Do you remember?

Hello, guys, I know it’s been a while, and, boy, I missed everybody! Now, hoping that I won’t forget anyone …



DTE, you know me already, the more complicated, the better.



Misaki, Riki did not lost the memory on his own … as you will see next. I know it’s confusion, it will get clearer step by step.



Barrie18, as always, your reviews leave me speechless … and thinking “How the hell am I going to pull this one through?” Just kidding, your shrewd mind keeps me sober.



Orant mihi, it’s a pleasure, darling, to read your long reviews.  You took in all the details, and, yeah, you have every reason to hate Luke. As for Guy, I’m just setting some poetic justice for him. Good luck in school!



Jishe, darling, I feel like I disappointed you most with this long wait. I’m just re-reading the reviews, you, dear readers, left for lazy me, and I really feel guilty now. (Btw, that was a ‘OMG’ record? Really flattering!)



MikkiSenpai, he, he, your light bulbs tell no lie. Just read on, and see how much of your intuition was right 



Thank you, all, you are a great audience, and I humbly bow before you. Special thanks to Barrie18, where would I be in the AnK universe without you?





Tools of the trade





While somewhere hearts were broken, another one was struggling, as well.



In the darkness of the little apartment he had share with his pairing partner, Kirie fought with the restraints with all his might. His tears were running dry, his throat was getting too sore for screaming, but relentlessly he dug his teeth into the fabric, until drawing blood, in hope of release. Yet, it was not release the poor wretched soul really sought … a whirlpool of emotions were dragging Kirie towards the gates of hell, waiting for him with their fiery embrace.



***



Dragging his feet towards home, Guy felt the burden of thousands of years pressing down on his shoulders. The stubborn tears, hanging on the rim of long eyelashes, just stayed there, blurring his vision. Upon entering his shabby home, Guy just knew something was off. It was silent. It was just too damn silent. What exactly was he expecting to hear?



-Kirie! Guy yelled, fear grasping his insides, for the second time that night.



No answer. The room was dark, and cold, and … silent. Turning on the light, Guy squinted from the glare as he stared at the bed. Trembling, Guy approached the now empty bed. Only the restraints that had kept Kirie there remained attached to the headboard, as a ragged mess covered in crimson.



***



-Kirie! Guy yelled, this time feeling his lungs breaking from strain and fear.



His feet propelled him forward as his mind ceased to work, and, like a drunk man, he lurched down the hallway leading to the the bathroom, drawn towards the small cubicle, like a moth to a flame.

Guy walked in only to see Kirie on the floor, pills scattered around him.



He had to do something fast. Who knew for how long the kid had been lying here like that? But this was Ceres, there was no medical help to call. Everything had to be a hands on solution.



Rushing to the still open cabinet , Guy grabbed a bottle, holding a black noxious liquid.... No one ever really knew what was in it, all they knew and accepted was that it was gotten off the Black Market and if taken quickly enough, it did the job with little repercussions.



Forcing the black liquid down Kirie\'s throat, Guy\'s thoughts ran rampart. It would have been a prayer, if he believed in some almightly divinity. “Please let him be alright. Danm it Kirie, don\'t do this, don\'t go, please be alright...”



Then the reaction he had been waiting for happened. The boy he held so closely, started to cough, and Guy quickly changed position, now holding him over the bathtub, as all the black muck and everything else he had in his stomach came up with mighty heaves.



When it all seemed to have come up, he held the shivering boy in his arms...swearing he would never hurt him again.....



-I ain’t gonna lose you, too, you little shit! You’re staying with me! You hear that Kirie, you’re staying with me…



Quickly, he gathered Kirie’s body into his arms, and moved him to the bedroom.

-I’ll never make you cry again, Kirie. Never.



***



-What are doing out of bed this early?



Katze smiled, while slowly drawing from his cigarette.



-Don’t tell me you’re the one oversleeping while I’m on my feet. And you call yourself a Blondie …



With quick stealth, Raoul approached Katze and took him by surprise, with a wet kiss on his right shoulders. Loving arms circled the redhead’s midsection.



-You are incredibly desirable, when not wearing a shirt.



-And you are just a big suck up.



-Truth, and a horny one, if you really want me to be completely honest, Raoul punctuated his words with a long trail of kisses on Katze’s neck, that quickly reached a sensitive ear.



Katze laughed wholeheartedly enjoying his mate’s attempts to drag him back to bed. But reality began to bite into his mind.



-Maybe it’s time we start making tracks to go back, you know?



-We still have the room till 12 noon, you know? Mimicking Katze’s words, Raoul pushed his hips suggestively against the pert ass.



Negotiation over, Raoul took his lover to the bed, and landed on top, squirming to get between the long elegant legs, still draped in silk pajamas.



-Your turn again? Katze asked, raising an eyebrow questioningly.



Raoul raised his head, and fixed a point on the wall, while moving his lips, as in trying to number something.



-No wonder you made it into politics, Katze chided affectionately, and pulled his lover’s head down, in order to reach for those full lips he was dying to crunch again between his teeth.



****



The honeymoon was indeed over…



-Don’t you think something is terribly off, Raoul? Katze asked, leaning on his mate’s shoulder, suddenly feeling the need for protection.



-Because Jupiter demanded to meet with us the moment we returned home? Possibly…but let’s not worry yet. Let us first hear what she has to say.



Katze opened his mouth to say something, but the ethereal presence that was Jupiter suddenly appeared in the room.



-I called you both here, because while you were away certain things took place and you need to be informed before you see Iason.



-What has happened Mother, is Iason alright? Raoul’s voice carried both his and Katze’s concern.



-Yes. Iason demanded all memories of Riki, the dark Pet, to be erased from his mind, and so I complied.



Katze exclaimed:



-The stupid fucker! Why in hell …



Raoul’s hand quickly grabbed grabbing Katze’s arm stopping his tirade in mid stream. Jupiter continued, but not before gazing thoughtfully in Katze’s direction.



-It was his desire, and I granted it to him. Therefore, you are not to speak of Riki ever again in his presence.

Before Katze could speak out again, Jupiter again gazed in his direction, demanding silence.



-My favorite son, needed peace of mind and this was the only way to grant it to him. Be grateful. Iason has kept the rest of his memories, so I have no need at this time to mindwipe either of you and separate you forever as well.



His mind racing at what had just been implied, Raoul still managed to maintain his Blondie façade and nodded in agreement.



But Katze despite once being Furniture was still a mongrel at heart and these were people he cared about let alone the open threat to him and Raoul. There was no way he was going to remain silent and accepting of all that had just been said.



-Riki is somewhere in Ceres. There is no way in hell that sooner or later he won’t come back to see Iason. Then what happens? Forgive me for asking, but won’t that kinda complicate things? Like trigger Iason’s memories again? And if it’s not Riki, who knows what could set his memory off this time.



-That will not happen. The procedure is far more accurate than before, … Katze.



The strange stare Jupiter threw again in his direction almost made the dealer tremble. Yet, the words that began pouring from Jupiter’s icy lips struck them both, leaving them totally dumbfounded.



-As to your other point, it has no meaning now. Riki is dead.



Katze felt the room growing smaller and smaller, a bout of claustrophobia threatening to suffocate him. He opened his mouth hoping words would come out instead of the scream inside his head, but Raoul was faster:



-Dead? Mother, please, do not say that …



-Speak no further, my son before you know the facts. Riki was murdered by his own kind.



Why was Jupiter continually focusing so intently at him? Katze wondered, still trying to get his mind around the latest info.



-The two of you are forbidden to have anything more to do with this. As the mongrel pet was terminated by one of his own kind, then let others of that species be the ones to exact punishment. My only concern is that Iason’s peace of mind remains untouched. Nothing is more important that that. Am I understood….. Katze?



Raoul looked between them knowing he was being left out, and believing he understood why Jupiter was centering on Katze. Katze bowed his head submissively, his eyes cast down, to escape the inquisitive look of the true planet leader.



-I understand.



With that, the couple was dismissed.



****



-I don’t believe it.



Katze’s jaw was so tight, the words barely got out of his mouth. Raoul walked silently next to him, picking his words carefully.



-Do you plan to investigate? He finally dared asking.



The redhead just nodded, fearing to hear the reaction to what he was about to say.



-Don’t start giving me a lecture me that Jupiter forbids us to …



-I was not going to say anything of the kind, Katze. My feelings are also involved in this. Both Iason and Riki have stood my friends and I will not fail them, or am I now regulated to being just another heartless Blondie to you?



Katze stopped, feeling really stupid for his reaction. He thought that he tended to do that a lot, to forget that he now had a partner who did not fit the Blondie mould, but it was all too new to him and still he had to get used to it. He embraced Raoul and held him tight.



-I’m sorry, Raoul, please, forgive me. I shouldn’t keep forgetting who you are and lump you in with Jupiter’s Elites. Yes, … I have to investigate further. For my own peace of mind, not Iason’s. I … can’t believe he’s gone. He can’t be, Riki’s the toughest mongrel I’ve ever known.



Raoul responded to Katze’s embrace with a kiss on his temple.



-I understand how you are feeling, Katze. Let me be of assistance to you. I would like to help.



-No, there’s no need for you to be involved.



Katze looked into Raoul’s eyes where anger now mixed with his own sorrow and understood his mistake.



-Please, don’t be hurt ‘cause I need to do this alone. Ceres and Midas, is my world. I can move easily there and you would only slow me down and stick out like a sore thumb… But mainly, I don’t want you to be in Jupiter’s line of fire. You be the straight one, ok? Jupiter needs to see that we’ve keep our word. So you be my shield and just act normal, right?



Katze finished speaking, but his mind added the words that he didn’t dare say aloud.



“And I need to know that no matter what happens, you are safe from her.”



Unconvinced, Raoul still agreed.



****



-We will reach our destination in 20 minutes time, Sir Mink.



Iason nodded, letting his eyes wander over the surface of the planet that they were rapidly approaching.

Outwardly a picture of Blondie perfection and calm to any observer, but Iason to his constant dismay was filled with a restlessness that seemed to accompany him from dawn to dusk.



As unnatural as this feeling was, he still put it aside refusing to give in to feelings that should be foreign to his Elite nature, especially since he was on an important mission off planet.



When Jupiter had informed him of her desire for him to go off planet for this mission, the apprehension that seemed to have become part of his nature increased dramatically. For a reason he didn’t understand, he felt it a mistake to be off planet at this time. Instinct kept telling him to remain on Amoi, but his Mother had made it quite clear, that he had no choice in this matter.



“It is your presence I require there, Iason.”



“But, Mother, this matter should be handled by one of our subordinates. I feel I shouldn’t be off planet at this time.”



“Your argument has no logic to it Iason. We are going into trade agreements with a new partner. Amoi’s interests are best served by the Head of the Sydnicate seeing exactly who we are about to go into business with. Unless you can give me a logical reason why you shouldn’t go, I suggest you start making arrangements for your immediate departure.”



“Of course, Mother. I understand. Please forgive my impertinence. I will make my arrangements and leave immediately.”



***



-Hey, Riki, how’s it going? Still groggy after that experience?



Riki looked confused to the man before him. Another face he had yet to put a familiar name to. And why was everyone so damned enthusiastic and empathic towards him?



-About that … I don’t really remember …and I’m afraid man, that I don’t have a clue as to who you are as well.



-Well, your past memory might be a bit hazy, from what we’ve been informed, it was really a bit hit. But as for not recognizing anyone on board, the fact is, none of us have met you before either. I am the commander of this facility and my superiors had you assigned here for a special task. Forgive me for being a little too familiar, but when we all heard that an agent with your status was going to join us, the crew became overzealous in making sure you felt at ease with us. It is really a miracle that you survived that last mission.



-So none of your people, including yourself know me personally.



The man looked cautiously at Riki. Clearing his throat, he tried to give the agent a few facts for him to assimilate.



-You and your companions were Elites … I mean Elite Troops. A special branch of security. No one ever see’s an Elite in action unless that is part of his assignment. Elite troops are only sent in, in mass when a major threat is involved. Otherwise, agents work on their own. Most things we know about Elites are probably more myth than fact, but it is known that for the most part Elites keep to their own kind. I was informed that you would suffer some memory loss from the trauma you had, and I was told to reassure you that, no way would this hamper your performance, as memory has no effect on your skill. It would seem that your memory loss is greater than your commanders anticipated, but as I said, it won’t hamper your performance or abilities. Anyway, now you know why you were sent here. There is an assignment waiting for you.



Barely suppressing a yawn, while stretching in the chair before the desk, Riki said:



-That would be good. I was already starting to get bored, just training each and every day.



The commander laughed wholeheartedly.



-We’re a fairly peaceful planet, and our military is really more for show. I can see why our chief administrators wanted an Elite on this particular assignment and not one of our own men.



-So in other words, you need someone, that isn’t afraid of getting dirt on their hands?



Riki stared at the man without fear, or guilt. The commander cast his eyes to one side, a little embarassed, and laughed again, but without conviction.



Riki hurried to assure him, though:



-Don’t worry, I don’t mind tying up loose ends.. It seems you’re right, my instinct tells me, I’ve been involved with things like this before. So, what’s the job about?



-You are assigned to be the minder of the Head of the Syndicate from the planet Amoi.



Riki stared again, this time in utter disbelief.



-You gotta be kidding me! Your idea of action is for me to babysit some off-world pampered bureaucrat?



-His safety is of prime importance, Riki. Business negotiations of the most delicate matters are being discussed and if this goes through profits will go across the world to everyone. However there is a contingency who do not want to deal with Amoi for various considerations. So we need to make sure that their Leader leaves here in one piece.



-What aren’t you telling me about your guest? Does he have like horns, and stuff? How much of an alien is he?

The commander handed him an envelope.



-In here, is the information your Captain thought you should have to understand the mission.



Riki balanced in the chair, as he quickly studied the contents.



-Ok, I’ll babysit the snotty guest.



-That is great! The man exclaimed, rubbing his hands together in satisfaction, making Riki think more of a merchant securing a deal rather than a commander giving an order to a subordinate.



Just a few more words passed between them before the commander made his exit. Going through the information he had just been given by the man, Riki couldn’t help but wonder: “Shit, so these are not my people, either? Where the fuck do I come from?” This was fast becoming a puzzle with missing pieces and that truly irked him to no end.



***



The planet’s representative bowed before the majestic Blondie.



-We are here to make sure,Your Exellency, that as our honoured guest you enjoy your stay with us. Please allow me to introduce you to the staff who will serve you throughout your stay.



Iason nodded, bored with the formalities but still showing the icy politeness Blondies were known for.

But he had to admit that these people knew how to treat their important guests. The villa where Iason was to spend his entire stay was practically a palace, so it was no wonder that the introduction of servants seemed endless.



All bowed excessively in front of him, ready to please. This was nothing new to Iason, given his position, but he was also very pleased that these people appeared to recognize the importance of Amoi. “A little extra care during negotiations would not hurt”, he pondered, knowing too well that nothing was free in the world of politics. And all these trappings around him were to ease him into complacency during the negotiations.



-…. And this, Your Excelency, is the person responsible for your security.



Iason looked at the man before him. It was the first time during the presentation of the servile crew that Iason actually stopped. Instead of a bent back, the figure before him stood proudly erect. His eyes met a pair of gleaming black pools, staring back in defiance. Iason commented:



-You send someone the size of a child to protect me?



The representative hurried to assure Iason:



-He is our best agent, Your Excellency. We wouldn’t recommend him if he wasn’t our best.



The man dressed in black completely ignored the representative who seemed to continuously bow repeatedly in front of Iason. Instead his eyes remained fixed on the man he was supposed to protect with his life. The Blondie ignored the given assurance, and faced again with that direct stare, spoke to him directly:



-What is your name?



Immediately Iason’ eyes caught the quick smirk before the man responded.



-Black. Agent Black, to you.



The representative became even more agitated:



-Agent Black, you should show proper respect to our guest.



The black clothed male turned towards the submissive servant:



-Hey, I’m just the security guy, why do I have to be here, in the first place?



The representative visibly paled , and bowed again before Iason.



-Forgive him, Your Excellency, I beg of you. He will be removed immediately from your presence.



Iason raised his hand.



-There is no need to do that. I expect such conduct from uneducated hired ruffians. If he is as good as you say, then I will not insult my hosts by having him sent away, just because he is not accustomed to showing proper manners in polite society.



Turning again towards the man in black, Iason spoke directly to him again:



-I will require to see you in private. Security matters are not to be discussed in front of all the servants.



Then turning to address the representative, he said:

-Please escort us to a private room immediately.



The security man followed Iason, while the representative guided them towards the private quarters of the house.



***



Simmering with anger, Riki followed the blond mane in front of him, playing with murderous scenarios in his head. He had to admit that the man was incredibly beautiful, and lived up to everything he had learned about the Blondies of Amoi since learning about his assignment. Riki did not care about politics at the best of times, he was still trying to come to grips that he had no memory of his past, and here he had to deal with the biggest political asshole of all times. He sighed, and his exhaled breath did not escape unnoticed by the male in front of him. Iason turned on his heels and fixed the male with cold eyes:



-As a specialized agent, I expect you to be able to follow my orders precisely. If you find it too hard, then maybe you should not be here in the first place.

Riki smiled brightly and faked a bow:



-I will do my best, Your Excellency.



****



Something about this man stirred Iason’s mind. Something to think about later, if he cared to waste time on it, was the silent thought.



Finally after many twists and turns they reached what would be Iason’s private quarters while he remained on this planet.



“If someone was to be after me, they would lose themselves in this maze never reaching my bedroom”, Iason thought to himself.



The representative opened the door and Iason entered a pleasantly decorated living room, not as large, Iason noted, as his apartment in Eos. Graciously, Iason sat on a lavish armchair, taking the place as his possession, through his own majestic presence, then stated in a commanding tone:



-You may close the door behind you. Agent Black and I have important matters to discuss.



The representative opened his mouth to protest, but Lord Mink was no longer looking at him, so he bowed until his head almost touched his feet and withdrew backwards until reaching the door.



A few moments of silence passed, during which Iason carefully examined his white gloves, digit by digit, as if searching for the minutest flaw. Agent Black waited patiently, furtively examining the person who was now his sole responsibility. “Shit, he’s fucking gorgeous. I’d love to get my hands into those lovely strands and mess him up a little.” Finally, Iason raised his eyes and made a little gesture with his head towards the door. Smiling all knowingly, the other man went to the door and without warning opened it at lightning speed.





-Something you want? Riki asked the representative unceremoniously.



-Nothing, nothing, I’ll be on my way, I thought I should be around if Lord Mink …



-Lord Mink does not require anything at the moment. Get lost.



-Yes, yes …



This time, Riki followed the man with his eyes until he disappeared into the maze of hallways. Turning towards Iason, he noticed the guest becoming a little more relaxed, eyes half closed, while that gorgeous body began to curve to the shape of the chair he was in.

Tearing his eyes away, Riki got down to business. Carefully, he proceeded to inspect the corners of the room, under the paintings, without leaving any crevice or hole unchecked. In the end, he took a little device out of his pocket and scanned the room repeatedly. In the end, he turned towards Iason:



-All clear.



-So, are you on my side?



-I’m just doing my job.



-Really? Doesn’t your job description include serving the government of this planet, including the groveling representative who was spying outside my door only moments ago?



-I don’t give a shit about them. I’m here to protect you and that’s what I’m going to do. Until you leave, I’ll be under your command.



-I find it hard to believe.



-You don’t have to. That’s understandable.



-I’m here to subdue this planet, what do you think of it?



-Whatever.



Iason laughed wholeheartedly.



-You are too easy to read. In my area of expertise that would be considered a great weakness and liability.



-Oh, really? Riki drooled out his words. For some unknown reasons, he began to like the man standing before him. Something about him made his heart jump a little.



Closing his eyes, his hands in his pockets, Riki came up with a crazy idea:



-How about you telling me what’s going on in my mind right now?

With no remorse, Riki let his imagination run riot. Picturing Iason on all fours, with one of his hands planted into his hair, dragging him back like a horse, Riki’s hips moved suggestively forward ever so slightly. Iason coolly observed him.



-You should be ashamed of yourself, was Iason’s only comment.



Riki’s eyes flew open.



-What?



-Exactly what I have said. You should be ashamed of yourself. If we were on Amoi, I’d have you in chains by now.



Riki’s smile hardened.



-Now that would be just plain bad manners, wouldn’t it? What kind of a planet is that?



-Don’t change the subject. Dirty thoughts earn dirty deeds.



Looking through hooded eyelids, Riki threw a perverted smile towards Iason:



-So, after you’d chained me, what else would you do to me?



Iason raised an eyebrow and icily commented:



-Don’t think so highly of yourself. You are not worthy of a Bondie’s interest.



Riki frowned. He turned his back and coolly headed towards the door:



-If that is all, Your Excellency … bastard, he hissed beneath his breath.



-Foolish boy, I heard that.



Without warning a strong hand slammed the door shut, and its pair turned Riki to face his nemesis. Cold blue eyes scanned Riki’s face, but a tinge of amusement was there as well. Riki, couldn’t understand his body’s reaction as it automatically relaxed his fighting stance and yet met the gaze with defiance. Iason’s proximity emitted some sort of solid heat that made his crotch twitch painfully. Suddenly self aware, Riki unconsciously bit his lower lip until he drew blood. What was about this person that was making him react in this way?



Iason bent his head, and, before Riki could protest, jutted his tongue out to lick the little droplet of blood that appeared on that promise of a tasty lip. Riki’s throat release a small sound, in response to the sensual attack. Horrified by his own reaction, he turned his head in disgust, as Iason softly laughed, covering up his own confusion over this action.



-I find you intriguing , Agent Black. And, to answer your question, I’d chain you and make you my Pet.



-What is that, a pet? Riki asked in one breath.



-A beautiful item held within a household to amuse and pleasure the master of the house.



-That’s fucking perverted! What do you mean, item? I’m a human being!



Iason withdrew and once again resumed his sit on the armchair with the same grace as before.



-Exactly that.



Riki let his back rest against the door, and gave a harsh laugh.



-Tough luck. Here humans are not held as pets.



Iason sighed, faking disappointment:



-Now that’s too bad. With proper training, you would yield wonderfully for my entertainment.



-Well just get that idea out of your head, and, you’re the one who was saying not even 5 minutes ago I’m not worth the trouble.



-I enjoy challenges.



Riki pondered a little, then asked:



-What was I thinking about? When you said I should be ashamed? Do you read minds or something?



-No, but your body language told me you had impure thoughts involving my body. You are easy to read, that is all.



-And wouldn’t you want that?



-What?



-To do some … impure things … with me? Riki flashed a winning smile towards the other man.



Iason thinned his lips in a menacing smile:



-We do not engage in intercourse.



-Fuck, are you serious? And what are those pets for?



-For visual entertainment only.



Riki sighed and scratched his head irreverently.



-Shit, I’m so glad I live here and not on your freakin’ planet. I bet those pets are pretty lonely if they have shit like that thrown at them everyday.



It was again Iason’s turn to raise his eyebrows questioningly.



-Pets are happy. They live in luxury, and they are treated as items of great value by all the other servants.



-They’re just slaves. You call them ‘pets’ to ease your conscience, Riki said decidedly.





Iason chuckled, making Riki frown again.



-What’s so funny?



-Nothing. I was just wondering how you would manage in the political arena.



-Politics? That’s just plain shit.



Iason sighed, his head falling back to rest on the cushions of the armchair.



-I guess that is enough entertainment for me tonight. You can go now.



Glad to have a reason to leave, Riki faked a bow.



-I’ll be in my room, Your Excellency. Whenever you need me, just use the intercom features.



-Really? Even if it’s 2 in the morning?



With his head half bent, Riki flashed a gorgeous smile towards Iason.



-Yes, my job here is …



-Oh, don’t say, Iason responded in kind, with a slighly less cold smile than his usual self. To entertain me?



-No way am I singing you to sleep. My job is to protect you.



-I hardly find it necessary. But perhaps I will enjoy your company from time to time. Now please just go.



Riki turned on his heels, but this time he waited until the door closed behind him before whispering: “Arrogant prick!” Yet, somehow laughter bubbled within his chest. The prick was certainly arrogant, but one hell of a looker, too. Clearly, top notch jerk off material.



***



The next day was spent in pointless introductions as the planet’s politicians entertained Iason, before the negotiations were to start.



Iason stretched out on the lavish bed, wishing for sleep to come quickly. Meetings were not to be held until the next day, and admittedly the entire day had been a great bore as he dealt with the introductions and false smiles of the fawning representatives of this planet. He had not seen the black haired man once during the day.



Iason couldn’t imagine why he kept trying to spot him as the day progressed, but found he was getting more annoyed by the moment.



How invisible could security be? On Amoi the security was always recognizable even if they weren’t obtrusive. But this Agent Black, seemed to have donned an invisibility shield and Iason could not sense his presence anywhere around. And why this irritated him he couldn’t comprehend. What difference did it make if he knew the Agent was nearby or not. It wasn’t as if he thought he was any protection anyway, and that this was just protocol to keep the politicians happy.



It disturbed Iason a great deal to not be able to put things together, and, as he predicted, his work here was to easy to occupy his mind. This, he thought must be the reason his brain kept turning to the invisible agent, and why he was still full of unrest.



Now, not barely on the brink of sleep, he was getting more and more curious to see if the man could truly be held true to his word. So he buzzed the intercom, telling the Agent briskly to attend to him at once.



***



It was not long before Iason’s wish was granted. The door opened and the lithe male appeared in its frame, looking a little disheveled, with flushed cheeks. Iason gestured to him to enter, and smiled:



-I gather that you ran all the way here to please me?



Riki laughed.



-Dream on! I was just in the middle of my work out.



-Oh, Iason stated, amazed that he actually felt annoyed by the Agent’s apparent lack of interest in him.



Riki looked at him expectantly, wondering why the hell he had been disturbed at this late hour, if there was nothing wrong.



-You smell.



Unabated by the insult, Riki genially sniffed under his armpits.



Even though Iason’s voice was cool, he had no idea that his eyes took in every detail of the man before him. Dressed only in a plain white shirt and a pair of trousers, made of soft material that complimented greatly the curves of his body, and still showed off the sculptured muscular frame, Riki was very aware of the eyes that traced over him so intently.



Deciding to ignore the earlier insult, Riki decided to play a game of ‘pushing buttons’.



-Yeah, I guess I pretty much stink. Can I take a shower here?



Iason smiled. “Ah, how pet like”, he thought.



-As is the custom on my planet, I will observe you in your ministrations.



Laughing triumphantly, Riki grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head, letting his shaped torso to be eyed by the man before him. Discarding his footwear, and his pants, leaving a trail in his path, he headed for the bathroom. Smiling at a coolly reserved Iason, Riki asked:



-What are you waiting for? Riki asked, winking at Iason.



***



Riki was amazed as he looked back at Iason.

The Blondie still wore silk pajamas that covered too much of his body, by Riki’s standards. How could he just stay still like that, resting his body against the doorframe, only his eyes moving, gleaming in anticipation as Riki entered the shower?



Riki decided instantly to put on a show for the stone statue in the doorway. He had been intrigued by the Blondie’s statement regarding their lack of involvement in sexual congress. So thought, to hell with it, lets see how much of that shit, was bullshit.



He used his own hands to caress his entire body, one hand continually returning to concentrate on stroking his sex. Even though he was putting on a show, Riki did not fake his body’s movements, enjoying the game he was playing and watching Iason, as closed as Iason was watching him. Laughing, he casually pointed out:



-You’re pitching a tent there, man.



Iason did not answer, captivated by the enticing originality happening before his very eyes. Pet shows were never like this. His mind was in some sort of a haze, as if a half memory of something stirred but refused to come to the surface. He exhaled deeply, and closed his eyes, trying to reconcile this hot image with the shadows that were distracting him from his pleasure.. When he reopened his eyes, he found Riki standing in front of him.



-Why don’t you take your clothes off, too? I bet your body is amazing.



Iason’s voice as he answered was not his usual icy tones. The voice was almost hushed, the words coming out with a tinge of regret, unnatural to the Blondie Elite.



-We do not show our bodies to anyone. It is forbidden by Jupiter.



Riki smiled, and one hand caught the first button of Iason’s pajamas.



-Well, you’re not at home now, so what’s a little rule breaking? I won’t tell anyone, cross my heart and hope to die.



Riki’s subtle movements caught Iason by surprise. With an unexpected grace, Riki dropped to his knees, dragging Iason’s pants down, revealing a huge erection, oozing honey from its tip. He whistled:



-Man, you’re hung!



Iason watched mesmerized as the man handling his almost painful member with easy strokes. Iason was lost in the wonder of it as Riki covered the engorged head with his mouth, letting it out only a little to say:



-I’ll make it good for you, even if I can’t swallow you whole.



Many a time Iason had seen in watched this scenario take place in pet shows, but he had never desired to participate in such an act until now. Totally lost in sensation, Iason let the male use his hands and mouth to bring him to completion.



A thousands stars exploded before his closed eyes, as Iason discovered for the first time the difference between being an observer and a participant.



Opening hazy eyes, he saw Agent Black still on his knees, licking his lips, with a self satisfying look on his face. Iason could not deny the power shift. He had been weak, but Jupiter save him, he didn’t know if could turn away from this now.



When Riki rose to his feet, Iason caressed the man’s lips with his naked digits.



-What is your name?



Surprised and perhaps a little ashamed by the intensity he felt from a simple touch, Riki forced himself to laugh, his erection still throbbing painfully between his own legs.



-You know that …





-No, I mean your name … how does your lover call you?



A sudden pain seized Riki’s chest. Lover? Had he had one? Was he one of those men said to have died on that unforsaken planet? How could he not remember anything like that? He stopped dead in his tracks, and, despite the warm temperature in the room and the heat radiating from the Blondie’s body, Riki suddenly began to shiver. His member shrinking and his skin turning cold, he brushed Iason’s hand aside briskly. The Blondie frowned at the change in the man’s behavior, but all Riki could do was to grab a towel and place it around his midsection. A slightly bent head murmured:



-If your Excellency does not need me anymore, I will be on my way.



Not understanding what just took place, Iason fell back into character.



-What is your name?



-It’s Riki, Riki Black.



And with that, Riki withdrew.



Even though Iason didn’t understand what had just occurred, he did not try and detain Riki as he watched him pick up his things, and exited the room.



“What painful dark secret do you keep, Riki Black?” Iason wondered, not exactly knowing why the name felt so comfortably familiar. “Riki, Riki … “, it sounded like a favorite tune that sang in his head, but, Iason put that sense of familiarity aside, preferring to focus on the man’s behavior instead.



****



Upon entering the shabby room, Katze felt something unnatural seizing his throat. It was not the way people of his kind lived, he was used to that. No, there was something more going on here, that made this place feel like a mortuary. Guy ushered him in, and Katze could tell the man looked older then he remembered. “Riki’s death, for sure”, Katze thought, but then he notice the pale male sitting on the bed, with covers gathered around him, his blank eyes glued to the blue light of the TV. Guy murmured embarrassed:



-Kirie liked … likes to watch TV. The doctor says he will come back to his senses, if he is surrounded by familiar things.



Katze did not dare asking what happened to Kirie, too. There was too much happening, and truthfully he was only here to find out about Riki. Even so he said absently:



-The doctor says so?



Guy fidgeted nervously:



-Actually, he says there is a chance … I mean, a small chance … fuck, what am I to do?



The dealer realized then that Guy’s pain was related to Kirie. If Guy was going to help him he needed him focused, and the best way to do that was to deal…..



-I’ll send you to someone better, if you like.



-Really? And what do you want in return? Guy asked with a gleam of hope in his eyes.



Katze knew that it would be hard. Clearly, the man was a tangled mess of emotions, but to hell with it all, he had to find out the truth about Riki.



-Guy, I’ll help you. But ya gotta be straight with me man…I am here … to find out about Riki.



Guy’s fists clenched.



-You think I won’t tell ya? If I thought it would do any good, I’d scream it off Jupiter’s freakin circuits. It was that bastard, Luke! He’s hunted, you know? But the fucker hid himself well … crawled under some rock but I have a lifetime to wait for this!



-Luke killed Riki?



Katze was shocked to discover that Jupiter had spoken the truth.



-Did you see it with your own eyes?



-Riki told me … right before he died.



-You … watched him die?



It was painful for Katze to ask these things, because he knew too well what Riki had always meant to Guy. Yet, his instincts kept telling him to keep pushing, that something was just off center, so he had to ask for all the details.



-Guy, it’s very important that you tell me everthing exactly as it happened.



-Why? Guy asked surprised. Riki’s gone, man, no one’s gonna make him come back. And to think that they even took his body … I’m sure they threw it in some cold hole …



Guy could no longer choke back his tears, not caring what Katze saw or thought. But Katze ignored the tears, jumping on that stray comment seeing it for the hole he was looking to plug:



-What do you mean Guy? Who are ‘they’? Did someone take Riki’s body?



The mongrel looked confused.



-The police, who else?



-The police? Why would the police get involved in a gang fight? And why take his body?



Guy looked at Katze as if seeing him for the first time.



-What are you saying, man? Is there a chance that …?



-Not so fast, Guy. Something’s weird and I’m going to find out what it is. But you are going to have to give me exact facts man, not maybes or what if’s. Riki may still be dead … but did you actually hold him in your arms until his final breath?



-No, man, he told me to go, when we heard the sirens coming. He told me to run while I could, but I’m still glad that I could help him with his dying wish …



-What was that? Guy, what did Riki wish for before he died?



-To see that Blonde fucker of his … Iason Mink. He made me dial the number, and he stared at that guy’s face until the end …



-And, Iason, what did he say? Katze asked, alarm in his voice.



-He just kept asking who’s there. Riki had the transmission jammed, so he couldn’t be seen or heard. Standard Black Market procedure, you know that.



Katze frowned in thought. “Riki gets attacked, he contacts Iason, the police comes … and the only witness leaves the scene before the conclusion …shit I really need to investigate this further!”



-Guy, thanks for the info man. I promise I’ll send that doctor to see Kirie straight away.



Guy guided the dealer towards the door, and grabbed his hand in gratitude. Katze felt a bit embarassed, but patted the man on the shoulder:



-Stay strong, Guy.



-Do you have the guts to get to the bottom of this? If someone up there is involved……Guy’s voice trailed off not bothering to finished the sentence.



There was no need to ask Guy who he meant. Clearly, the man had been to hell and back , but he was no dumb fuck. Katze could only reply honestly.



-I sure hope so.