Learning To Fly – Chapter three

Nearly a month had passed, and Keith and Lance had grown closer with each passing day. And both had decided their relationship reached the 'meeting the family' stage…or at least 'meeting the brother' stage.

Keith had stayed after class for a few minutes to ask the professor a few questions, while Lance had waited out in the hallway by a window that looked out across the track field. When Keith came out of the room he saw that Lance wasn't looking. A wicked grin crossed his face. He ran up behind Lance and grabbed Lance by the shoulder, practically jumping onto Lance's back, though not hitting with enough force to make Lance lose his balance…just enough to surprise him.

Lance nearly jumped out of his skin! "SHIT! Damnit Keith! I told you not to drink that chocolate milk at lunch!"

Keith laughed and squeezed Lance a little tighter before finally letting go. "Who says it has anything to do with the chocolate milk?" He questioned, a mischievous sparkle in his black eyes.

"Oh, dear. Not in the hallway mister!" Lance rolled his eyes, laughing as he placed a quick peck on Keith's cheek. He just couldn't get over the fact at how comfortable and more open Keith was becoming. It was like Keith was finally starting to bloom. Even the students and staff were starting to notice. Some were actually talking and being friendly to Keith. Lance was still getting suspicious looks from everyone, but he didn't care. Just seeing Keith happy was worth it. Besides the expression on James Masteron's face when Keith pinned him in less than thirty seconds during combat training was priceless!

"Aw, c'mon…with you standing there looking so cute, how could I not want to jump your bones." Keith said, with laughter in his voice.

Lance turned bright red. Laughing, he shook his head as he slapped Keith's butt. "Get your cute ass moving! Pidge is waiting for us."

"Do you really think my ass is cute?" Keith questioned, batting his eyes at Lance in a playful flirt.

"Any cuter and it would be deadly!" Lance smirked as he whispered in Keith's ear.

Keith's cheeks turned at least three shades of red. "Um…you're right we need to get going…"

Lance chuckled as he brushed his lips on Keith's. "Pity. Oh, well..." Smirking at the expression on Keith's face, he grabbed Keith's hand and practically dragged him out of the building.

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Pidge looked up from his perch on the arm of the chair beside Hunk when he heard the door open, seeing Lance come in with Keith a couple steps behind him.

"About time you got here. I was about ready to send out a search party."

Lance stuck his tongue out at Pidge. "Ha ha ha. Very funny." He turned to Keith. "You are in luck. Pidge is in 'comedian mode' tonight." Keith smiled slightly, though he looked even more nervous than he had just a few minutes ago.

Pidge raised one eyebrow slightly when Hunk poked him in the ribs, making a silent comment to his lover. "Dinner should be ready in about thirty minutes, until then we can…talk."

"As long as it is not computer dynamics." Lance laughed. He could tell that Keith was nervous so he pulled Keith towards the couch, sitting Keith close to his side and not letting go of his hand.

"Now who's being the comedian?" Pidge questioned.

Hunk watched Keith closely, watching how the quiet man seemed to cling to Lance. He thought now more then ever that he was right and Lance was wrong. And decided that tonight would be the night to prove it. "What do you think we should talk about?" He directed the question at Keith.

Keith shrugged. "Whatever." He mumbled. He wished this dinner had only been himself, Lance, and Pidge. He kind of knew Hunk from before, as Hunk had hung out with a group of kids who were real trouble makers, at least when it came to giving him a hard time.

Pidge smiled reassuringly. "Well, this is Lance's and my first year. How long have you been attending the academy, Keith?"

"First year of taking a full schedule. I just took a few courses over the past couple of years."

Lance gave Keith's hand a reassuring squeeze. "That explains how you know the area so well and still in classes with me."

"Why did you only take a few courses at first?" Hunk asked.

"They were all just extra circular courses that I was taking along with my regular schooling." Keith replied.

"Kewl!" Pidge grin turned mischievous. "Oh, I forgot to thank you for culturing Lance. I had almost given up hope on him."

Lance sputtered. "HEY!"

Keith laughed at Lance's expense, visibly relaxing…at least a little bit. "He still has a long way to go. It's a hard job, but someone's got to do it."

"Tell me about it!" Pidge rolled his eyes.

Lance glared at the two of them. "Boy are you two asking for it!"

"They were all just extra circular courses that I was taking along with my regular schooling." Keith replied. "Nothing much, just weapons training."

"Oh? I wouldn't have thought you knew much about weapons combat, surprised you have had years of training." Hunk commented.

"And why's that?" Keith asked.

Hunk shrugged slightly. "Never figured you for a fighter. Seemed Sven did more of that."

"Weapons combat doesn't exactly have anything to do with a person being a fighter or not. It has a lot more to do with skill." Keith said.

"Still, it takes a fighting spirit." Hunk said.

Lance wanted to strangle Hunk. He knew exactly what Hunk was trying to do. 'Well, Hunk is in for a BIG surprise!' He smiled calmly at Hunk. "Actually, it requires more brains than brawn."

"Anyone can point a gun and shoot it. That don't exactly take brains." Hunk said.

"True. Anyone can shoot a gun, but not many can hit what they are shooting at. Nor know much about strategy." Keith said, looking at Hunk with hard black eyes, almost challenging the larger man. "And there are many more weapons then just a gun to do battle with."

Hunk rolled his eyes. "I still say it all takes a lot of fighting spirit to be able to do any kind of combat. And I just never figured you for that type."

"Oh why's that? Because I didn't shoot every loud mouth asshole that ever bothered me right between the eyes. The population of this school would be quite minimal if that were the case. Wouldn't you agree?"

Hunk's eyes widened slightly and he really wasn't sure how to respond, though he got the implication of Keith's question loud and clear.

Lance was almost choking, trying so hard not to laugh. When he looked at Pidge's confused face, he almost lost it! Pidge could tell that something was going on, but he couldn't figure out what. And Lance loved the expression Hunk's face!

"Um…did I miss something?" Pidge asked. He had the feeling he was the only one who didn't have the slightest idea what was going on…or about what Hunk and Keith had been talking about.

Lance snickered as he gave Keith's hand a hard squeeze. "Nothing at all. Is dinner almost ready?"

"Probably." Pidge said. "I'll go check it."

Keith looked at Lance. "I hope your brother is a better cook then mine."

"Pidge is a wonderful cook! Hell of a lot better than me!" Lance laughed.

Hunk coughed. "Let me help you."

Lance snickered as Hunk followed Pidge out. He leaned close to Keith so he could whisper in Keith's ear. "Ya are doing great! I see the tiger is finally coming out!"

"I think that was more just nervousness."

"Nope! Not at all!" Lance smiled as he kissed Keith's check. "Only you can prove them wrong, Tiger."

Pidge's head popped around the corner. "Dinner's ready if you care to join us. Or are you two already eating?"

"That's more dessert." Keith whispered to Lance. He stood up and pulled Lance to his feet, his fingers still entwined with Lance's.

Pidge smirked as Lance turned red. "I don't want to know!"

"Oh, just shut up and let's eat!" Lance sputtered as he pulled a smirking Keith toward the dining table.

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Later in the week Keith and Lance were enjoying one of the last nice days of fall by eating lunch outside. They had finished eating and Lance was leaning against a tree while Keith read the chapter out loud that they needed to study for the test they had the next period. He kept stopping to just stare at Lance to be sure the other man was actually listening. Which Lance wasn't, he was mostly staring off into space.

"You could at least pretend to be listening." Keith said, closing the book.

"Huh? Oops. Sorry about that." Lance said sheepishly as he stopped playing with the charm on his necklace.

"I said, you could at least pretend to be listening. I know for a fact that you don't remember all this stuff…anymore then I do." Keith said. He reached out and took the charm into his own fingers, gently playing with it as he looked it over and admiring the detail of the eagle. The eagle's wings were spread, and the detail was so lifelike that it looked as though it could actually fly. The gold sparkled in the sun, seeming to only add more life to the eagle. "I've never seen you not wearing this. Where did you get it?"

Lance smiled broadly, his eyes distant for a moment. "My mother gave it to me. It took her months to save up the money for it! She knew it was my dream to fly so she gave it to me to not be afraid to 'spread my wings and soar'."

"It's really beautiful." Keith said. He let go of the charm and brushed his fingers across Lance's cheek. He could see the distance in those soft brown eyes, a hint of pain that he could understand and a pain that he couldn't decipher. "You know if you ever want to talk about it, I will always be there to listen."

Lance blinked his eyes, like he was coming out of a trace. He stared at Keith for a moment before shrugging his shoulders. "There is really not much to talk about. It is similar to all the stories on the streets. You have probably heard them all anyway."

Keith moved closer to Lance; he kept his fingers against Lance's cheek, offering comfort. "I haven't heard any tales. But, I would like it if you told me the truth." Keith smiled. "I know how hard it can be to talk, but it does help to talk…"

"I...I've never talked about it. I just...just accepted it and moved on." Lance bit his lower lip. "It may take awhile...I don't know. Besides, we can't miss the test next period..."

"We're both going to fail that test anyway, so let's just skip it." Keith said with a shrug. After all he had far more important things to worry about now then a stupid test. "You can take as long as you need." He told Lance again.

Lance glanced around nervously. No one was in sight, mainly because students rarely used the area they were sitting in. Most preferred to stay indoors in the air conditioning. Sighing, he relaxed...sort of. "I...I'm not sure where to begin..."

"Just start at the beginning… " Keith smiled at Lance, hoping to try to get Lance to relax a little more.

"My mother's name was Laura...she was a teenage prostitute, working one of the streets in this city. She ran away from home when she was thirteen...the abuse from her parents got to be too much." Lance paused as he fidgeted with his hands.

Not knowing what to say, Keith gently took one of Lance's hands into his, squeezing it lightly.

Lance smiled shakily at Keith as he continued. "She was gorgeous with flowing brown hair and velvet brown eyes...and very compassionate. She really didn't belong on the streets. But it was her good and gentle traits that made her so popular to the customers."

"She was always careful, but somehow she got pregnant with me. She was only fifteen. My mother never knew how...so I have no clue who my father is. Everyone told her to have an abortion, or give me up for adoption." Lance laughed quietly. "She refused to listen. My mother was always stubborn as hell. Guess that's where I get it from."

"You also got her beauty and her compassion." Keith said.

Lance blushed. "Well...she was more than my mother. She was my best friend. She would work long hours at night so that she could spend the days with me. My mother made sure that I was never alone at night. She would always leave me with friends. The streets were not safe for kids to walk alone during the day or night...prostitutes are not the only ones used for sex."

"It never bothered me what my mother did for a living. It was just a job to me." Lance's face darkened. "It was when I was seven that I noticed that my mother would sometimes come home from work limping or with bruises on her face. She always said it was nothing, but growing up out there I knew better." He growled as he stared off into the distance. "I vowed then to protect her from those bastards! She was my light...my world...and I refused to let anyone tarnish her."

Keith wasn't sure how to respond. He always knew the world could be a cruel place, but there were some cruelties that he was still very naïve about and only recently had begun to see existed. "I'm sorry." Keith said sincerely as he lightly squeezed Lance's hand.

"Thanks." Lance smiled sadly at Keith, before staring off into space again. "I would wait until she would leave for work before sneaking off to follow her. Then I would find a way to follow her to each 'assignment'. Most of the time, the customers were very gentle. They just wanted quick sex. It was the others..." Lance growled as his eyes flashed in anger. "I would always wait near a window or door and listen for the sounds of slapping or my mother crying. Then I would make lots of noise. I even got really good at imitating a police siren!"

Lance laughed bitterly. "Bullies are extremely cowardly. The noise I made was enough to scare them away or distract them enough for my mother to escape." He shook his head in wonder. "I always made sure that I got home before my mother. Yet, she would always come in and wake me up to give me a huge hug and tell me how much she loved me. Somehow, I think she knew."

"She probably did…mothers always seem to know." Keith said. "She probably knew that you were the white knight that always helped her." Keith gently caressed Lance's cheek again, comfortingly. He wasn't really sure of what to say and hoped that the things he was saying helped to even comfort Lance slightly.

Lance leaned into Keith, only to jerk back when the bell rang. "Um...I guess we better go..."

Keith slipped an arm around Lance, pulling him back closer. "We can…we are going to stay here though. We can stay here for however long it takes. I have nowhere more important to be then here with you."

Lance smiled up at Keith. He pulled back slightly to remove his wallet from his back pocket. As he leaned back into Keith, Lance pulled out a picture from his wallet. The picture was wrinkled from years of handling. The picture showed a beautiful woman barely twenty-five with her arms wrapped around a skinny ten year old boy. Both were dressed in torn second hand clothes, but they didn't seem to mind. They were grinning happily and laughing in each other's arms.

"I...I wish you could have met her. She was wonderful! I know she would have liked you." Lance whispered hoarsely.

"She was very beautiful." Keith said. "You definitely take after her."

Lance just stared sadly at the photograph. "A friend took this picture of us before we left for a picnic in the park. It was the day she...she was killed."

Keith hugged Lance tightly for a moment. He didn't know what to say...the only thing he could think of sounded stupid, but he said it anyway. "I'm sorry."

Lance didn't know what to do. He never even cried when his mother died. He just refused to talk about it, burying it deep inside. For some reason in Keith's arms, he could feel the tears forming in his eyes as the pain returned full force. Lance was scared to say more...scared that Keith would laugh or run. "I...I don't think I...I should do this..."

Keith gently stroked Lance's back in a soothing, comforting motion. "What don't you think you should do? Talk? I think that you really need to talk to someone about this… and I want to be that someone." Keith told him. "I know it's hard to talk about it, and it does help…even if it don't seem like it at the time."

Lance sat silently for a moment, leaning his head against Keith's shoulder trying to regain control. Taking a few deep breaths, he continued. "Prostitutes are required to 'pay rent' to the 'owners' of the streets that they work on. The street that my mother worked on was 'owned' by two brothers. My mother and I were playing tag in the park, when one of the brothers walked up and grabbed my mother roughly by the arm. He...he was drunk, and yelled at her about wasting her time with me...that I...I should be working with her at night."

Keith had no idea what to say; he prayed that Lance hadn't been forced to work for the cretin but was too worried to voice the fear…worried Lance might take it the wrong way. He did all he could think of, he hugged Lance and kissed his forehead.

"My mother...she was furious! She pulled me behind her, yelling every obscenity in the book at the man. He...he slapped her hard before violently shoving her to the ground. Before I could do anything, he...he shoved me to the ground, pounding me into it as he straddled me, yanking at my clothes." Lance lost control of his tears as the memories of the pain and terror hit him full force. "I couldn't...My head hurt so much! I...I heard my mother screaming for him to stop as she jumped on his back, pounding him! I remember seeing him...pull out a knife as he threw her off...but nothing else."

Keith could feel tears streaking his cheeks as he held Lance even closer. He wanted now, more then ever, to hold Lance close and never let him go – to keep Lance safe from his past. To protect Lance from any demon from the past that dared to rear its ugly head at him ever again. He gently stroked Lance's back, unable to find the words to say; he prayed his actions would be enough.

Lance cried harder as Keith pulled him closer. The tears just wouldn't be held back anymore. He could barely finish his story. "When...when I woke up, one of my mother's friends was with me in the hospital. She...she told me that my mother killed the...the bastard, but she...she died from blood loss getting me to the hospital." He clutched Keith tighter. "I...I failed her! I couldn't...couldn't protect her!"

"You did everything you could." Keith said. "You were only ten, there was no way you could've stopped him."

"No! I should have paid more attention...moved faster...never let him grab me..." Lance continued to mumble things he should have done.

"Sh, what happened wasn't your fault, love." Keith said, his voice was firm, but still filled with kindness and concern. "You did everything that you could, and you can't blame yourself." Keith kissed Lance's forehead. "Your mother wouldn't want you to blame yourself. All you can do now is live the life that she always wanted to give you…become what she knew you were capable of…"

Lance couldn't say anything as he continued to cry in Keith's arms. Time passed as years of bottled up pain slowly spilled out of him. When he could finally speak again, his voice was hoarse. "I...I lived with my mother's friends until I got better. But I couldn't stay with them. They worked the same street as my mother did...the other brother blamed me for everything that happened. To stay would have only hurt the others that I cared for...like my mother."

Lance took a deep, shaky breath. "So, I moved away and lived with other kids on the street. I would make friends and stay with them when I could. Otherwise I lived wherever I could find shelter. I would pick pockets whenever I needed money or steal when I had to. I hated it, but I had no choice. I refused to deal drugs or do prostitution. The only consistency I had was school, and even that was as dangerous as the streets. The only reason I stayed in school was because it was one of the things my mother insisted that I do. I did that for five years...then I bumped into Pidge."

Keith thought compared to Lance's life his own life seemed like a pleasure cruise. "How did you…bump into Pidge?"

Lance laughed. "Pidge got separated from his parents. However instead of being smart and staying in one spot or going into a store for help, his curiosity got the better of him and he started to wander around looking for them. I was also wandering around when I stumbled on Pidge facing off three gangsters."

"Pidge has lots of spunk! By the time we were done, those three punks were running scared! I knew our luck wouldn't last forever, so I offered to help him find his parents." Lance shook his head. "Luckily, he remembered what hotel they were staying in...he just forgot to mention that it was twenty miles away!"

Keith chuckled. Lance seemed to have a knack for saving people from the troubles they found themselves in. "How'd the two of you manage to make it the twenty miles?"

Lance groaned. "Pidge didn't! I had to carry him on my back! By the time we got there, he was fast asleep and I was exhausted! Fortunately, Pidge's parents were in the lobby talking to a police officer. They rushed over and took Pidge off my hands...er...back."

"Well, since the two of you are like brothers now, I know the story didn't end there."

"The officer was giving me problems. He thought I had hurt Pidge or something. Fortunately Pidge woke up and backed me up...as well as his parents." Lance sighed. "When the officer finally left, they offered to let me stay the night. Normally, I wouldn't have stayed with strangers, but I was so tired. The temptation of a warm bed and shower was just too much. Besides...I had never stayed in a five star hotel before. I figured it would be fun. And that I could maybe find something of value to paun." Lance grinned sheepishly.

"Guess it turned into more then just an overnight stay." Keith laughed.

Lance laughed. "I am not sure exactly how...but it did! Every time I tried to leave, one of them would latch onto me and guide me somewhere else...to watch TV...eat...go shopping...help out with something. It was always something different. They confused the hell out of me! I had no clue what was going on!"

"Pidge was the worst. He was always with me. Finally, his parents asked me to stay. They were moving to the city and would love to have me live with them. At first I refused. I...I didn't want them to get...hurt...because of me." Lance became silent for a moment, before continuing. "Pidge just clung to me. Then he turned those damn sad puppy dog eyes on me!" He groaned as he covered his eyes. "I lost! Those things are just pure evil!"

Keith laughed. "I guess I will have to thank him for that."

Lance smiled weakly. "They have been great to me. Especially Pidge. They don't care about who I am or where I come from. They are really very wonderful people. But..." He stared down at the photo in his hands, a few tears falling down his face.

Keith gently wiped the tears from Lance's cheeks with his fingertips, before leaning in closer and kissing each cheek.

"I...I still miss her. Not a day goes by that I...I don't think of her." Lance gently fingered the necklace. "This and the picture are all...all that I have left of her. My light is gone...forever."

"No, not gone. She will always be in here…" Keith placed his hand over Lance's heart. "That light will always live on inside of you."

Lance stared down where Keith's hand was on his chest. Placing his own hand on top of Keith's, he looked into Keith's eyes. "Do...do you really think so?"

Keith smiled. "Of course. That kind of light is the kind that can't be extinguished. She will always be with you in spirit just as my parents are always with me."

Lance stared a moment longer at the picture before putting it away so he could lean against Keith's chest and rest his head on Keith's shoulder. "I...I know we should go to class...but can we stay here a little longer?"

"We can stay here for as long as you want." Keith said, wrapping his arms around Lance and holding him close.

"Thanks. And thanks for listening. I have never told anyone before." Lance leaned into Keith's embrace, wrapping his own arms around him. "Do...do you really think I...I look like her?"

"Of course, you do. You are just as beautiful as her." Keith said. "You have her hair, her eyes...eyes that sparkle with the beauty of a soul that glows with a fiery spirit, bringing light and warmth to all it touches." Keith gently kissed Lance's lips. He leaned back against a tree, keeping Lance held close.

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About a week had past since they 'skipped' classes. Fortunately they didn't get into too much trouble, though Pidge still teased Lance about it. Lance and Keith had just finished their last class and were walking back to the dorms through the fallen leaves. Keith was so excited and talking so fast that Lance was having problems understanding what he was saying. Lance tilted his head as he stared at Keith a moment. "Slow down Speedy! You want to run that by me again?"

"Go to the FallFest...with you. It's been held every year for the past…50 years at least." Keith explained, more slowly though still with the same eagerness. "It's great. There are even fireworks each night…"

"Will there be lots of people there?" Lance asked nervously.

"Yeah, but…it'd be the perfect time for you to meet Sven. With LOTS of people around." Keith joked. He stepped in front of Lance, grabbing both of Lance's hands. Holding their hands up between them, Keith turned his best 'puppy dog eyes' on Lance. "Pleeeeeaaaaaase?"

"ACK! NO! NOT THOSE!" Lance laughed as he tried to pull his hands up over his eyes.

"Please?" Keith begged again, leaning in closer to Lance. "Pretty please…with sugar on top."

Lance chewed his lip for a moment. "Okay...for you. Just don't be surprised if I am kinda jumpy and tense."

Keith grinned brightly. "Thank you." Keith kissed Lance hard on the lips. "You'll see… it'll be great."

"I hate it when you do that! I just can't say no!" Lance smiled nervously. "So when are we going?"

"Saturday." Keith said. "You'll love it. It's so much fun. There's games and rides and COTTON CANDY!"

Lance paled. "Shit. That is JUST what I need. A boyfriend on a sugar rush!"

Keith's grin widened, his black eyes shined brightly. "You know that is the first time you have called me that."

"It is?" Lance's eyes widened in shock. "I have considered you my boyfriend since the first time I kissed you."

Keith finally released Lance's hands and slid his arms around Lance's neck, his face inches from Lance's. "And I have been in love with you from the first moment I meet you."

Lance smiled brightly as he wrapped his arms around Keith's waist, pulling him closer. "I'm just lucky that the gods let an angel get drunk. Loving one is heavenly."

Keith blushed. "Sweet talker." He teased lovingly.

"Not as sweet as you." Lance whispered before brushing his lips against Keith's.

"Have I told you today that I love you?" Keith asked, as he stared intently into Lance's eyes.

Lance smirked. "Oh, not in the last ten minutes...or was that me last time?"

"Well, I do love you. I love you more then words could ever say." Keith told him, finishing by brushing his lips over Lance's.

"I love you too. It has been a long time since I have felt so complete." Lance smiled sheepishly. "And thanks for putting up with all the shit that comes with me."

"Not like I don't come with my own problems." Keith smiled. "I never felt so alive until you came into my life."

"Ditto!" Lance laughed. "Um...but do I really have to meet your brother?"

"Yes…he keeps pointing out the fact that he hasn't even met you…So a nice public place should be the safest place…for everyone." Keith said, with a grin.

"Ya know, that is not exactly encouraging..." Lance mumbled.

"He's really not that dangerous…just…a little over protective." Keith said. "So we just hang with him and Jeff for a bit then take off on our own."

Lance smiled. "Good...don't want big brother watching me the entire time." He frowned slightly. "I'm still going to be nervous with so many people around."

"Yeah well I guess I have to make sure that you are having too much fun to notice all the other people."

"I hope so. Just make sure Sven isn't around." Lance laughed. "Just please be patient with me."

"Don't worry so much. It's going to be great."

"Just being with you is great. So tomorrow then...what time and where do we meet?"

"I'll just pick you up around...11:00 a.m."

"Great!" Lance smiled before placing a quick kiss on Keith's cheek. "Looking forward to it...even the scary Sven part." His voice dropped to a spooky tone with the last part.

"I'm glad to hear it." Keith laughed.

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The next morning Keith was awake bright and early, pacing around the dorm room until it was finally time to go get Lance.

Pidge opened the door and smiled. "Heya Keith! What's up?"

"Here to pick up Lance…I convinced him to go to the FallFest with me." Keith said with a grin.

Pidge's eyes were wide as saucers. "You are getting him into a crowded place? WOW! Damn ya are good! He usually avoids those like the plague! It was hell just trying to get him to go to the club with me!"

Keith shrugged. "Took a lot of convincing…besides it is safest for him to meet Sven in a public place." Keith grinned.

Pidge laughed. "Probably right! Just be ready for him to constantly be on his toes and glancing around. An old street habit." He turned and yelled to the side. "LANCE! GET YOUR ASS IN HERE! KEITHIE IS HERE!"

Keith rolled his eyes. "Don't tell me that he is still in bed, half pint."

Pidge stuck his tongue out at Keith. "Nope! One of his pilot magazines came in. He has been glued to it for over an hour! He is worse than some of the guys who are hooked on PlayBoy!"

"Well, maybe in a few hours he'll be able to set it down." Keith said, glancing at the clock on the wall.

"He may have actually fallen asleep. Some punks broke into old man Pete's grocery store yesterday down near the warehouse district on the south side of town. He's an old friend of Lance's. Lance was out most of last night helping Pete clean it up." Pidge smiled evilly. "Hold on and let me go check."

"I can go check." Keith said, wondering if after a late night that Lance wouldn't want to go to the FallFest...at least it would give him a good excuse to get out of it.

Pidge snickered. "Be my guest! This could be interesting!"

Keith went over to Lance's bedroom and peered into the room, seeing that Lance had in fact fallen asleep on the bed, the magazine discard on the nightstand. A wicked smile crossed Keith's lips before he made a dash towards the bed. "WAKEY WAKEY!" He yelled before jumping onto the bed, his arms straddling Lance and his face inches in front of Lance's.

Lance's scream was loud enough to wake the dead! His fright turned to shock as he gazed into endless black eyes. Shaking his head so he could think with his head instead of his lower anatomy, Lance growled. "DAMNIT KEITH! Ya scared the shit out of me! No cotton candy for you! You don't need any!"

Pidge was rolling on the floor laughing. "I LOVE IT! The look on your face Lance was priceless! What I wouldn't give for a camera!" He quickly jumped up and ran out of the room laughing when Lance shot him a death glare.

"Well, sleeping beauty, you were way too asleep for a kiss to wake you." Keith explained with a smile.

Lance quickly reached up and pulled Keith down into a very thorough kiss. He grinned wickedly at Keith's red face. "Well, it all depends on how you kiss."

"Yeah…well…I think jumping your bones is a lot more fun."

Lance laughed. "And you do that very well. While I like you sitting on top of me, we better get going." He leaned up and placed a quick kiss on Keith's lips. "Ya are so cute when you blush!"

Keith's blush darkened as he crawled off of Lance. "Yeah, we really do need to get going."

Lance got up and straightened himself up. "Okay, let's go." He held Keith's hand as he lead him out of the bedroom.

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It took them about an hour to reach the fairgrounds and another twenty minutes to actually find Sven and Jeff.

"There they are." Keith waved to them, grabbing Lance's hand and proceeding to drag him through the crowd.

Mentally, Lance groaned. He was hoping to get used to the area before bumping into Sven and Jeff. He was edgy enough looking out for pickpockets and other signs of possible trouble. Now he had 'meeting big brother' to add to it! 'Maybe I should have stayed in bed.'

Keith looked at Sven, trying to remind his brother that he promised to be nice.

"So… we meet again." Sven commented as he looked Lance over. "Been a while since that night at the club."

For Lance's credit, he maintained eye contact. "Yes it has...though we have never really met officially." He held out his hand. "Lance Braddock."

When Sven didn't immediately accept the greeting, Jeff poked him in the ribs. "Sven Van Hautten." He shook Lance's hand with a very firm gripped handshake.

'Joy. This is nice!' Lance didn't even flinch. "Nice to meet you." He smiled as he turned to shake hands with Jeff. "Haven't seen you in awhile."

"Nice to know that you've been taking care of yourself." Jeff said.

Sven frowned. "So, Lance…just what are your intentions towards my little brother?" He asked bluntly.

Keith's eyes widened slightly. "Sven!"

Sven didn't even look at Keith; he kept he's eyes on Lance, as he waited for the answer.

Lance's eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms across his chest. "And just what, pray tell, are you implying?"

Keith fidgeted nervously, wondering if this really had been such a good idea.

"I want to know how serious you are about this relationship...or if you just intend this to be some fling." Sven said.

"Ah...I see. Understandable." Lance's eyes never left Sven's. "As long as fate is willing or until Keith doesn't care for me anymore. Whichever comes first."

"You really are a master of vague answers, aren't you?" Sven questioned rhetorically, his eyes narrowed at Lance. "You just don't want to answer the question because you know that nobody here wants to hear the answer."

"Oh really? Don't be so sure." Lance grinned, though his eyes still burned. "It's not vague. I live life one day at a time. That is all I really have. I refuse to worry about the future when I can be with Keith now!" His smile turned scary as his hand absently toyed with his necklace. "I am not like some people who worry so much about the future that they forget the present and ignore what they treasure most until it is too late."

"Okay...you met. Now we are leaving." Keith said, not wanting to see any blood shed. He knew Sven looked ready to attack at any given minute…and so did Lance. The two men continued to glare at each other. "ENOUGH!"

Lance just shrugged, though his eyes never left Sven. "Fine with me. Whenever you want to leave Keith."

Sven opened his mouth to object but Keith cut him off. "Would the both of you knock off all this arguing?" Keith glared at both of them. "The two of you are way more alike then either of you is willing to admit. So knock off all the damn death glares and taunting!"

Lance couldn't help it...he burst out laughing. When he finally managed to regain control, everyone was looking at him strangely. He smirked. "Well, they do say that opposites attract and likes repel."

Glaring, Sven mumbled something in Swedish making Keith bristle. "HEY! My boyfriend is NOT insane." Keith said.

Lance's second set of laughter was interrupted when a small boy accidentally bumped into Sven. Lance caught the kid before he hit the ground. Lance snickered. "Are you okay?"

The boy smiled meekly. "Yes sir." He turned to Sven. "I am really sorry, sir."

"That's okay. Don't worry about it, kid." Sven said, smiling kindly at the boy.

Still snickering, Lance pulled the boy closer whispering something in the kid's ear. The boy's eyes widened till they were almost as large as saucers. Lance smiled at the kid. "Ya got that?"

"YES SIR!" The boy nodded his head rapidly before running away.

"Um, what did you say to him?" Keith asked curiously.

Lance shrugged as he stood back up. "Nothing too much. I just told him he better find another place to pickpocket. There are three undercover cops around us. I saw at least ten as we walked trying to find you two. He is not experienced enough to work here. His technique still needs work."

"What technique?" Keith asked worriedly, though he already suspected the answer.

"Takes one to know one I guess." Sven grumbled, understanding what had happened.

Keith glared at Sven. "That's not called for. Apologize."

Sven just continued to glare at Lance. "But I guess you've moved onto bigger game now, haven't you? Seduce the victim with promises of love. A batch of fancy words and a pretty little story…"

"Word of advice Sven...never judge a book by its cover. Each book has a story to tell...if you just take the time to read it. All that matters to me is what Keith thinks! I don't really give a shit if you bother to read it!" Lance tossed a leather object at Sven. "The kid's technique may have been sloppy, but he's still good. You really need to be more careful."

Sven checked his wallet to be sure all his money was there before tucking it in the inside pocket of his jacket. "All I care about is the truth and not what you make him think." Sven glared. "You want to give advice, well I'll give you some. If you ever hurt my brother I will take you apart a piece at a time."

"I understand why you want to protect Keith so much. And I don't blame you. But I will never intentionally hurt Keith!" Mentally, Lance was counting to ten. "I know you probably don't believe a thing I say, so how about I just leave. We can talk more later once we both have calmed down."

"Why, just to start a whole new fight next time?" Keith questioned angrily. "I came here today figuring we could all have a good time. I was an idiot to think the two of you might just possibly get along." Keith's black eyes were bright with tears. "Well, if you two want to kill each other, go right ahead. But, I'm not sticking around for the bloodshed." Keith turned and darted off into the crowd before either Lance or Sven had a chance to react.

"FUCK! KEITH! WAIT!" Lance yelled as he darted after Keith.

Sven cursed in Swedish and took off after the both of them, leaving poor Jeff standing there.

**********

Keith could run fast, but fortunately he was not as skilled as Lance when it came to running through crowds. Lance grabbed his arm, pulling Keith to a stop near the cotton candy booth. "Keith...please...I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I ruined everything for you."

Keith looked at Lance, a few tears streaking his cheeks and his whole body was trembling slightly. "I just wanted the two of you to meet…and get along…I love both of you and it hurts so much to stand there and listen to the two of you argue..."

Sighing, Lance wrapped his arms around Keith. "I know. And I'm sorry."

Keith shook his head and pulled away from Lance. "No, you're not."

"Keith...Yes I am sorry. I love you." Lance cupped Keith's face with his hands. "And don't be mad at Sven. He was actually polite back there. I just lost my temper again."

"We both did." Sven said as he came up behind Lance. He had seen the way Lance had been so gentle comforting Keith. It began to change his mind about the other man.

Lance smiled at Sven. "Maybe...but I am glad it happened." He turned back to Keith. "I want you to listen to me carefully...and give me an honest answer. Okay?"

"Yeah…okay." Keith replied quietly.

Lance smiled, praying he wasn't making a huge blunder. "I was right when I said that Sven was being polite back there. I have heard much, much worse. Chances are it will only get harder before it gets better. Can you handle it? Can you deal with hearing stuff a hundred times worse than what went on today? Because if you can't, then we need to end this now. I meant what I said when I said I would not hurt you. And if you can't deal with this, then it will be easier to end this now then later."

Sven just listened quietly. Lance's words had been enough to convince him that Lance was being sincere when he said he didn't want to hurt Keith...that the words were more then just pretty words.

"It's not so much the words as the two of you at each other's throats. Trying to taunt each other into a fight." Keith said. "My life hasn't exactly been sunshine and roses, ya know. I've heard worse then that before. I've learn to deal with it over time…and lately been learning a better way to deal with it, rather then hide from the world."

Lance smiled. "I know. And I am glad you are blooming." He sighed. "But I was also referring to the 'jumping on throats and taunting'. It's instinct, and I have a temper. If I had slept last night, who knows...I might have handled it better. I am working on it. But I still have a long way to go."

"I wasn't exactly helping matters." Sven said. "I admit I misjudged you, Lance." Sven looked at Keith. "I'm sorry for getting hostile but I was just trying to protect you."

Keith smiled at Sven. "I know, and I love you for that…but I know exactly what I got myself into." He looked at Lance. "Exactly what I have. I love you no matter what. But, you really should take your own advice. You have to prove people wrong too, and not just say 'Oh well' to all the nasty things they want to say about you…and that doesn't mean attacking everyone who says anything…it means proving how good you really all."

"Maybe...I'll see." Lance smiled though deep down he felt that Keith didn't understand. His mother did, but only because she also grew up with. Keith hadn't. And Lance wasn't sure if he could really ever explain it to him.

Keith frowned, finding it easy to read Lance's eyes. "Fine. Don't listen to me. Of course what the hell do I know, right? I grew up with money so I wouldn't know anything about your life." Keith pulled away from Lance. "I'm sure you can find a way home. If not you can get a ride from Sven, or I'll give you money to get a cab, but I am leaving now."

Lance jerked back like he was slapped. "FINE!" He growled. "I see you made your decision! Sorry that I can't break my fucking habits fast enough for you! Guess I'm not worth it so save your worthless money! I don't need it!"

"What the fuck do you know? I don't give a fuck about all your so-called habits. Nothing I say ever makes a difference to you…so I obviously don't mean that much to you… since nothing I ever say or do to try to help you ever matters." Keith's eyes were like two embers of burning coal as he glared at Lance. He spun on his heel and stormed off before Sven had a chance to stop him.

Lance growled and stormed off without a word.

************************************************************************

The campus grounds were nearly deserted when Keith arrived back. Almost everyone was at the FallFest. Keith walked along the path to the dorms, kicking the leaves that lay on the brick path.

He never saw the shadow following him until too late. A strong arm wrapped around his chest, pinning Keith's arms to his body while a hand with a foul smelling cloth clamped down on his mouth.

Keith tried to struggle, but couldn't break free from the tight grip. The chloroform soaked cloth quickly started to do its job and his whole body went limp as he gave into the darkness.

**********

The school's janitor glared at his unconscious prisoner tied to a wooden chair. This brat was just like all the other rich snobs on campus. Always teasing him for his work, messing up everything he did. They were always laughing and taunting at him, treating him as inferior and useless. Well finally after years of putting up with their attitudes, he was going to get his due.

"Wake up ya fucking brat!" His deep and hoarse voice bellowed, his hand striking his prisoner in the face.

Keith moaned as along with the return of consciousness came pain. He slowly opened his eyes, blinking against the semi-bright light in the room. He looked at the large man who stood before him. The man looked to be in his early forties, with salt & pepper hair. The man's body was toned with muscles that came from years of hard work. It took him a minute to place the man as one of the school's janitors. "What's going on?"

The janitor growled as he struck Keith in the face again. "What's going on is I am finally getting back for everything you measly brats have done to me!"

Keith flinched from the force of the blow, feeling a bruise already form on the side of his face. "I haven't done anything to you."

"Not yet...but you will! All of you do!" The janitor leaned forward and gripped Keith's chin, breathing on him. "And I have had it!"

Keith crinkled his nose at the strong smell of alcohol that could be smelled on the man's breath. "Let go of me." Keith said, trying to struggle from the other man's grip, but that only made the janitor's grip tighten.

"Do NOT tell me what to do!" The janitor yelled before punching Keith in the stomach.

Keith gasped as the wind was knocked out of his lungs. He closed his eyes against the tears of pain that burned in his eyes…determined to act brave.

The janitor slapped Keith across the face again, this time busting his lip. "Now keep your mouth shut! I can't call in the ransom until after everyone gets back from that stupid festival. So unless you want more, keep quiet!"

Keith just glared at the janitor with cold black eyes as blood trailed down from the corner of his lip. He wondered why everything that happened today seemed to come down to one thing - money.

"Good boy!" The janitor smiled cruelly. "For years I have put up with abuse from you rich brats...all because I was poor and working as a janitor. Well, after today, that will no longer be the case. I will be laughing at all of you!" Laughing, he rubbed his hands. "Don't expect anyone to find you either. Thanks to all the rumors I spread about the basement, no one would even dare to come down here!"

"You are insane. If you have a problem being a janitor…it's your problem. Your life is what you make out of it. And if you little all the small minded punks that get you like this then you are no better then any of them."

A fist slammed into Keith's chest, bruising and possibly breaking some ribs. "I SAID BE QUIET!"

Keith cried out in pain, his whole chest seemed to burn with pain with each gasp he took to catch his breath. Tears of pain rolled down his cheeks. He wondered if even the janitor got his ransom money if he would be let go…or if he would be left to die in this dank basement room.

"Now be a good boy. I will call your brother soon." The janitor smiled broadly, showing his brown teeth. "And if you're really good, I might tell the police where to find you."

************************************************************************

Sven paced nervously around the room, calling home had proved to be another dead end. Keith had not gone there to take Necromancer out riding after his fight with Lance.

Jeff watched Sven from the couch. "Sven! Stop pacing before you fall through the floor. I'm sure Keith is okay. He can take care of himself."

Sven stopped pacing and looked at Jeff. "Something doesn't feel right. He was so upset when he took off…anything could've happened to him."

"How about you call Lance? Maybe he might know where Keith may have gone to cool off?"

Sven sighed. "I guess…maybe the two of them made up…and he's with Lance now…" Sven said as he began to search through the papers around the phone to find where Keith had written Lance's number done. Finally he found the small slip of paper, with hearts all around Lance's name and number. He smiled slightly and shook his head, thinking just how head over heels in love Keith truly was. He dialed the number and listened to it ring.

**********

Lance lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. Fortunately Pidge was out with Hunk at FallFest. Sighing, Lance rubbed his eyes. 'You certainly made a mess of things tonight!' The only good thing out of the whole deal was he didn't run to his old home this time. Though he would have really liked to get some advice from Candy. She grew up with him since her mother and his were best friends. He and Candy were both 'accidents'. She was like the sister he never had.

However, she was working tonight. Candy was also a prostitute, but unlike the others she was working to go to college. She was trying to get out of the streets and create a better life for herself like Lance was trying to. Though she could probably tell him what his problem was.

Lance sighed as he sat up and leaned against the wall. 'Just what IS your fucking problem? Keith is right! I'm the only one who can prove them wrong.' Lance shook his head. But how could he prove them wrong when some of the things they say were true? He has done some things that both Keith and his mother would never approve. How could he tell him?

Lance leaned forward and placed his head in his hands. 'Why can't I let Keith in? Why am I so scared to let someone get as close to me as Keith has?' His thoughts were interrupted by the telephone ringing. Half-heartedly, Lance answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Lance? It's Sven…"

'Oh boy. I'm probably going to get a lecture for upsetting Keith...like I'm not lecturing myself already!' Lance sighed. "This is Lance. What can I do for you?"

"Have you seen Keith since this afternoon…or know where he might've gone. I tried everywhere I could think of…He's not out riding Necromancer…"

Lance jerked up. "You mean he hasn't come home yet?"

"No, he hasn't. And I'm starting to get really worried…Something doesn't seem right about him not coming back by now." Sven said, the worry in his voice so thick it was almost palpable. "I was hoping you might know...or that he was with you…"

Lance didn't like the sound of that. Keith really shouldn't be out alone at night. "No...I haven't seen him. I am the last person he probably wants to see right now. But, I'll go out and look for him. Maybe I can find him."

"If you do find him…call me right away, okay?"

"Of course! I will check in occasionally to see if he has come home." Lance said.

"Okay…and Lance...thank you. I have the feeling we need all the help we can get to find him…" Sven said.

"No problem. Just be ready to back me up...I really don't want to have him kill me." Lance laughed. "I'll check with you in about an hour. Bye."

Lance sighed as he grabbed his jacket. Could this day get any worse?

**********

Sven hung up the phone and looked at Jeff. "He doesn't know where Keith is...but he's out looking." Sven told him before going back to pacing.

"Good." Jeff smiled. "Lance knows this area very well. I bet he can find Keith."

About forty-five minutes later the phone rang. Sven rushed to answer it. "Keith…"

Hoarse laughter was heard from the earpiece. "NOPE! Wrong answer!"

Sven's blue eyes hardened, like water freezing over with ice in the winter. "Who are you? And what have you done to my brother?"

"Nothing...too bad." The voice laughed. "How much is he worth to ya?"

"What the hell kind of sick joke is this!" Sven growled. "If you've hurt Keith, I'll rip out your spine and use it to beat you with. You got that, you wackoo?"

"Well, I have your brother...you got that?" The voice growled. "Listen and listen carefully punk! I want $250,000 by Sunday night. Place it on the park bench near the pond. No cops or you get your brother back piece by piece. Any questions?"

"Let me speak to Keith. I want to know he's alright before I agree to anything."

"Sorry kid! I'm calling the shots here. You either do what I say or you don't. Then I'll either not kill your brother or I will." Sick laughter followed. "Have a nice day!" Then there was only a dial tone.

Sven slammed the phone down, cursing in Swedish. His whole body was trembling as his breath came in quick gasps. He couldn't believe that this was happening, couldn't believe that Keith had been kidnapped.

Jeff leaped up from the couch and wrapped his arms around Sven. "What the hell just happened?"

"Keith…Keith's been…kidnapped." Sven said. "The guy wants $250,000 …by tomorrow night…"

Jeff paled. "Oh god...is he alright?"

"I don't know…He wouldn't let me talk to Keith." Sven paused for a moment. "I think he might've hurt him though…He threatened to kill Keith if I call the cops…DAMNIT! I shouldn't have let him take off like that…"

"SVEN!" Jeff yelled. "Worry about that later! Right now we need to get him back!"

"I have to get that money and put it where he said to or he'll KILL Keith." Sven said. "I'm not taking any chances…We don't know where to look so all we can do is meet his demands. All I care about is getting Keith safely back."

"We will get him back, safe and sound. Let's..." Jeff was interrupted by the telephone ringing.

Sven grabbed the phone off the hook. "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT NOW YOU PSYCHOTIC BASTARD!?"

"Nice way to say hello asshole." Lance's voice growled from the other end. "You damn near blew out my eardrum!"

"Oh, it's you…Sorry about that." Sven paused for a moment. "There's been a…problem, Lance…I think you should come back here…"

"What's wrong? Is it Keith?" The worry was clear in Lance's voice.

"I'm afraid so…Look, I don't want to talk about it over the phone, so just come back here, okay?"

"I'll be there in ten minutes." Then there was a dial tone.

Sven hung up the phone and allowed Jeff to lead him over top the couch to sit and wait for Lance to get there.

**********

Lance frowned as he leaned against the kitchen table. "Let me get this straight...the guy is asking for $250,000 by Sunday night. And he wants you to leave it in the park?"

Sven nodded. "And if I don't…or call the police he'll kill Keith…"

"I see." Lance groaned. "This guy's an idiot! There are more holes in his plan than swiss cheese!" He rubbed his eyes. "Unfortunately that also means he can't be trusted."

"Oh, terrific." Sven sighed deeply. "Worst thing is I think he may have already hurt Keith…All we can do is give this guy the money and pray he keeps up his end of the... bargain."

"Maybe not..." Lance mumbled, deep in thought.

"I don't want to take chances with Keith's life." Sven looked at Lance. "If you have some kind of plan that you can guarantee that…then let me hear it. Otherwise, we just go ahead with the money drop."

"I don't know...it's very risky and may not work." Lance sighed as he looked at Sven. "I know the bench he's referring to. There are plenty of places for me to hide and listen to what he may say. I extremely doubt that he'll go back to wherever Keith is after he picks up the money. But maybe he will drop a hint as to where Keith is."

"If he sees you…" Sven sighed. "I don't think we have much other choice. Either way we play it…could leave Keith…dead. I think you're our safest bet…" Sven smiled slightly. "And I can't believe I just said that." He joked.

Lance stuck his tongue out at Sven. "Me neither! The sky must be falling!" He quickly turned serious. "He won't see me! I'm good at not being found when I don't want to be."

"So, all that's left to do now is pray he says something…" Sven said. He stepped over to Lance. "And thank you for what you're doing. It really means a lot to me…and I know it means a lot to Keith. He's really in love with you…and despite that little lover's spat I can guarantee that he still loves you."

Lance glanced down at the floor. "I don't know...I really goofed this time." He quickly stood up. "I know it's early, but I'm going to go ahead and stake out the area...that way I can be well hidden before he get there."

"I know my brother and…he loves you, no matter what. You'd do well not to doubt that...or you'll both end up hurt." Sven told him.

"Thanks." Lance smiled weakly. "Well, I better go. I hope this works." He quickly walked out the door.

While Lance was glad that he got there really early - was able to find a wonderful hiding place behind some thick bushes that hid him from almost all sides - he was bored to death! Though he never realized how busy ants were until today. Very industrious creatures. He just hoped that the guy would come and that this wasn't just some sort of cruel joke.

Finally around midnight a shadow appeared. It took all of Lance's self control to not laugh...the guy was worse than Scooby Doo when it came to sneaking up on something. VERY conspicuous. He quickly turned serious when he noticed that this guy was coming to the park bench. The man was one of the school's janitors...an older man but still very strong due to all his hard work. 'Was this the wacko?'

The man glanced around to be sure nobody was watching before moving to the bench and snatching the sack of money. He opened it and looked inside, pulling out a pile of bills and flipping through it. “Just look at all that money…I should've asked for more.”

His body growing tense, Lance's eyes narrowed. 'Yup! This was the wacko!' He didn't like this...This guy probably knew the school very well...and all the hiding places. Even if the guy said anything about where Keith was, Lance wasn't sure he would be able to find him.

The janitor stuffed the money into the deep pocket of his jacket and began to stroll back towards the school whistling a happy tune.

'Okay...this guy is DEFINITELY not a professional!' Lance moved silently after the janitor, thankful that the guy was keeping near the shadows...making it easier for him to follow. Even though the guy appeared to not be very smart, he was still very dangerous. Psychos were even scarier than the Mafia!

Smiling sickly, the janitor pulled out a key and unlocked the door that led to the basement. After several minutes of moving through various corridors he came to the same broiler room. Unlike the other rooms, the old, unused broiler room still had a dirt floor. “Maybe I should ask for more money…after all your money won't be doing you any good…” The man laughed, though there appeared to be no one else in the room. He walked over to a pile of freshly disturbed dirt. “I could keep asking for money for a while…Nobody will ever know you're already dead…and they'll never even find your rotting bones.” The janitor broke out into sick hysterical laughter.

As Lance carefully followed the janitor through the basement, he tried to keep tabs on where they were going in order to make a quick exit. He noticed that the janitor seemed to stay in the corridors that had a large pipe in the ceiling. It looked like a pipe to a broiler...was that where the janitor was going?

He stopped when the janitor stopped in the broiler room. 'There is nothing here. What is this weirdo doing?' When Lance heard what the janitor was saying, his heart froze though his blood boiled. He stepped into the room, screaming. "FUCKING BASTARD! WHAT DID YOU DO?"

The janitor spun around quickly, startled by the yell. A sadistic smile slowly spread across his face. “Just exterminated one of the hundreds of pests that plague this school. Now it looks like I'll be able to get rid of two.”

The janitor didn't expect Lance to charge into him, sending the man crashing into a wall. Flames seemed to leap inside Lance's eyes as he jerked the man's shirt collar and slamming him into the wall with each word. "WHAT...DID...YOU...DO?!"

The janitor's eyes widened with shock…and fear, but only for a brief moment before it was replaced the same sadistic joy. “Made myself some money by exterminating a useless pest. Tell me...did you come to lay flowers on your lover boy's grave...or to be buried with him?” The man taunted.

It took all of Lance's control to keep a clear head...or else this bastard would get away. His eyes narrowed menacingly as he growled. "If Keith is dead, then the only one dying here is you!"

“Oh he's dead alright…died in quite a lot of pain. Screaming for a salvation that would never come.” The janitor taunted. Suddenly he jerked out of Lance's grip and pulled out a knife. “You can join him…street rat.”

Moving like greased lightening, Lance spun around placing a roundhouse kick on the janitor's gut knocking him into the wall again. "If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me!"

After hitting the wall, the man stumbled forward a couple of steps and lost his balance. As he fell backwards his head hit the wall and his body dropped limply to the floor.

Taking a deep breath, Lance immediately started digging with his hands...praying that his instincts were right and that it wasn't too late. It didn't take very long...the grave was very shallow. Keith laid face down, his hands tied behind him and his legs bound.

Lance paled when he turned Keith around and found he wasn't breathing. When his shaking fingers found a weak and extremely faint pulse, Lance frantically began mouth to mouth respiration. "Damnit Keith! Don't do this to me! Breathe!"

After a couple moments, Keith coughed slightly, taking a weak breath. But his eyes remained closed and his body motionless and limp. After that single breath he still showed little signs of life. But at least he was breathing!

Tears of relief fell from Lance's eyes. "That's it Tiger...that's it." He quickly reached over to where the janitor's knife had fallen, using it to cut Keith's bounds. Lance pulled Keith into a semi-sitting position, gently rocking him as Lance caressed his face. "Easy does it...C'mon...You can do it."

Keith was breathing in slow, almost rhythmic breaths as though he were only sleeping. A few coughs interrupted the breathing, but still he never stirred from his 'deep slumber'. His pulse rate still seemed a little sluggish but was improving as Keith's body and soul displayed the desire to live.

"Good boy, Tiger. Good boy. Now just hang on...I'm taking you to a doctor." Glancing once more at the janitor, Lance hid the knife in his boot before carefully picking Keith up. He slowly followed the pipe as he made his way back to the basement entrance.

Lance had no problems finding his way back to the door. He only paused briefly to jam the knife into the door's lock, praying that this was the only way out and that it would be enough to keep that mad man from escaping and hurting anyone else. Lance immediately carefully picked Keith back up and quickly carried him to the hospital.

Chapter 4