A/N: Having an epiphany and rewriting the entire first chapter and then every other chapter there after. Don't lose hope when this happens not once but multiple times.
Fourth and Paul made their way to class Thursday morning. The hangover from the evening before lingered ever so slightly as both walked lost in thought. Paul eyed Fourth, who every so often frowned, mumbled to himself, then shook his head.
"He's gone mad." Paul murmured to himself but he was no better. Paul was also caught up in the situation and it pained him they were still no closer to understanding what was going on. Through bleary eyes, Paul stared out across the courtyard and for the briefest of moments, Paul thought he caught sight of Ken.
"Hold this." Paul said throwing his bag at Fourth, who couldn't catch it fast enough and it fell to his feet, as Paul launched himself across the courtyard.
"Hey!" Fourth yelled out after him but could only stare at his retreating back. With a shake of his head, Fourth picked up the bag and continued to class.
Paul darted through the crowd of students in pursuit of Ken. His heart bounded not from the sprint but the possibility it was, in fact, Ken he had seen. The sighting had been so minor and yet Paul was positive it was Ken. As he skirted around the students now in the outdoor corridor leading to the back of the building, Paul pushed forward refusing to give up. The only thought in his mind were, it was Ken he saw and he had to find him. Around the side of the building, Paul wasn't expecting anyone to be there, as he came crashing into that person. With a hand wrapped around his waist to stop him from falling, Paul went to push away so that he could continue the pursuit when he looked up and his eyes fell on Ken's.
The pause wasn't long before Paul regained his senses, and pushing Ken away and straightening up, he stared at the man before him. Even dressed in casual wear, a cap and mask concealing his features, Paul knew it was him.
"You!" Paul said, finger raised and pointing directly at Ken. "Where the hell have you been. Do you have any idea how worried I've been. You had better have a good explanation or so help me..."
Ken didn't allow Paul to finish as he removed his mask and stepping forward kissed Paul's lips, silencing him. As the kiss deepened, Paul sensed the urgency and not until Ken pulled away did Paul look at him and ask with a concerned tone, "Are you okay?"
"I'm sorry. But I had no choice but to hide from you." Ken said, his expression remorseful.
"Why?" Paul asked, taking Ken's hand in his. "What's going on?"
Ken let out a sigh and letting go of Paul's hand, dropped his head against his shoulder and wrapped his arms around Paul's waist.
"If I tell you everything, you have to promise not to tell anyone. Especially Fourth." Ken murmured quietly against Paul's neck.
Paul closed his eyes, Ken's warm breath against his neck and the soft tone of his voice make his heart pound harder.
"I don't understand." Paul's reply was low, as he turned to look at Ken.
Ken pulled away and said, "Not here. Come with me."
With Paul's hand once more in his, Ken guided him away from the building and out of the university grounds. They walked hand in hand until they came to Ken's car and opening the door for Paul, Ken indicated for Paul to enter.
"Are we going somewhere?" Paul asked.
Ken shook his head. "What I'm going to tell you requires somewhere private."
Paul gave a nod and entered the vehicle. Once Ken was also seated he once more took Paul's hand in his.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Paul asked as his concern for Ken continued to grow.
Ken drew in a deep breath before exhaling, and said, "Gemini's life depends on the events that take place with Fourth. We can't interfere. We can't do a damn thing." Ken ran his free hand through his hair in frustration.
Paul stared, confused and asked, "Have you always known what's been going on?"
Ken nodded. "From the moment Gemini first met Fourth at the end of last year."
"Then why not say anything?" Paul asked.
"Because... Gemini... get's poisoned and Fourth is the answer." Ken said.
"You're not saying Fourth poisons him?" Paul asked, misunderstanding Ken.
Ken vigorously shook his head. "No. Not Fourth. But we can't interfere until the time is right. If they knew I was telling you this it could result in Gemini getting hurt again." Ken's pained expression tore at Paul's heart and he squeezed Ken's hand in his.
Ken fought back tears and Paul, staring at his pained expression, "You need to tell me everything. And I mean everything."
"You promise you won't say anything to Fourth, no matter how much it might pain you to see him hurt." Ken asked.
Paul paused in his reply. He would never want to see his friend hurt but if keeping the truth from him meant saving another person, then Paul would do it. With a nod, Paul agreed.
Fourth left class extremely vexed at Paul. Not only had he left his bag with Fourth but he'd also missed their classes, and on top of that left his phone in his bag. Therefore, Fourth had no way of contacting him. It wasn't until the end of the day when Fourth returned to the dormitory that he found Paul in the foyer waiting for him.
"What happened to you? I've been carrying your bag around all day." Fourth approached Paul, who sat in one of the waiting chairs, as he removed the additional bag from his shoulder and wave it in front of Paul.
Paul stood and taking his bag back, looked at Fourth. Everything Ken had told him went around his mind and Paul looked away, unable to look at his friend.
"What's wrong?" Fourth asked, sensing Paul's odd mood.
Paul bit his bottom lip unable to meet Fourth's eyes. "I have some news... about Gemini."
The manner in which Paul stood, the dejected tone in his voice and the expression on his face pull at Fourth as fear began to grow deep inside him. "What happened?" Fourth reluctantly asked.
Paul continued to avoid Fourth's eyes, and lifting his bag over his shoulder, turned and said to Fourth, "Let's head up to your room first."
The unsettling fear in Fourth's chest continued to grow and the temptation to turn around and leave was strong. Yet, whatever Paul had found out, Fourth needed to know.
In Fourth's bedroom, Paul sat on the chair and Fourth, on the bed. They had not spoken on their way up and Fourth now stared at Paul unsure if should asked again or wait.
When Paul let out a deep sigh, Fourth could barely stand the wait any longer.
"What?" Fourth asked.
"I found out... Gemini was poisoned." Paul said as he watched Fourth's expression change.
"How? When? Is he... alive?" Fourth asked. He could feel his mouth dry as he made to swallow awkwardly.
"I have no idea. Only there was a student who was poisoned and they thought it was Gemini."
"But they don't know for sure." Fourth asked.
Paul shrugged. "They were confident it was him."
"How did they know?" Fourth questioned, not convinced by what Paul had told him.
"They know Ken, and he mentioned it previously." Paul replied.
"Do they know where Ken is now?" Fourth asked.
Paul shook his head but didn't reply.
"I don't believe it." Fourth said, as he stood and went to the window. With his back to Paul, Fourth didn't want his friend to see the fear that consumed him.
They fell silent and then Fourth turned and said, "If he gets poisoned, then all I need to do is tell him and that changes the past."
Paul's eyes went wide and Fourth knew his idea was a good one.
"Do you really think that might help. I mean, he's not here now, what if you did tell him and it actually made it happen?" Paul asked.
Fourth stared at Paul as fear once more consumed him. Slowly, Fourth lowered himself to the bed and again stared at Paul. "Then what do I do?"
"You need to talk to Gemini." Paul replied.
The week had been uneventful. Gemini attended classes, had regular contact with his mother about his grandfather, so Friday afternoon when Jan called to say she and Jamie where waiting for him at the front of the dormitory, Gemini rushed out to meet them. Jamie, who waited beside the car, and Jan in the drivers seat with the engine running.
"What happened?" Gemini said as Jamie indicated for Gemini to sit in the front passenger seat, while she sat behind him.
"What happened?" Gemini asked again, as Jan pulled out.
"No one knows but our mother's have asked us to come to the hospital." Jan told him as she negotiated the traffic. The fact his mother had not rang him to inform him herself left Gemini terrified.
Jamie leaned forward from the back seat, and said, "But I thought he was getting better."
"We all did and no one knows for sure what's happened." Jan replied.
Gemini bit his nails nervously as he stared out the passenger window. If grandfather were to die where did that leave Gemini and the business.
The three cousins entered the private room to find the entire family hovering around the bed. The doctor present had his stethoscope against grandfather's heart, as every one stood silently looking on. When the doctor straightened he address the family, "We'll continue to monitor him for any change."
When no one responded, Gemini's father said, "Will he be okay."
The doctor nodded and left the room.
Gemini glanced at his cousins and then back to the adults in the room. His mother and aunt both sat on each side of their father, who lay peacefully asleep, each holding a hand. His father and uncle stood behind their wives and Jan indicated that they leave.
Out in the corridor it was Jan that raised the question first. "I don't want to have to say this but it's been on my mind for a while now, but it almost feels like someone might be trying to end his life."
Jamie nodded, while Gemini looked between both cousins, confused.
"It's far too suspicious." Jamie added.
"Wait! You think someone's trying to kill grandfather!" Gemini asked, finding it difficult to believe them.
Jan shrugged. "I don't know. I thought maybe grandfather being here was to protect him but... I don't know now."
Gemini suddenly had a realisation, "That might explain the handing over the business to me."
Both Jan and Jamie nodded.
"Then you need to be careful Gemini." Jan warned him.
"But it hasn't been made public yet that Gemini now owns the business." Jamie responded.
"Which is why grandfather might be the target. If word got out it could put Gemini in danger too." Jan told them.
Gemini shook his head finding it difficult to believe.
"There's no evidence of grandfather being a target?' Gemini asked.
"Not that we know off but I've questioned the medical staff multiple times and I can't help but feel they are hiding something." Jan said.
"Should we mention this to our mothers?" Jamie asked,
Jan shook her head. "They already have too much to concern themselves with. I think it's time I spoke to grandfather directly and got some answers. Leave it with me."
Gemini and Jamie nodded and Gemini couldn't fight the fear something bad was about to happen.