A/N: So I had to do a small bit of editing on Chapter 38 but by now this chapter shows up it should be fixed by then. Lucky me this chapter will not be a filler chapter as it will have Alex in a bit more action but at the same time I still had to skip over some parts because it still felt like it would not seem right... And I didn't want Alex to feel anymore heart break due to Sebastian "hanging" out with Beast so... Yeah.

Chapter 39: Sick-Bay Ciel

With Ciel and Sebastian

"-So, the name of the sender is Tom, the Piper's son."

"Tom, the Piper's son?"

Ciel gave a nod, arms cross and sure enough, starting to let a shiver run through him. Sebastian noticed it but had said nothing for the time being. There are more important matters at hand right now and being more worried about some minor shiver is not something to get stress over. Not that Sebastian ever is stressed… "It's a character from nursery rhymes of Mother Goose. Though I can't say I know what it means…" A sudden cough came from the Earl. "And the seal wax had a device with a horse and the initial 'K' on it."

"Then it is the same as the hallmark I saw."

Sebastian commented, recalling the said mark on Beast's prostatic leg.

"A signet ring is usually engraved with a motif and initials representing the bearer or his family crest. Thus… Tom, the Piper's son is someone whose family coat of arms contains a horse. A crest with such a design would typically belong to those upon whom knighthood has been conferred or militia personal." Another cough, Sebastian raise an eyebrow at him but Ciel just continued on. "I wouldn't go so far as to say that's the rule, but it's impossible to be a philanthropist without a certain social status. All heraldic devices are recorded at the college of arms." A third cough, now Sebastian's starting to get worried. "With all these clues in hand, I trust you can find the seek, however great the numbers of records may be. The missing children. The circus. Tim, the Piper's son. And I. What is it that connects these disparate piece-!"

Suddenly Ciel started to cough a lot more now.

"Young Master?"

But Ciel still continued to try and ignore, only it did not stop this time.

"In any case, we'll go back to the town house once-!"

Ciel just couldn't stop coughing now.

"Young Master? Is something wrong?"

As Sebastian begin to reach out, Ciel suddenly fell onto his knees, coughing his lungs away. Now at this point Sebastian grew worry to the point that he rushed out for him and place his hand upon the boy's shoulder. "Young Master, what is the-!" Before he could even finish his sentence, Ciel begin to throw up. "YOUNG MASTER!?" It was only a matter of time then when Ciel was taken to the sick bay tent…

With Alex

"CIEL!" I called out, rushing right into the sick bay tent. I did not care if I bump into anyone along the way, nor did I care if people tried to kick me out of the tent, I needed to see Ciel now! When word started to go around that Ciel suddenly became sick, an awful feeling begins to form within the pit of my stomach. And I had to check up on him! Ciel's my friend, even if he has been a pain in my ass on rare times. "Shhh!" The doctor quickly added the moment I ran inside, my ears ignored him as my eyes spotted Ciel resting in a bed. My heart sank at the view. A fever… And he's wheezing- it was loud enough for anyone to hear it if quiet enough.

"Madam Hatter…"

I heard Sebastian whisper to me, a hand upon my shoulder.

"Smile needs all the rest he can gain."

I slowly look up at him, spotting a calm smile but I knew he is worried too. I just know it… I mean Sebastian does care about him too, right? I lost thought when the doctor sighed and turn to look at all of us within the tent. I didn't even notice that Doll is also here with us. "He's got asthma." I perked in surprised. I… Didn't know he had asthma? I wasn't the only one who perked up as well. "Asthma…? You say? In the three years, I have been with him, this is the first time seeing him in this state." I nodded in agreement, it isn't three years for me but… He never once had this problem before when I was around him. The doctor gave a sigh in response.

"If he hadn't had an attack in the three years, I'd think the asthma was just about cured, but-!"

The man took a moment to look over to Ciel again, a frown upon his lips in worry.

"That said, being exposed to sudden cold or stress… Or catching a cold could trigger a recurrence."

I started to feel like I'm tearing up now.

"He has caught a cold once or twice, but he has never had an attack like this… He may not look it, but he is actually quite tough…" Sebastian removed his hand from my shoulder now. I couldn't bring myself to look at him again, all I could do was just stare helpless at Ciel's face. "I would say the buildup of many factors must've caused this." The doctor turned back to look at Sebastian, not noticing Ciel starting to wake up. "First off, I hear he bathed in the open air with our resident meatheads? Of course, he'd catch a cold." I was the first one to notice Ciel opening his eyes. "He's waking up!"

All eyes turned to him now and the doctor smiled.

"Ah! Wonderful! You're come back to us!"

Ciel begins to ask for some water and the demon wasted no time in handing him some. "Here you are." Drinking some, the doctor begins to sigh in relief to himself. A smile caught my lips as I started to calm down only a little, Ciel is still ill after all. "Smile. Didn't you have horrible asthma when you were little?" He couldn't answer very well. "It can be fatal so you must be careful even if you've recovered from it. You stay in bed until your fever and cough are gone! Got it!?" A weak nod only came back as a reply. The doc then turns around to the rest of us here. "Now, as for the rest of you, out! Back to your tents!"

I felt a moment of hesitant came over me and before I could even say anything, I felt Sebastian's gloved hand placed over my shoulder once more. I turn to look up at him again and the demon only gave a quick nod my way. "It is recommended that we leave for now. We can visit him in the morning." The doctor nodded in agreement but I didn't look away to see it. With a sigh, I gave in and listened this time. "Okay… We'll visit you soon Smile, get some rest!" I begin to force myself out of the tent with Doll and Sebastian close behind.

After a few seconds has gone by, Sebastian and I were soon alone once Doll had left us- I started to walk to where my tent is at, Precious is mostly likely waiting for me to return back to. I could hear an extra set of foot steps soon following behind so I turn around to see Sebastian giving a light smile but something felt off about it. "How is your day?" I blinked, unsure of the sudden change of mood and question. "… T-training went okay…" I answered, wondering what he is trying to do. The demon gave a nod before suddenly taking out a small hair pin from his pockets. "Oh, is this yours by chance?"

I stop in my tracks and turn to face him fully, taking the hair pin to check out the details- which were none whatsoever. It looked like a completely plain and boring old hair pin to me… Maybe it's someone else's? I didn't realize just how close Sebastian suddenly became without warning and I jumped in reaction. Before I could even say anything though he begins to whisper to me rather quietly and quickly. "We've gain enough clues to start investigating further…"

I looked at him in surprised- now realizing what he is doing. He's trying to act normal and not draw any suspicion upon us! Shit, I wish I got that sooner, I'm probably messing that up right now as we speak! Thinking fast I begin to put on an act. "Aww, come on now, I highly doubt this hair pin is mine!" I begin, speaking a bit louder but in a way where I'm acting playful in return. "But thank you Black- you're real thoughtful!" Sebastian chuckled and placed his hand over mine- which only caused a slight blush from me. "In that case you're better off keeping it then. There's so many of us here, it would take a very long time to find the right person." I gave a chuckle right back before taking the hair pin and putting it into my pockets. "I see… In that case I'll make sure it'll be put to good use, goodnight Black!" I begin to turn away, heading right to my tent.

With that all said and done- I begin to think more about what Sebastian has told me. As I said my goodnights to Precious, I couldn't bring myself to sleep very well tonight. I kept on thinking more and more about Sebastian's words… And it came to me…! With the both of them managing to figure out more clues that only meant that we're getting deeper into the situation… And with getting deeper into it, I have to put up my guard. Wow, I'm getting so used to this kind of crap- when I come home I should be a detective at some point!

… Right.

The Next Morning

Waking up by Precious with little hours of sleep I have managed, I begin to get myself dress- soon remembering to remind myself of what Sebastian has told me. Unknown to the night activities, given by Sebastian once we parted ways, I begin to make my way over to the breakfast tent with Precious… Only to be called for by the devil himself. "Madam Hatter!" Both me and Precious stop to see Black making his way over. "Good morning, Black!" Precious greeted him and Sebastian greeted her back before his eyes landed upon me. "Smile has just woken up." I perked at that and turn my head to look at my roommate. "Hey, if its okay with you I'm going to go check up on Smile, okay? I'll catch up with you later."

Precious looked a bit worried but she nodded her head in understanding.

"In that case I'll drop by to visit Smile too. I'm sure he would like a bunch of handpicked flowers."

"Sounds like a wonderful idea! I'll talk to you later then. See you!"

"Okay, see you later then!"

Once the woman was out of ear shot, Sebastian begin to lead the way. But while in doing so, I noticed his missing glove as he had his hand in his pocket. I wanted to question him about it but decided that now may not be the best time. Entering the tent soon, I quickly noticed that Doc isn't around right now and Ciel appeared to be indeed awake. With a smile to greet him, I sat by the bed while Sebastian placed his non-gloved hand over the boy's forehead. I spotted the strange tattoo on his hand and my eyes went wide. A reminder of Sebastian being a contract demon came to mind and I found myself forcing to keep my smile there.

"Se… Tian?"

Ciel muttered out, eyes landing upon him first before landing upon me.

"Good morning. It seems your fever has broken. How are you feeling?"

Ciel begins to sit up a bit, coughing.

"Not great, but better then yesterday."

He paused to look around the room.

"Did Freckle Face go to breakfast already…?"

I perked up- Doll was here…?

Sebastian handed Ciel a glass of water.

"Please have some water."

"Aah… Nn?" Ciel perked up, now noticing his missing glove. I didn't know what to say so I only watched the two of them as the young Earl takes a sip of his drink. "What happen to your glove? Your nails and seal of covenant are showing." Sebastian looked down at his hand with disinterest. "Ohh…" Sebastian only smiled at us both, guess he figured I noticed it too. "I am afraid I got them a little dirty." We both stared at him in confusion but Ciel decided to just get right down to the point while we still can. "Well, that aside, I do hope you took care of the errand I left to you?" Errand? "Yes, indeed."

Without so much as a warning, Sebastian begins to pick him up- which only made Ciel glare. "Come. There is no need to linger here further. Let us make our exit while everyone is breaking their fast. We can talk at leisure once we have returned to the town house." With that said by Sebastian, I begin to stand up myself. "In that case… I'll start packing up my belongings as well." With a nod from Sebastian I begin to take my leave… I didn't want to stick around to see Ciel getting changed either.

Heading back to the tent I have shared with Precious for the last two nights in a row, I suddenly felt sad. To be honest… I actually enjoyed talking to Precious, even if it was for a little while. She seemed so nice, so caring. Though she was a little odd, that does not mean that it's a bad thing! I took a moment to myself just to look around. I couldn't help but to start giggling like an idiot at the few conversations the two of us shared together. It wasn't anything much but… It was nice to actually talk to someone and not get right down to the point of whatever like Ciel does.

Of course, I am not counting the part where she started teasing me about me liking Sebastian-!

WHICH IS NOT THE CASE AT ALL BY THE WAY!

I do not like him!

WE'RE JUST FRIENDS, DAMN IT!

I sighed loudly, shaking my head. I should… Probably stop thinking about such things now and continue on packing. Sebastian and Ciel are probably waiting already now. Good thing I didn't bring much with me this time! Soon rejoining the two, we wasted no time in getting a move on but right when we begin to leave, Suit or in this point of the case, William appeared to be waiting for us, not in his suit costume but in his uniform for work clothes. I… Decided it would be best to keep my mouth shut this time as we begin to walk past the reaper.

"We have finished with our business, so we will take our leave."

I heard Sebastian tell him and of course, William had to reply back.

"As long as you are with your owner, I don't give a toss where you go. Good-bye and good riddance."

What a dick move, Suit.

"Now I can relax and get down to my own business."

What the hell ever, asshole.

At the Phantomhive Manor

"ALEX! CIEL!"

And just like that Soma greeted us back rather loudly while Agni gave a happy bow for our return. I sighed to myself, actually remembering that these two were waiting for us this whole time! I'm a forgetful idiot sometimes and it appears Soma is not happy with us being gone for so long as well. "You went off for two whole days without a word to me! Just a little longer and I would've asked the police to send out a search party!" Ciel shot a glare at the prince, calling out right back. "It's none of your business!" And he begins to start hacking away, good job Ciel. With both of them noticing the coughing fits, they begin to grow worry for the young man.

"What's wrong with you? You look pale."

"It's nothing. Leave me alone."

I sighed as Sebastian begins to start taking Ciel up the stairs with us following behind.

"It's not nothing! You're definitely got a cold! Don't you have a fever-!"

"No! My temperature's fine!"

Bad lying right there.

"You're lying!"

No shit, Soma.

"No, I'm not!"

"CIEL-!"

"WOULD YOU BOTH STOP FIGHTING ALREADY?!"

With Noah's Ark Circus

SMACK-!

Doll found herself falling right onto the cold, hard, ground, her hand quickly rushing to cover her left cheek in pain. After the three escaped, word has gotten out rather fast but only with certain information to the highest members of what really went down. "I told ye not to trust 'em strangers too much." A kid…? Real name Peter, actually shouted at Doll, glaring hatefully and hand ready to smack her face again if needed. "B-but! That Smile's still a kid, like… And 'e said 'e had nowhere else to go." Doll started to get up onto her feet. "And we promised each other!"

But that only got the said boy to shout right back.

"That right there is why yer a brat!"

"Brother Peter."

A tall bald guy with a tattoo on his head spoke up, causing Peter to stop yelling.

"Jumbo-!"

"This is not what we ought to be doing right now. Smile and Black, who snuck into our tents… As well as Suit, who was as capable as those two and Madam Hatter, have all disappeared. It is dangerous to stay here for too long."

Dagger nodded in agreement while Beast frowned with her arms now crossing.

"Then as soon as the ol' chap gets back…!"

"He should be at Father's place now. Even if he hurries, it will take three days at least."

Then Peter's partner, Wendy, begin to speak up.