The rest of the day they spent in Kota's house.

It was a rare day off for all of the boys and they decided to spend it together.

We were enjoying ourselves playing a little video game when Owen's cellphone went off.

Pulling it from his back pocket he checked the screen and his ever blank face became stony, his grey eyes turbulent.

I moved to where he was sitting at one of the living room's chairs and sat by his side, perching myself in the chair's arm.

Looking over his shoulder I saw a warning showing in the display, alerting that someone had left the Korba' household.

I could well guess who that someone was.

"Gentlemen." He called for everyone attention. Most of the boys having already been watching me and him from the moment his phone rang.

"It appears we have a situation. Divide yourselves in three groups and go check the situation at the Korba's." he ordered, his voice sharp with command.

We did as we were told. North and Silas left on the bike to reach the apartments first than everyone else, Nathan went with Kota on his car, and me, Victor and Gabriel took Victor's BMW.

Luke stayed behind. For some reason he'd be going with Sean and Owen. The poor guy looked torn between being crest fallen and panicked when we left him.

As we parked in front of the apartment building Victor pulled out a Nintendo 3DS from his bag and started messing with it. Suddenly he frowned, his fire eyes snapping as he surveyed his game system.

"What? What is it?" Gabriel finally asked.

Victor lifted his head and looked at us.

"I had Luke wire Theo a few days ago so we could always know where he went, but my tracking program can't find him." The annoyance and worry on his tone were obvious. None of us liked the thought of Theo free to do as he wished unsupervised.

Gabriel got out of the car and opened my door for me. I stepped out into the night, a lightly cold wind ruffling my hair, making me shiver slightly.

The night air was humid and heavy, proof that summer was arriving and the next day would be a hot one. I looked around, searching for a hundred different things, cataloging what I found.

There was no visible sign of Theo, nor the rest of her boys.

"Where is everyone?" I asked.

"North and Silas are circling the neighborhood in the bike." Said Victor.

"Kota and Nathan are searching the apartment to see if they find anything to tip us off as to his location." Added Gabriel while messing with his phone, probably watching the cameras.

Owen, Sean and Luke would stay at home, looking through the city cameras, prepared to come in and help if necessary.

I looked around once more. There wasn't much we could do since there was no way to track him with technology, but I knew other ways to find a person.

I headed to the building doorway, the boys falling in step behind me, their eyes curious but without interfering with my movements.

I reached the entrance and searched the ground for any sign that might lead us to Theo.

Nothing caught my attention here.

I started circling the building. When I got to where Silas apartment windows were localized I found a couple of butt of cigars left on the ground.

Looking up I saw that I was exactly under Theo's bedroom window.

I looked back at the boys, but didn't say anything. I made another circle around the building, a wider one this time, and found more cigars closer to the east gate, by the edge of the street.

It could be a coincidence. Certainly Theo wasn't the only smoker around here, but it was better than nothing.

I followed the trail of cigars for a couple of courts when Victor arrived with the car, having gone back to fetch it while Gabriel stayed with me.

He lowered the car window and told us to get in. once we did he started saying, "I think I know where he might be. If he really came in this direction, he might have gone to this abandoned church that is at the end of this street."

Gabriel nodded his head and pulled out his cell phone, "Makes sense he'd go there. I will warn the others."

Once we arrived at our destination Victor and Gabriel left the car. I wanted to go with them to check the place but they convinced me to wait outside, in case they needed reinforcements.

I got out of the BMW and walked to the back of the church while they went inside through the front door. The back had a small, abandoned garden and many trees.

I climbed one of them so I could stay hidden and still watch what was going on. From my high perch I had a good view from both the front of the church and the back. I stayed there for what felt like one hour, just observing.

And yet I smelled it before I saw it. Looking in the direction of church I saw nothing amiss. No smoke, no light, no fire.

But the acrid smell was unmistakable.

I jumped from the tree and ran to the church, circling the building when I heard the deafening sound of an explosion.

The ground seemed to tremble lightly under my feet for a second, my heart jumped in my chest, panic clawing into my mind, but I forced myself to remain calm.

Pulling my phone out from my bra, I selected the violin icon and pushed the red button, all the while still running to the entrance.

The smoke scent was more pungent now, becoming quickly overpowering, the dark night turning brighter as flames caught the side of the wood structure of the church and lit up the night sky, painting the darkness a golden red color.

"Report!" he barked through the line.

I reached the entrance and pushed the large doors open, feeling the heat against my skin. I started to sweat.

"The church is on fire. The mostly wood structure is burning fast. The boys haven't come out yet." I could hear him in the background, commanding Sean to contact the fire department, and then warn the other boys.

Entering with caution I kept my eyes open, squinting against the dark smoke and bright flames that had taken over the place. The heat was stifling, the air was foul, and I was trembling in fear, but I kept going.

I was afraid of Theo, of the flames, and of what I might find ahead, but my boys needed me.

Arriving at the back of the building I could see that the explosion must have happened at what was probably the kitchen, localized beside the pastor' rooms. Checking through the doorway to the room she saw two figures fallen on the floor.

Victor and Gabriel. No Theo in sight.

I almost cried, my knees going weak for a second before I firmed them.

"The firemen are on their way, Miss Sang. Their ETA is of 5 minutes. We will try to get there as soon as possible." His voice was tense.

"I found them, Owen! They are both unconscious." I said squatting beside Gabriel's prone body and checking for a pulse. Finding it I let out a sigh in relief.

4 minutes...

Smoke was quickly filling the room and she had to carry the two boys to safety, somehow. God help her.

Checking on Victor, I could see that he too had a pulse; turning back to Gabriel I observed that he was moving his fingers and starting to wake up. I quickly told Owen that I needed to hang up and putting the cell back in place, I ran to his side and delicately touched his face.

"Gabriel! I need you to wake up! Now!"

Opening his eyes with a confused expression on his face he took a moment to remember what happened and then reorient himself. He was obviously dizzy and confused, probably from a concussion. The room was now completely filled in smoke making it hard to see around.

3 minutes...

I helped him to stand up and we stumbled towards the room window. They were too far from the doors to try to leave that way. I propped him against the wall where he stayed eerily quiet until I managed to open the window.

His quietness was concerning, Gabriel cursed when he was happy, sad, angry or simply speaking. His silence now was disturbing.

I managed to push him out the window, leaving him outside alone to go back for Victor.

Her heart was beating over time in fear for her boys and herself. She hated that she had to leave Victor behind to help Gabriel, but she had little choice and she needed to keep a cool head.

2 minutes...

Running back through the blinding smoke she almost tripped in Victor's prone body. The light in the room increased, the fire having finally reached it the doorway. The heat was too much; her skin burning from its intensity even though she wasn't in direct contact with the flames.

Squatting down and putting his arm over my shoulders, with adrenaline pumping in my system, I managed to stand, supporting his weight I dragged him to the window. Every step was a challenge, every breath a difficulty, the heat was searing, drying the sweat from her clothes even as more trickled down her face.

1 minute...

The sound of sirens approaching gave me such a relief that I almost lost my grip in Victor's arm. Firming her hold with renewed determination, I kept walking in the direction that I believed was the window.

Finally finding their way out, she pushed the upper part of his body out and grabbing the windowsill, she jumped over his body to the outside. Once there she and Gabriel managed to pull him out and in the direction of the ambulances and fire trucks that had arrived.

From one of the ambulances came Sean along with three paramedics who immediately strapped Victor to a stretcher and took in to the hospital, Gabriel and Sean in the same ambulance as him.

Temporally ignoring the other paramedics who were asking me if I was fine I looked around the chaos and confusion of firemen, smoke, policemen and spectators, searching for a familiar face when suddenly a body slams into mine, hugging me tight from the back. With my nose still filled with the smell of smoke, I couldn't identify who was hugging me, but looking down at the arms circling my body almost too tightly I found the sleeves of a grey suit.

Owen...

Letting me go shortly he grabbed my shoulders to turn me around and fused his mouth to mine.

Oh, I guess he finally lost his cool... that was all I managed to think before my mind blanked from his kiss, his lips moving over mine with a desperation that I had never thought to feel from him. We kissed for centuries, hours, minutes. I didn't know anymore, neither did I care, the adrenaline having left my body the moment I felt the safety of his arms embracing me.

Now I was a shaking and crying mess, covered in sweat and grime. My knees buckled and he wrapped one arm under my butt, lifting me up to hold me against his chest, my front pressed to his. I stopped kissing him and hid my face on his neck.

Suddenly I felt hands running at my back; they were big and callused, different from Owen's elegant, slim fingers.

"Are you okay, Baby?" North asked, his rough voice sounding concerned and comforting at the same time.

I lifted my head to look at him and saw Silas and Luke with him.

Silas had a guilty look on his face that I knew I would need to help dispel later. Luke was trying to comfort him with no luck.

I nodded at them and Owen started walking in the direction of the jeep. We got in, me in the back with Silas by my right, Luke at my left, Owen was driving, and North took the passenger seat.

As we headed over to the hospital, I reached for one of Silas big hands. He sat hunched over even though the jeep was big enough for him, but he let me take his hand in mine, twining our fingers together.

"Where are Kota and Nathan?" I asked, trying to break the tense silence in the car.

I didn't want to think about the fact that Victor had still been unconscious when we put him into the ambulance.

I couldn't lose him. I couldn't lose any of them.

"They are at the hospital already, waiting." Luke answered quietly.

We fell in silence again but this time I didn't try to break it.

Reaching the hospital we got out of the car and walked towards the front doors.

Owen had already talked with Kota and led the way to their waiting room, all the way there I had Silas and Luke's hands clasped tightly in mine.

Arriving at the room I had to let go of their hands because I was soon taken into Nathan's arms as he hugged me tight to his chest.

My nose was still clogged with the smell of smoke, but I caught a whiff of leather and cypress too.

Soon he released me and Kota took his place, his hug gentler, his hands rubbing against my back soothingly.

"How are you doing, sweetie? Did anyone check you already?" he asked, his voice concerned.

I nodded my head, then shook it. My body felt achy and my muscles had turned to jelly, my brain was mushy.

I felt that if I closed my eyes I would fall asleep immediately. But I couldn't rest yet. My boys still needed me.

Owen suddenly appeared at my side, a young doctor having accompanied him.

She fussed and fretted over me, checking for injuries and examining me while the boys observed like hawks.

Once she declared I would be okay they all relaxed a little.

We sat down to wait then. Hours passed.

Owen was a statue, perfectly still, with a blank face and every hair in place, Kota looked just as blank, but he made the effort to talk with Nathan and Luke. North was brooding in a corner of the room and Silas sat hunched by my side.

I watched as he ran his fingers through his hair and suddenly stood up. The boys all turned his eyes to watch him as he walked out of the room, but none of them moved to follow.

I looked at Kota, his eyes showing me his concern. We exchanged a look and I rose from my place and went to find Silas.

Kota would keep one eye on the others while I was away.

......

I couldn't stand staying in that room anymore.

My family was a mess. The guys were all worried, Luke wasn't playing, Nathan, Kota and Mr. B were subdued and North was brooding.

However, the worst in that room was Aggele mou. She looked like she'd gone through hell, her clothes were dirty and sticking to her tiny, delicate body, her hair was a mess, her eyes were bloodshot.

She could have died trying to save Gabe and Victor. His own brother would be guilty of that.

The brother he'd once saved from killing himself.

I never regretted saving someone in my life before, but Theo was an exception.

I walked up the stairs until I reached the top floor of the hospital and went straight to the door leading to the rooftop.

I needed some air. The smell of smoke was still strong on my nose, making me remember another fire that had happened a while back.

Victor had been unconscious when he was put into the ambulance and they had still to hear any news from the hospital personnel. I didn't want to think about what might happen with him.

We hadn't known each other for long, but I already considered him my brother. He was a good guy, with a shitty family and a lot of talent.

When I came to America I felt adrift, having lost all that was important to me with the exception of my father and North. However, once I met the guys I started to grown to like them, even before Aggele mou arrived, but once she did there was no avoiding them.

They were my family.

I opened the door and walked out, feeling the strong wind ruffle my hair.

I leaned with my back against the wall and looked at the sky. It was starting to clear, the darkness giving way to the light and I hoped my life could clear just as easily as the morning sky did.

The door beside me opened and a tiny angel stepped out.

She looked around and spotted me, heading in my direction.

"Silas." She whispered, her voice soft and low making me shiver lightly.

I didn't deserve this angel coming for me.

She raised her hand to my arm, her small fingers laying lightly over my biceps. She was so small compared to me. I wanted to pull her in my arms and hug her, keep her safe and warm in my embrace, but I didn't feel worthy of her.

Two of the people she loved had been severely hurt by his brother. Theo was his responsibility.

"None of this is your fault, Superman." I flinched at the nickname.

I was no hero. That title was hers alone.

"I am no superman, Aggele. I allowed my brother to kill my mother, and now he almost killed you and my friends. I saved the life of a monster. I don't know how you bear to touch me." I told her, my voice sounding rough and harsh.

She just looked up at me, with those pretty little green eyes of hers that swirled with so many emotions.

"I will never feel disgusted by you, Silas. None of this was your fault. You are my Superman, you are my strength and you always will be."

I snorted. "I am not your strength, Aggele. You are one of the strongest persons I know and you were already like this before I met you."

She reached for my face with her hand, her small fingers caressing my cheek as she stepped closer to me until I could feel the heat from her body even with the distance still between us. 

"You are wrong, Silas. I might have been forced to be strong all of my life, but I was broken and alone. It was only when I met you that I started to truly hope, that I started to feel like I really was strong and could do anything." Her green eyes were mesmerizing, the emotions in them shining so brightly and beautifully, I held my breath, not daring to hope. "And do you know why, Silas?" She asked and I shook my head.

I could not fathom why this incredible girl thought that I gave her strength when it felt like it was the other way around.

"Because I love you, and I know that to keep you I will fight and win any war. Loving you gives me strength, Silas." She said, her voice ringing with sincerity and certainty.

I could barely believe what I was hearing. I felt my heart stutter as I took in a deep breath. Uncrossing my arms from over my chest I reached for her with trembling hands.

My whole body was shaking slightly and I took her in my arms, putting one arm under her butt to raise her from the floor until we were face to face, her arms and legs around me holding me close.

"You love me?" I asked her, still unsure, even my voice trembled a little.

Some would find it ridiculous, seeing someone as big as I was trembling in the hands of a little girl. But these people didn't know Sang, or the world-shaking power she had.

She cupped my face in her hands and leaned closer until our lips were just a breath apart.

"I love you, Silas Korba." She whispered.

It was all I needed to ear. My body relaxed against hers and I felt all the guilt, sorrow and fear go away as I took her lips with mine, kissing her with everything I had, giving her all I was.

I was hers, now and always.

AN: 3326

If you are wondering, yes, I know I am posting one day earlier... but I couldn't resist xD