Honey, we're home!(private)

Thaddeus had walked by the towers before, naturally, but had never been inside…that he remembered, he corrected himself. In any case, any thoughts of looking around once he got inside were instantly erased when they approached the front doors and he saw a tall blonde man waiting inside.

His heart, he realized distantly, was practically flying, and now he couldn’t feel his feet or his knees. Walking through the doors, his eyes never left Arin’s face even at the sharp wave of anxiety that washed over him when Jan stepped out of the way. He was certain said eyes must be the size of dinner plates, and just like that anxiety turned to self consciousness. He hadn’t even –looked- in a mirror since this happened and was certain he must look a complete wreck. He also had no idea how he might greet a boyfriend who had been worrying about him; he didn’t think he was the type to go running up and throwing himself on the man but what if he’d changed more than he’d ever believed possible? In any case he certainly couldn’t do that now; it would be dishonest. Instead, he managed a slight, nervous smile.

“We’re here…”

Thaddeus groaned inwardly at that brilliant statement of the obvious, thinking this would not go down in history as his finest hour. Well, it was highly likely that his boyfriend had worked out the fact that there was something wrong already and it wasn’t like he wanted to convince him otherwise.

Alfarinn felt guilty for not fully listening to Marjorie but his attempts at telling her that he was currently waiting for someone and not good company had failed to be noticed. He nodded absently when she mentioned that her boyfriend was currently without a job, and though he was a horrible dead beat and slacker from her previous complaints, did he think it was possible for him to get the man a job somewhere in the company.

Jan walked through the doors and smiled at him. Alfarinn pushed himself quickly upright from the counter and looked anxiously over Jan's head at the blonde one behind him. Then Thaddeus came fully into view and a flood of relief seemed to make time rush forward all at once, slamming into him with the force of a tidal wave. The stop time of waiting anxiously was over; Thaddeus was alive and here.

Alfarinn's entire body was shaky with relief but somehow he made it across the lobby in a few strides, focused on nothing else but his lover in front of him. He smiled slightly at his companion's announcement of arrival and pulled him into his arms. It was all he could do to not hold Thaddeus as tightly as possible but he managed to content himself with just having him close and safe. Alfarinn leaned his cheek lightly against his lover's head and murmured quietly.

"So I see."Â?

It wasn't particularly intelligent but he was a long way from being concerned; there was simply a need to say something to break the surreal anxiety that had surrounded him from the moment he felt Thaddeus in pain. Touching his lover had been the thing to finally break that spell and eventually he pulled back enough to look at Thaddeus intently.

"Are you okay?"Â?

Jan did his best to fade into the background. Which, he noticed with wry humor, was easily possible at least as far as Arin was concerned; the man barely acknowledged his entrance. He couldn't complain really; there was little doubt that he would do the same if someone he loved was coming through the door after being through some unknown danger.

No problem, He looked over at the receptionist who had continued to talk to Arin's back for a few moments as the man walked away. She trailed off mid-sentence and then stared at the couple in the lobby. Jan gave a little plastic display holder containing maps and facts about the Towers a little telekinetic shove to tip it off the top counter and onto her desk area. It had the desired effect of startling the girl out of gaping in open mouthed interest and gave her something to focus her attention on. He noticed she still stole the occasional glance at Arin's back but at least now she was being slightly less obvious.

Shoving his hands in his pockets, Jan waited to see if Thaddeus wanted him around for back up or affirmation or simple support. He -had- just kissed the guy and probably made him nervous all on his own but Jan did not even pretend to be Thaddeus' boyfriend so perhaps their relationship seemed more safe to the person who couldn't remember having something more intimate with the man in front of him. He did have to smirk to himself at Arin's greeting wondering if Thaddeus had taken into account the likely response of his worried boyfriend upon seeing that he was safe and sound. Jan was only disappointed that Arin didn't kiss the man. Which perhaps made him a terrible friend but it would have been harmless amusement, a nice image, and who knows maybe it would have even been good for Thaddeus. A kiss from the handsome prince always breaks the evil curse right?

Thaddeus had been so wrapped up in behaving as he was expected that he didn’t even think to wonder how Arin might respond to the situation. Apparently, he reflected with surprised bemusement, he was with someone who took no issue with public displays of affection. Even so, he had enough sense to realize this might not be typical behavior for his boyfriend. Now that they were closer it was much easier to distinguish another set of emotions running parallel to his own; Arin radiated relief and Thaddeus felt another wave of guilt at that – he really had worried his partner, and he was about to do far worse. Even so, he felt an underlying fascination with this connection they shared, a mix of curiosity and humility that he repressed only out of a necessity to focus.

A part of him wanted to pull back when Arin rested his cheek on the top of his head but he couldn’t seem to make his tense muscles move in spite of feeling guilty at the thought that he was taking advantage of the situation. The person Arin wanted to be holding close and speaking softly to was a man that he had cultivated a relationship with, another Thaddeus that was, perhaps, lost forever. Now there was a deeply depressing thought. Even so, -this- Thaddeus was quickly discovering that being embraced by a gorgeous Evenhet with good smelling hair was far from the worst situation he could find himself in.

Not that this Thaddeus had any right to be smelling Arin’s hair.

He’d had no idea what to do with his hands and was surprised to find one resting lightly on Arin’s shoulder when his partner pulled back. It was somewhat surprising to feel a sense of disappointment at that distance, though Thaddeus ascribed it to the fact that some small part of him had hoped that meeting Arin would spark his memory and everything would come flooding back. Perhaps that had been overly optimistic but he had thought perhaps –something- would click.

Not sure how to answer Arin’s question, he hesitated for a moment. If he claimed he was alright and then later explained that he had forgotten the last year and a half Arin was liable to think he was being less than truthful, or perhaps that he didn’t much care about a little thing like a few memories. Still, he didn’t want to upset this man any more than he had to. And all the while it seemed as though Arin could see right into him. He supposed in a sense his boyfriend could – in another sense he might even know Thaddeus better than the Anantya knew himself.

“Relatively speaking. I’m not hurt.”

The headache had mostly faded so he thought that was close enough.

“…I’m sorry for making you wait. And for...well, this is complicated, there’s something I need to explain.”

Tearing his eyes away from Arin, he looked to Jan, hoping he hadn’t slipped out during the scene they were making in the lobby. Relieved to see he was still there, he shot him an expression that hopefully indicated ‘don’t leave!’ before turning back to his boyfriend.

“Could we go somewhere more private? The three of us?”

He hoped he didn’t sound completely uncomfortable and awkward – he knew he shouldn’t. This was his boyfriend and they were probably together in public like this all the time but it felt completely new to him. He hadn’t missed the prying eyes of the woman at the front desk when he’d turned to Jan and in any case they needed to say things that shouldn’t be overheard by just anyone.

Alfarinn frowned at Thaddeus thoughtfully, noticing now that his companion did not seem less tense than he had before. There was something still wrong and obviously it was not the physical pain he had felt before. Relatively speaking? He reached out and brushed a thumb gently across Thaddeus' cheek in a silent gesture of affection and question. Why did it feel as though Thaddeus did not want to be touched?

The next words were less comforting but Alfarinn nodded for Thaddeus to continue. Anxiety began to form a knot in his chest. Why did this seem to be an " I don't want to hurt you"Â? prelude. It felt as though he was being handled and he wondered what could be so bad that his lover would feel that was necessary after all they had been through.

At the formal sounding request Alfarinn nodded and let his companion go. The 'three' of them. His eyes slid over to Jan and the stab of jealousy returned. Was there something between them? Alfarinn sighed at how ridiculous he was being. He would have felt if there was something between the two of them that required that kind of speech. Jan seemed somewhat depressed and perhaps mildly curious which did not seem to coincide with coming to tell someone that you've fallen in love with their boyfriend and the two of them were going to run away together. It was also not like he hadn't felt very real love from Thaddeus earlier this evening. One could not change so drastically so quickly, right? So why didn't he feel anything like love from his partner. It was as if he were walking with a stranger but he knew that it was Thaddeus -that- he could feel.

"Of course."Â?

He turned towards the elevator, trying to resolve the feelings within him and his companion and trying not to let the hurt and confusion overwhelm him. As the doors opened, he called to MARI.

"Mari, please open one of the upper level conference rooms for us and please see to it that I am not disturbed for any reason short of massive destruction or chaos."Â?

Alfarinn gave Thaddeus another glance as the doors shut before turning his eyes forward and accepting whatever fate had put before him...for now. Foremost in importance was Thaddeus and right now something was troubling his companion greatly.

Jan looked from one to the other of them and wondered where his depressing evening went. He was just going to finish his moping about the museum then go home alone and eventually get some sleep. When had he signed up for being a vampiric relationship councilor? When he decided that he liked Thaddeus enough to be his friend and Arin too for that matter.

He saw the look that he was given and knew what the tall blonde was thinking. Jan shook his head slightly in a negative fashion hoping to convey that it wasn't anything like that. Were they bonded? What could he tell from it if they were?

Jan gave Thaddeus a small smile of encouragement and then gestured him forward after the retreating form of Arin. Climbing into the elevator he wondered vaguely whether the glass in the building was too thick to throw a small Tacharan through. Snorting inwardly he thought Arin would have to catch him first and the giant man might find that a little bit difficult even in a small conference room.

MARI appeared on a small panel in the elevator. She smiled at the three men but quickly noted their rather serious expressions. It was, according to her calculations, not a good time to be conversational.

"Good Evening,Alfarinn, and greetings Mr Yager and Mr Grey. I will do as you requested 367A is ready for you now."Â?

With a final nod to the three men. She blinked off the screen.

Thaddeus finally lowered his gaze at the touch to his cheek, finding it far too heartbreaking to continue looking into those matching grey eyes. This tender affection was too much – he -had- to tell him and every move made that more difficult. The discussion seemed to be going terribly wrong before it had even begun.

He turned to Jan as they turned toward the elevators, feeling as though he had missed something. Had they shared a glance over his head? Jan was nothing but encouraging now and he found he was glad his friend was here even if he was subject to bouts of unpredictability.

Arin spoke out to someone and Thaddeus found himself looking around to see who else was here. Just the receptionist but…his glance turned back to the doors where an apparition was pleasantly greeting the three of them. He blinked, finding that slightly alarming, but supposed he must have seen all of this before if the fact that she knew his name was anything to go by.

It wasn’t until they were in the elevator and he had a chance to think about that whole exchange that he realized what Mari had called Arin. His mind raced to come up with explanations other than the obvious. Perhaps there were two Alfarinns. One could be name after the other. Just because his name was Alfarinn and he certainly appeared to be of Nordic descent, that didn’t mean he was –the- Alfarinn.

And Jan couldn’t have told him this? He tried to give his friend a questioning look but this matter was a bit outside the realm of non verbal communication. Even so, surely Jan would have mentioned if he were actually seeing the ancient Elder of Evenhet.

Unless he didn’t know.

In any case, he supposed they would all end up explaining a few things tonight, but in all fairness he should be answering questions before he got to ask them.

Realizing too late that perhaps he should have said –something- in the elevator, he followed the others out at the appropriate floor, trying to go over what on earth to say in his mind.

Alfarinn made his way into the cool modern looking conference room decorated in shades of grey. The table was a long oval design of smoky near black glass; it was however just see through enough to keep people from hiding cell phones or palm pilots under the table...as well as making it difficult to be focused on undercover displays of affection.

He was feeling the need for a nice strong drink and looked longingly at the mini bar over in the corner. These were the private conference rooms in the residential building meaning that they were generally used by Evenhet and not by Meridian. They had less than corporate correct amenities here, some less normal than others from time to time.

Another part of him would just like to get whatever this was over with. He wanted Thaddeus to just tell him, bring on the searing pain so that he could deal with it and cauterize the wound for the both of them as much as possible. This waiting and prepping was like a doctor hovering over you with a scalpel and saying 'This is going to hurt some"Â?. Alfarinn tried to tell himself that they could get through whatever this was together just like they had always done in the past but something was different. It had always been them together against whatever obstacle confronted them and right now he felt more alone than he ever had before since meeting Thaddeus.

Gesturing his companion to a seat on the right at the far end, he took the one next to it at the head of the table and sat down to wait for this announcement.

Jan stepped into the elevator and gave MARI a little wave and a smile. He really liked the AI and thought she was neat. It was too bad Tacharan didn't have one but he seriously doubted Evenhet was going to share their secrets and their programmers enough to give them one of their own.

The name she called Arin rolled right past him at first while he was greeting the computer. It wasn't until the doors shut and they were on their way up that it dawned on him. Arin Björn was Alfarinn, Elder of Evenhet.

Damn! He was a vampiric ancient in the public eye with like websites,rumors, celebrity sightings and all kinds of shit. That had to be one of the best cover ups in a long while. He wondered how many times they had recycled themselves into the main stream of society. Alfarinn had only a few more years of public life before he'd have to...do whatever it was they did to make him get older? Would he off himself? That was a kind of creepy but cool thought. He wondered if a full blown music career was possible in such a way. It was touring and public appearances that would give him troubles but obviously Alfarinn had found a way to manage it.

Ah well they were here and he needed to focus on other things. Seeing Alfarinn take the end seat and gesture Thaddeus towards another, Jan decided it would be best to take the one on the other side of the Norseman and not the one next to Thaddeus lest it further the wrong idea. He could always give the Anantya support from there and the blonde had already shown himself to not enjoy touching.

Slouching somewhat he waited to see how Thaddeus wanted to begin this show.

It was difficult to think of what to say, Thaddeus found, when one was preoccupied with names and flashes of paranoia and an overwhelming urge to find somewhere to hide until this was all over. That he was apparently dating one of the Elders of Evenhet (he couldn’t live in denial about that forever) was enough to take in all on its own; adding in thoughts of complicated plots and conspiracies and his mind was beginning to feel pulled in a hundred different directions.

His instincts told him that Jan and Alfarinn (oddly, he found it difficult to call Arin anything but his full name now that he knew it, possibly because it seemed so oddly informal a way to refer to someone of such importance) were acting entirely in good faith, and honestly that was what reason told him as well. He wasn’t certain of where these paranoid thoughts that this was all a malicious trick were coming from, though he suspected his mind was trying to stall the inevitable. Ultimately, though, he knew that not following his instincts tended to get him into trouble and he needed to stop second guessing himself and those around him.

He slid into the offered seat and smiled nervously to Jan across the table before turning to Alfarinn. Such was his boyfriend’s presence in the room that it was a moment before he realized he needed to ‘go first’, as it were; Alfarinn seemed so in command of the table that some part of him had assumed he would take the lead. He should be so lucky.

He knew he shouldn’t go through a long build up to explain the relevant facts but neither did he just want to come out with it. It was that glance at Jan that had given him a place to start – after all, he could hope that the man was here to be supportive and that Jan wouldn’t mind being dragged into the explanation if that made it easier.

“Jan found me inside the Arch, in a bit of pain, and approached me to see what was wrong. I found this very…surprising…because I didn’t, and don’t, remember him at all. In the conversation that followed, between he and I and between you and I, we worked out that something happened to me, something that erased significant details of my memory.” At this point, Thaddeus paused, struggling to get the words out. “Very significant.” He bit the inside of his lip before continuing. “In fact, I don’t remember –anything- that happened after June 5th, 2005.” His voice was going shaky and it was agonizing, just listening to himself speak with what he was certain was relentless cruelty, but he had to finish, because he couldn’t bear to have Alfarinn ask if he could remember the two of him and be forced to answer ‘no’. “I don’t remember you. Even knowing we were…together…I don’t remember meeting you before today.” Realizing he couldn’t bear to leave it at that, he leaned forward and spoke in a rambling rush. He was well aware that he could be making a –huge- fool of himself with his next words but that was worlds better than leaving his remarks as they stood. “Even so, even though I have no memories of you…there’s something else, something between us that isn’t a memory or a thought or anything even remotely tangible, but something so powerful that I could think of nothing else save getting here as quickly as possible. Something that I don’t have the full scope of but…when I saw you…there was this compelling connection that I…can’t explain.”

He set his hand down on the table, realizing that it was lifted up in an empty sort of gesture. He was just now realizing that he had said some things that were liable to make Jan uncomfortable beyond description but it would have been unconscionable to not say them.

After another moment of quiet reflection, he looked up to Alfarinn again, his gaze steady and sad, his voice no longer shaking but not much louder than a whisper. “I don’t know who I might have provoked, what I might have seen or heard, to make someone want to do this to me. And I don’t know how to put this right, not yet, but I am going to do –everything-, everything I can, to make this right again.”

Alfarinn was relieved that Jan sat opposite Thaddeus and at the same time that relief made him feel guilty. When Thaddeus started his story and explained how the dark haired man beside him came over to help his partner when he was in pain Alfarinn was pretty certain that the guilt couldn't get any worse than it was. With something of a sheepish smile, Alfarinn put his hand on Jan's shoulder and spoke quietly.

"Thank you."Â?

He frowned when Thaddeus went on to explain that he did not remember Jan at all. The date mentioned hit him like a physical blow. It was but a few days before he and Thaddeus met for the first time. It was all too clear to him who was responsible and the man surely must know that it would be. Sorin didn't care then, that was worrisome in and of itself but he would think on that later.

Hearing the words 'I don't remember you', Alfarinn tilted his chin up and closed his eyes in order to fight back against the loss, frustration and anger that he felt. He opened them again and looked at Thaddeus sadly as his former lover spoke of the connection between them

[We chose to be bonded. It is the tie you feel now.]

Watching the hand that dropped to the table, Alfarinn listened while Thaddeus wondered about who could have done this and the reasons behind it. He knew both and would have to explain. Thaddeus was in for more pain and disbelief and he could not be the comfort and support that he had been in the past. He reached out slowly and wrapped his hand around the warm familiar one of the table.

"We will get through this together, Thaddeus. However, you wish. I will not abandon you even if we have to start at the beginning."Â?

He couldn't abandon Thaddeus even if he wanted to and he hoped that the things that attracted Thaddeus to him before would be there within him again. Could they fall in love a second time?

He knew that command could be broken by several means. Another more powerful or more dedicated person could break it or the person who placed the command could die. Sorin's death, a thing that he was not opposed to from the beginning was now a thing he longed to see. To be honest, at this moment it was a thing that he wanted to bring about with his bare hands. There were details that he would need to sort out with their friends and Clan Anantya but after that he'd hunt the bastard down on his own if he had to.

No doubt he was worrying Thaddeus with such emotions and he returned his focus to his companion who needed him far more right now than he needed revenge.

[There are things I can explain but I believe they will take time. Please trust me when I say that you do not want this news all at once. Stay here today and I will begin to explain but I believe it is something best done privately between us.]

Turning to Jan, but including Thaddeus, Alfarinn said.

"Its getting early. Please both of you stay for the day. We have plenty of room."Â?

Jan listened at Thaddeus began the story of how they met in the museum. He noted with private humor that the Anantya left out how Jan thought he was raving looney. He turned his head towards Alfarinn as the cool hand was laid on his shoulder. How interesting, but not terribly unpleasant. Jan gave the man a genuine smile and a half shrug like he'd be a boy scout for just anyone... oh yeah, all the time.

He felt somewhat uncomfortable as he listened to Thaddeus' voice begin to shake as he explained that he couldn't remember the man that he had spent many happy and intimate moments with. It didn't take a empath to see the effect his words were having on Alfarinn. Hell, it was sad enough to make -him- want to cry.

Thaddeus seemed to confirm the bonding between them and Jan thought that was probably a saving grace for the both of them. They could grow back together and he doubted whoever mucked with Thaddeus knew of their connection otherwise it would seem like a fruitless thing to do. It was a little uncomfortable in the room and he felt a bit like the third wheel but he was less self conscious than most and didn't mind too terribly much being a peeping tom on other people's private affairs.

When Alfarinn suggested they stay, he thought it was a good idea. The only way to get home this early in the morning would be to take the sewers and walk the distance. He'd rather not and get a good day's sleep somewhere comfortable.

"That's cool by me. Thanks for offering."Â?

Thaddeus gave Jan a raised eyebrow at Alfarinn’s sincere thanks, wondering if their gratitude made the good deed worthwhile. He was certainly appreciative; god only knew where he would be now if not for him. There was, however, little more emotion he could spare for Jan as he delivered his difficult news. Well, in truth ‘difficult’ was an understatement – Alfarinn seemed profoundly hurt and who could blame him?

When Alfarinn spoke softly in his mind, he realized the advantage of being able to convey their more private thoughts to only each other. Would that sending had occurred to him sooner, though on second thought he was less than certain about initiating such an intimate form of communication.

Jan was correct, then – they were bonded. That was easy enough to figure out, he supposed, but he’d needed to hear it from Alfarinn.

[Thank you.]

He’d meant to thank Alfarinn for clarifying the truth, but after the words were out…he wasn’t entirely sure that was all he was thanking him for. A cool hand wrapped around his own and once again Thaddeus had the foolish wish that with that touch all of his memories would come rushing back. It was a unique, distinctive touch, surely unmistakable, and it ought to trigger –something-…but of course it didn’t.

He had in all honesty not expected Alfarinn’s next words. How could the other man be so certain? That amount of faith in…not just the bond, but in –them-, was something special and rare. Was what they had, before all of this, equally special? Was it that elusive thing that people wait their entire lives and beyond to find? Thinking of that called to mind the sage advice that people who found such love were inevitably given: Hold onto that, for all you’re worth. He tilted his head to one side, inquisitive without knowing what to ask, intrigued in a way he couldn’t quite define. In spite of that, though, it was hard not to feel a little relieved. Likely a selfish feeling. If he cared for Alfarinn’s happiness, he reasoned, he wouldn’t be willingly putting him through this. But leaving him would be equally unfair. If this whole mess was going to be horrible and painful anyway they might as well have each other, to some extent at least. Or was that just another justification for doing something awful, for wanting something he didn’t particularly deserve?

Meanwhile he found that his body had answered for him while his mind bickered; he nodded his head, then looked down to see that he had, almost without noticing, turned his hand palm up to join with Alfarinn’s. Thinking that he didn’t want to be misleading, he gave the cooler hand above his a slight squeeze before pulling away to tuck a strand of hair behind his ear. Now there was a gesture he hadn’t made in some time. He looked down at the table for a long moment before raising his eyes again.

He didn’t want Alfarinn to stay with him out of a sense of duty but he didn’t think he got to pick and choose his boyfriend’s motivations, any more than Alfarinn had any choice in what had happened to him. That didn’t mean, however, that he couldn’t question his own intentions, and wonder if they were honorable. In Alfarinn’s eyes he could see a whole other life, one he knew nothing about, but something told him he would be a fool to let this go. Perhaps the Thaddeus this man knew was completely different from the one currently sitting in front of him but it was distinctly possible that this other Thaddeus was better, happier, more fulfilled.

Realizing after a moment that he had never properly replied to Alfarinn’s statement, he mused that perhaps that simple touch and the slight nod of his head was the most fitting answer he could give right now. In any case, he needed to think and in this situation there was only limited time for that. Alfarinn was now trying to address his concerns regarding who had attacked him and it was clear, both in words and in emotions, that the Evenhet did not have particularly good news. It was almost disconcerting to sense the anger and frustration from the same man who had tenderly grazed his cheek with his fingertips moments ago in the lobby. The words cleared up very little but he found it was something of a comfort that Alfarinn –knew- something and perhaps they would not be in the dark for long. That might mean they were closer to solving this mess than he had believed and he felt a small shred of optimism at that thought. Was Alfarinn feeling that as well? He wasn’t certain.

[Alright. I’ll trust you, then. And yes, I’ll stay.]

It was very difficult to not ask more questions but considering the amount of faith Alfarinn had given in this situation he thought he should be able to do as he had said he would and have a little trust. There was one thing that had stayed at the back of his mind, though, that he thought he could safely inquire about, but thought it best to ask out loud so Alfarinn would know that he wasn’t trying to pressure him for more information that it was not the time to give.

“Yes, thank you for the invitation; your hospitality is very much appreciated.” He gave a slight smile. “Will anyone wonder where I am? You mentioned Palmer earlier…”

He hoped that was open ended enough to not put pressure on anyone.

Hearing Thaddeus speak back to him mentally was a comfort that he knew he should not read too heavily into. It did say that his companion was not yet to the point of running the other way, nor in denial about the bond between them. That was good, very good. Perhaps his worst nightmare would be Thaddeus saying he couldn't handle any of this and was there any way to break the bond?

The hand that turned to connect with his made him extremely happy in a way that was odd; this same gesture earlier this evening would have been considered normal. He would not say that he took such things for granted entirely but he -had- become used to considering them typical and acceptable between them. Just as he was getting used to the comforting feel of his partner's hand once more in his own, Thaddeus took it away.

Smiling at the acceptance of hospitality, Alfarinn asked MARI for an available guest room for Jan. He had a guest bedroom in his own suite and hoped that, while Thaddeus was not likely to accept sleeping with him for the day, that at least he'd be willing to sleep in his apartment.

"I'll show you to your room then."Â?

He stood up and pushed his seat back, gesturing towards the door. Frowning thoughtfully at Thaddeus' question, he said.

"We can call the Manor in a moment if you like."Â?

Jan watched the two of them for a few moments before deciding that everything was still likely to work out for them. They had a chemistry together that he doubted this obstacle would destroy. Even without the bond, he suspected that they would have found each other again. It seemed, to him, rather certain that they would do so now. He was sure that neither of them were likely to be feeling the same confidence in their relationship at the moment. There were just some things that were easier to see as an outsider.

He stood up when Alfarinn did and headed towards the door. Mari would be able to tell him if Theo was in and perhaps he could hang at her place for a bit before crashing for the day.

Thaddeus gave a slight nod at Alfarinn’s offer of a phone call, though it did not entirely ease his concern. Was Alfarinn humoring him, or was a phone call truly necessary? Was something going on at home that he should know about? Was Mai alright? Palmer?

Exasperated with his own penchant for worrying about things he knew nothing about and couldn’t control if he did, he followed Jan out of the conference room and stepped aside to let Alfarinn take the lead. There would be time for his questions in a moment, though something told him he wouldn’t be at all glad to hear the answers.

Still, he was the type who preferred knowing, which made this malicious act all the more vicious and horrible. Someone had messed with his mind; he would rather suffer agony than have the only thing truly worthwhile about him tampered with.

How was he going to do his –work- in this condition? He would simply have to speak to Sorin and let him know he would be unavailable for an indeterminate amount of time. He was loathe to do that, fearing that the Elder already questioned his reliability, but he didn’t see any other option. He sighed inwardly and decided to worry about one thing at a time.

/ooc Everybody OUT!