Category: Angst, AU

Pairings: 1x2, 3x4

Rating: R (?)

Disclaimer: Standard. You know them all by now so I won't bore you with a repeat.

Notes: This takes place in a world of my own making, where things can and are twisted into strange things. So what doesn't seem possible is. There are M/M relationships in this fic (I'm very much a 1x2/3x4 fan.) so if boys being together (and I do mean together) bothers you don't read.

Twisted Fates Part Nine

By SilverLady

"Come on, Daddy! It's getting late."

Duo managed a weak smile as he listened to Ken's voice echo through the house. He wished he had half the energy the four year old had.

He heard the sound of footsteps as Ken ran through the house. "Daddy!"

"I have to finish what I'm doing in here first."

Ken puffed out an exasperated breath. "Know that. Just hurry."

"I'm going as fast as I can." Duo moved carefully across the kitchen, one hand held slightly in front of him. When he touched the counter, he ran his hand across it until he came in contact with the bread pan. "If you want fresh bread for dinner, you have to be patient."

"Kay." Ken's voice piped up from around Duo's knees.

"Be careful. I don't want to step on you."

"Know." Ken tilted his head to one side as he looked up at his father. "Can I help?"

"Let me know if I'm going to run into anything."

"Kay."

Duo smiled as he turned and headed toward the oven. It was still hard for him to believe he'd managed to not only make it in the past four years, but had made a good life for himself and his son. Things had been a little rough in the beginning, but with the help of the people in the area, he'd managed to not make to big of a mess of things.

And now things were looking up. He had a nice home and was able to support himself. The small garden he'd started the spring after he had moved in had gotten larger and now provided him with just about all the food he needed.

He'd faced a bit of a stumbling block when he'd lost his sight, but again the neighbors had been there to help him and he was glad to know that he'd been able to adjust to his blindness. The only thing about it that bothered him was the fact that he wouldn't be able to watch as his son grew up.

Ken watched impatiently as Duo slid the pan into the oven. His daddy had promised that he could help in the garden this morning and Ken couldn't wait. He loved being outside and especially loved working in the large garden. In fact, this year he'd been allowed to pick some of the things they would grow and had planted the seeds.

"Now, Daddy?"

Duo nodded as he turned around. "You made your bed?"

"Yes, Daddy." Ken reached up to take Duo's hand. He knew that his daddy needed someone to help him out sometimes, so that he wouldn't walk into anything. He didn't exactly understand what was wrong, just that his daddy's eyes didn't work anymore.

Duo allowed Ken to lead him outside. The little boy was so happy that he could help him out; Duo let him do so often. And Ken had already proven to be a big help in the garden this year, learning to tell weeds from plants they wanted to keep.

"Can I help pick anyting today?" Ken asked as they stepped around the side of the house.

"Well, I think you can check the carrots and see how they're doing. Do you remember what they are supposed to look like?"

"Yeah. Little orange sticks."

Duo shook his head. Close enough.

*****

They had been working in the garden for about an hour when Duo jerked his head up and turned to look towards the woods. He could hear the sounds of several horses approaching. There was something about it that bothered him.

"Ken?"

"What, Daddy?" Ken was trying to pull a particularly stubborn weed out of the ground.

"Go into the house."

"But Daddy."

Duo rose to his feet. The sounds were getting closer. "Go. I want you to hide under your bed until I tell you to come out."

Ken could hear the concern in his daddy's voice. "Why?"

Duo turned slightly. "Please, just do it."

There was a note of command that Ken understood. Scrambling to his feet he ran for the house. He didn't know why his daddy was worried but it must be something bad.

Duo didn't move until he heard the door to the house close. He knew Ken would do what he had told him to. He just hoped that there was nothing to worry about.

Just then the sounds of several horses echoed across the clearing the house sat in. Duo started to walk towards the barn when he heard loud laughter.

"Look here, boys," a harsh voice called. "Look what we found."

Loud catcalls and whistles greeted the comment.

Duo turned slowly and waited. He knew that there was no way he could get away before one of the men reached him. Something told him he'd done the right thing in telling Ken to hide.

*****

Adrianna sighed as she finished bandaging Herman Williams arm. She'd been enjoying a quite afternoon at her home, working on straightening up her shelves of herbs when Michael had come bursting in, telling her she was needed at the Omerson's farm.

"I think that's all the hurt ones," Michael said quietly from behind her.

Adrianna turned and placed her hand on her swollen belly. "What about the raiders?"

"Two got away. The other's are all dead, I think." Michael walked over and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Thanks for coming so quick."

Adrianna smiled up at her husband. "It's my job." She sighed and ran her hand through her hair. She'd had been surprised when Michael had told her that a group of raiders had attacked the Omerson's. An attack that had been a mistake on their part, since a great many of the male members of the community were there to help put up a new barn. "I'll go make sure that they are beyond my help."

Michael placed a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to do that."

Adrianna knew what he meant. If any other raiders were still alive, it would be a condition that would quickly be fixed. "Yes, I do."

It only took her a few minutes to check over the six bodies. The men knew how to defend themselves and they had done so. None of the six would attack another farm or village again.

Just as she was about to tell Philip, who hovered anxiously in the background in case something happened, that he and the others could take care of the bodies, she noticed something wrapped around one man's wrist.

Studying it she realized that it was just a chain. She was about to dismiss it when she noticed the charm hanging from the chain. With a small gasp she reached forward and freed the chain from the man's arm.

It wasn't a bracelet, as she had first thought; it was a necklace. The charm that hung from it was a silver eagle. Fearing what she would find, she turned the eagle over.

Gasping, she straightened up. "Michael!" she called, looking almost frantically around.

Michael appeared almost instantly at her side. "What is it? Is it the baby?"

Adrianna grabbed his arm. "One of the men was wearing this." She showed him the necklace.

Michael frowned. There was something familiar about it. "What?"

"It's Duo's. We have to go there, now." Adrianna's voice was growing panicked.

Michael suddenly realized she was right. It was the necklace Duo always wore. He'd never seen him take it off. "That means..."

"They must have been there first."

"Let me go and get the wagon."

"Hurry."

Michael nodded as he turned and practically ran across the yard. He didn't say it out loud, but he feared what they would find when they got to Duo's.

*****

It was the longest ten minutes of Adrianna's life. So many horrible scenarios ran through her head on the trip, she almost dreaded what she would find. She knew Duo would have never taken the necklace off willingly; it was the only thing he had that had been given to him by Ken's father. Which meant it had to have been taken.

Finally the wagon pulled into the yard. Only Michael's restraining arm prevented her from tumbling out before it had completely stopped. "He'd never forgive himself if you hurt yourself."

"Just find him," she pleaded.

Michael nodded as he got down and turned to help her down. At one time her worry would have made him jealous but now he understood just what kind of relationship the two had. The two were siblings in all but blood. Adrianna saw Duo as a brother to take care of and Duo considered her the sister he'd never had.

Moving across the yard he kept his eyes out for anything out of the ordinary. There was no sign of Duo or Ken. In fact, everything was quiet and peaceful. Maybe they weren't here after all.

But as he opened the front door he knew they had been. There were things scattered all over the place. It was obvious that the house had been torn apart in a search for something.

"Duo! Ken!" Silence met his call.

He heard Adrianna let out a shuddering breath as she stepped into the house. "No," she whispered.

"Maybe they weren't here when it happened."

Adrianna looked up at him, tears shimmering in her eyes. "You know he was here. He never takes that necklace off."

Michael sighed. "You check the kitchen. I'll check upstairs and in the cellar."

Adrianna nodded, trying not to pay to much attention to the destruction. Duo was so proud of his house and those bastards had practically destroyed it. Suddenly she was glad they were dead, a feeling that was more than a bit foreign to her. She was a healer in more than just profession. She was a healer by nature. She had never liked to see anyone or anything hurt. For her to be glad a man was dead was not usual for her. But if they had....

She gasped as she stepped into the kitchen. Food and dishes were strewn across the counters and floor. It was evident that they had helped themselves to what they'd found, throwing down what they didn't want. Covering her mouth with her hands she could only shake her head at the disaster that was now Duo's kitchen. "How could they?"

*****

Michael was surprised and relieved to find the second floor of the house had been left untouched. For some reason the men had not come up here.

Moving quietly he headed for the master bedroom, hoping to find Duo and Ken safely locked inside. Unfortunately, much to his disappointment, that was not the case.

Continuing his search he headed for Ken's room. He knew there was a special, hidden compartment beneath Ken's bed, the purpose of which no one had been able to figure out. Maybe they had taken refuge there.

Cautiously opening the door he peered inside. The room was neat and untouched. It was apparent to him that no one had been in here.

He was about to shut the door when he heard a soft sound, like a child crying. "Ken?" He moved quietly into the room. "Ken are you in here?"

At first there was no answer, but then Michael heard the sounds of someone sniffling. "Ken, you can come out. It's Michael." Kneeling down, he looked under the bed.

A pair of frightened eyes looked back at him. "Unca Mike?"

"Yes. Come on out."

"Daddy said I had to stay here. Till he came."

Michael almost smiled at the little boy's tone. Most of the time Ken was very good at obeying his daddy. "You won't come out for me."

He could tell the little boy was thinking about it. "Are de bad men all gone?"

"Yes."

"I heard dem. Downstairs. De was shoutin' an stuff. I was scared." He blinked. "Is Daddy okay?"

Michael closed his eyes for a moment. He couldn't lie to the little boy and yet... "I don't know. I haven't seen him. Do you know where he is?"

Ken shook his head. "He told me to hide."

"Where were you when he told you this?"

"In de garden."

"Then why don't we go look for him."

"He won't get mad."

"No. I'll tell him it was my idea."

"Kay." With that the little boy scrambled out from under the bed. He was covered in dust and his hair stuck out in several different directions.

Michael had to smile at the picture he made. "I think you need to clean under your bed more often."

Ken giggled. "You funny."

Michael shook his head as he picked the boy up. "And I don't even try."

"Nope." The little boy suddenly wrapped his arms around Michael's neck. "I wan my daddy."

"Then lets go find him."

*****

Adrianna was about to head back towards the front of the house when a sound made her pause. At first she thought it was just her imagination, but after a minute she heard it again.

Moving carefully, she made her way across the kitchen to the back door. Opening it, she was both relieved and horrified at the site that met her eyes, for lying on the back porch was the naked body of Duo Maxwell.

Barely pausing, she hurried over to him. Kneeling down she began to examine him. Much to her relief, he was still breathing, though by the sound of it he probably had a couple of broken ribs. His body covered with bleeding welts and bruises, indication of the beating he'd taken, and his hair was a tangled mess, caked with mud and blood.

After carefully covering him with her cloak, she checked his pulse. It was weak and a bit uneven, telling her he was probably in shock. She knew she had to get him off the porch and somewhere warm and more comfortable.

She was just about to call for Michael, when she heard him inside. "I'm on the back porch," she called out in answer, hearing him call her name. "I need your help. I found him."

Michael paused in the kitchen. He didn't know if he should take Ken out onto the porch or not. There was no telling what kind of shape Duo was in. "Do you need anything?"

Adrianna frowned for a minute at the question, and then realized that Michael must have found Ken. "Can we use Duo's bed?"

Michael blinked. Right now? Then he got the drift of her question. He carefully set the boy down. "Ken, why don't you go pull down the covers on your daddy's bed?"

Ken looked up at him. He knew that something was wrong. "Is my daddy okay?"

"That's what Adrianna needs to find out. But we have to take him upstairs. So you go and get his bed ready, all right?"

The little boy stared at him for a minute. "Okay." With that he scrambled off to do as he'd been asked.

Michael sighed in relief. Bracing himself for anything, he stepped onto the back porch.

Adrianna looked up at him. "You need to take him upstairs. Carefully. I think he has a couple of broken ribs."

Michael knelt down beside her. "Is he..... Is he going to be okay?"

"I think so."

Just then there was a low moan as Duo stirred. Adrianna reached over and tried to calm him, but her touch only seemed to make him more upset.

"It's all right, Duo. It's just Michael and me. The men are gone."

"Ken?" came the raspy whisper as Duo tried to turn his head.

"He's fine. He's upstairs," Michael reassured him. "Which is where I'm going to take you."

Moving slowly, Michael gathered Duo in his arms and stood up. He was a little surprised when Duo suddenly stiffened, then went completely limp. He looked at Adrianna, who nodded at him.

"It's okay. It's the shock and pain. Let's get him upstairs."

Michael frowned, but turned and headed back into the house.

*****

Adrianna sighed as she gently pushed Duo's bangs back. It had taken her and Michael nearly three hours to get Duo cleaned up and his wounds tended to.

In the mean time, apparently news of they're sudden departure had spread and several neighbors had shown up to see if everything was all right. They had been horrified and angered by the condition of the house and had immediately started setting things to right. Even now Adrianna could hear the sounds of people moving about downstairs as they cleaned, straightened and fixed things.

Miss Lily had shown up and immediately had volunteered to watch Ken. The little boy had been scared and confused, both by the wanton destruction of his home and by the attack on Duo. He'd finally curled up in Miss Lily's lap and had fallen asleep from pure exhaustion.

A low moan from Duo told her that he was finally beginning to awaken. She'd been a little concerned about the bruise on the right side of his forehead, fearing a concussion, something she couldn't easily check for in Duo.

She was surprised when Duo stiffened beneath her touch.

"Who? Who is it?" Duo's voice was rough and harsh, overstrained by his screams. He moved his head restlessly, as if trying to avoid her touch.

"It's only me," she whispered. Sensing Duo's agitation, she pulled her hand away

"Adrianna?"

"Yes. Know any other me?"

Duo didn't even seem to register her teasing remark. "Where's Ken?"

"He's asleep in his room."

"Is he okay?"

"He's fine. Not even a scratch. They didn't come up here."

"Please, bring him here."

"Miss Lily is with him."

Duo turned his head towards her. "Please. I have to.... Know he's all right."

"He's fine. You need to let him sleep right now. And you're not in any condition to have a restless four year old in bed with you. You have several broken ribs and a broken left arm."

Duo shifted restlessly. Part of him knew she was right and yet... "Adrianna?" There was a lost note in his voice.

Adrianna shifted forward to gather him in her arms. He stiffened for a minute before sagging against her and bursting into tears.

Adrianna ran her hand gently through his hair as she rocked him. "It's okay. Everything is going to be okay," she soothed.

Duo's broken sobs were his only answer.

*****

Michael frowned as he stepped to Duo's door just as Adrianna closed it. She didn't seem to see his approach as she leaned up against the door and closed her eyes.

"Adrianna?"

She looked up at him then, a depth of sadness he'd never seen before in her eyes. "Michael," she whispered, stepping towards him. "Hold me."

He immediately gathered her into his arms. Resting her cheek against his chest she sobbed softly. "Oh Michael."

Michael rubbed his hand up and down her back. "What's wrong?"

She seemed to draw even closer to him. "Those bastards," she choked out. Tilting her head, she looked up at him. "Those bastards raped him."

Michael felt his anger flare at her words. "What?"

"They raped him. All of them." She buried her head back in his chest. "Again and again until he finally passed out. And all he could worry about was if they had found Ken what they would do." She began crying harder, mourning the pain Duo had suffered. "I'm glad," she finally choked out. "I'm glad they're dead. All of them. I hope they catch and kill the two that got away."

Michael said nothing. There was nothing to say.

*****

"Duo?"

Duo jumped guiltily at the sound of Adrianna's voice. "I'm sorry. What did you say?"

Adrianna frowned. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine." He rubbed absently at his left arm, a habit he'd developed while it had been in a cast.

Adrianna was quiet for minute. He'd been acting distracted since he'd come over to visit.

"Daddy." Ken tugged at Duo's arm.

Duo turned his head towards his son.

"How come Anna's not fat no more?"

Adrianna glared over at Michael, who had almost choked in his effort to keep from laughing.

Duo smiled slightly. "Remember what we talked about this morning?"

"About babies."

"Right."

"Is that how come her tummy got all fat? Cause she had a baby in there like Molly did?"

Adrianna crossed her arms, not please to be compared to a cow.

"Right."

"And now it been born so she's not fat no more."

"Yes."

"Kay." Ken frowned for a minute. "Can I see it?"

"The baby is a boy," Duo reminded him gently. "Why don't you ask Michael?"

"He knows about the baby?"

"Yes. He's the baby's father."

"Oh. Okay." Ken hoped down from the chair he'd been sitting in and went over to Michael. "Can we?"

"Sure." Michael stood up and took Ken's hand. "Let's go."

Adrianna smiled as the two left. "I think he's practicing."

"Me too."

Adrianna turned her attention back to Duo. "And now you are going to tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing is wrong."

"Duo, it's me. You cannot lie to me. I know something is wrong."

Duo looked down at his hands. Finally, he sighed and lifted his head back up. "I'm pregnant," he whispered.

Adrianna could only stare at him in shock.