Inquisitor."

The tension had continued to intensify after the initial sharp spike following the 'September's standards' line, but the final two words made Faelen sneeze from the scents pouring off everyone. He was just glad Liam wasn't here. Geoff sounded cautious, "How many? Why?"

Nathanial's eyes gleamed mischievously, "Now, that'd spoil the story. Shame, shame."

Garret growled, "Nathanial. This isn't funny, and it's not a joking matter. How many people did you kill?"

There was a brief flicker of pain in Nathanial's eyes and in his scent before a tempered humour returned. He smiled a little shamefacedly, "None. I did it, well, I barely did anything. We didn't kill anyone, and it wasn't about me, this time. I just stumbled on it. On a related topic, Naomi, Lily's sister, will be coming over for supper at some point, soon."

Nicholas tipped his head to the side, "The pauper sister? The fox at the funeral with the off the rack suit? Why? She didn't say more than two words to Mike or me. It looked like she blew you off too, Nats. In the figurative sense." Micah came up the stairs wearing cargo pants and a baggy sweatshirt, it looked like something Gwen would wear.

"I ran into her today and invited her over. She is our aunt, no matter what the rest of her family is like."

Faelen frowned as he said, "You were job shadowing a police officer in the murder investigations department. How could you 'run into' your aunt? Was she a cadaver or moonlighting as an employee at a morgue? Did the Knights have her hostage? Or did she join them?" There was obviously something more to this. How could Nathanial, even shadowing a Knight, get into something involving the Grand Inquisitor and have the 'interesting' factor rival his fight with Gordon? And how could his aunt be involved in a way that he'd want to invite her over for supper afterwards?

Nathanial smiled and teasingly said, "Nope! Not saying, you just have to wait!" He said 'wait' in a sing-song tone. He pulled the rice off the stove, then hummed as he began preparing everything to be moved to the table. "Micah, the cutlery. Nick, the plates." He quickly floated everything over while he made what looked more like fruit smoothies than actual alcohol-free margaritas. He winked at Geoff, "Yeah, not really margaritas. My brothers thought the idea sounded really good, but margarita mixes have way too much sugar."

Geoff looked thoughtful, "How's about we wait until after supper? Your dinnertime stories seem to have a habit of sparking fights or lost appetites. Faelen and I just had tea less than an hour ago, but I wouldn't mind a snack. I'll skip the enchiladas, so you don't have to make more food." He smiled evilly, Faelen noticed Geoff's eyes flicked over to him before adding, "In return for sparing you the work, I get a kiss as soon as your father leaves the room."

Garret stood up, "Well, looks like supper is on the table, better go sit down." He chuckled, "Thanks for the warning." He hastily walked off to the dining room.

Nathanial smiled, and called after him, "Ella's at the front door." He held his arms out for Geoff, who quickly walked around the island, "This sounds like more than a fair trade, to me." Geoff pulled him close and gave him a very long kiss.

Faelen figured it'd be long so he pulled out his phone, and glanced at it, wondering if he should phone Liam. He went to dial twice, but stopped himself each time, and instead looked over Nathanial's chemistry homework. After six minutes Nicholas called out from the dining room, "O-kay, guys! I'm hungry! You can, um, do that later."

Nathanial stepped back, panting, "Um, wow. What brought that on?"

Geoff pulled Nathanial close, again, and looked deep into his eyes, "I love you. I'm deeply in love with you, pup. Please, try to stay safe and don't go looking for trouble. I don't want to lose you."

Nathanial blushed deeply and cuddled into Geoff's chest, "I'm sorry if I scared you. I was careful. Oh, Liam's here, too." Another drink was mixed up, "Nick, set another place, please! Sensei is here!" He touched his nose to Geoff's , "I love you, too, but we should go let them eat. Along with Dad returning, you must be the best thing that has happened to me since Micah was born. I'm so lucky to have you." Faelen could see Nathanial's eyes misting up as he gazed into Geoff's.

---

It was after supper when everyone settled in the sitting room, Nathanial had cuddled into Geoff as he told them about his day. Liam decided to remain for supper; upon his receipt of Ella's message requesting his presence at Nathanial's, Liam had phoned his father informing him of the further change of plans. He disliked missing meals at home, he suspected his father was missing his company, yet the logical course of action was to dine with Nathanial, should he be invited. If not, he could have leftovers upon his return. It would be unfair to have his father wait for a meal that would not be shared. Upon his arrival, he was greeted and brought to the dining room to join in a meal that was about to commence. Now, after supper, Ella had insisted on hearing Nathanial's story first, after hearing tidbits of it. Liam was sitting next to Faelen, holding paws, when Nathanial had mentioned the rumours indicating the Grand Inquisitor, himself, was behind the attacks on Nathanial. This was added after he had relayed the entirety of the hostage situation. Everyone but Ella and Garret looked at him, waiting for some sort of reaction, but Liam made a point of showing nothing, just to irk them. After several seconds of them staring at him, he said in a completely neutral tone, "Shocking." They seemed surprised, so he continued as he began to enjoy this, "No, really." He separated each syllable, but kept it all monotone and flat, "I am so sur-prise-d." Faelen seemed a little taken aback by his lack of reaction, but amused by the whole thing at the same time. Even Ella, who did not know the entirety of the situation, was unsure how to respond. Liam arched an eyebrow, "What? What do you want me to do? Yell? Scream? Vow to hunt him for eternity seeking revenge? Whimper and cry?" He snorted, "I will not discuss such things at this time." He glanced at Ella and his friends caught the gesture.

Unfortunately, so did Ella, "What are you, Sensei? You have some experience with the leader of the Knights Templar, obviously, yet you've never left Nova Scotia. You have far too many skills and talents for a fourteen year old." She shrugged, "Okay, so I've done some unofficial digging. However improbable it seems, the most reasonable explanation is that you're an Ancient One. The Society has only confirmed two cases of chronic reincarnation like that, but there are rumours of twelve cases in total. The few Christian Mages involved in the research claim that's proof Ancient Ones are, you are, actually the twelve disciples of Jesus. Now, I'm not here on business, and it isn't my job to keep tabs on suspected Old Souls, so this won't enter any reports, anywhere. I think Jay would like to know, though. He really seems to have a soft spot for you."

Liam grimaced, there was no point in attempting to deny it, "He most likely would wish to know, then he would likely wish to dissect me to see how I work." He shook his head, "That is unfair, but we have very good reason to seek to hide from you, Agent. The few Ancient Ones uncovered by you have suffered greatly until they were permitted to die; that suffering still affected one I knew in my most recent life, two hundred years after the events took place. No, I am not a 'disciple', I was only in Jerusalem once, and that was a few centuries after the supposed events took place. As for the Inquisitor, we have some history, and I wish to remove him from this existence. Nathanial's revelations, rumoured revelations, change nothing, nor is it much of a surprise. The removal of magic must be one of very few ways for us to die, permanently; if one such as I wished to end their existence, and in a 'glorious' fashion, this is it. He despises magic and the gods; to destroy them while ending his cursed existence is likely the one thing keeping him from total despair." Liam rubbed his muzzle, "This is, of course, speculation. I have not spoken to him in a long time, nor have our conversations been... civil for over a millennium. If ever." Liam did not enjoy this topic, so he said, "Now, you wished for me to be here, Agent, to speak to Nathanial on some matter." He put a paw to his head, his medication and low chi were starting to affect him, again.

Faelen noticed right away, "What's wrong? Why does your head hurt? Low chi?"

Liam was tempted to smack him, why must he ask such things with everyone present? Yet everyone waited for an answer, "Yes, low chi. Now, Agent Ella, your answer?"

Nathanial perked up in concern, "Why?" He caught Liam's look, "Oh, uh, Ella, why did you want to talk to me?"

Ella glanced at Liam and Nathanial before shaking her head, "After all this, is doesn't seem so urgent, but at the same time it's more urgent. Don't go out looking for those bodies, please."

Garret sat up in his chair, "What? Why the hells would you go look, as in by yourself? That's a job for the police, or the Agents. I can see wanting to help, but it's been a month! Hades damn them, they were Hunters! They killed Lily! I feel sorry for their families, but they don't deserve last rights. Let them rot wherever they lay!" Garret was shaking with emotion by the end, Ella moved over to sit on the arm of his chair and wrapped her arm around him, holding him close.

Nathanial looked very guilty, but Liam spoke first, "Mr. Marks, last rights are not about mercy, they are about allowing a soul to pass on to whatever fate they chose. It is for Hades and his judges to determine what happens then, it is our duty, as those left behind, to ensure they are able to reach the Underworld. To deny them this, when it is in our power to provide it, is something Hades does not tolerate. Enemy or friend, it does not matter. I will go with you, Nathanial, and provide whatever help I can."

Ella sat up, unknowingly holding a not-unhappy Garret's head to her chest, and exclaimed, "What!? I wanted you guys here to help me talk him out of this! I promised I'd go find them for him. Do you know what happens to a body after being in the water for a month? He's been through too much already, don't put more on him!"

Liam gave her a flat look, "Yet you had a month to look for them. You have failed in your duties as a Hellenist, and must give your apologies to Hades and Hermes. I am very well aware of what occurs to bodies over time, I am a healer and I was a priest of Hades. Should one seek to bring peace to the dead and let them pass on, I shall provide aid. Do not seek to dissuade me."

Ella's voice shook as she spoke, hearing that he was a priest of Hades had scared her, and she bowed her head to avoid his eyes, "I'm sorry. I've offended Hades, Lord of the Underworld, and Hermes, The Messenger and Guide. How can I make amends?"

Liam felt Timeus stirring, but kept him locked up. He really didn't need to lose that much chi on top of his already weakened state. He pressed a paw to his temple as a sharp bolt of pain arced through his head, "Go buy the copper coins necessary for the rights, four torches, a bundle of feathers, a small wooden statue of Kerberos, and twelve sticks of incense. Prepare what you must on your end, as an Agent, then bring me the items to bless. I must leave for Ireland tomorrow, so the bodies must be retrieved tonight." Ella nodded. Liam nodded in return and raised a paw in blessing, "Go, servant of the gods, and act with wisdom and humility." He could see expressions of disbelief on everyone but Ella's face. Ella got up, and walked out with her head bowed.

Garret shook his head, "That's that. After Lily, I'll never go for the religious type, again. No matter the religion."

Liam smiled, grimly, "So, you would be dismissive should I warn you of Hera's displeasure? Perhaps Hestia is a goddess you do not mind having as foe? I note that Aphrodite has forsaken you, but that is of no concern, I trust?" Garret paled more after each name, Liam's smile turned into a slight scowl, "Shall I continue, oh faithless one?"

"Um, should I go help Ella?" Garret shifted uncomfortably in his chair, he glanced at Liam's paws, probably remembering the fires he'd summoned.

"No. That is her duty. Continue as you are to regain Hera and Hestia's favour. I am, was, a priest of Hades and blessed of Apollo, the other gods pay me little mind. You would do better going to a temple and making an offering for the blessings of the others." He sighed and rubbed his forehead.

Faelen held him close, "What happened this afternoon? Why did you use so much chi? What made you so angry, twice? You were supposed to go to Kung Fu, why did you go to the school office, instead?"

Liam leaned into his boyfriend's side, taking in his scent, "I have a new patient, one that will require much aid. I do not discuss matters relating to patients, though I may need Nathanial's assistance in making medication." He sighed, "And if I am to go out tonight, I need chi. Chi, rest, and homework, are the three priorities, in that order. Oh, as a note, I will be conducting an art auction in a month's time, for seven pieces of my art. Mrs. Davis requested that the high school be involved with the event, so I may ask for your help. I will mention it to the Alpha on Saturday, I have painted a few pictures that his predecessor valued." He tapped his muzzle, "Perhaps I will also place a call to the British Museum, no, they do not know who I am. There are many groups who enjoyed my previous lives' works that are unaware of their origin. Pity. Regardless, I am not out to solve problems, merely to fulfill my end of a bargain. I do hope to draw in at least two hundred thousand." Liam stopped himself with a snort, "Nonsense, vanity does not become me. I apologise for my unseemly display." He lowered his head in shame, then looked at Nathanial, "Now, Nathanial, may I have some Dark energy?"