Near Collision

"Near Collision"

By Lael Stalnaker

Chapter 13: Out on the Town

Ethan sat at his computer and drummed his fingers on the desk edge. This data search was taking just too damn long. Some kind of result should have shown up by now. Ethan's fingers paused mid-tap. Maybe it was time to make another foray into the Matrix-like world. In his own mind he was already referring to it as the Virtual Realm.

The idea chilled him at the same time it caused his pulse to race. Who knew what could happen if he wasn't careful. He hated the thought of getting stuck in that streaming light and strobe of electrical shockwaves. He was only partly sure that he could exit at will. It was too much of an unknown, but his patience was far from infinite. Too much time was passing and that prophecy lingered in his mind. They had to find the third immortal soon. Ethan could feel the hairs at the back of his neck rising at the thought of not finding whoever it was.

Being the logical person that he was, Ethan delayed going back into that enticing world. He wanted to think it all through before committing himself to exploring that alluring plane of non-existence. After calming himself, Ethan began to sort it all out from his memories of his earlier brush with it. He let his eyes shut and replayed the entire scenario over and over within his mind's eye. Half convinced that he had imagined the whole blasted experience, the unreality of it still made him tremble

Still trembling, Ethan let his eyes open again and stared at the 19" monitor in front of him. The screen shimmered and he found himself staring back at his body through the screen. Ethan could just make out the form of Josh still sleeping on the bed. Tangled hair and limbs thrown out in all directions made him smile before he looked more fully at his own motionless body. He flinched as he caught the vacuous glazed look on his face. The sight was blood curdling. It nearly drove him back just to rid himself of that empty look. As near as he could tell, everything that was the essential Ethan was now in the computer. Only an empty, listless husk rested out in the ordinary world. He fought the impulse to abort his current foray into the Virtual Realm and never return.

Ethan purposely turned his back on the image on the other side of the slightly concave glass wall before him. His breath caught in his throat as the stream of greenish yellow light whizzed past him and off into the distance. His brow furrowed as he pondered. Distance and time should mean little here. Sub-atomic matter and energy ruled this realm. He twisted his thoughts and watched breathlessly for the result. The light changed.

Little bundles of light came into sight and began slowing down as he concentrated on them individually. He tracked one and knew immediately what it meant, where it was going and why. His search program was still scanning for subtle traces of immortal activity. Skyler and Ethan had worked out a complex set of probabilities concerning how the immortals might impact on the mortal world. Bryce and Josh gave some tips and insight into how they thought things might happen. Ethan then distilled it all into a search virus that sought the information and then returned. He had no qualms about it being a virus and made several tests to make sure that it did exactly what was wanted and not a micro-inch beyond. He refused to have his work be the cause of any problems for others. So far, only a minuscule nibble had come back. Right here in California there might be another immortal.

Now that he could view the program functioning, he saw how limited it really was. No wonder it was taking forever and a day to get anything back. There were simply not enough of the virus go out to make a dint in the immense world of the Internet. Focusing his mind on a packet of light, he began to duplicate it with a simple thought. He originally designed it to not replicate at all, but now he chose to do it himself. Without granting the ability to reproduce itself, Ethan felt that he could safely multiply the virus. He watched as it split and split again, somehow not losing any substance as it did so. He grinned at the bending of the Law of Conservation.

Within seconds, billions of the viruses flooded out into the Virtual Realm. Ethan grew bold and followed them out from his computer and onto the line of light leading elsewhere. A titanic force blasted into the center of his back, momentarily stunning him. By the time he shook off his confusion, he was already far from his starting point. Panic nearly overcame him. How the fuck was he going to find his way back?!

Ethan clamped down rigidly on his rising fear and turned it aside. Panic might very well kill him. He gathered in his mind and willed himself to a standstill within the brilliant flow of energy. As soon as he thought it, it happened. He glanced back and saw the same silvery transparent tether that appeared the first time he had entered this light-speed place. Experimenting cautiously, Ethan felt back along that tenuous faint line. He found himself back at his computer looking at his empty body.

He realized quickly then that travel here was instantaneous and that he would never truly get lost. The sense of freedom that gave him was heady. Possibilities unfolded before his eyes. This trip might be worth the scares after all. Ethan turned back to the flow of light and willed himself into it. He was stunned as he caught sight of his arm as he moved. There was a silvery cast to it and it was bare. Glancing down, he saw that not a shred of clothing graced his athletic form. He nearly paused but continued on his way. No one else could see his nudity and why waste time on a social nicety that no one would see here? Ethan brought himself fully into the center of the light strand and let it catapult him outward.

Josh woke and stretched slowly. He reveled in the sensations of having a physical form. It always amazed him how wonderful it felt; he savored even the occasional tiredness. Centuries of formlessness seemed utter folly when weighed against all of the things brought with being embodied. He would not return to that ethereal state of unbeing again, if he had any choice in the matter.

He rolled over onto his side and looked at Ethan. This mortal had given him so much and took it all for granted. Josh became alarmed as he finally realized that Ethan's form was unnaturally still. The barest breath lifted and fell. Josh bolted upright and focused his othersight on Ethan. The essence of Ethan was not there. Josh felt his heart race with sudden fear. Then he noticed the out of phase silvery cord leading into the monitor. It did nothing to ease the fear within him.

Josh got off the bed, threw on some clothes and went to Ethan's side. Ethan still was not moving beyond the minimal necessary to sustain life. Josh flinched as he watched a fly land on Ethan's cheek and begin walking toward his eye. Just as it was about to step onto it, Josh blew at it gently, dislodging it. It flew off through the open bedroom door. He still was not sure what to think or do about this situation.

He paced back and forth for a time, thinking. Josh then sat himself on the edge of the bed and waited. It seemed the most prudent course, for now. As long as Ethan's body continued to function, he would do nothing. The possibility of something going wrong was high, but interfering might be worse. Josh twisted around and put himself on his stomach, his chin braced in his two hands. The waiting was all that was left to do now.

Ethan watched his virus travel and then brought himself to a halt. An idea occurred to him that might speed things up considerably. He dived onto a diverging light strand and willed himself into the state?s computer system. He examined tax records and then property ownership, wherever that was accessible. Ethan noticed a trend and sought its source. He hopped over from the state system onto the Los Angeles county system. The pattern was there.

A large number of bars and clubs appeared to be owned by one person. There were holding companies and shadow middlemen, but the traces were leading to just one person. There seemed an equal number of both straight and gay businesses involved, though the pattern of hiding was not varying on that basis. Ethan thought back to the one speck of information that had come back through the other search. It definitely seemed to point at this individual. Now Ethan wanted to find a name. He dug harder into the files. They appeared as a little blip of light that stayed stationary before his eyes until he dismissed it for the next.

Ethan growled his frustration. This was still taking far longer than he wanted. The real owner was not showing up and it was becoming down right aggravating! Ethan paused his file scanning and thought hard. His eyes literally brightened for a moment as the final clue to finding the mysterious owner of those clubs popped into his head. He was positive that the owner was an immortal and fairly certain as to which one too. It fit the information that Skyler had given, even if slightly off skew.

He began to let files move again, but this time watched them carefully. Just as he suspected, the files showed telltale signs; definitely altered. Ethan grinned and latched onto the file in front of him. He thoughtfully turned the angle of the file and then grinned again. Information never really dies and this case was no different than most others. Whoever had done the back-trail cover-up had not understood that concept. Ethan attached a small program to the backside of the program and waited. Then his pulse jumped, causing him to nearly loosing his place in the data stream.

He realized that he formed the program attachment out of nothing. Simply thinking it created it and set it in motion. Ethan was amazed. Things worked so differently now. His mind alone was enough to cause things to happen. He shook his head in wonder. This power business was more versatile than he had ever imagined. It also took far more getting used to than he had thought either. Still, it was proving very useful. He focused once more on the matter at hand.

The tiny program was purring right along and had recreated the altered data. Ethan felt a smug satisfaction that it had worked so quickly. This was so much better than having to type in code and work it out that way. All of the knowledge in his head after years of schooling was turning out to be more useful this way than he had ever anticipated.

Ethan scanned the finished program and nodded to himself. Now he had a name and it was likely to be an immortal. He thought for a moment and then redesigned his little add-on program. It whirled and then undid all the changes that it had just made moments before. Ethan figured that if someone had gone to all of the trouble to hide this name, he had better not be sloppy. It took no real effort to cover his own tracks in case the other programmer came back to check on his own work. Caution was a good idea until they knew exactly whom they were dealing with.

Once the mini program was finished, Ethan sent a tendril of thought to it and dissolved it. He carefully filled in the space it had once occupied with what should be there just make sure no else would come along and do exactly what he had just done. Confident now that he had thought of everything, Ethan reversed his course and headed back home. This was more than enough exploring for his cautious soul. He grinned to himself as he neared his homeport. Possibilities danced through his mind about future uses for this newfound ability. He laughed aloud as he shot out of his monitor and into his stationary body. Ethan blinked his eyes a couple of times to readjust his sight and then realized that Josh was watching him from the bed.

"Uh, mornin' Josh. Been up long?"

"Long enough to be very worried. What possessed you to do such a thing? You might have become lost or hurt. I do not even know if any of us could have found you. It is a serious thing to leave your body that way and especially for one so new to their abilities," admonished Josh, deep concern layered through his words.

"I guess I probably should've told you guys about this before. Sorry. I only recently figured out I can do this. I wanted to be sure that I could use it. Really, Josh, I didn't mean to scare you, honest." Ethan lowered his eyes, slightly ashamed of his subterfuge.

"Fortunately, you seem to be well. Where did you go? What did you do?" Josh's tone eased with Ethan's apology.

"I went into the computer and out onto the lines connecting it to others. Do you understand?" Ethan waited for Josh's hesitant nod before continuing, "I seem to be able to put my consciousness into the energy and then direct it elsewhere. I was getting tired of how long it was taking to find another immortal and I just found myself in the computer. Regardless of the initial risk, I found one! He seems to fit the profile for either Dionysus or Ganymede. I am not sure yet which one it is, but the match goes well enough for us to go check it out." Ethan leaned back in the chair and stretched his arms over his head while clasping his hands together. Then he leaned his head forward to ease the tension in his neck.

"You are certain that you have found one of the Lost Ones? How extraordinary! We must tell Skyler and Bryce. We should act on this soon, if you think the information is accurate enough," Joshua lost much of his concern in the face of the news.

"Yeah, I am pretty sure that the information is good. We may have to check out quite a few clubs, but I have a feeling we will run across him sooner than later. Let?s go tell the guys," Ethan said as he stood up.

Joshua nearly bounced off the bed in his enthusiasm. For the first time in months, things might actually be moving again. He reached Ethan within two strides and swept him into his arms. He kissed Ethan's neck and then his lips. It still felt wonderful to experience contact with another. Too long had he stayed in the outer void, formless and alone.

They went out into the living and found Bryce sitting, as usual, with his legs thrown over the side of the armchair. He seemed to be engrossed with what was on the TV. Ethan giggled and then burst out laughing as he realized that Bryce was watching a home shopping network with utter fascination. The current display was sports memorabilia. Ethan choked off the laughter as Bryce looked up in confusion.

"Where's Sky? We have some news," Ethan asked.

"He went to do something. He did not say how long it would take. What has happened?" Bryce flicked the TV off reluctantly.

"We're going out tonight. I may have tracked down one of our missing guys. Might be Dionysus or Ganymede. Not sure yet, but I have it narrowed down to those two. We'll have to go see for ourselves. 'Sides, it'll do us all good to get the hell out of this place for a while. I hope Sky gets back soon."

Skyler pulled his car into his spot and shut off the motor. He sat for a moment contemplating the results of his doctor's visit. He was not sure how he felt about some of the test results. Over all, he was healthier than he had ever been in his life. But... some of the tests were odd. Strange compounds that couldn't be identified were found in the samples. Nothing toxic, but also completely unknown. Sky had a feeling that something was changing within him and knew of only one thing that could account for any unknown. The bonding. It had to be a side effect of his bond with Bryce. Nothing else fit.

He would have to tell the others and then decide on what to do. If the compounds turned out to be something too exotic, he just knew that the doctor would want to run more and more tests. The doc would also try his damnedest to find the source for the unusual substances. Sky grimaced. They definitely would need to do something before things got too far out of control.

Taking his keys out of the ignition finally, he got out of the car and slowly walked back to the apartment. He probably should have told them all that he was going in to get some test results, but he really didn't want them to know before he was ready. Besides, why have them all sitting home worrying, especially if it all amounted to nothing. Then again, Skyler had known as soon as the doctor called that something was up. Usually, he just let him know what was up, fairly casually, one way or another. Just the fact that he wanted to speak to Skyler face to face was a sign that something was way out of whack. Now he knew. Skyler sighed deeply as he entered the front door.

He stopped as he saw all three of them sitting in the living room, as if waiting for him. Their expressions were of barely repressed excitement until they got a closer look at Skyler's own expression. Ethan was the first to actually find enough voice to speak into the sudden awkward silence.

"So, bro, what's the deal? Where've you been? We may have found another immortal through the computer," Ethan explained.

"I went back to the doctor's office for some follow up tests. My blood work showed up with some oddities and the doc wanted to take new samples and redo the tests. I went along with it for now, but I am pretty sure that I already know what the real deal is..." Skyler let his voice trail off.

"What do you mean?" asked Bryce. "Blood tests? Why?"

"Well, I went in for my regular check-up. My doc likes to keep on top of everything and does full blood work-ups to check on everything. This was my first check up since we bonded. Apparently, something turned up that hasn't before. You've changed me, Bryce. Physically. Enough that it showed up on the tests they ran. I guess it had to do with something in my blood that is big enough to show up on a microscope, because I have no idea how else they could've found it from normal tests. It doesn't really matter how they found it, only that they did. I have no idea what to do about it," explained Skyler.

Ethan, Bryce and Joshua sat in stunned silence. The enormity of the situation was not lost on them. Entire new realms of problems yawned open before them. This was not a problem that could be blithely ignored. Bryce's forehead furrowed as he thought. Ethan stared at Skyler and then at Joshua.

"It has to be connected to the bonding," Ethan said.

"My thought exactly," agreed Skyler.

"Which means that the same thing probably would show up on any tests done on me. We really can't let this get any further. How do we stop any further questions and testing without raising more questions that will get even more awkward to let them ask? I don't see doctors or scientists accepting the real answers. And, we don't need the government getting in on the act either. Talk about a lovely nightmare! It would go down hill fast." Ethan mused aloud.

"Well, there is a way to deal with it. It is a bit old fashioned, but it has never failed us before. Take back the samples, edit the paper trail and then use the water of Lethe," suggested Bryce.

"Water of Lethe?" Ethan inquired shifting his eyes between Bryce and Skyler.

"The river Lethe removes all memory. Bryce is talking about making everyone involved forget they ever found anything in those tests. And to make sure, to change all the records to normal results that would not raise any eyebrows. I think it could work," Skyler said to Ethan before turning to Bryce. "But, I thought that the river removes ALL memory?"

"It would normally, but it can be altered to remove specific memories. I would not suggest it otherwise. What concerns me more is this: can we find all the evidence? It would all be undone if a physical reminder of any kind turned up. How sure can we be that we got everything?" Bryce asked in return.

"Well, I know we can get the doctor's records and I know where the lab is. When I go in again, I can dose him and his staff with the water." Skyler said.

"I can handle all of the computer records and anything that went out electronically," offered Ethan.

"Joshua and I will deal with the lab samples and the lab paperwork. We can get in without anyone knowing and do what is needed. It may be best to completely replace your blood rather than strip it of whatever they think they have found. I do not even know if it can be removed. The paper results are easy enough to change, if you tell us what would be there normally." Bryce ticked off the points on his fingers as he made them.

"I think we may be able to pull this off. What a relief! I really couldn't think of a way out of this mess. Thanks guys. I guess no more doctor visits after this!" Skyler let his breath out in an explosive sigh of relief.

"I did not realize that you go to the doctor when you are not ill. That concept is a little strange. I can understand why when a person is ill or feeling ill, but when you are not?" Bryce could not hide his puzzlement.

"It's called 'preventive care', Bryce. The idea is to catch things before they become real illnesses." Skyler grinned.

"Had you but asked, I could have told you that you would no longer get ill. The bonding prevents it. The immortal energy infused into your being heals you of all illness and hurt. Someone would literally have to drain you dry of all that I have given you before it could harm you. Or, you would have to will yourself out of existence."

Skyler sat stunned and then burst out laughing, "Wish you had told me that before! It never occurred to me to ask. So, what is this about another immortal?"

"Well, I think I have found one. I am not sure if it is Dionysus or not. The earmarks are for him. He owns a string of bars and clubs that would certainly fit his MO. I think we should go check out a couple of these clubs and see if he hangs around," answered Ethan.

"That would be a real break! I wonder if there is any way we can find out where he'll be. You know I am really not into the night scene," said Skyler.

"Well, I know, but I think this is our best bet. Who knows how long it will take? It has taken us months just to get to this point!" replied Ethan.

Joshua cleared his throat loudly and looked sharply at Ethan. "Tell him the rest Ethan. About how you found this supposed immortal." Skyler glanced back and forth between the now tense faces.

Ethan lowered his eyes from Joshua's and then said, "Well... ummm... I sorta... Well, I went into the computer and onto the Internet."

"So? You do that all of the time." Skyler said.

"No, you didn't get it. I went INTO the computer. At least part of me did. My body stayed. My mind took a little trip into cyberspace. It seems I do have some abilities that we hadn't figured out until now. It even makes a crude kind of sense. You go to the Dream realm and I go to the Virtual realm. You into intuition and me into logic..." Ethan's voice trailed off with embarrassment.

"Wow!" Skyler was staggered by the news. "Well, it makes sense, just like you said. Anyway, what do you have on this new immortal?"

"He is going by the name Gabriel Marino. At least, that is the name that I managed to finally get to. I imagine that it has to be him. The trail ends there and all of the available information really does point to another immortal. I still think we should go check out some of the clubs listed and see if our boys here can get a vibe on him. Hell, we may be able to pick up on him by this point, especially since he would expect a couple of mortals to know what he is." Ethan pointed out.

"The flaw with that logic is this: he could just as easily see what you two are, obviously bonded and with full comprehension of your abilities as such. That could be considered threatening, especially if this immortal has been out of contact with others of our kind for a significant amount of time. Perhaps just Josh and I should go to these places and look for him. You are sure that it is one of the male immortals?" Bryce asked Ethan.

"Relatively certain. Even then, isn't gender kind of a moot point with you guys? Shapechanging would make it impossible to determine a gender," asked Ethan.

"True, we can take any form, regardless of gender, but we tend to keep to our own out of comfort. Still, the thought process tends to remain within our original gender and we always return to the form of our first manifestation. The length of time in any form hardly matters, but we do not expend any extra energy when we revert to our own form. Well, I should say, a form relatively close to our own. The fewer differences the better." Bryce amplified.

Skyler thought for a moment and then said, "I'm not so sure that it's wise to have you and Joshua out alone. Despite your coming a long way with adapting to modern society, you need the help we can provide by being there. Don't get upset, it's just that you both tend to get angry so easily and then revert to old habits when dealing with mortals. So, Ethan and I will go with you. Besides, we haven't all been out of this apartment together in much too long."

Bryce and Joshua exchanged glances and then both nodded their acceptance. Skyler's relief was profound as he slowly let out his breath. He hadn't even been aware that he was holding it until now. Ethan smiled and wrapped his arms around Joshua.

"Ok, let's get ready for tonight then. We'll leave around 8 o'clock and start hitting those clubs. Let's spend about 2 hours at each and then move onto the next one. I'll get that list together. I just hope he'll show up at one of them when we are actually there. It could take weeks if we keep missing him. I don't think we have that much time left before things get really hairy. Hop to it guys, we have a busy night ahead of us," directed Ethan in a completely authoritative manner.

"Time to get out of here guys," yawned Ethan. "I doubt he'll show up here. I can't believe how dead it is. Especially for a Friday night. Maybe I was mistaken the whole time..."

"Well, we hit all the places on your list, didn't we? What's left?" asked Skyler.

"An after hours club seems to be it now. I guess he doesn't check on his own clubs. That or we're playing tag and he is at the places we just left. I am out of umph guys. Call it a night or check this last place?" asked Ethan.

"You know if we don't check this last one, it'll be the one that he shows up at. Let's go and then if we don't spot him after a few minutes, we'll head on home. Ok?" replied Skyler.

"Yeah, you're right. Let's get this over with," sighed Ethan.

Bryce and Joshua grinned. They were far from tired and looked like they could keep going for hours more. They both had that preternatural glow, almost a sparkle that just seemed to get stronger as the night went on. Skyler cut off the irritation about it that was growing by the second. After all, the immortals didn't really deserve his peevishness just because their stamina was supplemented by the constant flow of energy they received due to their concepts being enacted.

The four men drove to the last location and parked in a crowded lot. There were a lot of cars and that probably meant that this was a popular spot with the continuous party crowd. They paid the cover fee and entered the main room. It was wall to wall dancers. High energy music blasted from huge speakers on the far side of the room. The stifling aroma of hot sweaty men permeated the air. The four guys exchanged glances and then paired off, Ethan and Joshua heading into the crowded dance floor while Bryce and Skyler circled around the outer layer.

"How can anyone think in this din?" asked Bryce, wincing.

"Huh?" shouted Skyler. Bryce shook his head and continued plowing through the crowd. His eyes swept back and forth, scanning for the possible appearance of the unknown immortal. After half an hour of fruitless searching, they all met up again near the entrance.

"Anything with you guys?" asked Ethan as they approached.

"Not a thing. I'll assume that you didn't get a glimmer either since you're asking us." Skyler replied.

"Nope. Though it would help if we knew what we were..." Ethan's voice trailed off.

All four heads turned as a figure came through the entrance directly behind them. A palatable aura washed over their senses. The man behind them was about five-ten and maybe 160 pounds. His dark hair was short cut and shaved at the sides. Deep brown skin and glittering black eyes testified to Latino origins. He wore all white; slacks, dress shoes, belt and button down shirt nearly glowed in the gloom of the dance club. He seemed, at most, twenty years old.

The new comer stopped in his tracks and his eyes widened. He was staring directly at the four clustered before him. A slow smile drew his lips back and he started toward them. His movements were brisk and yet somehow graceful. He seemed to exude vitality and cheerfulness. He came to a stop within inches of the waiting group.

"Hello, may I help you?" asked the utterly handsome young man.

"You might just be able to, at that," murmured Skyler when everyone else remained tongue tied.

"How might that be?" came the polite inquiry.

"Is there somewhere we can all talk without having to shout? It's a little hard to carry on a conversation here just now," asked Skyler.

The young man nodded and motioned for them to follow. He wound his way through the edge of the crowded floor toward the back half of the club. At a closed and guarded door, he turned to make sure that all were still with him and then motioned for the guard to open the door. This was done with haste and then the guard stepped aside to clear the way for them to enter unimpeded. The young man motioned them in ahead of him and then closed the door behind him as he too came in. The noise level shifted so radically that they thought for a moment they had gone deaf. The ringing in their ears slowly faded and then finally came to a halt altogether.

"Please be seated and be comfortable," said the young man, motioning to an area that contained a couch and several well upholstered wing-backed chairs. Each took a place and waited. The others glanced at Skyler and he took that to mean that they wanted him to be their spokesman. With a sigh, he nodded.

"It is good of you to grant us a moment of your time. We are grateful. We've spent all night trying to find you." Skyler opened with.

"I am pleased to be found by four such unusual, and not only to say good looking, men. You may take up as much of my time as you like in repayment for the feast of your beauty."

"May I ask your name, sir? I am Skyler Saint James, along with my brother Ethan. This is Bryce and Joshua Jackson."

"My name is Gabriel Marino. I am the proprietor of this club. It is my distinct pleasure to make all of your acquaintances. Is there something more I can do for you? I am very sure that this is not a random chance happening, that I find the four of you on my threshold this night. My senses are not dulled and I recognize the 'scent' of immortal blood among you," Gabriel said bluntly.

"Surely you recognize more than just a scent, Gabriel," Bryce replied. "Despite our appearance, surely you know very well whom you speak with."

"As my brother says, you know us. No change of form would fool you, oh intimate of immortals," added Joshua. Gabriel gasped at the supposed indiscretion. His eyes flickered to Skyler and Ethan, then back to Bryce and Joshua. Returning his gaze to the two mortals, they saw his eyes soften and then widen as he looked closely at them.

"Ah, I see. They are your bonded. That explains much. You definitely came here to find me. Name me and we will speak plainly." He waved Bryce off and pointed to Ethan, "Name me truly and I will continue our conversation. Name falsely and I leave, as do you. I seek no dealings willingly with my brethren from days I no longer desire to recall. Even less so with mortals, regardless of the trust placed in making them bonds to this physical realm." Gabriel sat back and folded his arms belligerently across his chest. He no longer smiled.

Ethan sat mute, unsure how to proceed. He had not expected to be singled out for this purpose. Skyler should have been the one to make the identification, if any were really needed. Now, he would have to gamble on the bits and pieces he could remember from Skyler and Bryce's input for the computer searches. He hoped it would be enough. Ethan drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"You are..." his voice trailed off with uncertainty. Skyler smiled tightly and nodded his head in encouragement. Gabriel also smiled, though tightly and without humor. Bryce and Joshua appeared to be without concern and waited patiently. "You are Ganymede. I name you." Ethan prayed he had made the right guess, or else all of their hard work was down the toilet.

Gabriel sat motionless for a time and then nodded. He leaned back into his chair and folded his ankle over his knee. Joshua openly grinned now, while Bryce only looked satisfied. Skyler reached across Bryce and patted Ethan?s knee. Ethan slumped back in relief.

"Well guessed, mortal Ethan. It seems I am unmasked and found, despite my care for secrecy. I grant leave for the discourse to continue," said Gabriel/Ganymede.

"Oh, just drop the pompous formality Gabriel. You never were at all interested in forms, so let us get on with this. Or have you altogether lost your sense of fun and adventure over the centuries?" snapped Bryce.

"I thought myself done with you and the others. Whatever else, do not seek to hurl insults and orders in my teeth. I have enjoyed myself immensely in the long years of being free of all of you. Obviously, you have not changed your own manner all that much. Still seeking to order the lives of others, no doubt. Considering what you stole from me, why should I not be cautious when you arrive unlooked for yet again after so long?" growled Gabriel.

Ethan was completely confused by the friction between Bryce and Gabriel. Skyler shook his head and motioned that they would talk about it later. Skyler had a pretty good idea what was bothering Gabriel, though he was amazed that it should be so now. Joshua looked uncomfortable. He too knew what this tension between the two other immortals was really about.

"So, you hold that as a grudge? Despite the fact that you would not be here now?" snapped Bryce, color beginning to rise on his neck.

"Why not? I lost what mattered. All gone, forever, without even a chance to really say goodbye? You wonder at my grief and unhappiness with a choice that was thrust on me? I know your hands are not clean in this. They are dirty from many messes that could have been avoided. I have had long years to reflect on my circumstances. The love you gave me hardly replaces the love I lost. You who claim no loyalties, you who sunders family and friends, you who hides behind mouthings about following your mother's directions! How convenient! How noble and filial! What about my own filial honor and duty? I shamed my father. What matter that Zeus PAID my father for me? Horses! How galling to find one's worth measured in horses! Had you not interfered with me, I would have had a normal life and kept faith with my family.

"No, instead I must watch all I knew crumble away in death. My home is a shattered ruin through the ages. My beloved father is dust in the wind. Zeus? love was to compensate me for this horror? Far better he had let me live out my life as a mortal, the way I was born! Out of love of me, he did not want to see me age and wither. He took me from my home and I thought it would be to my death. How else could I think when a giant eagle plucked me from the ground?!

"Do you know what they call my story now? 'The Rape of Ganymede'! I am no one's victim! I refuse to allow you to again turn my life inside out for whatever game you play now. I only listen for these mortals? sake that they may first hear of your manipulations. I see that they are bonded. Do they understand their risk? That for your sake, they become targets for those who would harm you? That if they are removed, your tenuous hold on this reality lessens and fades with each day? That without them, you both would loose touch with time passing and even perhaps forget your nature?

"Do you still want to talk to me? I will listen, but I do not guarantee that it will make a difference, whatever it may be about." Gabriel finished, leaning back into his chair with his arms still crossed defiantly across his chest. Bryce started to reply, his cheeks now as red as his neck, but stopped before words came forth in a torrent of rebuttal. Skyler's hand against his chest brought him out of his induced rage. He glanced at Skyler and caught something he hardly expected to see: amusement. He felt the rage drain from him. Apparently, his lover had a plan already in mind. Bryce nodded his understanding and kept his mouth shut. Skyler smiled and nodded his approval.

"Ganymede, this has little to do with the past. It has everything to do with now and the future. Despite your anguish with Eros and the past, are you ready to give up all possibility of tomorrow? Are you prepared to lose your immortality and any hope of continuing on through the ages? Are you telling us that no proof or information would help to bend your sympathy?" Skyler paused to let Ganymede respond.

"What in Hades' name are you talking about? How could anything you have to say mean anything to me?" Ganymede demanded.

"Should we even bother? If your heart and mind are closed to us, how can we possibly get you to understand the peril facing us all? Will you at least consent to listen? Without prejudice because of who comes bearing the tidings? Will you do this small thing and thereby, perhaps, save yourself and very likely the world?" Skyler shot back. Bryce's eyes widened at the elegance of the rebuke. Ethan smiled. He was used to how Skyler could demolish stubborn arguments with sharp wit and infinite patience. He was unconcerned with Ganymede's obvious hostility. Joshua sat quietly, waiting for the next volley of words.

Ganymede paused before replying to the stinging words. He was hardly surprised. However, he also knew there was more to what was happening than he first thought. Looking closely at both Ethan and Skyler, he grew thoughtful. Power radiated from the mortals. Potent power. Power enough to do battle with nearly any full immortal. He glanced at the two other immortals and used other sight. It confirmed his thought. Power flowed between them and their bonded. Far more than a simple bonding would account for. The glow from the mortals was more than was natural. Ganymede grew more thoughtful as the possibilities opened before him.

"Yes, yes, I think I will hear what you have to say. I may not agree to anything, but I will listen. Speak," said Ganymede, his eyes riveted to Skyler's face now.

"Very well. Eros came to me because of a need to find the others of your immortal family. At first, this need was indistinct and tenuous. He only knew that something was wrong. As time passed, the feeling of wrongness grew stronger. When we bonded, Anteros was drawn to us. We all thought that it was something that could be dealt with in some way among us. Then Eros found a scroll with a prophecy that named us. It describes what sounds like the end of this world. It also implies that it can be stopped if certain conditions are met within a small time frame. One of those conditions is that we find a third immortal now. You are who we found. If we can continue to fulfill those terms in the scroll, we should be able to end the threat to humanity. Are you willing to read the scroll for yourself?" asked Skyler. He handed it over at Ganymede?s brisk nod. Ganymede scanned it and then reread it more thoroughly. His skin paled and his eyes sped along the ancient lines.

"I would be the third immortal mentioned? I do not understand why. I see another problem as well."

"What problem?" asked Skyler with a frown.

"Even were I the third one, I cannot help."

"Why?!" Skyler asked incredulously.

"I would be no help since I currently have no bonded. No one has struck me as worthy and none has named me correctly until now. I have little time until I go back into the Void to regain my essence. We cannot bring in another mortal, for that would negate the words of prophecy," explained Ganymede calmly. "Were I even able to help, I would be largely useless to you in a short time."

Ethan glanced at Joshua and Bryce. They nodded and looked doubtful. Skyler was puzzled by the exchange. Ethan sighed and looked down at his toes. He drew several deep breaths and then got up. He took Joshua by the hand and led him to a corner away from the others. Skyler's unease grew as his brother held a quiet and completely inaudible conversation with Joshua. His worry grew yet more as Joshua suddenly started at something Ethan said and then he slumped against the wall. Ethan gestured back toward Ganymede and then took Joshua's hand into his own. He held it to his chest and leaned forward to kiss Joshua's cheek. Joshua nodded. They came back to the others and sat once more.

"I have the solution to this minor problem," said Ethan. Everyone but Joshua looked at him expectantly. "Ganymede will bond with me."

"What?!?" yelled Skyler.

This concludes Chapter 13. I will pick it up in Chapter 14. All comments are welcome and helpful. Thank you all. Lael