November 30th, 10782, Roshma, Night.

...no wait...

December 1st, 10782, Roshma, Morning.

Jensen ran his fingers through his feathers absentmindedly as he watched Devon drift off to sleep. He sighed, feeling the heavy weight of his emotions rest on his chest. That boy was certainly going to be the death of him. The second he felt that contract come into effect, he knew. By his hand or by his heart, Jensen couldn't tell.

There's something about you, Devon. Something that's not like anyone else. And I don't know if I'll be alive to find out what it is.

The Archangel shivered and hung his head, allowing his eyes to close and his mind to drift. All these years latter, and he still could not talk about the ninth dimension. He could condure that place in his mind as clear as he could see his own countenance on a still pond. But he couldn't, he wouldn't do that to himself. That would only bring the pain to the surface. He'd be letting those demented creatures win.

Jensen curled his wings around himself, allowing the soft feathers to encapsulate him in a soft shell, a thin one but still layered with protection and warmth. Here. Jensen could stay here forever and it wouldn't matter. Nothing would matter anymore. He wouldn't care. He wouldn't have to. No care, no feeling. No more helplessness as he watched himself move through his own life.

Jensen didn't know what to do. He mostly just sat at the table and waited until the med-evac arrived. Several discrete Cai guards knocked on the door, then entered with Jensen's call. Jensen pulled his wings back into the sixth dimension and they disappeared from his view.

The doctor came in next. She made a beeline for Jensen and shook his hand firmly. "Mr. Ebon, we got your signal. What seems to be the problem?" Jensen nodded at the resting figure on the bed.

"My contact was poisoned at the black-tie event for Partyman Morsubita, who I assume is now dead." The doctor nodded in confirmation. "Well, my contact ingested Fenzium in his champagne, most likely put there by Fasco Nenum, the same man who killed the partyman. I did some field healing on him, but it is not an exact science, and I have not trained to use advanced healing on people during combat." Of course, this was a blatant lie. A good portion of his training as a warrior was dedicated to healing Angels and Humans. "Now he's out cold and he's been showing signs of heart arrhythmia and emotional distress due to the poison."

"Very well. I'll see what I can do." Two nurses entered the room and one began to aid the doctor. The other walked to Jensen and put a light hand on his arm. "Mr. Ebon, my name is May. Would you like me to examine you as well? If you'd prefer, I can do it on the way back to the Eerie facility instead."

Jensen nodded and returned the nurse's warm smile. "Thank you, I'd like it later." The nurse nodded and dropped her hand, then walked away to assist the doctor. Jensiel watched the scene in silence.

"Yeah, we need to take him back now. Before anything else happens." The doctor turned to Jensen. "Your field healing was flawless. The side-effects couldn't be helped."

"Thank you, Doctor."

The doctor and the nurses managed to get Devon onto a medical stretcher and began to take him out the door to the transport that would take the group back to the Eerie facility. The doctor paused and ushered the nurses and guards on ahead. Then she turned back to Jensen.

"Mr. Ebon, Captain Molotov sent a communication to me before we arrived and explained the delicacy of your identity. Does my patient know anything detrimental to one of your cover identities? Does he know your real one?"

Jensen nodded. "I was forced to make him aware of my name, my true identity, but nothing that will affect the security of any other military operations we currently have in Heenas territory."

"And the information he was going to give to you?"

Jensen shook his head. "I assume it was my next mission, but that can be passed on to another operative in the area. At this point I'm ready to return to the facility. My previous assignment was to take care of the Partyman, but by a stroke of luck it was done for me."

"Very well," replied the doctor. "The transport is waiting for us outside. If you'll follow me." The two left the small hotel room. The lonely glass of water sat on the table.

"I have to say, when I heard that you were the operative I was called to assist, I had quite the surprise. It's not often that you meet an operative with such a famous reputation."

Jensen scrubbed a hand over his tired face. "Thank you. It's nice to know that there are people who know of my work." The doctor dipped her head.

"You are a legend at the Eerie facility. Many people have heard of your accomplishments on the Zarski case. The intel you gathered was critical in a Cai army movement that saved the lives of tens of thousands of troops."

"Did it now?" Jensen said, smiling. "I guess it really did amount to something." Then he frowned. "Does this mean I'm being awarded a Blue Star?"

"Yes sir, it does," the doctor said. Jensen groaned.

"I hate those ceremonies, they always ask me to make a speech and do a lot of socializing with the higher-ups. I already have five Blue Stars and seven Red Hearts. Can't they just give it to someone else?"

Jensen could practically hear the doctor's smile as they stepped onto the transport. "I'm afraid the men with authority at the Eerie facility would have an uprising on their hands if they they didn't give you a commendation. You've been the talk of the cadets for the last few days. They might even ask you to teach a class."

"I am not teaching a class," Jensen growled.

The nurses met the two at the entrance. One of the nurses bit out an urgent "Doctor, I need you." The two disappeared off into the closed-off area of the transport. Jensen grabbed a hand-hold as the door closed and the transport rushed off.

The nurse that Jensen was left with smiled. "We should be arriving back at the facility in about two hours, Mr. Ebon. Is there something I can get you? A drink perhaps?"

Jensen frowned, then grimace as a stabbing pain radiated through his chest. "Nurse May, I think I may need that check up now." Jensen knew the pain all too well. "I assume you are aware of my situation?" He grunted as another piercing pain assaulted him.

"Yes sir, I am aware..." Nurse May's voice bled concern. "Let me find you some pain medication that might help for the moment."

Jensen's body chose that exact moment to go haywire. His knees buckled and his hand went limp. He came crashing to the floor with a resounding shudder. He curled into a tight ball and bit his lip.

"Oh my God!" the nurse cried. "DOCTOR! Come quickly..." Jensen's hearing faded into a high-pitched whine. He clasped his hands over his ears and his wings encapsulated him protectively. His nerves were completely fried, his brain tired and his body agonizing. His old injuries cut into his mind anew and he vaguely wondered if he'd ever be rid of this body and his curse.