Family
Chapter 49: Consequences of Dream, Ecstasy
Author's note: Previously on Family, Fate has been busy with preparing for her new music album. It was Fate's birthday party but Heero showed up late due to a work emergency. The couple still manage to spend Fate's birthday together. Heero came to support Fate as she films one of her music videos. She showed Heero the edited music video but flinched at his touch when they try to get more intimate with each other, putting a damper on the mood.
This chapter will be broken down into shorter chapters, this will allow me to elaborate more on the different characters in the story. Thank you for reading this story and I hope that you will continue to support it. Please read and review, NO FLAMERS! Pairing: HeeroXOC
Chapter 49.1: Consequences of Dream
After Colony 203, 3rd November
Colony L1, VLA, Heero's Penthouse
Night time, 8pm
Fate's new album was released in the first week of October. There were a lot of mixed reviews about it. Some liked the change in style that Fate is attempting, some rather she stuck with her old styles. But all of her new music videos were extremely popular and topped the music video charts. The songs in her new album topped the charts in two days after its official release. Fate has been really busy ever since her album's release. She was going around promoting her new album, through talk or music shows, promotional campaign, fan meet and greet, album signing etc. Her face was also everywhere on the billboards, LED screens and television through her album's advertisement. People were constantly taking photos of her and uploading them onto the internet and social media.
Fate even danced exactly like the music videos in her live events and that earned a lot of positive response. As it wasn't easy to dance fast in high heels and sing at the same time. Fate also accepted interviews hence her photos were in magazines as well. Heero watched a short clip of her interview on a talk show when he walked past his army base's cafeteria once. They did ask Fate about her inspiration for the album and naturally about Heero. Fate was surprising frank about her where the source of her inspiration came from, admitting about the nightmares from the fear gas. But she did not go into specific on which song or music video was about her nightmare. They asked Fate about Heero's reaction to this new change in her. Fate had laughed and said that Heero was surprised at the start but is supportive of her music career, which was true.
They have not met each other for a while as she's too busy with work and Heero decided to let her rest at night as well. For her schedule was filled to the brim with promotional activities. They still text each other every now and then. He congratulated her whenever her new album topped the charts in anything or when its sales were even better than her last album's sale. Technically he saw her everywhere just that they weren't in person. For her photos was everywhere and videos of her were also being broadcast constantly.
He remembered having a drink with his best friends at his penthouse recently. Even his best friends were talking about her new album. Quatre was happy for Fate that the album is doing really well. Quatre has joined forces with Felicia to do charity works for the less fortunate. There was no specific group that they work for, but it was good that he was on board as Felicia was looking for a partner for some time now. Naturally, the paparazzi were creating gossip out of nothing but Heero will keep an eye on them for he will not allow anyone to bring his best friend and his younger sister down. Quatre seemed to be doing well which was good. Duo is in bliss every day, joking and laughing more than usual probably due to Hilde's sake. Trowa was his usual self while Wufei was stressed due to all of his new responsibilities at work. But life was a constant normal which was a good thing for all of them.
As for him and Fate… He knew that he shouldn't push her, but he was afraid that one day he might reach his limits too. He drove back to his penthouse and got out of his car. He locked his car with a click of a button and took the lift up to his penthouse. Heero has a few plans to make on a few complicated missions hence it was going to be another sleepless night. His army work has settled down, they have trained enough people to cover the missions needed. His soldiers are all loyal to him and are no longer causing issues. They respect Lionel too while Heero is constantly challenging Lionel to improve him. He opened the door to his penthouse and is greeted by Rolland.
"Welcome back Master Heero." Rolland greeted.
Heero nodded, taking off his military coat and tie before handling them to Rolland. That's when he saw another pair of shoes that obviously belong to a woman. He immediately looked at Rolland in question.
"Welcome back, Heero."
His unvoiced question was answered when he saw Fate. She smiled up at him, but her smile fell when Heero narrowed his eyes at Rolland.
"I did call you to inform you of the matter, but your phone was switched off." Rolland explained.
"You could try my emergency phone." Heero muttered.
"This did not seem like an emergency." Rolland pointed out.
"It's not Rolland's fault, I barged in this time ignoring him. He would have to remove me forcefully if he wanted me to leave as according to your orders." Fate said in Rolland's defence.
He turned to glare at Fate instead, she knows that she's not supposed to be here. He doesn't want her fear to resurface again, even if she claims that she's fine with it. His glare didn't work on her.
"Why are you here Fate?" He asked.
"I came to see you." Fate replied.
Heero stepped into his penthouse and dragged Fate away so that they can have a private conversation, but Fate stopped him.
"Wait, your dinner will get cold."
"I'm not in the mood to eat." Heero muttered.
"But I made it especially for you."
Heero was silent as she looked sadly at him. It then dawned on him what was going on.
"You cooked dinner for me?" He asked.
"Yes."
"Without telling me that you will be coming or dropping by?" Heero asked.
"It won't be a surprise if you knew."
"Aren't you busy with your promotional activities?" Heero asked.
"I am but I… missed you." She whispered.
Heero wasn't sure how to react, but then he sighed and dismissed Rolland. Rolland bowed to them and left to return to his duties. Heero went into the dining room to see that Fate had indeed prepared dinner for him.
"You didn't even know I was coming back at all." Heero said.
"I made a rough guess, I started cooking late so I guess the timing was just right." Fate told him.
"Have you eaten?" He asked.
"A little but I can join you."
Two of them sat down to have a really late dinner. Fate had cooked Japanese food for him this time round. The food was delicious, and he thanked her for her effort. She smiled at him as they continued their dinner.
"Have you calmed down?" She asked him.
"Not really, I am keeping you out for your own good." Heero said.
"I am aware of that but like I said I'm okay now. My presence here should prove as much." Fate said.
"Your album is doing well." Heero said.
"I know, even I was surprised."
"Aren't you pushing yourself too hard with so many activities each day?" Heero asked.
"Kimberly feels that it's necessary that I prove my talent through live shows and performances. In case they doubt my ability as a dancer. But I do have to wear rather short dresses to show my legs." Fate said.
Heero raised an eyebrow at her.
"Anyway, so far it's been great. My fans seem to like the new album as well." Fate said.
He nodded and continued eating in silence.
"I heard about Quatre joining Felicia to be her partner." Fate said.
"She needed another rich person who has the same passion as her and that happened to be Quatre." Heero said.
"You don't think that the two of them…"
"There is a possibility, but I will protect both of them should it happen. Especially if Dorothy tries anything." Heero said.
Fate smiled; she seldom sees this protective side of Heero.
"I heard about Lady Une's pregnancy." She told him.
"How did you find out?" Heero asked as it was something that was still kept private for now.
"Mariemaia told me." Fate told him.
"You kept in contact with her?" Heero asked.
"Occasionally, she liked my new album too." Fate informed him.
Heero had no idea that the two of them kept in contact with each other.
"What was her reaction to the news?" Heero asked her.
Fate is aware that Heero is probably worried that Mariemaia won't take the news well and will try to run away from home again. Fate looked down at the dish in front of her.
"She's stronger than you think Heero. I'm sure she too will learn to protect her new brother or sister." Fate said.
Their eyes met and Heero was at least relieved that Mariemaia isn't against the good news. Then again, he hadn't expected Lady Une to be an actual mother so soon after getting married. But it was good news, it showed that indeed all of them were moving on with their normal lives after the war. Maybe all of them were except him, for he wasn't truly normal like them.
"You seem sad." She whispered.
He didn't reply but chose to continue eating in silence. He was happy to eat Fate's cooking again. After their late dinner, Fate was washing up the dishes. Heero wanted to help out but Fate chased him away from the kitchen saying it's only natural for the person who cooked to clean up. He returned to his room and took a bath before he changed to a new suit. He went down the stairs to find that Fate was finishing with the clean-up. He walked over and hugged her from behind, taking her by surprise.
"Heero?" She asked softly.
Heero didn't speak, slightly afraid of telling her his true feelings. But he did miss her in this past month when they couldn't see each other face to face. He knows that her career is important to her hence he doesn't stop her from pursuing it. Even if it meant they will see lesser of each other. Fate pats his hand gently as if telling him to let her go. He released her and watched as she kept the last plate in the kitchen cupboards. Then she turned and smiled at him.
"I was unsure of how to face you, after what happened the last time we met." She told him softly.
He knew what she was talking about, but it was always going to be an issue between them until she's ready. He sighed and poked her gently in her cheek, taking her by surprise.
"Heero?" She asked as she blinked her eyes at him.
"With or without sex, you are still my girlfriend and the only woman I love." Heero declared.
She relaxed and smiled at his words.
"You are really cool when you are assuring me." Fate remarked.
"I'm an ice man, of course I'm cool." Heero said.
Fate broke into a laugh instead as Heero had said that with his usual emotionless and stiff face even though he was joking with her. She then reached out and pinched his cheeks. He merely raised an eyebrow at her for doing that.
"Smile when you are trying to make a joke." Fate said, pushing his cheeks upwards so that he was smiling.
"See that's much better." Fate said.
Heero freed himself from her hold and hugged her close to him. She smiled and hugged him back as well.
"I missed you." She admits.
"Me too." Heero said, happy that she said it first so he can echo it easily.
The broke the hug before they kissed passionately. He kept on changing angles and deepening his kisses while holding her so close to him. She clung tightly to him as they continued kissing. She wants more of him too but is afraid of how she will react to it. They finally stopped kissing and both parted as they needed air. She smiled up at him while he kissed her on her forehead.
"I will send you home." Heero told her.
"I was thinking to stay over here tonight."
She was met with silence and she wondered if she should have phrased it properly.
"I mean…" She rushed to explain.
"Your room will be more comfortable instead." Heero told her.
"What do you mean?" She asked him.
"I can't relax with you here as I'm constantly worried that your fear will be triggered again." Heero told her.
"But I'm not afraid of your room anymore." Fate told him.
"Still, I… don't want to risk it."
She nodded, knowing that fighting over such things was unnecessary.
Night Time, Moonstone Mansion
Heero drove her back to Moonstone Mansion, he dropped her off first before he parked his car. Fate went to her room and took a bath before she wondered what she should wear. She shouldn't wear a too revealing lingerie since it will only torture Heero, for he will be turned on but won't be able to have sex with her. She picked a simple nightgown and wore that. Fate took in a deep breath and lets it out to calm herself down. She will need to learn to be comfortable in front of Heero in such lingerie. Though she does have racy lingerie which were usually gifts from lingerie designers, although Fate had never modelled lingerie for anyone before. She opened the door to her room and saw that Heero was talking on the phone. He said a few words before hanging up when he noticed her.
"Was it from work?" Fate asked.
"No, I was merely informing Rolland I won't be back tonight." Heero told her.
It sounded like a usual courtesy call that Heero makes to inform Rolland of his plans. He did notice that she wasn't wearing her jacket like she usually did.
"Fate."
"I want to get used to not wearing my jacket in front of you." Fate declared.
Their eyes met before Heero gave a nod of acknowledgement. She smiled that he had accepted her resolve in this. With that Heero got ready for bed as she sets her alarm on Meteor. Tomorrow was another packed day of promotional activities. She switched on the lamp on the side table. Then she switched off the lights in her room before getting into bed. Heero came out of her bathroom and joined her in bed. She instantly shifted over to hug him. Heero stroked her back gently and Fate felt her eyelids closing. She always hugs him tightly in her sleep, like a koala bear. He was her tree for he never moves in his sleep. Sometimes she wondered if he got used to that by sleeping in small spaces. Nevertheless, Heero hadn't complained about her hugging him in her sleep.
"Goodnight, Fate."
"Night." She whispered and soon she dozed off.
In the middle of the night Fate wondered if she was having a rather odd dream. As she felt that her body was getting really warm. Was the air conditioner not working properly? Maybe she should get Killian to call a repairman. She also felt that someone was touching her gently, but she didn't know if she was dreaming or not. There was a soft touch on her stomach, shifting lower. She felt a light stroke on her thigh. The gentle touches continued, and she felt her body growing hotter under those touches. She seemed to be responding to them, she wasn't sure. The caresses on her body were still gentle but increasing in frequencies. She felt pleasure from these caresses and arched her back as if she wanted more. Her body was really heating up and she was more aware of the increase in pressure of the caresses on her thighs. More, she wanted more of it.
"More…" She moaned softly.
She didn't really get more, and she moaned as if in protest. But then she felt a kiss on her neck and that sent shivers down her neck. The short kisses continued down her neck as the caresses on her thighs started to intensify. Yes, she wanted this, the pleasure from these actions was shooting right to her core. Oh, could it be that she was turned on by these touches?
"Open your legs." She heard his voice whispered into her ear.
She did as he asked and moaned as she felt him caressing her inner thighs. Yes… oh, it feels so good… Her entire body was so hot, she felt that she will burst like a volcano from the heat sent by those caressing touches. His touches were so close to where it ached. Her core was getting wetter with anticipation of what was to come as well as from the pleasure his touches brought. His hands were so close yet not really touching her there. More, she needed more.
"More… Please…" She whispered.
The kiss on her neck and movement on her thighs stopped almost immediately, causing her to groan in disappointment.
"Anymore and I won't be able to stop, Fate." She heard his voice in her ear, but she wasn't sure if she was in the middle of a dream of if it was real.
It sounded like Heero, but surely, he won't touch her like this when she's sleeping right. Yes, he is such a gentleman to her, this is probably a dream based on her love of Heero. Though she had never had an erotic dream of him before. Sure, she had dreamt of being his girlfriend, of them kissing each other but never one like this. She turned so that she was facing him and embraced him.
"Please be gentle with me." She whispered to him, giving him the permission.
He immediately kissed her passionately and she moaned against his kisses, kissing him back just as passionately. Oh Heero, she wants more of him. Her entire body was still hot from his caresses and she arched to meet his kisses. He bit on her lower lip gently and she gasped in pleasure before he continued to kiss her. His warm tongue slipped in to touch hers and their tongues duelled to get more of each other. Heero changed his angle of his kisses constantly, deepening each kiss and she met him with as much passion in her kisses. She wanted him; she was burning for more of him.
"Heero." She moaned between kisses.
His hands caressed her thighs again as his lips continued to kiss her deeply. She opened her legs for him as in artless invitation. Her core was aching for his touch and she knows that he's aware of her need. Her breasts ache for his touch on them too, her nipples have hardened to a hard point. His lips left hers and trailed down her neck. She moaned at the sensation of his kisses. He was moving downwards, and she felt him remove the strap of her nightgown to plant a kiss on her bare shoulder.
"Heero…." She whispered.
He then shifted closer to her neck and her body jumped suddenly at the sensation of him nipping her lightly there. She felt him pull her closer to him, but she wasn't entirely sure what happened after that as she seemed to have continued sleeping.
The next day, 4th November
Moonstone Mansion
Morning, 7am
Fate's eyes fluttered open slowly and she knows she's still in her own room. The bed was comfortable, and she didn't want to wake up, but Meteor's alarm was ringing loudly. She reached out to feel for Meteor, to want to turn it off but the ringing alarm stopped. She was still a little drowsy as she just woke up, she felt around her and knew that Heero was already gone. But then she felt someone kiss her on her forehead and she looked at the person sleepily.
"Wake up Fate, it's morning."
Oh, he's still around. She slowly sat up on the bed, still disorientated. She noticed that she was still in her nightgown, unlike in her dream. Dream? She suddenly remembered the erotic dream she had of Heero last night. Immediately she was wide awake and her face blushed red.
"What's wrong? Your face is flushed." Heero asked.
"No, nothing is wrong." Fate said shaking her head in denial.
Heero was already dressed in his military uniform and Fate found it hard to look at him without blushing even redder. It had been a really sexy dream, if only… they can get to that stage in real life. Heero sat down on the side of the bed and peered into her face. She immediately backed away, putting distance between them,
"Too close." She whispered shyly.
He touched her forehead for a longer period of time as if determining her temperature.
"You don't feel hot." Heero said.
"I'm not sick." Fate tried to assure him.
Heero nods before he noticed something as he looks down at her.
"You might need to cover that." He told her softly.
She looked down, wondering what he meant when her eyes widened in shock at the red bruise on the base of her neck, near to her left shoulder. What was that? Was it an insect bite? She is unsure how she got it. Heero reached out and traced the red bruise gently.
"Does it hurt?" He asked her.
"No, but could it be left by a really large insect?" She asked him.
He stared at her in silence before he quickly got off the bed and moved to take the suit that he had worn yesterday, now neatly folded.
"Heero?" She asked.
"I have to get to work." He told her.
He seemed to be avoiding the topic just now, could he know something that she doesn't? She got off the bed to walk him to the door.
"Is something wrong?" She asked him suddenly.
"Why are you asking me that?" Heero asked in return.
"Because you seem off somehow." She whispered.
"You don't remember what happened last night?" Heero asked her.
"Last night? I cooked dinner for you at your penthouse and we returned to my room for the rest of the night." Fate said.
That didn't seem to be the answer he was looking for, but he seemed to be dismissing this topic. She wondered if anything odd happened last night, that's when she thought of her erotic dream of Heero, causing her to blush again. Wait a minute, she remembered that Heero seemed to leave a love bite on her neck… the exact same spot as the red bruise on her neck area now. The truth hit her like a ton of bricks, and she didn't know how to react. The dream was real?
"We…. We…. Had…." She was stuttering, too shocked at the truth.
"We didn't, you fell asleep halfway." Heero informed her.
"What do you mean halfway?" She asked in shock.
"Right after I left you that." He said, pointing to the love bite.
"That was before, or after you…."
"No, we didn't get to that stage." Heero said clearly.
Their eyes met and she looked away immediately. He had seduced her in her sleep... She felt disappointed in him, he said he wasn't going to push her to have sex with him. But he must be near his limits to pull this stunt on her in her sleep. She looked at him sadly.
"You started it first."
"What?" Fate asked in shock.
Heero sighed.
"It doesn't matter, I got carried away when you gave me permission, but you were in and out of sleep that I wasn't sure if you knew what was going on." Heero told her.
Fate blushed in shame, she started it and even urged him on by giving him permission! To think that her erotic dream was real!
"I…" She didn't know how to explain herself.
"Go and prepare for your promotional activities, you will be late if you stand here gapping." Heero said, turning her and giving her a push towards the bathroom.
"But…"
"We can talk about it later." Heero told her.
She dropped her head and disappeared into the bathroom instead. She took a bath and knows she will have to cover the love bite with makeup especially since her wardrobe for today were sexy dresses as well.
Night time, 9pm
Moonstone Mansion
The day went by in a blur for Fate as she was so busy with promoting her new album. She checked in on her neck area to make sure the love bite cannot be seen. She texted Heero and said they needed to talk tonight. Heero said he has a meeting that might end late, but he will come to her mansion after it. Fate got ready for bed and looked through her schedule for tomorrow, planning what to do or say, which song to perform for the live events. Oh, she has an interview tomorrow, she has to wear a high collar dress tomorrow to hide the love bite which has not faded yet.
There was a knock on the door, and she looked up just as Heero entered the room. He was dressed in his uniform and he placed his briefcase down on her chaise lounge. Fate puts away her laptop and watched as he removed his military coat and tie, draping them over the back of the chaise lounge. Fate was wearing a jacket today to cover the love bite. He then joined her on the bed.
"Have you eaten dinner?" She asked him.
"No, I'm not in the mood to eat." He told her.
"About last night." She whispered, feeling awkward to talk about this.
He looked at her but remained silent.
"What happened exactly?" She asked him.
"I can recount my version of it." He told her.
She nodded.
"I was sleeping as usual when you hugged her tighter and started kissing me. Pressing your breasts against me. I felt it odd and tried to get you off, but you won't budge. Then you started feeling me and it became clear to me you wanted sex." Heero told her.
She stared at him with wide eyes.
"It was odd coming from you when you said you were still fearful of being intimate with me. I decided to try touching you to test your responses. You responded well to my touches and so I got carried away. I thought you were awake as you said my name and urged me on." Heero said.
Fate was silent while Heero sighed.
"Fate, I do want you, which is why when you urge a man on, naturally he will take advantage of it. Even for me." Heero told her.
Their eyes met and she understood what he meant.
"What happened on your side?" He asked her.
"I was having a… rather erotic dream of you." She whispered.
He looked at her in a raised eyebrow.
"Does it happen often?"
"No, it was the first time. Sure, I dreamt of us as a couple, but sex was never involved." Fate whispered.
"You allowed me to touch you in the dream?" He asked.
"Yes."
"But your body was responding to my touches even if you were still sleeping." Heero said.
Fate was surprised to hear this since she is still afraid of being intimate with him. But what does this mean? She thought she was dreaming so she lets Heero touch her. But in reality, she still feels afraid of it somehow. It was very hypocritical of her, she's aware of that. It was indeed a psychological issue.
"When did you realise that something wasn't right?" Fate asked.
"You suddenly stopped moving and fell asleep for real. Naturally, I wasn't going to continue with sex when you are not conscious." Heero said.
"What should we do now?" She asked him softly.
"You were disappointed in me when you thought I forced myself on you this morning as you didn't remember consenting to having sex with me." Heero said.
"I did think of that, as you said you won't force yourself on me like that again. And that you wouldn't push me for sex." Fate whispered.
"But you are at fault too, you urged me on. Even I have my limits, Fate." Heero told her.
She was silent, she never saw Heero like that. For he was always in control of his emotions, showing everyone an emotionless face. But to think he too can lose control due to sexual urges.
"I thought that… you were immune to me. As you didn't seem to lose control near me so far." She whispered.
"I am not immune to your charms, I simply tried hard not to think about you that way. Because I know that you aren't ready to have sex with me. And I can't make advances on you because you will get scared." Heero said.
"What has changed between then and now?" Fate asked.
Heero was silent and thought about it. It was likely due to her change of style lately. He always saw her as a gentle kind lady and naturally to a lady, a man must treat her gently. But she's throwing that image off and becoming a sexy, mature woman. Which naturally entices him and causes his body to react. Then again Heero did think he has high levels of self-control. As he didn't have sex with a lot of women and can go on for long periods of time without sex. But not all men are that way, some needed releases more often. But Fate is now distracting him especially since he can no longer see her as the pure lady anymore. She is incredibly sexy and has been hiding all of it under her ladylike dresses. But now that she's always revealing so much skin, he was naturally drawn to her. Then again, he loves her hence it was a heart, mind and body issue.
"Your image has changed." Heero said softly.
He explained it to her, and she was surprised as well.
"But I have been doing it mildly over the years. At first to get your attention as you always saw me as a pure child. You are only reacting to this because now everyone's seeing me like that too." Fate said.
"Maybe." He said, he wasn't entirely sure himself.
But then he sighed.
"I guess I won't stay overnight with you anymore, until you are ready." Heero told her.
She looked at him in shock.
"It's for your safety, as I don't trust myself with you. Last night proved as much. It will minimise the chances I have to act upon my sexual urges." Heero told her.
"But… I will see even lesser of you." Fate whispered.
Heero said nothing as it was that or both of them end up hurting each other more with this sex issue.
"I don't really know what to do about all of this." She whispered.
Heero reached over and pats her on her head, causing her to look at him in surprise.
"Don't think too much into it, focus on promoting your album for now." He told her.
Their eyes met and she surprised him by suddenly hugging him. He knows that she's upset with this arrangement, he's having a hard time with it too. But it was the best for both of them.
"I stayed overnight with you to watch over you but so far you didn't have any relapse of those nightmares from the fear gas. That's why I don't need to be here anymore." He told her.
Heero was really watching over her because of that, but she has gotten used to hugging him in her sleep. To hear his heartbeat close to hers and his familiar warmth. She needed to resolve this psychological issue of hers soon, for she wants to be closer to him. They broke the hug and she caressed his cheek sadly. Heero kissed her gently before he moved to get off her bed. It wasn't goodbye but somehow it felt like one. She didn't speak when Heero puts on his tie and military coat. He picked up his briefcase and left, probably to return back to his penthouse.
Chapter 49.2: Pursuing Ecstasy
Warning: Drug Usage, Cursing, Offensive Words and Racist Words.
Author's Note: Some characters may seem racist in this chapter but it's for the sake of the story. Please do not take offence and I have nothing against any race or ethnicity. Thank you.
Sometimes all that we ever knew, believed or loved will come crashing down with a single trigger. Like a spark on a fuse, leading to stacks of gunpowder. But we have to ask ourselves, will the explosion that happen destroy us or will it only make us stronger after surviving through it?
2 days later, 6th November
VLA, Shopping District
Night time, 8pm
Rebecca Crescent wasn't entirely sure where she was. She just kept on dragging her feet, forcing herself to keep walking. She lost count of how many people she had bumped into by accident. She didn't apologise to them, just kept on walking ahead like a mindless zombie. Her mind was too far away, her body felt too heavy. She came to a stop and stared up at the night sky above her. The shock she suffered from hasn't really cleared yet, but reality was so much harsher. Her mind replayed what happened just an hour ago, like a memory she wished she hadn't seen.
About one hour and thirty minutes ago, Rebecca went to pick up the birthday cake that she had ordered. It was her boyfriend, Patrick's birthday today. He had a flight today but will return to VLA by 6pm. They have agreed to celebrate his birthday together. He's been flying to different parts of the Colonies as his job is an airline pilot. But Rebecca always cherished the short times that they have together. Patrick is really sweet to her and he appreciates the music that she plays which was a great encouragement to her. She went to his apartment happily, in hope of surprising him before he returns.
She was surprised that he was back early. But what surprised her was the sight of a pair of high heels that didn't belong to her. Patrick was with another women? Was it a friend or his sister? She wasn't sure, but she went further into the apartment. The entire apartment was dark and its living room quiet. Rebecca frowned, wasn't Patrick already back? He seems to be in the bedroom and so she tried to go in only to realise that it was locked.
She knocked on the door loudly and called his name, wondering why the door was locked. Patrick only opened the door some moments later and he looked… flustered somehow. His clothes were in a mess and he said he was surprised to see her. But Rebecca had a feeling that he was hiding something. She asked about the shoes and asked if he was with anyone. He claimed that his sister left them behind. But there was no way his sister will stay overnight at his place when she has her own family to take care of. The door wasn't entirely open hence she knew he was hiding someone inside his room.
She pushed the door opened, marched into the room and flicked on the lights. The sights of a woman rushing to put her clothes back on was enough proof as to what was going on. Rebecca was shocked, especially when the woman was wearing the air stewardess uniform from the same airline Patrick worked in. Rebecca went forward and slapped that woman harshly across the face for sleeping with Patrick when he already has a girlfriend. Patrick tried to stop her from hurting that woman, but the woman said it was consensual.
Rebecca was stunned, what? Her sweet boyfriend… was a cheater behind her back? She was shocked and at a loss for words. The woman left immediately while Patrick tried to explain himself to her. But she didn't take in any of his words, he cheated on her, with an air stewardess! Rebecca was hurt by her boyfriend's actions, but even more ashamed of herself. How could she have not seen this coming? How could she have chosen so poorly? She slapped Patrick hard and wanted to leave his apartment. But he hugged her and said the other woman meant nothing to him. It was just a fling, she's the one that he loves. She wanted to laugh; will you cheat on the person you love? She pushed him away, choosing not to speak as she will simply explode right here.
He held her back, got down on his knees and begged her to forgive him. He promised that he will not do it ever again. But it was too late… This wasn't something she could ignore and pretend it never happened. As much as his betrayal hurts her, their relationship was over. She threw the cake she got at him and shouted at him. Then she quickly wore her shoes and ran off. She just kept on running until she got tired before she dragged her feet to continue walking.
And so that leads her to where she was now, feeling so lost, hurt and so… upset. She wanted to break down and cry, but it will only draw unwanted attention in an open street like this. Why was this happening to her? She did love him so much. But Patrick… was just like any other man out there, a man who can't keep it in his pants. Men were the lowest scums, she hated them, all of them! She looked down at her mobile phone to see that it was ringing. She declined the call when she saw that it was from Patrick. In a fit of anger, she threw her mobile phone onto the road and merely watched as a speeding car destroyed it under its wheel.
Where could she go? She wasn't sure herself. Who can she go to for help and comfort? She saw a large poster of Fate's new album on a nearby wall. Rebecca was reminded of Fate and Arabella but no she can't go to them. Not like this, not when she can't even look them in the eye and tell them what had happened. She couldn't bring herself to pretend that everything was fine when it wasn't. She was filled with shame over what have happened and remembered telling them that she thought Patrick was the one. How can she take back all of that?
She thought of going back home but facing that same four walls will only suffocate her. She kept walking; in search of a place she can go to. She didn't want to go home, and she didn't want to meet anyone she knew. For she… simply couldn't bring herself to face them.
3 days later, 9th November
VLA, Rebecca's Apartment
Night time, 8pm
Fate has been busy with her promotional work but was surprised when she got a call from Arabella. Arabella sounded agitated, telling her that Rebecca has gone missing. Fate was surprised and wondered what happened. She tried to call Rebecca, but her phone line was flat as if the number was no longer available. She tried sending her text messages, but the messages didn't go through. She was starting to become worried and called Arabella again. Arabella said she couldn't get in touch with Patrick as he was probably flying abroad. This caused Fate to be even more worried about Rebecca. It wasn't like her to disappear like this. Could she be kidnapped?
She called Heero and asked for his help to find Rebecca. Heero said he asked his best friends to look into it as well. Then he came to pick her and Arabella up. Now they were in front of Rebecca's apartment and Heero picked the lock easily to go in. Heero switched on the lights and both women were shocked by how messy the house was. Some items were lying broken on the floor as if someone had smashed them.
"Do you think someone had trashed her place?" Arabella asked in concern.
Heero looked around Rebecca's apartment in silence, taking everything in. It didn't look like a bunch of people came in and trashed the place. It wasn't in the worst state he had seen an apartment to be in. But knowing Rebecca, such state of messiness was very unlike her. They looked around her rooms and Fate's gasp of surprise was loud. Heero went over and saw what caught Fate's attention. Her violin's strings were broken, but it wasn't the violin alone that caused the surprise. The entire music room was in a huge mess, but there were signs of black residue which turned out to be burnt papers. Someone had torched some of the music scores.
It wasn't a burglary as the violin which is the most prized item in the room was not taken. Nor were some of Rebecca's jewellery. Her bedroom was messy too but there was a stench that came from the clothes lying on the floor. Heero took a whiff and frowned as if deep in thought. Fate and Arabella looked concerned as Heero investigated. He opened her shoe cabinet and noticed that shoes were missing. There was no doubt about it, he knew what have happened to Rebecca. They regrouped in the living room.
"She's not kidnapped, nor did someone burglarised her house or trashed it." Heero said.
"Then what happened here?" Arabella asked.
Heero pushed the glass pieces away with his shoed feet and picked up the crumpled photo on the floor. Patrick's face in the photo was torched, and his doubts were confirmed. Something major had happened and Rebecca was reacting to it in an explosive way. Fate was alerted to Meteor who came bouncing towards her, holding something in its mouth. Fate picked it up and saw that it was small packet of colourful tablets.
"Illegal material, dispose of it." Meteor informed her.
Heero went over and took the packet out of Fate's hands. He recognised the tablets immediately. They were illegal Ecstasy drugs. Looks like it was much worse than he thought it to be.
"What's that?" Fate asked.
"These are illegal drugs." Heero told them.
"Why are they in Rebecca's house?" Arabella asked.
"Something major has happened between Rebecca and Patrick. Rebecca is reacting to them in a negative and explosive manner, she's likely to be in trouble if this goes on." Heero said.
Both women looked at him in shock, but Fate wondered why Rebecca hadn't contacted them if something did happen between Patrick and her.
"I will investigate this and get the guys to find her. I will send both of you back." Heero said.
"Wait Heero, we will go with you." Arabella said.
"No, places that sell these drugs are not places any of you should be going." Heero said sternly.
"What do you mean?" Fate asked.
Heero didn't answer but Fate had a bad feeling about it. Heero's answer told her that there were no exceptions to this.
"You can't expect us to stay up all night just to wait for an answer!" Arabella exclaimed.
"We will find her; I guarantee you that." Heero promised them.
Their eyes met and Fate placed her hand on Arabella's shoulder instead.
"Let's trust them, we can wait at my mansion." Fate whispered.
They left Rebecca's apartment and Heero locked the door. Then they got into his car where he dropped them off at Moonstone Mansion.
"There's something you aren't telling me." Fate whispered as she stayed behind to talk to Heero while Arabella went into the mansion first.
Heero didn't say anything but was glad that Fate had called him. If they delayed this any longer, who knows what danger Rebecca will find herself in? Fate knows that Heero is choosing not to tell her anything in order to protect her. She resigned to it as she knows that she won't be able to squeeze it out of Heero.
"Please be careful." She whispered.
Heero nodded and then she kissed him on his cheek. Their eyes met before Fate left his car to go into the mansion. Heero immediately called his friends to ask for help to look for Rebecca as he sped off.
2 hours later, 10pm
Rebecca wasn't sure where she was. She barely remembered returning home to change her clothes before heading out to the club again. She danced and drank alcohol like crazy the first night after she found out about Patrick cheating on her. She didn't care how expensive the alcohol was. Then she realised that guys would treat her as she's pretty so she didn't need to spend a lot of money for the alcohol. She drank so much that she got drunk, puked in the toilet and passed out in the club. She didn't know what happened but remembered waking up with a splitting headache in the club. She wasn't the only one who had passed out, but that's when they introduced her to those colourful tablets. They said these were the best drugs in the house.
Rebecca never believed in doing drugs, but she was at the stage where she didn't care anymore. She just wanted to drown herself in pleasure, in dancing, clubbing, in the alcohol and in the men if they will have her. She just wanted to feel happiness and feel like she was flying. She didn't want to think about what happened, she just wanted to stay happy. She hated the headaches from hangovers, but the nights made her feel so much better. The second night was a blast! Although a man tried to rape her. She was too drunk and took too much coloured tablets that she wasn't sure if it was real or not. But she started puking and that stopped it.
She did puke a lot in the toilet last night but then after that she was back to dancing in the club and drinking again. She had woken up with a headache this morning, but she dragged herself back home. Where she trashed everything that had Patrick's face on it, she didn't want to be reminded of that cheater. She even torched some of her music scores, who needs music when she can live a happy life every night? She changed into a new clubbing dress and headed out in another pair of heels. She didn't care how much her feet had hurt from dancing so much in the past few nights. She's glad that her phone was destroyed as no one is able to contact her and she didn't want to answer to them too. She just wanted to drown herself in happiness again.
Here she was in the same club, drinking and dancing the night away. Men have tried to feel her every once in a while, but she reacted instantly, punching them so hard that they stopped trying to feel her up. After all men were all idiots who are ruled by their sexual urges. The tablets do cause her vision to be a little blurry sometimes but she's certain that tonight will be great too. Until someone pulled her down from her position where she was dancing on the tabletop.
"Woah there, what the hell are you doing?" She asked, pushing whoever tried to spoil her fun away.
"We are getting out of here!"
"Get in line man." She exclaimed as she tried to get back onto the tabletop, but she was yanked away.
"Rebecca Crescent, you are coming with me!"
She pushed his hands away.
"Hands off, don't touch me!" She shouted at him.
Her vision was slightly blur hence she couldn't see who he was, but he seemed to know her. The man grabbed onto her hand and started to drag her towards the exit.
"No, let me go!" She shouted, trying to fight against his hold on her.
But his hold on her was tight and he was much stronger than her, dragging her towards the exit.
"Let me go! I still want to drink and dance some more! Don't spoil my fun!" She shouted at him.
As it was crowded, they have to get by all the already high people on the dance floor. Rebecca tried to slip free and disappear into the crowd, but suddenly the man pulled her to him. She felt herself being pressed up against him. He was a really large man, all hard and muscular. She felt him touching her as if searching for something.
"Hey, don't you touch me you pervert!" She shouted, but her shouts were cancelled out by the super loud clubbing music.
He seemed to find what he was looking for and she realised that he had gotten hold of her packet of colourful tablets.
"Hey, give that back!" She exclaimed.
He threw it away before she could get it back and dragged her towards the exit.
"You will thank me later."
"Let me go! Those are not cheap!" She shouted back.
Soon they were out of the club and she had to squint her eyes as it was suddenly so bright outside. It was really dark in the club with only laser lights around hence the sudden change of brightness got to her. She felt herself being dragged further and when she could see better, she tried to swat his hands away. But he didn't let her go, his hands around her arm were tight like a vice grip.
"You bastard, who do you think you are? Trying to ruin my fun?" She called out.
"Ruin your fun?"
"Yes, let me go so I can go back!" She struggled to free herself.
That's when she felt him slam her against something hard, it felt like it was a wall behind her. She was surprised when he leaned in and tilted her face up to look at him.
"I am trying to save your ass you French woman, you should be thanking me instead of fighting me!"
This voice, she wasn't sure if it was him but there was only one person who will call her that. Damn, of all person in the world, he is someone that she didn't want to see right now. He will only make fun of her about this the next time he saw her.
"I don't need your saving! Go back to where you came from!" She shouted back at him.
"I can't do that!"
"Why not?" She challenged, staring up at him, or at least that's where she thinks he is. Her vision was still a little blur, but she knows he's there.
"Because your best friends are worried about you and Heero sent me to find you." He told her.
Best friends, Heero? His words didn't register with her. Regardless, she pushed him away and walked back unsteadily towards the entrance of the club. But he dragged her in the opposite direction instead.
"Get your filthy hands off me, you Chinese ass!" She shouted.
"I will let you go if you stop going back to the club."
"Mind your own business!" She shouted at him.
That's when her vision changed, and she realised that he had picked her up!
"Put me down you asshole!" She said, struggling against his hold.
She tried to kick him with her high heels, but he dodged it and then hauled her over his shoulder. Then he started walking while she was kicking and screaming at him. He finally deposits her in the back seat of what seemed to be his car.
"Stay quiet and stop shouting!" He told her, slamming the car door closed.
He got into the driver's seat and she immediately reached out from behind to try to hurt him, but he dodged the attack. He gave her a strong shove, so she fell back to the backseat before he started the car's engine and drove away so fast that Rebecca fell back to the seat again.
"Let me out you bastard!" She shouted at him.
"Shut it, don't make me knock you out!" He snapped at her.
"Help, he's kidnapping me!" She screamed, but with the closed windows, no one was hearing her.
He seemed to step harder on the accelerator as she was thrown forward again. She hit her head on the front seat and winced in pain. That's when she heard the sound of a loud noise, what was that? They sounded like sirens! Rebecca shifted onto the seat and looked out of the car window to see many police cars with their flashing headlights passing by them. They seem to be heading to the club.
"Be grateful I got you out before the police came." He told her.
"You tipped them off? You asshole!"
"No, Heero did on every location that sold those colourful tablets that you had." Wufei said.
"Why did the privileged ass do that?" Rebecca asked.
"Because those drugs are illegal, the police and Heero's army are sweeping all the clubs now. While in search for you." He told her.
"Why is he searching for me?" She asked, feeling a headache coming.
"You went missing for three days and wasn't contactable." He told her.
"Who the hell will send an entire army in search for one woman? Is he too resourceful or what?" She asked in disbelief.
"Because the drugs are involved."
She lied back down on the backseat, trying to withstand the headache when she realised that she needed to puke.
"Stop the car, need to go..."
Wufei slammed hard on the brakes after pulling to a stop at the roadside. She got out of the car and immediately started puking into the drain by the roadside. God it was uncomfortable and embarrassing for that him to see her like this. But heck she doesn't care anymore. She felt him stop beside her, but he didn't help her, nor did he speak. After she was done, she sat down on the side of the road, not sure what to do next. He touched her arm as if to lift her up.
"I will take you back home." Wufei told her.
"NO!" She fought his hold off her violently, causing him to stare at her.
"Just leave me alone!" She said, pushing herself to her feet and started to walk unsteadily down the road.
"I am not letting you go back there. If they test you, you will be booked for consuming those drugs. It will affect your career if they find out who you really are." Wufei told her.
"I don't care anymore, let them ruin it for all they want!" She declared.
"What's gotten into you? You aren't usually like this."
She laughed out loud bitterly instead, before she turned to look at him. She couldn't see his face clearly, but she didn't care.
"What do you know? You don't even know me." She said.
He came forward and dragged her back towards his car, but she fought his hold on her.
"Let me go!" She exclaimed and in the process of struggling against him, she slapped him hard across the face.
The sound of that slap echoed through the silent surroundings, but she froze immediately. Did she just slap him? She did, right? She felt him stiffen as he straightened and stood to his full height. Was he always this tall? Then she freed herself from his hold and took a few steps back to put some distance between them. She needed to explain why she had slapped him.
"Men are all the same! You let your penis rule you and jump at any chance to get between any women's legs!" She accused him.
He was silent as he continued to stare at her.
"Cheater, lying scumbags, distasteful, disgusting, pervert!" She shouted to his face, but still he didn't react to her at all. She thought he will have a strong reaction but still he said nothing. She was going to curse him with more colourful words when he finally spoke.
"Are you done?" He asked her softly.
His words surprised her, but his tone sounded sad as if… he pitied her! No, she didn't need anyone to pity her, especially not this horrible man before her.
"I don't need you to pity me! I…"
She was shocked when he came forward and hugged her. She wasn't sure how to react to his hug but then she immediately tried to push him away.
"Don't touch me, get away from me!"
He didn't budge at all and she could tell that her efforts to push him away wasn't going to work, especially when he hugged her even tighter. Her face was pressed up against his chest and she could smell his cologne. His body was warm against her. What was this? Why was this happening? She stopped struggling against him but didn't move to touch him.
"Don't lump the entire population of men together just because of a man who did you wrong. There are better men out there than that sorry piece of an ass you called as boyfriend." He muttered.
He was standing up for the entire population of males as if he refused to be lumped in together with that cheater.
"Idiot, I know that!"
"Then act like you know it!" He snapped back at her.
She felt something vibrating and he broke the hug to retrieve his ringing mobile phone. He turned to take the call.
"She's with me." He said softly.
It was probably Heero on the other end of the line.
"She's fine." He said before pausing for a while.
Wufei looked back at her and hesitated.
"She doesn't want to go back."
Rebecca was silent as she too wasn't sure where else she could go.
"I will handle it." Wufei said.
He was silent for a while before he repeated his words before hanging up. Then he started to drag her towards her car.
"No, I don't want to go back or go to Fate's mansion." Rebecca resisted.
"I know."
"Then where are we going?" Rebecca asked.
"My house."
"What, you…"
She didn't get a chance to answer as Wufei knocked her out easily. He caught her as she fell forward and placed her in the backseat of his car. He buckled her up and felt that he should have done this in the first place. For she was one violent drunk woman.
Heero was currently at the shipping port. After he went back to his military base to investigate the tablets that he found at Rebecca's house. He discovered them to be enhanced Ecstasy drugs and immediately called the police. Apparently, they have been following the drug's trail for a while now. But it was distributed into VLA two weeks after the fear gas attack was over. It was likely used to promote escapism for people who have lost their loved ones after the fear gas attack. The clubs were easy distribution points. With the information the police had, Heero sent out all of his men for a thorough sweep of all clubs in VLA. It was a collaborative effort with the police force. Only his men were asked to look out for Rebecca as well, but they hadn't found her in their sweeps of the clubs.
But with his intelligence network, it wasn't hard to pinpoint that the drugs came from Earth. Hence, he was here at the port with some of his men as they have found the shipping container stuffed full of this drug. It was being taken in by the Narcotics Division in the Police Force. Heero will likely get his men to interrogate the leaders of the distribution network to give up the mastermind behind all of this. But it was a successful raid and sweep of the clubs as the operation started out of nowhere. No warnings were given hence they managed to capture a lot of drug dealers. Naturally, it will make headline news, but they will keep the drug's presence out from the media as it wasn't settled yet.
Wufei had relied upon his own information network and manged to find Rebecca at a club before the police came to raid it. At least she's safe but she doesn't seem to want to go home. Heero was certain that Wufei will take care of her. He turned just to see a car pull to a stop near his. The police commissioner came out of the car and approached him. Both men watched the Narcotics Division's staff as they were confiscating the boxes filled with drugs.
"Lieutenant Colonel Wingate, what a surprise discovery." The Police Commissioner told him but Heero did not reply.
"I heard that you deployed your men to sweep the clubs in VLA as well. Aren't such activities far below their pay grade and none of the military's concern?" He asked Heero.
Heero didn't even bother to look at him.
"I wouldn't be involved if the police force does a better job. The drugs have been circulating since August. My men can finish what your force took months to do in just two hours. It makes me wonder what the police are up to." Heero said.
The anger on the police commissioner's face was obvious.
"This container got through the customs easily, I will start looking at who signed the approval of entry, allowing the drugs to be distributed in VLA. My army will be handling this case." Heero said.
"This is the case meant for the Police Force. We appreciate your help, but we can manage from here on."
"Oh?" Heero asked as he raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, I'm certain of that."
"I received a call five minutes ago that your daughter was arrested in one of the clubs that we raided tonight. She was found in possession of two full packets of these Ecstasy tablets. She will be charged and likely imprisoned." Heero said as he stared ahead.
"Is that… a threat?" The Police Commissioner asked.
"No, it's a fact and the media will definitely be reporting it on the front-page news for tomorrow morning." Heero said calmly.
The Police Commissioner stared at Heero in silence for a short period of time.
"What do you want?" He asked instead.
"You know more about the drugs than you claim to be. You have been sitting on those information for months, resulting in all of these issues. It doesn't take much to piece information together. Your daughter's fiancé died in the fear gas attack, causing her to fall into depression. She took it out on drinking and got addicted to the pills. The pills are hard to get clean from, hence you chose not to act on the information that was reported. You continued to let the drugs be distributed." Heero said.
The man's face paled but Heero sighed.
"Give me all the information that you have, I will make sure that no one knows about your daughter and your omission of information. Get her the professional help she needs, discretely." Heero said.
"Why are you interfering with this? This has nothing to do with you." He asked Heero instead.
Heero turned to look at the police commissioner, finally looking at the man since he arrived.
"This is our city, Commissioner. I will not let anyone ruin it." Heero said with narrowed eyes.
The next day, 10th November
Wufei's Apartment,
Early Morning, 3am
Rebecca woke up briefly and she realised that she had an insane headache. She reached around her only to realise that she seems to be lying on a bed. Wait what? She sat up on the bed immediately and winced at her headache. Her vision was still a little blur from the effects of the drug, but the high feeling seemed to have worn off. She was in a dark room, but it looked unfamiliar as if she had never been here before. She immediately looked down and felt her own clothing. She was shocked to find that she was wearing a large T-shirt. She froze, oh god what happened to her clothes?
She briefly remembered Wufei came for her and dragged her out of the club. She remembered him saying they were going to his house before everything went black. What did that crazy man do to her? She moved to get out of the bed and fell straight to the floor as she hadn't expected the bed to be so tall. Then again, her legs felt like jelly and she had no idea what was around her as she can't see well. She slowly got up and held onto the bed for support as her legs were still numb. The door to the room opened and the lights were switched on. She closed her eyes at the sudden change of brightness in the room. Then she felt someone supporting her arm and pulling her to stand. Rebecca squinted at the person and finally her vision focused. She gasped in surprise and immediately pushed him away only to fall to the ground due to her numb legs.
"Where are we?" She asked him immediately as she tried to get up by herself.
"My bedroom in my apartment." Wufei said.
"Why did you bring me here?" She asked him, finally managing to stand on her own.
"You didn't want to go home nor go to Fate's mansion. Naturally, the only option left was a hotel or my place. My apartment was the safest option." Wufei said.
She looked down at the large T-shirt she was wearing. He couldn't have!
"What did you do to my clothes?" She asked in shock.
"I changed them for you." Wufei said with a straight face.
She gasped in shock; he had seen her naked! That infuriating man is a pervert!
"You pervert! How dare you touch me like that?"
"Your clothes stink of alcohol and tobacco. Naturally, I have to remove them and get you dressed in something more comfortable. And for your information, you are still wearing your underwear. Hence I did not see you naked." Wufei explained himself.
Still she picked up the pillow.
"No one asked you to help!" She exclaimed and threw it at him.
He caught it easily.
"As if there's anything there to see." He scoffed.
She gasped in shock.
"How dare you say that! That's… sexual harassment!" She threw the second pillow at him but Wufei caught it easily as well.
"We can go on shouting names at each other but that is not the point. If you don't want to be here, then get out!" Wufei exclaimed.
Rebecca was silent and she saw the clock on the wall, it was already 3.10am in the early morning.
"I called Fate to assure her that you are well. They are bound to come looking for you in the morning. If you don't want to face them then leave." Wufei said.
He threw his two pillows accurately back onto the king-sized bed.
"At least let me have my bed back." He said.
She was silent as she looked away. Even if she leaves now, she had nowhere to go. Plus, she didn't have any money on her too.
"Well?" Wufei challenged as if aware that she couldn't leave.
Rebecca said nothing. Wufei left the room instead and Rebecca slowly followed. She noticed that Wufei has a spacious apartment. One with at least two other rooms. Wufei had turned on the lights to the living room hence she slowly walked over. She could tell that he had been sleeping on the sofa after letting her have the bed. His apartment was clean and simple. As if every piece of furniture was bought simply for functionality sake, there was no personal items at all. She wondered where he was and saw that he came back with a glass of water and some medicine.
"Hangover medicine." He said as he placed both items down on the coffee table in front of her.
She didn't move to take them even though her headache still hadn't subsided.
"You have a rather large place for one man." She muttered.
He didn't reply but watched her in silence. She sat down on the sofa and took the medicine that he had provided. She stared at him in silence and noticed that he had let his shoulder length hair down and it was no longer tied up into a short ponytail that she usually sees him in.
"What exactly happened to you?" He asked her.
She didn't want to talk about it, especially to him. She looked away from him and wished he had alcohol instead of plain water.
"Do you have wine or whisky in your house?" She asked instead.
"You already have a hangover and you still want more?" He asked.
"Yes or no?" She asked.
"Not that it matters because you aren't getting any more alcohol under my watch." He declared as he crossed his arms in front of his chest and glared at her.
"I will pay you back when I have my wallet with me." She said.
"You didn't bring it with you to the club?"
"There was no need to. Men treated me with alcohol, so I drank free." She said.
"And the drugs?"
"Those are not free." She whispered.
Both of the stared at each other in silence.
"Let me guess, so Patrick cheated on you and in your state of heartbreak you drowned yourself in alcohol, clubbing, drugs and sex." Wufei said.
She didn't say anything, she didn't need to explain herself to him. He can judge her for all she cared when it was clear that they hated each other anyway. She thought they were getting better as they were at least civil to each other for a few times. Wufei sighed instead.
"Look, I don't care what happened between Patrick and you. I don't care what you do to deal with it. But I do not like being asked to help Fate find her missing and disruptive friend." Wufei said.
"No one asked for your help, you can choose not to help her. No one asked you to involve yourself in my matters." Rebecca said.
They stared at each other in silence, both too stubborn and prideful for their own good. It was probably why they hate each other so much, often getting into fights over the tiniest things.
"How long have you been taking those drugs?" Wufei asked, sounding serious instead.
"Three nights, why?"
"Another two more nights and you will have gotten addicted to them. Heero gave us the specifications of the drugs, including its side effects. Did anything bad happen to you when you were high? Do you even remember?" He asked.
"I'm not addicted to them, but I admit to feeling really high after taking them. Nothing major happened to me, not that I can think of. Men did try to get their hands on me…."
She trailed off when she heard a sharp intake of breath, as if he were shocked or…
"But they didn't finish the job as you can put it."
"What do you mean?" Wufei asked her.
"I puked on him and he stopped. Though I did punch men who tried to feel my ass." She said.
Wufei was silent, she was indeed quite violent even when drunk and on high. At least she wasn't raped, that was a relief, or he will have to take her to the hospital. He lets out the breath that he was holding in.
"What do you plan to do now?" Wufei asked her.
She wasn't sure.
"I suggest you sober up and go home. Your best friends are worried about you. Don't go back to the same club or drown yourself in more alcohol." Wufei said.
"Who are you to determine what I should or should not do?" She asked.
Their eyes met before he sighed, why does he even care about her? It's her life, she can ruin it and her health all she wanted. But somehow, he didn't want her to continue down this downwards spiral.
"You are right, who am I to tell you what you should do. Then again, I believe that you are better than this. Get a grip and pull yourself together! It's not worth it to destroy your own life and health for the sake of one man!" Wufei exclaimed.
He turned to go back to his home office as he didn't want to face her. But she stood up immediately to rebuke him.
"One man? What do you know about love, Mr. Chang? You who have never been in a romantic relationship with anyone will not understand how I feel! To be betrayed by the one you love, to lose someone over a third woman! Don't judge me based on something you don't even know of!" She shouted back at him.
Wufei stopped in his tracks. He was angered at her words; she didn't know him well enough to determine if he had ever been in a relationship. But he had seen how disruptive love and devastating it can be.
"I know what it's like to lose someone important to you." He said softly.
Rebecca was silent as it was a different kind of pain but still similar to the pain that she feels.
"I had a wife." He admits.
His admission surprised Rebecca for she had no idea that Wufei was even married. But wait, had?
"What happened?" She asked out of curiosity.
"She sacrificed herself to save me while the war was still raging on."
His back was facing her, but Rebecca's eyes widened in shock. Wufei's wife had died during the war... She didn't know how to respond, but it was wrong of her to jump to the conclusion that he had never loved anyone before.
"I…"
He moved into the kitchen and she was silent, immediately regretting her words. Wufei returned sometime later and slammed an unopened bottle of whisky on the coffee table.
"Knock yourself out." He said.
He was gone before she could even apologise. She looked at the whisky bottle in silence. She was tempted to reach for it but then she also realised how horrible she had been to Wufei. He had saved her from being arrested by the police for possession of drugs. He had been nice to her and all she did was scream and shout at him. She had even caused her best friends to be worried, drowned herself in alcohol, clubbing and drugs.
She saw her own reflection in the television's screen. She looked like a wreck; she doesn't even recognise who she had become. That's when the tears that she had been holding back all these times finally sprang free. She had drowned herself in crazy things, to numb, distract and escape from the harsh reality of Patrick's betrayal. She had tried so hard to be strong, but she couldn't do it anymore. She sank down to the floor as the tears finally came. She had tried so hard to prevent herself from breaking down and crying. But maybe it was what she really needed. Rebecca also realised that even with those things she tried to distract herself with were still temporal. Those moments of pleasure and ecstasy don't last long, nor did they change anything once it was over.
3 hours later,
Morning, 6.20 am
Wufei came out of his home office as he hadn't slept at all after he had woken up. He forced himself to do more work in order to stay up. He had heard her crying, but he knew that it was what she needed. The living room was completely quiet, but he will check on her later. He went into his room, took a bath and changed into his Preventer Uniform. Then he went out to the living room and was relieved that Rebecca hadn't opened the whisky bottle at all. Instead she was lying on the sofa and asleep.
Wufei picked up the bottle and kept it in the kitchen. Then he looked at his rather empty refrigerator. He doesn't usually stock it up with food as he was seldom at home. But he had enough to make a simple breakfast. Hence, he made a toasted sandwich and placed the plate on the coffee table. He then covered it with a food cover in case insects decided to pay a visit. Then he wrote a note and placed some cash on the table, aware that she doesn't have any money with her now. His house has a house phone that she could use if she needed to call anyone.
He has to get to work and for a second hoped that she will be gone by the time he returned from work. But the doorbell rang which surprised him as it was just 7am. He looked at the security camera footage and saw that it was Heero with a rather sleepy looking Fate. Heero was fully dressed in his military's uniform. He opened the door for them.
"What are you two doing here?" He asked immediately, but then lowered his volume as Rebecca was still asleep.
"Fate is worried about Rebecca and pressured me to bring her here." Heero said.
Fate looked into the apartment immediately as if looking for her. But Wufei blocked her view and stepped out instead, closing the door. His action surprised Fate but not Heero.
"I think she needs more time alone to gather her thoughts. But she's fine now." Wufei told them.
"Fate, shall we leave?" Heero said almost immediately, as if understanding the situation.
"But…" Fate hesitated as she looked at the closed door.
"Give her some time and space, she will call you two when she's ready." Heero told her.
Fate looked surprised to hear that but knows that maybe she had rushed this as well. Then she looked at Wufei.
"Promise me that you won't do something funny to Rebecca." She said.
"Me and that French Woman? No way." Wufei remarked.
Fate nodded, as if she were assured that nothing weird will happen between the two of them.
"Thank you for looking after Rebecca." Fate said.
Wufei merely nodded and looked at Heero.
"Wufei, can you send Fate to her studios? I still have some closing matters to do." Heero said.
Their eyes met and it was clear to Wufei that Heero had dropped work temporarily to bring Fate here to see Rebecca. But now that they are giving Rebecca more time and space, Heero has to get back to work.
"Is it about the drugs?" Wufei asked softly.
Heero nodded and turned just as Fate tiptoed and kissed him on his cheek.
"I will see you soon." She told him.
Heero nodded and gave Wufei an "I entrust her to you" look. Then he was gone while Fate smiled up at Wufei. But why does Wufei have a sudden bad feeling about this arrangement?
"So, what truly happened last night? And don't lie to me, Wufei." Fate whispered.
Wufei wondered if Heero asked him to send Fate off because he knew that Fate would want to fish information out of him. They walked towards the lift while Fate waited for his answer.
"Where is Arabella, wasn't she with you?" Wufei asked, trying to change topic.
"Both of us were too worried about Rebecca that we hardly slept, she was finally sleeping hence I decided not to wake her." Fate explained.
They entered the lift that was now heading to the basement.
"And so?" She asked pressing on.
Wufei sighed and decided to tell her what he knew.
2 hours later, 9am
Wufei's Apartment
Rebecca finally woke up, her eyes hurt from crying so much. She saw that there was something on the coffee table. She read the note that Wufei wrote. He asked her to eat the food he had prepared and use the money he had given her if she needed it. He also asked her to use his house phone if she needed it. He didn't ask her to leave or stay as if it was up to her to decide. She removed the food cover and was surprised at the sight of the toasted sandwich.
As she hadn't eaten anything for a while the sight of food made her feel hungry. She sighed as she wasn't sure what she's going to do from now on. As she slowly ate the toasted sandwich, she couldn't help but be amazed that Wufei can actually make quite a decent sandwich. She looked around the quiet apartment and thought about Wufei. She got to know him a little better and she still hadn't apologised to him yet. Staring at the note that he had written to her, she felt that maybe… he wasn't as bad she thought him to be.
To be continued…
Author's Note: Fate continues to struggle with her fear of physical intimacy with Heero and the first chapter touches on this. The second chapter is about Rebecca and Wufei plays an important role in it. I have always portrayed them to be at loggerheads with each other hence it's good for them to get to know each other better. What's going to happen next? Do continue to support this story, thank you.
Trivia: I personally like the scene where the police commissioner and Heero were at the port. I drew reference from The Batman series. After all Batman always meets the police commissioner to talk about the villains and crimes in the city.