Jaid: MERRY CHRISTMAS! I'm probably going to be posting this after the holidays, so I figured I should say it. ^__^ Anywayz, talking to my friend Shayna last night, I figured that I have some things to explain, heh, heh. I've realized that some people might not know that Wu Fie was actually married to a girl called Mieran. Mieran died before the series began, after an attack from OZ. Okay, that's out of the way. And sorry for the delay with this chapter; I had finals and I've been very sick lately.

Naga: Not that we care.

Jaid: *death glare* Shut up.

Jad: Now, on with the story!

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Chapter Ten

"You look exhausted." Relena said kindly. Dorothy smiled wanly.

"I am." She answered. Relena opened the door to the guestroom.

"Here." She said. "You can rest here, and I'll heat some water for a bath, okay?"

"You don't have too-" Dorothy began, but Relena cut her off with a smile.

"It's no trouble." Relena told her, beginning to exit the room. She paused and then turned, the smile gone. "Did Zechs tell you?"

"Tell me what?"

"Tell you about Quatre?"

Something in Relena's tone and face made Dorothy's heart freeze. The memory of Quatre crying out as he was shot flashed before her mind's eye.

"What's wrong with Quatre?" She asked quietly. "He's not…not.." She couldn't bring herself to say the word "dead".

"I don't know." Relena whispered. "But I thought you ought to know that he loved you."

Dorothy blinked. She stood there, frozen, unsure of what to do or say. Relena bit her tongue. It had been stupid to lay that on Dorothy, just as she got home. Dorothy sank slowly onto the bed.

"Oh God, please no." she whispered. Relena walked over and put her arm around the other girl's shoulder.

"I'm sorry." She said. "I shouldn't have said anything."

"No." Dorothy shook her head. "I think I should've been told." She blinked again, and with a shock realized that there were tears in her eyes. How does he do that? She wondered. How does he always make me cry?

Relena stood up. "I'll leave you alone for a little." She said, sensing the other's girl's feelings. "I'll be back up in an hour."

Dorothy absently nodded and Relena left. Dorothy swallowed and stared blankly at the wall, a tear silently streaming down her cheek.

* * *

Catherine hopelessly stared at the dusty street, wondering what she could do. No job, no brother to lean on, nothing.

"Excuse me."

Catherine turned to find a tall, dark-haired man who was at least in his fifties. He was very dignified looking, with a small mustache and goatee that were streaked lightly with gray, as was the rest of his hair. His eyes were a steely gray. Catherine hastily wiped away her tears.

"Yes?"

"I was wondering if you were a young lady by the name of Catherine Bloom?" the man asked.

Catherine's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Why?"

"Let's just say that I have an interesting offer for her; a long term job."

Catherine put her head to one side, thinking. "All right." She finally said. "I'm Catherine Bloom. What is it that you want to offer me?"

The man smiled, then offered her his arm. "This isn't the most suitable place to discuss such things, Ms. Bloom. May I offer you lunch?"

Catherine hesitated, then took the man's arm. "Don't mind if I do." She answered.

* * *

Quatre quickly dismounted and jumped up the porch steps, forgetting to tether his horse. Rashid smiled and took care of it, understanding that the boy needed to see his friends.

Quatre burst into the door, the dull throbbing of his leg and arm momentarily forgotten.

"Lena, Zechs?" he called. Zechs appeared and Relena ran down the stairs and straight into his arms.

"Quatre, you're okay!" she exclaimed, squeezing him tight. "I was so worried."

"We all were." Lucrezia chimed in, as she came to stand next to Zechs. "Where have you been?"

"I'm not sure." Quatre admitted, as Relena let go of him and Lucrezia came forward for a hug. "I'm sorry that you guys were so worried."

"I was sure you were dead." Zechs admitted, a weak smile on his face. "Come on…" His voice trailed off as Rashid and Abdul entered the house.

"Oh." Quatre said, turning. "This is Rashid and Abdul; Abdul and a friend found me on the street and took me to a small settlement. Rashid is their leader of sorts."

Zechs nodded and greetings were exchanged. Soon, everyone was seated in the small parlor. Suddenly, Relena jumped up and smacked her head.

"What's wrong?" Zechs asked.

"Be right back." Relena answered, walking out of the room.

* * *

Dorothy laid on the bed and tried to sleep. She was borrowing a dress of Relena's, and the bath had done her good, but sleep would not come. Dorothy felt sick to her stomach. The thought that she would never see Quatre again had been like a hot knife twisting in her insides. The door burst open and Relena came in, obviously excited.

"Dorothy, are you asleep?"

"No." The other girl sat up. "Why, what's happened?"

Relena took her hand. "Come with me."

* * *

"You want me to buy the store?" Une repeated. Wu Fie frowned in irritation. Mieran, sitting next to him, placed her hand on his.

"Yes." He answered. Une leaned back in her chair and removed her spectacles. She stared at Wu Fie for a long time. Finally, she put the glasses back on and leaned forward.

"Is there a problem?" she asked. "Something I should know, or maybe that the Sheriff should know? I mean, I'm confused, Wu Fie. I thought that the store was a good source of income for you. And you're going to trade it for going back East, where you'll most likely not have a job? Could you maybe help me understand this?"

"It's private business." Wu Fie said quietly. He looked at his wife, then back at Une. "We may even go back to China."

"Go back to China." Une repeated. "Why?"

"It's private." Wu Fie said. Une bit her tongue and looked at Mieran.

"And what do you think?" she asked. Mieran looked uncomfortable. She stole a glance at Wu Fie, then looked back at Une.

"Wu Fie is my husband." She finally answered. "I trust his decision."

Une hoped that her jaw hadn't dropped. In all the years that she had known the young couple, she had never heard Mieran say something that submissive. She glanced at Wu Fie. A small flicker of surprise appeared in his eyes, but then quickly dissapeared.

"Well, I'd have to think about it." Une said quietly. "Admittedly, I don't have the income to buy a store right now. Maybe Trieze Khushrenda could help you."

Wu Fie nodded, then thanked her for her time. He and Mieran left quietly, leaving Une confused. She narrowed her brown eyes. Something was up, and she'd be danged if she didn't find out what.

* * *

"What's going on?" Dorothy asked as she and Relena went down the stairs.

"It's a surprise." Relena said. Dorothy frowned.

"I hate surprises." She muttered. Relena led her to the parlor door, waited a few seconds, listening, then opened it and dragged Dorothy behind her. Dorothy frowned deeper. There were Zechs and Lucrezia, and two tall, dark men. Dorothy continued her scan of the room, and her gaze fell upon a slender, blonde man who looked at her with surprise and relief in his aquamarine eyes.

"Dorothy!"

"Quatre!"

The two stared. Quatre stood and walked up, grinning shyly. "Hi." He said softly.

"Hi." She answered.

Relena and Lucrezia exchanged glances. Quietly, Lucrezia suggested to Abdul and Rashid that perhaps they might go the kitchen for something to eat. Relena practically pushed Zechs out of the room.

"What?" he asked, annoyed, as soon as she closed the door. Relena rolled her blue eyes.

"I swear, you are hopeless!" she exclaimed. "Didn't you see the way they were gazing at each other?"

Zechs looked at her as if she had lost her head. "What are you talking about?"

Relena closed her eyes, sighed, and shook her head. "Hopeless." She repeated.

* * *

Midii looked up as Heero walked in.

"What's going on?" she asked. "The boss sent men to ask if you've 'done the job.' What job?"

Heero ignored her as he shed his jacket and hat and washed his face and hands. Midii walked up and put her hands on her hips.

"Heero, what's going on? What job? Are you going to answer me?"

"Nothing you need to worry about." He said. Midii blinked.

"Nothing I need to worry about. Right." She sighed and went back to improvised stove she had set up over the old fireplace. A few minutes later, she looked up.

"Where's Trowa?" she asked.

"Jail." Heero answered.

"What!?" Midii stood up. "You mean they caught him? Or did he turn himself in? What happened?"

"I don't know." Heero said in the same monotone. Privately, however, he was getting a bit irked by her questions. Suddenly, the both of them straightened as the sound of hoof beats came closer. Midii's gray eyes went wide as she watched Heero's face pale a bit.

"He's here." She said quietly.

* * *

Wu Fie winced as Sally replaced the bandages.

"I guess it would still be useless to ask what the hell happened." She said in a light tone. Wu Fie glared at her and she chuckled.

"You ought to know that that doesn't work on me anymore." Sally stood and began replacing things in her bag. She glanced to the other room where Mieran was cooking.

"How have you two been?" she asked quietly.

"What do you mean?" Wu Fie asked.

"I mean, with her being pregnant. It was probably a shock."

"Yes," Wu Fie admitted quietly. "It was."

Sally smiled again. "It usually is." She closed the bag. "I hope it goes well with you two."

Wu Fie met her eyes. "Thank you." He said sincerely. Sally nodded and went to talk to Mieran.

* * *

"You're alive." The boy and girl said at the same time. Dorothy laughed and Quatre blushed. They both looked down at their feet.

Say something. Dorothy chided herself. Stop acting like a schoolgirl. It's just Quatre!

Quatre bit his lip. His mind had gone completely blank.

"It's good to see you." He finally said. Dorothy nodded.

"Yeah." She said, then blushed. "I mean it's good to see you too." Quatre grinned again.

"Thanks."

There was another awkward pause.

"Should we sit down? My leg kinda hurts." Quatre finally said.

"Sure."

The two sat and were quiet for a minute. Suddenly, Dorothy laughed. Quatre frowned.

"What?"

"It's just funny." She said. "I mean, this has to be the first time we don't know what to say to each other."

"Yeah, I guess it is." Quatre said quietly. He hesitated, then sat closer to her and took her hand. "I was really, really worried about you."

"I was worried about you too." Dorothy admitted. She shook her head and smiled. "Nice rescue attempt."

Quatre frowned. "That's all you have to say to a guy who risked his life for you?"

"Yes." Dorothy was grinning. "I would've thought that anyone would've known to watch where he was going, and not walk straight into a stack of crates."

Quatre's face got a little redder and Dorothy laughed softly. "I'm just teasing."

He smiled. "I know."

There was silence, as the two of them just looked at each other. Quatre still had Dorothy's hand.

"Dorothy?"

"Yeah?"

"I-" Quatre was cut off as the door opened and Zechs stuck his head in. He raised an eyebrow and looked at them inquiringly. Both blushed and Quatre quickly dropped her hand.

"Uh, dinner's ready." Zechs said. They nodded and stood, walking out of the room. Zechs watched them go, with the strange feeling that he had missed something.

* * *

"Sir." Heero nodded as the man entered. The man smiled, in a rather cruel fashion.

"Yuy, Une." He said. Midii nodded in a slightly nervous way.

"I assume you completed your job?" Boss said. Heero stared him straight in the eye.

"Yes." He answered. Boss nodded.

"Good." He turned his attention to Midii. "I have a job for you, my dear."

"Oh?" Midii asked.

"Yes. Perhaps we could sit and –" Boss broke off as a peculiar smell filled the room. Midii gave a funny sort of squeak and ran to what had been her and Heero's dinner. Sighing rather forlornly, she carried it to the door and placed it outside.

"As I was saying," Boss said as Midii re-entered the one room building. "Perhaps we can sit down, and I'll explain everything."

* * *

"Well, Wu Fie better take things easy for a few days." Sally said to Mieran. "And you too. I already lost Leia and her baby; I don't want to lose another."

Mieran nodded. Sally placed a friendly hand on the younger woman's shoulder. "How are you Mieran?" she asked.

"What do you mean?" Mieran asked.

"I've just been worried about you two." Sally said. "Neither of you seem very happy."

Mieran blew out a breath. "Something is bothering Wu Fie. No, not bothering, something is scaring him."

"Really?" Sally asked. Mieran nodded.

"I'm very worried. He's jittery. He starts at any strange noise or weird shadow. Once he almost hit me when I snuck up on him."

Sally frowned in concern. "That doesn't sound like him." She said. "Did you talk to him?"

"He won't talk to me." Mieran said. "What am I supposed to do?"

"I don't know." Sally admitted. "Just hang in there, I guess. That's all I can tell you." She smiled comfortingly and Mieran gave a shaky smile in return.

"I'll stop by tomorrow." The tall woman promised, then left.

* * *

"So." Relena said to Dorothy as she helped clear the table.

"What?" Dorothy asked. Relena rolled her eyes.

"What were you and Quatre talking about?" she said.

"Nothing." Dorothy answered. Relena put her hands on her hips.

"Nothing, right." She said. "You guys were in there for a while."

"We didn't say much of anything." Dorothy admitted. "Mostly just looked at the floor."

Relena smiled. "Oh, I see."

"Why so curious?" Dorothy asked.

"Well," Relena answered. "There are several reasons. First, you made me tell you everything about my and Heero's relationship, so I figure it's payback time. Also, Quatre is like a brother to me and I care about his feelings and lastly, you're my best friend and I care about you too."

"I see." Dorothy said.

"So, what's going on with you guys?" she asked. Dorothy looked at the wall for several minutes.

"I don't know." She admitted. "I really don't know."

* * *

Wu Fie and Mieran ate dinner silently for the most part. Near the end, Mieran caught Wu Fie staring at her.

"Something wrong?" she asked. Wu Fie shook himself a little.

"What?"

"You're staring at me again." She said.

"Yes." Wu Fie sighed. He looked down at the table then back at his wife. "I guess it's time I gave you an explanation."

"Yes." Mieran agreed. Wu Fie stood and went to his desk. He unlocked a drawer, and took out some documents, then came over to the table again. Sitting, he took a few pages and gave them to Mieran. She took them, looking at Wu Fie in a confused manner. He nodded. Mieran looked at them papers and with surprise realized they were in Chinese script. Slowly, she began to read them.

* * *

The group was in the parlor again. Zechs and Lucrezia were near the door in armchairs, Relena was sitting on a stool in front of a settee that Quatre and Dorothy were sharing. Abdul was sitting across from them on the window seat, and Rashid stood in front of him, the locket in his hand.

"I guess you all are wondering what is going on." He said, then smiled at Quatre. "Especially you, Deputy."

Quatre smiled and nodded.

"Well, I hope I can explain most of this to you." Rashid went on. "You know some of this, Ms. Catalonia. In fact, Ms. Catalonia is the reason many of my people came here." Rashid paused and took a breath. Quatre looked at him. The man seemed to be inwardly struggling with something. "I guess," he said, looking at Quatre. "It's time you knew everything."

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Jaid: I bet you guys hate me by now, huh? I keep stopping at the good parts, lol. I'm working as hard as I can to post more often, but life interrupts…Anywayz, keep R&R!