Jaid: Hi guys! I managed another chapter. Anywayz, I'm very happy, because Naga and Jad just came up with a killer plot, hee, hee.

Naga: And now she hasn't shut up.

Jaid: Oh, be quiet! I'm not that bad.

Naga: Yes you are.

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Chapter Seven

Zechs and Trowa merely stood, glaring at each other. Dorothy had tried several times to twist out of Trowa's arms, but to no avail.

"You know guys, this –"

The rest of her statement was cut off as another horse approached. Trowa looked up apprehensively and Zechs cautiously turned. The third rider paused and cocked his gun at Zechs.

"Drop your gun." He said. Zech did so, blinking.

"Wu Fie?"

"I'm sorry, Sheriff, but I have no choice." The Chinaman said regretfully. "Go on Barton."

Trowa nodded, replaced his gun and spurred his horse on. Zechs turned to Wu Fie angrily.

"You'd better have an explanation for this." He said. Wu Fie looked down.

"I had no choice." He repeated more to himself than to Zechs.

* * *

Zechs lost no time in heading back for town. He was worried about Quatre. Anxiously, he scoured the streets and alleyways for his friend. When that didn't work, he checked the hotels and even a brothel, though he was sure Quatre would not go in one. He even went so far as to knock on several people's doors and ask about Quatre. Sheriff Mueller wasn't thrilled at that and demanded that Zechs leave.

So Zechs went back, pale, worn out and exhausted from the search and two nights with little or no sleep. Entering their small house, he leaned against the wall, trying to think.

"Zechs?" Lucrezia appeared from the kitchen.

"Lu." He said, looking up. "What are you doing here?"

"I've been worried." She answered. "Where's Quatre?"

"I don't know." Zechs said, then told her what had happened. Lucrezia listened with a grave face.

"I don't know what to do." Zechs finished.

"You need to get some sleep." Lucrezia said firmly. "And eat something. Then you'll be able to think. If he's not in the town, maybe some farmer or rancher found him and took him in."

"Or maybe whoever was shooting at him just dragged off the body somewhere." Zechs pointed out. Lucrezia sighed, then pushed him towards the stairs.

"Go get some rest." She ordered.

* * *

Hilde entered the room, where Lucrezia was busy stuffing things into a bag.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Zechs came back." Lucrezia answered. "Quatre's missing now; possibly dead."

Hilde gasped. "Oh, no."

Lucrezia stopped packing things and looked at the younger girl. "I don't know if I'm going or not. If I am, I don't know when I'll be back. Can you handle things?"

"Yes. Duo'll help. He's very good at it." Hilde answered mechanically. Lucrezia nodded and buckled the bag up. She lifted it off the bed and looked at Hilde in a kindly manner.

"Bye." She said.

"Bye." Hilde answered. Lucrezia walked down the hallway, then down the stairs.

"Lu?"

Hilde's voice stopped her and she turned. "Yes?"

"Do you think that's Quatre's going to be okay?"

"I don't know." Lucrezia answered. "I really don't know."

* * *

Quatre's mouth was dry. He blinked. He was lying on a cot in a small, shack-like house that was bare but clean.

"Oh, you're awake!"

Quatre cautiously turned his head. "What…where?"

"My name's Savannah." The girl sat next to him. She was small and slender and dark. Her eyes were large and expressive. "Who are you?"

"Quatre." He answered weakly. "Where am I?"

"Our little settlement." Savannah answered. "But you shouldn't talk. You've had a bad fever and you're hurt. Just don't try to move." So saying, she got up and walked out of the little shack.

* * *

Today was Hilde's birthday. Duo fingered the packet that held the cameo necklace he had bought her. Knocking on the door, he waited. When he received no answer, he frowned, and cautiously entered the house. Walking through the front room and into the kitchen, he found Hilde at the table, staring at the woodwork absentmindedly.

"Hey." He said softly. Hilde jumped and turned.

"Duo!"

"I didn't mean to intrude but," he put the package on the table. "I wanted to say Happy Birthday."

Hilde's sapphire blue eyes went wide. Fingers trembling slightly, she opened the package. "Oh Duo." She whispered. "It's lovely."

"Put it on." He urged.

"I can't." Hilde answered.

"I'll help-"

"No." Hilde placed the necklace in the box. "I can't accept it Duo."

"Why not?"

"I-I mean-it's- It's Quatre." She said. "He disappeared too. He might be dead." Tears welled up in her eyes. "If he is, I'll never get over-"

"Over what?"

"Over the fact that I'm just waiting for him to come home so I can tell him I love someone else." Hilde broke into a sob and buried her head in her arms. Duo bit his tongue, then rushed out of the house.

* * *

"You don't have to go." Zechs commented.

"I think I should." Lucrezia said. "You can't find him on your own, and from what you've told me, Mueller isn't going to be much help. I'm going."

Zechs smiled and looked at her. "I'm glad you are." Lucrezia smiled softly back.

"Well," Relena said, breaking the moment between the two. "You'd both better be careful."

"Don't worry Lena." Zechs said, giving her a hug. "We'll be back in no time."

"Yeah, I'm sure." Was Relena's dry response.

"Sheriff!"

The trio turned to see a young man jogging up to them.

"Duo?" Relena asked. "What are you doing here?"

"That's a good question." Zechs said icily.

"Duo's been working for me the past few days, Zechs." Lucrezia whispered. "He'd have nothing to do with this."

"I heard about Winner." Duo said. "Hilde just told me."

"Yes, so what is it to you?" Zechs asked.

"I want to help find him." Duo said.

"And in return?"

Relena nudged her brother hard.

"You drop my charges so I can marry Hilde and we can live in peace." Duo answered firmly. Zechs considered for a moment.

"All right." He said. "But we're leaving right now."

"Give me five minutes to get my horse." Duo said. "Be right back."

* * *

Dorothy scowled at Trowa, who looked at her with an expression of patience.

"I said I was sorry."

"Look, I'm tired, I've been tied up for two whole days-"

"I wouldn't tie you up if you didn't run away." Trowa interrupted.

"I'm worried about Quatre and what the hell was Wu Fie doing pointing a gun at Zechs like that? Is he part of your gang too?"

"Sort of."

"Oh, sort of!" Dorothy scowled even deeper. "And let's not forget who was pointing a GUN TO MY HEAD!"

"I had no choice." Trowa said calmly. "If I hadn't, Marquise very likely might've taken you, and that could've gotten me killed."

"What a shame."

"I'm glad you think so."

Dorothy glared at him and he glared back. This went on for several minutes till Dorothy looked away.

"I hate you." She mumbled.

"Sorry to hear that." Trowa answered. "You'd better get some sleep."

* * *

"I've had it!" Une declared. "Catherine, you and your brother are out, as soon as I find someone else to handle the saloon and hotel."

"Please, Ms. Une-"

"No!" Une cut Catherine off. "I have given more than enough chances. I am a businesswoman and my employee keeps running off. You can't keep a hold on him, I can't, so you're both out."

"But- "

"No buts Ms. Bloom." Une said firmly. "I suggest you pack your things as soon as possible." With that, the brunette turned stiffly and marched out of the building, leaving behind a very teary-eyed Catherine.

"Great, now what am I going to do?" she whispered. Oh, when I get my hands on you, Triton Bloom…!

* * *

"Wu Fie?"

The young man jumped, and whirled around. "What?" he snapped. Mieran frowned.

"You don't have to snap at me!" she said angrily. "I was just asking you to come and help. The store is crowded today."

Wu Fie bit his tongue. Stop it Chang. You're a man, not a weakling. He sighed. "I'm coming." He said.

"Good." Mieran allowed him to pass her. She placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Wu Fie," she whispered. "What is wrong? Tell me, maybe I can help."

"How can you?" he answered. "You're just a woman."

Mieran removed her hand, tears of hurt filling her eyes.

"Fine." She hissed, and walked away, blinking to prevent the tears from spilling down her cheeks. Wu Fie mentally slapped himself.

* * *

"Savannah!" an older woman called. The tiny dark girl came running, her bare feet stirring up the dust.

"Yes, Mama?" she asked.

"Tell your father we have company." Mara told her. Savannah followed her mother's gaze to a small dust cloud in the distance.

"You don't think-?" she asked.

"Just go get your father." Mara said.

* * *

Quatre blinked awake, again. It was noisy outside. Moving carefully, he sat up, then stood, wincing in pain the whole time. Limping to the door, he looked out to see what was going on.

A small crowd of people was gathered around a rider, but Quatre couldn't see who it was.

"What are you doing!?" it was Savannah. She firmly took Quatre by the arm and led him back to the cot.

"What do you think you are doing?" she asked. "You've only got over a fever a day or two ago. You've been badly wounded and here you are getting up and walking around-"

Quatre began to laugh. Savannah had sounded so much like Iria. She pouted.

"I didn't think I was being funny." She said.

"You're not." He assured her. "You just remind me of my sis- uh of a woman I once knew."

"Where is she?" Savannah asked.

"Dead." Quatre answered softly.

"Oh." Savannah said. "I'm sorry." There was an awkward pause.

"Whose outside?" Quatre asked.

"My family." Savannah answered innocently. Quatre smiled wryly.

"I gathered that. I meant the person who just rode up."

"A friend."

Well, thought Quatre. She's certainly not stupid. It was probably better to drop it anyway; he was beginning to feel very tired. Savannah noticed.

"I'll let you rest." She said, getting up and walking to the door. Lifting the blanket that served for a door, she paused to look at the young man who was rapidly falling asleep. Then shaking her head sadly, she left.

* * *

"Oh, hello, Trieze." Sally said.

"You need to come quickly." He said, his face grave.

"Leia?" Sally asked. Without waiting for an answer, she quickly grabbed her black bag and headed out the door with him.

* * *

Zechs was seriously considering shooting Duo at this point. The young man had not stopped humming the very annoying tune since they had left that morning; three hours ago.

"Maxwell, this is your last warning." He growled. Lucrezia's mouth twisted, while Duo looked completely innocent.

"What? What did I do?"

"Your song is driving me crazy!"

"Ah, sheesh, I gotta do something to pass the time."

"Good Lord." Zechs whispered. Lucrezia giggled slightly. He glared at her.

"Come on, loosen up." She said quietly. "We only have, uh what, eighteen more hours to go?"

"Wonderful." He muttered.

* * *

Mariemeia swung her legs while she sat at the desk, happy to be doing problems that were suitably challenging, and to not be hampered by the cane. She would've hummed, had it been allowed. As it was, Mariemeia's desk partner, Sue, was poking her and telling to stop swinging her legs.

Relena was working with the fifth grade spellers, when the door came open and Trieze Khushrenda came in, his face pale and tight.

"I'm sorry for interrupting, Ms. Marquise." He said. "But I need to take Mariemeia home at once."

"That's quite all right." Relena said. She nodded to the tiny redheaded girl, who quickly packed up her school supplies and walked up to her father. Mariemeia was suddenly aware of a tight knot forming in her stomach. Trieze picked her up, nodded his thanks and good-bye to Relena, then exited the schoolroom.

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Jaid: Whew, this took a lot of work…(crashes on keyboard)

Jad & Naga: ….

Jad: Uh, review?