Ch. 9

Howard "Monkey Wrench" Cornelli, to the untrained eye, looked like a harmless old man on a permanent vacation - with his sunglasses and oversized Hawaiian shirt. However, to Zechs Merquis, he was one of the masterminds of the criminal underworld. Formerly one of Zechs' Criminal Informants, Howard knew something about everything going on amongst the unscrupulous and the underhanded. If Relena had truly been kidnapped, Zechs would bet his last dollar that Howard would know something about it.

"It's risky to meet here at this hour, Wind." Howard still used Zechs' old code name. He might have been amused if the situation wasn't...dire.

"Do you have the info I asked for or not?" He had precious little time. Treize would not like knowing he was going rogue, but he had to find his sister by any means possible, even if it meant angering the entire precinct.

"Yeah, I got it, but you ain't gonna be happy about it." Howard took a last puff from his cigar before throwing it to the ground and smashing it under his heel. He reached into the pocket of his khaki pants and pulled out a small thumb drive. Zechs put a hand out to take it, but Howard pulled it back.

"Not so fast. I'm a business man; I never give anything away for free."

"I guess the nine charges of varying degrees of larceny aren't reason enough for you?" Zechs knew how to play hard ball with his CI's.

"Fine, never say I'm not a reasonable guy. Just don't let this get out or I'll have others of your kind stiffin' me. And a guy's gotta make a livin'."

"Yeah, yeah…" Zechs took the small device and tucked it safely into his suit pocket.

30 minutes later...

Zechs pulled his late model Charger into the apartment community garage; he and his wife Noin lived in a small, but tasteful apartment up four flights of stairs. It was moderately sized and located in a decent part of town - where you could get a good night's sleep, but still hear all the vibrant sounds of the city nearby.

Noin would be asleep when he arrived; she'd always been more of a morning person while Zechs and his kind… Well, a double shot of espresso was generally required to rouse him before noon. Tonight, he was glad she would be in bed, early, without him. He didn't want to involve her in this. If he was going to get in trouble, then he would ensure she couldn't be linked to it.

It took him almost no time at all to fire up the laptop and enter his password. He plugged in the flash drive and waited as the loading bar filled at a molasses pace. Finally, the sound of the completed download chimed. He opened the folders and his heart plummeted in his chest. His worst fears were confirmed: not only had she been abducted, but HE had her.

"That bloodsucking bastard!" Zechs grabbed his jacket and stormed out the door. This couldn't wait. He had to tell the Council. Even if it meant starting a war, he had to get his sister back.

His keys jingled obnoxiously as they caught on the material of his pocket, slowing his progress. He swore under his breath, finally freeing them from their cloth confines as he reached for the door handle.

A female voice called out behind him: "Just a moment, Mr. Milliardo." He froze. He knew that voice. "Dorothy," he nearly growled. "What do you want?"

"I see you figured out where she is."

Zechs turned to her, eyes wide with fury. "You knew." It was a statement; an accusation. She smirked and stroked one of her eyebrows.

"Why, Mr. Milliardo, I'm surprised at you. Of course I knew. I've always known where she was. Afterall, I worked for him for years." Before the woman could blink, he had her pinned against her own car, his hand around her throat.

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you." Dorothy's composure never wavered; amusement mocking him in her blue-grey eyes.

"If my assumptions are correct, you were on your way to speak to the Council about the next course of action - in the hopes of riling them into a frenzy so you could storm the mansion to take your sister back." He tightened his grip but still no change. "What if I told you I wish to help you free her from him and can do so without starting an inevitable and unnecessary fuss?"

"Why?"

"As much as the idea of a war between your two blood-thirsty races thrills me, I have to wonder what sort of effect it will have on our dear Relena."

"That's it? You're concerned for how she will feel?" Dorothy's smirk widened, eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Any further motivations I may have are mine and mine alone. Either you accept my help, or don't. The choice is yours." Zechs considered her words. There were few people outside the pack and the precinct he trusted. Though she was Relena's best friend, Dorothy just admitted to working for the man responsible for stealing his sister away. With that and her other divided loyalties, the chances of being double-crossed were too great. Releasing his grip, he watched as she gasped for air with some satisfaction before turning from her.

"I'll pass."

"Have it your way." She waved it off. "Just remember what an idiotic decision this was when it backfires." He growled and got into his car and sped off.

Pack headquarters was an old three-story, brick and mortar mansion in the middle of town about three miles from where his father's house once stood. Traditionally, the pack would designate the home of the Alpha as their headquarters, but when his sister was born, the Council determined it to be too dangerous. Having too many of the pack members under the same roof left the entire pack vulnerable; so, the building had been purchased to ensure a more secure location. That same Council was the one he had to appeal to.

Parking his car, Zechs walked to the front stoop, took a moment to lean on the cast-iron railings and ran a nervous hand through his bangs.

"Yuy..." He growled as he reached for the knob. "You're going to pay for this!"

The peal of his cell phone halted his step. He almost didn't answer… almost let it go to voicemail, but in case it was an emergency…

"What?" He growled into the receiver. What he heard next almost caused him to miss one of the stairs; he slipped and caught himself on the railing.

"Mili, it's me." Relena. Relief washed over him like a tidal wave. She was all right. She was calling him… and he intended to try and get some answers.

The smell of rotting wood, damp earth, blood, and gunpowder assaulted her senses. The sky was dark and drizzling a fine mist of winter rain on the dreary could feel the cold mud underneath her as it seeped into her clothes and chilled her skin. She felt the pain in her side as fierce as fire itself and heard a masculine moan. It took her a moment to realize the moan came from her… or rather him… she was in his memories again. This time, she could feel the life leaving him. He was weak; too weak to breathe, let alone try to stand and yet she felt him urging their body to move.

"Well, well… a survivor… how impressive." Black boots entered their vision - shinier than they had a right to be on the muddy fields around them. The man had a deep voice: soft and low. There seemed to be an almost hypnotic hum to it that radiated in their blood. Suddenly, they were hefted out of the mud and forced to stand. By this time, the bloodloss had caused them to lose feeling in the majority of their body.

"You're a fighter, boy. I can tell. I could use someone with your strength and conviction at my side." She could feel Heero thinking. They were too weak to talk. "I can read your thoughts boy. You hate the men you served with. They killed your family. They tortured you. They sent you out here to the front lines to die without any explanation after all you did for them. Your heart burns for revenge. I can give you that and so much more, but you must give me everything. You must surrender your body, mind and soul to me."

Body? She felt the dread and disgust in Heero's mind.

"No, boy. Not like that. I am a man of many tastes, but that is not one I wish to try anytime soon." She felt Heero relax a little. "Now, boy, swear fealty to me, pledge all that you are and all that you have and I will give you everything you could ever want and more." She felt the conflict in his mind as he weighed death over eternal submission. Was revenge worth it? Finally, as the last of his life threatened to leave, they nodded.

"Very good." The man stepped forward and paused, leaning down. "This will only hurt for a moment."

The sudden, sharp pain of the fangs penetrating their neck was one she was acquainted with but the fire that followed was new. She felt the searing heat spreading through their veins, heard the painful cries coming from their mouth before their body went cold. Suddenly, the fangs left their neck and she felt something wet against their lips. She knew by the musty coppery taste as it trailed down their throat that it was blood… they were drinking this man's blood… suddenly, the fire returned, white hot and surging through them until it became unbearable… Finally, the pain subsided and she found them being set down; strength returned and feeling renewed.

"Excellent! Welcome, my boy, to my bund!"

Relena shot up in the bed, sweat dripping down her skin as she gasped for air. Each time she had one of those dreams it left her in a temporary state of shock. More and more pieces of his past were falling into place and the more she knew, the more she understood him. It had been a week since she had finally allowed him into her mind and heart and accepted the bond in its entirety. Heero hadn't been willing to let her return to sleeping in her own room, but she had no desire to complain. These dreams seemed to be somehow connected to their bond.

"Well, you wanted to know more about him, Relena." She pulled her knees up to her chest, head resting on her knees as she tried to continue letting herself calm down.

Relena…? She felt him in her mind, as well as his concern and confusion. She closed her eyes and reached out to him, smiling.

'I'm fine. Just a dream.' She felt him there a moment longer, his mind caressing her consciousness. Seemingly satisfied that she was, in fact, all right, he reached out and she could swear she could feel his lips on her neck.

Good. Come to the study when you can. I have something for you

'Alright.' She felt him pull out of her mind, but relished the lingering, comforting tingle left behind that assured her he was still there. She smiled to herself.

How had things changed so quickly? Okay, so a few months wasn't quick, but it had been worthwhile. For the first time in her life, she felt content. She felt as though this was where she was supposed to be her whole life. It was far from perfect. She still had hundreds of questions about why he did what he did and even had begun to realize that the answers might explain why she was kept under literal lock and key. She wanted to go back to work. She still had yet to be allowed to contact her family and the rest of the world may well have given her up for dead. She had tried bringing this to his attention only to have it pushed aside in some nonchalant sort of way that temporarily made her forget she had asked at all.

She was still unable to leave the manor or go anywhere without some sort of protective guard. Being bonded with the vampire king had its perks, but it also came with unexpected restrictions and limitations that she, as an independent woman, found quite stifling. It wasn't that she was unhappy. Quite the contrary. It was just…

"Perturbing."

She kicked the covers off and made her way to the shower. The warmth and steam helped to wash away the residual murkiness in her mind that always remained from those dreams. Heero's past had been a painful one full of strife and blood and betrayal; the more she learned, the more his behavior made sense to her. It did not excuse his unwillingness to explain things to her, but it did help her to come to terms with the strange dynamic that was slowly changing.

"If only he would tell me the whole truth!"

Deciding to favor comfort over fashion, she chose a simple pair of light wash jeans and a light pink sweater. She vaguely remembered feeling his pleasure at seeing her wear the color, though she much preferred blues and greens. Deciding to forgo footwear, she donned a pair of pink footie socks nearly the same color as her shirt. She left her hair down, knowing how much he loved it flowing down her back. She smiled to herself. Her lover had quite the appetite in more ways than one and she had little issue with honoring his preferences.

When she entered his study, she saw him sitting in his large desk chair, pen in hand as he perused a document with particular scrutiny. He looked up and the corners of his lips turned up slightly into a small smile just for her. His eyes were where the true greeting lay; deep and swirling with a tender contentment. She walked to him and leaned in, placing a soft kiss on his lips. He reciprocated, bringing his hand up to the back of her neck to caress it gently.

"Good morning." She straightened her posture and made to step back, but he pulled her into his arms. "You said you have something for me?" He nodded.

"I do, but before that…" he paused, eyes serious with concern. "you haven't been sleeping well…" She thought for a moment to try and deflect his inquiry, but he would know… and he would think she was hiding from him… she didn't want to hurt him again.

"No."

"Will you tell me why?" He could use their connection to pry. He could force her to tell, but he seemed to want her to go to him about such things, instead. He really did want her to be able to keep some privacy. She smiled. She didn't want him to worry, not when there was no need, but if he knew what was causing her dreams he may shut that part of himself off to her… she didn't want that.

"I have been having dreams lately." She met his eyes, his brows furrowed and his lips turned down slightly in a frown.

"Dreams," he stroked her cheek gently, "Or nightmares?" She leaned into his touch. She shook her head.

"I'm not sure what to call them… They're not mine…" His eyes widened slightly before shading over with awareness. He dropped his hand from her cheek. "They're… more like… memories?" He looked away from her and she felt his mood darken. She reached for him, touched his arm.

"Memories?" His voice was hushed, and heavy. She could feel his guilt. He was blaming himself.

"Heero… It's not your fault!" She tried to get him to look at her but his eyes remained fixed on his desk. "I… I think somehow, I summoned your memories. I wanted to know more about you…" Finally he looked at her, eyes widened. "I went to sleep wanting to know more and that's when the first dream happened."

"You…?" He paused and moved away from her. He had shut her out.

"Heero! Don't you dare shut me out!" She walked to him and forced him to look at her. "No more of that. None! If I can't shut you out then you can't do it either!"

"Relena… those memories-"

"Are part of you… of who you are." She reached up and cupped his face in her hands. "Heero, I want to know you. All of you. The good and the bad."

"You don't know what you're asking." He pulled away from her. "I have done things…No one would want to admit to… to remember…" He turned to her and she saw a darkness in his eyes like never before, but it wasn't evil; it was guilt.

"Heero… I have seen what happened to you. I know what they did… what they made you do… I know you're a good person Heero; you're so kind… I just wish you would allow yourself to realize it."

"Relena-"

"Oi! Boss man! I got that package you asked me to pick up for the little lady!" Duo chimed in as he entered the room. She felt relief wash over her as Heero let down the wall. She could feel his irritation at Duo's timing.

"Package?" Relena looked from the braided man to Heero.

"I told you I have something for you." Heero stated. The heavy mood lingered though Duo's interruption caused it to lighten slightly. Duo handed Heero the box and Heero handed it to her. She opened the box and looked down at a brand new smartphone. She turned her gaze to Heero, eyes wide.

"Does this mean I can…?" He nodded and she couldn't help the smile that formed on her lips.

"Yes." The corners of his lips turned up slightly into a small smile in response to hers. "I was wrong, Relena. I never should have cut you off from your family; your friends… I had my reasons, but… you deserved better."

"Heero…"

"All of your family and friends' contact information has been ported over." He walked to her. "You may call whomever you wish with the provision that you do not say where you are or whom you are with… I think you can understand why." She nodded. She could call anyone. Her brother and Noin had to be out of their minds with worry! Her boss! Lord only knew what he thought! And Dorothy…

"I understand!" She clutched the phone. "Can-May I call them now?" He nodded and she nearly sobbed as tears of joy pricked her eyes. "Thank you!" She kissed him and ran from the room. She had so much to tell them all… well, almost all of them. Her brother and Lucretzia, certainly and Dorothy… but her boss… he would wait until later. Right now, she needed to hear her brother's voice! She dialed his number eagerly and listened to it ring over and over again.

"What?" He answered. She felt her heart jump with joy!

"Milli." She took a breath. "It's me." A gasp came from the other line… a long pause…

"Relena… is it really you?" She nodded, though she knew he couldn't see her. The tears began to fall.

"Yes, it's me!" She sniffled and wiped her cheek.

"Where are you? Are you alright? Are you safe?" She nodded again, beginning to feel silly but not really caring.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine, really, I'm safe… It's so good to hear your voice!" She took a breath. "How is Lu? Is she with you?"

"No, She's not, but she's fine… She misses you. We both do."

"I know." She wiped another tear away. "I miss you too."

"Relena… Tell me where you are. I'll come and take you home." She felt her breath catch in her throat. Those were words she had once longed to hear her brother say… now that he had said it, she felt her heart sink. Never before had she been so divided. She loved her brother and her sister-in-law so much… They were her only family; practically her parents… but… The thought of leaving Heero caused her pain unlike she'd ever known… She closed her eyes and tried desperately to swallow the lump in her throat.

"Milli… I can't."

"Relena-"

"No… Milliardo… I miss you both so much but I can't… I can't tell you where I am… and I can't tell you why."

"I will find you, sister. I will find you and I will bring you home. I promise."

"Milliardo-"

"Wherever you are-"

"Milli, please… stop…" The other side of the line went silent for a moment that dragged on forever.

"Promise me you'll be safe."

"I will." She felt the tears coming again. "I'll call again soon… Give Lu my love."

"I will."

"Goodbye...brother."

"Bye… Relena." As the connection ended, she felt two strong arms wrap around her from behind and leaned back into his embrace. She felt his lips kiss the top of her head and let out a soft sob.

"Thank you, Heero…" He hummed in response and she turned to him, burying her face in his chest.

"Who will you call next?" He asked and without moving from his embrace, she smiled.

"Dorothy." She sniffled. "I'm sure I'll get an earful for worrying her." A low chuckle rumbled through his chest.

"You had best call her soon then." He pulled back and offered her a small, charming smile. "And do not worry about your boss." he paused. "Your career has been dealt with."

"Dealt with? What do you mean?"

"I had a long… talk with your boss about your absence. I was able to persuade him that your time off was more than necessary." She eyed him for a moment, brow raised in curiosity.

"Oh? And how exactly did you manage that?" He smiled again and she felt her knees go weak.

"You're bonded to the most powerful vampire in North America… I have my ways." She stared at him for a moment before she giggled and pulled herself closer to him.

"Thank you." He raised a brow.

"For what?" She shook her head and stood on her tip-toes, pressing her lips to his.

"For understanding how much I needed this." His eyes softened and he leaned his forehead to touch hers.

"Hn."

"I should go. If Dorothy hears from my brother about the call first, I really will never hear the end of it." He chuckled again and released his hold, nodding. She placed a soft, quick kiss on his lips before dashing off to call her fashionable friend. She only hoped that the older girl would not be able to force out of her all of the things she knew she shouldn't share.