A/N: In true GMMTV fashion I will attempt to go back and write in the side story for Ken and Paul. Wish me luck. I've only written my stories with one main pair previously, so this is a first for me. (This update will be left for version 4)(update - don't add the side story AFTER writing the main story - I had to rewrite so much of this story to make it work and I still think there are plot holes.)
Paul paced his bedroom as he attempted to call Fourth again. He'd messaged Fourth several times during the afternoon, with no response, and the longer the silence was the more worried Paul got.
Ken could do nothing but watch. The frustration of their situation also aggravating him.
"What if somethings happened to him?" Paul asked, coming to sit beside Ken.
"I can't stand this." Ken said and taking out his phone called Gemini. Paul, upon seeing the name on Ken's screen stared in shock.
"Fourth has gone missing?" Ken told Gemini, the moment he answered the call.
"He's okay. He's sitting at the bus stop near the dormitories." Gemini told him.
"You're watching him?" Ken asked.
"Mmmm." Gemini said.
Paul, who could hear the conversation, snatched the phone out of Ken's hand and bringing it to his ear said, "Fourth's not okay. Why are you doing this to him." Paul demanded.
"Do you think I'm happy about this. Do you think I like watching him suffer. If we don't follow the same time line as then my life is still in danger." Gemini's outburst took Paul by surprise and Ken took the phone back.
"Don't worry. We'll make sure everything goes as planned." Ken said, then hung up.
Paul stared at Ken, tears in his eyes, as he wailed, "He doesn't die. He's not dead. Why not tell Fourth. How can we do this to him."
"You don't understand, Paul, the timeline can't be broken. If we do anything to change it, Gemini dies."
"But, he's alive now." Paul argued.
"Yes, for now. But if Fourth doesn't follow the same timeline as Gemini's, those who are trying to kill Gemini might succeed this time."
At that moment Paul's phone rang and Fourth's name appeared. Paul wiped his eyes and answering the phone, said with a worried tone, "Where are you?."
"I'm on my way back to the dorm now. Can I... stay in your room tonight?" Fourth asked.
"Of course you can, come straight here now." Paul said looking at Ken.
"Okay." Fourth agreed.
Both Ken and Paul stood, and Paul followed Ken to the door.
"I won't contact you and don't contact me. And not a word about what you know. Okay." Ken said as he face Paul, wiping away the remains of his tears.
Paul nodded. Ken leaned down and gently kissed Paul on the lips before he left the room. Paul entered the bathroom to wash his face, his reflection in the mirror showed a tired, worn expression and Paul wasn't sure how much longer he' be able to manage the situation. Back in his room, he went to the cupboard and retrieved a second pillow and blanket for Fourth.
When Fourth arrived some time later, their faces both red and puffy, they shared glum grins.
"We look a mess." Paul said and Fourth nodded in agreement. "Are you okay?" Paul asked as they both moved over to the bed and sat down.
Fourth let out a deep sigh, and said. "I knew he wouldn't be there."
"Maybe it's not the right time?" Paul told him.
"Then, when is the right time?" Fourth asked.
Paul looked away, then shook his head. "I don't know."
Ken stared at Gemini in shock. "Poisoned!"
Gemini had come to Ken's bedroom early Saturday morning and woke him up with the information Fourth had shared with him the previous night.
"Mmmm. That's what Fourth said." Gemini told him.
"But, if you know this now, wouldn't that change the future, unless... you knowing this doesn't change the future." Ken's expression changed as he spoke.
"Exactly. I promised Fourth I would meet him on this day and time." Gemini handed Ken the paper with the time line he and Fourth had written. "But, I don't think I'm going to be able to meet him, but you can. He's met with you several times in his time line."
"Really!" Ken said, surprised as he glanced at the piece of paper in hand and saw the detailed time line Fourth had provided Gemini. "Interesting. Hang on. It says I disappear too. What does that mean?"
"I have no idea. All Fourth could tell me was what happened in his time line. But it's clear you meet him, so it must mean something."
Ken nodded and placed the paper on the desk.
"There's something more that's bothering me." Gemini said.
Ken didn't look up from the piece of paper but replied, "Why, how, and when are you poisoned and does this have anything to do with your grandfather?"
"Exactly. And now that I know this, how can I use it to my advantage." Gemini replied. "I need to speak to my cousins.
It took some time for Gemini to arrange to meet his cousins and it wasn't until late in the afternoon that they were able to gather together.
"Sorry I couldn't get away any sooner." Jan told Gemini and Jamie after she arrived at the cafe near the dormitory. It was near closing time and no one else was there.
"That's okay. Thank you for meeting me here." Gemini replied.
"How was the luncheon?" Jamie asked.
"Good." Jan said sitting down. "We'll get some good connections from the people I met today."
"Well done." Jamie told her sister.
"How was your day?" Jan asked Jamie.
"Good. I got those proposals completed you asked to get done. I've left them with mother to review." Jamie replied.
"Excellent." Jan turned to Gemini and asked, "And you, Gemini. How was your day?"
Gemini glanced between his cousins and said, "Is it really okay for me not to join the business. You're both working so hard. I feel like I'm a burden."
Both women shook their heads and protested.
"Don't think that way. Gemini." Jan told him.
"You're not a burden." Jamie added. "Don't ever think that way, Gemini. You have a dream, much the same as we both have our dreams."
Gemini nodded and letting out a sigh, said, "I'm okay but I wanted to asked," Gemini turned to Jan, "You thought the situation with grandfather was suspicious? Can you tell me if you've found anything."
Jan looked at them both and shook her head. "When I spoke to grandfather about my suspicions he brushed it off and told me to stop asking."
"That sounds like he's definitely hiding something." Jamie said.
Jan nodded. "That's my thoughts too. However, I think what ever is going on, grandfather is trying to protect us."
"You think it's that serious?" Jamie asked.
"I do." Jan replied. "I've mentioned to mother and she's said to say nothing but it would seem both she and aunt are also suspicious."
Gemini glanced between his cousins, as he hesitated to ask them.
"Is everything okay, Gemini." Jan asked sensing his hesitation.
"We know that if something happens to grandfather, everything is left to me." Gemini said and both women nodded.
"If something happens to me, then who benefits from that?" Gemini stared from Jan to Jamie as his question began to sink in.
"I have no idea." Jan said with a shake of her head. "That would be a question for your parents."
"What are you thinking, Gemini?" Jamie asked.
Gemini wasn't prepared to tell them what he knew and he shook his head. "It was a thought I had that I can't shake."
"Are you suggesting grandfather gave everything to you because his life might be in danger." Jamie asked, before suddenly adding, "Has something happened to you? Are you now in danger?"
Gemini shook his head. "Nothings happened but..."
"You want to know, if something happens to both you and grandfather, who inherits everything then?" Jan suggested.
Gemini nodded.
"You should definitely speak to your parents." Jan told him.
Gemini nodded. "You're right. I wanted to know before I did if you found out anything more."
"Sorry, Gemini," Jan said, "I don't know any more than last time."
Gemini returned to his dormitory and called his mother but was surprise when his father answered.
"Father, is mother with you?" Gemini asked.
"She's getting changed before heading to the hospital. Was there something you needed her for?" Father asked.
"Actually, I wanted to speak to you both. Can you wait for me there?" Gemini asked.
"Of course. I'll sent a car over to pick you up. We'll see you when you get here." Father responded.
At the main house, Gemini first went to the office but found it empty. As he headed towards the sitting room he came across his father.
"Father, hello." Gemini greeted him.
"Gemini," Father hugged Gemini in greeting and gave him a warm smile. "Is everything okay?"
"It's fine. Where is mother?" Gemini asked.
"Sorry, she had to go. She apologised for not waiting but said she would call you after her visit with grandfather. She's been extremely worried of late." Father told him.
"Oh! That's okay." Gemini said, disappointed.
"Hey. What's with that face. You can talk to me too, you know. I might not know much about study and work but I'm good with people." Father said patting Gemini's shoulder.
Gemini smiled. "Thanks, father. Actually, I wanted to ask about what happens with the business and properties if something were to happen to me."
Father raised his eyes upwards in thought. "That...," Father glanced back at Gemini, "I don't know. A question for your mother."
Gemini nodded.
"Are you in a hurry to leave." Father asked.
"I should head back to the dorms. I need to study for exams." Gemini told him.
"An extremely important time for you. I understand. Hang on then." Father walked away, coming back shortly with a brown paper bag.
"This was on the kitchen cabinet. It has your name on it." Father handed Gemini the bag of cookies.
"Are the kitchen staff still making these for grandfather?' Gemini asked, taking the bag.
"I know, right. No matter what I tell them, they still want to make them. I think they hope they will cheer grandfather up even though he can't eat them. I'd suggest sharing them with your friends but these are an enquired taste."
Gemini laughed and told his father, "I don't understand how any of you can not like these."
Father gave a little quiver through his body. "Take them. I'm tired of sneaking them out and throwing them away."
Gemini laughed again and hugged his father goodbye.
Back in the car on the ride home, Gemini opened the bag and taking out a cookie, bit into it. The dryness of the dough over his teeth sent a shiver down his back, much like chalk on a board and after the bitter taste, lingered a sweet taste of honey. After he finished the first, he helped himself to a second and a third, pleased he was finally able to enjoy the cookies.