[A.N.] Hello and welcome to the beginning of the end of the beginning and the beginning of a new beginning. Xb There is much in store and i will warn you of some death and sadness in this chapter but hang in there. oh and BTW: we only own those whom we created. The G-Crew and the name Kit-Kat belongs to their repetitive companies. ENJOY!
~Vixen
The music blared through her wireless earbuds as Thia slowly worked through her warm up routine. Every pull, stretch, and loosening of her muscles; until she felt that familiar liquid state which meant she was ready; helped focus her mind. This was her sweet spot. The only zone she really could let loose in. This place was her private workout room in her condo. She'd personally had this room sound proofed and reinforced to withstand the best she could give. To any bystander it would look like somebody with money had simply over done it. None of them would realize it was all actually needed. Then again, only a handful of people would ever see this room.
Gracefully standing up she quickly removed her warm up jacket and placed it on the hook next to the door. Glancing up at the clock she knew she had enough time for her work out before Drizzie and Romeo showed up for Drizzie's self-defense session. She clenched her fist and had to slow her breathing to calm down as she thought about Romeo. She'd made sure to get in here early to work off the anger at the stunt he'd pulled, yet it was still going to be hard. She couldn't believe that he had messed with her schedule. However, a part of her understood why he had done it. Drizzie had told her everything when Thia had confronted her. She made sure to stress that he was doing it out a sense of protection but Thia still couldn't let it slide. He had messed with the schedule, and deceived her. He had lied to her.
Giving a final check to her wireless headphones, the throwing daggers on her hips and the stiletto at her back she pressed the start on the simulation machine. The music in her ears changed and became programmed into different settings that tied into the visual she was getting from her eye wear. It was an ingenious invention and she might share it one day with Preventer but right now it was all hers. The eye covers flashed before rendering a digital view that over lay with the actual equipment that would rotate and move around her to create different 'areas'. Nothing ever would hit back but if she didn't move out of the way she could end up getting zapped with electricity and while it wouldn't cause her any real harm, it was highly annoying.
In the back of her mind; as the program started and she quickly started moving around using the different throwing daggers to slice or stab; the choices of how she was going to deal with Romeo kept rotating over and over again. Every confrontation where she pretty much attacked him physically or verbally ended in major injury or the loss of a confidant. Neither was how she wanted this to end. The minutes ticked by as levels of difficulty increased and yet still no answer. Thia understood the reason behind Romeo's actions; she couldn't be mad about his motive. However, him lying to her still posed a problem. She hadn't handled the situation with Quatre very well in the last year. It had been a roller coaster and Romeo had taken the brunt of it. While Constance would remind her that she still was young, and no one expected her to be perfect, she couldn't use that as an excuse.
She had to be better than this. This meant she couldn't fly off the handle at him, but he still wasn't going to get a free pass. Too many people depended on her keeping her shit together and both Romeo and Drizzie aided her in that area. She threw her dagger at the next target extra hard. She hated all of these feelings messing up everything. She would never complain about having feelings but they really screwed with you. She had been confused and unaware of what was happening back when she was fifteen in the love triangle that had formed. She hated to call it that but it was the best term she could use to describe what had happened between Noin, Zechs, and herself. Had she been in love? She had no bloody idea, but the pain of lies had been real. She wished them the best of luck but she wasn't looking forward to having to see either of them again, ever. Even though she knew she would at some point.
Then in the middle of the world going to hell in a handbasket he'd crossed in front of her like a shiny new toy. There was something that about him; every time she'd interacted with Quatre she'd wanted to pounce just too see if he squeaked like one of Leila's cat toys. She hated this. She couldn't understand why she had become so fascinated with him, but she had, and-like he said-there was something between them.
It was a pull neither of them couldn't explain, and-if she were truthful-it was growing stronger. However, they were too intense. The thoughts that ran through her head when she saw him had her both excited and worried. McKella would say its natural and just a part of her wiring. Yet Thia knew it was something more. If people knew what she thought about sometimes it would have them calling her unnatural. Yet, this was her norm, and it wasn't going to change no matter how much better it would be for everyone else's sake if she was 'normal'.
The truth was, she was a freak in more ways than one, and the final 'lie' she had been telling herself had snapped when Quatre had played her. She hated to admit how much those stupid fairy tales Serene had used to tell Boy and her had really affected her. She'd always enjoyed the endings. The means to get there may have seemed stupid: the fact that the girls were always needed saving was simply unrealistic. However, there was a connection formed and the maiden and her handsome hero lived together forever. They had always had the look, or touch that made the characters know they were going to be together forever.
That's what she thought had happened and been looking for. Yet then it wasn't happily ever after; it was a stabbing pain. She hadn't handled those next couple of months well. She had wanted to rip every connection she found apart to show that they weren't real. On more than one occasion, Romeo had stepped in front of her to make her stop so she mentally hurt herself more as she wouldn't hurt him. She finally stopped and figured out how to deal with it.
Because of all of that it didn't surprise her that he had done what he did to her schedule. The fact she would have done the same thing for one of her friends was the main reason she was having such a hard time with this issue. She just kept getting caught on his lie. That afternoon, she had been ready to head back and he had stopped her saying he'd looked at her schedule and there was nothing there so why didn't she head out early? He'd even told her that Drizzie didn't need her. That she'd called and said she was heading home early. That was all a lie and she had believed him.
She had to be able to trust all those closest to her, and right now she didn't. She ripped the dagger out of the digital person/object in front of her and threw it at one across the room. She knew what Treize would tell her to do. 'Forgive him, Panther. He was protecting you in the only way he could think of. Albeit he handled it wrongly; this was for you and that's all you can ask of those closest to you.' He was right. Throwing her last dagger, she removed her stiletto from its sheath as more noise filtered into her ears signaling the last few minutes of the simulation. But the noise didn't cover up the memory of Mrs. Mckella's and Stephan's laughter at the situation:
"My Dear the situations you get into makes my life look unbelievably dull, and we bother know how exciting my life is. Don't we?" She asked as she smiled sweetly at her husband Stephan when Thia had gone over to deliver a Christmas gift and vent.
"Life here is a constant thrill ride, My Love." He joking responded.
"This isn't funny. He deceived me and lied to me in the process." Thia sat deathly still. She had just hours before she pulled the whole story from Drizzie and her blood was simmering.
"It is a little humorous." Mckella just smiled in response as she sipped her tea.
"Oh really? Would you be laughing if one of yours pulled this over on you?" Stephan's eyes widened slightly and Mckella raised one eye brow. Thia knew she had over stepped a line of etiquette and knew she'd spoken wrongly.
"Well that's a completely different issue, as you well know or should know." She sat down her cup. "If someone was 'yours' it would mean that rules and the proper punishment for breaking those rules would have already been discussed before being signed. However, Matthews is a friend, and friends have a completely different code of conduct. The first, being they can poke, tease, and if need be act for what they consider to be their friends' best interest. Even if they are wrong, they have the means to choose. We don't own our friends, and I'm very sure Matthews would never be one to be 'owned'." The teasing smile had returned at the end and Thia knew they were ok.
"You're right, but how do I deal with him then? Truthfully, I've never had a true friendship that hasn't ended in a blow up or one of us trying to kill each other." Thia held up her hand to keep them silent. "I have many people I have to be something for but never really just friends, pure friends. Serene is more of a sister to me and Relena is the only one other than Romeo, and that was only fixed recently from a previous blow-up." She looked off at one of the many pictures in the room. "I don't care if friends have a leeway. I can't have this happening again. I can't have this manipulation happening again, mostly not at work."
"There's your real issue. He was trying to protect you on a personal level at your professional level. Handle the issue of him messing with your schedule professionally and then deal with the personal friendship privately." Silence settled between them before Thia nodded in agreement.
"I'm still beyond mad at what he did but there's more, or I know I'd be able to let go this already. I understand the 'why' but I still want to remind him who I am."
"You're hurt. A friend did something and you have to decide if the issue is enough to lose the friendship or can you work through it." Stephan spoke calmly. "Welcome to life."
Everything shut down as she finished the simulation. For a moment, she was left in darkness with only the sound of her own heart beating for company. It wasn't worth letting this friendship go. The very thought had her cringing. No, he wouldn't be leaving, and she believed she was now calm enough to deal with him. However, this didn't mean he was off the hook.
He still had messed up and his repayment was going to be as Drizzie's practice dummy and her demonstration dummy. She liked the idea of that. He'd end up sore if she had anything to say about it, but not hurt. Things would be ok.
She removed the eyewear and retrieved all of her knives before returning the room to its righted state. The main wall was all mirrors in this state with a ballet bar while the other was filled with the usual work out equipment. Her reflection caught her attention and she paused for a moment. Memories came rushing through her mind as progress reports were presented to Dr. A and Dr. J. If she didn't meet the ever-changing goal she was punished. Either she was too skinny or too fat. Then there was a lack of muscle mass or she wasn't fast enough due to too much muscle on a five year old. It was constant weekly event. She was messed up from that time but luckily none of her issues had manifested bodily.
She'd topped out at around 5'7". She'd always wondered at her ethnicity for while she had normal features of a Caucasian there was a slight olive tone to her skin. Her hair; while a bother as a child had been kept relatively short; now was to her mid back when in a ponytail. It's rich dark chocolate/black color and dark blue eyes were always what she'd considered her best features. While her body was obviously female, in the correct clothing it wasn't hard to be passed off as male. She rotated in the mirror to look at her side profile and sighed. In the sports bra and over-laying black tank it hardly showed any shape on her chest to indicate female. Truthfully it was the skin tight work out leggings that showed she wasn't male due to the complete lack of a bulge. She had no doubt that Dekim had ordered her drugs to interfere with her physical development.
There were questions she had in regard to that issue, and while it might make her a coward she hadn't had any tests to see about it. She was almost sure Dr. San-Ju had run tests when she was younger but she hadn't asked him or Treize about them. Not that it mattered; friendships were hard enough to get right and she'd already had too many issues involving any type of feelings towards another person. Any type of emotional relationship was too much and too confusing. So why have them? Friendships were just fine and took enough of her time.
Returning all of her daggers and stiletto to their correct draws she opened up her training door. Leila meowed from her position on the floor in the hall. The annoyance at being locked out could be heard in that simple tone. Thia gently reached down and picked her up making sure to rub Leila's favorite spot behind the ears as Thia walked down the hall towards the front door. "I know, I know. Just wait until tomorrow. We leave for the villa and you'll be able to play with Toby for a couple weeks." Leila purred at that and pawed at Thia's face showing her pleasure at seeing her only animal friend. Even though Thia was very sure Toby wouldn't agree with the term 'friends'. "And now you're going to be able to watch Drizzie learn some self-defense while Romeo learns to not mess with my business." She sat Leila down when she reached the door and opened it for both Drizzie and Romeo who were already ready for the coming work-out.
When they were all back in the training room and Thia was leading Drizzie through some warm-ups Leila was perched up on her watching bed while trying to paw at Romeo every time he walked near. It was at the last moment he realized Leila had her claws out during each swipe.
"Why is Leila looking at me like I'm a mouse and she keeps trying to scratch me?" Romeo gave a worried look over at Thia and then to Drizzie and Thia responded.
"You know she only ever acts that way around people who are nervous or hiding something. Are you hiding anything Matthews?"
"No more than the usual person…" He answered as Thia smiled. Oh this was going to be fun.
Serene hefted her bags out of the car with ease, stepping out onto the fresh snow as it crunched beneath her feet. The villa hadn't changed a bit though she hadn't really expected it to. Romeo and Drizzie had picked her up at the airport shortly after the plane touched down. Due to having no family of their own they had been included in the exclusive family gathering; two new members of their ever-growing make-shift family. She had to hide her laughter as Romeo slowly removed his own bags trying his best to hide the wince as his stiff shoulder pained him. Drizzie had informed her that he had been used as a demonstration and practice partner for her self-defense lessons with Thia. Serene knew there was more not being told but it seemed everything was fine so she let it slide. She stood just outside the SUV and stared at her home sighing in relief, her breath coming out in puffs. From inside the house she could already hear Toby's anxious barks as he no doubt made a dash to the door. She suddenly found herself running to the door, snow flying behind her as she did so.
The moment the door opened, Toby jumped up onto her, almost knocking her down, his huge tongue lopping out of his mouth to assault her with kisses. She laughed and embraced her giant puppy before running to the living room and grabbing his favorite toy. She had missed him more than she thought possible. It was then that the smell of fresh-baked cookies and other holiday delectable treats reached her senses. She smiled. She was home.
"Fox-cub" She heard Treize say and immediately turned to see him standing in the doorway, a warm smile on his face. He was dressed the same as always in his robe and house-slippers. She returned his smile glad to see that some things really hadn't changed. She all but ran to him, wrapping her arms around him in a long-overdue embrace. "Welcome home." She let his familiar smell ease away her tension as only a father-figure could; cigars, fine wine and his musky cologne. He pulled back and looked at her, pride radiating from his eyes.
"How was your trip? Have you enjoyed your time at Julliard?" That was only the beginning of the home-comings and the in-depth updates.
Constance and Daniel were there with their two children. After smothering hugs and an impromptu session of twenty-questions from her mother figure, Serene wasted no time in enjoying the company of her surrogate siblings including a promise to go outside and build the first of many snowmen. In all the hustle and bustle of greetings and reunions, Serene couldn't help but notice the absence of her legal guardian.
"Where's Kit-Kat?" She asked Treize as he poured himself a mug of fresh coffee.
"She is in the hanger, I believe. She wanted to make sure there were no red-alerts to interrupt our Christmas." Serene sighed. 'Thiana Khushrenada' was not one to sit idle, but if anyone deserved to sit and enjoy the holiday it was Kit-Kat. Reminding her was the only issue. Serene wasted no time in making her way down to drag her friend up (kicking and screaming if need be) to enjoy the festivities.
Relena Peacecraft sighed and watched her breath puff out in a small cloud. Christmas at the Dorlan's had always been a time of celebration and joy. She had fond memories of sitting in front of the tree, snuggling with her father as she opened one gift at a time. She was never what would be called spoiled at Christmas but being the only child of a major politician she received more than her fair share. The older she got, the less her father had been there and the more presents she had received. As was the truth when she received her car, she would have just settled for her father's warm presence instead.
The thought of never having him there again briefly dampened her mood. She had promised her mother there would be no tears. They had agreed to make the occasion as happy and enjoyable as possible in honor of the man they lost and she had no intention of going back on her word. She heard the heels of her shoes making contact with the concrete of the drive as a few snowflakes drifted passed her. It was time to go inside and get some much needed cocoa with cinnamon and settle in next to the family room fireplace.
She walked into the entryway and placed her hat on the hanger, her gloves and scarf into the pocket of her coat and then hung it up as well. Usually the butler would be there to do so, but everyone that was not essential to keeping the estate running had been given much needed time off with their families for Christmas. Pagen had been no exception. While he was considered more than part of the family, Mrs. Dorlan had found it necessary to send the elderly man home to see his family. It would virtually be just her and her mother and that was just fine with her.
"Relena!" Mrs. Dorlan came down the stairs, gracefully dressed in simple slim-lined dress pants and a festive but tasteful shirt of red and green. She quickly found herself in a maternal embrace and melted into it. She hadn't realized how long it had been since someone had hugged her. She and Kelvin had a good relationship but full embraces were not really part of their usual behavior. Her mother held nothing back with this hug and Relena realized for the first time just how much she'd missed her.
"Mother…" She closed her eyes and let the familiar smells of her home and her mother's best perfume overwhelm her.
"Welcome home, sweetheart." Home. Her mansion back in Cinq was home but only in a superficial sense. The empty halls and large rooms left much to be desired. Here, there was holly and garland, lights and mistletoe added to the warmth of the memories from holidays past.
"How was your trip? I want to hear everything about what you've been doing lately."
"There's not really much to tell." She began. "The Merger of ALPHA Corp. and Preventer have been going smoother than expected and with Quatre and I sharing the responsibility of Foreign Minister my work-load has been cut in half."
"I'm so glad. Now, where is that young man of yours? I had the staff air-out a third room and prepare a special dinner." Relena felt guilt hit her.
"He won't be here, remember, mother? I called and told you. He's not going to be joining us. He had a meeting in the colonies he couldn't get out of."
"Oh, you did, didn't you? Well, what a shame! The cook prepared enough food for three."
"He wanted you to know how disappointed he was, but he couldn't reschedule no matter how hard he tried."
"Darling, I remember how it was with your father. Men of business and politics are hard to pin down for special occasions. Of course, the same could be said for my own daughter. How long has it been?" Relena felt a healthy dose of guilt hit her in the pit of her stomach.
"Mother…"
"Oh, Relena, I'm teasing. It isn't easy babysitting a room full of stubborn old men. You've had your work cut out for you." Relena smiled, letting out a breath at the same time that she hadn't known she'd been holding. "I'm sorry, dear, I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I just had to give you a bit of a hard time."
"I know." She finally said.
"However, the absence of your man presents a problem. We still have food for three and only two of us to eat it." Before Relena could respond, her mother turned to the shadow following the two of them. "I know, your wonderful body-guard can join us! I'm sure he'd enjoy a good holiday meal?"
"Well, I can't speak for him…"
"Then, don't." She turned to him. "Heero-yes I know your name-would you like to join us for dinner?" Relena watched Heero who looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Relena rarely saw Heero nervous, but the sudden attention from her mother obviously had him taken aback. "Say you will, young man, please? It will be so lonely with just the two of us." Heero looked from her mother to her and then to the ground before nodding his head. "Wonderful! I'll tell the kitchen its time and we can get started!" Relena stared after her mother. Her mother was trying hard, too hard, but for what she wasn't sure.
She wasted no time inviting Heero to the table. It was in her mother's nature to be hospitable but this was a little over the top. She couldn't help but smile, however, when she saw the look on Heero's face as her mother took him by the arm and led him into the dining room. For a moment, the look of the two of them setting down to dinner, knowing that the three of them were spending Christmas together felt so right. However, the reason for him joining them and she went reeling back into reality. For a moment her face burned with fury at her own foolishness. This was it; the final moment. With the New Year approaching it was time to grow up. With new resolve, she walked to the table and smiled politely.
"Excuse me, mother, but I forgot to call Kelvin and inform him that I arrived here safely. I know he must be missing me as much as I miss him."
"Oh… well, of course dear. Just don't be too long or it will get cold and I had the cook make your favorites." Relena nodded, careful not to look at her long-time guard.
Noin placed the plateful of store-bought gingerbread cookies on the living room ottoman. Fresh eggs and other earth-found ingredients had yet to be mastered on Mars so the pre-packaged kind would have to do. She paused in thought, watching her husband and placed a gentle hand on her slightly swollen belly. Zechs was hanging the stockings by their faux-fireplace while an added kick in his step. Since finding out he was going to be a father his attitude had changed for the better. There was a spark that had returned to his eyes that made him once more resemble the spirited man she'd fallen in love with so many years ago. He and so many of their Preventer comrades had been worried of late at the lack of fires around the Earth-Sphere. In fact, there had been nothing really to raise any alarms at all. She wasn't one to complain about the lack of violence, but with the way things had been previous to the lull, something should have happened. She winced as the sound of a hammer striking a nail into the mantle echoed in their small apartment bringing her attention back to Zechs.
"For the new arrival." He smiled with paternal pride in answer to the inquisitive look she cast him. "We'll need another stocking next year."
"Two actually." This time, it was her husband's turn to pause. He hadn't been able to go to the last ultrasound with her due to internal affairs, but the results had shown that she was in fact carrying twins. She had thought it a little odd that her stomach had grown so quickly. She wondered, however, whether or not pink or blue would be the necessary colors for the new stockings. Red was always a safe bet sticking to the traditional style. Zechs walked over and lovingly touched her belly with one hand and caressed her cheek with the other.
"I love you." He had begun to say it more frequently; not that she would ever complain. It has taken her years to get him to truly open up to her.
"I hope so." She smiled. "Because I'm going to need to remember that when I push out your two children." She teased him and he leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Yes, their life was busy and complicated. Yes, starting a family was a big-and scary-step. However, in spite of the challenges they faced, together the Lightning Count and his trusted wife and comrade would handle it.
"Merry Christmas." He knelt down and kissed her belly gently before snatching a cookie off the plate and settling down on the couch. She joined him, cuddling close as they turned on the television to take advantage of the plethora of holiday programming.
Serene rode the elevator down into the hanger. She couldn't help herself as her eyes drifted over towards the gundams standing silently along the one wall, or at the moment the gundam on the far wall. A shiver ran down her back and while she felt it seeming to call to her when the elevator stopped she quickly walked towards the office.
"Knock, Knock…" Serene spoke as she stepped into the room. It had only been five months but Kit-Kat had seemed to change. She seemed older, more in control of herself. Yet in this moment away from everyone else in her faded skinny jeans, fuzzy slippers, an over stretched wide neck sweatshirt that said 'I believe in Santa Clause' Serene was reminded of the girl she'd met on her first night at the base. Serene saw Alpha for brief moment before Kit-Kat turned and smiled.
"Welcome back Serene." Thia held out a bag full of little chocolate pieces. "Kit-Kat?"
"But these are small things?"
"I know! They're mini pieces and come in a bag. I love them." The cheeky smile shown through the brief memories of Alpha. Serene had never ever thought of her friend as Alpha. So why had she now?
"Was the flight good?"
"Yep." Serene answered as she took a handful of the candies before sitting down in an extra chair.
"Good, that's good." Kit-Kat turned her head back towards her computer and once again Serene saw Alpha looking through.
"What's up?" Serene asked realizing something was wrong.
"Nothing…absolutely nothing…"
"Nothing?"
"It's quite out there. No flares, no issues, no whispers…" Kit-Kat sat back sighing as she turned off the screen.
"That's not normal…" As much as she hated to admit it, she understood the older girls concern. No news was not always good news, especially not for them.
"No it's not. I have a really bad feeling. Something is going to happen soon and it's going to be personal."
"To you?" Serene leaned forward and inspected the data, the blinking lights on the board showing no signs of trouble.
"No, I don't think so but it's going to be close."
"Relena." While it had meant to be a question it had come out as a statement.
"I think so but I don't know. There's not enough to go on. I can't send a feeling in as a warning." Kit-Kat rubbed her eyes before directing her full attention on Serene.
"You could to Boy… He would understand…" A pause settled before Kit-Kat spoke while nodding
"You're right. I could… I'll send a message." She stated as she was already writing up a memo to get sent instantly to Boy. A silence settled between them; both thinking of the possible outcomes of this strange lull.
"I came down to bring you up to the party." Serene finally said.
"Of course you did." Kit-Kat smiled. "You just don't want to have to deal with everyone on your own."
"Maybe…" Serene smiled in response. "Or it could be the fact that even Thiana Khushrenada deserves a break." They both laughed at that as they rose and moved out of the office back to the elevator.
"It's only been five months but you've changed Serene. I really believe New York has been good for you…" Kit-Kat said softly as they rose out from the hanger back into the villa.
"It has been good. Really good…" Her mind went to the new friend she's made and all the sights and experiences she'd seen and had.
"I'm glad. Now let's go steal some of Constance's cookies. She hasn't let me have single one. Not until everyone got here."
"And that stopped you?"
"Have you ever had to deal with one of her glares?" They stared at one another in understanding before bursting into uncontrollable laughter as they rode the elevator back up.
Relena smelled the fresh crisp winter air as she walked down the sidewalks of the local downtown. She and her parents would go together to the small bistro every time they could steal away to do so and buy a biscotti and espresso, or (for her) tea. Heero flanked her around every corner still stewing because she had refused to take the car. It wasn't as cold today as it was when they first arrived and she thought it would be nice to walk the streets looking at the lights and decorations. Yet something had Heero on edge. She had wanted her mother to come with them but she had insisted they go without her because she had some last-minute presents to wrap. Relena had raised a brow at her mother's insistence about the local shop owners wanting to see her after such a long time. Relena made the mental note to pick her mother up her favorite drink and sweet while she was out to make up for her absence.
With the drinks and sweet treats procured, they began to make their way back towards the mansion when the honking of a horn caught their attention. Heero instinctively pushed her behind him and reached for his gun, but stopped when the vehicle's occupant stepped out.
"Darling!" Kelvin called as he made his way over to her.
"Kelvin! What are you doing here?" He hugged his arms tightly around her and picked her up, twirling her around as though she weighed nothing. She was almost surprised by how much she genuinely was happy to see him.
"The meeting was rescheduled at the last minute. The CEO that ordered it caught the flu and so we were all given a free pass. I cashed in my hotel deposit and hopped the first flight here."
"Mother will be thrilled!"
"Just your mother?" He asked, pulling back to look at her.
"Of course I am too, silly." He took her hands in his and smiled.
"I'm glad." He gestured to his car. "Shall I give you a lift, m'lady?" She blushed a little as he gave a gallant bow.
"Well, I had a few more errands to run but I suppose I can do them tomorrow with mother."
"Splendid!" He opened the door. "Ladies first." She smiled and entered the limo with Kelvin following close behind. She saw Heero take his usual protective spot in the front with the driver before the car made its way back to mansion. Heero grabbed the packages out of the trunk as she and Kelvin made their way inside.
"Mother! We're back!" Relena pulled off her gloves and coat, hanging them in the entryway before proceeding into the foyer. "You'll never guess who made it!" When she received no answer, she continued into the drawing room which was where her mother usually spent her free time. She froze when the weak sound of a groan reached her. Her heart leapt into her throat and she dashed towards the noise, her heart breaking at the sight before her.
Lying on the ground, splayed across the rug was her mother, body jerking from a possible seizure.
"MOTHER!" She ran forward, scooping her mother into her arms, tears beginning to pool in her eyes. "Mother, look at me. I'm right here. I'll get you help and you'll be just fine, you'll see!" Relena's eyes locked with her mother's, fear, regret and sadness staring up at her.
"Re… I… L... I Love… Don't… cr… cry…" Mrs. Dorlan's voice was now a weak whisper. "So…s…sorry…" Relena watched in horror as her mother's eyes slowly rolled back and then closed, her breath stilling. Relena vaguely heard Kelvin on the phone calling for help before Heero pushed his way in.
"Mother… mother, listen to me… mother… help is on the way!"
"Relena…" She felt a hand on her shoulder. "She's gone." Heero's voice was stern but sympathetic.
"No…" Kelvin knelt next to her, wrapping her into his arms, careful not to jar her mother's lifeless body. Relena heard her boyfriend speaking to her, could feel his hands on her back but none of it made sense. She felt herself slowly going numb as the sound of the bells from the chapel down the road rang out the countdown to Christmas morning.
Serene and Kit-Kat were tucked into their blanket fort by the Christmas tree, their two additional companions snuggled close by. Drizzie and Amy had wanted so badly to join the two of them in their newly minted tradition of sleeping by the tree that the formation of the fort was more than warranted. Tommy had been invited to join them, but upon hearing Matthews declare his desire to stay back and protect the "little women" by keeping watch, Tommy had decided he would play sentinel too, grabbing his wooden popgun he'd received as an early Christmas present from Kit-Kat. Adorned in his cartoon pajamas and snow boots he was about as scary as a kitten but obviously felt like a tiger. He had become Matthew's little buddy; following the soldier almost everywhere and mimicking everything Kit-Kat's guard did. Kit-Kat had joked that he had found a Mini-Matthews which settled just fine with him. Neither Matthew nor Drizzie had any family, so their induction into the ever-growing group had been more than welcomed.
Kit-Kat's cat had wasted no time curling up on one of the pillows closest to the underside of the tree. Toby, too, had wanted in on the action and edged himself somehow betwixt Serene and Amy, putting his rear-end defiantly next to Leila. Serene had received quite a good laugh from the reunion of her over-sized puppy and the feline that had grown quite a bit since last they'd last met. If she were to be honest, Tommy, Amy, Toby and Leila had all grown more than she'd realized in the short time that they'd all been apart.
Kit-Kat read The Night Before Christmas and Drizzie followed that up with The Grinch Who Stole Christmas both holiday classics becoming increasingly funny as Matthew's decided to act some of each out in a one-man-show getting laughs from everyone including Kit-Kat who hid hers behind a smirk. It was as they toasted the midnight hour that Kit-Kat received a call on her ever-present cell phone.
"Thiana." There was a pause and Serene could tell that whoever the call was from the news wasn't good. "When? How is she? I see. Yes, I will. Goodbye." Serene stared at her friend. Kit-Kat locked eyes with her. "Serene, come with me." Without a word from anyone Serene rose from her spot, following her guardian to the other room.
"What happened?" Serene studied the older girl as she began to rummage through her office desk.
"There has been an unfortunate development regarding the Dorlans."
"Is Relena okay?" Concern for her elder half-sister rose fast.
"Yes and no," Serene stared at her friend. "Heero called me." She felt her breath catch in her throat. "Relena's mother is dead." The words took a minute to set in. Relena's adopted mother, the woman who raised her, had just died. Had Relena been alone? Had it been quick? She fought back the mental panic she began to feel as the memory of her own mother's death threatened to come to mind.
"How?" She asked, unable to get anything else out.
"They don't know yet. They suspect a heart attack."
"Kit-Kat…" There had been a tone in the older girl's voice; one of guilt.
"Mrs. Dorlan was a healthy woman in her forties. This was no accident."
"You suspect assassination?" Serene stated. Kit-Kat nodded gravely. "This isn't your fault."
"Isn't it?"
"No." Serene stepped forward. "You had no more way of knowing than I did. No one can prevent everything, Kit-Kat. Not even us."
"Maybe not," She began, accessing her mobile alert system on her phone. "However, this means that there is something I could have missed; a bigger piece of the puzzle that I missed somehow."
"Whatever it is, we'll find out together."
"No, you're going back to school, remember?"
"But Kit-Kat, I…"
"This could be just a coincidence or s tip-off to something more. In either case, I have people who I pay to handle it. You just worry about you." Serene took in her friend's words. She had a point. ALPHA had more resources and staff at their disposal across the whole Earth-Sphere Nation. If something had happened it wouldn't take them long to find out.
"Everything is changing, isn't it?"
"I think so. I have had a feeling for a while that something is going to happen: something big. Not today or tomorrow, but soon and we'll need to be ready for it."
"When and if the time comes, you know I'm with you all the way." Kit-Kat looked at her, gratitude in her deep black-blue orbs. The sound of the grandfather clock chiming the midnight hour broke through the silence and interrupted their trains of thought. With every chime the two girls became more aware of the passage of time.
"I've got to leave. I need to go and see if there's anything I can do. I know she hasn't asked for me, but I have too."
"Of course you do. I would go with you but that would be strange wouldn't it?" Serene asked not knowing if she really wanted to go. Relena was her sister-a fact the older girl was not aware of-and beyond the occasional meeting they hardly knew each other.
"No, stay here and enjoy Christmas. You'll be leaving soon and gone for a longer period of time. Amy and Tommy really miss you." Kit-Kat was already pulling items form her desk into her carry one.
"I'll be ready to leave in twenty minutes. I've already called ahead to the airport and rented a private airplane to get you to Relena's Mother's house faster." Romeo's voice broke through the silence.
"Matthews…" Kit-Kat started.
"No, you'll need me there as head of your security. Also I might be of some help." Serene watched the interaction and was thankful that he was going to be going also.
Forty minutes later the two were driving away from the villa. Kit-Kat had informed Treize of the issue and he would handle everyone in the morning. Serene knew she wouldn't be getting any sleep but she still went a laid down in the living room listening to the quiet breathing of sleeping children. Drizzie lying next to her gently squeezed her shoulder in comfort before turning over and going to sleep.
Heero stood by the door and glanced out the window. The paparazzi had already made their way to the front door and simply would not take 'no' for an answer. Any other day Relena might have addressed them with a simple statement. Today, however, the young politician sat on the couch of the study, a delicate statue of grief, staring at the spot where her mother had lain hours before. His arms ached to hold her; to force out the rest of the tears he knew she was keeping locked inside. He watched as the bumbling boyfriend tried his best to coax some sort of response from her. It wouldn't work. Relena was the kind that needed direct action in times of intense stress. He knew Thiana would be arriving soon. Relena would need the support of her best friend during this dark time.
As if summoned by his thoughts, he heard the doors open, the roar of the press echoing down the corridors as Matthew's held back the vultures of the journalistic profession. Thia wasted no time in walking into the study, snow still on her boots and jacket as she made her way over to the crestfallen princess.
"Relena, I came as soon as I could."
"Thia? What are you doing here?"
"I thought you could use a friend."
"I'm doing just fine."
"You don't look 'fine'. You look exhausted. Have you eaten anything?"
"I said I'm fine, Thia." The tone in Relena's voice was one Heero had rarely heard: collected but with an underlying iciness that would freeze anyone less persistent.
"Relena, you have been through a traumatic event. You need to eat and rest. It's what your mother would want."
"How dare you tell me what I need! How dare you presume to know what my mother would want me to do! You didn't know her!" Heero watched as Relena rose to her feet and stalked over to the window. "I think you should leave, Thiana. Go back to your Christmas celebration. I will be fine." With those words, Relena left the room. Heero saw Thia's posture change, obviously hurt by her friend's rejection. As Thia began to make an attempt to follow her friend, Kelvin stepped in front of her.
"We appreciate your intentions, Miss Khushrenada, however, I think Relena would prefer to spend this time with those that are closest to her." Heero thought he heard veiled venom in Kelvin's voice. He knew Kelvin didn't like her and part of him hoped he was looking out for Relena in his own way. The hurt, however, on Thia's face spoke volumes.
"Very well; I'll go, but if Relena needs me or anything, you need only call." Thiana left the room to make her way out.
"You too, Captain Yuy. I think Relena needs as few people in the room as possible right now. The security room should be enough to do your job." Kelven went to follow Relena leaving Heero by himself. Heero felt the urge to punch the other man but stifled it. He had no right to try and comfort Relena, however, Thiana deserved some explanation. He walked to the door, knowing full-well that she hadn't left yet.
He found Thiana by the door putting her gloves and hat back on, her face expressionless.
"How is she really doing?" Thiana asked, turning to him.
"She is strong, but I have never seen her like this."
"She needs to deal with her pain, not lock it away." A silence settled. He had always had a strange feeling around Thiana that made his wary of her. Whatever his feelings though, she did care about the former princess and that made her an ally.
"I feel helpless." He didn't know why he told her that. He didn't even want to admit it to himself. Thiana focused her black-blue eyes on him and for a moment he felt a strange sense of déjà vu. The look made feelings locked away from his past resurface for a second and he felt unsteady but quickly pushed it all to the side.
"Just be there for her in any way you can. She is hurting more than she will ever admit and she will try to remain strong. She will need the strength of all of those that care about her no matter what she says or does." Heero nodded. "I should go." She turned one last time to leave, but paused and offered him a sad, but genuine smile that warmed and chilled him at the same time. "Merry Christmas, Boy." With those few words, she was gone following her guard Matthews out through the press and flashing cameras as they were no doubt speculating at her extremely short visit. Yet he had more to ponder; her words made him yearn for something unknown. A headache instantly started to bloom in the middle of his head sending tendrils of electricity in all directions. A sigh left him as he rubbed the back of neck before he started an inner sweep to see if they had missed a clue earlier as he began to wait for the fallout from this Yule-Tide disaster.
