Mac was sleeping on her bed in the gundam suites. She wasn't, however,
resting. She was tossing and turning and moaning.
CLICK. CLICK. CLICK. The sound of footsteps was coming closer. 'Oh no!' Mac thought. 'I have to get out of here!' She didn't know why, but the urge to get far away was irresistible. She began to run.
CLICK. CLICK. CLICK. The sound was coming closer. 'Why can't I move?' She thought. She looked down at her body and realized that she was in restraints. She was bathed in sweat and was breathing hard. The handle on the door turned and it opened.
Someone came in, but she couldn't see his face in the meager lighting. He spoke.
"So, how are you?" Mac decided not to give him the satisfaction of a smart remark. He whirled around. "I said, how are you!" It was no longer a question, it was a command. Well, Mac didn't do well with commands.
He walked over to her and brought his face closer to hers. "You should answer your husband."
Mac lost her control. "Husband? I'm not your wife!"
"We're betrothed. You broke the betrothal. I decided that I would make you my wife if it meant using force." He caressed her face and moved his face even closer. "I love you. You used to love me, but then you said you hated me. I never did anything to you." He kissed her softly. Mac was so stunned, she couldn't pull away. Then, he broke off the kiss and she regained her senses. She jerked the restraints and tried to punch him. He stepped back, laughing. He waited out of range until she had calmed down. Then, he moved back to her and put a gentle hand on her chest and moved his face practically onto hers. "Don't be afraid of me, Kedzie."
That last sentence made Mac look at his face, but before she could see it, she woke up.
Mac sat straight up, panting. She got up after a few minutes and walked out into the main room of the suites. She sat down on the couch and thought about her dream. 'I think I know that voice, but I don't think I was betrothed. Maybe it was only a dream; something my mind made up because I'm confused. Only thing is I've almost never had a dream so real before. I felt the cold of the restraints and the touch of his hand.' She shivered when she thought of that foul man touching her face. She could still feel it. That's what scared her.
Duo walked in the room the next morning and saw a sleeping Mac on the couch. He walked over and pushed her hair out of her face and saw the troubled look on her face. Her eyes fluttered open and saw him staring questioningly at her and smiled.
"What's the matter, Duo?" she asked. "You look puzzled, not like that's anything new, but you look funny."
"Ha ha ha." He laughed sarcastically. "Did you sleep well? I was just wondering why you were out here on the couch."
"Oh, I had a bad dream and came out here." Duo could tell that, that wasn't the whole truth.
"Well, you can go back to bed. It's Saturday, no school." Duo said.
"No, no. That's okay." Mac said quickly.
"Mac, are you sure you're okay? You look really scared and no matter what you guys think, I'm not stupid." Duo said. "And I won't take a 'nothing' for an answer."
"Okay, okay. I'll tell you." Mac said. "You're going to think it's really stupid though."
Mac explained her story in a rush of words that Duo could hardly keep up with.
"Whoa, some dream. It's a good thing I can keep up with the fast talking, because you were going over the speed limit!" Duo joked.
" Funny, Duo." M ac said dryly. She rubbed her eyes and got up. "Well, I've got to take care of some business today." She went in her room and then got dressed.
As she made her way to the trainee's halls, she rehearsed what she would say to Sam. She knocked on his door and waited impatiently. It opened and then a surprised Sam came out.
"Mac! What are you doing here?" he asked. Mac had to admit that he didn't look very happy to see her.
"I came to apologize." She muttered.
"What?!" he was astonished.
"That's right. I even though you were mean to me, I came to apologize. Be the better person. So, I'm sorry." Mac said. Sam looked happy, but then suspicious.
"Did Duo make you do this, or did you do it on your own?"
"Both."
"Oh, well, if Duo made you, then you might as well just say it, because then you aren't really sorry, you're just saying it to get off the hook."
"Whatever. Just thought I'd start the ball rolling again, but obviously Joe's got you brain washed just like I told you he would. So, I guess I'll see ya around." Mac said. She turned to walk away, but Sam put a hand on her shoulder.
"Listen Mac. I'm sorry too. Part of the reason why I haven't said sorry before, was because I was ashamed. I felt really bad about not standing up for you." Sam apologized. Mac looked at him and looked in him straight in the eyes. What Mac saw in his eyes scared her. She took a step back.
"Okay, well, I have to do some errands for Duo. See ya!" she said as she ran off. She didn't stop until she was far away from him, but the love in his eyes was haunting her still. "What a creepy day."
"What do you say tomorrow we go out?" Duo asked Mac that night.
"I'd say that sounds wonderful!" Mac said sleepily.
"It'd be just you and me and the town." Duo kept talking about the things that they could do the next day, but Mac had tuned out and soon fell asleep, despite the fact that she was still afraid to sleep.
Duo looked at her when she didn't answer his question and saw that she was asleep.
"That's not the first time your babbling has put someone to sleep, and it won't be the last." A voice came from the doorway. Duo looked up and glared.
"Not funny, Heero."
"I thought it was." Heero smirked and walked over to a chair and sat down. "You can't go by yourself to town tomorrow."
"Heero-" Duo started.
"No Duo. You know the danger. They're looking for her especially. We need to take the best precautions." Heero interrupted.
"But she's just a kid. She still needs to have her fun. She's not like you Heero. She still has her feelings and wants." Duo protested. "She needs a day out."
"Part of the reason why Commander Sally didn't expel her was because she needed to be under supervision." Heero said, still emotionless. Duo sighed in defeat.
"I know, but can't we go anyways? If you went, then she'd have double the protection and she'd be safer." Duo asked wearily.
"No. I don't want to spend my day shopping. Besides, Relena's coming tomorrow."
"Not until night, and we'll be back before that. Also, I won't let her do too much shopping. It's not like I want to Mac my credit." Duo pointed out. Now it was Heero's turn to sigh in defeat. Duo's face lit up. "I knew you'd see it my way. A little compromise didn't hurt anyone."
"It's just not my style." Heero muttered.
"It is now." Duo said. "Good night Heero!" Duo picked up his sleeping sister and put her in her bed and then went into his room to go to bed.
"Duo! Are you ready yet?" Mac called the next morning.
"Almost!" Duo yelled back. "Just need to finish braiding my hair."
"Do you want me to do it?"
"NOOOO!" Duo yelled.
"All right. No reason to get all hissy!" Mac turned around and checked her purse to make sure she had at least two of Duo's credit cards. Not that he knew, but he would later. She smiled evilly. She looked up as a door opened to the room and Heero came walking through, not looking happy at all. "Where are you going that you look so mad?"
"With you." He replied. Mac didn't comprehend.
"What?" she asked.
"With you. I'm going with you and Duo." Heero walked past her. "Tell that stupid that I'm waiting in the car." Mac stood there, astonished. She had no idea why Heero wanted to come on a shopping spree with her and Duo, but if he wanted to come, as long as he stayed out of her way, she was fine with that. Maybe he just wanted a lift into town. Duo came walking out.
"Duo, Heero said that he's waiting in the car so you should hurry up." Mac said.
"Okay. He's so impatient." Duo grabbed his wallet. "Let's go." They walked out to the car that Heero had running and waiting. He sat in the driver's seat.
"Do you think that's a good idea to have a suicidal manic in the driver's seat?" Mac asked Duo.
"I don't know, but you won't get him out now. He thinks everyone is like him and can deal with surprises and pain. So, if he starts to drive too bad, get in a safe position for a crash." Duo said. Mac snickered as they got in the car. Heero glared at her, sensing that she was snickering at him.
"Ready?" he asked. They nodded. He stepped on the gas and they shot off. Mac was caught unaware and she certainly didn't expect this speed. She scrunched herself up and started praying in Japanese. Heero looked in his rearview mirror at her and smirked.
When they got to a parking space in the city, Heero stopped dead and gently parked the car. Duo and Heero unbuckled their seatbelts and opened their doors. Mac peeked open one eye and saw that they were there.
"I'm alive!" she cried and jumped out of the tiny car.
"Bit scared there, sis?" Duo teased.
"Don't. Heero is the scariest driver in the world." Mac said fearfully. She looked back at him. "Where to first?"
"Anywhere you want." Duo said.
"Music! I need some CD's for my gundam." Mac said. Then she clamped her hand over her mouth. Duo shot her a look. "I know, I know. Keep your mouth shut. I got it."
They headed for the music store, and then to a few more. Around lunch, Mac looked back and noticed, for the millionth time, that Heero was still with them, but following far behind. He had been in the stores, but hadn't looked at anything, just paused when she did and stopped when she did.
"Duo," Mac whispered. "Is Heero going everywhere with us? He has been following us, but not looking at anything, just following."
"Yeah, he's coming with us."
"Why?"
"Well, ummm.." Duo stammered, not looking at Mac. "Because Sally told him too!" he burst out.
"But why would she tell him too?"
"Because people are after you. They are looking for you. We're not sure if it's to kill you or to turn to their side, but they're looking for you and we don't want to lose you. Heero is your bodyguard." Duo explained. They had stopped and where in a corner of a shop. Heero walked over to them and glared at Duo.
"Duo, you can't keep your big mouth shut, can you?" Heero asked.
"Oh, shit! I forgot you can read lips." Duo swore. "Sorry, man, but she asked, and I wasn't going to lie."
"But you didn't have to spill the whole story." Heero glared. He turned to Mac. "Now that you know, you have to be extra careful. Pay attention to anyone staring or asking strange questions. Has anything weird happened lately?"
"Well, on the plane, some guy asked me some questions about the Preventers and stuff, but ya know." Mac said thoughtfully.
"Well, you didn't tell him anything about the gundams, did you?" Heero asked suspiciously.
"Of course I did. I go and tell everyone I see. Why shouldn't I?" Mac asked.
"What?" he asked.
"I was being sarcastic." Mac said dryly. Heero glared at her more.
"I don't need this." He said. "I was just doing my job."
"Well, I was just being a teen-ager, get over it." Mac said, daring Heero to keep the war going. Heero just sighed and turned away.
"Duo, I need to go to the bathroom." Mac said.
"Okay, let's go to another store and then you can." They walked out and into the store next to it.
"I'll wait out here, unless you want me to come in." Duo said hopefully.
"No such luck today Duo." Mac said. She pretended to walk in the bathroom, but when Duo turned his back, she sneaked out the door. "Time to do some investigating on my own." Mac walked down the street and found the library and walked in. She knew it was only a matter of time before Duo found out that she was gone and then would come find her, so she needed to act fast.
She found a room that held a table and a computer. She walked in there and logged on. She looked around to make sure no one was watching from outside, and hacked into the government's files on space. From there, she got into confidential files and read up on it. Most of it people knew already, so she needed to hack into it more to find the stuff on her and the other gundam pilots.
"AHA!" she whispered when she found gundam pilot information. Now she could figure out what they wanted with her.
The gundam pilots were kept out of the press for a while, but now are being watched by us. The girl is the main subject for now. Click here for her files.
Mac clicked.
Kedzie Rose Maxwell
Female
16
Auburn hair
Hazel colored eyes
5'8
Mac scrolled down, skipping over the facts that she already knew about herself.
Heero Yuy has followed subject since she was transported back to the Preventer's base. She just noticed it, but that was only today. We've been having them watched by storeowners and civilians.
Mac was mildly surprised by this, but moved on. She clicked on something by accident. Something flashed on her screen and it went blank for a minute, and then opened up.
Dear Sir:
Subject has been noticed being followed by Heero Yuy. May want to check into that. Move fast. She's caught on. Today.
KJ
KJ:
Thank you for the notice. I will.
BO
Mac was surprised. She didn't know what to make of the cryptic messages, but she knew that she needed to go back to Duo right away. She turned off the computer and then walked briskly out the door. She knew she was being followed and watched right now. She jogged back to the store. She looked at her watch and saw she had been gone for forty-five minutes.
"Duo's gonna freak." She groaned. She picked up her pace and turned into down a street. She paused when she realized that this wasn't a street, it was an ally. She just kept going and couldn't remember if she came this way. She had gotten almost to the end, when someone jumped out in front of her. They progressed aggressively towards her and she turned around fast. She turned right into a cloth. She quickly found out that the cloth had cloraphrome in it. Before she could put up a fight, she had slipped into blissful unconsciousness.
CLICK. CLICK. CLICK. The sound of footsteps was coming closer. 'Oh no!' Mac thought. 'I have to get out of here!' She didn't know why, but the urge to get far away was irresistible. She began to run.
CLICK. CLICK. CLICK. The sound was coming closer. 'Why can't I move?' She thought. She looked down at her body and realized that she was in restraints. She was bathed in sweat and was breathing hard. The handle on the door turned and it opened.
Someone came in, but she couldn't see his face in the meager lighting. He spoke.
"So, how are you?" Mac decided not to give him the satisfaction of a smart remark. He whirled around. "I said, how are you!" It was no longer a question, it was a command. Well, Mac didn't do well with commands.
He walked over to her and brought his face closer to hers. "You should answer your husband."
Mac lost her control. "Husband? I'm not your wife!"
"We're betrothed. You broke the betrothal. I decided that I would make you my wife if it meant using force." He caressed her face and moved his face even closer. "I love you. You used to love me, but then you said you hated me. I never did anything to you." He kissed her softly. Mac was so stunned, she couldn't pull away. Then, he broke off the kiss and she regained her senses. She jerked the restraints and tried to punch him. He stepped back, laughing. He waited out of range until she had calmed down. Then, he moved back to her and put a gentle hand on her chest and moved his face practically onto hers. "Don't be afraid of me, Kedzie."
That last sentence made Mac look at his face, but before she could see it, she woke up.
Mac sat straight up, panting. She got up after a few minutes and walked out into the main room of the suites. She sat down on the couch and thought about her dream. 'I think I know that voice, but I don't think I was betrothed. Maybe it was only a dream; something my mind made up because I'm confused. Only thing is I've almost never had a dream so real before. I felt the cold of the restraints and the touch of his hand.' She shivered when she thought of that foul man touching her face. She could still feel it. That's what scared her.
Duo walked in the room the next morning and saw a sleeping Mac on the couch. He walked over and pushed her hair out of her face and saw the troubled look on her face. Her eyes fluttered open and saw him staring questioningly at her and smiled.
"What's the matter, Duo?" she asked. "You look puzzled, not like that's anything new, but you look funny."
"Ha ha ha." He laughed sarcastically. "Did you sleep well? I was just wondering why you were out here on the couch."
"Oh, I had a bad dream and came out here." Duo could tell that, that wasn't the whole truth.
"Well, you can go back to bed. It's Saturday, no school." Duo said.
"No, no. That's okay." Mac said quickly.
"Mac, are you sure you're okay? You look really scared and no matter what you guys think, I'm not stupid." Duo said. "And I won't take a 'nothing' for an answer."
"Okay, okay. I'll tell you." Mac said. "You're going to think it's really stupid though."
Mac explained her story in a rush of words that Duo could hardly keep up with.
"Whoa, some dream. It's a good thing I can keep up with the fast talking, because you were going over the speed limit!" Duo joked.
" Funny, Duo." M ac said dryly. She rubbed her eyes and got up. "Well, I've got to take care of some business today." She went in her room and then got dressed.
As she made her way to the trainee's halls, she rehearsed what she would say to Sam. She knocked on his door and waited impatiently. It opened and then a surprised Sam came out.
"Mac! What are you doing here?" he asked. Mac had to admit that he didn't look very happy to see her.
"I came to apologize." She muttered.
"What?!" he was astonished.
"That's right. I even though you were mean to me, I came to apologize. Be the better person. So, I'm sorry." Mac said. Sam looked happy, but then suspicious.
"Did Duo make you do this, or did you do it on your own?"
"Both."
"Oh, well, if Duo made you, then you might as well just say it, because then you aren't really sorry, you're just saying it to get off the hook."
"Whatever. Just thought I'd start the ball rolling again, but obviously Joe's got you brain washed just like I told you he would. So, I guess I'll see ya around." Mac said. She turned to walk away, but Sam put a hand on her shoulder.
"Listen Mac. I'm sorry too. Part of the reason why I haven't said sorry before, was because I was ashamed. I felt really bad about not standing up for you." Sam apologized. Mac looked at him and looked in him straight in the eyes. What Mac saw in his eyes scared her. She took a step back.
"Okay, well, I have to do some errands for Duo. See ya!" she said as she ran off. She didn't stop until she was far away from him, but the love in his eyes was haunting her still. "What a creepy day."
"What do you say tomorrow we go out?" Duo asked Mac that night.
"I'd say that sounds wonderful!" Mac said sleepily.
"It'd be just you and me and the town." Duo kept talking about the things that they could do the next day, but Mac had tuned out and soon fell asleep, despite the fact that she was still afraid to sleep.
Duo looked at her when she didn't answer his question and saw that she was asleep.
"That's not the first time your babbling has put someone to sleep, and it won't be the last." A voice came from the doorway. Duo looked up and glared.
"Not funny, Heero."
"I thought it was." Heero smirked and walked over to a chair and sat down. "You can't go by yourself to town tomorrow."
"Heero-" Duo started.
"No Duo. You know the danger. They're looking for her especially. We need to take the best precautions." Heero interrupted.
"But she's just a kid. She still needs to have her fun. She's not like you Heero. She still has her feelings and wants." Duo protested. "She needs a day out."
"Part of the reason why Commander Sally didn't expel her was because she needed to be under supervision." Heero said, still emotionless. Duo sighed in defeat.
"I know, but can't we go anyways? If you went, then she'd have double the protection and she'd be safer." Duo asked wearily.
"No. I don't want to spend my day shopping. Besides, Relena's coming tomorrow."
"Not until night, and we'll be back before that. Also, I won't let her do too much shopping. It's not like I want to Mac my credit." Duo pointed out. Now it was Heero's turn to sigh in defeat. Duo's face lit up. "I knew you'd see it my way. A little compromise didn't hurt anyone."
"It's just not my style." Heero muttered.
"It is now." Duo said. "Good night Heero!" Duo picked up his sleeping sister and put her in her bed and then went into his room to go to bed.
"Duo! Are you ready yet?" Mac called the next morning.
"Almost!" Duo yelled back. "Just need to finish braiding my hair."
"Do you want me to do it?"
"NOOOO!" Duo yelled.
"All right. No reason to get all hissy!" Mac turned around and checked her purse to make sure she had at least two of Duo's credit cards. Not that he knew, but he would later. She smiled evilly. She looked up as a door opened to the room and Heero came walking through, not looking happy at all. "Where are you going that you look so mad?"
"With you." He replied. Mac didn't comprehend.
"What?" she asked.
"With you. I'm going with you and Duo." Heero walked past her. "Tell that stupid that I'm waiting in the car." Mac stood there, astonished. She had no idea why Heero wanted to come on a shopping spree with her and Duo, but if he wanted to come, as long as he stayed out of her way, she was fine with that. Maybe he just wanted a lift into town. Duo came walking out.
"Duo, Heero said that he's waiting in the car so you should hurry up." Mac said.
"Okay. He's so impatient." Duo grabbed his wallet. "Let's go." They walked out to the car that Heero had running and waiting. He sat in the driver's seat.
"Do you think that's a good idea to have a suicidal manic in the driver's seat?" Mac asked Duo.
"I don't know, but you won't get him out now. He thinks everyone is like him and can deal with surprises and pain. So, if he starts to drive too bad, get in a safe position for a crash." Duo said. Mac snickered as they got in the car. Heero glared at her, sensing that she was snickering at him.
"Ready?" he asked. They nodded. He stepped on the gas and they shot off. Mac was caught unaware and she certainly didn't expect this speed. She scrunched herself up and started praying in Japanese. Heero looked in his rearview mirror at her and smirked.
When they got to a parking space in the city, Heero stopped dead and gently parked the car. Duo and Heero unbuckled their seatbelts and opened their doors. Mac peeked open one eye and saw that they were there.
"I'm alive!" she cried and jumped out of the tiny car.
"Bit scared there, sis?" Duo teased.
"Don't. Heero is the scariest driver in the world." Mac said fearfully. She looked back at him. "Where to first?"
"Anywhere you want." Duo said.
"Music! I need some CD's for my gundam." Mac said. Then she clamped her hand over her mouth. Duo shot her a look. "I know, I know. Keep your mouth shut. I got it."
They headed for the music store, and then to a few more. Around lunch, Mac looked back and noticed, for the millionth time, that Heero was still with them, but following far behind. He had been in the stores, but hadn't looked at anything, just paused when she did and stopped when she did.
"Duo," Mac whispered. "Is Heero going everywhere with us? He has been following us, but not looking at anything, just following."
"Yeah, he's coming with us."
"Why?"
"Well, ummm.." Duo stammered, not looking at Mac. "Because Sally told him too!" he burst out.
"But why would she tell him too?"
"Because people are after you. They are looking for you. We're not sure if it's to kill you or to turn to their side, but they're looking for you and we don't want to lose you. Heero is your bodyguard." Duo explained. They had stopped and where in a corner of a shop. Heero walked over to them and glared at Duo.
"Duo, you can't keep your big mouth shut, can you?" Heero asked.
"Oh, shit! I forgot you can read lips." Duo swore. "Sorry, man, but she asked, and I wasn't going to lie."
"But you didn't have to spill the whole story." Heero glared. He turned to Mac. "Now that you know, you have to be extra careful. Pay attention to anyone staring or asking strange questions. Has anything weird happened lately?"
"Well, on the plane, some guy asked me some questions about the Preventers and stuff, but ya know." Mac said thoughtfully.
"Well, you didn't tell him anything about the gundams, did you?" Heero asked suspiciously.
"Of course I did. I go and tell everyone I see. Why shouldn't I?" Mac asked.
"What?" he asked.
"I was being sarcastic." Mac said dryly. Heero glared at her more.
"I don't need this." He said. "I was just doing my job."
"Well, I was just being a teen-ager, get over it." Mac said, daring Heero to keep the war going. Heero just sighed and turned away.
"Duo, I need to go to the bathroom." Mac said.
"Okay, let's go to another store and then you can." They walked out and into the store next to it.
"I'll wait out here, unless you want me to come in." Duo said hopefully.
"No such luck today Duo." Mac said. She pretended to walk in the bathroom, but when Duo turned his back, she sneaked out the door. "Time to do some investigating on my own." Mac walked down the street and found the library and walked in. She knew it was only a matter of time before Duo found out that she was gone and then would come find her, so she needed to act fast.
She found a room that held a table and a computer. She walked in there and logged on. She looked around to make sure no one was watching from outside, and hacked into the government's files on space. From there, she got into confidential files and read up on it. Most of it people knew already, so she needed to hack into it more to find the stuff on her and the other gundam pilots.
"AHA!" she whispered when she found gundam pilot information. Now she could figure out what they wanted with her.
The gundam pilots were kept out of the press for a while, but now are being watched by us. The girl is the main subject for now. Click here for her files.
Mac clicked.
Kedzie Rose Maxwell
Female
16
Auburn hair
Hazel colored eyes
5'8
Mac scrolled down, skipping over the facts that she already knew about herself.
Heero Yuy has followed subject since she was transported back to the Preventer's base. She just noticed it, but that was only today. We've been having them watched by storeowners and civilians.
Mac was mildly surprised by this, but moved on. She clicked on something by accident. Something flashed on her screen and it went blank for a minute, and then opened up.
Dear Sir:
Subject has been noticed being followed by Heero Yuy. May want to check into that. Move fast. She's caught on. Today.
KJ
KJ:
Thank you for the notice. I will.
BO
Mac was surprised. She didn't know what to make of the cryptic messages, but she knew that she needed to go back to Duo right away. She turned off the computer and then walked briskly out the door. She knew she was being followed and watched right now. She jogged back to the store. She looked at her watch and saw she had been gone for forty-five minutes.
"Duo's gonna freak." She groaned. She picked up her pace and turned into down a street. She paused when she realized that this wasn't a street, it was an ally. She just kept going and couldn't remember if she came this way. She had gotten almost to the end, when someone jumped out in front of her. They progressed aggressively towards her and she turned around fast. She turned right into a cloth. She quickly found out that the cloth had cloraphrome in it. Before she could put up a fight, she had slipped into blissful unconsciousness.
