Lost Souls Found

by Kris T. Bethke

  "Yep." Dom made a big show of taking a huge bite. Then he spoke with his mouth full. "Shouns 'bout ri'."

  "I hope you're the one to teach your children manners, Levi. Dom's are for shit."

  They all laughed at that and then spent the rest of the meal talking particulars. Sam wasn't worried that the transfer wouldn't be approved. With a good word from Michael, their positions were all but guaranteed.

  Levi brought out a bottle of champagne to celebrate, but Sam only had one glass. He had one more stop to make that night.

  Eventually they were talked out. But just as Sam was about to leave, he turned back to Dom.

  "We're really going to do this, huh?"

  "You and me, bro. Just like always."

  WITH his heart in his throat, Sam knocked on Michael's door. He answered after a long minute, his expression wary. God, he looked good in threadbare jeans and a ratty T-shirt. Sam wanted to devour him, but there was something he had to say first.

  "So, if a ghostwalker/anchor pair were looking to start a new career in a newly created training program, what steps would they need to take?"

  Michael frowned, and then his face lit up. He grabbed Sam by the shirt, hauled him inside, and slammed the door behind him. Then he cupped Sam's head and kissed him for all he was worth.

  "Are you serious?"

  Sam put his palms on Michael's chest. "Yes. We've talked about it, and we're going to apply. But, umm...."

  "What are you worried about, sweetheart?"

  "Is it going to be enough?" Sam sucked in a deep breath and finally voiced his biggest fear.

  "Oh, yes. I promise. And I'll show you until you believe."

  Sam melted against him. He wanted so badly to believe him. When Michael lifted him up and headed toward the bedroom, Sam could only laugh.

  "On a weeknight? The scandal."

  Michael shut him up with a kiss.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  MICHAEL entered Michelle and Luca's office with a grin on his face. Luca startled at his appearance, and then scowled at Michael as he moved toward Michelle.

  "You being happy is seriously messed up," Luca grumbled and got the pads in place.

  Michael didn't bother to comment. So what if he was a little cheerier than normal? His operatives would have to get used to it. His world was finally bright.

  "Ready?" he asked, even though he didn't need to. He grabbed the hilt of the sword and pulled it cleanly from Michelle's body. Luca turned her onto her side, and within a few minutes, she gasped in a breath and coughed. Michael moved to stay clear of the splatter zone and brushed the dark hair back from Michelle's face.

  "Hi," she managed to whisper.

  "Hey there. You doing all right?"

  Michelle gave a weak nod, and he stepped back to allow Luca to take over completely. He was good at his job, and Michael didn't need to worry. He didn't need to worry about anything anymore.

  "Call me if you need me," Michael said as he left.

  As he shut the door behind him, he heard Luca mutter to his partner, "Seriously. He's being creepy."

  "Shut up. It's nice," Michelle answered back.

  Michael chuckled to himself. He deposited the sword in the basket for the autoclave and ran through a mental inventory. Lois and Blake were still out, but everyone else was back and doing well. Deciding he'd earned himself a break, Michael headed for Sam's office, and his smile grew with each step he took.

  He knocked and waited for someone to answer the door. He used to just walk in, but things were different. When the door swung open, Michael smiled and stepped inside. Sam was sitting cross-legged on the bed, instead of in the chair with a sword sticking out of his chest, and that was the most beautiful sight Michael had ever seen. Well, second most beautiful, he noted, as Sam looked up at him and grinned.

  "Hey, guys. How's it going in here?"

  Dom looked up from his tablet, muttered, "Good," and went back to reading. He and Sam were working through the training materials. Construction was well underway, and the new program was set to begin in just two months. Michael's former operatives had been accepted as teachers and were brushing up on the things they needed to know in their new jobs.

  "It's going well," Sam said as he set his tablet aside. "It's weird, though."

  "What's weird?" Michael stepped forward.

  Tell me your worries, sweetheart.

  Sam breathed out a sigh and grinned harder. "I love it when you talk in my head."

  "I know. That's why I do it."

  "You two are gross. I'm going to get more coffee." Dom snatched up his cup and left, but Michael caught the smile he was trying to hide. He and Dom were still adjusting to their new dynamic, but they'd get there.

  "Tell me what's weird," Michael said as he sat next to Sam on the bed. Sam immediately uncurled his legs and leaned against Michael's side.

  "Being in here and not being in the chair." Sam gestured with his chin to the recliner. "Not ghostwalking. I kind of feel like my skin doesn't fit right. It's been weeks since I've done it."

  Michael rubbed Sam's back. "I don't know what it's like to be in there. I can't imagine that feeling."

  "I want to get in there, to help someone. It's clawing at me." Sam sighed and looked up. "But I won't ask that of you. Besides, I've got too much to do." He waved his tablet.

  "Sam, I...." Michael blew out a breath and hugged Sam tighter. "If you want to ghostwalk, I'll send you in."

  "No. It's okay. I only have to hang on for eight more weeks, and then I'll be going in with a whole group of newbies. I can wait."

  Michael heard the stress in Sam's tone, for all that he sounded upbeat. He hated to kill Sam, hated to hurt him, and worse, he hated not to be the one to take care of him when he came back. But how could he keep Sam from doing something that was such an integral part of him? Talk about being selfish.

  "You aren't selfish." Sam straightened. "You're projecting again."

  "You got a case?"

  Sam blinked. "I haven't looked."

  "Liar," Michael said fondly. He kissed Sam's temple. "Come on. Get Dom back down here, and I'll send you in. And then I'll walk away. It'll be fine. We can do this."

  "You sure?"

  And surprisingly he was. It had always been hard to kill Sam, and it was a thousand times worse now. But if Sam needed him, he could do it. And he let Sam have those thoughts.

  Sam grinned so hard, he looked maniacal. But that was fine. Michael loved him anyway.

  "I'M so proud of you." Sam gripped his hand tightly and practically pulled him down the street. His energy made him walk faster than normal, and as much as Michael liked exuberant Sam, he'd been promised a stroll down Water Street--not a run.

  "Slow down there, hot rod."

  Sam laughed, but he slowed his pace. "I just... you were amazing today. I know how much that cost you, and you did it for me, and you didn't even act like a jerk. Good job."

  Michael squinted at him. "So I was a jerk before?"

  Sam nodded. "Sure were. That time you undermined Dom? Totally shitty. But you held it in, and I got to help someone, and now I feel all good inside."

  With a yank he pulled Sam into his arms. "Then it was worth it."

  "Can I be honest with you?"

  "Always."

  "I was worried you wouldn't be able to do it." Sam dropped his gaze. "I thought you'd take over when I came back."

  Michael's heart thumped, and a little bit of hurt wormed its way in before he was able to banish it. "Well, that's fair I guess."

  "I'm sorry."

  "No." Michael stopped dead and used his hold on Sam to keep him from walking away. "Don't ever be sorry for telling me the truth. I love you."

  "I love you." Sam pushed up on his toes and kissed him right in the middle of the street. Michael reveled in it, but pushed him away before it got too heated.

  "Good. Then we can handle it. Shall we keep walking?"

  Sam nodded, a little flushed from the kiss, and he pointed at the sho
p just ahead. The sign read Tea and Sympathy.

  "Can we go in? Derek has this obsession, and he's gotten Blake hooked on this stuff that I don't know the name of. I want to get them some."

  "Sure." Michael held open the door and let Sam walk in first.

  "Hi, Annie."

  "Sam, honey, it's so nice to see you." The woman behind the counter beamed and stepped around to give Sam a quick hug. "And you've brought a friend instead of your brother today."

  "This is my boyfriend, Michael. Michael, Annie owns the shop."

  "Nice to meet you, ma'am."

  She smiled wider. "I do love good manners. And so handsome too. Just look at you, Sam, you're glowing."

  Sam hooked a thumb over his shoulder. "His fault."

  Warmth surged through Michael's stomach. "I'll happily take the blame for that."

  "Annie, I need some of Blake's weird tea."

  She cocked her head to the side. "The rooibos?"

  "Umm, yes?"

  Michael wandered around while the two of them sorted out whatever Sam wanted to buy. It was a quaint little shop filled with teapots, tea sets, and shelf upon shelf of different tea blends. He picked up a few and sniffed them, but nothing appealed. He'd never been much of a tea drinker.

  "Ready?" Sam said as he suddenly appeared at Michael's side with a bag clutched in his hand.

  "Ready. Let's go home."

  WITH construction almost complete, Michael had a full plate. The seventh floor had been completely converted, and the dorm building was standing, even if there was more work to be done inside.

  "Renata called to say she got stuck in traffic but will be here soon."

  The new director of training had flown into Rochester the night before and was driving in that morning. Though it was only a forty-five minute trip, at that time of day and with the road construction, it could be a nightmare.

  "Good." Michael took the messages Julie passed over. "Send her in when she arrives. Okay?"

  "You bet."

  "You checked her reservation, yes?"

  Julie rolled her eyes, and Michael laughed. A few months ago, she wouldn't have dared. But now she knew she could get away with it.

  "Of course I did. And the Moor Inn is more than happy to have her for an extended stay while she looks for a place to live."

  Michael nodded. He had some ideas about that, but he had to wait and talk to Sam.

  The elevator dinged. Tyler stepped into the lobby, but he didn't seem to notice either of them. He kept his head down, and his hair obscured his face.

  "Good morning, Tyler," Michael called.

  Tyler jerked his head up. "Oh. Sorry. Hello."

  Michael brought down his mental shields, and a wave of sadness and pain hit him so hard he had to clutch the counter. Tyler wasn't one for morose feelings, so whatever happened, it had to be bad.

  "Tyler," Michael called softly. "Come into my office for a moment, would you?"

  Tyler looked like he wanted to argue, but he just nodded and trudged in that direction.

  "Make sure we're not disturbed," Michael said softly to Julie and followed Tyler into his office.

  Once Michael shut the door behind him, he turned to find Tyler standing with his shoulders hunched. Without a word Michael walked over to him and pulled him into a tight hug. Tyler resisted for a minute and then collapsed into Michael's arms. Michael was a big guy, but Tyler was bigger, and it took all of Michael's strength to hold him up.

  Tyler wasn't crying, but his shaky breaths were near enough. Michael didn't need to read him to know he was more than upset, so he waited until Tyler's breathing evened out and then led him to the couch along the far wall. What had he missed when he'd been so wrapped up in his own drama with Sam? His operative was falling apart, and Michael needed to fix it.

  He pushed the hair out of Tyler's face so he could see his features clearly. With his hand on the back of Tyler's neck, he leaned in. Ghostwalkers responded well to touch, and Michael used that to his advantage.

  "Tell me what's wrong."

  Tyler drew a stuttering breath. "Annika's going to come see you when she gets in. It's her story to tell."

  But Annika wasn't his concern. Well, she was to the extent that all his operatives were his to care for. But a hurting ghostwalker trumped everything else. It was what Michael was made for.

  "How about you tell me anyway?"

  "She's leaving. Quitting. She doesn't want to anchor me anymore." The words came out in a rush, and Tyler hunched farther down, as though the pain was too great.

  "She specifically said that? That she doesn't want to anchor you?"

  Tyler nodded, shook his head, and nodded again. "She said it was too hard, taking care of me. I... I don't know if she meant me specifically, or just in general. But she's leaving Requiem. And me."

  Michael stood up. "Lie down. Come on. Put your head down."

  Tyler glanced the length of the couch. "I'm too big."

  "You'll fit. Come on, Tyler." Michael eased him sideways and then helped him lie down. His feet hung over the arm, but he was supine. Michael put his fingers in Tyler's hair and massaged gently. When Tyler finally relaxed, Michael rested his palm on Tyler's chest.

  "I'm going to take care of you. You're going to be fine. I promise."

  Tyler nodded as his eyes drifted shut. "You never get this close to us."

  Michael smiled sadly. "You guys don't usually need it. But this is what I am, right?"

  "Yeah." Tyler's breathing slowed more. "Gene makes a difference."

  "Sometimes. Just rest. I'll get it all sorted out. Okay?"

  Tyler didn't answer because he was already asleep.

  Michael looked down at his operative and felt a sense of peace. Caring for ghostwalkers was what he was meant to do. He'd forgotten that, a little bit. And though Tyler was going through something awful, it was nice to be reminded of what exactly made him tick.

  He dimmed the lights, left the office, and stopped once again at Julie's desk.

  "Has Annika arrived?"

  "Yes, Mr. King. Just a minute ago."

  "Please have her meet me in the conference room. And when Renata arrives, please send her upstairs. Tell her I had a situation to deal with and that I'll be with her as soon as I can."

  "Of course." Julie reached for the phone. "Is everything okay?"

  "It will be."

  MICHAEL stared bleary-eyed at the screen and tried to get the letters to stop swimming. His head hurt, but that was probably because he'd forgotten to eat. He just had too much going on. Once he met with Annika and then got Tyler home and made sure he was settled, he didn't have much energy left. But then he had to meet with Renata and go through the last-minute details, so they'd be ready for the first wave of trainees next week.

  "You've had quite a day, huh?"

  Michael smiled at just hearing Sam's voice, and then he turned to see the man himself, in all his glory, standing in his office doorway.

  "Hi, sweetheart."

  "Hey." Sam stepped in, shut the door, walked right up to Michael, and curled into his lap. "Annika told us. You really cut her loose?"

  Michael nodded. "She wanted to go, and she couldn't take care of Tyler. I need an anchor to be committed 100 percent. I'm not sending a ghostwalker into the spirit realm if his anchor is going to resent caring for him."

  "No. I know. But still."

  Michael shrugged. "She gets a severance because I told her to leave instead of her working out her notice. This is better for both of them."

  "How's Tyler?"

  "Hanging in there."

  Sam nodded. "I remember when Katy left Blake, how distraught he was, even though he had plenty of notice. I can't imagine what Tyler is going through."

  "He'll be okay. I'll make sure of it."

  Sam grinned. "You just can't help yourself, can you? You gotta make sure all the ghostwalkers are happy."

  "I do what's best for them." Michael gave him a wry grin. "Even if sometimes they don't see it that
way."

  "Ha-ha. Well, Mr. Guardian. Taking care of the ghostwalkers is all fine and good, but who takes care of you?"

  "I'm fine. I don't need--"

  "Bzzzt. Wrong answer. The correct answer is 'You do, Sam.'"

  Michael smiled. "You do, Sam."

  "That's right. Because I love you. I waited ten years to be able to take care of you, so you better damn well let me do it." Sam stood and tugged on Michael's arm. "Come on. Get up. You're done for the day. I ordered Chinese, and if we leave now, we'll get home just before it arrives. And then you can eat and get in bed with me."

  "Since when are you so bossy?" But Michael stood, closed down his tablet, and tucked it into his messenger bag. He wanted exactly what Sam said. "Don't get used to it. I'm the one who does the caretaking."

  "Mm-hmm. You do. And most of the time, I'm happy to let you. But isn't it nice to trade off every once in a while?"

  It really was. But Michael wasn't going to say that out loud.

  "I heard it anyway," Sam said with a smirk.

  "I love you." Michael couldn't say it enough.

  "I know. Let's go home."

  "Speaking of which, there's something I want to run by you...."

  MICHAEL was surprisingly comfortable, considering he had to contort his body to fit on the couch while he lay on Sam's chest. When they finished their dinner, they'd moved to the living room, and Michael was ready to settle on the couch with Sam cuddled up against him, just like usual. But Sam had other ideas. He wanted Michael against him.

  "I'm taking care of you tonight, remember?"

  So Michael relented and settled down.

  The TV was on, but neither of them were paying attention. Michael didn't even have his eyes open. Sam seemed content to comb his fingers through Michael's hair, rub gently at his scalp, and let out a happy-sounding hum every few minutes.

  "What was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

  "Hmmm?" Michael fought his way out of the languorous stupor he'd fallen into.

  "Earlier, when we were leaving your office, you said you wanted to talk to me about something."

  Oh, right. He had. He did. But once it was time to actually talk about it, Michael was nervous. He adjusted his position so he could grab Sam's free hand, and he twined their fingers together and rested them against Sam's chest. He loved the feel of Sam's skin on his. He never got enough of it.