XXIX. Parasites
197. Twelvemonth
Relena walked around her bedroom, trying to find the right spot for Mr. Snuggles. Quatre sat on her bed, lamenting. 'They tried to kill you, Relena.'
'Well…' Relena placed the teddy on her desk, frowned and picked it up again. 'I'm still here.'
'Are you even listening to me?' Quatre frowned as she moved the bear to yet another spot, then changed her mind.
'I am listening. I just…' she shrugged, smiling fondly at the teddy.
'Will you at least let your brother arrest Yuy?'
'No.'
'You know Milliardo's been working on this case for years.'
'My answer's still "no".'
198. Fancier
'You did what?' Heero was so shocked he did not even move as Dorothy walked into his flat. Then he closed his eyes and took a very –very – deep breath, trying to control his sudden trigger itch. There was no time… He had to leave the country before Winner had him arrested.
'Oh, don't look so scared.' Dorothy waved a hand dismissively, flopping down on his couch. 'All Quatre wants is for me to be sorry.'
He wasn't buying it. 'Do you have a death wish?'
'Mmm…' she played with her long hair thoughtfully. 'I like to play with fire.'
199. Pileus
Relena shook her head. 'This isn't right.'
'That's what I've been trying to tell you.' Quatre was relived she finally seemed to see reason.
'No… Mr. Snuggles just doesn't fit in here… He's like a hairy fungus in the middle of an otherwise perfect bread.'
Quatre sighed hopelessly.
'I think I'll take him to Heero's place.' She smiled widely at that and hugged the bear.
'You can't go to his place. He wants to kill you!'
'We settled that yesterday.' She informed him casually.
'You saw him yesterday too?'
'Yes.'
'And you thought that Mr. Snuggles was the parasitic fungus.'
200. Bezant
'I won't let you run away.' Dorothy informed him masterfully.
Heero raised an eyebrow then casually pulled out his pistol – already equipped with a muffler – and turned it in his hands as if inspecting it. The woman started to laugh.
'You're mad.' He told her, trying very hard not to sound as creeped out as he felt.
'What do you want? To convince you to stay.' Dorothy asked, crossing her legs and leering at him. 'More money? A good lawyer? 'Cause I can provide whatever you want.'
'I'm done negotiating with you.'
'No, you're not. You still owe me Winner.'
201. Luminary
'He's not a parasite!' Relena protested, gaping at her friend in outrage.
'Yes, he is. He preys on people's lives.'
'What about Dorothy?' she gave him raised eyebrows and a wide-eyed look. 'Why don't you turn her in?'
'I never said I wasn't going to.' Quatre crossed his arms. 'Actually, that's a brilliant idea. Let's go to your brother together and get them both arrested.'
'Yes, Quatre, that is brilliant.' Relena wasn't very big on sarcasm, but she knew how to use it.
Quatre, who secretly agreed with her, sighed in defeat. 'What do you think we should do then?'
202. Artifice
Heero did not trust Dorothy. Not at all. Still… There was no way he could get her arrested without implicating himself which meant he would have to make use of every asset he had to get rid of her. Or he could just knock her out and make a run for it. If he made it to the colonies no one would ever find him again.
Unless he wanted them to…
He'd want Relena to find him, but if she did so would Dorothy. Or worse… Zechs.
'If I give you Winner… Will you leave me alone?'
She grinned widely.
203. Agendum
'You gave him a second chance.' Quatre resumed what she had just said with a sceptical tone.
'Yes.'
'And you would give Dorothy a second chance too?'
'Yes, but no thirds.' Relena raised her finger with a serious frown. 'Not for Dorothy. Even though… Technically… I would never have met Heero if not for her.' Quatre was prepared to tell her that Heero didn't deserve third chances either when the thoughtful look on her face had his jaw snapping shut. 'You said you have a date with her. You should go. Give her a second chance too.'
'Well, I… Okay.'
