Le Havre, France

“So exactly what sort of dress code do you have around here?” Sasha asked sardonically as Faye made her presence known and what a presence it was. Sasha might have preferred the company of men to most but he could appreciate an excellent physical specimen when they were in front of him. Speaking of appreciating physical specimens, he couldn’t help but be a bit disappointed by Ashe’s swift departure. Sasha was aware that his presence here would come as a surprise but he hadn’t quite expected outright rejection and a full on escape. Though if Sasha had been asked he probably could've come up with a few ideas as where to find Ashe, ideas which he would use later. If Ashe thought he was going to get away with that display he was terribly mistaken.

It had definitely come as a shock to him as well to learn that he would be reporting to someone who let him willingly take advantage of them in their personal life. Preferably, Sasha would’ve liked to have kept business and pleasure separate but considering that both he and Ashe were inexorably tied to Sirion they’d been lucky they’d hadn’t worked together sooner. Sasha had been informed of the team being formed to find the escapees, recognizing them as capable agents but in all honesty his heart might have skipped a beat when his eyes landed on Ashe’s name. Of course by then it’d been too late to back out, he’d signed a contract not to mention the very real fact of his freedom being on the line. A contract seemed a bit ridiculous to the twenty-six year old who was well aware that he was not technically a person and instead legal property of Sirion, but he’d signed with a flourish and a smile. He would play the role a while longer, at least until he got what he wanted.

Leaning back in his chair, Sasha tried in vain to keep his gaze from the following the younger man’s retreating figure. Yes, he would most definitely have to go to Asche, smooth this over, and make it okay for them to be in this together. There were too many things riding on the outcome of this operation, first and foremost Sasha’s own freedom. They’d have to figure out how to work together, the alternative wasn’t worth thinking over.

Silver eyes immediately shuttered and narrowed, closing off any emotion besides shallow amusement. He knew what happened when he showed a preference for things, or liked something…or someone. It became one of their freaky, little experiments and he’d be damned if he let that happen to him and Ashe. So instead he turned his attention to the newly arrived Faye, who was always good for a bit of fun. You’d probably end up naked, but that only added an exhilarating edge to things in his view.

“I heard you were here, darling and looking lovely as ever.” Sasha offered, a wolfish grin stretching across his face as he rested his chin on his hand, grey eyes appreciatively taking in every inch of proffered flesh before winking at the feisty woman. “What say we go and find our sad prince? Our little band has only just gathered and he’s already trying to run away. Typical.” This would also give Sasha a chance to speak with Asche and Faye in relative privacy and perhaps make it clear just how important this way.

Anton’s mouth went dry and his hands grew clammy at the prospect of Sirion using the people he and Czeska were closest to fool them, to recapture them. Immediately Anton took up a defensive position and used his own ability in an attempt to sort out exactly who they were and what was going on. With his extremely sensitive hearing Anton picked up no radio chatter, no transmissions about Sirion or themselves. No agents hovering behind a door ready to pounce. It didn’t seem possible, yet his heart swelled at the thought of actually finding the other half of his “family”.

Taking a step back in a state of confusion, Anton once again used hi control over sound waves to muffle the foursome’s conversation, pale blue eyes flitting from Greg, to Czeska and back again. He wanted to reach out for Czeska and draw him near, for as much as Czes drew strength from Anton the reverse was also true. It had been years since Ani had felt so blindsided, shocked into inaction as it were. So when Charlie and Will attempted to soothe the now invisible Czeska and lead him away to the bathroom, Anton followed dumbly able to keep track of Czes through his soft sniffles and hiccups.

Once safely entombed within the four walls of the bathroom, Ani allowed himself to really take a look at Charlie and Will. It was astonishing, they’d all had six years of growing up and hardship but he felt as if he’d recognize them anywhere. Nodding slowly, he dragged a limp hand across his face still damp from the rain and reach out his other to support Czes. Super hearing most definitely came in handy, especially when someone you were close to could make themselves invisible at the drop of a hat.

“Yes, it’s me.” Anton offered, his voice holding a strange sort of breathless quality. “Czeska, I think we’re fine. It’s Will…It’s Charlie. Somehow, I don’t know how but you can stop okay?” He finished, attempting to give Czes’ shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “How did this happen? Have you two been here the whole time?” The oldest boy asked, narrowed eyes darting from Will to Charlie in quick succession.

---

It felt like I wasn't even in control of my own body. I was ushered along into the bathroom, painfully numb and still in shock for several long minutes as I tried to breathe and regain myself. This had to be some kind of trick, some illusion, and I found myself not wanting to believe Anton though I knew he could never lie to me—not about something like this, anyway. This was too big, affected us both too much, and I could feel somewhere inside, the familiarity of the only real family I'd ever known. I had to force myself to breathe deeply now so I could stop the tears at least, and still under protective cover I let myself examine them both.

They'd gotten taller, just as Ani and I had; both Will and Charlie had matured, looked older, though it was clear that the six years apart had treated us all very differently. They had obviously both done well, even better than Ani and I had, from what I could tell; but Will had grown thick with hardened muscle while Charlie retained his nearly waif-like state from before. We had all changed somewhat. Ani, for instance was so much taller than me now that I had to practically climb on him to wrap my arms around his neck for a proper hug, though the six years hadn't done much for his personality. If anything it had made him more grumpy and protective than when we were locked up in the lab. And me? Besides getting a bit taller, how had I changed? I still hid behind Ani and my abilities, I still couldn't do anything for myself, and I was still the shortest of the family. Why did I feel so insecure? Of course they were happy to be reunited with Ani and I, and they weren't with Sirion so I had nothing to be afraid of.

I had to convince myself out of those feelings. The best way to do it was just to get it over with, and so I let my guard down, so they could see the puffy red cheeks, wet with tears that I tried my best to wipe away with my sleeves that were soaked from the rain. Instead I put on the biggest smile I could muster, pulling both of them in for a group hug, unsure of who I should pull in first; taking them both just seemed like the best alternative. I nuzzled each of them, squeezing as hard as my little arms could when wrapped around two people. "I don't care how this is possible; I'm just happy that you're both here."

---

Charlie went in the direction of the bathroom with Czes and Ani following. Once in the bathroom he had to stop himself from looking around. He watched William as he spoke to Czes and Ani. The bathroom was small so Charlie had to remind himself he was not trapped or confided. He could just open the door and run home, but of course he wouldn’t do that. Charlie had just found the only people he cared about. His eyes wandered over to Ani when he spoke. Charlie licked his now dry lips slowly and took a deep breath. Ani looking at him with narrow eyes didn’t make him feel so great either.

Though, he couldn’t even answer the questions. Czes had distracted him. He blushed as he was pulled into a group hug. He had listened to Czes speak, but he looked at Ani again. He pretty much stared as all of this shocked his system. He gave a quick squeeze before he had to let go and take a step back from the hug. When Czes stopped speaking he took a deep breath. He knew he should answer Ani’s questions.

“Umm,” he paused to swallow, “I don’t know how this happened. Also, I haven’t been here the whole time. I’ve been here in France longer than Will, but I just ran in here by chance and that is how I just found William…you guys coming in here is a very weird coincidence. All of us finally getting back together in just one day seems too good to be true,” he said. After speaking Charlie took a deep breath. He slowly headed inched towards the door. He needed some fresh air, even if it was raining.

---

Faye only smiled at Asche's rudeness and talk of fucking himself. "Isn't that what we all do in our spare time?" She asked as she left, not turning her head to look at him. She then sighed and winked at Sasha in return, smiling at him.

"Why thank you, my dear Sasha. You're looking very lovely, yourself." she offered in return, her fingers running up and down the lapel of her robe, wanting to take it off and just walk around nude, but knowing better as she sighed softly, having to deal with teasing the eyes of those who found her to be eye-candy.

"I think we should go and find him; I haven't had a chance to offer up my body to him in order to make him even more pissed off~" She said giggling softly. "Unless, of course, you want me? Hmm? Just to anger him a little bit more?" She asked, standing and beginning to walk out of the room, keeping her seductive, playful eyes on him as they walked together, her hands stuffed in the pockets of her robe as she walked calmly, a smirk on her face.

"Hmm....Who to prank today~" She mused softly, looking around. "Hey...Sasha....watch~" She nodded to a guard at the end of the hall way, and, just for show, snapped her fingers, his pants suddenly dropping as his belts and whatever else held those things up suddenly vibrated into nothingness.

She quietly giggled at the view of the man's underpants, resuming her walk calmly.

---

William merely smiled as Czes revealed himself, chuckling softly. Before he could place his hand on Czes's shoulder, however, he was already being pulled into a group hug, which he leaned down for because of his height; he was as tall as Ani; tying the two for the tallest of the family. He chuckled softly into Czes's ear, his deep voice taking on a playful, soothing texture as he spoke.

"You've gotten stronger, little one~" He said, hugging the smaller male back gently. He was aware of his strength, and he knew he could hurt people. Of course, he meant this previous statement in both ways; physically, and power-wise. Last he remembered, Czes had difficulty cloaking himself so easily without any visible struggle.

With a small grunt he tightened his grip around the two younger males' bodies, and lifted them up, taking playful, jovial control of the group hug for a few seconds before setting them down.

"I'm glad you're all safe....." He said, releasing Czes and giving Ani a good hug as well. "You've gotten bigger, Ani.....almost as big as me." he said. Of course he didn't mean height; they were equal, but he meant in broadness and weight. He remembered everyone to be either skinnier, or in Charlie's case, as skinny as they were last he saw them.

He now only hoped that they all had time, right now, to get reacquainted with one-another.

---

Zavian rolled his eyes as he read the angry email from the director. He closed his laptop and put it into his dark brown leather pack. He sipped the last drops of his black coffee before he stood from the café’s table. He put the last of the cash in the wallet he stole on the table before he threw the wallet on the ground. Then he pulled up his skinny black cargo pants and smoothed out his tight long sleeve white shirt. You could see the outline of his piercings through the shirt, but he didn’t care. Next Zavian buttoned up his grey wool trench coat. Finally he slid on his bag. He had to take a deep breath before he slid his hands into his coat’s side pockets and began to walk to Sirion’s headquarters in Paris.

At the main entrance to the headquarters he kicked door open just as someone opened it for him. His short black leather boot with a matching black metal buckle skidded against the door. He heard the guard curse, but just gave her the finger as she opened her mouth to yell at him. Zavian then headed to his room. Zavian was less annoyed as he saw his luggage had made the trip. He simply had a normal dark green suitcase with a matching carryon. They put his bags on his bed. He left all of his clothes in India because it was way cooler here. Zavian felt cold and it was so-called spring here.

He was suppose to be in the director's office right now, but he didn't care. After being scolded in an email he didn’t want to see that idiot. Sure he hadn’t come to the headquarters when he was ordered to, but still. He had wanted to see a bit of Paris. Including, he need new clothes. Zavian had ordered them online and they were to be delivered tonight. Now he just opened his carryon and took his gun out. He sat on his bed as he proceeded to take his gun apart, clean it, and then put it back together . I need to practice today. I was stuck on a that jet for a while and then of course I had to explore a bit. I’ve also been slacking these last few days. It isn’t like I can shoot things just anywhere...maybe I’ll get to shoot someone on this mission even if the targets are suppose to be returned alive...I was told just to find them, but who knows what will happen...

Minutes later Zavian left his room and made sure it was securely locked. With everything he came in with he went to find where the range was. It took him a while to find the place, but he did it with the help of his laptop. He just pulled up a map of the building. In the elevator he put his laptop away and slid on his pack once again. He entered the range quietly with his eyes scanning his surrounding.

Asche Grey was there. Zavian knew whom it was just because he looked up the people he was going to be stuck working with. Zavian only went as far as looking for a picture of each and their full name. He rolled his eyes and went as far as possible on the other end of the range. Zavian got everything and himself ready before he loaded his gun. Seconds later he began to shoot at the set-up mannequins. He mostly shot them in the head, neck, elbows, stomach, knees, and even crotch.

It was a while later before he decided to say something. He placed his gun down and cracked his knuckles. He moved the protective eyewear up into his hair and pulled his protective earmuffs down around his neck. Zavian walked up behind and tapped Asche on the shoulder when Asche paused in his shooting. He cleared his throat softly. Once he knew he had Asche attention he would speak.

"So Asche, how did the meeting with the asshole go?" he asked. I sure as hell got yelled at for not attending it.

---

---

It felt good just to be able to stand there alone, gun in hand as I made a direct point of widening the hole I'd already made in the center of the target by aiming around it until it was big enough to fit one of my fists through comfortably. By then I had calmed substantially; my heart rate was down and the feeling of pressure building in my gut as it threatened to explode out the top of my head had disappeared. Not only had this been a very productive practice session that had been—for the most part—quiet, but even my muscles felt loosened; the difference was almost astounding. With a heavy sigh I moved back to the table at the back of the room, fetching a bottle of water from the fridge that was off to the side before I sat with my feet up.

It was time to do something thinking on serious matters.

First of all, this mission. I'd been at it two years and Sirion still didn't trust me to get things done. I had to wonder why—had I maybe done something that made them think I was going to betray them? Or maybe they were just getting sick of waiting. Either way, I knew that there was a reason behind replacing my old team with Faye Hawkins, Zavian Kale, and... Aleksandr Petrov Niehaus. Sasha. It was an interesting little mash up that they'd thrown together, definitely the best of anyone I'd had the absolute... pleasure of meeting in the past. I honestly couldn't help but think there was something else going on just outside of the meetings and the assignments. Something that nagged at me, though I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It made me feel sick to my stomach. Honestly, though I felt nothing for the fate of those mutated vagabonds out rampaging the French countryside, I started wondering about Sirion's motives, finally making up my mind to look into this and do some digging when I didn't have everyone else breathing down my neck. I wasn't about to leave this one alone.

Just the same as I couldn't leave alone the ass pain that had left my skin tingling with an uncomfortable numbness, made my heart leap into my throat, and my lungs forget how breathing worked. Sasha.... It had been a total shock when I'd realized him and his impossible height just sprawled out all over thee chair I usually sat in—couldn't really be upset about that, you know what they say about the early bird. Mostly I was wondering how I was ever going to make it through this mission with him acting as a part of my team; especially if he'd been assigned to be my right-hand man. My gopher. My wingman. The Robin to my Batman. Even thinking about it now left my mouth dry and stirred up the anxiety that I refused to admit that I was feeling—I pushed it down with a long drink of water, doing my best not to let it get to me. A bit too late though. Sasha's being here was affirmation of a part of my life I'd have rather locked up and forgotten. His voice on the back of my neck was like liquid lust, injected directly into my veins and from the first moment I'd met him I had been utterly addicted. He made me feel small and shameful, but also made me want to do bad things—I wanted every inch of his perfection in a way that was confusing and alluring all at the same time.

I wanted him in my mouth.

The best part about people like Sasha and I is that we always get what we want. I wondered if I really regretted it as much as I wanted to think that I did, and maybe that made me feel even worse about the whole situation. Sasha Niehaus was my drug, and even thinking about him made my blood boil in a way that was much too uncomfortable to stay sitting where I was. A quick assessment of my solitude affirmed that I could slip into the bathroom unnoticed for a little hand jive.

No, there was no way I was going to survive this.

Afterwards, that tension and pressure had returned tenfold. Not that he'd ever left my mind truly since our first encounter, Sasha was like a plague of locusts, sweeping in and eating away at everything left of me. Not that I minded being putty in his hands; but that was just for him. No one else was allowed to see that quivering mass or hear the broken mewls that he elicited from somewhere inside me that I refused to acknowledge. The frustration of not being able to keep my shit together called for another few rounds on the range; I had to try and focus elsewhere.

A few rounds in and someone invaded my space, set up on the other side and for the most part kept to himself. When he finally approached, I was ready; having done the best detox possible when one's addiction is six feet four inches of heroine and cocaine personified. I turned, gave the intruder a once-over and stuffed my handgun into its holster, flipping the safety on as I did so in one swift motion. “The meeting? No fucking clue; I copped out.” Not feeling that this needed any explanation recognizing Zavian Kale from the files that I'd skimmed, I leaned back against the table where I'd laid out all my full clips. “Though I can guess that it probably wasn't very productive; considering that there's a 90% chance everyone is naked, I'm sure it was fun. Or it turned into a giant orgy. Whatever comes first, I guess.”

Ani found himself wrapped up in Will’s hug, he should’ve known that one would be coming his way, but the shock of it all had left the normally reserved boy nearly mute. What was the likelihood that they would stumble upon each other here in Le Havre? The odds were astronomical that he and Czes would run into Will here at this gym, but add in the fact that Charlie had randomly made his way here too…it seems too much to believe. After everything that Sirion had put them through, the botched escape, traveling in fear, hungry, dirty and cold. How was it possible that they would be so lucky as to find each other once again, was it fate or was something else at play here? Something just beyond his view, but Anton couldn’t get his mind to focus on the potential dangers presenting themselves. He could only focus on the fact that they were here, they were alive and they were free.

Finally Anton’s wan face broke into an unguarded smile, one that actually reached his eyes and served to soften his usually stoic demeanor as he stepped back from Will, squeezing the other man’s shoulder amiably. “I’d be just as big as you but Czeska likes seconds at dinner, I never stand a chance.” Ani replied, arching an eyebrow as he attempted to bring a bit of levity to the situation. Turning a kind eyes in Charlie’s direction he noticed the younger man’s attention on the door, Ani recognized the look in his eyes well. The need for escape. Of course they were four grown men locked in a small bathroom so he could understand this. They couldn’t stay in here all afternoon; they needed to talk, to sort things out.

“Perhaps we should take this reunion somewhere less bathroom and more celebratory. Which would be anywhere other than a bathroom. What do you think Czeska? Back to the hotel, or is there somewhere else? Somewhere safe?” Anton spoke up, biting his lip in uncertainty as he looked at each of the others in turn, finally allowing himself to believe that this was really happening and it was time to prepare.

---

It was entirely impossible to grasp the gravity of this situation, enough that I knew I would still be in awe of the situation for days after this. Being lifted up in Will's strong arms, seeing him pull Ani close for a moment, seeing Ani brighten up considerably for the first time in a long time, hearing Charlie's voice as he spoke of the past six years.... It left my stomach contorting in a way that was both painful and pleasant all at once. These men had been the childhood friends who had made it simple to endure the agony of the tests performed by Sirion; they'd been endless support, even when they hadn't been beside me because I'd always thought of them and had them in my heart. Even if it sounds cheesy, that's the truth of it. I never stopped those six years, thinking of Will's sacrifice and Charlie's supposed death, and with Ani holding my hand....

I watched him smile now in awe, looked each of them over and felt the telltale prickling up along the sides of my nose; in response I felt the tears welling up and had to wipe my eyes quickly, imitating Ani's smile as best I could, taking his hand as I was so used to after these past six years. “We should go out for milkshakes,” I offered, squeezing Ani's hand tightly as I pulled the bathroom door open. “We still have a little left, and I'm going to start work soon, so I think we can afford a treat just this one time, right? It's a special occasion, so we should do something fun!” I ploughed on, dragging Ani behind me as I so often did in times of great excitement. This would definitely count as a time when I was allowed to be upbeat and bubbly, letting my guard down because I knew I had Will, Charlie, and Ani to protect me, just like they had in the past.

“What do you guys think? It's the first time we're actually getting to do something together that isn't in the Common area. We should make a whole list of things to do once we get to Canada! Oh! That's right!” I promptly let go of Ani to link arms with my long lost friends. “Will, Charlie, you're going to come to Canada with Ani and I, right? We heard that it was really easy to get citizenship, and it's possible that when they hear our story they'll even protect us.” There was a likelihood that it was a trap, but it was the last idea either of us had. We couldn't say from experience that it was a good place where as long as we behaved nothing bad would happen, but we couldn't give up just yet, and I wanted Charlie and Will to come with us into freedom, where we could lead normal lives together.