Loss Of Innocence

“Leon what in the hell made you do this?” Jill paced the floor in front of his sofa. Leon sat huddled at one end, stripped of his usual self confidence. “Jill…” He paused trying to marshal his thoughts into some sense. “D, erm, made love to me. Fuck I begged him too! I don’t know what the fuck happened to me! One minute D was unpacking the creature for that Andover woman, I went over to see what was going on and wham, bam, thank you sir!” Leon looked at Jill with a worried expression in his blue-green eyes. “The thing is… I damn well enjoyed it and I think I realised something…”
“What Leon?” Jill asked gently and waited for Leon’s answer.
“I think… I think I love him, but fuck, the only thing he feels for me is fucking amusement!” Leon thumped the arm of the sofa, then curled back up.
“Leon, I went to D’s before I come here. I think he was worried, he told me to tell you he was sorry and that he never meant for things to happen like that. You and he need to talk and soon!” Jill grabbed her handbag and coat “Come on Leon, we’re going.”

Leon looked at the closed sign in the early evening light, this wasn’t right he’d been here much later than this before and D’s shop had had been open. Jill tried the door, it was unlocked. They checked the area and then entered. Leon felt naked without his gun. The shop was eerily quiet, Leon checked for signs of violence but only found the remains of some tea. Picking up the cup, he checked the temperature “This is cold, its been here at least an hour.”
“Maybe more.” said Jill.
“Count, you here?” Leon called. Q-Chan fluttered out of the shadows and began to pull at Leon’s ponytail. “Kyu, kyu, kyuuuuu!”
“He seems to want you to go with him Leon”
Q-Chan let go and nodded. “Kee, kee”
“Something’s up with the count?” Leon asked the winged mouse. Q-Chan nodded again and fluttered towards an intricately embroidered curtain. Leon pulled it aside and followed Q-Chan to D’s sumptuous bedroom. As he entered Leon saw D laid on the bed looking almost translucent he was so pale. Leon rushed to the Counts side and tenderly laid a hand on D’s forehead. “Geez, he’s burning up!”
Jill spoke surprising Leon, he hadn’t realised that she’d followed him. “I think he needs a doctor”
D stirred as she spoke and slowly opened his eyes. “No Doc-tors” His voice was weak.
“Steady now Count you should rest.” D nodded slowly and his eyes closed again. Leon sat on the bed. “Can you see if you can find some cold water and a cloth Jill?”
“Sure I’ll try, you have any idea where there’s a kitchen?”
“Dunno, maybe Q-Chan can help you.”
P-Chan fluttered up to Jill and tugged at her sleeve, trying to pull her towards a door in the far corner. “Okay Q-Chan lead on.”
As they left, Leon felt D stir, turning to look at D, he looked into D’s odd coloured eyes. “Leon, please…stay” D asked weakly.
“Don’t worry, I will stay until you are better.” D rested his head upon Leon’s chest. Jill hurried in with small bowl and a cloth hanging over her arm. “Found them” she said. “Hope the cloth isn’t special.” Placing it on the bedside table, she dipped and wrung out the cloth, leaning over Leon she placed it on D’s head. The sound of her mobile ringing shattered the quiet of the room, she quickly grabbed it from her handbag and flipped it open and walked out of the room.

Five minutes later Jill returned. “Leon I have to go back to the office, I told them you had to go look after a sick relative. You owe me big time for covering for you! Just come back in as soon as you can.”
“Thanks Jill, I’ll do anything for you.”
“I have a long list of cases, paperwork and anything else I can think of in the meantime.” Jill grinned wickedly and left.

Leon brushed the hair from D’s face, the count shifted and moaned softly. “Hush” Leon sighed worriedly, he had never seen D so ill and it made him feel so goddamn helpless. D’s eyes suddenly flickered open. “Leon, did Miss…” he paused for a breath and then continued “Jill tell you?” he asked in an urgent whisper.
“Yes D, she did and I forgive you.” More than you know Leon thought.
“Please Officer, I need you to bring me something.” D closed his eyes, drew in a breath and then said “In the main shop, there is a box, two jade dragons adorn the lid.”
“Is it something to help you?”
“Yes, a healing herbal tea.” D reached a hand over to Leon’s arm. Leon noticed he seemed even paler now “Okay D, but this shit better work.”

D dreamed. He was in a Chinese style house, his fathers house to be precise. The Irith sat by a chair facing away from him, he could not see the person sat in it but knew who it was. “You have come my son.” D bowed even though his father couldn’t see him.
“My fever has brought me to you, my father.”
“You have given him your heart.” The voice stated softly yet firmly.
“Yes father, I have”
“Have you revealed your secrets to the creature.”
“No father, he does not know.” The Irith turned to gaze at D *Your fears are unfounded.* At that moment the dream dissolved and D opened his eyes and looked into Leon’s worried eyes. “Your awake, Jeez you fucking scared me! I couldn’t wake you!”
D smiled weakly “All is fine, you have my tea?”
“Yeah sure, you are sure this will help?” Leon handed D the cup.
“Yes, this illness is common among my family.” D drank deeply from the cup. “Please Officer, sleep, you look exhausted, the bed is large and you will not disturb me for I shall sleep deeply tonight.”
Leon moved from D’s side and slipping his shoes off, laid on the far side of the bed. “Leon, when I wake we must talk.” D’s voice sounded sleepily and far off. Leon noticed D’s eyes close and his breathing slow, closing his own eyes he soon drifted off to sleep.

R&R please. JM