Rapiers and Scimitars
By: Figgy
Part Five
Dorothy exited from the car with a fierce glare at Robert that sent him
quickly pulling out of the driveway, but she noticed that he waited till
she was actually inside the foyer and the door was closing before driving
through the Darlian gates and toward the road. She frowned slightly as
she handed the butler her coat and gloves, Relena was being told of her
arrival and even now she could hear the familiar click of the Minister's
heels against cedar floors, but it wasn't that that made her frown… It
was the sound of a masculine voice then silvery laughter, which she recognized
as Relena's. Who was with the Minister?
The butler had led her into a sitting room and Dorothy watched with sharp
eyes as Relena and her male guest entered from another door. Dorothy realized
vaguely as she took in the two that the room smelled like strawberries
and peaches. The sitting room seemed to be decorated with a delicate floral
touch, mainly of soft pink and pale gold and white. Her eyes darted to
the mantle as a tiny clock seemingly made completely of fragile pearl chimed
sweetly. It was easier to pay attention to such trivial details than to
see the surprise in Mr. Winner's eyes as he took her in. Now he really
would suspect her of stalking him… It was logical, of course. Quatre could
not leave earth because of the Preventers wanting him to be close by and
his house had been burned to the ground, his hotel was being repaired because
of her car, and Relena lived on earth and had a large house… That was the
reason Dorothy herself had come… That and because Relena was her only friend
she could trust not to kick her out on the streets. She'd just wanted to
get away, maybe drink a few glasses of wine with Relena, and laugh over
what idiots males were… And he had to ruin all of it by being here first.
"Dorothy, are you feeling all right? You look pale." Relena was hovering
now, like a butterfly. She always reminds me of something fragile and beautiful,
Dorothy thought vaguely. Her thoughts were running a mile a minute and
talking seemed unimportant right now. She needed to think.
She'd always categorized people when she needed to think. Relena was a
butterfly, beautiful with such fragile wings, yet a poisonous species of
butterfly… The type that birds and creatures avoided… With strength… Most
people had heard of that saying that a butterfly fluttering could cause
a tornado half way across the world. Relena had that sort of strength,
it took time for her to accomplish her goals but once she did… They were
as hard as to stop as that tornado.
Quatre was a tawny gold lion watching her with lazy eyes that were lidded
as if he were hiding something from her. It was hard to place an animal
to him, it always was… Sometimes it seemed he was a placid puppy eager
to learn, the next he was a wolf that seemed tame, but any sudden movements
might cause it to go for the throat… But a lion fit him most definitely…
Watching the two of them as if they were part of his pride and wondering
what would happen next… Dorothy was not a fool and even in her dazed state
she knew he was someone to watch and be wary around… People usually thought
she considered him an easy opponent, but she knew he was her equal but
she would win… She did have plans for the proud lion.
Lion. Butterfly. What am I?
"What a sweet little girl. What's your name, sweetie?" The lady smiled
down at the eleven-year-old girl. Such a pretty child with her long blond
hair pulled back with a bright blue ribbon and wearing a cute blue dress
with little white flowers decorating the hem.
The girl smiled, the picture of pure innocence and curtsied, "My name is
Dorothy Catalonia, miss."
"How adorable!" The woman nearly squealed and the girl refrained from sneering
as the woman delivered praise after praise for such a 'sweet little girl'.
The lady turned and Dorothy's eyes traveled to the other children in the
large classroom. A classroom in one of the most expensive and prodigious
schools in the galaxy, surprisingly it was situated on a colony… A fact
Dorothy did not like. It was the colonists that had killed her father and
she'd promised revenge on them… But revenge was a thing of the past truly,
after all there was time for that later… For now she was to be the perfect
little girl till it was time.
"Class, this is Dorothy Catalonia."
"Catalonia? Hey Kitty Cat!" A boy yelled and a few snickered, but Dorothy
merely tilted her head at the body as if in deep thought then she slowly
smiled and the boy paled and scooted back into his chair.
"I am no kitten." She whispered as she passed him to go to her chair, "Remember
that when the leopard has her claws in you." Dorothy took her sit and watched
as the teacher began to lecture the class. And even if I am a kitten, her
smile widened and she didn't notice as the teacher blinked and stopped
in the middle of her lecture to stare at the young girl strangely, even
kittens have claws.
Dorothy chuckled and curtsied to the two as she had so many years ago,
"Mr. Winner, dear Relena, I am fine but I was hoping I could trouble you
into letting me stay for a few days. I fear I am just a lonely kitten seeking
for a friendly face."
"Of course you can stay, Dorothy! Quatre is staying with me, too, but I'm
sure you two won't mind each other's company." She beamed at the two and
seemed unaware of the tension between the lion and leopard.
Dorothy raised her gaze toward Quatre's and a smile touched her lips, a
sardonic smile that made Quatre raise an eyebrow. "Meow, Mr. Winner." She
mouthed and Quatre's other eyebrow raised as Dorothy then turned to face
Relena and began talking in a low tone about some seamstress.
Trowa, you were supposed to watch her! Not send her to where I'm staying.
Quatre's eyes narrowed as the women moved to sit, seemingly unaware of
his presence. You will answer to this, Trowa. What were you thinking?
It was easier to think of his friend than to wonder what she'd meant by
those last words… And what her presence could mean for them…
*
Dorothy smirked at her opponent, a tall thirteen-year-old boy that easily
towered over her much shorter height. He blinked at her sudden animosity
then his eyes hardened as he took in her features… Most knew her now. She
was easily recognizable when she wasn't in disguise. A young girl, pretty,
with impossibly long blond hair, piercing blue-gray eyes, and those strange
eyebrows she'd inherited from her mother…
She didn't hate him, but it seemed to make the other fighters treat her
with near indifference when she showed hate or dislike… Actually she couldn't
care less about this boy… She neither hated nor liked him. She was indifferent,
but being indifferent had caused many to react strangely… Many began to
fear her before the first move was even made and she didn't want their
fear right off the bat. What was the fun in that? No. She wanted to earn
their fear. Let them think her reputation was just empty words, she'd show
them. It was the sudden terror in their eyes she wanted. To see the light
and emotions flaring up behind their eyes as they realized they were beaten,
that someone stronger had defeated them… But she also wanted them to fight
for all they were worth and they wouldn't do that if she scared them in
the very beginning. She wanted a true, real fight. A fight that showed
her how animalistic humans truly were. That's all that humans were any
ways. Just animals that happened to think themselves higher because they
wore clothing and held emotions. Any creature could be dressed up and those
very prized emotions proved how primitive humans were. They followed their
emotions. They followed anger, lust, hate, greed and thought that made
them better than average beasts. They were wrong, of course. By following
their emotions they only proved to be even lower than most animals.
It was better not to pretend and just to let go in the fluid movements
of battle. There you wore no masks, no lies. Just true emotions. Just animals
following their instincts of survival. Just humans proving what she knew
for common knowledge.
She did not want to be a mere human. Greed? What use did greed have? Money,
jewels, land… It could all be destroyed in battle. Lust? She laughed at
those poor fools who sweated like pigs in the night under their silk blankets,
thinking that held true pleasure. She'd use it all against them. They would
lust after her. They would want her. They would need her once she was done
with them. She would set them down the true path by using those useless
emotions and wants to her advantage and soon they'd all learn. They'd learn
the truth… That battle held the only true emotions. That battle was the
only true way to exist. That only battle could break all these false masks
of supposed humanity. Humanity was only a variety of packs, herds, prides,
ect. Animals. Let them find life in battle and then die.
In death they could become something more than primitive beasts. Death
in battle brought enlightenment.
Dorothy blinked as she realized the boy was sobbing beneath her and his
arm was twisted at a strange angle and his leg also seemed to be broken.
She frowned as she lifted pressure off the sensitive nerve endings she'd
been pressing and stood. He stared up at her with fear and she sneered.
"Frightened, shivering animals." Dorothy muttered as she turned away. The
others were beginning to surround the boy and the doctor had been called.
She tossed her long blonde hair over her shoulder, ignoring it all.
After all, battle wasn't just a way to show the truth and raise certain
'humans' over others… It was also a way to cast out those too weak to deserve
the rewards of battle. To deserve the truth of humanity.
Only the fittest survived…
Dorothy smiled.
Only the fittest.
Dorothy stared at the ceiling above her, forcing her hands to release their
viselike grip on the silk sheets. Relena had had the ceiling painted a
sky blue with fluffy white clouds, it was hard to see such details in the
moon's sparse lighting however, and Dorothy frowned as she pushed herself
into a sitting position. The room had a cheery atmosphere to it when in
daylight, but at night… The darkness seemed to mock the usually bright,
cheery colors. Her hands smoothed out the white bedspread with its sunny
yellow flowers. Another memory waking her in the dead of the night. She
did not like that. She supposed it came from her thoughts, her suspicions,
concerning Collie but that did not help her hate the feeling of helplessness
the dream memories brought.
Her past was just that to her, past. She wanted to place it behind her,
not to forget, oh she'd never forget. She was a smart woman and would use
what she'd learned then to help her achieve her goals for the present,
but some of those memories held outlooks that she no longer held onto.
Such as her hatred for colonists… Not completely put away, she was fully
aware of that… When she'd told Millardo that the colonists who were nearly
sacrificed in that war so many years ago would be dying gloriously for
the war, that decision had risen only partially because of her love of
war. In some ways, a tiny part of her still wanted the colonists to suffer
for what had happened to her father. But she would not allow herself to
be moved by pure emotions… Which brought another change.
Her love of war and her thoughts on humanity…
She still believed that absolute pacifism could not be achieved, humans
were creatures of emotions and eventually that would lead to another war
and she would be ready for it if it came in her lifetime. She still believed
that war was beautiful when you looked at certain sides of it. War brought
change. War brought peace. Without war no one would see the joy and relief
of peace. They would take it for granted… If she ever saw the earthlings
and colonists taking this fragile peace for granted she might just lead
the next war herself. Everything had an opposite and equal reaction. War
and peace. Good and evil. Ally and enemy.
But if this peace continued Dorothy believed she could handle it gracefully.
She still had politics and in some ways politics could be even more dangerous
than war. Especially since a wrong move could cause the fragile peace to
shatter… She'd actually worried and sweated more over getting a number
of signatures for a bill that Relena and she had both worked hard for than
she'd ever had in war… And she'd felt alive while doing it… Something she'd
once thought only battle could do for her.
War was a series of battles that were strategically planned, but quickly
ended with one victor. Politics was a never-ending dance of struggles and
short time victories that could just as soon blow up in her face. Sometimes
she almost felt as if she enjoyed politics more than she'd ever enjoyed
war.
But this brought her completely off what she'd earlier been thinking over
and Dorothy frowned and her grip tightened on the bedspread, any other
woman probably would have been grinding their teeth ready to scream, but
they were not Dorothy and she would handle her problems calmly. Memories.
It was only after the wars that memories began to bother her. She supposed
it was because she began to regret her actions and began to regain a sense
of humanity… Memories of the war, of what she'd done, of the men she'd
killed, of the horrible things she'd set into action by a meaningful look
or word… Even then she'd been involved in the complexity of politics. But
she supposed she could have handled the memories better if they were only
of the wars and her deeds in those times… She'd had her little breakdowns,
that moment at Relena's had proven that, but it was the other memories
that bothered her so deeply. Memories of before the wars… The moments before
and after her father's death…
What truly scared her, and very few things scared Dorothy Catalonia, was
that it was sometimes hard for her to recall moments she'd spent with her
father. She believed that if a day came that she found it impossible to
remember more than a fuzzy face with a gentle voice she'd curl up and die…
That was how much she remembered of her mother… Her mother had died when
she was so young… She vaguely remembered a woman with a sweet voice that
sang her to sleep and gentle hands that smoothed away her tears…
Memories… Memories of a time after her father when she was being trained
so she could better help her grandfather with his schemes. Training… It
had involved so many details, her training. She'd been taught the way to
dance the complex moves of politics, assassinations, fencing, weaponry,
physical combat, battle strategies, spying, even how to curtsy appropriately
by rank. She'd been taught how to disguise herself so well not even her
own father would have been able to recognize her, if he was still living
that is. Seduction had also been a high priority when it came to the art
of intrigue. She knew ways to make a man tell all while begging her to
let him hear just one word from her lips. Her training at some levels was
only surpassed by the Gundam pilots. Like them, she could resist the effects
of most known and unknown poisons and, unlike them probably, aphrodisiacs.
Memories of learning, of seething hatred for certain teachers, of a hidden
friendship, hidden from even herself because she couldn't admit to having
friends… Memories of finally learning everything she could and being sent
out… Memories of having to use the knowledge they'd forced upon her… Having
to use every single lesson she'd ever learned at some point in her life.
Memories of bills being passed because of a word slipped into the right
ear. Memories of men calling her day and night, of gifts being sent, of
being begged by grown men… Memories of a dagger flashing in the night,
of a drop of poison in the right drink… Memories of working alongside people
that made her sick…
Strange, now that she thought of it, in all those times… She'd never felt
a bit of worry or shame or self-hate… She'd done what she had to and usually
enjoyed it. Laughing at these pitiful 'humans'. Smiling contentedly because
her work was leading to a revolution… Strange how now those memories made
her stomach clench and her head hurt as if a thousands drums pounded inside
it. Strange how instead of feeling contempt for those men that had begged
for her to come back she now felt disgust and self- loathing…
Dorothy slowly slipped out of the bed and pulled on a yellow silk robe,
her own that Marilene had packed, and exited the room to wander the familiar
halls. She ignored the two Preventer guards that passed her by, making
their rounds and talking to others that surrounded the mansion. Relena
was an important figure for peace and the Preventers had been issued as
her official bodyguards years earlier and they took their job very seriously.
Another reason why this was the perfect location for Quatre to stay. One
eyed her up and down appreciatively before his companion smacked him and
they continued their rounds. Dorothy sniffed and made her way to the backyard
porch.
Her feet barely felt the cold marble as she stepped outside and breathed
in the night air. She stepped down the wide snowy, white steps and smiled
as the springy grass tickled her feet. Relena's gardeners were very good
at their job and the yard was beautiful with a delicate simplicity to its
decorativeness. Dorothy flung out her arms and placed one foot out then
twirled slowly, her eyes squeezed shut. She spun around, placing her other
foot out to catch her, then raised her arms to the moon.
A twirl, a dip that brought her hands down to brush the tips of the lush
grass, then she rose upward and raised one leg, slowly ever so slowly.
The robe slid off her shoulders to pool into a silk puddle on the ground
and she flowed as she leaped then twisted in midair before landing gracefully.
Spinning, spinning, spinning… Only the moon to watch her dance. Only the
moon.
Dorothy threw back her head and laughed as her father twirled her around.
He lowered her back to the ground and grinned down at the smiling girl
who pulled one of his long mustaches before giggling again. He chuckled
and twirled her around, the grass soft under her tiny feet, and Dorothy's
smile widened as she danced with her father.
She danced away from him, twirling and twirling and laughing. She threw
up her arms and leaped and kicked, her hair flying and twisting around
her small body. He watched her, smiling as she turned to face him with
her ready grin and ran back into his arms.
"Daddy, don't leave. Who will dance with me if you leave?" Dorothy hugged
him tightly around the neck and he tightened his hold around her and breathed
in the smell of lilacs… She wore her mother's perfume.
"I don't want to go, sweetling." He kneeled in front of her and tapped
her on the nose. "But do not worry about your dancing." He pointed to the
sky and Dorothy looked up. "If I am not here, dance with the moon."
"But it's too far away!" She exclaimed, but wide eyes stared up at the
moon and they seemed so bright… So bright…
"No, sweetling. The moon will always be there and so will I. Dance with
the moon, Dorothy." She stared at him for a second, her tiny mouth fixed
in a considering frown… She was always so smart for her age… But she was
still a little girl and soon she flashed a wide grin.
She darted away and began to twist and twirl once more and she waved at
her father. "See! Am I dancing with the moon, daddy?"
He nodded, a sad smile hidden from her childish happiness, "Yes, you are,
sweetling. You are."
Something warm slid down Dorothy's face and she tasted salt when she opened
her mouth. Her eyes opened and she raised a hand to her face, wiping away
one of those traitorous tears. She raised her head to the sky and stared
at the shining, opal moon and her hand dropped… The tear fell from her
fingertip and fell to the green, green grass. "The moon is crying."
She turned and picked up her discarded robe and slipped it back on. Dorothy
made her way back up the white steps and inside. The tears sliding down
her face were left alone, ignored as if they didn't exist… The moon is
crying.
Outside, two figures separated from the shadows… Neither seeing the other.
One walked out to where she'd been dancing and kneeled in the soft grass,
his eyes staring at the single tear glistening on one of those blades of
grass… The other disappeared into the shadows, silence its only companion…
Sorrow its only ally… Despair its only love…
Busy. Busy. Busy. That fitted the people living in Relena Darlian's home
at the moment. Relena had disappeared to a meeting around six, Quatre had
an appointment with Duo at eight, and Dorothy had disappeared before either
had even awakened… But to where, neither knew.
Dorothy Catalonia knew where she was going though and she reached there
fairly quickly… Before even Quatre Winner was awake, the Duchess was making
her way up the steps into Preventer Headquarters to speak with Officer
Sally Po. She came not for information on the Winner case, but because
of Sally's former occupation.
It was actually a surprise that Miss Po was even at Headquarters, but she
and her partner, Wufei Chang, had to report in every month in person, at
least once. It was a procedure that every space Preventer followed, unless
they were stationed on a solid mass. Sally and Wufei were not stationed.
They scouted space, but lived on earth. Each had offices in the building
and Dorothy Catalonia had resources that had announced their arrival.
Now, she walked down the halls, ignoring a surprised glance from Duo Maxwell
who shrugged after she walked past and moved in the opposite direction
muttering about getting some coffee. Dorothy stopped in front of Sally's
office, ignoring the scurrying and flustered secretary that had been chasing
her since she'd passed the front desk without even a glance, and knocked.
A cheery voice called from inside, "Come in." And Dorothy did just that.
She closed the door in the secretary's face and smiled, or at least tried
to, at Sally Po. She was alone in her office, one hand hovering over a
closed folder, while her mouth opened at the sight of Dorothy. The two
had never spoken much, just small conversation when a situation placed
them together. However, Dorothy did admire the woman for putting up with
Officer Chang. Dorothy respected the man, but his views of women not fighting
and his brief animosity that had caused him to join the enemy side in the
last war always left a sour taste in the back of her mouth.
"Dorothy, I wasn't—."
"I think I'm going insane." Dorothy spoke bluntly and Sally blinked at
her before pushing the folder aside and motioning for Dorothy to sit in
one of the chairs placed in front of her desk. It was a comfortable looking
chair, but Dorothy barely felt the plump cushion as she stared at the once
doctor.
"Now… Why would you think this and why come to me?"
Dorothy calmly stared at her hands, perfect nails except for one… The one
she'd broken in Duo's office that day… "You were once an acknowledged doctor
and I respect your opinion. Also, my visiting a Preventer doesn't cause
as much commotion as visiting a psychiatrist. I have been taking a long
vacation from work and if it is heard I'm visiting a shrink." She shrugged
slightly, "The men and women that work under me are always looking for
a weakness to probe at. I will not give them one."
"I'm not qualified to help you with anything of this degree. My expertise
just doesn't lie in this area of work." Sally shook her head sadly and
offered a condoling smile that Dorothy ignored.
"You've worked as a Preventer for years and you've had to fight the criminally
insane. You've learned how to see the signs of someone on the brink." She
leaned forward and her sharp eyes seemed to bore a hole through Sally.
"You've dealt with many of those that could not handle the horrors of war
and lost the struggle of sanity."
"Dorothy, I do not think you are insane. You seem perfectly well to me."
She shook her head, but it was obvious that Officer Po wasn't going to
be able to help her and truth be told Dorothy felt a bit sheepish and foolish
coming to see the woman. A few odd memories, dancing in the night, crying
yet blaming it on the moon didn't make a person insane… She knew that,
but she wanted an excuse… Something. Anything.
The Duchess stood and Sally followed her example, hiding a large amount
of respect and awe for the young woman before her. Sally watched as Dorothy
nodded once at her, as regal as a Queen, then turned and left her office.
The former doctor felt a stab of pity and compassion for the woman, also.
Sally turned and slammed her fist against a bit of the wall. A loud bang
came from the other side and a curse that made her chuckle as the secret
door opened and Duo Maxwell stumbled out, rubbing his nose where her fist
had forced the door to slam into his face. "Why'd you go and do that?!"
She wagged an admonishing finger under his nose, "Didn't your mother ever
teach you not to eavesdrop?"
"I thought she might have something to say about the attempts on Quatre…
And those close to him now it would seem." Duo frowned and glowered at
the door Dorothy had just walked through. "I feel like she knows something,
Sally… Something about all this just smells fishy and she's in the middle
of it no matter what anyone says. I don't think she's out to off Quatre,
but she's in it somehow…"
"Well, you heard what she wanted and it had nothing to do with your case."
"Yeah… I never thought I'd hear the day when she started to suspect herself
going nuts. One of the few people I've known that went around saying war
was beautiful. From some of the things I've heard Quatre mutter I suspect
she still does sometimes."
"A woman of many layers, Duo… Don't forget that… What you and so many others
have labeled her as is just one layer. Remember that." Sally warned before
aiming a well-deserved kick at the handsome young man, which caused him
to jump and let out a yowl. He rubbed his rear and glared at her.
"What the hell was that for?!"
"When someone comes to my office, it is for my ears and eyes alone. Understood?"
She opened her door and Duo limped out muttering about crazy women. She
chuckled, "I wouldn't keep that up if I were you, Duo."
"And why the hell not? Crazy women, all of you!"
A passing female Preventer shot Duo a half-amused and half-irritated look
and Sally laughed. "That's why." Duo eyed the female officer before limping
in the opposite direction, still rubbing where she'd kicked him. Officer
Po shook her head once before returning to her office, her shoulders shaking
with suppressed mirth.
*
Dorothy didn't return to Relena's house right away, but hailed a taxi and
had him drive her to a few of her favorite stores. She didn't buy much
and her shopping was ruined by the fact that she kept glancing over her
shoulder every five seconds. Someone was following her and she did not
like it. Perhaps she was being paranoid after what had happened to her
car, but… No… She was a trained spy and someone was following her.
She ordered the driver to take her back to Relena's and was surprised to
find the house empty of both Relena and Quatre but shrugged and settled
down on the plush couch. Relena liked everything to be comfortable and
soft and delicate. Dorothy was curled up on the pale rose couch before
the fire, a book in her hands, when soft murmuring announced the arrival
of someone. She yawned, as content as a sleepy cat and stretched as someone
approached. The carpet was a deep, lush peach that enveloped any sound
a pair of shoes might have made, but she could feel the presence of a body
behind her and she looked up into brilliant blue eyes that watched her
intently.
"Miss Dorothy, how are you today?"
She raised a cool eyebrow as Quatre sat down in an armchair close by, "As
well as can be expected, Mr. Winner."
He nodded as if he understood, "The weather is becoming quite chilly. Seems
winter is truly here. I wouldn't be surprised if we did have a true white
Christmas. I've seen snow only a few times in my lifetime and will enjoy
seeing it again. The colonies create an artificial snow that falls at a
appointed time, but it cannot beat true snow on earth."
Dorothy didn't answer, but just eyed him. Silence enveloped them and he
shifted in his chair as he became aware that she wasn't going to speak.
"Yes, well… I will miss my sisters… I do not celebrate Christmas, of course,
but a few of my sisters have changed religion when marrying and… They forced
me to put up a tree before I left for earth for Relena's celebration… Allah,
that seems long ago."
Silence… But those cool blue-gray eyes continued to stare at him… They
were finely cut gems; no warmth came from that condemning gaze. Her lips
had twisted into a sadistic smirk.
"Relena should be back after her meeting. I believe it was being held somewhere
in Japan. She didn't have a chance to give an exact location."
Silence.
Quatre raised a hand to his temple and rubbed it while his other hand clenched
and unclenched against the soft fabric covering the chair. "What is it
you are reading? Is it very good?"
Silence.
Once again one of those eyebrows was raised at him, those cold eyes staring
at him so intently… He felt as if she were humoring him with her presence,
as if he were merely a small child that any moment now could get a slap
on the wrist and be sent to bed with no dessert… But he also felt an underline
of contempt and wariness. As if he were a rabid dog… A creature of disgust,
but a creature that should be watched closely also.
Dorothy chuckled as she closed her book, keeping her place marked with
one slender finger, and he watched as she gracefully stood. She moved toward
him and leaned down till their noses were nearly touching. "Don't get me
wrong, Mr. Winner, but you are becoming a bit overbearing. After all, it
was just a one-night stand. Never to be repeated." She leaned back and
tweaked his nose, "Don't look too disappointed, Mr. Winner. After all,
you don't want to get wrinkles all over your pretty little face." She smiled
and there was nothing pretty or nice about her smile. "Do try not to die
in the next few days, Mr. Winner. You still owe me a rematch, unless your
honor has deserted you to break that off?"
Quatre's cheeks felt hot but with embarrassment or anger he wasn't sure.
"I wouldn't dream of it, Miss Dorothy, and I am glad to see you taking
this so well. The last time we talked you seemed a bit… Shall we say, overemotional?"
Nothing betrayed her inner emotions as she bowed her head. "An annoying
habit of mine, I fear. I have a quick temper, but fortunately it goes as
quickly as it comes. Now, if you'll excuse me. I'm very tired." She curtsied
slightly and left the room with him watching her.
He waited till she was out of sight to put his face in his hands. He remembered
what he'd said to her and still found it hard to believe. Allah, he had
not wanted to hurt her, but… They were going after her to get to him now.
He couldn't risk it. He just couldn't. Yet… The pain at seeing those emotions
in her, emotions directed at him because of what he'd said that day… He
seriously wondered if the pain he felt inside for seeing her hate him so
was worth it.
Walking back to her rooms Dorothy allowed herself a confident smile. She
had lied, of course. Her temper was a slow ember actually. She could keep
perfectly calm in the face of men and women she hated even if they called
her the most horrid names they could think of… She always held her temper
on a tight rein and it slowly burned over days, weeks, even years sometimes…
And when she finally released it. Dorothy chuckled. She was a patient person
when she needed to be and for now she would be patient. One day she would
exact a slow revenge upon Quatre Raberba Winner for what he had said to
her that day… For boring a hole through all her walls and stabbing into
a heart she'd thought long since dead.
She would get revenge and nothing would stop her. Nothing.
*
He barely hid a sneer as he boarded the shuttle. Like always he was being
carted off somewhere. His father always did this to him. He felt like an
animal at times being sent her and there so people would know who he was,
what he'd one day rule over. He didn't care. In some ways, he was even
lower than an animal. He was nothing but a bunch of cells built together
in a tube somewhere. If he ever ran down his supposed father could just
make another.
Allah, he was tired of this. Tired of it all! He wasn't fit to be in the
same room with other humans, true humans. He had been made just so his
father would have someone to boss around. He was nothing, but a slave.
A slave. A fake human slave. He was tired of it. He hated this mockery,
acting as if he were something more. He knew the truth no matter what any
said.
His father didn't need him. No one needed him. He was useless and a copy
could be made any day, any time as long as a doctor and a tube was nearby.
He didn't want this any more. He wouldn't live a fraud any longer! He was
not a slave!
He looked out his shuttle window and frowned as Earth came into view. Earth.
What a laugh. He sneered at the blue green planet. Down there, amoebae
were more than he. Earth… It mocked him. He frowned and glared at nothing.
Quatre jerked and stared at the roaring fire. He had fallen asleep in the
armchair… He vaguely wondered how much time had passed, but his mind was
more focused on the dream. He didn't like old memories… Especially those
old memories… of days where he'd thought so much less of himself because
he was a test-tube baby. Before Rashid and the others had taught him differently.
Taught him so many things. That day seemed so far away now… That day he'd
caught the spy in Rashid's troop and fought in a suit and earned his goggles…
So long ago that he'd met the doctor that had created Sandrock and had
led him down the path of war and peace and war and peace.
He stood and jerked when his eyes landed on a figure standing in the doorway.
"What are you doing here?"
Trowa nodded once before moving further into the room, "Dorothy called
me at Headquarters and asked me to come. I came. You were asleep when I
arrived."
Something about that sounded…murky to Quatre and the Arabian tilted his
head at the acrobat. "How long has passed since then?"
"A few hours. I was actually about to leave when you awoke."
"What did you and her talk about for hours?"
Trowa looked away and seemed to thinking of whether or not he should answer
then he shrugged and turned his head back toward Quatre. "Christmas…"
Quatre raised both eyebrows, "Christmas?" He asked incredulously, but Trowa
merely nodded and gave a slight smile.
"I have to go, Quatre. If you need anything, I'll be there." Trowa nodded
once more then turned and walked away, leaving Quatre with a million whirling
thoughts.
What does Christmas have to do with anything? Why would Dorothy call Trowa
of all people to talk? Quatre cursed under his breath, a mild curse but
still strange coming from his lips. Too many questions and not near enough
answers.
As if thinking about her was a summons, though he doubted she'd come if
summoned, Dorothy swept into the room and raised an eyebrow at finding
him lounging in the chair. She smiled condescendingly, "Nice nap, I presume."
Quatre tried to hide his shock, but it was hard when a woman that he thought
hated him came prancing in front of him wearing only a white, near transparent,
silk nightgown that showed an excessive amount of bosom… As if it needed
that low cut, the material was close to see-through! Her smile widened
as he flushed and she sat down on the couch arm closest to him, showing
an ample amount of leg as she revealed a cut that came nearly to her waist.
"You look flush. Is the fire too hot for you, Mr. Winner?" Dorothy positively
purred as Quatre leaned back in his chair, trying to become one with the
soft fabric.
"I can handle the heat, Miss Dorothy." He answered, his voice surprisingly
steady and dry.
Dorothy seemed to find his answer amusing and she twisted, causing him
to hide a quick swallow. "Really? Well, do be careful, Mr. Winner. After
all, many a young boy has found himself too captivated by the flames and
well," she shrugged and he refrained from squeezing his eyes shut, "a seared
hand is not at all pleasant."
"Most are taught that pretty flames shouldn't be touched." His voice was
even drier, if possible, and Quatre desperately wished for a cup of strong
brandy. So what if Duo had hinted he was drinking too much… He used to
not drink at all, he was just making up for lost time… Allah, that sounds
like the ramblings of an idiot even in my own head.
She leaned forward and breathed in, causing him to raise his eyes to her
eyes. Just her eyes. "Some have to learn by first hand experience."
Quatre suddenly stood, causing her to gracefully follow his example, "I've
already had my first experience with dangerous flames, I don't care to
repeat it." He paused thoughtfully, "And even that first time, I could
almost say it was as if someone or something else guided my hand toward
the fire." Quatre nodded pleasantly, "If you'll excuse me." She stepped
aside and he could feel her eyes on his back as he left the room and began
the trek toward his room.
When did I become so cruel? Allah, I sounded like her! Twisting words around
hidden meanings. What is happening to me? What is happening to my life?!
Dorothy frowned as soon as he was out of sight and turned her gaze toward
the flickering flames. Unconsciously a hand reached out and… She dropped
it, a considering look on her face. I never realized that sweet little
Winner could… She shook her head. "Very good, Mr. Winner. Very good."
It was actually. He had known what she meant by flames… And had made it
clear that a repetition of what had happened in his house before the fire
was not to occur and even made a slight remark concerning the aphrodisiac
used on them. That brought another thought to mind and she tapped a finger
against her lips thoughtfully. Duo and Heero… I wonder if they took what
I told them into consideration…
With a slight toss of her head, Dorothy turned and walked out of the room.
Her mind whirling with thoughts and revelations… And no matter what she
said or tried to tell herself… Not all revelations were pleasant… Not in
the least little bit.
*
"Heero! Where the hell have you been? It's been—."
"Shut up." Duo caught the disk Heero threw at him and tried to ignore
the cold glare sent his way. He slipped it into his computer and waited
for the information to appear on the screen. He used the time to eye his
partner and let out a low whistle.
"Man, you look like you've been through hell and back, maybe even made
a detour to—."
"Look."
Duo muttered about the rudeness of interrupting before turning his attention
away from Heero who was nursing a dozen cuts and bruises. "Who's the babe?"
He asked as he eyed the girl the Winner grounds cameras had caught. The
picture was a bit blurry, but he could clearly see a petite girl with shoulder-length
blonde hair. She looked well endowed to him, but nothing compared to Hilde.
He smiled a bit sappily as he thought of Hilde, waiting at home for him…
Man, he missed her. The last time he'd spoken to her, this morning actually,
she'd said she had a surprise for him when he got home… Whenever that was.
"Jezebel Willow. She has no file. I ran a background check on her after
Rashid gave me her name." Heero answered in his usual monotone and Duo
could hear the rip of cloth behind him as Heero used his shirt as a bandage.
The American winced and pointed to the file cabinet.
"There's real bandages in there and peroxide and anything else you
might need. What happened to you? Did you and Rashid have a fist fight?"
Heero glowered at the braided back before walking to the file cabinet.
"She only came to the house a few times. She was a friend of Lanetta Green's."
"So, no past and she's a friend of a dead murderer to be. Hmmm… She should
pick her friends better. Did you find anything else about her?"
"The last time she was seen with Lanetta was hours before the fire. Driving
a black Jaguar."
Duo whistled, "Pretty car."
"Rashid says she usually came in a beat up Ford."
"A Ford?" Duo raised an eyebrow, "Then where'd the fancy car come from?"
Heero didn't answer and when Duo turned around he found his partner loading
a gun calmly. "What are you doing?"
"Relena's in trouble."
"Relena's in trouble." Duo mimicked before realizing what exactly the other
man had said. "Relena's in trouble?! How?! She's surrounded by three dozen
of our best men, day and night! She can't be in trouble!"
"She's not at home." And he was out the door before Duo was even on his
feet. The braided American stood slowly, then shook his head and sat back
down. "Heero can handle it… God… Hilde…" He picked up a picture of the
two of them together, his arm around her and her smiling up at him. "I'll
be glad when this is over so I can get back to you."
He glanced back up at the computer and squinted at the image of a blonde
woman getting out of a black car. He copied down the license plate number
and picked up his phone. Heero could leave and rescue the damsel in distress,
but for now… Duo had a case to solve and a wife to get home to.
*
Relena pulled the thick black coat closer and shivered as a cold wind shifted
strands of her hair loose from the deep fur-trim hood. She shoved gloved
hands into her coat pockets and eyed the well-kept park. It was actually
a truly beautiful place in the light, with its numerous colorful pansies
that lined the red brick walkways and the large, crystal clear pond that
stood in the middle next to a small white gazebo that sometimes talented
street musicians occupied. In the night, however it acquired a strange
mysterious beauty to it. The moon's reflection danced as ripples graced
the darkened pond and the wind shifted the pansies that would probably
survive even through the wind's promise of snow. In her head she could
hear the haunting melody of a violin playing in the gazebo.
It was a night that lover's would be strolling, she'd even seen one or
two couples laughing as they held hands and caught up to a horse drawn
carriage. Relena smiled at the memory and wouldn't have minded riding in
one of those carriages. She'd seen one that had been painted a brilliant
white with tiny red flowers trailing along it being pulled by a white horse,
it had been speckled gray here and there but it was white enough in her
opinion. It had even had tiny white silver bells hooked to its harness
and she could've sworn a few were braided into its mane… But she wouldn't
be riding in a carriage tonight… God… She'd be lucky if she wasn't bundled
up and sent back to her home with a troop of Preventers…
He'd be mad when he realized she wasn't in any real danger. Worse than
mad actually, but she'd deal with that. The man had been avoiding her ever
since the celebration… Trying to pretend it was because of the attempts
on Quatre. She'd bet her entire mansion that he'd accepted the case so
he'd have an excuse… Well, he'd also probably accepted because Quatre was
his friend, but she knew that hadn't been the only reason.
He was unbelievably stubborn at times. Always telling her that she was
the Vice Foreign Minister Darlian and was needed to keep this fragile peace
from shattering. That wasn't true! Not anymore… The war Mariemeia had started
so long ago had changed all that. That war had ended with very little bloodshed
because the people had stood up for their peace. It was the people that
held this peace now. Not her. If she died, they would mourn her, but they
would continue living peacefully. She knew that someday a new war would
rise, but hopefully not in her lifetime. She'd seen enough death to last
two lifetimes.
This whole idea was ridiculous, she decided as she pulled her gloved hands
out of the semi-warm pockets to push her hair behind her ears. Why did
I ever think something like this up?! God, I can be such a moron at times.
He's going to kill me. I just know it. Argh! She threw up her hands and
jumped as a carriage jingled by.
Why didn't anybody try to stop me, she whined mentally… But that really
wasn't fair. The only other person that had known about her idea was Lady
Une who had helped her by first getting her past her Preventer guards and
sending Heero the warning about Relena being in trouble. Not for the first
time, Relena wondered why the other woman had helped her… But maybe Une
was just being nice. The woman was incredibly kind and gentle since the
first war and Treize's death, yet at times Relena wondered if the woman
wasn't… Well, sometimes Relena wondered if Une was completely sane. The
woman was brilliant when it came to politics and she was still alert and
strong. She was a wonderful general and leader of the Preventers, but…
The death of Treize had caused her to revert to a sort of half way stage
when it came to her two personalities, yet how could she just suddenly
have healed? A miracle, a mystery that Relena had never had time to investigate…
Or truly much interest to. Lady Une was Lady Une and as long as she continued
doing her job and being a friend, not a close friend, then Relena wouldn't
pry. After all, even with her kindness of now it was sometimes hard not
to see the cold-hearted woman that had angrily thrown the bombed compact
where Relena's adoptive father sat unknowingly… She had killed him and
even though Relena had spoken of forgiving her… How could one truly and
completely forgive the murderer of the only father they'd ever had?
"Relena, what's the meaning of this?" Heero's voice made the wind seem
warm and friendly as he stalked toward her. From the way he moved and his
tone he'd realized she wasn't in any life threatening danger. "Une told
me—."
"I know what she told you." Relena interrupted him, something she rarely
did and he sent her his trademark glare, which she ignored like usual.
It did work, she just didn't let him see the effects… "I am in some danger,
but not from any would-be assassin. Heero, you've been avoiding me and
this was…" She sighed, "I'm sorry for having to trick you, but I have to
speak with you."
"Where are your guards?"
"Heero, are you even listening to me?"
He turned cold blue eyes toward her, "Yes. Where are your guards?" He seemed
to wear the darkness like a cloak, as if he tried to push every bit of
light away from him.
"I don't know. Why have you been avoiding me, Heero? Have I done something
to offend you?" She raised one proud eyebrow, "I want an answer and for
once," she swallowed as if the next words were hard to say but necessary,
"you will not run from me."
He just stood there, silently watching her, and Relena took that as permission
to continue speaking. "Ever since the reunion you've been avoiding me.
You say it's because of your new case, but… I want to know why. The true
reason and… I have some things to say to you and I Will Say Them. Every
time I open my mouth you usually interrupt me or stalk away and I won't
have it anymore." Her voice became heated as she continued and her eyes
were bright sapphires, burning with intense anger she had to hide every
day from the press and friends.
"Relena," his tone held a warning in it, but that just made the anger grow.
"I LOVE YOU!"
Silence…
The wind blew around them, but neither shivered as they stared at each
other. Heero was standing as still as a statue while Relena panted as if
she had just rule a marathon. She breathed in deeply once more before continuing.
"I know you don't want to hear those words. Every time I've come close
to saying them you've always made some excuse to leave… But I'm tired,
Heero, and… I've reached a point where I just can't do this anymore. I
hurt, Heero." Relena's anger was gone now and she merely sounded tired
and weary. "I'm so tired of trying to reach you and you fending me off.
I'm tired of failing. I'm tired of crying. I'm tired of hurting inside
because of you. I know you're in pain, Heero, but I'm not like you. I can't
hold everything inside and ignore the pain… I tried, but… It just took
hold and built over the months." The faded anger reentered her voice; "I
will not allow you to take my strength away. I won't! It took me a long
time to realize I could survive on my own without you around to save me
or hold my hand when I cross a street. I like my strength, but you're taking
it away! I love you, Heero, but I can't wait for you forever. God knows
I want to, but I can't. If I did, it'd take it all away because it'd make
me realize I couldn't live on my own… And I can. I won't lie and say it
will be a happy life without you… Without you, my life will be dreary.
Without you, it won't be complete but…" She shook her head, "I'm messing
it all up… I can give a dozen perfect speeches in a single day, but can't
speak straight around you…"
"Relena,"
"Don't Relena me!" She snapped, "I may be a pacifist, but I doubt slapping
you would truly go against that. Don't think I'm joking, Heero. I'm not.
I'm tired of waiting. I want an answer now. This is it. If you say you
don't love me, never could love me, then I'll go back home and never bother
you again. But I need to know."
Silence again.
Then slowly, cautiously he stepped closer to her. "I am a soldier." He
spoke each word carefully. "I go where I am told to go and do what I am
told to do. I fight. I kill. I protect. I am a Preventer officer because
that's all that's left for me to do. I protect you because you are my symbol
of peace. I fight what I can see, kill people I know are there. That's
what a soldier does."
Relena closed the bit of space between them and whispered as she tilted
her head up to stare at him. "You're human, Heero, not just a soldier."
The next words seemed to be pulled from his throat and came out husky,
"Wait for me."
Relena frowned, "I need more
than that, Heero." But inside she squealed and danced a jig that she'd
seen Duo do once. He did care! He had too!
"All I can give you is my protection, Relena. You… I'm nothing compared
to you and the strength you show every day. You love everyone. You care
for everyone… I can't taint you with my constant presence."
"I'm not some fragile porcelain doll, Heero. I saw the war also and at
times… I thought about joining you on the battlefield, but in the end it
turned out my battles weren't to start till you and the others won the
war. I've done things I'm not proud of, Heero, and just because they don't
involve aiming a gun and pulling the trigger doesn't make them any less
worse. I've ruined men and women's lives because they were too dangerous
to have in high positions of power while I was convincing others of peace.
You are a confused man and I am an impatient woman."
He stared down at her for awhile before Relena suddenly huffed and stood
up on her tiptoes and allowed her lips to brush against his. Heero jerked
and stared down at her with wide eyes that made her want to giggle and
cry at the same time. No matter how many battles he'd fought, he was extremely
innocent when it came to certain things.
Then his lips touched hers again and she forgot all that as she kissed
the love of her life, Heero Yuy.
It ended quickly and he was soon a few feet away from her, his face closed
off as usual, but she knew… God, she knew. Relena smiled, "I'll wait for
you, Heero. Take me home, please?"
He nodded and she walked toward him, her brave and loving warrior… But
it wasn't he that had saved the damsel in distress this time… This time
the princess had saved the knight.
*
Dorothy yawned as she made her way toward her room. She was tired and she
liked that. Too tired to truly think was a rare gift for her. Usually,
it was also a dangerous gift, but as she made her way to her room rubbing
her eyes and yawning she didn't care. All she wanted was her pillow and
to fall into a dreamless sleep.
The thought of silk sheets caused her to grin sleepily and she opened her
door and stepped inside and was shaken out of her sleepy stupor at the
sight before her. "Trowa! What are you doing in here?" She yawned again,
even if she was slightly awake her thoughts still felt muddled and she
just wanted to push him off her bed so she could sleep.
"I need to—." He lunged at her and just before darkness claimed her, Dorothy
giggled mentally. How strange. Not even she had truly considered the possibility
that Trowa was the one behind the attempts. How truly brilliant of him.
Then she was gone and fallen into a dreamless slumber… In truth, she might've
thanked him for speeding her along the way…
As she lay on the carpet, her white blonde hair fanning out around her
still form, her attacker glanced at the bruise forming on the back of her
neck. Perhaps they had hit too hard. Oh, well. A motion and the others
hefted the bodies and the shadows were the only ones to see the group leave.
*