It had been only a few days after Alan had been released from the hospital and the long painful days of two comas. Eric was relieved that Alan was able to move around and continue working. Truth be told the blonde reaper had been a bit lonely without his brunette companion and he couldn't seem to get Alan out of his mind. It worried him very much. Now Eric had to keep an extra eye out for Alan. Since the day Eric volunteered to be Alan's support he had specific things and regulations to look for.

*flash back*

"Alright it is settled then. Mr. Slingby, you are now Mr. Humpries guardian/support. Now I need to speak with Mr. Slingby considering some things that involve the responsibilities helping you, Mr. Humphries." Alan's doctor, Doctor Mathews said as he jotted down a few notes on a piece of paper. Alan nodded in understanding. The reaper tossed the covers of the bed off and then left closing the door behind him, leaving Eric and Doctor Mathews alone together.

"Alright doc! What do you need me to do, to help Alan?" Eric asked as he stretched his arms.

The doctor quickly finished what he was writing down and then handed the paper to Eric. "Here. These are the symptoms of his disease. All you really have to do is look after him and if these symptoms get any worse. If they do contact me as soon as possible and I will do what I can to help. And especially when he is out in the field working I expect you to be with him at all times. But other then those things that's all you need to do."

"Thanks doc. I'll be sure to do everything." Eric promised before leaving the infirmary. This was one promise to himself he could not break. As much as Alan had done for Eric this was the least he could do to make sure Alan stayed well.

*flashback end*

The two reapers sat quietly in their office, that they shared together, doing paperwork. Since Alan had been absent and spent his time in the hospital work had piled up; a lot needed to be done. Still wanting to keep a pair of close eyes on his partner Eric volunteered to help with Alan's missing work to help speed up the process. It was basically the definition of dead silent, except the scratching of pen on paper and a small ringing in both their ears.

Alan put down his pen and sat back in his chair sighing breaking the awkward silence. The other reaper looked up from his work and stared at his partner. "Is everything alright?" Eric asked curiously. The brunette nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine. But I kind of feel bad that you have to stay here and work unpaid overtime to help me." It was true. Eric had asked William if he could help Alan with his missing work to help him get back to speed on current work. William agreed to it but told Eric by volunteering to help he'd be working unpaid overtime, which Eric really did hate.

"Ah, it's fine. I'm willing to help you get all caught up. Plus it helps me keep an eye out for you, just in case."

Alan nodded happily. "Well I really do appreciate all you have done for me. You really are very kind, Eric-senpai!"

The words rang through Eric's head. It's been awhile since someone had called him kind or any word that came close to that to his face. All he could do was smile, "Ya think? That's very kind of you Alan. Thanks." The reaper stared at his the paperwork in front of him, only one more thing left to fill out then he would be done. The black inked pen scratched against the paper filling in the last blank on the page that needed a signature. In that second he made his decision. A decision that involved him finding a cure for his partner.

After encountering what Alan had to suffer through, Eric wouldn't be able to stand it, he would lose his sanity if he saw his best friend continue to die without at least tempting to save him.

The reaper thought back to the book he had discovered in the library earlier that week. A screeching sound that would give anyone a headache rang through the air as Eric pushed his chair back, startling the younger reaper making his hands fly to his ears covering them; trying to protect the sound from getting into his ears. "You done, Eric-senpai?" The younger reaper asked, while the other nodded in confirmation. "Well alright. I still have a few more pages to get done. Are you going back home?"

"I was going to wait for you because I don't want to have you walking back through the dark alone." Eric said concerned.

Alan gave his superior a smile of graditution. "I'm sure I'll be fine walking home alone. So if you are too tired to wait for me then you can leave. I won't mind. After all you have done a lot for me this week and keeping you here would be almost like torture."

Torture? Eric wouldn't say that is was torture. Maybe a bit more work but it was all for a good cause. The blonde shook his head, "Nah I'll wait. Besides it's quite late as well." Alan didn't argue with his partner; afterall Eric is a persistant person when he wants to do something.

Thirty minutes had passed when Alan wrote down the last thing in black ink. He collected all the papers in the right order and filled them a desk drawer for the night amd safe keeping until the next morning. The brunette reaper looked over at his friend who by now had fallen fast asleep in his chair with his arms crossed. Rolling his eyes at Eric's silliness Alan gently shook Eric waking him from his sleep. "Yeah! I'm up!" Eric whisper shouted. Still laughing quitely to himself Alan covered his mouth to keep from hos laughter from escaping. "Didn't I tell you you could go home if you were tired?" Alan teased his blonde friend, gently punching him on his arm.

"I wasn't tired before..." Eric argued with a smile. But Alan just rolled his eyes again still smiling.

"Well now it's time to leave. I'm all finished so we can go home and get some sleep."

"Sounds like a plan!"

As the two reapers walked out of the Dispatch they noticed only a few reapers still there at that late of an hour. Of course they were the night shift. Reaping doesn't seem to stop even for night. The two walked down a small road that lead them to where both their homes were. The walk was quieter than normal. Maybe it was because they ran out of things to talk about? They didn't even know the answer. Possibly because each were such deep in their thoughts. So deep that they walked about a block farther than they should have. Realizing this they both broke the quiet with a laugh that was in unision, then headed a block the opposite way.

Once they had their apartment open they closed the door shut, not even flipping the light switch, and Eric immediately fell down on the couch; not bothering to change or go into his room for he was too tired to. Alan on the other hand did go into his room, kicked off his shoes and climbed under the covers and in a second went into a deep sleep. Needless to say they both were exhausted.