Jaid: Hi guys! Here is a new chapter for you all! By the way, thanks J.B.; I'm feeling much better.
Naga: Unfortunately.
Jaid: I swear, you live on people's discomfort and pain.
Naga: I wouldn't be a Sith Lord if I didn't.
Jaid: Whatever….
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Chapter Twelve
Mariemeia breathed in the chilly morning air. The air was a bit foggy, which surprised her; she would've thought this place was too warm to have fog. She jumped from one foot to the other, partly from nervousness and partly from the cold. Mary gently tugged her hand to remind her to stay still. Trieze took his watch from his waistcoat, looked at it, sighed, and the replaced it. He turned to Mariemeia and smiled reassuringly. She managed a shaky smile back, but felt as if she were going to cry.
"Trieze!"
All three turned, half expecting Une, but instead a slender blonde woman ran up. Mariemeia recognized her.
"Dorothy!" she cried. The blonde did a double take, then smiled slightly.
"Mariemeia, how nice to see you." Dorothy turned back to Trieze. "Lucrezia told me about Leia. I-"
"Please," Treize said. "Please don't say it. I've heard it too often."
Dorothy nodded, a softer, more understanding look coming over her features. "I hear your leaving." she said.
"Yes." Trieze said. "But only temporarily." He took Dorothy's hands and looked hard at her. "You need to be very careful, Cousin." He warned. "They'll kill you; they'll kill us both. I'm surprised they haven't already."
"I think they need us for something." Dorothy said. "At least, I picked that much up. You be careful yourself, Treize. I've got Sheriff Marquise and Deputy Winner; not too mention Rashid at the moment, looking after me. You'll be alone."
"I can take care of myself." Trieze smiled, then looked beyond Dorothy's shoulder. His smile suddenly became brighter as a slim brunette walked up.
"Sorry I'm late." Une apologized. "Hello Mariemeia, Mary. Oh, Ms. Catalonia."
"Ms. Une." Dorothy said. The train whistled.
"That's my cue." Trieze said. He thanked Mary sincerely for all her help, then hugged Dorothy good-bye. He picked up Mariemeia.
"You'll come back?" she whispered.
"Of course I will." Trieze assured her.
"Promise."
"I promise. I'll see you again." He said. He hugged her tightly, as if he didn't want to let go of his tiny daughter. She hugged him back equally as tightly. The train whistle blew again and the conductor began ushering people onto the train. Trieze broke the embrace and kissed Mariemeia's forehead.
"You be a good girl." he said huskily, unwilling tears coming into his dark blue eyes. "Don't give Ms. Anne too much trouble, and no sneaking off."
"Yes papa."
"Do well at your lessons, and remember, Princess, I love you very, very much."
"I love you too, papa." Mariemeia answered shakily. Something in his face bothered her. He looked at her as if he might never see her again. Standing, he shook Une's hand.
"Thank you very much for taking her." he said.
"It's no trouble." Une assured him. "She'll be no trouble." Une put an arm around the girl's shoulders and Mariemeia leaned against her dark gray skirt.
"Bye, papa." she whispered.
"Bye Princess." He answered. "Good – bye Anne, and thanks again!" So saying he boarded the train. As it slowly chugged it's way East, Dorothy, Mary, Mariemeia and Une watched it fade, then turned away, each bothered by her own reservations.
* * *
Wu Fei waited impatiently at the door of the Khushrenda home. He had knocked several times, but nobody had answered. Granted, it was a bit early to be calling, but he had too see somebody, and Treize had seemed a logical place to start. Although there had always been a slight hostility between the two men, Treize had managed to earn Wu Fei's respect and a bit of his trust.
"Nobody's home, sir."
Wu Fei was shaken out of his reverie by the sound of Mary's voice. He turned. The black woman stood there quietly.
"Where's Mr. Khushrenda?" he asked.
"Left this morning. For New York."
Wu Fei sucked his breath in. "New York?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
Wu Fei blinked. New York was a long, long way away. Why would he want to go to New York? Wu Fei wondered. Then it hit him. He's going back to Sanc.
"Sir?" Mary asked, looking worried.
"Uh, thank you Mary." Wu Fei said, feeling a bit dazed. Something's going to happen. It's started. "I'll be going now."
"Yes, sir." Mary watched the Asian man walk away, with more than a little concern and worry in her face. Shaking her head, and muttering something about "foreign people", she went inside.
* * *
Zechs paced the jail house persistently, thought he was not aware of it. His head was a turmoil of thoughts. Trowa Barton watched him steadily, arms folded.
Millardo. Zechs thought. That was the name of the prince. Relena is the princess. I know my real name's Millardo, but this Relena doesn't know that. Sanc, that was our parents' kingdom. Even the names were right: Ruby and Sercan. Damn, what am I going to do? I know what Relena and I really are, but I can't prove it. Not unless I want Rashid and Relena to think I'm insane.
Zechs stopped pacing and leaned his head against the wall. I could just not say anything. But that's running from my responsibility, again. I ran from it when I was nineteen and left Relena to pick up the pieces. I've been given a second chance in this world, and I shouldn't wreck it, but am I really the one who is needed to lead these people? Quatre has a good heart and a good head. He's not distracted by the same things I am. Could it be that in this world, it will be his responsibility to lead Sanc? Or is it still mine? Zechs groaned and hit the wall. Why does everything have to be so complicated? For once, God, it would be nice if things were simple instead of so damn hard! He sighed.
"Thinking about something?"
Zechs jumped. He had forgotten Trowa was there, locked in a cell.
"Yes." he said. "And if you don't mind, I'd like to continue to think."
Trowa shrugged and remained silent. Zechs sank into the chair on his desk, buried his head in his hands, and tried to come to some decision.
* * *
Mariemeia mentally reviewed what she was to get at the General Store. The basket she carried bumped against her legs slightly and she hummed a tune as she walked. School had been ordinary today; Sue had continued to shush her at the desk and Tommy Wells, the boy who sat behind her had dipped her red hair ribbons in his ink well. Mariemeia smirked. He wouldn't try that again, at least not until that black eye went down. She sighed. Already she missed Papa. Papa would've scolded her for not acting lady-like. Mariemeia bit her tongue. She wouldn't cry. Shaking her self, the ten year old entered the shop. Mieran stood there, looking rather tired, but she smiled and greeted Mariemeia cheerfully. Mariemeia carefully recited her purchases.
"All right." Mieran said in her accented English. "Just a minute."
Mariemeia nodded then began to wander around. Curiously, she looked at the door way that led to the back of the store. Looking around to make sure no one was watching her, she quietly slipped into the dark exterior. Walking carefully to make sure she wouldn't bump into anything, she suddenly heard voices. Frowning, she crept closer to see if she could hear what they were saying.
They were speaking in a language she couldn't understand, but it didn't sound like a friendly conversation. She recognized Wu Fei's voice and then heard a sharp cry of pain being muffled. Eyes wide she quickly made for the front of the store. Gasping for breath, she tugged on Mieran's arm.
"What, what is it?" the Chinese woman asked.
"You gotta come quick." Mariemeia said. "Mr. Chang and some men are arguing back there and I think he got hurt."
Mieran's face paled, and she went to the stairs that led to their apartments. Mariemeia hot on her heels, she grabbed the loaded rifle and went to the store room.
"Stay here." she directed the little girl, then changed her mind. "Wait, go get the Deputy or the Sheriff. Both if you can manage it."
Mariemiea nodded, then went off at a run.
* * *
Quatre ran some fingers through his hair. He too was having some doubts. He didn't really feel he could make this decision, after all, it wasn't exactly his life he was toying with; it was a different Quatre Winner's decision. He stroked his horse's mane. He had affectionately decided to call her Iria, after his sister that had died. The palomino horse suddenly snorted and Quatre turned to see Mariemeia. Gasping for breath, she ran over and tugged on his coat sleeve.
"Gotta come quick!" she gasped. "Store, Mr. Chang's in trouble!"
Quatre took off at a quick jog, ignoring the sharp pain in his thigh.
* * *
Wu Fei was seeing black spots. It wasn't a good sign, and he should move, but his body wouldn't cooperate. Privately, he berated himself for being caught off guard.
"Whose there?" he heard Mieran demanded, first in English, then in Chinese.
"No one." He muttered weakly.
"Wu Fei, oh no!"
He felt Mieran try to pick him up.
"Stop, woman." he said, not unkindly. "I'm taller than you and twice your weight."
"Anybody in here?"
"Mr. Chang?"
Two more figures appeared.
"Not good." Deputy Winner said gravely. He and Mieran managed to lift Wu Fei to his feet, then Winner half carried, half dragged Wu Fei up the stairs and put him in the bed.
"I'll get Sally." he told Mieran. Mieran nodded her thanks, then looked at Wu Fei. His eyes were open, but there was a strange distant look in them. Mieran squeezed his hand. He smiled at her painfully.
* * *
Savannah sighed and looked at the blue sky. She wished it would rain. The dusty ground was getting unbearable and the plants they grew weren't doing too well. Some shouts caught her attention. Whirling around, she saw riders in the distance. Shading her eyes, she recognized them.
"Papa!" she shouted. "Mother, papa's home!"
Mara came out of the small building and smiled. Wiping flour off of her hands, she and Savannah went to greet Rashid and Abdul. Rashid dismounted and greeted them.
"What's the news?" Mara asked.
"We found him." Rashid said warmly. "We found the Lord Winner."
"And?" Mara asked.
"He's thinking about it." Rashid admitted. "But we found him, Mara. I can't believe it."
"You'd better." Savannah joked. She felt like dancing. Maybe they wouldn't stay in this desert for too long. Maybe they would go back to Sanc, lovely, green Sanc with lots of trees and grass. Maybe things would be all right again back in her home. Rashid smiled at her and nodded as if he had read her thoughts. His arm around Mara's waist and a hand on Savannah's shoulder, the family walked back to their small dwelling full of hope and dreams once more.
* * *
Sally came down the stairs. Mieran was at the counter, her chin in her hand and her eyes fixed on a non-existent spot on the opposite wall.
"Mieran?" Sally said gently. The younger woman slightly jumped and looked at Sally.
"Yes?"
Sally smiled reassuringly. "Wu Fei will be fine. He's got a slight fever and some broken ribs and a slight concussion, but he'll be okay. Just make sure he rests for a good long while. That arm hasn't completely healed."
Mieran nodded. "Thank you."
"Your welcome." Giving the girl a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder, she walked out of the store and headed to her next destination.
* * *
"I don't know if I can take another one." Zechs said. Sally smiled.
"Well, at least think about it." she said. "After all, I pretty much was the sheriff and deputy before you showed up and took over."
"Well, Duo has asked me the same thing." Zechs told her, leaning back in his chair. "Apparently, he feels a bit guilty, and is doing everything he can to prove himself to Hilde."
"So make the both of us temporary deputies." Sally suggested. "It can't hurt, not with everything that's going on. Besides, I am the town's only doctor, I wouldn't be able to go out of town on a posse or anything."
"Yeah, I'm just worried…"
"About what?"
Zechs grinned sheepishly. "I'm worried that if I let you be a deputy, Lucrezia'll want to be one too."
Sally chuckled. "I won't tell if you won't." she said half jokingly.
"Deal." Zechs said grinning. "But seriously, I will think about it, Sally."
"That's all I ask." she said, standing. Picking up her bag, she headed for the door.
"Sally?" Zechs said.
"Yes?"
Zechs hesitated, then shook his head. "Nothing." he said. "Nothing at all."
"Okay, see you tomorrow." Sally told him, then left. Zechs looked out of the window. It was getting late.
* * *
Quatre bit his tongue and raised his fist to knock on the door, then stopped and began to walk away. Changing his mind, Quatre turned around and walked to the door again. Dorothy smiled. She had been watching him do this for the past five minutes and decided that it was time to stop. Opening the window, she called, "Quatre!"
He looked up. "Oh, hello."
She smiled. "Hi. Want to come in?"
He blushed. "If it's not too much trouble."
"No trouble at all." Dorothy went back in and closed the window. Coming down the stairs, she asked Janet to make some tea.
"But it's almost dinner time, miss."
"Then just give us the tea. Oh, and tell Rose we'll most likely have a guest for dinner." Dorothy ordered.
"Yes, miss."
Stopping before the door, Dorothy rather self-consciously straightened her chocolate brown skirt and white blouse. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door. Quatre grinned at her, rather awkwardly, and she invited him in.
"I only came by for a minute." he said, hat in hand. "I just, uh, -"
"You want to sit down for a bit?" Dorothy asked, then without waiting for an answer, led the way to the parlor. The two sat down. There was another long pause.
"I just want to talk about something." Quatre finally said.
"Yes?"
"It's about my decision." Quatre admitted. Dorothy frowned a little but nodded.
"I don't know." Quatre stood and walked over to the fire-place. "I don't know what to say, Dorothy. I mean, how are we to know that we won't be taken back to our world any moment?"
"We don't." Dorothy said. "But you have to make some sort of decision, Quatre. We aren't in our own world, we're in this one. And we have to live with it."
"Yeah, I sort of figured that." he said. Turning, he smiled at her crookedly. "I guess I know what the choice I need to make is."
Dorothy nodded. "I guess you do."
Quatre came over and sat down next to her, turned so that he could see her eye to eye. "That's not the only thing I wanted to talk to you about." he said. "I've been wanting to tell you something for a long time, but haven't had the nerve to do so till now."
Dorothy nodded again, feeling more and more like an idiot. Quatre hesitated, then took her hands.
"Dorothy, if I go to Sanc, then it will mean that I might not see you again. And I don't want that. So, I guess I just wanted to say that-"
Janet came in, followed by Zechs. Quatre and Dorothy jumped apart rather guiltily, Quatre going a deep red.
"Sorry to interrupt." Zechs said, not looking very sorry at all. "But I need Quatre."
"Of course." Dorothy murmured. Quatre stood.
"Good-bye, Ms. Dorothy." he said politely.
"Deputy." she answered. Quatre and Zechs made their exit, as did Janet, leaving Dorothy to her thoughts.
* * *
"You don't mind?" Zechs asked. Quatre shook his head.
"You need to talk to Relena." He said. Zechs nodded. "Yeah." They stopped in front of the jail house.
"Be careful, Quatre, I mean it. You're hot stuff now. Chances are, if Rashid knows who you are, Traycsant won't be to far behind on the uptake."
"I know." Quatre answered. "I'll be careful." Nodding good-night, he entered the building. Zechs sighed and walked home.
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Jad: Ugh, my head is spinning.
Naga: It's not that confusing.
Jad: No, Jaid just hit me over the head with her frying pan.
Naga: Why?
Jaid: BECAUSE HE ATE MY CANDY CANES THAT'S WHY! I NEED MY SUGAR, DARN IT!
Naga: I'm beginning to wonder, Jad, whether you are very brave for an Elf, or just exceptionality stupid.
Jad: I'm wondering the same thing myself…
Naga: *sweatdrop*