Dirk paces around in Cole's room. Hands going through his hair at an agitated pace. He just didn't know what was happening anymore. Mike was like a brother to him and seeing him going through the hell he did, it pissed Dirk off to no end. But for it to have taken this kind of toll where Mike seemed a broken man, that made it that much worse. He had tried everything he knew to help Mike, but all of it blew up in his face. And now Mike was gone, and in Dirk's anger, probably wouldn't be back. And because of his anger, Cole probably was going to be angry at him too. Everything felt like it was spinning way out of control.

He watched as Mike came down the stairs with all his things and even olive greens following as he went by and out the front door. He sighs heavily and olive greens are back on Dirk. Cole is even the more confused, all he wanted was a simple answer of Mike saying truthfully if he had feelings for Dirk or not. It seems like everything got so out of control and now Mike is gone. He closes his eyes as Dirk yells, only opening them when Dirk walks by and the slam of the door causes Cole to jump. He looks around at all that have come out to see what was going on and he shook his head as he goes up the steps to his room and leans on the door. Running his hand down it as he presses his cheek to it. "Dirk.."

Dirk stops in his tracks when he hears that little voice on the other side of the door. Sighing heavily, his shoulders slumping, he walks to the door and opens it up. Hazels look down, at the floor. "I'm sorry Cole." he says softly and steps back, hoping Cole would come in. "I tried so hard to help him.. I did Cole."

A lean back as the door is opened and he looks up at him even though Dirk looks down at the floor. His hands move up to touch both his cheeks. "Anyone would be a fool to not fall in love with you." He whispers. "And if he has feelings for you, is it any wonder? No matter what you have done in the past, you are still Dirk.. Sweet and loving, caring.. Rough around the edges, always a fighter.. But that is what is so wonderful about you. Starving for attention, and who better then to try and get it from you? But, he never really did give a straight answer to anything." He purses his lips for a moment. "He is just wounded, and doesn't understand how to stop that pain. Just like I have been so many times when I thought I had lost you, I starved for any attention too." He sighs and his fingers caress Dirk's cheeks.

Strong hands go to Cole's waist and he pulls him closer with a sigh as he speaks. The little guy could always calm Dirk and ease his worries. Cole even got him to smile a little bit with the rough around the edges comment. Looking up from the floor to his eyes, Dirk slowly nods. Cole was right. "What are we going to do, Cole? He's out there, alone, with nothing more than his bike and a pack back. He could be hurt, physically."

A small smile as he is pulled closer to Dirk. Where he always wants to be of course. His hands move from Dirk's cheeks to his shoulders. Olive greens look into hazels as Dirk speaks and he nods. "We will go find him." He whispers and leans in to hug him gently, breathing him in as he does. "I love you." He whispers and kisses the tender place on his neck, right below his ear.

Closing his eyes to the kiss, he sighs softly. "I love you too." he whispers back, squeezing him gently. Then he steps out of the embrace and starts to disrobe. "I'll call on Tiente, the wolf. It'll be much easier to find him with the wolf's senses." he looks to Cole and goes to sit on the ground, completely nude now. Closing his eyes, he takes a deep breath and within moments the transformation is complete. On all fours, he wags his tail and trots to Cole, gently nudging his hand with his snout.

He leans on the wall as Dirk removes his clothing and he smiles softly. "No biting me this time." He whispers and watches as the transformation is done. His hand gently caresses over his head and he scratches behind his ear and with a light sigh he moves over and gets his shoes and pulls them on, even while standing cause Cole is good like that. He also grabs his jacket and pulls it on. He purses his lips and looks to Dirk for a moment. Going to his closet, he grabs a pack pack and puts a change of clothes for Dirk in there. Then on through the door.

He sits back and howls, long and plaintively, then playfully nips at Cole's hand. Yellow gold eyes watch as Cole readies himself to go. He lays down for a moment, crossing one white socked forepaw over the other and laying his black and silver muzzle onto them. The blond shock of fur falling into his eyes as he continues watching. And when Cole starts to head out of the room, so does Tiente.

The trail hadn't been that hard to pick up. It was still fresh and a dark blue line that Tiente could not only see, but smell and taste. Sometimes the wind blew and he would get off of course, but then the night air stilled and he was right back on it. Cole kept right up with him the entire way.

The broken foliage, the faint scent of Mike was all over it. He could even taste the tears as he licked a leaf or branch here and there. Of course they walked all through the night. But it was at a brisk pace and by the time the sun began to rise, Mike's scent became stronger and stronger.

A look up to Cole with a soft whimper, he veers from the trail. Through the underbrush he went. Finally, he spies Mike sleeping peacefully beside a tree. Howling softly to signal Cole that they had found what they were looking for, then advancing towards Mike.

Nudging his hand, Dirk lays down not far from where Mike is and he looks up at Cole.

The scent of three men.. One Dirk, the other two he did not know, drift into the Dark Manor, not far from where one of the men has come to rest. Pretty much his property. The smell of blood evident, the one there the longest had been wounded. The spirits whisper of a wolf and boy not far from a sleeping man.

He grew restless, wondering what it is that is happening within the woods. Of course he would never go changed, he would stay in his human form to not scare the other two, the boy and the man wounded. Tristan leaves out the front door of the manor and walks along the long dirt driveway, the scents of all three getting stronger.

Having to shoo the restless spirits away from him. "I will handle it." He whispers to them as they try to stay with him and to follow. The small girl spirit desperate to see Dirk again. "Go now.." He whispers, French even being spoken in a warning to them. They oblige and vanish into the dewy morning sunrise.

And as he comes upon the wolf, man, and boy, he bows. "Bonjour. May I be of any assistance, my humble abode is more then ready for visitors if you care to come with me."

The voice came from his right side, and he turned toward it, steadying himself instinctively with his hand. Which was broken, and the searing pain made him roll to his knees, cussing under his breath as he clutched at his wrist.

After recovering himself, he slowly got to his feet, eyeing up the taller man. The castle he thought he'd seen the night before loomed a short distance away. He must own it, and Michael's trespassing. He didn't sound too upset with finding a stranger in his front yard. The wolf that butted his muzzle against the man's hand got a quirk of a brow, but his attention was on the stranger, so he didn't track where the wolf went, and so he didn't see Cole.

"Sorry, I didn't know I was on anyone's property. Just need something to wrap up my hand, and then I'll be on my way."

He stuffed the blanket back in his pack, slow because he did it one-handed. Then he picked up his helmet and hung it from his handlebars. Gripping the bike with his left hand, he walked towards the stranger.

Tristan looks at all three of them, a kind smile to each, even more so as the wolf comes over to him. "Bonjour." He whispers down to him and then looks at the injured man. "No, I can not send an injured man and his friends back out into the woods alone without a hot meal and accommodations if they are needed."

A smile to the boy. "Come, I will have the cooks make us some breakfast and we can all take a moment on this already eventful morning. And the house has been more then ready for visitors, but sadly none have been here as of yet, today I see good fortune on me today. My name is Tristan de Laurier, it is a pleasure to meet you." He bows again and smiles at the boy, man and wolf.

"And your hand will be taken care of, young man. I will see to it, we have a healer at the manor, or the boy if he would like can heal it for you, but you must not stay in these woods for too long, restless spirits and other creatures lurk even through out the day." With some of the power that Tristan holds, he does sense the healer magic in Cole, but surely it is of no surprise to the others that the boy has such powers.

"The manor is just over the hill, and I would like nothing more then for all of you to come and enjoy a warm meal. I will not take no for an answer." He smiles softly, the smile of course nothing short of inviting and friendly, as he turns and begins to walk back towards the manor.

Yellow gold eyes look up and meet Cole's olive greens and he blinks just once. Padding over to where Cole and dropped the back pack of clothes, Dirk lifts it by the shoulder strap between his teeth. He knew the way to the manor, so he lets the others go on ahead of him.

After chasing and devouring two rabbits and a couple of squirrel, Tiente had been sated enough to allow Dirk to return to his human form. Laying in the silence of the woods, Tiente closes his eyes to rest.

Dirk's nude body lay under the tree, dappled by the leaf's shadows in the morning sun. It was a brilliantly beautiful day and he lay there for a good while before getting up. Dressing quickly with the clothes and shoes from the back pack, he starts to run towards the manor.

Catching them as they got to the gates, he falls into step behind them. Taking Cole's hand in his, he laces their fingers and gives his hand a soft squeeze.

Michael looked down at his hand. It was already swollen up to twice normal size. Angry purple bruises blossomed over his knuckles. The joints themselves were flattened, and he could feel the loose chips floating with every movement he tried. He kept to Tristan's left side, so as not to run the Univega into him, and to keep Tristan between him and Cole. He caught Dirk's approach from the corner of his eye, and again his left hand gripped his handlebars, as he fought the urge to hop on the bike and book. Tristan's calm presence kept him walking, as did the throbbing pain in his right hand.

"You're right. I don't want my hand messed up more."

He fell silent again, dark almond eyes taking in the gardens. They looked so peaceful and well-tended. This was some place Tristan had. He managed a small smile up to Tristan as he stood aside to let them all inside.

"Cool place you have here. Thanks for not flipping out. I didn't know anyone lived out this way."

He pushed his bike through the door, his cycling shoes making echoes in the hallway. He stayed off to the left, keeping the bike close to the wall, as the hall was narrower than the one in the House. He still kept Tristan between him, and Cole and Dirk. He had no clue why they came after him, and kept focused on where Tristan led them. He felt like he's swallowed sand, his throat was so dry. He bit at his lip as they kept walking, not trusting his voice.

Walking with Mike and Tristan, he keeps his eyes mostly just ahead. Here he is near an ex lover of Dirk's, then a friend who possibly wants Dirk too. Talk about awkward, but he does smile up at Tristan as Tristan looks at the roses. And honestly he can see what made Dirk fall for Tristan, very sweet, generous, and of course, pretty hot.

Then his hand is captured and he turns olive greens to look up at Dirk, the smile brilliant. "Hi baby." He whispers softly and only for him as he gives a squeeze back to Dirk's hand.

When Dirk introduces him he even blushes. "Nice to meet you Tristan." His smile a bit shy and the pink to his cheeks making him look even more like a boy then before. But olive greens soon wonder around the room as they are in. Walking with all of them and in wonder of it all.

And the place is very pretty, Cole can't keep his eyes off the statues and paintings on the walls. His own tummy grumbles and he is more then happy that Tristan is going to let them stay for breakfast, and maybe even longer. He would love to stay the night here and explore with Dirk.

"You look great, Tristan. And this place is more beautiful than I ever imagined it could be. The crew did an outstanding job." as his hazels gaze around the room. Of course his hand is still holding onto Cole's.

He looks, in turn, to each of the places that Tristan spoke of. Of course he knew the house already. And his gaze lands on Mike when Tristan begins talking to him. "I think a talk is what we all need." He says quietly, agreeing with Tristan's plans.

"I'd love to show him around." he smiles, gently squeezing Cole's hand once more and he looks into those olive colored eyes. Tristan had Cole pegged and he smiles proudly.

"Surely you have had it healed before, non?" He walks over to Michael and looks down at his hand. His own hands coming up to barely touch over it, he then places both hands over Micheal's and closes his eyes.

"It is best if you close your eyes and relax." He whispers with a bit of reassurance even in his voice, there are no visual effects anyway, this is purely a small spell that Tristan learned from his sister Ana.

Very slowly he whispers in French the spell, seeing as how hurt Micheal truly is it will take a few dozen times to work. But very slowly the hand begins to mend under Tristan's own hands. Removing his hands from Michael, his hands fall to his side.

He smiles and opens his eyes. "Well now, I will see to the kitchen that the meals are being prepared, breakfast shall be shortly and I do hope that if you need anything." He looks over at Dirk and Cole as well. "That you will not hesitate to say so. I will let you three speak on your own." He bows to the three and goes on to the kitchen.

In the kitchen he sees to it that the cooks have made enough for all of them, fresh milk, orange juice, crepes, eggs, sausage, homemade biscuits, anything they could think of would be on the dining table for them.

He smiles at the small girl spirit as she comes into the kitchen. "Oui, you may speak with Dirk, but only after he has spoken with his friend. And you be nice to the boy, that is Dirk's love." The girl giggles and vanishes, and Tristan goes on to tending to other matters.

As Tristan worked on Mike's hand, Dirk pulled Cole close and held him gently. A bench lined the one wall and he sits down, pulling Cole into his lap. He whispers things into Cole's ear and they're both smiling. Just sharing a quiet moment, love in both of their eyes. Even a stolen kiss or two.

Then Tristan speaks and he looks up at him. "Thank you, Tristan, for everything." and his eyes follow Tristan until he disappears into the kitchen. Even though he had ate not too long ago, the delicicious aroma from the kitchen had his stomach growling.

Pulling Cole's head to his shoulder, hazels look back to Mike. "Why we are here should be obvious, Mike. There's been a misunderstanding and it needs to be cleared up."

Cole had fallen asleep, exhaustion finally over taking him. Dirk just held him close while Mike said what he had to say. And the more he said, the angrier Dirk got. His eyes narrowed and his mouth goes to a white, angry line.

Taking a few deep breaths, he closes his eyes and gently kisses the top of Cole's auburn head. A soft sigh as he calms himself and reminds himself that Cole abhorred violence. Looking back up once again, Dirk's face is more inquisitive and thoughtful. "Listen, things get said when there's anger involved. Things that shouldn't be said. If we didn't want you around, would we have come looking for you?"

Arms still curled around his Cole, Dirk continues. "We just want the truth, Mike. In a yes or no answer. Black and white. Did you want either Cole or myself for your own? It's really not that difficult of a question, I don't think."

"Nobody said you were a thief Mike. But I don't think you've been completely honest with either Cole or myself either."

And where is Cole as this whole talk went on, come on now, can anyone really sleep when your boyfriend is talking to someone that may want him? No, of course not, so Cole's eyes may be closed but he is far from asleep.

He listens to every word uttered out of both of their mouths, he resists the urge to say anything or jump up off of Dirk's lap when things take a turn to where he really .. wanted to say something. He takes very deep breaths to keep Dirk from knowing his is awake and fights yet again the urge to get up and say some words himself.

Finally the talk is over and Dirk carries him to the bedroom, but the moment Dirk lays him down on the bed, Cole is out of it. "This isn't done." He whispers as he walks out of the room. "Don't follow me!" He screams back to him and Dirk had better listen, it's time for Cole and Mike to get a few things straight.

He walks back into the room where Mike is and he leans on the door frame, talk about deja vu. He takes a deep breath and looks over at him. "Okay, so you admit you want my boyfriend pretty much, that you aren't a thief and that you are confused. Anything else you want to say while I'm asleep or not in the room? How about you wrestle more with my boyfriend, maybe hope that it turns to more?" His voice much lower then it has ever been and the sneer on his angelic face makes him look ungodly.

"I forgave you that time Mike, you should of been smart and said that you did have feelings but now you know better then to ever think them again about Dirk. I have never hurt anyone in my life on purpose, I don't want to start now, so either I get an apology again, and a promise that you will wipe those disgusting thoughts from your mind.. or .. we have a problem." Now Cole is more upset then he has ever been and Mike was never privy to the power that Cole has, that if he charges up all those emotions, all those little bits of anger, sadness, any emotion he can put it all into his sweet little hands, lay them on you and you are going to have a trip of your life. That is, if you're not comatose for the rest of it.

A push off the door and he walks more into the room, closer to where Mike is but of course he keeps his distance. He nods to what Mike says and he already feels awful for what he said, but after losing Dirk so many times before he is scared here is someone else trying to do it again.

He runs both hands through the long silky auburn hair and olive greens stay on Mike. "Not really smart to do this to your friends, at least that's what I think. I mean, you come back and we all just want to hang out and be cool. And if you wanted to date people I knew or Dirk knew that was one thing. I mean.. I want you to be happy too." He nods and leans on the window next to him.

"Everyone deserves to be happy and the person you are meant to be with could be just around the corner. But trying to get it from someone else's someone, wasn't very nice. You know?"

He sighs and nibbles his pouty bottom lip. "I don't want you to stay away Mike I want us all friends again, able to hang out and have a good time again. Why can't we do that?"

He leans close and uses his finger to push up his nose a bit. "They say I look like a piglet when I do this, you think so?" He smiles, even a little snort. "Sound like one too."

A smile on pouty lips and he drops his hands to his sides and looks out the window as Mike does, but then to him as he talks. He nods knowingly, anyone that has been cheated on knows all about having to sit and ponder just what is going on inside your head.

"Time to mend too." He whispers. "And I know sometimes you want to be held and loved on but honestly if you can't even figure out what you want, then it is better to be alone. Hurting someone in the process of trying to find yourself isn't a good thing either. Or even hurting someone that is involved with the person that you are confused about, yeah, not good either." He knows all of this way too well.

Olive greens back to the window and he looks out at the gardens. He smiles softly as he sees a hummingbird whiz by, he will have to go out there and chase it sometime, all about catching birds and animals, course just to name them, love them and then set them free.

"Believe it or not, being alone isn't always the worst thing. It can help and keep you on the right track. Best to know yourself before you try to share your life with someone else and expect them to know you too." He puts his finger on the window and traces small letters, even shapes, possibly even a small heart or ten.

"Life and love.. funny like that." He whispers. "Anyway." Olive greens back on Mike and he smiles.