Jaid: A new chapter everybody! Aren't you glad!
Naga: Nobody's answering.
Jaid: Naga, one more word out of you and I'll…
Naga: You'll what?
Jaid: I'll think of something.
Naga: And to think, I was once was afraid of you.
Jaid: *glares*
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Chapter Sixteen
WuFei sat in his chair quietly, eyes closed, as if compiling his thoughts. Trieze waited patiently for him to begin.
"I suppose," WuFei said. "That I ought to begin with my grandfather, since my family's trouble started with him." WuFei's eyes opened and he sat up straighter. He looked thoughtfully at the wall. "My grandfather, Chang Shao, was a refugee from China, seeking refuge in Sank. He became a fisherman on the coast and worked hard, but there was never enough. My grandfather sank in debt and finally had to sell his boat. My father told me that one day, my grandfather was approached by a man who was the servant of Terrance Traycsant. He needed a man who was good with mathematics to help his steward and my grandfather was hired.
My father told me also, that it was not a bad life, but that Grandfather was often troubled. 'Things aren't right' he would say. My father was never sure what he was talking about till he himself took over the stewardship after Grandfather died. It was then that he found out what was wrong.
Traycsant and his son were planning to take the kingdom. My Grandfather had unwillingly helped them, Traycsant threatening to deport his family back to China if he resisted. The same hold was put over my father. He helped them in their rebellion, and was shot in the head as payment. My mother escaped with me to America and arranged a marriage with Mieran's family for me. She gave me my father's papers before we left for the West.
I opened up the General Store here and was approached by a man I came to know only as 'Boss'. But it wasn't threat of deportation that he has held over me. I don't know how, but he has documents that prove I murdered a man once."
"Did you?" Trieze asked quietly.
"Yes." WuFei answered. "I had good reasons, but I am a Chinaman. A refugee. What sort of chance would I have in court? And what would become of my mother and wife if I were hanged?" WuFei looked down at his hands. "I came here to tell you where the Prince and Princess are. My mother knew and she gave me the copies of the birth certificates and such. Unfortunately, the copies were stolen, but I can wire my mother to send them to me."
"And who…?" Trieze was leaning forward, his eyebrows drawn together, his eyes fixed on WuFei.
"The ones you seek," WuFei said, "Are none other than Zechs Marquise, and his sister, Relena."
* * *
"Anne?" Dorothy asked softly. Mary stood behind her, an anxious look on her face. "Anne, can you hear me?"
Une slowly made her way back to consciousness. "Dorothy." she whispered. "Where's Marie? Please, you have to find her…"
Dorothy frowned. "Don't worry, we will." she said. Une's eyes closed. Dorothy bit her lip and felt the brunette's hot forehead. Straightening, she turned to Mary.
"If she gets worse," she said. "Than send for Dr. Po." Mary nodded.
"Where are you going, Miss?" Mary asked as Dorothy walked towards the door.
"Looking for Marie." Dorothy said. "Anne was worried about her for a good reason."
* * *
Zechs rubbed his eyes. It was late afternoon, and it was almost hard to believe that the fire had occurred last night and only been doused early this morning. Time for some rest. He thought, as he wearily made his way to his room. Downstairs, he heard Lucrezia let someone in. There was some talking and Zechs paused, frowning. That sounded like Dorothy.
"Hello, Dorothy, come in." Lucrezia said. "Have you seen Quatre?"
"No." Dorothy answered. "Have you seen Mariemeia?"
"What's going on?" Zechs asked, coming down the stairs.
"I can't find Mariemeia." Dorothy said, looking slightly worried. "I've looked just about everywhere."
"And I can't find Quatre." Lucrezia put in. "He's been gone for hours."
Zechs sighed and closed his eyes. This is not happening to me…
* * *
Midii, now in a dress, was kneeling before the fire, cooking something. Trowa sat on one of the cot/beds, watching her. She glanced over and gave a slight smile, then stood.
"That should be done soon." she said, sitting next to him. Trowa nodded. There was a long silence.
"Trowa." Midii said quietly. "I was wondering-"
She was cut off as somebody rode up and banged on the door. Midii stood and undid the latch. "Boss!"
Charles pushed his way in, nearly knocking the tiny blonde over.
"Where is he?" he demanded.
"Who?" Midii asked, gray eyes wide.
"Yuy! Where is he, Une?" Charles demanded.
"I don't know. You mean he's not on a mission?"
Trowa smiled slightly. Whatever she was, Midii was a good actress. She was playing the ignorant/innocent act very well.
"You know he's not on a mission." Charles growled, turning on her. "Now where is he?"
"I don't know!" Midii said. She wasn't acting anymore. She was scared. Charles grabbed her wrists tightly.
"Listen, girl, I don't have much patience-"
"She's telling the truth." Trowa said calmly, stepping over. Charles dropped Midii's wrists. Unconsciously, she shrank next to Trowa and he put a protective arm around her.
"We don't know where Yuy is." Trowa continued. "He was gone when we arrived."
Charles stared at them shrewdly. "Fine." he said. "I'll believe you for now, but if I find that you're lying…" he left his threat unfinished as he walked out and rode away. Midii relaxed.
"He frightens me." she whispered. Trowa looked down at her, realizing for the first time that she was in his arms.
"It's all right." he said, though he wasn't quite sure why he did.
* * *
Trieze sat at his desk. WuFei had gone home. Trieze smiled and shook his head. Years of searching. he thought. And the very man I seek is right under my nose. He had, for a long time, suspected that both Relena and Zechs had royal connections. The way they held themselves sometimes, the way they spoke. It was barely noticeable, but for a man looking for a lost king with little or no clues, it had been evident. The clock chimed. Three o'clock. Trieze stood. If Dorothy wanted to talk to him, she could find him at home or at Une's, where he was going to pick up Mariemeia.
* * *
Mieran looked at the table and Quatre sighed, then stood. "Okay." he said. "If you figure anything else out, let me know." He sighed again; Quatre had forgotten how nightly incidents could drain one's energy. He walked to the door.
"Wait." Mieran's voice called him back.
"Yes?"
Mieran bit her lip, then looked at the Deputy. There was a kindly look in his aquamarine eyes, that told her that she could trust him. "Could you wait until my husband came home?" she asked. "I think we ought to tell you something."
* * *
"WuFei!" Dorothy called. The man turned.
"Yes?"
"Have you seen Mariemeia or Quatre?" she asked. WuFei shook his head. Dorothy sighed.
"Do you know where they might be?"
WuFei thought for a minute. "I don't know about Winner." he finally said. "But Mariemeia liked to go to the old gold mine."
"Can you show me?" Dorothy asked.
WuFei hesitated. He wanted to get home. "Yes." He finally answered.
* * *
Duo walked up to the door, raised his hand, then walked away again. Then walked back up to the door.
"Oh man, I can't do this." he whispered. "I'll just-"
He stopped as the door opened, and Hilde looked at him. "Something wrong, Duo?"
"Uh, no." Duo said, swallowing. "Everything's fine."
"Then…?" Hilde looked at him waiting for an explanation.
"I have something I want to ask you." Duo said. "But I'm having trouble talking at the moment."
Hilde raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Look." Duo said. "I just, I mean, Uh…"
"A complete sentence would help." Hilde commented.
Duo blew out a breath. "HildeIloveyouverymuchandwouldyoupleasemarryme."
Hilde blinked. "Huh?"
"I love you very much," Duo said, forcing himself to go slower. "And would you please marry me?"
"Marry you?" Hilde asked.
Duo cringed, but nodded his head. Hilde blinked again.
"I'll uh, think about it." she said and closed the door. Duo leaned against it.
"Oh man, I blew it." He whispered.
"Duo!" Hilde cried, opening the door.
"Whaaa!" Duo shouted as he toppled on to Hilde. They landed on the floor in a tangle of arms and legs. Both go up, blushing.
"Sorry." they both said, then smiled.
"Ahem, as I was saying." Hilde said. "Duo, it took ya long enough to ask, but, yes I will marry you."
"You will?" Duo asked. Hilde nodded. A silly grin came over Duo's face.
"YIPEE!" He shouted, picking her up and spinning with her.
"Duo! You'll break something! Put me down!" Hilde demanded.
"Sorry." Duo said again, then hugged her tightly. "Thank you Hilde." he whispered. Hilde smiled.
* * *
"Mariemeia!" Dorothy called. WuFei was frowning looking at the ground.
"Ms. Catalonia." he said. "This familiar?"
Dorothy walked over and took the tiny gold chain that had a gold pendant on it. "It's Mariemeia's." she whispered. The Mariemeia in her world had one just like it. It was the only thing the girl had that was her father's.
"The chain's been broken." WuFei said grimly. "And there's horse tracks and footprints that suggest…" his voice trailed off.
"A struggle?" Dorothy finished. "Mariemeia's been kidnapped?"
WuFei nodded. Dorothy swallowed. "We'd better tell Trieze." she said. "And then get Duo Maxwell. He told me a few weeks ago that he was the best tracker in these parts."
* * *
Quatre and Mieran sat at her little table. Mieran was tapping her fingers on it and looking nervous. Quatre was alternatively dosing off and waking up.
The door slammed below, causing both of them to jump. Quatre frowned and reached for his gun. "Stay behind me." he ordered Mieran. She nodded. Quatre walked over to the door and opened. Slowly, he made his way down the stairs. Creeping around the corner, he tried to get a glance –
And promptly drew back as a gun went off, splintering the wood where his head had been a few moments ago. "Damn." Quatre whispered. He was in quite a situation. If he moved, whoever it was would probably fire at him. He could sneak out of one of the upstairs windows, but he didn't want to leave Mieran alone.
* * *
Trieze was about to knock on Une's door when it opened. Mary stood there.
"Mr. Khushrenada." she said.
"Yes." Trieze answered. "Is something wrong?"
"Yes." Mary said. "Ms. Une's got a bad fever and I was just about to get the –"
"I'll go." Trieze interrupted. "You stay with her." Turning he headed towards Sally's house.
* * *
"You just stay quiet girlie." a man said. "We're not going to hurt you."
Mariemeia swallowed a sob and wished she could see. They had blindfolded her and tied her hands up.
"Where am I?" she asked.
"You'll find out later." the man said. "For now, the best thing to do is relax."
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Jaid: Whew! What a day!
Jad: No kidding.
Jaid: Well, what do you guys think? Please review! It's what keeps me going!