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Once A Thief	By : Kali Category: Beyblade > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 9119 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 19
- 20
- 21
Kali notes: And here�s yet another long one�� Things are looking up!

Disclaimer: Don�t own it.�
Kali & muses are just borrowing the wonderful characters and all
that goes with them from their creator.

Warnings: Yaoi (unless you�re on ffnet;
then you get shounen-ai), language, dramatic angst,
and other adult content. Don�t like it, don�t read it!

Pairing: TyKa; others include
Tala/Hilary, mentioned Rei/Mariah

~*~*~*~*~

Chapter 20: Den of Thieves
� Part IV

�� Kai nearly ran into Dr. Maison as he
opened the door to Takao�s room and went inside.

�� Oh!�
Agent Hiwatari!� Hello.�

�� Angelique.�� Kai stepped aside to allow her to pass.� �Good evening.�

�� You�ll be happy to know that Mr.
Kinomiya�s fever seems to be breaking.�
We�ll keep monitoring his temperature of another 24 hours, of course,
but as of now,� she gave him a smile at the relief on his face.� �He seems to be on the road to recovery.�

�� Good.� Great!�
Thank you for letting me know.��
Kai looked into the room at his bedridden lover. ��When can we move him?� He should�he should be in a room with
sunlight when he wakes up.�

�� Angelique patted him on the
shoulder.� �We will.� As soon as I know he�s truly over the fever
and stable, I�ll have him moved to one of our regular rooms.� For now, though, why don�t you sit with him a
bit then get some rest yourself?� You
look exhausted, Agent.�

�� Smiling weakly at the admonition,
Kai nodded and went inside.� He knew
Takao couldn�t be moved until after their little plan had a chance to
work.� Still, it was a vast relief to
know the bluenette was on the mend.

~*~*~*~*~

�� For the next two days, Kai and Tala
organized their plan with Mr. Dickenson, prepared for it, and spent their spare
time in the medical ward with Takao and Hilary � who had refused to return to
Japan until Takao could go home, also.�
And because Kenny was staying behind, as he still needed her as his
assistance.

�� Takao�s father and brother had been
taken back to Japan, escorted by a couple of UNA agents who would stay with
them until the rest of the criminals in Gideon�s circle had been found and
brought down � just in case of any retaliation b y those people for Gideon�s
failure and capture.

�� Kenny was very busy himself.� He�d been handling Takao�s legal affairs, of
course, but he�d also taken it upon himself to deal with his personal ones,
too.� He kept in contact with the elder
Kinomiya men, so that they always knew how their youngest was doing.� He also made several calls to a few old
friends, all of whom were on the next available flights to Paris when they
heard the news.

�� Also over the next two days, Tala
dragged his partner to the UNA�s gym facility for at least three hours each day
to work out and or spar.

�� It was the wolf�s answer to
stress-relief, and it seemed to work wonders � at least for Kai.� Tala knew just how dangerous Kai was when
under extreme stress, tension and emotion.�
It fed his abilities, and unless relieved those abilities had the potential
to explode out of any control.� It was
the downside to being pyro-pathic and pyro-kinetic, Kai had once explained to his then � new UNA
partner.� After all, if they were going
to work together, it was only fair that Tala knew what he was getting himself
into � at least, that�s what Kai believed.�
He�d neither told nor shown many people just what he was capable of, for
the safety of others and for his own protection.� As Gideon � Jake � exemplified, there were
still many people who did not except that people such as himself existed.� He had good reason to went that knowledge
kept quiet, as it was very rare that when someone like him used them talents
for a good reason it ended up on the six o�clock news.� Usually it was when someone did something bad
that it made a newsworthy segment for the media.

�� Friday arrived quickly enough, and
with it the engagement of the plan to get the victims of Takao�s �borrowing� to
agree not to press charges.� The
bluenette remained in the ICU for the plan � though Kai and Dr. Maison agreed
he�d be moved to a normal room immediately after, should all go well because
Takao was on the mend.� His fever had
disappeared and stayed gone for the past two days, so he was deemed to be
improving significantly by Angelique.

�� The day also brought Kai�s parents
to Paris.� He made one trip away from
Takao�s bedside to pick them up at the airport, drop off their luggage at his
flat (where they would stay while in Paris) and bring them to the UNA.

�� Son, I really wish you�d tell us
what this is all about.�� Susumu sighed
at the unhappy expression on his son�s face.�
Kai was still angry with him for the investigation into Takao�s life.

�� Leave him be, dear.� I�m sure there�s a very good reason he�s not
telling us the whole story.�� Masumi
caught the tightening of Kai�s grip on the steering wheel of the car and the
firm line his mouth made at her tone of motherly disapproval and mild
chastisement.

�� Look.� I�m sorry to be cryptic and mysterious, but
it�s the way it has to be for now.� Once
you�ve met with my boss and heard the tale from him, we can talk about it all
you like.�� Kai promised grimly, pulling
into the parking garage underneath the UNA building.

�� Can�t you tell us why we need to be
here, at least?�� Susumu asked.

�� Kai parked the car and turned off
the engine.� �it�s to keep Takao out of
prison.� You just have to trust me, and
Tala, and especially Takao.� Come
on.�� He ignored the shock on his
parent�s faces and led them toward the elevator.� �Tala will be waiting for us, and he�ll be
with you for a while until this little plan of ours works.� We hope.�

�� His parents frowned, but followed
him into the elevator.� Susumu, at least,
was curious enough to not make any comments while Masumi simply studied her son
with great worry and concern.

�� After Kai passed them on to Tala, he
went to stand at his post � outside Takao�s door, and to let Hilary and Kenny
know the show was about to begin.

~*~*~*~*~

�� Upstairs in one of the conference
rooms, Tala covertly cast his gaze around the long table at which several
people sat, including the Hiwataris.� He�d sat in on the very brief meeting Kai�s
parents had with Mr. Dickenson just before this, and he hadn�t been at all
surprised by the reactions of either Hiwatari to the news of Takao�s
circumstances.� Masumi had been horrified
and sympathetic � and outraged on behalf of the entire Kinomiya family.� Susumu hardly expressed any emotion at all,
but Tala was certain he could see a vast degree of relief and maybe even the
faintest glimmer of concern appearing in the man�s eyes.� At least now he understood the results of his
little investigation into Takao�s background.�
Maybe now father and son could find some way to reconcile their
differences.

�� Tala straightened and let his hands
fall to his sides as his boss entered the room and greeted the table full of
people, the quietly took a seat at Mr. Dickenson�s left.

�� Ladies and gentleman, thank you for
taking the time out of your busy schedules to join us today.� I�ll try to keep it as short as possible so
that we can resolve the matters I have requested your presence here today to
discuss.�� The UNA director opened a file
folder in front of him on the table, and gave Tala a nod to signal his
assistance.� Picking up a remote control,
Tala pushed buttons to turn the lights down to low, and start up a projector
that displayed a picture of Takao and all the current charges being brought
against him on the screen behind the old man.

�� This is Takao Kinomiya.� As of four days ago, he�s been a guest of the
UNA and a patient in our medical facility where he is in serious condition
thanks to a number of factors which have adversely affected his health.� For nearly a month, he has been working with
the UNA in order to bring down those who are responsible for the list of
charges you see here.�� Stanley folded
his hands on the table and looked around the room at each person.� �This discussion is to explain the
circumstances of what lead to the unfortunate�borrowing of the items
that each of you reported stolen.�

�� I don�t really care why he did
it.�� One scruffy looking man in an old
tweed suit scoffed.� �The fact is he is a
thief and deserves punishment.� Is the
UNA in the habit of letting criminals go free now?�

�� No sir.�� Tala answered coolly, before Mr. Dickenson
could respond.� �We are in the habit of
exacting justice and maintaining peace and order internationally.� If you will allow us to explain our findings
in this case�s investigation, you will see that there is no justice to be found
in imprisoning a man who did these things against his will.�

�� The Director held up a hand.� �Please.�
As Agent Ivanov says, allow us to explain.�� At the acquiescent nods from around the
table, Stanley began at the beginning, giving them a shortened version of the
tale Takao had given in his statement.

�� Tala pushed a button on the remote
and the screen changed to a mug shot of Jake and a bunch of other information �
personal and legal.� �This is the true
criminal, ladies and gentlemen.� His name
is Jacob Schwarz, aka �Gideon.�� He is
the mastermind behind the kidnapping of Hiroshi and Tatsuya Kinomiya, and the
subsequent blackmail of Takao Kinomiya which forced him to steal your
possessions in order to ransom his family.�
Schwarz is only one of several crime lords the UNA is even now pursuing
around the world, and thanks to Takao Kinomiya�s cooperation � at the expense
of his own health and well-being � we have Schwarz in custody.�� Tala turned the lights back on and the
projector off.� �This man and his
underlings are the ones the UNA wishes to bring to justice, not an innocent man
who was only doing what he could to ensure the safe return of his only living
family members.�

�� So do that.�� A haughty woman in designer clothes sniffed
inelegantly.� �That is your mandate.� I fail to see what we have to do with it.�

�� Ms. von Heid,
we wish to drop the charges against Mr. Kinomiya.� We feel that he is suffering enough � has
been suffering for many months � and as he took responsibility for his actions
and helped us to bring Schwarz and his ilk down, we believe he has redeemed
himself to society.� However, we don�t
have the authority to drop the charges unless all of you are willing.�� Mr. Dickenson explained calmly.

�� The fact is, ma�am,� Tala added in
a frosty tone, �All the items have been recovered and are all in the exact
condition they were in when Kinomiya borrowed them, and he was always intending
to return them that way.� But those
things he took � despite the value of them culturally, artistically, and in
monetary terms � are just things.�
He wasn�t taking them out of greed, he was attempting to save the lives
of two people who did nothing to deserve being kidnapped.� It�s also a fact that he came perilously
close to dying in his efforts to bring Gideon down.� He is currently lying in a hospital bed in
our medical ward, in ICU, hooked up to all kinds of machines and fighting for
his life.�

�� There was a moment of uncomfortable
silence until the Director coughed and stood up.� �Well, perhaps we will take a short break so
that you may consider your decisions?�

�� Director�� Susumu stopped him
before he could leave.� �Before we do
that, could you tell us the exact nature of Kinomiya�s condition?� Why is he so ill?�

�� Ah.�
Yes, of course. Without going into great detail��

�� It�s a combo of stress, under
nourishment, and lack of sleep, sir.��
Tala said in a quiet voice.� Everyone
looked at him as he spoke.� �He developed
an ulcer, but recent events compounded in a steep decline in his body�s ability
to cope.� The operation we undertook to
apprehend Gideon and recover the items resulted in Takao succumbing to a bad
case of pneumonia.� With his already
weakened immune system, he was unable to fight it off and collapsed.�

�� You must understand, he�s been
suffering stress and that ulcer for a very long time, now.� Our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Angelique
Maison, has done her best to take care of him.�
She is hopeful for his recovery, but is fearful that real damage has
already been done.�� Stanley added.� Then he looked thoughtful for a moment.� �Perhaps you would all like to see for
yourselves the seriousness of his condition?�
If so, I can arrange for Agent Ivanov to escort you to the ICU.�

�� Murmurs filled the silence as the
group discussed it amongst themselves.�
Masumi leaned closer to Tala and whispered, �Can we get in to visit him
later, Tala?� After this and after Susumu
and I speak with Kai?�� Her gaze
flickered to her stoic husband.

�� Tala nodded, winking at her.� �Of course, Mom.� It�ll mean everything to Kai, you know.�

�� She gave him a small smile.

�� Very well, Director Dickenson.� After the break, I would like to visit this
young man.�� The scruffy man stated above
the low chatter.

�� As would I.�� Ms. von Heid
agreed.� The others also stated their
desire to see Takao, and the Director quickly agreed.

�� Agent Ivanov, please let the ICU
know we will be coming through in�half an hour.�
Until then, let�s break for coffee.�

~*~*~*~*~

�� Kai was infinitely glad he was
inside Takao�s room, his back to the door, unseen by the people who were lined
up outside peering in through the one-way glass window at his prone,
unconscious lover.� He hadn�t liked this
particular part of the plan the most.� It
was like his lover was on display as some sort of freak for the gawking
amusement of those Takao had been forced to steal from.� He felt somewhat better knowing Tala was on
the other side of the door, and that none of those people ere
going to be allowed inside (it was an ICU, after all).� Kai only hoped this would all be worth it in
the end.

�� After quite some time, a soft knock
on the door drew the agent from his thoughts.�
Turning, Kai opened the door to find Hilary standing there, along with
Dr. Maison.

�� They�ve gone back upstairs,
Kai.�� The brunette informed him.� There was a hopeful expression on her face.

�� I think it�s safe to move Mr.
Kinomiya, Agent Hiwatari.�� Angelique
added.� �The sedative I administered
earlier was light, and he just any wake up on his own soon.� I think a nice, private room with lots of
sunlight and windows would do wonders, don�t you?�

�� Kai gave a faint smile and moved out
of the way to let the doctor and her team of nurses pass, joining Hilary in the
hall.� He watched them unhook machines
and wires from Takao through the observation window in silence for a moment,
then glanced at Hilary.

�� I want to thank you, Hilary, for
everything you�ve done for Takao.� No matter
what else, thank you for being there for him when I wasn�t, and for being here
and now through all of this.�� Kai folded
his arms over his chest in a kind of self-hug.�
�You�ve done so much more than either of us would ever have asked of
you.�

�� Oh Kai�� Hilary gave him a somewhat
misty smile and laid a hand on his forearm, squeezing in comfort.� �Silly!�
It�s what friends do!� Besides,� her
eyes met his in complete seriousness.�
�Takao is a very special soul.� He
did nothing to deserve these things that life has tossed at him, and we all
will do whatever we can to alleviate some of that darkness.�

�� Kai nodded, covering her hand on his
arm in acceptance with his other hand.�
�Damn right.�

�� Two nurses wheeled a gurney with
Takao on it out of the ICU, followed by the doctor.� Angelique paused before continuing after her
patient.

�� I�ll see that he�s settled in
comfortably before I go on my rounds.�
His fever seems to be entirely gone, and his lungs sound much better, by
the way.�� She smiled brightly, hooking
her stethoscope around her neck.� �He�s
going to be okay, though weak and easily tired for quite some time.�

�� When can I see him?�� Kai wanted to know, relief evident in his
voice.

�� I�ll send a nurse for you when he�s
settled in his room, Kai.� It�ll take a
few minutes, so you may want to go and find out what the situation is
otherwise.�

�� Hilary gave him a push, �Go on,
Kai.� I�ll be here.�

�� Kai sighed and nodded to both women,
then made his way upstairs to wait in Mr. Dickenson�s office.

~*~*~*~*~

�� Tala stood at attention next to
Director Dickenson as the room of Takao�s � no Gideon�s � victims filed
out with brief words of gratitude and parting to the old man.� They would be escorted to the evidence vaults
where their belonging s were being held so that they could either claim them
now or make arrangements for the larger items to be transported.

�� The wolf was relieved that the
hardest part of the whole ordeal was finally over, and that justice would truly
be found for the youngest Kinomiya and his family.� And for Kai.�
While they may be called to testify at Gideon�s trial, their part in
bringing him down was over.

�� The last to leave were Kai�s
parents.� Susumu shook the Director�s
hand briefly before speaking.�
�Stanley.� I must admit, we had no
idea congratulate you and your agents on a job well done, however.�� He glanced at Tala with a slight smile.� �And I believe I have a great deal of
apologizing to do.�

�� Susumu-san, I want to thank you for
your words earlier.� I believe if you
hadn�t thrown your support in with Kinomiya, a few of the others would not have
consented to dropping all the charges against him.�� Stanley chuckled, brushing his moustache with
a finger thoughtfully.� �I�ve always
admired your lawyer-like skill with rhetoric and logic.�

�� Tala, will you find Kai and tell
him the good news?�� Masumi asked.� �And is there somewhere we might speak with
Him before we go down to visit Takao?�

�� Sure, Mom.�� Tala gave her a wide smile and pulled out his
cell phone, speed-dialling his partner.� At
Kai�s less than welcoming tone of greeting, Tala scowled.� �Well aren�t you just full of sunshine.� It�s done, Kai.� The charges are dropped.�

�� Thank god.�� An infinite weariness filled Kai�s
voice.� �Thanks for letting me know.� What�s going on now?�

�� Everyone�s gone off to reclaim
their stuff.� Your parents want to talk
to you, then go see Kinomiya.� Where are
you?�

�� In the Director�s office.� I thought you�d come here when it was done
and I wanted to know what happened.�

�� Ah.�� Tala looked at his boss and adopted
parents.� �Hold on a second.�� He covered the phone and spoke to them.� �Sir, Kai is waiting in your office.�

�� Why don�t you take the Hiwataris there so they may have their discussion in
private, Agent Ivanov.� I have several
other things which require my attention for an hour or so.�� Mr. Dickenson smiled genially and shook
Susumu�s hand once again.� �Susumu-san,
Masumi-san, it was good to see you again.�
Thank you once more for your assistance, and I hope to see you again
under much more pleasant circumstances.�

�� As do we, Stanley.�� Susumu answered.

�� Tala nodded to his boss as the old
man walked out, and went back to Kai.�
�I�m bringing our parents up there, Kai.�
Stay put.�� He ordered and hung up
on the immediate growl from his partner.�
�Follow me!�� He cheerfully
invited Kai�s parents, leading them down the hall to the elevator.

~*~*~*~*~

�� Kai hung up and put his cell in his
pocket with a few choice names for his Russian partner.� Then he stiffened and looked up when the
office door opened, thinking it was his parents.

�� Instead, a rumpled, slightly
flustered Kenny barged into the room.�
�Kai!� Oh good, you�re still
here.� I had a hard time tracking you
down.�

�� Relaxing somewhat, Kai blew out a
tired breath.� �What is it, Kenny?� You look like you were hung out in a
windstorm.�

�� Flushing, Kenny glanced down at
himself.� �Oh.� Well, I haven�t had a chance to shower and
change for a couple days.�� Looking back
up, he tried with futility to smooth out the wrinkles in his shirt and
straightened his tie.� �At least with the
charges being dropped, my job is pretty much done.� But that�s not why I was looking for you.�

�� Kai merely raised an eyebrow.

�� Max just called me from the
airport.� He and a few others just arrived
and as soon as they rent a car, they�re coming here.� Can you clear them to come up and see
Takao?� And would you know of a decent,
inexpensive hotel?�

�� Max and who else, Kenny?� I need names so the guards downstairs know
who to expect and issue visitor badges to.��
Kai reached for Director Dickenson�s phone on his desk.� But before Kenny could respond, Masumi�s
voice interrupted.

�� They can stay at the Grande Luxor,
on the house.�� She stated, glancing up
at her husband with a smile.� �Isn�t that
right, dear?�

�� Certainly.� Hiwatari Enterprises owns the hotel, so it
won�t be a problem.�� Susumu agreed
easily, meeting Kai�s eyes across the room.�
�Anything we can do to assist friends of my son and�his lifemate.�

�� Kai stared at his father in shock and
a giddy relief that made him sit down heavily in the chair he�d just risen
from.

�� Tala beamed and clapped his hands
once in glee.� �Excellent!� Hey, Kenny!�
Come with me and we�ll go get things in order, huh?�� He latched onto the petit lawyer�s shoulders,
steering him out the door and closing it behind them, leaving Kai and his
parents alone to talk.

�� Silenced reigned until Masumi broke
it with an exasperated, �Really, the two of you!� He is truly your son, Susumu.� Same stubborn, thick-headedness, same lack of
willingness to compromise.�

�� Hmph.�� Kai schooled his expression to one as close
to neutral indifference as he could.�
�I�m not the over-protective one who had my only child�s lover investigated
behind his back.� I�m not the one who
doesn�t trust his only son to live his own life and make his own choices and
decisions.�

�� Chagrined, Susumu ran a hand through
his hair in a gesture that Kai recognized as one he seemed to have inherited
from the man � much to his self-disgust.�
�Kai, son, it wasn�t like that.� I
didn�t mean for it to come across that way.�
I know it wasn�t my greatest idea ever, but��

�� He was just looking out for you,
Kai.�� Masumi said gently, moving over to
her son.� �We do trust you.� We are so very proud of everything you�ve
done, chibi!�

�� Kai winced at the childish
endearment.� �Mother�please.�

�� We love you, Kai.� And after learning everything about what
Takao was doing, the courage and honour he has shown�well, if I wasn�t positive
before � which I was � I am now positive that you couldn�t have found
anyone more worthy of you.�� Masumi drew
her son into her arms and held him close with the motherly instinct that said
her child needed the comfort.� �And that
you are the luckiest man alive to have won his affections in return.�

�� Sighing, Kai gave into the embrace,
hugging her back.� �Don�t I know it,
Mother.� But you�re wrong about one thing
� I�m not worthy of him.�� Kai
gave a rueful grin.� �However, I�m
totally selfish enough to hang onto him with everything I�ve got.�

�� Masumi laughed, eyes sparkling.� �Good.�

�� Kai released his mother and looked
at his father, who had moved closer unnoticed.�
�Father��

�� Kai, your mother said it well; we
love you, and we are proud of your accomplishments. Maybe I should have said
that more often, since you seem to harbour the impression that we�I am
disappointed with you since you refused to take your place in Hiwatari
Enterprises.�

�� Well, you were.�� Frowning, Kai folded his arms defensively.

�� No.�
Never in you, son.�� Susumu looked
away for a moment awkwardly.� He wasn�t
very good at these conversations, and he really didn�t want to say anything
that might drive his son farther away.�
�Yes, I was disappointed for a while that you didn�t follow my path,
but�that disappointment was not because of the same desire my father
impressed on me to follow in his footsteps, but because�� he
floundered a bit, but pushed on relentlessly.�
�I was resentful, I suppose, that you had the strength to go your own
way and I did not.� I was angry with
myself for not fighting Voltaire harder on your behalf, especially after what
happened when you graduated high school.��
Susumu turned back to Kai, whose eyes were wide with incredulous
surprise, and a dawning understanding.�
�I realize I haven�t done a very good job of being a father, but..I do
care, Kai.� And I do trust you and your
abilities, even if I�ve done a horrendous job of showing it.�

�� Kai had an awkward moment of his own
where he couldn�t seem to meet his father�s eyes or find any appropriate words
to say.� Finally, though, he cleared his
throat and said the only thing he could (albeit feeling it was quite lame,
considering).

�� Thank you.�� His voice was rough, but steady.� �For that, and for�Takao.�

�� Susumu smiled and clapped his son on
the shoulder.� �I expect you both to come
by and visit as often as you can, you know.��
He insisted gruffly.� �If he�s
going to be part of the family, then we all need to get to know one another
better.�

�� Masumi rested a hand on her
husband�s arm.� �I just want to see my
sons as often as possible.�

�� Kai smiled, for what had to be the
first genuine smile in weeks, and rubbed a hand over his face tiredly.� �Of course.�
When Takao�s well enough I�m sure the Island will be one of our first
stops.�� He sighed.� �He�s going to want to go home, and to see
his own family.� For now, though,� Kai
motioned for them to follow him.� �You
wanted to go visit Takao before you left?�

�� Oh, yes.� Definitely.��
Masumi nodded as she and Susumu allowed their son to lead them to the
elevators and through the medical wing.

�� Kai waited outside with Hilary while
his parents looked in on his lover.� They
sat just outside the door in two comfortable chairs.� Kai gave a long, gusty sigh and slumped back into
his seat, his weary crimson eyes closing shut heavily.

�� Kami, I�m
tired.�� He groaned.

�� Hilary glanced at him
sympathetically, taking stock of the damage that last few weeks had wrought on
the agent since she�d first seen him.� He
was pale, his clothes were a bit rumpled, his hair a tad on the wild and unkempt
side, and there were dark circles under his eyes.� The clincher was the more pronounced frown
lines at the corners of his eyes and mouth, and the deeper lines of his
forehead across his brow.

�� I know.� I can�t imagine how it�s been for you, Kai,
even though I know.� You�ve been so
strong for Takao � for all of us, really.��
Hilary leaned back into her own seat, smiling.� �Everything�s going to be the way it should
be, once Takao gets better, and he�ll finally get to come home and see his
family safe and sound.� I know he�s going
to be here for a while yet to recover, but he will get better, and
you�ve found each other again�it�s a happy ending!�

�� Kai chuckled appreciatively at the
sentiment.� �You�re right.� It is.��
He popped one eye open and gave her a side-glance.� �What about you and my wolf of a
partner?� Any happy endings there I
should know about?�

�� Hilary scowled and blushed
prettily.� �We weren�t keeping it very
secret, were we?�

�� Nope.�� Kai agreed.

�� The brunette plucked absently at her
skirt.� �Actually, we haven�t really
talked about�us.� Things have just been
too crazy, and Tala�s been very busy trying to help wrap your case up.�

�� Hn.�� Kai felt a twinge of guilt for leaving most
of his work for Tala to deal with.�
He�d have to make it up to his partner somehow.� �Well, things will slow down soon enough and
you�ll have time.� But Hilary,�� He gave her a mild grin, �Kick his ass if he
even thinks of letting you slip away.�
I think you�re perfect for that job.�

�� She blushed again, but sat up straighter
with a fierce gleam of determination in her eyes, and gave him a sloppy
salute.� �Aye, aye, Captain!�

�� The door opened then, and Kai�s
parents came out.� Simultaneously, Kai
noticed Tala and Kenny heading down the hallway toward them, so he rose to his
feet and smothered a yawn.

�� We�d stay longer, son, but we
really need to be going.�� Susumu said
regretfully.� �I�ve got a business
meeting in Prague tomorrow morning.�

�� You will call us when Takao wakes
up, though, won�t you?�� Masumi
requested.� Kai nodded.

�� Of course, Mother.� Dr. Maison will probably keep him here for
some time to recover, anyway, so maybe you could drop by and see him when he�s
better and awake.�

�� Perhaps, yes.�� Masumi agreed, turning to Hilary.� �It�s good to see you again, dear.� I trust you and Tala will be by to visit
again, soon, too?�

�� The redheaded wolf sidled up beside
Hilary and slipped an arm around her waist, answering before she could.� �We will, Mom, with bells on!� Sorry you have to leave so soon, though.�

�� I�ll come down with you,
Mother.� Father.�� Kai glanced at Kenny.� �You get everything you need?�

�� Kenny nodded.� �Yes.�
Tala can be very efficient, you know.�

�� Kai rolled his eyes.� �When it suits him.� He�s lazy.�

�� Hey!�� Came the indignant expression.

�� Smiling, Kai offered his arm to his
mother.� �Shall we?�

�� Shaking her head at the antics of
her son and his friends � but smiling � she accepted his arm and allowed Kai to
escort his parents down to the building�s main entrance.

�� Oh!�
I nearly forgot about the Egg.��
Kai realized as they stood waiting for the car Susumu called for from
the elevator, outside the UNA.� �I should
run in and get it for you.�

�� No, Kai.�� Masumi stopped him as he turned to do
so.� �When Takao is released, why don�t
you and he bring it back to us then?�

�� I think it will make him feel
better to return at least that item in person.��
Susumu added sagely.� His grey
eyes twinkled with mirth.� �Besides
giving you the perfect excuse to satisfy your mother and come to visit.�

�� Kai laughed.� �Very true.�
Alright, we�ll do that.�� A fancy
black BMW car pulled up to the curb, and Kai opened the passenger door for his
parents.� �See you later, Mother,
Father.�� And thank you, again, for
coming to help Takao.�

�� Goodbye, son, and no thanks are
necessary.�� Susumu gave his son a brief,
gruff hug before slipping into the back seat.

�� Take care and give our love to
Takao when he wakes up.�� Masumi hugged
Kai hard and gave him a soft peck on the cheek.�
�We love you, and don�t forget to call!�

�� I won�t!�� Kai replied as she slid in next to her
husband.� Kai closed the door and waved
as the car pulled away and drove off.�
Then he turned and slowly made his way back inside.

~*~*~*~*~

�� When he reached Takao�s room, he found
a few more people than he�d been expecting.�
Tala, Kenny, and Hilary were there (though the agent stood apart and
back from the others gathered around Takao�s bed and prone form on it), as were
Max and his mother, Judy.� But the other
two people Kai almost didn�t recognize, as it had been so many years since he�d
last seen them.� Warily, Kai stepped
quietly inside and allowed the noisy �click� of the closing door to announce
him.

�� Oh!�
Kai, there you are!�� Max greeted
him with a smile � though it was at half its usual Wattage.� �We wondered where you�d disappeared to.�

�� Kai shrugged, shoving his hands in
his pockets and remaining near the door and Tala.� He felt very much like an intruder in the
room full of people who were Takao�s friends � people he felt he�d forfeited
all right to also call friends after what had happened 10 years ago.� �Max.�
Director.�� He returned the
greeting neutrally, hiding his insecurities behind a careful mask of cool
indifference.

�� His eyes met two distinctly feline,
golden sets of eyes and he tensed.� If
there was anyone out of the group who could possibly have a chance at happily
kicking his ass, it was Kon Rei.� His petit, feisty, pink-haired mate, Mariah,
would probably give him a run for his money, too.

�� Hiwatari.�� Rei intoned, a fierce spark of protectiveness
glowing in those eyes, chasing the minute growl in his voice.� Kai felt Tala tense beside him, and he nudged
his partner with an elbow surreptitiously in warning.

�� Rei.�� Kai gave him a slow, half-bow of his
head.� �Mariah.�

�� Kenny, the ever-diplomatic peace
keeper of the group, hastily intervened, sending a pleading glance Max�s way
for help.� �Ah, I told Rei and Mariah
everything, Kai.� I couldn�t�not
tell them.�

�� Everything?�� Kai raised an eyebrow at Max, who nodded solemnly.

�� Then and now, Kai.�

�� Ah.�� The dual-haired man acknowledged.� �Fine.��
He frowned and planted his feet, pulling his hands from his pockets to
let them fall loosely to his sides as Rei slowly padded around the bed and came
toward him.� Kai said nothing and
remained where he was, refusing to back down or be intimidated by the lithe,
cat-like grace and power in the man�s movements.

�� Rei stopped just inches away from
Kai, very much in his personal space, and looked him directly in the eye.� �It�s been a long time, Kai, and although
Kenny and Max have, indeed, told me all about the fiasco you created ten years
ago out of your relationship with Takao, and that you�ve apparently reconciled
your issues now, I want to hear it from you.� �The raven-haired man poked Kai in the chest
none to gently, a flash of fang warning Kai not to take him lightly.

�� Rei�� Max sighed and stepped
closer, ready to pull his friend away from Kai.�
Let it go, huh?�

�� No, Max.� Not this,��
Rei gestured the blonde away.� �Maybe
it was a stupid decision not entirely his fault, but the fact is he truly hurt
Takao.� We couldn�t even say your name
around him, Kai.� He�d either close up
and refuse to speak for hours, or he�d run away.� And it was my shoulder he soaked in
tears over you when he found out you�d left for good!� I tried at first to give you the benefit of a
doubt because I honestly didn�t believe you were that cruel.� That you really loved him.�

�� I did.�� Kai interrupted, glaring into Rei�s face
without fear.� �I do.�� Not even Rei would be allowed to question his
feelings for Takao like that, even if it was how it had seemed then.� �Always will.�

�� Rei�s yes searched Kai�s.� �I want to believe it, Kai.� And I suppose I can�t stop either of you from
making another mistake that will end up causing him more pain and suffering he
does not deserve.� I guess what I
want to know is�what are your intentions?�

�� Kai blinked.� �How�medieval and paternal of you.�� The sarcastic remark came out before he could
stop it.

�� Max actually let out a bark of
laughter before he could smother it.� �Well,
he is a daddy now��

�� Shut up, Max.�� Rei frowned.�
�I�m serious!� What do you intend
for Takao now?�� He demanded.

�� That�s not my decision.� It�s Takao�s.�� Kai replied in a downright frosty tone.� �I get that you are concerned for him and
that you dislike me being in his life again, but Rei�� Kai leaned in just
enough that Rei�s eyes nearly crossed from being too close to see him
properly.� �Our relationship is between
Takao and I.� So fuck off.�

�� Golden eyes narrowed to slits.

�� Judy intervened before anyone came
to blows.� �Alright.� That�s enough, the both of you.� If you have further issues to discuss, do it
elsewhere, please.�� She shot a stern
frown at Kai when his hand lashed out and grabbed a fistful of Rei�s shirt before
he could move away.� �Agent!�� She snapped in command, hoping to jerk him
back to his surroundings.

�� No offense, Director, but stay out
of it.�� Kai warned, not even sparing a
glance for her.� He didn�t take his eyes
from Rei.� �You forced me into this
confrontation, Kon, but I�m not dumb enough, nor insensitive
enough, to kick your ass right here and now for even suggesting that I�m
so arrogant as to believe I own and control Takao�s every decision and life.� All I want is to be with him, to be allowed
to love him as I wanted to ten years ago, and every damned day since.� But if he doesn�t want me, then I let him go
and learn to live with myself.� It�s his
decision, understand?� Think whatever the
hell you want to of me, I don�t care, but stay out of what�s between Takao and
I.�� Kai released Rei and took a
deliberate step back, eyes burning with an intensity Rei hadn�t seen for years,
pure challenge in that gaze.

�� Raising a hand to his head, Rei
scratched an ear ruefully.� �Actually, I
was kind of hoping you�d fight to keep him, not just let him go.�� He shook his head.� �But it�s enough for me to know that you
get exactly what you did to him back then.�
And you never make the same mistake twice.�

�� The blaze was banked somewhat and
the tension in the room seemed to ooze away.�
Kai�s expression softened a little and he gave an acknowledging tilt of
his head.

�� Maybe they weren�t entirely happy
with each other, nor back to the mutual respect and tentative friendship they�d
had before, but there was a truce.� For
now, it was enough.

�� With a loud, exaggerated sigh, Max thwaped Rei on the back.�
�Rei, old buddy, you�ve got some balls getting into Kai�s face like
that.� I�m just glad I don�t have to plan
a funeral for you.�

�� Rei gave him a mild glare.� �Gee, thanks so much for the
confidence Maxie.�
I�m touched.�

�� He impressed me.�� Tala muttered, loud enough that Kai heard but
not the others.� Kai shot him a look.

�� What are you bitching about, wolf?�

�� And I thought we wolves were prone
to alpha tendencies.�� Tala drawled,
smirking at both Kai and a bristling neko-jin.� �Seems firebugs and cats are, too.�

�� Do you want me to rip your
head off and stuff it up your ass?�� Kai
inquired in a deceptively lazy tone, flipping his partner off.� �Go play in traffic, Tala.�

�� The Russian shrugged and grinned
playfully.� �Hey, I admire anyone who has
the guts to tell you off, just as I do.�
Don�t be such an ass, Kai.�

�� Kai pinched the bridge of his nose,
eyes closing against the headache he felt coming on.� �Why me?�

�� Rei, who�d gone back to sit with Mariah
and Judy by the windows, snickered at Kai�s predicament.� Max was trying � and failing � to hide his
own giggles of mirth.� Hilary, who had
gotten used to the strange banter between the two agents, just shook her head
at them and went to stand next to Tala.

�� Okay, enough baiting Kai.� We�re all being really loud when Takao�s
supposed to be recovering.� Have some
sense!�� she scolded.

�� Suddenly, Kenny exclaimed, �Hey!� I think he�s waking up!�

�� Everyone looked at the bed, saw
movement under the sheets, and heard a raspy, hoarse, nearly incomprehensible
voice murmur, �Kai��

�� Kenny sidestepped out of the way
before Kai could trample him when he practically crossed the room in one
leap.� Leaning down over his lover, who
was struggling weakly against the blankets covering him, Kai brushed the hair
out of Takao�s face gently and said, �Right here, Takao.� I�m here.�
You ready to wake up, love?�� Kai
stroked the bluenette�s cheek with a finger coaxingly.� �Come on, Takao. �Open those eyes��

�� Takao�s eyelids fluttered for a
moment then opened heavily, hazy but clear azure eyes peering out then looking
around for Kai.� When they found him,
Takao sighed and smiled a tiny bit in relief.�
�Kai�� he rasped again, frowning at himself.� Everything hurt and nothing wanted to do what
he told it to.

�� Hold on.�� Kai glanced at Kenny.� �Can you get him some water, Kenny?� His throat�s probably killing him.�

�� Ice chips!�� Pronounced Hilary, already moving.� �I�ll get some.�

�� And I�ll track down the doc.�� Tala strolled out after her.

�� The rest of us will go to the
waiting lounge.�� Judy began ushering
everyone else from the room.� �Come get
us when the doctor�s done, Kai.�

�� Yeah, sure.�� Kai agreed distractedly.� He put a hand to Takao�s chest when he tried
to sit up and see who else was in the room.�
�Aht!�
No, you just stay there, Taka.�
They�ll all be back.�

�� Frowning more, Takao managed to get
one hand free from under the covers and shoved ineffectually at said
covers.� �Hot.�� He managed in complaint, and Kai immediately
pulled off the top layer completely, then rolled the rest back some more so
Takao didn�t feel so constricted.

�� Better?�

�� Takao nodded.

�� Let me raise the bed a bit so you
can sit up.�� Kai moved to the bed�s foot
and found the button that moved the head of the hospital bed.� Once Takao was propped up comfortably in a
reclining position, he moved back to sit on the mattress beside him and took
his hand between his own.� �You gave me
one hell of a scare collapsing like you did, Kinomiya.� Think you can refrain from doing that ever
again?�

�� try.�� The younger man croaked, clenching his
fingers around Kai�s as tightly as he could.�
��happened?�

�� Everyone�s safe and well, first
off.�� Kai hastened to reassure him.� �Your father and Hiro were escorted back to
Japan, and they�re being taken care of by the UNA there until the rest of this
is wrapped up completely � which I�ll tell you all about later.� It�s not important right now.�� He rubbed Takao�s hand reassuringly, and
Takao nodded in acceptance. �We have Gideon and his goons in custody.� They�re been questioned, and you won�t believe
the rest of that story, but that�s for later, too.�� Kai raised their hands to his lips and kissed
the back of Takao�s hand.� �The important
things are that you and your family are safe, and free, and for now all I want
you to worry about is getting better, okay?�
Rest and heal, Kinomiya.�

�� Sound advice, Agent.�� Dr. Maison declared as she came bustling into
the room, followed by Hilary with a small container of ice chips.� �Welcome back to the world of the living,
Takao!� I�m quite happy to see you awake
and aware after such a close brush.�

�� Kai took the container from Hilary,
who waved at Takao with a happy, relieved smile before slipping out.� He fed a couple ice chips to his lover, who
made a throaty, pleased sound at the cool, wet relief to his sore throat.� Angelique proceeded to check him over, all
the while explaining what had happened to him.

�� Well, I pronounce you to be on your
way to a full recovery!� You�ll stay here
for a couple of weeks, until I�m sure your lungs haven�t been adversely
affected by the pneumonia, at least.�
Until then, rest, lots of liquids, more rest�and did I mention rest?�� Angelique repeated blithely, adjusting Takao�s
IV and making notes in his charts.

�� I�ll make sure of it, Angelique.�� Kai grinned at Takao, whose eyes were already
drooping shut.� �I doubt there�ll be much
argument for quite a while, however.�

�� Indeed.� I�ll be back in a few hours.� Sleep well, Takao!�� She breezed out, leaving Kai alone with the
bluenette.

�� Go to sleep, love.� I�m going to go let the others know you�re
okay, but I�ll be back, alright?�� Kai
bent and kissed Takao lightly on the mouth.�
�Promise.�

�� Hmm�� Takao hummed in exhaustion.� �Love�you�� he murmured, already falling
asleep as he spoke.

�� Kai smiled as everything in his
universe slipped into place, righting itself within his very soul.� �I love you, my Taka.� Sleep well, lover.�

�� He made sure Takao was out again
before he left, heading for the waiting lounge almost dazedly.� His mind was as exhausted as the rest of his
body, and the iron control he exercised over his emotions was beginning to rust
away.� Kai needed to get the group of
Takao�s visitors to go away for the night, then escape himself.� He�d promised Takao he�d be back, and he
would be, but he desperately had to get out of the UNA and find some
solitude.� His studio flat would have to
do.

�� As he walked into the lounge he was
met with anxious stares and questioning gazes � and one icy blue look of
intense study from Tala, who Kai was certain could tell just how close to the
end of his rope he really was.

�� Kai?� Is the doctor finished with Takao?�� Kenny asked hesitantly, unsure of how to deal
with a Kai who appeared to be about ready to collapse himself.

�� Yeah.�� Kai shook himself mentally and pulled himself
together a little.� �Yeah, Kenny, she�s
done.� He�s recovering nicely, she said,
but she�s keeping him for a few weeks, anyway.�

�� A collective sigh of relief filled
the room.� Max was smiling happily at the
news, and asked, �Can we go see him now?�

�� Kai dropped down onto a vacated seat
on a huge, cushioned sofa, shrugging indifferently.� �For a while, I guess.� But he�s asleep again � not likely to wake up
until tomorrow, either.�

�� Visiting hours are nearly up
anyway.�� Judy pointed out gently at the
expressions of disappointment on the others� faces.� �Maybe it would be best if we came back
tomorrow.�

�� Rei squeezed Mariah�s hand.� �Yes, that�s probably for the best.� We�re all tired, too, so why don�t we go find
a good restraint, have a meal, then go get some rest?�

�� There were murmurs of assent and
they began to file out the door slowly, speaking in quiet voices amongst each
other.

�� Kai didn�t move.� He had no intention of joining them, invited
or not.� One glance at his immobile partner
and Tala decided he�d just hang around and make sure he didn�t fall apart.

�� Hilary paused at the door when she
noticed they weren�t following.� �Aren�t
you two coming?�

�� Tala shook his head and made a
gesture in Kai�s direction to indicate he was going to look after the weary
man.� Hilary nodded in return.

�� Thanks anyway, Hilary.�� Kai refused, managing a small smile.� �I�m just not up to it.�

�� Alright.� I�ll see you tomorrow, then.� Get some rest, Kai.� We don�t need you in the hospital,
too.�� Hilary waved and left.

�� Tala glanced back down at Kai, then
hurried after her.� �Don�t
disappear.� I�ll be right back.�� Kai didn�t even look up.

�� Out in the hall, he caught up to
Hilary and the others.� �Hilary!� A word?�

�� She stopped, waving everyone else
along.� �I�ll catch up at the elevators.�� She looked up at Tala.� �Something wrong?�

�� Oh no.� Definitely not.�� He gave her a rather suggestive grin and
pulled a business card with a key taped to the back of it.� �Kenny and the others have rooms reserved �
Kenny�s got the details � but I was hoping�� he held out the card and key to
her.� ��you�d spend a little time with
me?� It�s my address and spare key.� Kai lives across the river from me, actually,
so I figure I�ll take him home, make sure he eats something, and passes out for
the foreseeable future, and meet you back at my place?�

�� Honey brown eyes widened and Hilary
looked from the key to his earnest, hopeful � yet anxious � expression.� �Really?�

�� Of course!� I mean�I know tonight is about sleep and all,
which is perfect, and I know you and I have stuff to talk about�but I�d really
like to�that is, I�d very much enjoy your company, Hilary.�

�� He really was rather endearing when
he stumbled nervously over his words like that, she thought with an inner
smile.� She reached out and accepted the
key, smiling in acceptance.� �Okay.� So, I guess I�ll see you after I eat?�

�� Relief cleared his expression and he
swept her into his arms for a hug.� �You
bet.� Take your time, and have fun,
sweetheart.� It�s Paris, after all!�

�� Hilary stood up on tip-toe and
kissed him lightly.� �I will.� Later, then.�

�� Tala watched her leave, then went
back to find Kai in the lounge.

~*~*~*~*~

Kali Notes:� As I said�looong
chapter.� And I�m getting used to the new
version of Word, which always makes things that much more interesting.� @_@�
More to come!� Please R/R!!!!
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Once A Thief