By Eve
WARNING: These are pointless, ne? Obviously the story line is going to get a tiny bit, um violent… Just a little heads up for those who really can't take the mental images…
DISCLAIMER: Yes?
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Will be at the end, do to the fact that I forgot what I was going to say. So they'll be right after the dedication.
**
Chapter Eight: Burning Darkness
**
"The heart knows its own bitterness, and in its own joy no one shares."
Proverbs 14:10
"Shit," she cursed, weaving her way through the hospital hallways. They were supposed to have taken care of this. Didn't they not know that Lana had been Larson's godforsaken mistress? Her cell phone rang and she wiped it out of her pocket angrily.
"Schibecker," she hissed.
"Darling, I assumed you heard the news?"
She flew into the elevator like a bat out of hell, thanking the fates that there was no one in there so she could curse the old man like no one else.
"I assume old man that you're really not doing a damn thing about this."
Charles chuckled and she bit her lip in anger, drawling blood. The old man was really pissing her off. "Of course dear," he replied nonchalantly. "We're doing everything we can. The question is are you watching Maxwell?"
"I'm not a fucking babysitter, muchacho," she hissed. Her expression darkened watching the floor numbers light up.
"And if I find that the gringo is dead in some alley somewhere I will pissed, very pissed. Comprende?"
"You're not in a position to make threats little girl," the older man replied, voice filled with a detectable nervousness.
She licked her lips. He had no idea what he was doing if he was going to enter this game with the rest of the girls and her. She knew that she wasn't the only one who would make sure history would not repeat itself.
Damn sure.
"And you're not in a position to fuck around with me, senor. I will make your life miserable if you decided to play."
And with that said she hung up, not caring if the old fart would tell Doc to reprimand her for 'disrespectful' behavior. She had more important things to think about.
"Where are you Duo?"
A child's voice…
**
The smell of rotting flesh pushed her up to a quick sitting position. She calmed down, realizing that she merely was sitting next to Merian waiting for their plane to depart. Her eyes wandered to the window, Moscow fog covering the view of the city she once called home. The images began to get blurry, a whirlwind of unstable colors.
"Mer-ian," she managed to choke out. The Chinese woman whirled around in her seat, eyes filled with concern. Catherine fumbled with her seatbelt, the air around her suddenly cornering her and suffocation becoming evident.
The legend of the Phoenix is something we keep very close to our heart, child.
She began to claw at herself. The smell was getting worse. It had to be a figment; it really had to be just that.
It's all in the mind.
"Mer-ian… Make it stop…"
Images of the dying and the starving all in lines being lead to death rushed through her head. Screams of mothers losing their children invaded her ears.
Protecting is a noble cause...
"Cat," Merian began softly. She knew, Catherine released. She knew. "Cat, just let it go…"
And she could do was sob.
... But fighting is a lost one...
"All you can do is just let go..."
**
Dorothy had always had a fiery personality. It was what made their relationship interesting. She'd counter everything he'd say and vice versa. And, he thought with a faint smirk, intimacy never lacked creativity.
But now as he stood in front of the small group, he couldn't force himself to meet her gaze. In fact, it really didn't help that the blonde Gundam pilot was watching him intently as well.
"It's been a long time," he heard Micah speak. He would have said something, but there was no way his voice would come out controlled.
His comrade was greeted by nothing but silence. He watched as Dorothy nodded for the others to leave, probably to stay on guard. He couldn't see Hilde Schibecker anywhere, which was good in a strange sense. The woman had always seemed to be a sadist to him.
One by one the occupants left, the blonde man looking at Dorothy with a worried expression. Her expression was blank, but Alexi knew her well enough to know that she was somehow connected to the man.
He hadn't forgotten.
He had never forgotten what she was like.
Inch by inch…
"Is there an initial purpose that the both of you are here for? As a matter of fact, is there a purpose or a good reason for you both being alive? And do make it go, my dear friends," Dorothy finally spoke.
"Sarcasm doesn't suit you, love. Never had," Micah countered smoothly.
Her bright green eyes were pinning him still. There had been a time where those eyes had looked at him with nothing but adoration and love. Now it was just emptiness.
"Dor-dorothy-"
"It speaks."
"He's here because I need him to," Micah interjected.
She snorted. "Isn't it a wonderful feeling that my ex-fiancée is the devil's spawn?"
Micah stepped towards her, Dorothy not a all the least bit frightened. "We are here to help."
She chuckled and ducked under his arm, moving to grab a file by Alexi. Alexi froze at the sudden brush of contact, his gaze meeting hers.
"I grew up, sugar-pie," she mocked. "Hurts doesn't it. So why you tell me the reason why you're really here?"
"He does-"
"Why don't go an introduce yourself to Heero Yuy? I'm sure he'd be more than happy to meet your acquaintance."
Micah's eyes darkened.
"Too late."
Alexi trembled as he sighed. Leaning against the door stood Pilot 01 of Operation Meter, blue eyes filled with nothing but contempt.
Things just spun out of control.
**
I love my sister.
With my memories of parents nothing but a blur, my sister was the only part of that past I'd never see again. I remember holding her; Mother's voice still to this day whispers the same thing over and over again.
Protect her. Protect her with your life, dear prince.
I love my sister, honestly.
I just had no idea…
God, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change…
**
It had been like parting with a doll. Even long ago she had her designated 'favorite' doll, hair made out of the finest thread Nana could find and her eyes sapphires that Poppa had found in the cold mountains. It was a symbol for her, old and young, an unattainable concept she could never have.
She had named the doll Adia.
Adia in likeness of Adagio, compositions of two bodies…
She stood in the front of the cave, violet eyes staring in child-like awe.
"Are you sure?"
She didn't even turn. "It's too late, Merian."
There was a sigh and then a rustle of clothing. Perception was the most important survival skill in this game, with the mind being everything.
"I'll be outside."
She stepped forward into the darkness of the cave, as if she were embracing her own.
"Ashes to ashes and dust to dust…"
Slender fingers traced along the sharp edges of the cave, remembering and absorbing. Let past be the past… Cool metal finally came into contact with her calloused hands.
Years of fighting, working it was always the same. She heard Merian shift, detecting the nervousness in her body movement.
The time will come.
**
He hated waiting. Waiting had always been the worst part, especially since he had been waiting for this moment for years.
Bony white fingers gently touched a small and torn photograph.
There had been times.
"Leos to deploy…"
There had been good times.
"Attack when ready…"
Theirs will end.
**
Ooo, even I'm reveling in my own attempts at a cliffhanger. I am happy to report though that there are at least six more chapters left in this story, well seven if you count the epilogue.
On a character bases note, Alexi will have several multiply personalities. I know I presented him as an a-hole, but there is a reason behind everything. And no Relena did not disappear off the face of the earth; she'll show up soon. Duo will not be tormented for long either, I promise. Oh and gringo is a term that is used in Spanish speaking countries to describe Americans.
DEDICATION: Special thanks to 'neechan for just being an utter darling. ::giggles:: Still have got that e-mail! To my imouto Ani-chan, for being totally *kawaii*! And lastly to Lillia for the adorable review. Merci!
Oh and um, there's a possibility that I might post a Christmas story… So look for that and beware by now you know it's going to be a doozy…