Disclaimer: I don't own.

A/N: Well, here's the last chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.

Bryan leaned against the wall across from the elevators, shaking his head. His world had blurred suddenly and was slowly starting to clear. He shivered slightly, hoping that the elevator would be warmer. The building had been unusually chilly all day and his office even more so.

"This is getting ridiculous. I shouldn't be affected this much."

There was a ding as the elevator arrived on the floor. The Russian straightened up, only to have his legs give out and blackness engulf him.

-----

Warm fingers brushed through his hair and a sigh of pleasure slipped from his throat.

"Rei."

The sound of a low laugh filled his ears and strong hands pulled him into a sitting position. Slowly the hallway came into focus. Tala was kneeling in front of him, blue eyes worried. The lavender haired Russian leaned back, meeting with a warm body and he realized there was an arm around his waist.

He turned his head slightly, catching a quick glimpse of humor filled mahogany eyes.

"Even after you pass out you have a one track mind. Reminds me of Tyson." Kai said as he smiled.

Bryan slowly sat up and pulled away from Kai, rubbing at his right temple.

"Don't ever compare me to the walking trashcan again. If you do, Andreios may be down one parent."

Kai sat back on his heels and ran a hand through his hair. "I'll keep that in mind."

Tala stood up and tugged at one of his bangs. He held a hand out to his friend. Bryan allowed himself to be pulled up, knowing that he wouldn't be able to get up on his own. Once he was upright the world spun again. The Russian tightened his grip on Tala's hand.

"Bry, please rethink your choice. You shouldn't be this weak." Tala's voice was soft with worry.

The lavender haired Russian shook his head. "I won't Tala. I don't need those memories any longer. I don't need to add to my hell."

Kai slowly got to his feet and moved to stand next to Tala. He tipped Tala's head back, eyes serious.

"Love, it's his choice." The slate haired Russian turned to face his friend. "Rei wouldn't approve and you know it."

Bryan smirked. "You're wrong Kai. If Rei had known the entire story, he would have agreed with me. He saw them in my medicine cabinet."

He turned and headed for the stairs, not wanting to wait for the elevator. Just before he entered the stairwell, turned back, needing a question answered.

"How did you know where I was?"

Kai ran a hand through his hair, mahogany eyes slightly bewildered. "Andreios just told us that something was wrong. He was kind of spacey and his eyes were vacant."

Bryan raised an eyebrow, moonlight eyes questioning. "Must run in the family. Tala's had that look more then once."

The lavender haired Russian ignored the redhead's yelp of indignation and started down the stairs, eyes focused on his feet.

-------

Two weeks later

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Bryan sank down into the armchair and drew the black comforter up, a relieved sigh filling the silent room. He let his head fall back, wincing as his neck popped. With a second sigh he closed his eyes, hoping that sleep would come quickly.

The past week had been hell. For three days he had gone without sleep. Lying down had been too painful and after even ten minutes of it, his body was too sore to even contemplate sleep. Only after falling asleep at his desk had he found the answer.

As long as he stayed even slightly upright, there was no pain. His black armchair had become his haven and he spent most of his free time in it, dozing.

The lavender haired Russian was just about asleep when he felt eyes on him. Slowly he opened his eyes, able to see everything in the room perfectly. There were some beneficial side effects from living in the Abbey.

When he saw no one he shrugged it off, thinking that his fatigue was finally catching up with him. He hadn't gone days without sleep since those last days in the Abbey, and it was a habit he had been glad to abandon.

A warm weight settled in his lap and he felt his heart skip a beat. Fingers combed through his hair and a pair of gentle lips brushed over his own. He slowly opened his eyes and was met with a pair of glowing golden eyes.

"Rei."

A purring laugh filled the room and the neko-jin smiled, fangs glinting in the darkness. He snuggled into Bryan and rested his head on the Russian's shoulder, one hand resting on his chest.

"Yep. I came to get you." The neko-jin's voice was soft, and held a slight undercurrent of sadness.

Bryan looked down at his lover, moonlight eyes confused.

"What the hell are," he sighed, and pulled Rei closer. "Never mind. I know what you're talking about. My heart."

The raven haired man jumped slightly and looked up at his lover, golden eyes confused. "How did you know?"

The Russian smiled slightly and leaned down placing a light kiss on the neko-jin's lips. "I've known since I was four and my grandfather died."

Rei moved closer to his lover, nuzzling at the pale neck. "Explain please, I'm confused."

Bryan unbound Rei's hair, dropping the wrap to the floor. The raven strands pooled around them and Bryan ran his hand through the hair, moonlight eyes closed in contentment.

"All male Kuznetsov's have it. Our hearts are weak and deformed and tend to give out at any time. We have the chance of dying anytime between birth and age 80. My grandfather was lucky and lived to be 80."

The neko-jin wiped at a tear. "I thought the Abbey only took people in excellent health. How the hell did you get dragged in?"

The Russian sighed and rested a trembling hand on Rei's leg. "I got in only because of my ability to control Falborg. They managed to work around my heart problem with drugs."

The neko-jin shuddered and pressed closer to Bryan. "The medicine in your cabinet. Was all of that for you heart?"

Bryan shook his head. "No. The big bottle was for my mentally instability, the little bottle the drugs that all of us got so they could control us," he took a deep breath. "The syringes were for my heart. One injection a day for 13 years. I stopped taking them the day Tala lost."

Rei sniffled and slowly pulled out of Bryan's arms. "Why did you stop?"

The older man's eyes were neutral. "I didn't want to be reminded of the Abbey everyday for the rest of my life." He raised a shaking hand, his voice filled with irony when he spoke. "And look where it got me. I used to be able to hold the shaking off."

The neko-jin got to his feet and held a hand out. A smile curled his lips. "Well, now you don't have to worry about it." Without a second thought Bryan took his lover's hand. "Tala's going to have a fit."

Rei shrugged. "I'll leave a note. He'll understand. I take it he and Kai already know?"

The Russian hugged the neko-jin close, and placed a kiss on the tip of Rei's ear. "He does."

Slowly the two lovers faded out, leaving the house silent.

------

Tala nearly walked into Kai as his lover abruptly stopped.

"Kai, what the hell is going on?"

The slate haired Russian stepped into the house and moved to the side, allowing his lover in. Tala's blue eyes widened in shock and a sob built in the back of his throat.

Bryan's motionless body rested in the armchair, the black comforter drawn up to his chin. His eyes were closed and a soft smile curled his lips. A piece of black paper rested in his lap.

A gasp of shock slipped from Kai's throat and he dropped to the floor, picking something up. He held it up for Tala's inspection, mahogany eyes filled with tears. The redhead gently took it from the other Russian, knowing exactly what it was.

"Kai, this is Rei's hair wrap."

The slate haired man nodded absently as he read the piece of paper. He took the wrap and handed the paper to his lover, silent tears streaming down his cheeks.

Gold and silver stripped ink filled the page, in Rei's familiar, flowing writing.

Tala, Kai,

I'm sure by now you know what's happened. I had to come get Bryan. His heart couldn't take much more stress and I hated to see him in pain. I know you're wondering what stress I'm talking about. The stress of living was too much. It was only a matter of time before his heart gave out, and I wanted him to spare him that.

Bryan and I love you both, and we'll watch over you two and Andreios.

Love

Rei

Tala smiled and pocketed the paper. Kai was still holding the hair wrap, eyes focused on Bryan's body.

"Come on Kai."

The two Russians left, not noticing the two shadows in the corner.