Zayne dropped the mug. His vision blurred then darkened. Everything around him faded into an all too familiar nothingness. Bodie's voice calling his name sounded as if the detective was miles away. Yet the strong arms catching Zayne were definitely right next to him, their warmth penetrating his cool skin. He tried reaching out for his human lifeline but the vision swallowed him whole, leaving nothing behind.

Bodie watched helplessly as the coffee mug slipped from Zayne's hand and the musician stumbled backward, slamming into the countertop. He stood up so quickly the chair he was sitting on went flying halfway across the kitchen. His arms wrapped protectively around Zayne's body which was slowly sliding towards the floor.

"Zayne! Zayne!"

He placed a palm against Zayne's cheek, his thumb under his jaw, and lifted the musician's drooping head. Those silver orbs that were so angry before were now unfocused and unseeing. Panic erased all of Bodie's training as Zayne's consciousness slipped further away. He patted the musician's face gently and called Zayne's name over and over. All he wanted was for those heavenly eyes to look at him even if they were still filled with anger.

In seconds, Zayne found himself in a bar. But not like the ones at the Lotus Club. This one reeked of beer, piss, and vomit. The music was loud, the patrons louder. He looked around, searching for clues as to where this vision had brought him. Posters of old classic rock bands lined the walls, some signed, some fading, and almost all of them torn at the edges. The floor was black and white checkered like an old diner and the booths a deep red color.

His visions were becoming more detailed, more real. His senses were overwhelmed as he tried to process everything he was experiencing.

A fight had broken out by a pool table in the back. Two men were using their pool cues like quarterstaffs while a very young woman stood terrified in the corner. The form-fitting short shorts and low-cut shirt she was wearing were stained with what appeared to be her fruity beverage she must have been drinking. Her perfectly styled blonde hair made her look like a living Barbie doll.

There you are. I missed you.

I hate you.

No, you don't.

Yes. I do.

But we're getting along so well. We're like best friends.

The fuck we are.

Aww, I'm hurt. I really want to be your friend. That's why I keep sending you gifts. Don't you like them? I put a lot of effort into finding just the right ones.

You're a monster.

Oh, come now. Don't be like that. I've worked so hard to get your attention.

Is that why you gave them silver eyes? Why you carved their skin? And what's with the damn song?

You figured it out! Awesome! I'm so proud of you. You passed my first test. Excellent! You're very smart. And fascinating.

Why are you here?

Oh you know. Hey! Since you're here too, I want to show you something.

I've seen enough.

(low chuckle)

You haven't even begun to see what we can do.

We?

Haven't you figured it out yet?

Figured what out?

You're like me.

No.

You can think whatever you like. But isn't it nice to finally connect with someone, to realize you're not the only one out there. That you're not the only one who is...special.

I'm nothing like you!!

Aren't you? (sigh) Let me show you what we can do and then tell me it doesn't make you want more.

Zayne watched within the vision as the killer walked over to where the two men were fighting. But it wasn't them he was after. The woman, now huddled in the corner, looked up at him, her terrified eyes shadowed in black from her tear-smudged mascara.

Come.

Zayne watched in horror as her dark blue eyes dulled and her face grew slack. Like a mindless puppet, she reached out to take the hand offered to her.

What are you doing?

Every woman wants a knight in shining armor, don't they?

The woman's eyes locked onto the face smiling at her. Zayne could feel his own lips curving into a faint smile. Step by step, the killer started to lead her out of the bar. Suddenly realizing their prize was walking away with someone else, the two brutes fighting turned, their wooden weapons gripped tightly in their large hands. They moved with impressive speed considering their bulky sizes and blocked the exit completely.

"Where do you think you're going?" the bearded one threatened.

None of your business.

"Okay," the two burly men said in unison and walked away.

How...How did you...?

I told you. I used to be like you. Afraid. Thinking I was cursed. Until I realized my visions were becoming something more. Think of them as a preview of things to come. Think of them as the seedlings that will grow into something magnificent. Something that will spread its branches outwards until every part of you works in harmony. Until your full potential blossoms into a power neither you nor others can resist.

I don't want them. I don't want this power. I just want to be normal.

Zayne couldn't help but follow as they led the woman outside to the parking lot and into a car. She got in willingly, a broken doll sitting in the passenger seat.

You will. You just haven't learned to accept who you are yet. That's ok. I'm patient. When you do, I promise you'll see things differently. And then, the world will be at your feet.

"Zayne!"

Bodie?

"Zayne, wake up!"

Bodie!

Sounds like he misses you. You should go.

What are you going to do? Don't hurt her.

Someday you'll understand. The control. The power.

Zayne felt the shudder of the killer at that thought, his own body mirroring the reaction.

Please. Don't.

This was fun. Next time, your lessons start. See you soon...Zayne.

"Zayne! Wake up dammit!" Bodie screamed.

Zayne's eyes would not look at him. Bodie had tried shaking him, patting him, and even slapping him. Nothing worked. He could see the fear and pain on the beautiful face in front of him but had no idea how to bring Zayne back to him. He didn't even know what was happening.

When the corners of Zayne's lips turned up into a sick smile, Bodie's blood ran ice cold. This was not the Zayne he knew.

What the hell was going on?

Bodie was scared and desperate. He was not thinking with his head anymore. Only his heart. A heart that had been closed off for so long that Bodie felt like a ship in a bottle lost at sea. Until the night he met Zayne. The first time those gray eyes looked at him Bodie knew he had been found. And now, he just wanted them to look at him again. No matter what the cost.

"Come back to me, please," Bodie murmured.

He closed his eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry."

And then, he risked it all.

He cradled Zayne's head in his hands and pressed his lips against those soft plush ones he had longed to kiss for days. It began as a hesitant touch. But when Zayne remained unresponsive, Bodie deepened the intimacy of their connection. He pulled Zayne's top lip gently between both of his before releasing it and taking it again. He gave the same attention to the bottom one, the tip of his tongue licking lightly.

The musician's body stiffened in his arms causing Bodie to almost break their connection. Yet something inside him told him not to give up, to fight for the man in his arms. So, Bodie held on tighter, unwilling to let go of the musician no matter what happened. When Zayne opened his mouth to take a deeper breath, Bodie's tongue slipped inside and began its slow caresses.

Zayne sighed into each attentive kiss, ripples of heat coursing through his body. Shocks of desire incinerated the vision that had left him cold and empty. Unrelenting lips implored that he answer back as they coaxed him to follow their dance. Instinctively, Zayne's mouth began to mimic the motions of the person drawing him out of the killer's mind. His tongue explored curiously, not wanting to take too much or give too little. His lips moved naively, an innocent tenderness held in each of their timid movements.

Seconds ticked by. But instead of feeling satisfied, Zayne's yearning for the person holding him only escalated. His body demanded more than what was being offered. The spark ignited by the kiss became a blinding desire to be one with the soul guiding him back to reality.

Lost to the sensations flooding through him, Bodie curled his fingers through Zayne's hair and held the musician's sinful mouth in place as he delved deeper into its heavenly abyss. Zayne Matthews was a forbidden delicacy Bodie knew he would hunger for the rest of his life. It was like kissing a living flame, one that would completely consume him yet one he would willingly surrender to for all eternity.

Zayne's arms came up and wrapped around the warm body pressed against his. His hands began a slow ascent upwards until they found strong shoulders to cling to. He pulled the person closer, clutching desperately at the human lifeline saving him from the nightmarish vision that threatened to drive him mad. Lips as soft as cotton candy and just as sweet flirted and teased with Zayne's mouth like it was their only purpose in life. This was an addiction he would happily lose himself to for the rest of his life and never have a single regret.

Unable to stop himself, Bodie nipped recklessly at the tender flesh he was devouring. With his right hand, he fisted the musician's silky hair in his long fingers and pulled Zayne's head back with a rough tug. His lips immediately trailed hungrily down the now exposed neck, drawing out depraved moans from the musician that only intensified Bodie's growing obsession. Returning to Zayne's lips, he resumed his breathless attention to the now swollen pair of succulent flesh.

Zayne accepted his admirer's challenge by taking a few nips of his own at the moist tongue invading his mouth.

Bodie groaned and arched his back, pulling Zayne with him.

"Oh my god!" Ally cried out.

Both men's eyes snapped open. They sat frozen on the floor, their arms still holding each other in an intimate embrace. Their breaths came fast and heavy, their faces flushed with embarrassment. Neither one knew what to do or say.

Zayne blinked rapidly and shook his head. Finally realizing who had been kissing him, he shoved Bodie away with both hands. His head was slowly clearing but his heart was a chaotic mess of emotions as he stared at the detective.

"Ummm, I'll...I'll just be out...out here," Ally stammered as she spun around and scurried out of the room.

Zayne's breathing was still erratic and rushed. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. Confusion paralyzed him. Desire engulfed him. He tried shaking off the vision whose remnants still clung to his mind like a wet blanket but that only made him dizzy. Hearing the scuff of Bodie's pants on the vinyl floor, he tried to slide his weakened body as far away as he could from the persistent man.

But the detective glided next to him and whispered in his ear, "Breathe."

Zayne obeyed instantly and took his first deep breath.

"Good. Again," Bodie ordered softly.

Zayne listened to the detective's soothing deep voice. He concentrated on where he was. Gradually, the smells, sights, and sounds of Ally and Devon's condo drew him back to the present. His mind then began to focus on the man next to him and the one word Zayne could listen to forever without ever getting tired of hearing.

There was a rising taste of bile at the back of his throat that threatened to spill over so he took another breath. And another. With each one, the detective's alluring scent filled his nostrils, driving him crazy while somehow centering him. Zayne's body still buzzed with attraction and Bodie's closeness was not helping him to calm down.

"Are you okay?" Bodie asked, his voice steeped in concern.

Zayne could only answer him with a small nod.

"What the hell was that, Zayne? Tell me. Now."

"You have half our gifts. I the other. Together we make a whole. Together we are much more powerful." - Joss Stirling