Jad: Guys, you can stop the glaring contest now. Guys?

*No response*

Jad: *sigh* Uh, here's chapter six. Enjoy. Jaid? Naga? Hello?

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Chapter Six

Dorothy sat up as the door opened. Two men entered. One was Trowa, then other she didn't recognize.

"Get up." The unknown man ordered.

"Why? What's going on?" Dorothy demanded. The man didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed her roughly by the arm and hauled her to her feet.

"Now, listen Missy," he said. "You can either be good and come along quietly or we can make it more difficult for you, see?"

"No I don't." Dorothy said. "I went willingly with Trowa the first time and look were it's gotten me. I'm not going anywhere."

"Dorothy," Trowa said quietly. "Please."

"No!" Dorothy shouted. "And if either of you come near me I'll scream."

"Look, Dorothy, I don't want to hurt you-" Trowa began, coming towards her.

"Then why'd you bring me here in the first place?" Dorothy practically shouted.

"Dorothy, listen I promise we'll get you home as soon as possible. Please, just trust me." Trowa said.

Dorothy glared at him. "Trust you? Why should I?"

He winced slightly. Dorothy crossed her arms. "I'm waiting." She said.

"Because I would never hurt you." Trowa told her. "Now, please come."

Dorothy looked at him for a long time. "You're scared." She whispered. "You're scared to death."

Trowa looked away. Dorothy couldn't help but smirk. "Fine." She said louder. "I'll come."

"Huh." The other man tied her wrists together and the three of them descended the stairs.

* * *

Quatre sighed as he walked around the streets. He had been feeling restless and had told Zechs he was taking a walk. Passing one old building, he caught sight of three figures. Two men and a woman who had a shawl over her head and shoulders. The woman was on a horse and the men were talking. Quatre frowned. One of the men looked like Trowa. Walking quietly, he tried to get closer. He stopped when the woman looked right at him.

"Dorothy!" he whispered. Shocked, he walked right into a crate and knocked it over. Trowa and his companion stopped talking. They both took out their guns and began to walk towards Quatre's hiding place. Dorothy closed her eyes and shook her head. Quatre couldn't even rescue her properly. Opening them again, she saw another figure aiming directly at Quatre's head.

"Quatre!" She screamed. "Drop, now!"

Quatre dropped as a bullet thudded right where his head had been. Oh, this is so not good.

Aiming, he quickly shot Trowa's companion in the shoulder. The man dropped, and Trowa wheeled around. He quickly mounted Dorothy's horse and the two of them rode off.

No! Quatre inwardly cried. Not when I'm so close! Another shot distracted him. Turning, he tried to see where his unknown assailant was.

"QUATRE!" He heard Dorothy scream.

"Ahh!" He winced as a bullet lodged in his upper arm. He fired a shot in the direction of the bullet as he sank into a crouch.

* * *

Zechs walked to streets just as restlessly as Quatre had done. He had become worried when Quatre hadn't come back. Stopping, he heard gunshots. Zechs took off at a run towards the sound.

He found Quatre wedged between a few barrels and a wall of crates holding a bloody arm.

"Are you all right?" Zechs asked. Another shot splintered the wood close to Quatre's head.

"Dorothy." The boy gasped. "That way. Trowa. On a horse." He pushed Zechs away feebly. "I'll be fine. I've got my gun. Go now or we might lose her!"

Cursing inwardly, Zechs got up and ran towards the stables where their horses were bedded for the night.

Quatre waited a little then tried to stand. BAM! Quatre cried out as a bullet hit his thigh. This is really not good. He raised his gun again and heard the telltale click of an empty chamber. This is really, really not good.

He sighed. "Okay, whoever is out there, I'm out of bullets." He paused. No answer.

"Look, can't we talk about this or something. Chiefly the fact that you started the shooting and I didn't?"

He heard footsteps approaching. A silhouette of a man of about roughly Quatre's height stood in front of him.

"Uh, did I mention I was out of bullets?" Quatre said feebly.

"Funny." The figure said as he brought his pistol up to bear on Quatre. "I'm not."

* * *

"Let me go!" Dorothy shouted, struggling. "Let me down, now!"

"Stop it, Dorothy or I'll have to hit you." Trowa warned.

"But Quatre." Dorothy continued to struggle. "Somebody shot Quatre. LET ME DOWN NOW!"

"I didn't want to do this." Trowa said. Taking the pistol he still held in one hand, he hit Dorothy's head with the butt end. She sagged in his arms.

"Sorry." Trowa apologized softly.

* * *

Catherine sat by the window, drumming her fingers on the table.

"Where is he?" she asked herself. "Triton, you promised. You promised!"

* * *

Mariemeia woke up with the sense that something was wrong. Getting out of bed she limped painfully down the stairs. She heard Mary and Trieze talking in the kitchen. Creeping closer to the door, she sat quietly to hear their conversation.

"I'm going for the doctor right now." Trieze was saying. "I don't like the way she looks."

"Yes, sir. I'll take care of her." Mary answered.

"Thank you, Mary. You've been a big help lately." Trieze told her. "I'll be back as soon as possible."

Mariemeia heard her father leave by the back door. What's going on? She wondered. Going back up the stairs, she entered her parents' bedroom. Leia was on the bed, her strawberry blonde hair spread across the pillow.

"Mother?" Mariemeia asked. Leia turned towards her and smiled thinly.

"Hello dear." She said weakly. Mariemeia looked at the woman worriedly.

"What's wrong? You look sick." She commented. Leia's smile turned sad.

"I am. Marie, do you remember when I told you that you were going to have a little baby brother and that the baby was living in Mother's stomach for a while?"

Mariemeia nodded. "Yes."

"Well, something's wrong." A look of pain crossed the young woman's face. "You need to go back to bed now, dear."

Mariemeia went towards the door and paused. She didn't want to go, but wasn't sure why. "Can't I stay?" she whispered. "Just until Dr. Po gets here?"

Leia smiled and nodded. "If you want." She said. Mariemeia ran over and climbed on the bed to sit next to her mother.

* * *

Quatre swallowed as he stared at the gun.

"Heero?" he asked.

The figure merely stared, not answering.

I'm guessing that's a yes. Quatre thought. He looked at the barrel of the gun again. At least I know how Relena felt all those times.

"Are you going to kill me?" he finally asked.

"Is there a reason for me not too?" Heero asked.

"I guess not." Quatre answered and closed his eyes. The pain was getting bad and the loss of blood was making the world spin round.

Heero stared at him coldly, then pulled the trigger.

* * *

Leia bit her tongue. Mariemeia was sitting with her and she didn't want to frighten the girl by groaning or crying out in pain.

"Here," Mariemeia said. "Hold my hand."

"I might break it, dear." Leia gasped. Mariemeia bit her lip, then looked up as the door opened and Sally entered, looking like she had just been woken up.

"Marie, you're father wants you downstairs."

The young redhead nodded and exited the room.

"All right, Leia, let's see what's wrong."

The other woman nodded, then let out a strangled cry. Sally pursed her lips with concern as she felt Leia's hot forehead.

* * *

"What are you doing?"

Heero slightly jumped and hit Quatre in the shoulder instead of the chest. He turned. Midii stood there.

"Whose that?" she asked.

"Deputy Winner." He answered. He looked critically at the unconscious man. Quatre was losing a lot of blood and wouldn't live long. Taking Midii by the arm, he walked her out of the alleyway.

"Don't sneak up on me again." He warned. "I might just blow your head off one day."

"You're just going to leave him there?" Midii asked.

"Yes." Heero answered, walking away.

"But-"

"Midii, we have to go." Heero said. Midii pursed her lips, then ran after him.

* * *

Trowa turned and mentally cursed. Zechs was catching up with them. Dorothy was still unconscious, but that didn't help much. Trowa pushed his bay horse harder.

* * *

Mariemeia swung her feet back and forth. Trieze sat on the settee next to her, staring ahead into nothing.

"Daddy?" she said. "Daddy?"

"Hm? Yes, Princess?"

"What's wrong with Mrs.- uh, Mother?"

Trieze sighed. "I don't know."

Mariemeia climbed up on his knee. He held her tightly and she hugged him.

"Don't worry." She said. "I'm sure it'll be okay."

"I hope so honey." Trieze answered. "I hope so."

* * *

"Hey Auda, look at this."

"Ooh, look likes he got caught in a bad fight." Auda said.

His companion pushed his dark glasses up on his nose. "Suppose we should take him with us?"

Auda bent down.

"Whatca doing?"

"Making sure he's still alive." Auda answered. "No point in hauling a dead body around, Abdul."

"Yeah. Suppose boss'll mind?"

"Don't know." Auda checked the young man's pulse. "He's still breathing. Lost a lota blood though." He stood and brushed his pants off. "Can't leave him here."

"No, I guess not." Abdul said. "I'll go get the wagon."

* * *

"Come on." Zechs muttered. "Come on." As if sensing his mood, Zechs' black horse galloped a little harder. Quickly, the ground between him and Trowa was gaining. For a moment, Zechs wished he had Quatre or Lucrezia with him. It was usually better to have a partner.

* * *

Trieze paced the room restlessly. Mariemeia had fallen asleep on the couch. Absentmindedly, Trieze looked at the clock. It was early morning.

"Trieze?"

He turned as Sally entered the room.

"Yes?" he answered, surprised at how hoarse he sounded. "Is Leia-?"

"She's alive." Sally answered. "But, I'm afraid, you've lost the baby."

"What? How?"

"I'm not sure. But the baby is dead. I'm sorry."

Trieze nodded. "And Leia?"

"Asleep. She needs to rest." Sally said. "But that's all I can do for her right now."

Trieze nodded again. "Thank you." He whispered.

"I'll be around later in the morning to check on her." Sally said, taking her bag and cloak. "You should try and get some rest." So saying, she left.

* * *

Later that day, Mieran woke to find that Wu Fie had already left. Shrugging, she ate a quick breakfast and opened the store.

"Good morning." A cheerful young man said.

"Good morning." Mieran answered. "What can I do for you?"

"Um, I'm kinda looking for a present." He said.

"For?"

"A girl."

"Would she be your sister?" Mieran asked. The boy blushed.

"Uh, no. Sweetheart. Sort of."

Mieran smiled. "I show you what jewelry we have."

"Oh, Okay."

Mieran led him to a case. "Here we are, Mr. –?"

"Maxwell. Duo Maxwell."

"Well, look them over and see which one you want."

* * *

Trowa and Zechs had finally stopped. Both their horses were exhausted, barely able to walk.

"Don't come any closer." Trowa warned. "Or I'll shoot her."

Zechs paused.

Dorothy shifted. "Ow." She moaned. "My head." She blinked as she felt the cold feel of metal against her temple.

"Zechs!" she cried. "Where's Quatre?"

"I don't know." Zechs answered. "Barton, just let her go. I only want the girl."

"No." Trowa said.

"Look, we'll stand here all day if we have too." Zechs warned.

"All right." Trowa said. Zechs sighed.

"Oh, boy." He muttered.

* * *

Une knocked on the door and waited. As the door opened, she turned to see Mary.

"Is Mr. Khushrenda at home?" she asked.

Mary nodded and showed her in.

"Trieze?"

He was standing near the fireplace and turned as she walked in. "Anne."

"I just heard." Une said. "Is Leia all right?"

"Weak, but she should be fine." Trieze answered.

Une nodded. "I thought I would offer to take Mariemeia for a few days. Just until Leia feels up to having a little girl around."

"I don't know." Trieze said doubtfully. "Mariemeia has been rather attached to her mother. I'll think it over."

"Okay." Une answered. There was an awkward pause. "Well, I'd better be going." She finally said.

"Oh." Trieze followed her back to the door. "I'm sorry I'm such lousy company, but-"

"I understand." Une said. "I'll see you later."

* * *

"Where'd you find him?" The big man asked.

"Lying in an alleyway." Auda answered. "Didn't think you'd object to taking him in, seeing how he was wounded and all, Rashid."

Rashid shook his head, then frowned. "A deputy?"

"Oh." Auda said. "Didn't see that."

Rashid frowned, deep in thought. "Well, it can't be helped." Sighing, he stood and for a moment, his glance lingered on the wounded boy lying on the cot. "I wonder who he is."

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Jad: Well, that was interesting. Wasn't it? Guys? Answer me.

Jaid: HAH! You blinked!

Naga: No I didn't!

Jaid: Yes you did! You lose! WOOHOO! (does happy dance)

Naga: Big deal. You won a stupid glaring contest.

Jad: Oooh, Naga is a bad loser.

Naga: Shut up, you dumb Elf.

Jaid: I won, I won, I won!

Naga: SHUT UP! *walks away, mumbling under his breath about crazy authoresses and stupid elves*

Jaid: *blink, blink*

Jad: Wow, I didn't think he would take it so hard.