(Palette)

I got up because my new friend freaked out upon finding me under his head. In his haste to stand up and get off me, he accidentally punched my crotch and woke me up.

"Oof!" I exclaimed as I bent over double in pain.

"Ahh! I'm sorry!" he shouted, backing into the coffee table and subsequently falling backward. He grunted when he landed, gasping in pain when his leg hit the table.

"You okay?" I asked, standing up against the pain.

He looked up, wide-eyed, as he panted up at me.

"Look, it's me, Palette," I said, crouching beside him, "I'm not Rurik. I'm not going to hurt you."

"I-I know," he panted, "I'm sorry..."

"It's fine," I said, setting my hand on his shoulder, "I'm fine. Stop apologizing."

"I'm so- oh, okay," he stopped himself, letting out a nervous chuckle.

"Good," I said, clapping his shoulder. I grabbed his hand and helped him to his feet, setting him back on the couch.

"I'm gonna make breakfast. You," I pointed at him, "Sit here and don't move."

"Okay," he nodded.

I got up and went to the kitchen. As I started making noise to heat up food, I found myself anticipating Goth's snarky remark about my cooking. It never came, so I glanced behind me. My new friend was staring at the fire, silent.

Sighing, I kept cooking. Well, really all I did was heat up food that Ink had cooked for me. Watching the microwave spin the little bowl inside, I felt a pang of grief for Goth and our baby... missing, traded with some alternate him that was clearly frightened of an alternate version of me. Thinking about a world that could make Goth feel like that all the time...the thought made me scared and angry.

I jumped when a hand touched my shoulder softly, swinging around in surprise to find my new friend behind me.

"Um, the microwave went off a while ago..." he pointed at the black box. I looked at it, nodding.

"Oh, right," I started getting plates out and bustling around. I glanced to say something to him but he was gone, sitting at the table quietly and staring out the little square window.

Damn, he's quiet... I thought as I brought the food over, setting a plate in front of him. He ate silently as I sat across from him. Watching him, I saw he had more small scars on his hands and neck than Gothy had. Seems like both of them took a lot of beatings, but this guy took a lot more threatening ones. I wonder how many of those scars are from that Rurik character...

I barely noticed when he stood. He remained hunched and moved without noise, so it was when he moved to the side that I came out of my musings and helped him walk. Even with a limp, he could move quietly.

"Thanks," he muttered, putting his plate in the sink. I helped him back to the couch and set him down. The dried blood on his pants caught my attention because it had gone stiff and rough. As he settled into the couch I went into the bedroom to get something of Gothy's he could wear. I found a pair of sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt.

I went back out and tossed them at him, surprising him. He looked at the clothing, then at me, confused.

"Go change," I told him, "Those pants can't be comfortable."

"Oh, right," he said, looking down at the clothing, "Were these...his...?"

"Yeah, they'll fit you fine. Go change," I told him again. He nodded, lifting himself off the couch and limping to the bathroom. Even while watching his movement, I could barely hear him. He moved like a ghost.

A ghost...hmm...

I put on a movie, the one I had planned on showing Goth during one of his mood swings, and flipped to the start screen. Even though I was waiting for my new friend to show up, I jumped a bit when I felt someone sit beside me. I looked over to see him wrapping himself in his cloak and scooting to the opposite end of the couch.

"Ya know, you're really quiet for a guy with a limp," I said, starting the movie. It was one of my minor horrors that Gothy found fascinating. Why someone as emotional as him wasn't afraid of them, I did not understand.

My new friend muttered something quietly, shrinking into his scarf. I shrugged, continuing to watch the horror. After a while, I became aware of shaking next to me. I looked over at my new friend. His whole body shook, small tears leaking from his eye sockets as he stared at the movie.

"You okay?" I asked him, and he jumped, his head whipping to face me. He muttered something, whimpering softly and shaking his head.

"You don't like horrors, do you?" I asked him, and he shook his head again. I turned the movie off and got up. Going to the kitchen, I bustled around to make him another hot cocoa. It seemed to calm him down last time, so...

I brought him the hot cocoa and sat down on the opposite end of the couch.

"Sorry about that," I said, "My Gothy isn't scared of them... at least he says so..."

This drew an odd, soft chuckle from my new friend. It sounded like a whispering breeze, the breath of something ethereal... again, like a ghost. I looked over at him, seeing him with his hands wrapped around the mug and watching me again.

"What?"

"You don't have to react to be afraid," he chuckled softly, "Your Goth seems to have more of a brave face around you."

I just stared at him. Could he be right? He huddled into himself under my gaze, shifting uncomfortably. He gripped the sleeves of his cloak, hiding his face in his scarf. He looked like the boy I fell in love with...the boy I used to torment...

Ever since Goth became comfortable around me, he opened up. His emotional, tortured soul, usually so hidden, had clung to my affection. He had needed love in a bad life. When he finally learned he had it... I think I lost this part of him.

"You're so quiet..." I whispered thoughtfully and he looked up.

"Well, it's easier to avoid Rurik. He gets angry sometimes if I'm too loud..." he huddled further into his scarf.

"You move like a ghost," I said louder.

"Rurik says I'm his little wraith..." he said, chuckling softly, "I'm his scout for our jobs when we..." he trailed off.

"I prefer Ghost," I said, "Sounds... softer, I guess, than Wraith."

"Well, his 'little wraith' isn't supposed to be soft," he said.

"Well, right now you're not 'his little wraith'," I said, smiling at him, "You're my new friend, Ghost."

That drew a little smile from him. Glad that there was cheer under the fear, I changed the movie. I had a comedy, just in case Gothy got through more than one movie without mood swinging.

"I think you'll like this one. It's funny," I said as I put it in. I shoved the laptop closer to him so he could watch and settled into my side of the couch, lounging. Normally, Goth would rest his head on my lap and I'd rub his back or his belly. Now, there was just a cold spot.

Ghost watched the movie, but I felt his eyes flick from it to me constantly. Almost as if he was anticipating something.

I just sighed, settling into my part of the couch and resting my chin on my hand. I should be finding out how to find Goth, but I also didn't want to leave Ghost. So, I settled on waiting until he fell asleep before calling someone who needed to know and who knew someone who could help.

Ghost soon started snoring softly and breathing deeply, so I picked up my phone and dialed the number. After the phone rang for a few times, a reluctant voice answered, "What do you want, Palette?" Raven grumbled through the phone.

"I need you and Professor Science up at the cabin, now," I said.

"Why? It's just you and Goth... it he alright?" Raven had worry bite through the reluctant bitterness.

I glanced over at Ghost's sleeping figure, so peaceful with his light snoring and gentle mutterings, "Just get over here quick. It's too... bizarre to explain over the phone."

"I swear if you hurt him-"

"Look, get over here so you can punch me in person. If I told you over the phone you won't believe me and I need your help," I growled, "Get the professor, curb your threats, and get your ass over here, dammit!"

Raven was silent at my outburst, "Fine," he grunted before hanging up. I tossed my phone down and looked over as Ghost shifted, muttering softly. I sighed again, staring at the fire so I could wait for Raven and the professor.

If anyone could help me find Goth, it'll be them.

(Goth)

On our way to the doctors, I tripped and Rurik caught me. I heard him gasp as his arm stretched and looked over at him. Most of the blood on our clothes had dried, but I saw the gleam of fresh blood on his shoulder. Once I could stand he took me under his arm again, and I heard him bite back a hiss of pain, letting it out as a laugh.

"Careful, Cupcake," he said smoothly as we continued walking, "Wouldn't want you to get hurt now, would we?"

I said nothing, just scowling at the necessity of the stupid nickname. Though, I glanced at him from under my hood to see some of his smirk look like more of a grimace.

We reached one of the cleaner looking buildings I've seen thus far. Rurik sauntered us up the steps and knocked twice on the door with a large black metal knocker.

An annoyed looking skeleton with sharp teeth in a scowl and a black lab coat opened the door roughly. "I'm not taking patients right now. Come back later," he growled, trying to shut the door on us. He had it almost closed when two things happened: first, my hand stuck in the door to stop it from closing and second, he saw Rurik's face just as I felt the tall ass go slightly limp.

He, instead of guiding me, now used me for support. He growled, forcing the door open.

"Let us in, Doc," he growled.

"Rurik?" Doc said, stepping back. He glanced around, scowling, "Get in, quick!"

I helped Rurik into the hall as Doc shut the doors behind us.

"In here," he said, running into a room. A large steel table sat in the center, and I helped Rurik to it. He grunted, lifting himself up onto it so he sat, leaning heavily on me.

"Rurik, what the hell happened?" I hissed at him as Doc came back in.

"Damn dog bit me," he growled. He started to undo his shirt and Doc glanced at me as he set up his tools.

"Give him a hand, Goth," he said roughly. Blushing, I held up shaky hands to remove Rurik's shirt and expose the deep bite on his shoulder.

"How long has he been like this?" Doc asked, grabbing Rurik's arm and examining it roughly.

"Less than an hour," I answered.

"Hmm," Doc tapped his chin, "Lay down, I need a closer look."

Rurik complied, laying down on his side so Doc could look at his shoulder. Doc hissed angrily and grabbed a pair of long tweezers or something. I couldn't really tell.

"You have the highest pain tolerance of all my patients, Rurik," Doc muttered, "You're also a reckless fool."

"Your point?" Rurik said through gritted teeth. Doc scoffed, pulled something out of his shoulder and Rurik gasped in pain. Doc leaned over, holding a broken canine in front of Rurik's eyes.

"My point is that you need to be more careful in a fight," Doc said gruffly. Rurik rolled his eyes as Doc began to use green healing magic on the wound.

He bandaged up the shoulder and let Rurik sit up, wiping his hands off with a cloth. He glanced over at me, looking up and down at my blood-stained body.

"Any injuries on you?" he asked and I shook my head.

"None of this is my own," I said, "Though, I now see that some of it is his."

"Ahh," Doc looked back at Rurik, "Which gang will I be seeing later, then?"

"Not much of a gang anymore," Rurik scoffed, "Lucius will be hunting for goons now."

"You went after Lucius? With him in this state?" Doc gestured at me, thoroughly confusing Rurik. My soul pulsed a little, Oh gods can he tell?

"I didn't 'go after' Lucius," Rurik rolled his eyes again, "That idiot came after us, asking for his shares of last week's job, which he did nothing to help with. He hurt and insulted Cupcake, so he needed to be punished."

"I took out most of his dogs with Cupcake's help and made sure he'll never say a word against him again," Rurik smiled grimly.

"But is there any way you could have avoided a fight?" Doc asked, wiping off his tools.

"Lucius went looking for a fight, so he got one," Rurik growled.

"But how can you put him in danger when he's-" Doc saw me rapidly shaking my head, mouthing, say nothing, say nothing.

"When he's what?" Rurik asked.

"Nothing, never mind," Doc turned his back to us. He left us alone, and as soon as he was out of the room Rurik turned to me.

Before I could say anything, his hand shot out and grabbed the collar of my cloak, bringing our faces close. The scowl on his face made me afraid.

"What was he talking about?" he hissed, "What's wrong with you that's not up with Cupcake?"

"Nothing's wrong, there's nothing," I said, trying to pry his fingers off my shirt. Baggy as it was, any higher and the glow of my belly would show. I struggled a bit, trying to pull away, growling at him, "Let go of me."

His scowl turned into a smirk over my struggles. "You're a lot feistier than Cupcake," he said softly. He leaned in closer, pulled me up higher. He gave me a soft kiss, and it took all of my willpower not to kiss back. He pulled back with a soft sigh, "But you're just as sweet~" he purred, "Almost like, hmm," he licked his teeth, "peppermint. Sweet, but with a cool nip on your side."

"If you're done playing with him, care to explain why you're really here?" Doc said impatiently. Rurik looked up, dropping me and smirking at Doc.

"Actually, we came here because my sweet wanted to talk to you," Rurik explained. Doc's eyes shifted to me, suspicion laced in his gaze.

"About what, exactly?" he asked me.

"I want to know if your inter-dimensional portal generator is working," I said simply. Rurik looked a bit confused but Doc scowled.

"How do you know about that?" he asked gruffly.

"No matter how I know. Is it or is it not operational?" I asked, approaching him.

"It was," he admitted through his teeth.

"It was? When?" I asked.

"Last night," Doc explained, "I had it up and running before that storm knocked out my antenna and the whole thing surged."

A surge, the storm, the lightning... "Where is your antenna?" I asked.

"Up on the hill, in the woods," Doc explained, still angry at my knowledge. I turned to Rurik, piecing this together.

"Where was the job last night?" I asked him, referring to what he had explained earlier.

"At the mansion, on the hill," Rurik explained, shrugging, "I found you on the ground by the wall, unconscious, next to-"

"A crevasse in the stone," I said. I turned back to Doc, "When can you get your machine operational again?"

"Dunno, maybe a few days, probably a week," Doc said.

"A week!?" I shrieked, backing into a wall, hyperventilating as my soul fluttered rapidly, "I'm gonna be stuck in this hellhole for a week?!" My vision blurred and I slid down the wall as the world spun. Nausea attacked and I stumbled to my feet, finding a trashcan and vomiting violently. I fell to my knees, heaving heartily as my body purged what it could. Once I could breathe, I panted over the can as my mind reeled with panic.

"You know, this kind of stress isn't good for-" I shot Doc a glare as he opened his mouth. The last thing I wanted was that sadistic piece of crap known as Rurik to know his swapped 'Cupcake' was pregnant. Not in this hell.

"Shut up," I growled and he backed off.

"Hey, sweetness," Rurik grinned, stepping over to me, "It'll be alright."

"Alright?" I turned to face him, getting to my feet, "Alright? None of this is alright, Rurik! None of it! I'm stuck here with you when I should be at home!"

"Is there something I'm missing here?" Doc interjected and I rounded on him.

"Yes! I am not from here!" I shouted at him. He reeled back a bit and I forced myself to speak quieter. "I am not the Goth you have met. I'm from another universe. Me and the Goth you know switched places when your machine went haywire."

"Is that why you're-"

"Yes, and shut it!" I snapped. I strode to him quickly, grabbing his collar and pulling his head down to whisper, "I don't know how you can tell but if you say another word about it in front of anyone, particularly Rurik, I will cut off your fingers and force them down your throat."

It was a sizable threat, considering he was a skeleton with not much of a throat but long, delicate fingers. He swallowed and nodded, so I released him.

"No, you're definitely not the Goth I know," a small smile played on his lips, "Seems like you have an edge for some reason." I glared at him, mouthing, watch it.

Already Rurik was giving me an eye but I shrugged him off, keeping my eyes on Doc.

"I need you to finish those repairs as soon as possible," I told him, crossing my arms, "You keep us updated and come get us as soon as you're done."

I turned and grabbed Rurik's sleeve, dragging him outside.

"Eager to be home, sweetness?" he asked, smirking. I rolled my eyes, throwing his arm on my shoulder as I continued to walk us home.

"Is there anything else you can call me that doesn't make me want to punch you?"

"Depends on if it's me or the name as to why you want to punch me..."

"You're pushing it, Rurik..."

"Whatever you say... my little Peppermint."

----

(Just a quick note, Doc is Fell!Science and I made Lucious up. Also, if you haven't guessed, The Felle and Underfell are two different places. So my Fell!Palette is not Rurik, but they parallel in many ways. Just as the two Fell!Goths do.)