Jaid: *gasping for breath* Hey guys. Can't talk, rabid bunnies to deal with. Enjoy the chapter.
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Chapter Eighteen
"Who do you suppose is in there?" Mieran asked softly as the two women headed for Une's.
"I don't know and I'd rather not find out." Dorothy answered. "Let's just go."
They entered the darkened house and walked up the stairs. Une was in a feverish sleep and Sally had fallen asleep in a chair next to the bed. Dorothy motioned for Mieran to be quiet as the two settled themselves on the chest at the foot of Une's bed. Mieran nodded, and presently, she too nodded off. Dorothy struggled to keep awake, but eventually sleep claimed her.
* * *
"Good night, Ms. Bloom." He said casually and pulled the trigger. Catherine screamed and fell to the ground, shaking. In the wall, bare centimeters from where her head had been, was a smoking hole. Armond smirked and put the gun away, then roughly brought Catherine to her feet. She was still shaking.
"I suggest," he said. "That if you do not want that bullet to really enter your head, you do as I say."
Catherine looked at him defiantly, having recovered somewhat. "No." she said firmly. "I don't care anymore."
Armond's jaw tightened. "I see." he said quietly. He as about to say more, when the door opened and Charles came in…followed by Trowa.
* * *
"Do you think Traycsant kidnapped her?" Quatre was asking.
"Most likely." Trieze answered.
"It would make the most sense." WuFei agreed. "The thing is, we don't know it they've got her in their normal HQ."
Duo sighed and leaned back. It had been this way all morning. The three of them talking about something that was way above his head. But every time he had asked for an explanation, the three of them had simply stared, then went on talking.
"Could we check there first?" Quatre asked.
"Who would we send?" Trieze pointed out. "I'm known, and so are you. WuFei could be shot on sight."
"I guess that leaves you, Duo." Quatre commented. Duo straightened.
"Hold it." He said. "You didn't say anything about sneaking into a place. You only wanted me to track her down."
"But you're the only one." Quatre countered. "And I'll bet your pretty good at sneaking in to places. Besides, if we don't, they could kill that little girl."
Duo bit his tongue. "Oh, all right." He muttered. I knew I was going to regret this. he thought.
* * *
"Mr. Traycsant." Trowa said politely. "I…" his voice trailed off as he saw the young woman who was standing there.
"Catherine?" he asked, walking over. "Good Lord, I've been so worried about you."
Catherine smiled shakily. "Well, I'm fine." she said, forcing a cheerful voice.
"Are you sure? You're kind of shaky." Trowa frowned. There was something in the air…like gun powder.
"Ms. Bloom had a brief fainting spell." Armond lied smoothly. Trowa looked confused, but Catherine nodded in agreement.
"I think I'll go and lie down." She said quietly. With that, she exited the room. Armond nodded slightly, and Charles followed.
"I wasn't aware that my sister knew you, Mr. Traycsant." Trowa commented. His green eyes lightly scanned the room.
"She entered my employment several weeks ago." Armond told him. "Is there anything you needed? I assume that's why you are here."
"Well, I wanted you're help in find Catherine, but…" Trowa shrugged. Armond smiled.
"I see." he said. "I suppose you would like to get away from here, seeing as you're a wanted man."
"That would be good, yes." Trowa agreed.
"Well, sit down." Armond invited. "I'm sure we can work something out."
* * *
I am insane. Absolutely, should-be-certified insane. Duo thought. Quatre squeezed his shoulder and smiled.
"I know you can do it, Duo." he said, barely above a whisper.
Duo gave him a slightly fake grin. "Sure I can." he said. Quatre tried not to laugh. He knew what Duo was thinking.
"Well," Duo commented. "Time's wasting. I'm going in."
* * *
"Good night, Ms. Bloom." Charles said. Catherine smiled slightly and closed her door. Quickly, she tied the bed sheets together and prepared to climb out the window. She was about too, when she suddenly remembered the child that Armond said was here. Catherine bit her lip. She wanted to help. Maybe…Catherine walked to the door and opened it. Charles stood there and turned, his eyebrow raised. Catherine blushed and closed the door again.
All right, so that's out. she sighed. I don't want to leave that child here, but I have no choice. Maybe I can get help. Nodding, Catherine pulled an older dress out of her closet, and put it on, this time ignoring corsets, petticoats and hoops. They would only get in her way. If I'm lucky, then they won't know I'm gone till morning.
* * *
Hello. Duo blinked at the bed sheet rope that was several feet above him. It would be hard to climb the wrap-around porch roof and climb in. Duo shrugged and proceeded to do just that.
Inside the room, he raised an eyebrow at the, umm, various pieces of woman's clothing around the floor. Shrugging again, the young man approached the door and opened it. The burly man standing there turned…and promptly met with Duo's fist. He landed hard and Duo winced, but nobody came. Duo gave a sigh of relief and walked cautiously down the hall way.
* * *
Mariemeia awoke to find someone shaking her. Shooting up, eyes wide, she backed away.
"Hey," the figure said. "It's okay." He held out a gold necklace. "I'm here from your father, kid."
Mariemeia looked at him warily. Duo looked at her in turn, noting her swollen lip and a bruise on her cheek.
"Come on, we gotta get out of here." Duo prodded. Mariemeia stared at him for a few more seconds, then took his hand and went with him.
* * *
"I'm sorry." Trowa said standing. "But I can't do that."
"Why?" Armond wanted to know.
"You're talking about murder." Trowa pointed out. "I can't do that. Not…" he broke off shaking his head.
"Don't tell me you have feelings for her?" Armond said, seeming to find it funny. "Oh my word. And has she ever given you encouragement?"
"That's none of your business." Trowa said rather coldly. He took his hat. "Good evening, sir." Trowa turned to go.
"I'm sorry." Armond's voice stopped him. "But I can't let you go."
Trowa half-turned. Armond pulled the trigger of his gun and Trowa spun out of the way, the bullet hitting his shoulder near his collarbone rather than the middle of this back.
"Oh, dear, you moved." Armond commented blankly. He walked around the desk, to stand where Trowa was on the floor. "However, it might be for the best."
"What are you talking about?" Trowa demanded, through clenched teeth.
"Your sister." Armond answered. "She's been rather un-cooperative as of late. Maybe your pain will convince her to, shall we say, be more obedient."
Forgetting his pain in his anger, Trowa sprang to his feet. Armond calmly shot him in the foot. Crying out, Trowa fell.
"Let's have none of that, shall we?" Armond opened the door. "Charles, come down here." There wasn't an answer. "Charles?"
Armond scowled. Something wasn't right. Going back to his desk, he re-loaded his pistol and then climbed the stairs.
* * *
"You okay, kid?" Duo asked. Mariemeia nodded. She had her arms wrapped around Duo's neck as he climbed down the "rope." Landing on the porch roof, he carefully helped her climb down. When they reached the ground, he took her hand.
"Let's go find your pa, okay?"
Mariemeia smiled for the first time and nodded. Duo grinned and they turned to go…as a shot rang out. Duo instinctively hit the ground, dragging Mariemeia with him, belatedly realizing that she had cried out in pain.
"Son of a…" he broke off, remembering Mariemeia. "Come on, kid. Don't die on me." He pulled out his own pistol and shot back, at the same time flipping her over his shoulder and running. He would have to turn his back but, he had no choice.
"Damn!" Now there were two men up there. Just run, Duo, just run.
* * *
Catherine turned at the sound of gunshots. Trowa. Biting her lip, she forced herself to turn around and keep walking. Suddenly, she was grabbed from behind.
"Ms. Catherine Bloom. What a surprise."
* * *
Dorothy carefully crept into her house. She had awoken, remembered the intruder and had come back. She couldn't risk losing the crown jewels. Dorothy couldn't help smiling slightly; Sally would not be happy to find her gun missing.
* * *
Duo put Mariemeia on the ground. "Kid, can you hear me?"
Mariemeia's eyes were full of tears. "It hurts." she whispered, in a curious, sad sort of way.
Like she's remembering something. Duo thought. He took of his bandana and tried to stop the blood flowing from her upper chest. "I'm going to try and get your dad, okay? Just stay with me."
Mariemeia nodded, her gaze becoming slightly unfocused. Duo began to panic as he picked her up and carried her away.
"God, if you're up there," he prayed as he ran. "Please don't let her die. I know I haven't talked to you for a while, but just don't let her die in front of me. Please. I don't think I could watch another child die."
* * *
Dorothy rounded a corner and held her gun about to shoot when…
"Stop! It's me!"
Dorothy lowered her weapon. "Zechs?"
The blond man stepped closer. "Thank God you're okay." he said.
"Why, what's…" Dorothy's eyes widened and she pushed past him, realizing that this was the servant's quarters. Rose, her cook had Janet cradled in her arms. The young black woman was unconscious, a gun shot wound in her abdomen.
"I don't think she'll make it." Zechs said quietly, stepping up behind her. "But Lucrezia's gone for Sally."
"Oh, my God." Dorothy whispered. "Rose, I am so sorry."
Rose ignored her. All she was concerned with was her dying daughter. Dorothy turned away, dropping Sally's gun. Zechs followed her.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I didn't even think about them." Dorothy shook her head. "I didn't think…"
"Calm down." Zechs said softly. He took her gently by the shoulders and shook her a little. "Don't spaz out on me."
"Right." Dorothy blew out a breath. "I've gone soft." she muttered.
"Being soft isn't so bad, Dorothy Catalonia." Zechs reminded her quietly. Dorothy nodded again.
* * *
"Let me go!" Catherine whispered frantically. She turned and came face to face with WuFei Chang. He almost smirked at her and raised an eyebrow.
"Fancy meeting Barton's sister here." he said. Catherine raised her chin up slightly.
"And why shouldn't I be here?" she asked. "I've got a right don't I?"
"Yes." WuFei said. "But I'm going to have to ask you to come with me."
"Why?"
"Catherine?"
She turned. Quatre stood there a slightly confused look on his face. Catherine felt herself blushing, and looked down at her feet.
"Catherine, uhh, Ms. Bloom, what are you doing here?" Quatre asked, coming closer.
"I'm looking for work. And you are allowed to call me Catherine." she answered, smiling. WuFei rolled his eyes. Quatre smiled.
"All right Catherine."
"Actually, I need to talk to you. And the Sheriff. Quick." Catherine put a hand on Quatre's arm and looked at him. "It's really important."
Quatre nodded and looked at WuFei, who was looking rather impatient. "Okay, let's go then."
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Jaid: Well, what'd you guys think?
Rabid Bunnies (RB): ARRRAH!
Jaid: AHHH! *runs away*
Naga: *looks at Jad* We should've thought of this years ago…