... I probably have no right showing my face here again, but I decided to stop being an idiot and am continuing where I left off more than a year ago.

To the reviewers: You guys are my heroes, and are definitely what makes writing all the more enjoyable. Your encouragement are helpful and I love to hear your thoughts.

Hopefully there is still a little interest in this story!

Objects swirled together in a mass of colors making his stomach churn against the swaying room. Confusion flittered through his thoughts as the familiar surroundings of his tent slowly came into focus around him. Once his eyes cleared he became aware that he was gazing heavily at the ceiling above him.

"His eyes are open," a familiar voice spoke out.

Hephaistion attempted to shift, to twitch, and to make any kind of movement but his body remained still and his eyes stayed focused on the roof above him.

In a fierce panic, realizing he no longer could move his limbs Hephaistion attempted to speak. Tears sprang into the general's eyes when no sound escaped his throat. Question after question sprang into his mind but not a one could be answered, for his condition did not permit him to verbalize.

Alexander, his dear Alexander moved into his field of vision, looming down at him with sorrowful eyes. A great deal of comfort was shared when the King laid a calloused hand on his beloved's cheek.

"Hephaistion," he began hopefully, "can you hear me?"

Hephaistion tried to reply, but he remained as still and as quiet as a corpse. It was then that he realized he was uncomfortably warm. He could feel the damp cloth resting on his forehead and feel the warm blanket pulled down to his waist.

Was he ill?

His earlier memories seemed to have evaded his mind; he could not remember what events had transpired to put him in this vulnerable position.

"Hephaistion?" Alexander asked with a hint of uncertainty entering his tone. The King turned back to the healer that remained as quiet as the fixed objects sitting around the tent.

It broke his heart to gaze into those blank eyes that were usually filled with such warmth and love.

"Gods," Alexander looked up at the ceiling. Hephaistion's skin was positively on fire, and his face looked a dreadful pasty white.

Alexander turned back to Hephaistion and watched as a tear slipped down his left temple in surprise. He wiped the tear away and smoothed back the general's sweat slicked hair.

The tear was a sign! "He's in there," Alexander confirmed.

The King turned around to face the healer. "Explain this," he seethed out quietly aware of Hephaistion's presence.

The healer looked frightened as he walked forward to look into Hephaistion's bloodshot eyes. "In all my years… I've never seen a poison that leaves a body stricken with paralysis."

"Paralysis?" Alexander questioned.

The healer nodded. "This poison has caused his body to become limp and he cannot voluntarily move or even speak. But his breath remains unhindered…"

"The only reason you still breathe is because I've been told you are the best in this field. Now choose your next words carefully, how will he move again?"

The healer let a slow breath out, searching for a suitable answer. He sat down on the bed beside the poisoned general and took the cool cloth from Lucian, mopping his brow. "I am searching every possible poison My Lord; it is only a matter of time before…"

"Look at him!" Alexander screamed in rage. "Time is the last thing he has!"

"This could all be temporary," the healer explained, knowing that a poison as strong as this one was meant to do harm and certainly incapacitate the general. But he was not so sure it was lethal, if it was, the general should have died hours ago- that is of course unless the one who struck him with that blade had intended for him to suffer.

"Temporary," Alexander repeated. He stood over Hephaistion's line of sight again and spoke softly, comfortingly, and with love, "You will be fine Hephaistion, I will fix this, you must hold on." Suddenly the tone in Alexander's voice changed darkly, "I will get to the bottom of this, the guilty party will scream as I rip the bowels from their bodies."

The healer cringed back at the venom and conviction that soared through his King's voice. He certainly did not want to be the man who dared to poison General Hephaistion.

Hephaistion listened to the heated exchange. Alexander's temper was something to be reckoned with. From the few times he was in the line of Alexander's rampages he knew that it was quite an unpleasant experience. He recognized that Alexander wouldn't rest until he got answers and he wished in his heart that he could comfort his King, but his body was useless to him.

Fatigue settled deep in his eyes and thoughts leading to Hephaistion to start drifting. The last thing he remembered before he nestled into the darkness was a strong hand slipping into his own lax one.

Alexander remained by Hephaistion's bedside as the healer moved from remedy to remedy searching for the key that would unlock his love from the shell of his body. How unfair to be locked inside something as familiar as his own body.

The King's thoughts smoldered with images of him choking the life out of whoever had been foolish enough to do this. His anger ran deep and seemed to seep deeply into his bones.

"Alexander," the unsure voice came from the entrance of the tent.

"Nearchus," Alexander greeted softly. He rewetted the cloth and laid it over Hephaistion's heated forehead again.

It was becoming dark outside and Alexander could hear the bustle of soldiers coming back from battle. The lanterns were going up as well as fires to light the paths of their camp.

"How is he?" The general questions as he came and stood beside the distraught King.

"His eyes open from time to time, but he remains still and does not speak. He reminds me of a corpse, still and limp, pale and devoid of life," Alexander muttered softly.

Nearchus looked down at the still general and sighed. "He looks so much younger like this. What of this healer? Does he know of this poison?"

Alexander shook his head and a muscle in his jaw twitched in belligerence. "This healer knows nothing of which he claims. He looks, but hasn't found the accursed toxin."

"The generals are awaiting our arrival in the meeting pavilion Alexander."

"The meeting," Alexander remembered. He leaned over and kissed Hephaistion's sweaty forehead and closed eyelids, whispering something as he did so. "I will be back my beloved."

The healer bowed as Alexander gave him a cross look. "I will keep searching My Lord."

Nearchus and Alexander walked side by side as they exited the tent.

"Who is that man lingering over there?"

Alexander whipped his attention to where Nearchus was gesturing. It was the man from earlier… Titus. "He fights under Hephaistion; I don't know much about him other than he has a silver tongue."

Nearchus recognized him from the healing tent where he discovered Hephaistion. "A lover?"

Alexander turned his eyes to Nearchus and he shook his head. "Hephaistion would tell me… I don't believe a lover would interest him anyway, he loves me as I love him."

"Then what of Bagoas?"

Alexander's expression hardened. "I will not speak about such affairs that do nothing to concern you."

"My apologies," Nearchus began. "Let us hurry. The generals are anxious for news of Hephaistion."

"Yes," Alexander agreed. "We must get to the bottom of this treasonous crime."

"You believe the blade was Greek?"

"Only proof will tell."

They reached the meeting pavilion's entrance and with a hardened stance, King Alexander entered.

To Be Continued...