The Heart Never Forgets
Chapter 4
July 1st AC 201
Wufei sat glued to his seat, barely aware of his surroundings. His mind was roaming over so many thoughts, always circling back to one image. A recollection of how his life had never been the same since he had fallen in love with Sally Po.
He couldn't quite remember the first time he had began to look at her in a different light. He had pondered what there really was to like about women. Zechs was obviously smitten with Noin, and he could not comprehend why. In his eyes, Lucrezia Noin was a weakling, incapable - like every woman, despite proving this philosophy wrong on many occasions. Then, he had wondered about Sally. In what way was she any different? But there was a way, he had known there was a way....
Perhaps it had been when he had fallen ill with a fever once and she had pressed her lips on his forehead. As a former doctor, she had known this was a quick way to test whether his temperature had altered, though with a pang of guilt, he had found himself wishing she would keep them there just a little longer.
Sally had always stood by him, even when others didn't. When they called him an arrogant coward, Sally would always stand up for him, and heal his wounds.
Wufei had begun to regard her as 'his' property and had become threatened and prickly even when she was conversing with other Preventer men on a work basis. When he had demonstrated his displeasure, Sally had replied coolly: " What's wrong, Wu - jealous, huh?" He had glowered at her and called her a " Stupid senseless onna" the way he always did when he knew Sally was damn right...
Wufei missed her, he really missed her...
" WUFEI CHANG!" a school ma'am voice yelled, breaking through his train of thought.
Wufei grunted and focused himself on the platform before him, on which stood an exasperated Lady Une. She narrowed her eyes, obviously desiring a meek repentance. He wasn't going to apologise to a woman.
" I doubt you have been listening to a WORD I have been saying, have you?" Une bellowed. The select group of twenty Preventers shuffled irritably, glaring at the Chinese man for setting Une off on one of her rants.
Wufei remembered why he was here. He had vaguely heard Une talk of a twelve week mission on some sort of remote island where a group of people had been building a base, lethal weapons, threatening war.....he got the idea.....
" Don't fool yourselves - this mission is going to be a dangerous one...," Une continued, choosing to ignore Wufei on this occasion. " I will expect a full report on your return of the strategies and plans this faction have..."
Wufei yawned loudly.
"....And if you would grace us with your consciousness, Mr Chang....I would like to add that this rather lengthy mission will not be in vain....by gaining this information, we will find the best way to prevent their agenda from being followed - as that is why they call us the Preventers, believe it or not!"
When Une had finished speaking, and as the group filed out of the room, Wufei could only focus his mind on one thought. As from tomorrow, he would be separated from Sally Po for at least three months. It would feel like forever.
Alone in the hall, Lady Une sighed to herself. She was well aware this mission could have disastrous consequences for those involved, something she hadn't quite enforced in her meeting. These agents would be gone for longer than any of them had been used to before. It would be an extensive amount of time before - if - they ever stepped foot in the Preventer headquarters again. That was the simple reason why she had sent Wufei Chang.
" I know you would think badly of me for this, Mister Treize," Une confessed, " but right now, I am past caring..."
**************************************************************************** *****************
Sally Po drummed on her keyboard furiously. The July whether made it unbearably hot. The upper-bodies of the other agents, including Noin were clad only in shirts to lessen the heat.
Sally was forced to wear her jacket over hers. She had traded her more fitted jacket for a looser one, for the purpose of disguising her swelling abdomen. Now, at slightly over five months pregnant, the evidence was becoming dangerously noticeable. She hoped she'd escaped so far. As far as Sally knew, only Noin was aware of her situation.
' I am not going to see Wufei for twelve weeks....he is leaving today....' Sally reminded herself. ' I will miss him terribly...though at least we shan't have to pussy-foot round each other for a while.'
Sally fixed her eyes on her screen, trying to hold back the tightening in her throat. ' It's just these stupid hormones,' she told herself. ' Making me feel so melancholy..'
Noin turned her head from the monitor of her machine, seeing Sally wipe tears from her eyes. She reached over and placed a hand on Sally's shoulder. " It's okay, Sal, I'll go fetch you some lunch."
" I don't want ANY food," was the dull reply. " I told you, I'm not eating. You know why."
" Sally Po, " Noin answered in an exasperated tone. " I can't believe you used to call yourself a doctor."
**************************************************************************** *****************
Wufei inhaled a deep breath as he prepared to board the aircraft, taking him on his next assignment. The others were fussing with issues such as supplies for the journey and during their time there.
" Wufei!" a voice called from a distance.
Wufei turned to see his Sally hurrying over to him. There was something constricted about the way she was running, though he could not put his finger on it. And why was she wearing that jacket as if it was the middle of winter?
He pushed those petty, meaningless thoughts from his mind as he turned to face her. Still, he could not escape from the notion that something wasn't quite right about her. Her face was pallid and her eyes lacked a certain sparkle. Her hair was hanging loose and limply about her shoulders. In short, she looked exhausted.
" Sally, are you in poor health?" Wufei inquired, concern in his expression.
" No, I'm in perfect health," Sally replied. For any expectant mother, that was. It was true, though, that she hadn't slept properly for ages and had skipped many a meal to try and make herself look as thin as possible. The stress she was under suppressed her appetite anyway.
" I don't believe you, woman," Wufei said back.
" My name is S-A-L-L-Y," she groaned, almost crying. " And before you interrupted me, I came to tell you something very important."
Wufei closed his mouth to listen to what she had to say. His black almond eyes searched hers. Sally was doing her best to control her emotions. She had to tell him the truth, that she was carrying his child...
" Wufei...I...I," she stammered.
" What is it?" he pressed, his impatience doused by her obvious anxiety.
" Well..I...." Sally just couldn't frame the words. How could she have even thought of burdening Wufei with such a revelation on the day they would be separated. He had a mission to contend with. It would be unfair. She knew it was a decent excuse, a good reason to lie to herself. Where was her integrity at this moment?
" Sally...I have to leave in a few moments...please tell me..." he urged gently.
" I...I'm going to miss you," she finally choked out. ' Sally, you're so lame!' she mentally scolded herself.
Wufei's expression softened. He knew he would miss her too. And even if it made him seem the weakest man in the world, he wouldn't restrain himself from embracing her at this moment.
As he reached for her, Sally backed away slightly. She was lucky that the unborn child wasn't large and didn't show too much, but if Wufei happened to touch her waist, there was no doubt he'd be enlightened.
" Sally, what's the matter?" he asked anxiously, " Don't you want me to come near you?"
" Sure I do...it's just I may not want to let you go," she replied, blinking back tears. Wufei's gaze, combined with pregnancy hormones were turning her to mush.
" It's okay, then I shan't torture you," he answered quietly. He leant forward and kissed her forehead softly, brushing her cheek. " Goodbye, Sally."
In a few moments, he was gone.
**************************************************************************** *****************
" Did you see?" a young Preventer said to his group of comrades who were seated in the caferteria.
" What?"
" Come on, you must have noticed!"
" Yeah, come to think if it, her uniform does strain over her stomach."
" I think Sally Po is pregnant."
" I think you're right, pal!"
" That's what you get for being a hussy!"
" I'd like to see Chang change a diaper! Ha ha!"
" Better still, what if it's a girl?"
" INJUSTICE!" they chorused, falling about laughing and snorting over their sodas.
The little party stopped abruptly when a figure emerged in the doorway. It was Zechs, his face holding a stoney expression.
" I'd watch what you say if I were you," he grated, glaring at them coldly with his ice blue eyes.
The young Preventer agents turned back to their conversation, making sure it was more wholesome, at least until Zechs had left the vicinity.
**************************************************************************** *****************
" Noin!"
Lucrezia collided with her partner in the hallway. " What's the matter?" she inquired. One look at his face taught her something was amiss.
" I've been hearing idle tales floating around that Sally is pregnant," Zechs replied, grasping both her arms so she could not escape without dealing him the truth. " Is she- or is it just more malicious gossip?"
" No, of course not!" Noin protested, turning away from his gaze, feeling terrible to lie to her one true love.
" I know when you're being dishonest," Zechs insisted. The woman felt a pang of guilt. Lying to Zechs wasn't quite like lying to anyone else.
" I was being dishonest for the sake of not being disloyal," she answered, weakly.
That was enough confirmation for Zechs.
" I am going to MURDER that Chang scoundrel whenever I next see him!" he exploded. " The rogue! Sally is - or was -a respected woman and he has successfully resorted her to THIS."
" I should never have told you!" Noin gasped, seeing the pulse throbbing in his temple.
" How far gone is she?" he demanded.
" At least five months," Noin replied, defeatedly.
" Does Wufei even know?"
" Oh Zechs! As far as I know Wufei is not aware. Please don't enlighten anyone!" Noin pleaded, her voice hoarse and frantic. " Least of all Une! She'll fire Sally. She'll have to bring up her child unemployed and alone, with no family to be of any assistance."
Zechs pondered on these words, then pushed Noin aside and stalked away down the corridor, his face a grim mask. Noin buried her head in her hands. Sally was never going to believe a word that came out of her mouth again. Whether Une found out or not, she was going to lose Sally's friendship for good.
**************************************************************************** *****************
Sally felt a fresh wave of nausea as she prepared to turn the handle on the door of Une's office. It brought back painful memories of the last time she had been confined to her boss's quarters- but this time there was no Wufei to see it through with her.
Suddenly, the door was flung open and Sally found herself stood face to face with none other than Zechs. He wore the most peculiar expression on his face.
" Come on in Sally - Une's waiting for you," he announced, gruffly and then without a backward glance, disappeared round the corner, before the lead weight of guilt on his shoulders caused him to collapse.
Une was facing the wall as Sally entered, shutting the door quietly behind her. She appeared to be fiddling with something.
" Dammit, it's broken for good this time," she was cursing.
" What's the matter?" Sally asked cautiously.
" The electric fan, to cool the room down, it's broken again. I've no choice to to replace it," Une explained. She turned to face Sally, who was stood by the door rather like a rabbit caught under headlights.
" Please sit down", she instructed in a rather pleasant manner, which was unusual for her of late. Despite the intense heat in the office, Sally hurried to comply.
Une studied her employee closely. Although the rest of her face was somewhat pasty, her cheeks were flushed red and beads of sweat glistened on her forehead. She seemed lethargic and ready to faint, probably because of the temperature.
" Why don't you take your thick jacket off?" Une suggested. " It's ridiculous that you should still be wearing it in this weather, especially with my fan not working. You look more suited to an Arctic winter!"
" I'm fine!" Sally snapped, then hastily added, " honestly- I'll keep it on if it's all the same to you."
" Sally, I insist. I can't have you fainting on me now, can I?" Une said, genuininely concerned. " I'll help you unbutton it if you're too tired or hot and bothered to do it yourself."
Sally hung her head, her shoulder's stooping in defeat. There was no way out of this one. She hesitantly shed her jacket, her only protection, letting it drop to the floor.
'How long does it take a person to die of shame?' she thought, as she forced her head up to meet Une's eyes, hardly daring to find out what expression they may hold.
" So it's true." Une's voice was soft.
Sally didn't need to ask what she meant. Now she had lost her thick outer layer, the gently rounded bump under her shirt was no longer concealed and protruded noticeably.
" How...how did you..?"
" Zechs informed me," Une carried on. " He finally squeezed it out of Noin."
" Noin!" Sally gasped, her face contorted with the pain of betrayal.
" I'm sorry but you and I both know what Lucrezia Noin is like when it comes to Zechs, don't we?" Une answered. " You can't be angry with her. Sooner or later everyone was going to find out."
Sally bit her bottom lip and wrapped her arms around her middle, as if to hide what Une already knew.
" Oh, Sally, how could you be such a fool?" Lady Une spoke up after a pause. " You are one of my best agents - more reliable than Noin - more predictable than Zechs - and for one mistake, look what it's cost you!"
Sally feared Une's voice may raise again. She couldn't cope with another lecture, being called a slut, being humiliated. And the worst thing was that no matter what, she couldn't make herself regret it. Sally hung her head again and cried.
" Now, Sally, I am not going to shout at you, but the question is, what is going to happen to you and this child?"
Sally remained silently weeping.
" Do you honestly expect the child's father to want anything to do with it?" Une continued.
Sally hadn't really considered that. The thought terrified her.
" Do you think he will take responsibility for his actions? You know he is a solitary man not some kind of daddy-kins. What makes you think he will accept the dishonourable label of having an illegitimate child? Could he face it? I don't think so. Wufei Chang, deep down, is a coward."
A murderous look appeared in Sally's eyes; " Don't you ever DARE call him a coward! You don't even know him!"
" He works for me, of course I know him," Une shot back, her niceness shattered by Sally's sudden outburst.
" No! You only see what everyone else sees," Sally argued. " You don't understand him. You don't know him like I do! He isn't a coward! He has a strong, strong heart."
" You are mistaken. In my eyes, he's still a deranged kid! The kid that killed my - "
" Une! Move on with your life!" Sally urged. "That was years ago! Wufei is twenty-one now and he regrets deeply the things of his past. He never wanted Treize to die like that!"
Lady Une was bordering on tears but she stopped herself, her emotions shrouded by a stoney mask. " Sally Po, as you have been loyal to the Preventers for such a long time, I shall not fire you but once the child is born, we must reassess the situation then. Now go."
Sally didn't need telling twice. She left the office and closing the door on Lady Une's misery.
End of Chapter 4
Chapter 4
July 1st AC 201
Wufei sat glued to his seat, barely aware of his surroundings. His mind was roaming over so many thoughts, always circling back to one image. A recollection of how his life had never been the same since he had fallen in love with Sally Po.
He couldn't quite remember the first time he had began to look at her in a different light. He had pondered what there really was to like about women. Zechs was obviously smitten with Noin, and he could not comprehend why. In his eyes, Lucrezia Noin was a weakling, incapable - like every woman, despite proving this philosophy wrong on many occasions. Then, he had wondered about Sally. In what way was she any different? But there was a way, he had known there was a way....
Perhaps it had been when he had fallen ill with a fever once and she had pressed her lips on his forehead. As a former doctor, she had known this was a quick way to test whether his temperature had altered, though with a pang of guilt, he had found himself wishing she would keep them there just a little longer.
Sally had always stood by him, even when others didn't. When they called him an arrogant coward, Sally would always stand up for him, and heal his wounds.
Wufei had begun to regard her as 'his' property and had become threatened and prickly even when she was conversing with other Preventer men on a work basis. When he had demonstrated his displeasure, Sally had replied coolly: " What's wrong, Wu - jealous, huh?" He had glowered at her and called her a " Stupid senseless onna" the way he always did when he knew Sally was damn right...
Wufei missed her, he really missed her...
" WUFEI CHANG!" a school ma'am voice yelled, breaking through his train of thought.
Wufei grunted and focused himself on the platform before him, on which stood an exasperated Lady Une. She narrowed her eyes, obviously desiring a meek repentance. He wasn't going to apologise to a woman.
" I doubt you have been listening to a WORD I have been saying, have you?" Une bellowed. The select group of twenty Preventers shuffled irritably, glaring at the Chinese man for setting Une off on one of her rants.
Wufei remembered why he was here. He had vaguely heard Une talk of a twelve week mission on some sort of remote island where a group of people had been building a base, lethal weapons, threatening war.....he got the idea.....
" Don't fool yourselves - this mission is going to be a dangerous one...," Une continued, choosing to ignore Wufei on this occasion. " I will expect a full report on your return of the strategies and plans this faction have..."
Wufei yawned loudly.
"....And if you would grace us with your consciousness, Mr Chang....I would like to add that this rather lengthy mission will not be in vain....by gaining this information, we will find the best way to prevent their agenda from being followed - as that is why they call us the Preventers, believe it or not!"
When Une had finished speaking, and as the group filed out of the room, Wufei could only focus his mind on one thought. As from tomorrow, he would be separated from Sally Po for at least three months. It would feel like forever.
Alone in the hall, Lady Une sighed to herself. She was well aware this mission could have disastrous consequences for those involved, something she hadn't quite enforced in her meeting. These agents would be gone for longer than any of them had been used to before. It would be an extensive amount of time before - if - they ever stepped foot in the Preventer headquarters again. That was the simple reason why she had sent Wufei Chang.
" I know you would think badly of me for this, Mister Treize," Une confessed, " but right now, I am past caring..."
**************************************************************************** *****************
Sally Po drummed on her keyboard furiously. The July whether made it unbearably hot. The upper-bodies of the other agents, including Noin were clad only in shirts to lessen the heat.
Sally was forced to wear her jacket over hers. She had traded her more fitted jacket for a looser one, for the purpose of disguising her swelling abdomen. Now, at slightly over five months pregnant, the evidence was becoming dangerously noticeable. She hoped she'd escaped so far. As far as Sally knew, only Noin was aware of her situation.
' I am not going to see Wufei for twelve weeks....he is leaving today....' Sally reminded herself. ' I will miss him terribly...though at least we shan't have to pussy-foot round each other for a while.'
Sally fixed her eyes on her screen, trying to hold back the tightening in her throat. ' It's just these stupid hormones,' she told herself. ' Making me feel so melancholy..'
Noin turned her head from the monitor of her machine, seeing Sally wipe tears from her eyes. She reached over and placed a hand on Sally's shoulder. " It's okay, Sal, I'll go fetch you some lunch."
" I don't want ANY food," was the dull reply. " I told you, I'm not eating. You know why."
" Sally Po, " Noin answered in an exasperated tone. " I can't believe you used to call yourself a doctor."
**************************************************************************** *****************
Wufei inhaled a deep breath as he prepared to board the aircraft, taking him on his next assignment. The others were fussing with issues such as supplies for the journey and during their time there.
" Wufei!" a voice called from a distance.
Wufei turned to see his Sally hurrying over to him. There was something constricted about the way she was running, though he could not put his finger on it. And why was she wearing that jacket as if it was the middle of winter?
He pushed those petty, meaningless thoughts from his mind as he turned to face her. Still, he could not escape from the notion that something wasn't quite right about her. Her face was pallid and her eyes lacked a certain sparkle. Her hair was hanging loose and limply about her shoulders. In short, she looked exhausted.
" Sally, are you in poor health?" Wufei inquired, concern in his expression.
" No, I'm in perfect health," Sally replied. For any expectant mother, that was. It was true, though, that she hadn't slept properly for ages and had skipped many a meal to try and make herself look as thin as possible. The stress she was under suppressed her appetite anyway.
" I don't believe you, woman," Wufei said back.
" My name is S-A-L-L-Y," she groaned, almost crying. " And before you interrupted me, I came to tell you something very important."
Wufei closed his mouth to listen to what she had to say. His black almond eyes searched hers. Sally was doing her best to control her emotions. She had to tell him the truth, that she was carrying his child...
" Wufei...I...I," she stammered.
" What is it?" he pressed, his impatience doused by her obvious anxiety.
" Well..I...." Sally just couldn't frame the words. How could she have even thought of burdening Wufei with such a revelation on the day they would be separated. He had a mission to contend with. It would be unfair. She knew it was a decent excuse, a good reason to lie to herself. Where was her integrity at this moment?
" Sally...I have to leave in a few moments...please tell me..." he urged gently.
" I...I'm going to miss you," she finally choked out. ' Sally, you're so lame!' she mentally scolded herself.
Wufei's expression softened. He knew he would miss her too. And even if it made him seem the weakest man in the world, he wouldn't restrain himself from embracing her at this moment.
As he reached for her, Sally backed away slightly. She was lucky that the unborn child wasn't large and didn't show too much, but if Wufei happened to touch her waist, there was no doubt he'd be enlightened.
" Sally, what's the matter?" he asked anxiously, " Don't you want me to come near you?"
" Sure I do...it's just I may not want to let you go," she replied, blinking back tears. Wufei's gaze, combined with pregnancy hormones were turning her to mush.
" It's okay, then I shan't torture you," he answered quietly. He leant forward and kissed her forehead softly, brushing her cheek. " Goodbye, Sally."
In a few moments, he was gone.
**************************************************************************** *****************
" Did you see?" a young Preventer said to his group of comrades who were seated in the caferteria.
" What?"
" Come on, you must have noticed!"
" Yeah, come to think if it, her uniform does strain over her stomach."
" I think Sally Po is pregnant."
" I think you're right, pal!"
" That's what you get for being a hussy!"
" I'd like to see Chang change a diaper! Ha ha!"
" Better still, what if it's a girl?"
" INJUSTICE!" they chorused, falling about laughing and snorting over their sodas.
The little party stopped abruptly when a figure emerged in the doorway. It was Zechs, his face holding a stoney expression.
" I'd watch what you say if I were you," he grated, glaring at them coldly with his ice blue eyes.
The young Preventer agents turned back to their conversation, making sure it was more wholesome, at least until Zechs had left the vicinity.
**************************************************************************** *****************
" Noin!"
Lucrezia collided with her partner in the hallway. " What's the matter?" she inquired. One look at his face taught her something was amiss.
" I've been hearing idle tales floating around that Sally is pregnant," Zechs replied, grasping both her arms so she could not escape without dealing him the truth. " Is she- or is it just more malicious gossip?"
" No, of course not!" Noin protested, turning away from his gaze, feeling terrible to lie to her one true love.
" I know when you're being dishonest," Zechs insisted. The woman felt a pang of guilt. Lying to Zechs wasn't quite like lying to anyone else.
" I was being dishonest for the sake of not being disloyal," she answered, weakly.
That was enough confirmation for Zechs.
" I am going to MURDER that Chang scoundrel whenever I next see him!" he exploded. " The rogue! Sally is - or was -a respected woman and he has successfully resorted her to THIS."
" I should never have told you!" Noin gasped, seeing the pulse throbbing in his temple.
" How far gone is she?" he demanded.
" At least five months," Noin replied, defeatedly.
" Does Wufei even know?"
" Oh Zechs! As far as I know Wufei is not aware. Please don't enlighten anyone!" Noin pleaded, her voice hoarse and frantic. " Least of all Une! She'll fire Sally. She'll have to bring up her child unemployed and alone, with no family to be of any assistance."
Zechs pondered on these words, then pushed Noin aside and stalked away down the corridor, his face a grim mask. Noin buried her head in her hands. Sally was never going to believe a word that came out of her mouth again. Whether Une found out or not, she was going to lose Sally's friendship for good.
**************************************************************************** *****************
Sally felt a fresh wave of nausea as she prepared to turn the handle on the door of Une's office. It brought back painful memories of the last time she had been confined to her boss's quarters- but this time there was no Wufei to see it through with her.
Suddenly, the door was flung open and Sally found herself stood face to face with none other than Zechs. He wore the most peculiar expression on his face.
" Come on in Sally - Une's waiting for you," he announced, gruffly and then without a backward glance, disappeared round the corner, before the lead weight of guilt on his shoulders caused him to collapse.
Une was facing the wall as Sally entered, shutting the door quietly behind her. She appeared to be fiddling with something.
" Dammit, it's broken for good this time," she was cursing.
" What's the matter?" Sally asked cautiously.
" The electric fan, to cool the room down, it's broken again. I've no choice to to replace it," Une explained. She turned to face Sally, who was stood by the door rather like a rabbit caught under headlights.
" Please sit down", she instructed in a rather pleasant manner, which was unusual for her of late. Despite the intense heat in the office, Sally hurried to comply.
Une studied her employee closely. Although the rest of her face was somewhat pasty, her cheeks were flushed red and beads of sweat glistened on her forehead. She seemed lethargic and ready to faint, probably because of the temperature.
" Why don't you take your thick jacket off?" Une suggested. " It's ridiculous that you should still be wearing it in this weather, especially with my fan not working. You look more suited to an Arctic winter!"
" I'm fine!" Sally snapped, then hastily added, " honestly- I'll keep it on if it's all the same to you."
" Sally, I insist. I can't have you fainting on me now, can I?" Une said, genuininely concerned. " I'll help you unbutton it if you're too tired or hot and bothered to do it yourself."
Sally hung her head, her shoulder's stooping in defeat. There was no way out of this one. She hesitantly shed her jacket, her only protection, letting it drop to the floor.
'How long does it take a person to die of shame?' she thought, as she forced her head up to meet Une's eyes, hardly daring to find out what expression they may hold.
" So it's true." Une's voice was soft.
Sally didn't need to ask what she meant. Now she had lost her thick outer layer, the gently rounded bump under her shirt was no longer concealed and protruded noticeably.
" How...how did you..?"
" Zechs informed me," Une carried on. " He finally squeezed it out of Noin."
" Noin!" Sally gasped, her face contorted with the pain of betrayal.
" I'm sorry but you and I both know what Lucrezia Noin is like when it comes to Zechs, don't we?" Une answered. " You can't be angry with her. Sooner or later everyone was going to find out."
Sally bit her bottom lip and wrapped her arms around her middle, as if to hide what Une already knew.
" Oh, Sally, how could you be such a fool?" Lady Une spoke up after a pause. " You are one of my best agents - more reliable than Noin - more predictable than Zechs - and for one mistake, look what it's cost you!"
Sally feared Une's voice may raise again. She couldn't cope with another lecture, being called a slut, being humiliated. And the worst thing was that no matter what, she couldn't make herself regret it. Sally hung her head again and cried.
" Now, Sally, I am not going to shout at you, but the question is, what is going to happen to you and this child?"
Sally remained silently weeping.
" Do you honestly expect the child's father to want anything to do with it?" Une continued.
Sally hadn't really considered that. The thought terrified her.
" Do you think he will take responsibility for his actions? You know he is a solitary man not some kind of daddy-kins. What makes you think he will accept the dishonourable label of having an illegitimate child? Could he face it? I don't think so. Wufei Chang, deep down, is a coward."
A murderous look appeared in Sally's eyes; " Don't you ever DARE call him a coward! You don't even know him!"
" He works for me, of course I know him," Une shot back, her niceness shattered by Sally's sudden outburst.
" No! You only see what everyone else sees," Sally argued. " You don't understand him. You don't know him like I do! He isn't a coward! He has a strong, strong heart."
" You are mistaken. In my eyes, he's still a deranged kid! The kid that killed my - "
" Une! Move on with your life!" Sally urged. "That was years ago! Wufei is twenty-one now and he regrets deeply the things of his past. He never wanted Treize to die like that!"
Lady Une was bordering on tears but she stopped herself, her emotions shrouded by a stoney mask. " Sally Po, as you have been loyal to the Preventers for such a long time, I shall not fire you but once the child is born, we must reassess the situation then. Now go."
Sally didn't need telling twice. She left the office and closing the door on Lady Une's misery.
End of Chapter 4
