Michael Rathier Guerin wiped the grime away from his face, pleased that the mission was coming to a close. Lucky number thirteen, which if he listened to Kyle "Val" Valenti's comments about Earth's sayings, it wasn't very lucky at all. He chuckled to himself, glancing around for his companion, one of his only friends since being drafted into the Intergalactic Coalition at an early age. They have served the previous twelve missions together and soon they would be able to branch out on their own, out from under the direct supervision of Zan Maxwell.

The thought made Rath proud that he was able to come so far, when so many were lost before they completed their first ten missions. Unfortunately, it seemed that each mission was getting harder and harder to accomplish, they were beginning to test his loyalty, his commitment. He just hoped that they would both make it out of alive, to enjoy their lives after they completed the standard twenty five missions, but that was years to come.

The shuttle rocked uneasily as he turned his gaze to Val's bunk, it looked untouched, which was odd since he was due to report back hours before him. He clearly remembered Val gloating that he would be able to return to the shuttle before him and be able to enjoy the luxury of a hot shower and a change of clothes.

He dropped his towel into the bin as an uneasy feeling overcame him, something wasn't right. He knew it was a mistake for Zan to separate them at the last juncture. They were better together, nothing beat the Guerin-Valenti team, they were invaluable together- even Zan should have been able to see that, to use it to his advantage.

The shuttle door creaked open and he glanced up, expecting to see Val, but instead he came eye to eye with his commander in arms. Rath tensed as Zan stalked over to him, his dark eyes flashing dangerously. "Val's been captured."

"What do you mean, 'Val's been captured'?" Rath growled his voice clipped as he glared at Zan, forgetting the regulations as his heart ached painfully at the thought of his friend being captured. "You said you had this under control! That you had a plan."

"Stand down," Zan hissed as he took a step closer, challenging him. "You are still under my command."

"Not for long," Rath warned, glaring at his commander. "This was our last mission under your feeble attempt at so called leadership, we are to be out on are own at the completion of this mission."

Zan trembled under Rath's unyielding glare, glancing away for a second and then returned his heated gaze to Rath. "We are to return to base."

Rath blinked, unable to fathom such a notion. "That's a death sentence-" he stammered, his hazel brown eyes darkening.

"We are to return to base." Zan repeated, a twisted smile curling his lips. "Then perhaps you can petition to go out on the search mission, if there is one."

Rath clenched his fists at his side, wanting nothing more than to wipe that smile of his face. "We can't leave him!"

"If you disobey this direct line of command," he hissed as he stepped forward, knowing he had gained the upper hand. "You will be placed on suspension and then you will have to start over, and you were so close to being out on your own. Pity."

"Fine." Rath growled, knowing he couldn't disobey him- he had to play by the rules for just a bit longer. He turned away from Zan and swung out at the wall as he heard the hatch close behind him. He hissed in pain, leaning his head against the wall he just dented in defeat. Rath wasn't one to pray, but at that moment he prayed to anyone that was willing to listen that Val would make it until he returned for him.

~

Val closed his eyes, trying to draw up the inner strength that was slowly fading with every second he was held. He attempted to pull himself up, trying to ease the aching muscles in his back and arms, but it was worthless. His arms began to tremble and he couldn't help but let his body sag with the pull of artificial gravity. He hissed slightly as the manacles dug deeper into his wrists and he tired to refocus his pain elsewhere.

He couldn't afford to be weak.

He tensed as he heard the shuffling of thick boots against the cool metal grating and he knew his captors were returning. Even after days of his confinement he had yet to learn their names or their purpose. The only recognizable item that they all wore was their long black tailored coats, an emblem on the sleeve that reminded him vaguely of Hitler's insignia. He decided that they must be a band of Independents from Earth or from one of the few planets that Earth settled years ago- if only he understood what they wanted from him. But they had failed to ask any questions, they failed to dangle any small detail that he could have used to rectify this situation.

Val's eye snapped open, his gaze locking with the man he assumed was the leader, they never addressed each other, but the large balding man seemed to be the one in charge. He took command and had the most pleasure in torturing him.

Before he could draw in a breath, he felt the sting of the whip against his back. He bit down on his lip, trying to prevent the cry of pain from tumbling past them. Val inhaled sharply, closing his eyes tightly against the onslaught of tears as he felt sting of the heated leather once more against his back.

He heard them calling to him, mocking his service, his commitment. They laughed and sneered at him. He tried to block out their words, but one phrase seemed to bypass all his defenses and repeated over and over in his mind, edging over the pain that radiated through his body. "No one is coming for you."

~

It took one week, two days, and ten hours for Rath's petition to be heard. It took an additional week for it to be approved.

"The code of honor is to leave no man behind," Rath stressed as he pounded his closed fist against the podium, earning a small note of compassion from the young Commander. Rath had instantly liked him, he was the youngest commander at the IC and for some reason it gave Rath hope that he would help him in this mission and their future missions at the Intergalactic Coalition. "Please. Val- Kyle Valenti doesn't deserve a fate at the hands of captors. He has served the IC well."

"Very well Michael Rathier Guerin." Commander Whitman smiled, tilting his head slightly to him as he placed his signature on the document. "You may have a vessel to return to the Vazar quadrant, but I'm afraid we don't have any additional resources to send with you. You may consider this your first solo mission. Godspeed."

Rath nodded, quickly taking the document needed and running toward the launch pad. It only took him five minutes to cross the base and board the first ship cleared to take off. He had no time to waste; it was a four day journey in hyper speed to return to the coordinates that Val was last seen- he had less then that to come up with the Intel needed to find his friend.

~

Val tensed as he heard the fast approaching footsteps and a soft warning beep that seemed to come from deep within the ship. Something had changed, something was wrong.

Val dropped heavily to his knees as his manacles were released from above. His whole body aching as he drew in an agonizing breath. He hissed in pain as he rolled onto his back, instantly feeling the burn of tears in his eyes.

The taunting grew as he felt a metal boot slam into his abdomen. He cried out, doubling over, trying to prevent further harm. "Please," Val wheezed as he tried to get up, wanting to fight his captors but he was too dehydrated and weak to do so.

"You're free to go," the harsh voice chuckled, kicking Val back down to the ground. "To bad you ain't got nowhere to go." He sneered as he and his minions started to back away.

Val managed to look up at their retreating forms, his eyes widening as he realized what his captor meant. After weeks of torment, he was finally set free, only to die all alone in the black. His thoughts focused on one thing, no one came.

~

Scraps of metal crunched under his feet as he made his way through the junkyard of a ship. The readings indicted that the vessel was low on all things, including basic life support systems. He had only an hour at most to find Val and get him away from here, if he was still here.

He continued down the cramped corridors, hissing as he caught his arm on a stray wire and tore his shirt, piercing his skin. Rath stopped momentarily to examine the damage, pleased to see that it was only a scratch. He wiped the thin line of blood off his arm, freezing instantly as he heard faint rustling.

Rath turned to his right, gazing down a long corridor and glanced down at his map. Could be nothing, but he suddenly felt compelled to search for the source of the sound.

Rath walked quickly, his heart skipping a beat as the rustling sound grew louder, maybe his Intel was wrong, maybe Val was held in a chamber closer to the docking pads then he thought. He sucked in a quick breath as he came to a large open room and he stopped in his tracks when his gaze lingered on the crumpled body on the floor.

"Oh, Val-" he breathed, quickly crossing over to him, gasping as he neared. His eyes widening as he gazed at the extensive bruises and abrasions over his friends bare back and chest, dried blood caked over his skin and what was left of his linen pants.

Rath knelt down by Val's prone body, hesitantly placing a hand on his shoulder, not wanting to hurt him further, but needing to give him some sort of comfort.

"No!" Val growled at the touch and pulled away, scrambling with the small amount of energy he had to get further away.

Rath snapped his hand back as he let Val turn away, unable to move further than a few inches. Rath's heart ached as he listened to Val's labored breathing. "Val," he whispered, lying down beside him on the cool dirty floor, being careful not to touch him.

Val's eyes opened briefly, focusing onto Rath's gaze before fluttering close. Rath inhaled sharply at his friend's lifeless gaze and urged him to look at to him once more.

"Rath," he gasped, his eyes opening as he reached for him. "Rath." He repeated once more, his hand connecting with Rath's chest, a tiny spark of light briefly returning to his eyes. "Real," he rasped, digging his fingers into the fabric of Rath's shirt.

Rath pushed back the surge of tears as his friend looked at him with such desperation and he covered Val's hand with his, holding it close to his chest. "Let's go home," Rath whispered and Val nodded in response.

Rath supported the bulk of Val's weight as they walked back to the awaiting shuttle, the silence between them weighing heavily on Rath's conscious. He was used to Val's banter and light teasing. For a moment Rath wondered if he would ever hear his friend's laughter again or see the laughter touch his once expressive eyes.

"Thank you," Val whispered as they stepped through the hatch and he stumbled to sit down on the work bench, needing the rest after the long trek from his holding room. He watched silently as Rath went to close and lock the hatch, enabling the alarm with a hit of a button.

"Don't thank me yet," Rath mumbled as he turned back to Val, offering his arm to him. "Let's get you clean-"

"No," Val interrupted, shaking his head as he attempted to stand up, gripping onto Rath's arm. "Elect5."

"Elect5," Rath repeated, slightly surprised at his request. "You hate that stuff." He found himself chuckling as Val groaned.

"Need it," he stated and Rath suddenly understood and he couldn't help but wonder how long he'd been without food and water.

"Well, you're in luck," Rath replied quickly, forcing a smile as he maneuvered them into the galley kitchen.

Rath helped Val settle into one of the bucket seats and then turned to open the cabinet for the standard I.C. ration. The Elect5 contained all the electrolytes the body needed plus a five to one ratio of carbohydrates to protein. Rath opened the flip top and poured the clear liquid into a cup.

"Drinks on me," Rath offered, hoping for some sort of response from Val but received none.

Val took the cup and sipped at it slowly, before he gulped it down. "Still tastes like shit." Val grumbled before he held the cup up toward Rath for a refill. "And at this moment it's the best thing in the known galaxies," he sighed closing his eyes.

Rath frowned as he refilled the cup with another ration and watched as Val drank it down without complaint as if it was the nectar of the gods. Rath swallowed hard, "did they give you food and water?"

Val stared blankly at Rath and then attempted to stand up, staggering slightly until Rath stepped forward to help him. "I'd like to get cleaned up," he stated softly and Rath waited for the obvious jab about showers, knowing that it was the last conversation they had before they were separated during their last mission.

"Of course," Rath supplied after a strained second and they made their way to the shower bay.

~

"I got it," Val groaned as he pulled away from Rath and stepped into the shower, not bothering to discard his soiled pants. He immediately turned on the water, sighing as the lukewarm water ran down his body, beginning the cleansing process that he had craved for weeks.

"I'll get some first-aid supplies," Rath stated over the light hum of the water and creaking of old pipes.

Val nodded, closing his eyes as he leaned against the shower stall, not able to do much else. The water pressure was weak and the warm water quickly turned almost frigid, but it was the best shower he could recall.

He glanced over at Rath as he reappeared at his side, holding up a wash rag and a bottle of soap. Val nodded reluctantly, knowing he needed the help, but hated how he had to depend on someone else.

Val hissed as the soapy lather trickled down his back and he bit back a whimper at the feel of the wet cloth against his skin. He closed his eyes, the minutes passing by slowly as he tended to each laceration to his back.

"Almost done," Rath announced a few minutes later as he continued to wash Val's back. "Turn."

Val groaned turning toward him as Rath cleaned his bicep and continue down his arm, pausing as he came upon the raw skin of his wrist. Val watched as rare emotions flickered over his friends face and he looked away.

~

An hour later, Rath helped him change into a pair of standard I.C. sleep pants and seconds later he had passed out in exhaustion. Rath watched as his friend slept, he looked at peace in his sleep. Rath cringed once more as his gaze lingered on the gauze dressings over his back and wrists.

The hardest part for him was seeing the extent of his wounds under the dirt and grime. It took everything he had to wash the wounds and dress them- he considered himself a strong warrior, but it was almost too much to bear.

It appeared that his wrists were worse than the rest. He shuddered at the thought- it only meant that they kept him hanging the whole time- almost three weeks. Rath flinched, his fingers tracing his own wrist; they would have killed him if given the chance, he was sure of it. He closed his eyes, trying to clear his thoughts, but the heavy scent of the healing salve still lingered in the air and Rath had a hard time ignoring it.

It made it all seem more real if he had to use all of his senses. He sighed and turned away, knowing that they had to leave this port before Val's captors returned- what if they returned to pick him up? What if they weren't done with their games?

Rath made his way to the cockpit and set a course to one of the small deserted planets, he still had time to spare and he knew that Val would need the extra time to heal.

~

It had been three long days before Val emerged from his bunk for longer then the time it took to pee and drink another Elect5. He glanced over at Rath who pretended to read a book, but he knew that he was watching him closely.

He also knew that Rath expected him to say something, to talk with him, but he couldn't think of the words to explain. He didn't know if he would ever be able to.

"Val," Rath began, gazing up from the book, discarding it to the side. "How-"

"I'm fine." Val countered quickly not wanting to talk about it. He poured himself a drink as he heard Rath's stealthy footsteps nearing.

"We should change your dressings." Rath stated, crossing his arms over his chest.

"No," Val replied, shaking his head as his fingers tightened around his cup. "I'm fine."

"If you say so," Rath growled in response as he threw his arms up in the air in defeat. "Do you want anything?"

"No." Val whispered. "I'm-"

"Fine." Rath drawled. "I know- I'll just get out of your way."

Val sucked in a quick breath as he watched Rath walk away. He wanted to call him back, tell him he just wanted him near- just to know he wasn't alone. But, he was a warrior- he shouldn't need such a thing.

~

Another day passed slowly, both feeling the strained silence. Rath watched Val, and Val ignored him in return. Val was turning into a stranger right before Rath's eyes.

Rath returned to the cockpit knowing they couldn't linger in the black for long. They were running out of supplies and fuel. The mission report was written, his mission, their mission was complete- or at least in writing. They had no choice but to return back to base.

Rath plotted the course back to the base and set the shuttle on autopilot. He rubbed his hands over his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose, his thoughts drifting to Val. His friend looked so lost, so damaged.

"He's given up."

Rath stood up quickly at the realization and charged back to the common area to see Val sitting there blankly starting at the wall- he needed him to react, to feel. To live.

"That's it." Rath growled as he crossed over to him, standing in front of him, not giving him the option to leave. "Tell me what the fuck happened to you." Rath demanded and Val tensed at his tone, his gaze dropping to the ground. "Kyle James Valenti, tell me what happened. Now."

Val cringed slightly at his full name and glanced up at Rath. "Why?"

"It's eating you up," Rath began, his tone softening as he noticed the unshed tears in his friend's eyes.

"I can't." Val whispered as he stood up quickly, intending to walk away from this conversation.

"You have to let it go," Rath insisted as he reached out to touch Val's shoulder.

"Don't." Val growled pushing his hand away, his eyes flashing with anger.

"Don't what?" Rath drawled as he reached out trailing his fingers down Val's arm.

"Don't touch me," Val hissed swatting Rath's hand away and then pushed him away.

Rath gasped in shock, but felt some satisfaction that he responded in some way. "Try and stop me." He dared as he grabbed Val's elbow, shocking him into retaliation.

"Rath," he grunted as he slapped his arm away and then suddenly they were trading punches with no real strength behind their mock blows. Val easily overpowered Rath and pushed him down to the ground, they tumbled onto the cool ground and Val pinned him down.

Val stared down at Rath, his eyes flickering with more emotion then he'd seen in days, his fist poised to hit Rath in the face.

"Val," Rath called out to him softly and Val froze, his eyes losing focus for a second as he dropped his hands down to his sides.

Val blinked, scrambling away from Rath. "Don't." He whispered harshly, looking away from his friend as he managed to pick himself off the floor.

"Val," Rath sighed as he watched his friend close himself off even more and walk away.

~

Rath shot out of bed as he heard Val shout from across the hall. He quickly crossed over to the pilot's cabin, cursing at himself for letting it get this far. "Val," he called out as he opened the hatch door even further and went to Val's side.

"NO!" Val cried once more as he clenched his eyes tight, his arms flailing at his side. Rath reached over and trailed his hands down Val's bare arms, calming him slightly.

"Val!" Rath stated with more urgency as he ran his hand over Val's brow. "Wake up, it's only a dream."

Val's eyes snapped open and he stilled, his gaze locking with Rath's. He reached out and tentatively touched Rath's bare chest, absentmindedly stroking his fingers over his defined chest. "Real." He whispered, echoing his words he uttered to Rath only days ago.

"You can't get rid of me that easily," Rath whispered as he sat down beside Val on the bed.

"I-" Val gasped, still unable to find the words to explain what he was feeling. "You-"

"I'm not going anywhere." Rath offered as Val shifted to allow him more room and sat up beside him.

They froze as their chests brushed up against each other, and neither could deny the sudden spark and need for more burning within.

Val leaned closer, drawing in a quick breath at the sudden warmth exploded against his chest as their bodies melded together.

"Val," Rath exhaled as he drew his hands over Val's arm.

Val shushed him, his lips a mere fraction away from Rath's. He nervously licked his lips, his tongue flicking over Rath's lips as well as his own.

Rath moaned at the sudden sensation, his body suddenly craving more. He wanted to kiss him, but he knew that he had to let Val initiate this, to make him feel like he had the control that he had lost over the last few weeks.

Val's brilliant blue eyes pierced through his own, looking more alive then he had seen in days and he suddenly found it hard to breathe. "Val," he drawled as he tilted his head just a fraction, his skin tingling at the contact of Val's chin against his cheek.

"Rath," he gasped as he wrapped his arm around him, kissing him tentatively on the lips. For a second it was soft and tender, before it morphed into an unbridled lust that they had both kept bottled away.

They were victims of circumstance, neither being free to date and socialize as most would have at their age. And now they had broken down their defenses with need that they both could not deny.

"We opened Pandora's box," Val gasped, sucking Rath's lip into his mouth, pushing Rath back onto the bed as he straddled him.

"Pandora who?" Rath groaned, wrapping his arms around Val pulling him closer, bringing their hardening erections together.

"Greek mythological figure," he hissed as he thrust his hips against Rath's, raking his fingers down Rath's biceps.

Rath couldn't help but laugh. Only Val would bring up some stupid Earth saying as they explored this, whatever this was- comfort, sex, brotherly love, all of the above. "Shut up," Rath growled, kissing him deeply as he turned them over onto the center of the bed.

Val inhaled sharply as he flipped them over, effectively pinning Rath to the bed as he continued to grind his hips into Rath's.

"Fuck," Rath gasped as they kissed for dominance, their tongues battling it out.

Val pulled away and Rath groaned at the loss, only to moan as Val's lips started to trail down his neck, teasing their way down his chest. He hissed sharply as Val's tongue traced over his nipple.

Rath arched his back, giving Val better access as he ran his fingers over his expansive shoulders and head. Val paused, pulling away once more to lean up and kiss Rath, his fingers tracing the smooth muscles of his abdomen, near the edge of the standard linen sleep pants that Rath wore.

"Val," Rath sighed as he wanted more than anything for him to pull off his pants and to feel Val's skin against his own.

Val yanked Rath's pants, ripping them slightly at the hem as he pulled them off of Rath's slender hips. Val dropped the garment to the ground and took a second to gaze at Rath's naked form.

Rath moaned as Val continued to gaze hungrily at him, his erection hardening to its full length under his intense gaze. Rath pulled Val closer to him, running his hands over his chest before he tugged on the similar sleep pants that he wore, tearing them away.

They kissed, moaning as their bodies came in contact once more. Their movements were jerky as they rocked their hips together, their erections trapped between their solid bodies.

"Rath," Val rasped as they found a more fluid rhythm, their bodies moving together, bringing them closer to the edge.

Their breathing hitched as they continued to rock, their strong bodies slicked with sweat. Rath grunted as he snaked his hand between them and palmed their erections in between his hand. They stilled their movements momentarily as he squeezed his hand, pumping their long lengths, both enjoying the increased sensations.

Val reached down, adding his hand to the mix, adding to the delicious friction as they. "Rath," he gasped as he kissed him harder, bruising his lips as he thrust up once more as he climaxed, pumping his seed between them.

Rath moaned, quickly following Val over the edge, giving into completion. They collapsed in a heap, their bodies entwined as they tried to regain their breath. They shared a tender kiss, full of promise and friendship.

"Tell me," Rath urged softly as he held him in his arms. Val looked away as he turned himself onto his stomach, stretching out under Rath's touch.

Rath moved with him, his body covering Val's in an almost protective manner. He pressed a kiss to Val's neck, his fingers tracing the faint red lines that still remained on his back.

A few tense seconds followed before Val whimpered, sucking in a quick breath, his resolve finally crumbling away. Val started to speak softly, telling him everything as Rath slowly traced soothing circles over his back. Rath continued to hold him as Val finally allowed himself to cry for the first time, letting go.

"You are one of the strongest men I have ever met," Rath whispered as Val managed to smile. "I am proud to be your friend."

"Team Guerin-Valenti," Val whispered as he reached out and clasped his hand into Rath's before drifting off to sleep. Rath smiled, squeezing his hand as he closed his eyes, finding the first night of restful sleep.

~

The ship shuddered as Rath turned off the autopilot and switched the ship back to manual control. He grunted, his muscles protesting as he attempted to gain control over the ship. Flying was definitely not one of his strong points-

"Hasn't anyone ever taught you how to fly this damn thing?" Val's voice rang out with a hint of laughter that Rath had missed for weeks.

Rath snapped his gaze over at Val, unable to hide his smile under the veil of annoyance as Val jumped into the co-pilot seat.

"Well, my daddy wasn't the all mighty Valenti," Rath chuckled as he let go of the throttle and let Val take over the control of the ship.

Val flashed him a brilliant smile, which he always did when he talked about his father. "And he taught me a trick or two," he winked as the ship suddenly dipped and then everything was still as if they were just floating in the air.

"You going to share this vast knowledge of yours?" Rath asked as he settled into his chair, smiling as Val laughed.

"What? Now why would I do that? And give my only advantage over the ladies to you?" He winked. "I think not."

"Are you saying I have trouble picking up the ladies?" Rath questioned, his eyes widening with amusement.

"What would your Great-Aunt Anissa say about that?" Val teased as Rath groaned in response, shaking his head as he continued to watch Val fly the ship closer to the base.

Val obviously didn't expect him to answer as he launched into one of the stories highlighting one of his father's heroic flights. Rath smiled, listening intently as he watched Val animatedly talk and suddenly Rath knew everything would be okay.

"Nothing can beat the Guerin-Valenti team." Rath whispered to himself as he grinned over at Val.

"What's that?" Val asked, glancing over at Rath.

"Nothing," Rath shrugged. "Just thinking out loud about our next mission-"

"Lucky mission number fourteen-" He began as Rath shook his head. "Ahhh, they made me number fourteen? And here I thought Zan hated me."

"Oh, I'm sure he still does," Rath replied dryly, groaning as he recalled their last conversation. "If it's any consolation, he hates me just as much. But, I believe Commander Whitman like us just a little."

"Allex made it?" Val smiled, chuckling as he initiated the landing sequence. "Youngest Commander of the Intergalactic Coalition," he whistled. "Things are looking up- perhaps the next eleven missions will fly by."

"Perhaps," Rath nodded, not really believing the statement, he had a feeling that the next eleven may be even more challenging then all the rest, only time would tell.