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Taylor Swift's Shake if Off sounded from his phone, startling Colin from his very important self-appointed task of watching cat videos on Youtube. He unfolded himself a bit and grabbed the phone, seeing Lorne's name across the screen made his lips twitch into as close to a smile as he ever got without having someone to perform for. "Hi Lorne~" His tone would read as upbeat, wide-eyed and awake though two of those three things were lies.

But then he heard Lorne's voice and with his stomach, dropped all pretense. Was he busy? Please say no? Mont Blonc had gotten into trouble, probably; Colin went into crisis mode. "You're ********, aren't you? Where are you, I'm coming right now." A pause and then, "Do you need me or my alter ego?"

Probably due to the fact that each time he and Colin got together, it was the dancer that took charge - or because he was natural-born problem solver. Whatever the reason, it was a good thing and would have pleased the blond immensely to know. Also, he would not have said no to going out and doing something nice and fun (okay fine, and not overtly dangerous).

"I see." Mental note: find out who did this and maim them later. He was shoving himself into pants and a t-shirt, grabbing his keys and heading out the door with his cell tucked between cheek and shoulder as Lorne gave him the address. A quick 'be there soon' was all he gave before hanging up - it was a good thing he was familiar with Destiny City, or he'd need GPS for some of these places! Maybe I should invest in trackers for him and Nadia? Aleksy'd skin me alive if I tried...or he'd just wear the damned thing.

Not for the first time, Colin went to collect one of his friends from the bosom of danger and exhaustion. Twelve minutes and several traffic violations later, Colin parked in front of a small bookstore and got out to fetch Lorne. If he'd been drained and then escaped, he was probably feeling like he could sleep a week..so it would be tall man leaning on short man this time. "Come out, come out wherever you areee~" There was only one nice alley near where Lorne said he'd be, so he made his way over, flip-flops slap-slap-slapping as he moved.

Crouching in front of his friend, he frowned at the blood. "Why is there blood on your mouth--wait that's a question I don't really want answered yet. Let's just get you home - your place or mine?"

This time there was a choice, though Colin had considered just hauling Lorne up and dragging the dark haired bean pole home with him.

Poor Lorne, he sounded like he'd been through the ringer - those Negaverse officers just didn't screw around with their energy draining antics. Colin could well remember how knackered he'd been after Umber had drained him near to passing out when Rhys had first become a page. Long ago, but not really. Just feels that way...and now he's gone and I wasn't there to stop it--stop. Right now. Focus on Lorne, lord only knows he needs you and you've a chance to keep HIM safe. His voice from Lorne's lips was quiet but hopeful, grateful. Tired, for sure, but with the way he was reaching for the blond...he was clearly a welcomed sight.

"Sure, sure. My place it is. Man, I thought you looked tired before..." Before being the Sandrassacre, though that time Monty had carried him home, rather than the other way around as was about to happen. Because despite being a good five inches shorter than the dark haired man, Colin was a helluva lot stronger and quite used to lifting and dragging people around.

"What are friends for?" Colin half-pulled, half-cajoled Lorne onto his feet, but that was as far as the dark-haired fellow was going to move on his own, because this time the blond was going to scoop him up and haul his a** to the car. "Oof," He had to heft Lorne once to get a better 'bridal' carry going, but then he was fine, "You're a bit heavier than a ballerina. No complaining either. You can argue after I get you into the car."

Thankfully it wasn't far, just a few feet from the alley and he'd be easing Lorne back onto his feet to open the car door and stuff him in. Colin would even buckle his seat belt for him, wasn't that nice? A few moments later, both boys were tucked safely into the vehicle and on their way home.

"Like I said," He'd smiled at Lorne's surprised expression and verbal joshing, "I'm used to hefting ballerinas. Usually with one arm." Well, that and he worked out. And the pole dancing, that had certainly helped with his upper body strength. "But really, you're not that heavy."

The lack of blushing was what told him, more than anything else, that Lorne was exhausted and needed to be stuffed into a bed ASAP. Inside the car he cocked his head at being told Lorne owed him. "What are friends for? You don't owe me...but I won't say no to dinner or something." Colin chuckled a bit and drove carefully home; the head on his shoulder was a bit uncomfortable but he dealt with it - Lorne needed contact, it seemed. Reassurance in that manner.

Driving home took almost half an hour, at which point he parked and then gently woke his friend. "Lorne, wake up. We're home."

Well, it wasn't as though Lorne was wrong in his assessment of the curly haired blond. He was a perfectly good, warm person to sleep on! Colin waited for his friend to rouse before stepping out of his side of the vehicle. "You need a hand, or are you good to walk with some help?"

He appeared on the passenger side, leaning on the opened door and peering down at his grumbling friend. "Wow, you must be feeling bad. C'mon, let's just get you inside so you can crash." Before he crashed onto the ground.

Colin ushered the taller man inside his apartment, closing up after them and immediately turning to put a hand over Lorne's closed fist. "Hey, hey, hey...what are friends for? Besides, you've gotten a lot better at throwing a punch, I mean...you at least don't close your fingers over your thumb anymore, right?" The blond gave his friend's hand a squeeze, "You never give yourself enough credit, Lorne."

He released Lorne's hand and watched him fold into himself a bit. "They are the worst. I agree completely." Not all members of the Negaverse were there by choice though, and some legitimately believed they were in the right, so Colin often tried to remind himself of those things. "Better energy drained than a starseed removed. Nadia would never forgive us." He reminded his friend and reached out for his hand again so he could pull Lorne away from the door.

"Do you want to get a shower or something to eat? Or you wanna just hit the sack?" Colin still had a few things he planned to complete before heading to bed, but that didn't mean Lorne had to stay up until he was done.

"You always do, Lorne. Who better'n me to know?" The commentary on the dustiness of his starseed brought a soft chuckle from the blond danseur, "Well, I tried to keep it from getting too many dust bunnies, but it was kind of crazy..."

Colin had been working on slowly leading his friend to the couch to rest, when the request for mouthwash was put forth. It only made him quirk a brow for a moment before understanding washed over him. The blond in his mouth. It was the other guy's.

"Of course, Lorne. You know where it is, right? Help yourself." Same place as the last few dozen times he'd been there. "I'm gonna make some hot cocoa...you want some too? Might help the taste..." He waved Lorne towards the bathroom while heading to the kitchen to make two mugs - if Lorne didn't want one, he would just put it away and reheat it in the morning, no big deal.