All That You Can't Leave Behind

"Bloody hell!" Arcane groaned, scrabbling to find enough purchase on the wall to haul himself to his feet. Once upright he staggered over to the door to tug vainly on the handle, already knowing it wouldn�t turn, but having to at least try. With a weary sigh, Arcane leaned against the door, rubbing his throat where Richard's trained gorilla had gripped him.

Abruptly remembering his assistant and the vicious impart he�d made with a wall Arcane�s eyes shot up to see the man laying in a huddle on the ground. Shakily making his way over, he dropped to his knees and shook Graham's shoulder. Becoming more than a little worried when Graham didn't respond in the slightest. "Come on, Graham! Wake up!" Arcane fumbled for a pulse, heaving a sigh of relief as he felt Graham's heart beating strongly, if a little unsteadily, under his fingertips.

"Wh .. what ... what's goin' on?" Graham stirred, blinking his eyes open, a sharp pain lanced across his temple with each movement.

"We've been imprisoned by that incompetent excuse for a moron, Richards!" In direct contrast with the viciousness twisting in his tone was the careful way he helped Graham to sit up.

"Just great," Graham mumbled, raising his hands to cradle his throbbing head.

Reassured that his assistant was alright for now Arcane stood up, moving back to the door. Eyes narrowing in concentration he studied every inch, crack and seem, mind racing with the calculations and logistics of escaping from behind a locked door and two armed guards.

Carefully, feeling like his head would fall off with any sudden movement, Graham inched his way upwards. Finally standing up, he had to lean against the wall for support as the room began to spin in front of his eyes. Determined to concentrate on something other than the hot stabbing pain in his head he forced himself to look over their prison.

His first impression seemed to indicate that he�d finally had a nervous breakdown and the Doctor had him committed. Second look revealed that yes he was right, the room was complete with padded walls to go along with all the white paint. Not even a ray of natural light dared showed itself. Instead lighting consisted of rows of fluorescent lights that hurt his eyes just thinking about them. The only way out seemed to be through the sole hint of colour in the room. A large metal door by which his employer was standing.

"Where are we?" A question that served only to invoke a irritated glare and a even more irritated answer from his employer.

"Where does it look like, Graham?"

*Somewhere Holland would like to see you,* fortunately his brain�s answer didn�t make it past his lips or past the sudden blinding pain that shot across his temple. *Not to self, mocking Dr. Arcane is NOT a good thing!* "It, ah, it looks like a padded cell!"

"Your powers of observation never fail to amaze me Graham."

Graham had to clutch at the wall to remain standing as his vision began to fade in and out. "Sir, I ... I don�t feel so good."

"Please do be quiet Graham," Impatiently Arcane glanced away from the door, "Can�t you see I�m ..." He was barely able to reach Graham�s side in time as the man started to collapse. Carefully lowering Graham to the ground, all plans of escape were momentarily put on hold.

"Oh hell!" Arcane muttered, once again pressing his finger's against his assistant's throat. "This is all I need right now!" Graham's pulse fluttered weaker than before, causing Arcane's concern to abruptly deepen. *He must have hit harder then I first thought.*

Raising Graham's head slightly, he slid his hand through the man�s hair feeling for a wound. Pulling his finger's away, he grimaced at the sticky red blood covering his hand. "Bloody hell!" Swearing he reached into his pocket for a handkerchief and pressed it against the wound. Sighing faintly, he knelt more comfortably on the ground, shaking Graham gently in an attempt to wake him up. If the man had a concussion, which all evidence pointed towards, then sleeping was the worse thing he could do.

Before Arcane had the chance to do much of anything, the door opened and Richards two thugs walked in. Silently one of them pointed a deadly looking gun at the Doctor, gesturing silently for him to stand up and move back.

"Ah, good of you to just come in like that." Arcane drawled sarcastically, standing up as slowly and as non-threateningly as possible. "As you can see, my assistant is in need of some medical aid. If you would be kind enough to go fetch a doctor, I'm sure your employer will reward you." Trying to keep the contempt out of his voice he moved back a step as the gun once more waved threateningly at him. "After all I doubt he wants one of his prisoners to die on him before he has the opportunity to ... "

"Would you just shut up!" The one holding the gun finally snarled. "One more word out of you and you'll be the one dying!"

Grimacing Arcane held back a retort, unwilling to push the suddenly tense situation any further. Meanwhile the other man had come closer, bending down near Graham. Keeping one eye on the Doctor he dragged the unconscious man upright, slinging him over his shoulder with ease.

"Where are you taking him?" Arcane asked, glaring at the man. Taking a step forward he stopped as the gun was raised higher.

"None of your business," The man sneered, following his partner out through the door. "But don�t worry, the Doc will take good care of your little friend!" With a lewd laugh he slammed the door shut, leaving Arcane abruptly alone in the room.

"Bloody hell!" Hands clenching in helpless fury Arcane wished he had something to throw. For once he was at a loss for what to do next. The room was seemingly escape proof, and *his* assistant ... possibility the only person left he trusted ... was more then likely being tortured by the man that had imprisoned them. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down and start thinking about finding a way to escape. *I can get out of here, no prison designed can hold Anton Arcane. And as for Graham ... well, he'll be okay, he always is.* Arcane sighed, looking around the room. *But first things first to get out of here.* Despite his more optimistic outlook on the situation, he couldn't prevent part of his mind from dwelling on Graham and on what was happening to him.

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

"Hey Dan, what does the boss want with this little shrimp anyway?" The one carrying Graham asked, squinting over at his partner.

"Who knows what anyone wants these days, Harry." Dan sighed, irritated at what he considered a stupid question. "Who cares ... as long as we get paid we do what we�re told."

"Aren't you the least bit curious?" Harry shifted Graham's weight to a more comfortable position on his shoulder.

"Not in the least!" Dan snapped. "Now drop the subject before you get us in trouble!"

"Alright, man! Chill!!" His partner held up a hand defensively. "I was just asking."

Shaking his head, Dan fixed Harry with a glare before reaching out and opening the first door they came to. Impatiently gesturing the other man in he silently helped him maneuver the unconscious guy down on the table that occupied the centre of the room.

"Good job, boys," a voice purred from behind them. "Now strap Mr. Graham down ... we wouldn't want him moving and spoiling our aim now would we."

"Yes, Sir," Dan muttered briefly in acknowledgment, quickly securing Graham�s wrists and legs with a set of heavy metal cuffs. In minutes Graham was immobilized, unable to move more than an inch in any direction.

Dr. Richards stepped closer to Graham, prying an eyelid open. "Hmmm, slight dilation of the pupil, probably has a light concussion. He should wake up at any moment, weak, but then that should work in our favour." Richards looked up, pointing to Harry. "You, go! Get the drug!!"

"Yes, Sir," Harry answered, hastily backing out the door.

"And be fast about it!!" Richards snapped impatiently. "Now," he turned to look at the other man, a satisfied smile curling his lips. "How is the good Doctor doing?"

"He's not too happy." Dan smirked, glancing down at Graham, "Kicked up a fuss when we took this guy out of the room. Other then that he's just sitting quiet."

"Hmmm," Richards frowned thoughtfully, tapping a finger against the bridge of his nose. A nervous habit that had earned him the nickname of �Nosy� around campus. Not that any of his students would dare say it to his face, "well go keep an eye on him. Arcane is a tricky man, and I don't want any mess ups. I can almost feel that he's up to something," he murmured, more to himself then to the other man.

"I'll make sure nothing happens." Dan promised, inching out of the room, thankful to be getting out of the doc's presence. *Something about this guy is just down right creepy.*

"Ensure that it doesn't." Richards warned, tone dropping so quickly to sub-arctic temperatures that Dan found himself shivering. "Or you might find yourself out of work ... permanently."

Dan hurriedly shut the door behind him, breathing a quiet sigh of relief. Without wasting a moment he made his way back to the room where Arcane was being kept. Standing guard at the door and listening carefully for any sounds from inside. Yawning almost immediately Dan did his best to remain on complete alert for any danger there might be.

**

********** Hurrying back to the second lab, Harry announced somewhat breathlessly, "here's the drug you wanted," he rushed to the doctor's side offering up a small vial filled with a clear liquid.

"It's about time!" Richards snapped irritably, snatching the vial from the man's hand. "Now, throw some cold water on Mr. Graham here, I think he's napped long enough."

Grinning cruelly, Harry went to fetch the water, the errand only taking a matter of seconds. Positioning himself by the restrained assistant he looked over at the doctor, seeing the man glare at him impatiently. Swallowing nervously, he hastily dumped the bucket of water over Graham.

Rudely forced into a half-grey state of consciousness, Graham sputtered and choked as the cold water forced it's way down his throat. "Wh ... what the ..." he gasped, trying to speak.

"Now, now, Mr. Graham ... calm yourself. You're in good hands here." Richards spoke soothingly, gently tapping the base of a syringe as he moved within the assistant�s line of sight.

"What ... what are you going to do with that?" Graham asked, his eye caught by the needle. He tried to suppress a sudden surge of fear, he�d always had an irrational hatred of needles.

"Nothing to worry about, Mr. Graham, this is just Dr. Arcane's own drug," Richards smirked knowingly. "You do trust the good doctor's work, don't you?"

"Why, er, why use it on me?" Graham stalled, testing his restraints for any give, cursing silently as the metal simply bite into the sensitive flesh on his wrists.

"To ensure that you tell me everything I want to know of course." Richards grasped Graham's arm, quickly rolling up his sleeve enough to inject the drug. "We both know what this drug can do ... you can't hold out against that. Soon you won�t even know why you didn�t want to tell me in the first place."

"I would never betray Dr. Arcane!!!" Graham glared at Richards, putting up a show of struggling against the restraints that held him while his mind raced, trying to figure out how the uncompleted version of the drug would work. *Thank god this wacko doesn't know it�s missing an element. I just wish I knew what kind of effects it�ll have � if any!* Taking a deep breath he forced himself to relax, *I�ll have to hope I can hold off against any effects until Arcane makes his move.* Graham grimaced, *that is, if he remembers me.*

"You don't have a choice!" Richards sneered, stepping away from Graham, laying the empty syringe down. He snapped his finger's at Harry, "Go! get your partner and drag the good Doctor this way!"

"Yes, Sir," Harry nodded briefly in acknowledgment, quickly sliding out the door.

"Why bring Dr. Arcane here?" Graham asked nervously.

"Arcane seems most concerned about your well-being." Richards pushed his glasses up thoughtfully. "Perhaps he'll change his mind once he sees you betray his trust. Plus I do have another drug that needs to be tested, and your employer is the perfect man to test it on. I wonder what his greatest fantasy is?" The Doctor speculated, a sadistic gleam in his eye. "You perhaps!" he smirked, slowly drawing a finger down Graham's arm.

"You're sick," Graham whispered, disgust crawling through his voice as he tried to inch away from Richards. "Stay ... stay away from me."

In a flash the doctor's expression changed from calm amusement to rage, his cheeks flushing red. Without warning he struck out at Graham, the force of the blow almost snapping his neck. Pain exploded along all his nerve endings, darkness once again creeping across his mind. Before he blacked out completely he felt Dr. Richards grab him by the throat, felt the man kiss him savagely, felt teeth sink deep in his bottom lip. The taste of his own blood followed him into unconsciousness.

"Ah," Richards hummed, straightening up and wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth. "Thank you Graham," he murmured, sneering down at the unconscious man. Unhurriedly the Doctor strolled over to a closed cabinet, reaching in and gently pulling out a small flask of clear liquid. "And you my little beauty," he crooned, "are going to make me rich beyond my wildest dreams." Smiling happily he carefully prepped another syringe with the fluid while he waited for his �guest� to arrive.

"Unhand me you cretins!!" Arcane's annoyed voice broke through the Doctor's reverie. "I demand that you let me go this minute."

"Shut up," Dan's voice growled wearily. Arcane was dragged into view, his arms held tightly on both sides. Upon entering the room Arcane looked around carefully, assessing the possibilities before letting his gaze rest on Richards. The room was obviously a lab, tables full of beakers and flasks, bunsen burners and other scientific equipment lay scattered around. A fairly large window was set high up on one wall.

"I demand that you order these simpletons to let me go this minute!" Arcane snapped, glaring at Richards, keeping up a front of determined confidence.

"Let him go boys," Richards smiled magnanimously, "The good Doctor isn�t going anywhere after all."

Pulling his arms free, Arcane turned his head to the side spotting Graham for the first time. Stepping closer he could see the thin trickle of blood that ran from the man's lip ... and the nasty bruise that was colouring up on his temple.

"What have you done to him?!" Arcane couldn�t keep the rage at the sight of his assistant�s further injuries out of his voice.

"Just testing your new drug on him." Richards tapped his fingers against his arm, enjoying the look of alarm that flashed briefly across Arcane�s face.

*Bloody hell!* Arcane restrained the urge to curse out loud, *this is all I need right now! The drug may not be complete but it should be enough to induce the symptoms of extreme intoxication.* The thought of dealing with a drunk and injured assistant was almost enough to make him consider just leaving Graham should any chance for escape should present itself.

Faking a surprised chuckle, he asked as nonchalantly as he was capable of, "Why would you want to waste that particular drug on my assistant here?" Taking another step closer to said assistant he had to desperately push back a sudden feeling of elation at spotting an empty syringe laying near Graham. *Now if I can get my hands on it, I just might have a way out of here.* Carefully the Doctor moved as close as he could, softly resting one hand on Graham�s temple, forcing back a twinge of worry at how clammy the man�s skin felt, while the other hand palmed the syringe. "The man is already injured, it could be dangerous!"

"Oh, stop with the theatrics, Arcane." Richards sneered, rolling his eyes. "You and I both know that you could care less what happens to him. Except maybe hoping he dies before he tells me what I want to know."

"Maybe," Arcane crossed his arms, slipping the syringe into his sleeve. "But then again you don't know a bloody thing about me..."

"I know that you were greedy enough to fall for my trap and that you're going to be my new guinea pig." Richards picked out a syringe he had previously filled. "This, as you might have guessed, is Dreamer. And you, my dear Doctor, are going to be the first living soul to test it."

As the man advanced upon him, Arcane smiled calmly, eyeing the distance to the nearest of the two henchmen. With a rapid move he grabbed the chair besides him, hurling and seeing it hit and stagger one of the men.

Without giving the two thugs the opportunity to recover from the surprise attack he threw himself at the one left standing, punching him hard in the face. With the man now off-guard he was able to throw and connect with a stiff kick, forcing him out the open door. Lunging for door he managed to slam it in time to prevent the man from coming back in.

"*YOU ARE GOING TO HURT!!!*" Dan yelled, blood running down from a small cut on his face. Snarling, he rushed at Arcane with the intention of snapping the Doctor�s arm in two.

"Oh I beg to differ." Arcane smiled slightly, throwing himself to the side at the last minute. The door he was holding flew open with savage snap, hitting Dan square in the face and sending him crashing into the wall and crashing into unconsciousness.

Harry stopped in shock, looking at this partner in dismay. Before he could snap out of his daze, Arcane's next kick sent him reeling back out into the hallway. Hurriedly shutting the door once again, he had just enough time to turn the catch and lock Harry on the outside.

During the rather one-sided scuffle Richards had stayed out of the way, watching and waiting for his chance. As soon as Arcane was busy locking the door he flung himself at the man, plunging the needle deep into his shoulder. Unable to keep back a small gasp of pain Arcane lurched away from Richards. Pulling out the syringe he�d hidden in his sleeve, he slashed desperately at the man behind him.

"Damn it!" Richards cried, one hand clasping over the deep cut on his arm. "That hurt you bastard!" With a venomous look he kicked Arcane savagely in the back. Propelled forward by the force of the kick Arcane landed in a painful heap near the fallen thug.

Struggling to get back his feet, one hand braced against the agonizing pain in his back, his knee struck something hard. Looking down he spotted the dull glint of metal partially hidden under the unconscious man�s jacket. "Oh you think that hurt," Arcane breathed, a malicious smile gracing his features as he grasped for the fallen gun, the same gun that had been held on him just recently. "Then this is really going to ruin your day." Without a trace of hesitation he lined the gun up at Dr. Richards and calmly shot him.

"You, you won�t.." Coughing Richards looked shocked at the sight of his own blood spilling down his shirt. Looking up at Arcane hate hardening his eyes, he managed a few steps forward before collapsing. " .. get far ... the drug ..." Barely able to force the words out through the black haze descending upon his mind, he could only gaze impotent rage as Arcane casually stuck the gun in his belt and leaned down near him.

"Maybe," Arcane grinned cruelly, "but at least I�m not the one bleeding to death." Standing, dismissing Richards from his thoughts, the Doctor turned his attention back to his assistant.

"Come on Graham, this is not the time to take a nap," He muttered, cursing as he spied the cuffs. Frantically searching the still unconscious henchman he triumphantly held up the keys. Unlocking the shackles that held his assistant in place he had to leave them dangling as the keys only seemed fit one side. With no more time to waste he pulled Graham into a sitting position, shaking the man awake, making sure to be careful of the concussion his assistant was more then likely suffering from.

Awareness began to leak in, bringing with it dim colours that gradually swirled to form a face. "... Doctor?" Eyes focusing fuzzily on his employer�s features he had to ask just to make sure.

"Were you expecting someone else, Graham?" Resisting the urge to roll his eyes, Arcane helped his assistant stand up, having to slid a stabilising arm around Graham�s back as the man staggered and almost fell.

"What, what happened to Dr. Richards?" Graham clutched at the back on Arcane�s shirt, desperately trying to force his aching head to stop spinning enough to let him think. Or was it the room that was spinning, Graham had to suppress the sudden urge to laugh.

"There�s no time for that now Graham, we have to get out of here before someone else decides to put in an appearance." Scanning the room Arcane's eyes settled on the window, quickly assessing the need for some assistance in order to reach it. "And I just how to do it." Silently indicating for Graham to help him drag a table into position under the window, he carefully climbed up and unlatched it. Pulling himself up to the sill, he quickly slipped through, landing on the cool wet grass. "Come along Graham, we haven't got all day!" He called back through when there was no signs of Graham immediately following.

"Yes, Sir." With a effort that took more then it should, Graham heaved himself up on the table and managed to crawl through the window without bumping his head on anything. Unfortunately his landing left a little to be desired as he fell flat on his face.

"Jeez, Graham," Arcane sighed tiredly, rubbing his forehead where a headache was starting to develop. "Can�t you do anything right?"

"Sorry, Sir." Climbing back to his feet Graham swayed dizzily, forcing his eyes to focus on his employer�s less then impressed face. "I, ah, I don�t feel very good."

"You and me both Graham." Spotting the jeep around the corner, Arcane hurried in that direction. "I need to get out of here and get to somewhere safe before the drug takes full affect."

"Drug ... what drug?? Did...did you get..."

"Damn it man, can't you ever not stumble over your words." Arcane groused, shoving Graham towards the passenger side. "That incompetent excuse for a scientist injected me with Dreamer. I have to get to a safe location before the hallucinations start."

"I ... I saw a hotel not too far from here. Maybe, maybe that would work." Graham offered, climbing into the jeep.

"Sounds as good as anywhere else at this point." Arcane sank into driver�s seat, taking a moment to compose himself before looking for the keys, realizing in a split second that Graham still had them. "Keys .." Pointedly he held out his hand.

"Oh, um, right," Graham fumbled in his pockets, heaving a quiet sigh of relief when he found them, thankful that Richards hadn�t found and taken them away. Quickly he handed them over to the Doctor, doing his best not to react to the irritated scowl that was directed at him.

Sighing faintly Arcane put the car into gear, leaving the university behind with a sense of relief. Things had started to go bad quickly in there, but thanks to Richards sheer stupidity and his brilliant genius everything had worked out. He just had to reach a safe haven he could sleep away any effects from the drug. Driving quickly but carefully he headed for the mentioned hotel.

By his side Graham sat quietly, the pain from both the impact with the wall and Richards striking him dying down as the drug made its way through his system, spreading with it a warmth that calmed his nerves. All thoughts of worry fading from his mind Graham gazed sightlessly out the window as the Doctor made good time towards the hotel he�d seen. His only worry now was restraining the need to not sit still.

Arcane glanced over at Graham. "How much further is the ..." He trailed off in shock � *Tatania!!!*

"I've missed you Anton." His long dead wife smiled happily over at him, reaching out a hand.

"But - but ... you're dead!" Staring in horrified fascination at the women before him, he remained unaware as the jeep began to drift over to the other side of the road.

"Doctor, the road ...!!" Graham's voice broke his concentration, his wife�s features slowly fading to be overlaid by those of his assistant's.

With a quick jerk Arcane forced the vehicle back on the right side of the road, thankful that no other traffic appeared to be out and about at this hour of the night. Breathing deeply, he forced the image of his wife out of his mind. After all it was only a sign of the drug taking affect, and he could certainly handle anything it had to throw at him.

"Are you okay? You, you said someone was dead?!" Graham asked more out of routine then any worry he had over the incident.

"Of course I'm fine, Graham." Arcane grimaced, allowing his hands to tighten on the steering wheel for just a second. "Being injected by an experimental drug by yet another second-rate excuse for a scientist happens to me everyday -- perfectly natural."

"There's no need to be so sarcastic, Sir." Graham almost pouted. "I was only asking."

"Just keep your mind focused on spotting the hotel." Having more important things on his mind Arcane ignored his assistant�s increasingly odd behaviour. Seeing Graham as Tatania. He suppressed a shiver...

Shrugging, Graham brought his attention back to the road, carefully keeping his eyes open for any glimpse of the hotel, although he could no longer remember quite where he had seen it anymore. Happily even the whole unpleasant business with Richards was fading behind a curtain of forgetfulness. In fact Graham could barely restrain the need to move - to do *anything* but sit still, energy was crackling through his veins and humming along to a beat all of his own. Idly he wondered if this town had any good places to go and have some fun in.

A quick turn later, and they were both abruptly staring at the garish flourescent lights announcing the cheap and affordable rates of the �Best Romantic Retreat� in the state.

"Graham," Uttered low and dangerously, Arcane�s glare was enough to make Graham sink further into his seat in a vain attempt to make himself disappear totally ... or even better, make that sign disappear. "I take it that this ... " words failed him, " ... this monstrosity is the hotel you spoke of??!"

"Umm, yeah," Smiling hesitantly he offered, "well, it looks comfortable, and it says it�s cheap."

"Really Graham," Arcane glared at his assistant, but obligingly parked the jeep in the lot nearest the, so-called, hotel. "I hadn�t noticed."

"That�s okay, Sir, anyone could have missed it."

Pausing in the act of opening the door, Arcane looked back at Graham in disbelief, shaking his head at the man�s helpful smile. He sighed tiredly, "just get out of the car, Graham!" Stepping out, he let the car door slam shut and walked briskly towards the entrance, not waiting to see if his assistant was following or not. *Let him stay in the car, this is all his fault anyway!!*

Stepping inside, the smell was the first thing he noticed, a cloying sweet scent that was a cross between dust and lemon scented furniture cleaner. Dust motes drifted lazily in the few pre-dawn sunbeams that managed to penetrate the heavy drapes. Scowling, Arcane made his way to the front desk, impatiently waiting for a clerk to appear. Spying the brass bell, he tapped on it not so gently, its little ding disturbing the quiet. And also seeming to gain some attention as a man shuffled out of a back room before the Doctor could ring again.

"Yes?" Chewing gum, the man stared at him. "What can I do you for?"

"I�d like to rent a room in your establishment." Arcane glanced over at Graham as the man finally made his way into the lobby. "For the night."

"The night," The clerk glanced over at Graham also, spying the cuffs around the man�s wrists the same time Arcane did. "Riiighhtt!" Smirking insolently, he reached for a key and help it up. "That�ll be a hundred dollars ... up front."

"A hundred dollars! For one night?!" Angrily he slammed both hands down on the front desk. "That�s outrageous!"

"Um, sir?" Graham wondered over, tugging at the Doctor�s sleeve. "I, I don�t think we should, well, argue right now."

"Let me handle this Graham!" Arcane shrugged off the man�s hand. "I refuse to pay a hundred dollars for a room in this, this ... motel!"

"That�s the rate, bud." The clerk shrugged, "Take it or leave it. I can tell you this, we�re the only place open for miles. And I don�t think your, friend there can wait that long." Openly grinning he gestured towards Graham who was pressing on the bell and giggling every time it dinged.

Arcane glared at Graham opening his mouth to yell when his assistant�s features suddenly started to once again soften and shift to those of his wife's. His shut his mouth with a snap looking back at the smirking attendant, "I�ll take it."

"Yes, Sir." The man held out a key, holding it until Arcane reached for his wallet and took out the required payment, "Room 332."

Snatching the key Arcane didn�t even bother with a reply. Grabbing Graham by the arm he dragged the man along with him, ignoring his protests.

"I was having fun," Pouting Graham tried to tug his arm to no avail. "Let me go."

"Graham," Snarling the word Arcane tightened his grip, "That�s the drug talking! Now snap out of it or I�ll lock you in the car til morning!"

"There�s no need to be so mean!" Coming to a stop Graham watched silently as Arcane fiddled with the lock.

"I�m not even going to bother replying to that Graham!" Before he could give into the urge to bang his head against the wall he finally got the door opened. Walking into the room Arcane wondered briefly if hell looked anything like the room he was standing in. Horrid floral patterned wallpaper adorned the walls, with the extra bonus of matching bedding. Dingy carpet, scratched and beaten furniture completed the look. The worst part however was that everything was done in various shades of pink.

"Holland would fit right in," muttering Arcane threw the key onto the small desk. "Well Graham ..." he trailed off, having to steady himself against the wall as a wave of dizziness swept over him.

"Doctor, Sir," Graham grabbed onto Arcane�s arm, "are you okay?? Can you hear me?"

Shaking his head Arcane dimly perceived a familiar voice asking him something. Unable to understand the words he forced his eyes open, staring at the image of his wife standing before him.

"Anton, what is wrong with you?" Tatania frowned, concern showing in her lovely eyes. "You haven't been acting like yourself lately."

"Tatania!!" daring to whisper that name, Arcane reached a disbelieving hand to her face. "Is that really you?"

"Of course it's me, silly." She laughed lightly, taking his hand. "Who did you expect ... the Easter Bunny."

"But you're...you're..." Arcane frowned, suddenly unable to remember why he�d been so certain that seeing his wife here was impossible.

"I'm what, my sweet?" Pushing back her blonde hair, she winked up at her husband. "Wildly and passionately in love with you."

Arcane laughed, feeling more carefree then he could remember ever feeling. So much joy and happiness filled him that he swept his wife up in a tight hug. "As I am with you," he nuzzled her hair, inhaling the enticing smell of cherry almonds, "I guess I'm just a little tired."

"Well then, I should get you to bed." Tatania's mischievous smile made in clear sleep wasn�t what was on her mind.

"I do love the way you think, Tatania." Arcane lead the way to the bed with a grin. Pulling his wife down with him he ran his lips down her throat, pleased with the small resulting sounds.

"And I love you." Tatania shivered as Anton�s teeth nipped ever so gently. Raising his head, unable to contain a smile he carefully leaned forward, his lips meeting hers in a soft kiss.

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

Graham, whose mental process had fallen somewhere to the consistency of molasses, couldn't find the will to feel worried by the Doctor's odd behavior. He found it only mildly upsetting when Arcane started to talk to him as if he was Tatania. If the man wanted to carry a conversation on with his dead wife that was fine by him. Hey, maybe she�d talk to him too, he�d done a pretty damn good job of protecting her husband from all those women.

Of course when same said husband pulled him into a tight hug and started smelling his hair Graham knew he should start worrying, but really, it was too much trouble when he felt so delightfully relaxed.

Before Graham could even try to sort through those thoughts, Arcane was pulling him over to the bed and muttered something about loving the way he thought. *Well thanks Doc,* Graham almost giggled, *love the way you think .... woah!* Groaning Graham instinctively tilted his head back as Arcane�s lips left sparking kisses down his neck. God the man was good at this, Graham knew he had to say something this time. Hugs were all well and good but what the Doctor was doing now was way beyond that. *Oh jesus,* Graham shivered abruptly, good intentions derailed, *did he just bite me?*

Swallowing heavily he opened his eyes, not knowing exactly when he�d closed them. *Alright Graham,* he told himself firmly as one treacherous hand pulled the Doctor closer, *you gotta act sensible here and stop this.* "Umm, Sir," is what he meant to say, which ended up coming out as, "I love you," *well, that�s not good, don�t wanna be saying that out loud,* Graham�s eyes widened as the Doctor smiled at him, a honest happy smile, something he couldn�t ever remember seeing before. Of course the icing on the cake was when his employer leaned in and kissed him, so softly it felt like the briefest touch of silk. *Oh boy!* Fingers clenching onto Arcane�s shirt and breath sticking to the back of his throat Graham did the only sensible thing he could think of at the moment. He kissed his employer back.

"Wow," Pulling back Graham swallowed drily. "That was, well great ... but wrong." he protested faintly. "It's not..."

"Not yet." he heard the Doctor say, unresisting when the man slid a hand around his neck and pulled him back for a deeper kiss. *So much for wrongness,* Graham whimpered as Arcane�s teeth nipped at his bottom lip, tongue sliding in to touch his own. Little sparks of electricity spread through him and he found himself opening his mouth further, trying to encourage that agile tongue to come back and play. Lost in the wonderful, pulse pounding kiss Graham was disappointed when Arcane pulled away, really, breathing was way over-rated.

Of course what followed was well worth taking time to breath, well not breathing now as the Doctor hurriedly stripped out of his shirt and pants, leaving him standing in a pair of silk boxers that left nothing to the imagination. *Welcome to the Twilight Zone,* Graham frankly gaped, he knew he was gaping, but then a nearly naked Arcane was definitely a gaping worthy sight. Oh yeah, he expected Rod Sterling to come barreling through the door any moment. The soft dawn light spilling through the windows seemed to caress every line of muscle in the Doctor�s chest, much in the way Graham felt his fingers itching to touch and caress.

The thought of protesting entered his mind when Arcane reached out and started to unbutton his shirt, briefly entered that is. By the time his employer had reached the last button Graham was putty in his hands, just about as uncoordinated as well. Getting his own pants off proved to be a bit of a challenge, with Arcane seemingly determined to touch and kiss every inch of his chest. Finally however he managed to fumble them off, returning to the serious task of Arcane gaping.

Almost hesitantly Graham touched the Doctor, sliding his fingers down the man�s chest, almost mesmerized by the softness of his skin. Leaning closer he replacing his fingers with his mouth, tongue sweeping out to taste his employer, groaning as the salty-sweet taste of Arcane�s skin went straight to his groin. The small, helpless sounds the Doctor was making only served to make him harder. So engrossed was he in his task of not leaving a single inch of skin untasted that Graham was shocked to find himself abruptly on his back, pinned and helpless under the Doctor�s warm weight.

***************** "Well," Tatania pulled back, smiling teasingly up at her husband, "I�ll let you get some sleep now."

"Not yet," Arcane grinned, sliding a hand around through her hair and pulling her back into a kiss. Nipping at her bottom lip, he deepened the kiss, tongue mapping out every nook and crevice of that beloved mouth. God, he could stay kissing like this forever, only the need to breath forcing him to reluctantly let go.

"You aren't going to leave it there, are you Anton?" she whispered huskily when the kiss finally broke.

Standing Arcane quickly shed his shirt, pants following the same route. Leaving him clad in his boxers, aching and hard from the hungry stare his wife focused on him. Grinning slightly he reached down and helped her out of her own clothes when it was clear that she wasn�t going to be making a move anytime soon. Taking the opportunity to re-acquaint himself with every curve and inch of his wife�s body, she was practically melting when he at last removed her skirt.

Catching her breathe Tatania was determined to repay the favour, fair was fair after all. Arcane held back a whimper as his wife�s fingers traveled across his skin, teasing and tickling as they went. He couldn�t hold back the groan the escaped as a warm, wet tongue entered into the game, by the time she reached the waistband of his boxer�s he was a shivering mass of burning nerves.

Moving, pushing his wife down Arcane desperately pressed against her, craving skin on skin contact like he craved air to breath. He�d trade everything if he could remain in this moment, feeling every inch of Tatania�s body against his and the love they shared that seemed to flow stronger with every kiss and caress.

"God, Tatania, I need you," Growling, Arcane yanked off his boxers, "I need you so much," he almost yelped as her hand closed around his erection.

"Less talking Anton," Tatania purred, releasing her grip only to pull off her own underwear, "I don�t want to wait anymore."

Whimpering Arcane paused long enough to make sure his wife was ready, needing no other sign when her legs wrapped around his waist and pulled him closer. With a groan he buried himself up to the hilt in her warm heat, shuddering as her nails scraped down his back and she fought to get closer still.

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

Graham honestly tried to stop what was happening, for all of ten seconds before his brain posed the question of why he was bothering. He wanted the Doctor, maybe always had, and now he was finally getting the man so why stop. It all seemed perfectly logical to his mind, especially as Arcane was muttering something about need. Eyes widening Graham suddenly knew what was meant by the phrase mouth-watering. *God, if this is wrong, please never let it be right,* he thought somewhat hazily, the drug in his system making it impossible to think past the erotic impulses flooding his body.

"Want you," Graham whispered feverishly. With a will of its own his hand wrapped itself around that hot, hard length of flesh. He shuddered, it felt so perfect, "always wanted you." Fingers reluctantly releasing their hold he scrabbled to pull off his own underwear. Swallowing heavily at the look his employer directed him Graham suddenly knew what he wanted more than even breathing. He had to feel the Doctor inside him, had to know that feeling so much it ached. Wrapping his legs around the man�s waist he tried to convey his wants as best he could.

Body jolting he scraped his nails down the Doctor�s back as Arcane abruptly buried himself as deep as he could go. Holding back a cry of pain he pulled closer as even the pain felt good. This, this was everything he had ever wanted. Being filled, taken, by the one person he loved so much that the emotion was often a ache lodged in the back of his throat.

Throwing his head back, body tensing as liquid heat fused its way up his spine he knew he wouldn�t last long, knew he couldn�t hold out under the mind altering pleasure. With a scream that was vaguely recognizable as Arcane�s name he came harder then he ever had before. Sinking bonelessly into the mattress he felt the Doctor follow only seconds behind him.

Graham wanted to say something, to ask if everything was okay, or if it had been good, but an unexpected weariness was dragging him down into sleep. Giving into the inevitable he sank into unconsciousness, half feeling the Doctor wrap his arms around him before the darkness became total.

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

Arcane groaned his wife�s name as she met him thrust for thrust, losing himself in the tight silky warmth surrounding him. The moment seemed to stretch to infinity as he felt her body tense, screaming his name she came. Unable to hold out he followed her seconds later, collapsing bonelessly to the side. Shivering in the aftermath he lay listening to her breath, arms wrapping tighter around Tatania�s still form, *I�ll never let you go.* Fiercely Arcane carried that thought as a bone deep fatigue carried him off to sleep. *Never!*

Sunlight crept fully into the room as the day dawned bright and clear, touching the two figures that lay entwined on the small bed. Graham stirred uneasily, one hand half-heartedly trying to block out the brightness before burrowing back into the comfortable warmth surrounding him. *Warmth?!... what the...!!* Eyes snapping open he stared in confusion at the unfamiliar room, taking in the truly awful wallpaper, dingy carpet, Dr. Arcane sleeping peacefully. *Er,* swallowing nervously Graham looked lower, confirming what he had just noticed. He took another look, hoping that he�d been wrong. Nope, there was the Doctor, and himself, in the same bed, naked.

*Shit!!" Graham groaned, memories of the previous night flashing through his mind. Arcane moved slightly then, pulling him closer and breaking him out of the shock that gripped him. *I gotta get out of here. Dr. Arcane is gonna kill me when he wakes up!* Slowly, holding his breath Graham inched out of bed, carefully disentangling himself from the Doctor�s clinging embrace. Heaving a silent sigh of relieve when he made it without disturbing his employer.

Quietly collecting his scattered clothes Graham made a silent dash for the bathroom. Locking the door he sank against the temporary shelter gratefully. Throwing on his clothes, panic growing so much Graham felt positively sick. *Oh god, what the hell was I thinking? How could I have ...* Logically Graham knew that whatever had happened last night was a direct result of the drug he had been shot with, but would Arcane accept that?! He wasn�t the only one after all, the Doctor had been there too. *Jesus, he thought I was Tatania, he�s never going to forgive me. I, I should have stopped it somehow, should have done something ... *

Staring blindly at the filthy tub a solution presented itself to his panicking mind. *That�s it, he can�t kill me if I�m not here!* Graham fought the impulse to laugh, knowing if he did he�d probably be in hysterics and that would wake the Doctor for sure. *I�ll just have to get out of here ... before he awakes.* Okay, so he knew it wasn�t the perfect answer, Graham was pretty positive the Doctor wasn�t about to just let him go, god forbid he deprive the man of getting his revenge for what had happened. The only thing he was certain of was that if he was here when Arcane awoke, then his life span was going to be shorter than that of a fruit fly.

Taking a deep breath he carefully inched the bathroom door open, creeping back out into the main room as silently as he knew how. His was sure his heart stopped beating when Arcane's grumpy voice called out to him.

"What the bloody hell is going on, Graham?" Arcane snarled from his position on the bed. He ran a agitated hand through his hair, "Where are we? How did we get here?"

"You, you..mean that..th..that you don't remember?" Stumbling over his words, Graham didn�t dare get his hopes up. The Doctor was just playing some sick game before punishing him for allowing last night to happen.

"Remember what?" Arcane frowned, rubbing his head wearily. "I have a splitting headache. The last thing I clearly recall is getting in the truck." He shook his head in frustration, "after that, everything is blank." Arcane looked up at his assistant, eyes narrowing suspiciously at the dazed expression gracing the man�s face. "What happened last night?"

Pasting a innocent look on his face Graham lept at the chance offered to him. "Nothing happened, Sir." Lying through his teeth Graham fixed his gaze of the floor. "I ... I remembered seeing this hotel along the route home, and you ah, you drove us here. By the time we arrived you were pretty much out of it. The drug was, er, making you see things."

"Tatania.." Arcane murmured softly, not noticing the sudden look of dread cross Graham's features. "What happened then?" he demanded, glaring.

"I, ah, I helped you to bed Sir, and you just sorta fell asleep." *Yeah, right after we had sex,* Graham carefully avoiding looking Arcane in the eyes. "That's all that happened."

"Well." Arcane stretched, voice dry, "it would appear Richards drug didn't work quite as well as he had hoped." Sighing he frowned thoughtfully, "Just as well considering I was the unwilling subject of the first dosage. Still, all this work and hardship for nothing. What good is a drug that puts people to sleep. If Richards wasn�t already dead, I�d kill him again. And why am I naked?" Arcane demanded, startling Graham who had been silently congratulating himself on not getting caught.

"Ah, well ... umm, you must have taken off the rest of your clothes sometime." Graham racked his mind for something else to say, something actually intelligent. "It, was, er, warm in here last night."

"Just shut up, Graham." Arcane snapped testily. Snatching his pants off the floor, he pointedly looked at his assistant who was still staring at him with that dazed expression. "A little privacy please."

"Oh, umm, I'll, go, ah, start the truck." Graham ran for the door, slamming it behind him in his haste to get away from the Doctor�s presence.

Gazing after Graham's retreating back Arcane shook his head in annoyance. "Why do I get the impression that you're not telling me everything, Graham." He muttered, hastily collecting the rest of his clothes and getting dressed. Wondering out of the room, quickly heading for the door he was stopped when a man entered the lobby and grinned at him most insolently.

"Have a good night there, buddy," Smirking the other man didn�t pause in his gum chewing.

"Yes, er," Arcane didn�t know quite what to say when he didn�t even remember the person he was talking to, "thank you, it was fine."

"I bet," winking the other man stepped behind the counter, "Come back anytime."

*Not in this lifetime,* Arcane nodded politely, hurrying out the door and into the fresh air. *Very odd,* frowning he climbed into the truck, pointedly ignoring Graham in favour of looking out the window.

The journey back to the Complex was spent in silence, each man wrapped up in their thoughts. Turning into the road home, gates just visible up ahead Graham gave a silent plea that Arcane would never remembered what really happened and that he would forget.

The End

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