ST: Ch 4…..ENJOY!!
Duo: Yea! Another reprieve!
ST: (Snatching his ear) What was that?
DUO: (Wincing) OW! OW! OW! ER…..um…. nevermind (sulken)
ST: (Grining) Thought so…
"How is he?" Seraphine asked as Rashid walked into the room, shutting the door behind him.
"He's asleep." The man reported as he looked at Seraphine, "His system is still in shock from all that has happened."
"Yea." Duo said, "Bet the poor guy never saw a real live vampire before." He mused, as Rashid elbowed him, a little hard.
"Ouch!" Duo cried out rubbing his ribs. "What's the…." Then he looked over at Seraphine. She had on a borrowed white shirt, since her old black one now had a gaping hold in the front of it where she had been stabbed. Her pants were still smeared with blood, her hair plastered to her face with sweat and blood….but that's not what tore Duo's heart. The pure look of pain and misery he saw there ripped his heart to shreds.
"Oh, hey…." Duo stammered, "I'm sorry, Seri…."
She held up his hand, "No, it's alright." Seraphine said as she closed her eyes. "It's the truth. Quatre's probably only ever read about vampires, and to see one up close…" She shook her head as she leaned forward and buried her face in her hands. "Damn, I was so stupid!" She barked, "How could I be so careless?!"
"Seri, this isn't your fault!" Duo said as he walked over to her as she lowered one hand.
"Who else is there to blame but me." She asked bitterly, "The thing told me I was Lilith."
"Lilith?" Duo asked, "I don't understand."
Seraphine sighed as she leaned back, "You know the story of Cain and Able?" She asked.
"Yea." Duo said, as he looked over as Rashid.
The big man nodded, "I am familiar with this story."
Seraphine looked up at them her elbows resting on her knees as she looked down, "After God cursed Cain for killing his brother, he was banished to a land of darkness. According to stories this land was called Nod." She closed her eyes, "That's where he met her…."
"Her?" Duo asked.
"Lilith." Seraphine said softly, "Who was supposed to have been Adam's first wife. She disagreed with God and he banished her as well, then God created Eve from Adam." She closed her eyes, "Lilith was the one who…awakened Cain." She said softly, "He drank her blood, and that turned him into the first vampire."
"You're kidding me!" Duo snapped.
Seraphine simply shrugged, "This is according to ledged." She said, "Passed down from generation to generation of the Children of Darkness."
"How the hell do you know this, Seri?" Duo asked, as she looked up at him sadly.
"You know the answer to that." She said, "You know I'm not the only vampire in the world. You've seen them, just as I have." Duo grimaced and looked away, shaking his head.
"Excuse me, Miss Seraphine, but what does this have to do with that creature calling you Lilith?" Rashid asked, confused.
Seraphine's eyes hardened, "It means that whoever stole the files from Project Anubis, used my genetic template to create that thing." She said angrily.
"Shit!" Duo cursed as he looked up at her, "Then we're too late?"
"Not yet." Seraphine mused, as her brow furrowed in thought, "If this person had everything they needed to create more vampires, then why haven't they made a move to take control of the world?" She asked, "Yet, we've heard no stories of any walking undead army or any more romers about vampires, besides the usual ones that creep up." She looked up at the two men, "Normal vampires don't like draw attention to themselves, they like working in the background. Keeping out of the lime light." Her brow furrowed again, "Then there's the question as to why did they make that vampire look like Trowa Barton?" She said pursing her lips together.
"As an assassin." Duo said, "That's why you said."
"I think I was wrong." Seraphine said, "I think it's purpose here was something other than an assassination." She paused, searching her memory for the things reactions, "It's mannerism…" She mused, "It was like it wanted to get close to Quatre…." Then suddenly she gasped as she looked up and over at Duo as the though came to him too.
"They were trying to take control of Quatre!" Duo gasped.
"It makes since." Seraphine said, "The materials for project Anubis cost a lot of money, who better to supply them without causing any suspicion than the richest foundation on the Earth and in the Colonies."
"But how did they get a creature to look like Trowa Barton?" Rashid asked.
Seraphine half smile, "That's easy enough, all you need is a single strand of DNA to over lay the basic structure…." She shook her head, "They could have gotten that form anywhere. A strand of hair, a drop of blood, a flake of dead skin…." She raised her hands and pressed them into her lips. "So this means that they can create the creatures already." She shook her head, "But apparently they are running low on the materials to do it." Seraphine rubbed her head, "Which means we still have some time."
Gently she felt a hand upon her shoulder, she looked up and saw Duo looking down at her. "I think that's enough for tonight, Seri." He said, and then smiled a little "Not to put it on too fine a point, but you look like hell."
Seraphine made a face, "Try not to sugar coat it, Duo." She said sarcastically.
Duo smiled a little more, then his smile faded. "No, I mean it." He said. "It's late, and you had a pretty nasty wound. You may be a vampire, but you also need time to heal."
"I would agree with Mr. Maxwell, Miss Seraphine." Rashid said as he walked over to her and smiled down at her gently, "You have my deepest thanks for saving Master Quatre, but now you should get some rest."
Seraphine looked up at him then smiled, and nodded. "Alright." She said as she rose for a moment, "Then I should get going."
"Going?" Duo asked, "Where?"
"To town." She said, "If I'm lucky, I should still be able to get a room…."
"That is not necessary." Rashid said, "Master Quatre had prepared quarters for you both. You are more than welcome in his house."
Seraphine looked down, and closed her eyes. "I can't."
"What?" Duo cried, "Why not?"
Seraphine looked at Duo and Rashid, "Look at me." She said simply, "I'm a born killer, a murderer." Her eyes softened, "I know Quatre's father would never approve of letting something like me stay in his house, let alone the house he built for the woman he loved!" She shook her head, "It wouldn't be right." She looked down, pain in her eyes.
"Oh, Seri…" Duo whispered, his heart breaking for her.
Gingerly she felt a hand upon her shoulder, she looked up and saw Rashid smiling down at her. "I did not have the pleasure of knowing Master Quatre's father." He said, "But I do know Master Quatre. No matter what else you might be, to him…you are and always will be a dear friend."
"Rashid…" Seraphine whispered her eyes wide. "I…I don't know what to say."
The man smiled, "You do not have to say anything, Miss Seraphine." He patted her gently; "You just have to know that for Master Quatre, you are always welcome in his home."
Seraphine looked at the man for a moment, then smiled. "Thank you, Rashid." She whispered to moved to say anything else.
* * * * * *
Rashid had shown them their quarters and had bid them a good night. They were just down the hall from Quatre's room where, Seraphine hoped, that the young man was getting some rest. As for herself, Seraphine lay in the huge bed and stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep.
:Not too surprising.: She thought, as she traced invisible patterns on the ceiling :After that battle, my adrenalin still surging. Once it calms down, I'll probably be exhausted.:
She listened to the quite, and could make out the movements of the wildlife in the woods just outside her window. Her brow furrowed again in thought, :This world is so beautiful.: She though, :Do people know how truly wonderful Earth can be?: Then suddenly she caught a wiff of something in the air.
Instantly she sat up, her séances on alert as she listened. :What's this?: She thought as she breathed the sent in deeply. Then her eyes widened, :This is blood!: She though as she threw off the covers and quickly pulled on her pants. As she listened again, :It's coming from Quatre's room, but I don't sense any other presence in there either alive or dead.: A little demonic hand squeezed her heart, as she stepped into the shadows and reappeared in Duo's room.
The young man was sprawled all over the bed, and had on a dark grey tank-top, and matching boxer short. Seraphine rushed over to his bed, "Duo!" She whispered as she shook him a little. The young man moaned a bit, as she shook him a little harder. "Duo! Wake up!"
"Wha…" The young man protested as he opened his eyes, "Seraphine?!" He gasped his eyes wide as he set up, his hair slightly escaping from the braid it had been confined in.
He gasped as his heart thudded in his chest, Seraphine was standing over him her long silver hair free of all confines as it haloed her face, and traied down over her shoulders, she wore a loose white camisole that fitted sweetly around her small breasts, she looked like an angle.
"I smell blood." She said softly, calling Duo back to the here and now "And it's coming from Quatre's room."
"Shit!" Duo swore as he leapt out of bed and pulled on a pair of pants, the image of Seraphine still branded into his mind as he shook his head and tried to clear it. "Anyone else in there?"
"No." She reported, "Just him." She looked over at Duo, "After what happened this evening, I though it best to have you come along with me."
"Seri…" Duo said, then shook his head. She was afraid, she still didn't know how Quatre would feel about her now that he knew she was a vampire. :Why can't you get it through that stubborn Irish skull of yours?!: He thought as he followed her out of the room, :Quatre couldn't care less if you had been blue skinned with green hair! It's you, Seraphine the person, he cares for so much!:
They reached the door, when Duo had an idea. "Seri." He whispered, "Do you think Quatre's doing what I think he's doing?"
Seraphine looked over to Duo, "I really hope not." She said, as he pursed his lips together.
"If both of us go in at the same time, it might frighten him." Duo said, "Why don't you go in first and look things over." He said.
"Duo!" Seraphine hissed her eyes wide.
"I mean it!" Duo snapped, "If he's trying to off himself, having two people charging in might send him over the edge!" He looked at her, "Seri, please. You're better at this than I am."
Seraphine looked at him for a moment, "Alright." She whispered, "If you hear me scream, you better come running!"
Duo winked at her, "Sure thing."
With that Seraphine stepped back into the shadows and vanished form sight as Duo shook his head, "I have got to get her to teach me that trick!"
Seraphine slipped from the shadows into Quatre's room, she took a quick survey and found the room and bed to be empty. She then heard running water and noticed that there was a dim light shining from underneath the door that lead to the bathroom. Silently she moved to the door, and pressed her ear into it. She could barely hear the sobs over the running water, but the smell of blood grew stronger.
She firmed her lips, as she gently laid one hand upon the door and twisted the handle. Quietly the door opened, as Seraphine gasped. The smell of blood had become almost over powering as she saw Quatre. He was sitting on the floor, his legs pulled up to him as he sobbed horribly, as an old style straight razorblade dangled from his limp fingers. Blood was smeared everywhere, as the young man sobbed.
"I'm weak…" He cried pulling his legs closer to him, "Trowa was right….I am weak! I shouldn't be allowed to live!" He cried harder as his fingers tightened around the razorblade, "But I'm too weak even for this!"
Wordlessly Seraphine walked into the room, and knelt down next to him. Her hand snaked out; grabbing the blade covered in blood she snatched it away from him. Quatre gasped, as he looked up in horror to see who had found him.
"No!" He cried as he pushed away from Seraphine, curling into a tighter ball hiding his face form her "Don't look at me!" He screamed as he brought up his arms blood smeared over his pants and bear chest.
"Oh Quatre." Seraphine whispered, her eyes pained as she crawled over to the young man and gently stroked his hair.
"No!" He cried, pulling away from her.
"It's alright, Quatre." Seraphine soothed him, as she stroked his hair gently as she settled herself next to him and smiled. "You're going to be alright."
Quatre tentatively lowered his arms to look at her the pain in his eyes tearing at her heart as she forced herself to smile. "See?" She said as she held out her other hand to him, using her telekinesis to transport the dangerous blade far away from him as she turned her hand over. "Nothing's here to hurt you."
Quatre looked at Seraphine, his heart thumped loudly, almost painfully. Her long silver hair was down from the confining braid she always wore. She had on a loose, white camisole that hugged the curves of her body gently, covering over her small bit firm breasts. She looked…. angelic.
Quatre's eyes trailed down to the small white scar upon her chest where the creature had stabbed her earlier as tears stung his eyes. "It's my fault!" He whimpered, as he bowed his head again. "It's all my fault!"
"What?" Seraphine whispered as she lowered her hand and continued to stroke his hair gently, "What's all your fault?"
"You got hurt…. because of my weakness!" Quatre sobbed, "If I had been strong, I would have been able to tell Trowa how I felt! Then he might not have turned…."
"Hush!" Seraphine whispered, as she placed a hand upon his bear arm, and climbed to her knees. "Quatre…" She said as rose to her knees, gingerly she place her fingers under his chin, "Quatre…look at me." She said as she tilted his face up to look at her, tears sliding down the blotchy red skin of hic cheeks as she held his gaze, "What I killed, wasn't Trowa Barton." She said evenly, "It was a thing designed to look and act like him," She smiled, "But it wasn't him."
"It…it wasn't?" Quatre whispered, her words slowly penetrating the grief he had pent up for the last year.
"No." Seraphine smiled, as she looked down to his wrists, her eyes softened. "Oh, Quatre…." She whispered as she took one of his hands and extended his arm looking at the wounds, and the scars of old wound all along his arm. Quatre looked down, ashamed as he tried to pull away from her, but she held him firm. She looked up at him, and smiled gently. "Lets get this taken care of, okay?" She asked, as she stroked his hair as he turned to looked at her, his eyes wide. "It's the first time I get to see you in three years, and I'd hate for it to be wasted in a hospital!" She winked at him as she looked around for something she could use as a bandage.
Quatre couldn't believe his ears. No words of bratement came from Seraphine, no chastising, no critizing, nothing…. but concern for him flow from her. Suddenly Quatre couldn't take it anymore, he launched himself into her arms and gripped her, sobbing horribly.
Seraphine was startled at first, but then gently settled her arms around him her cheek resting at the top of his head. "You'll be alright." She assured him, as she stroked his hair rocking him gently, "You've the strongest heart of us all, Quatre." She said as she smiled, "You're going to be just fine."
After a while, his soft sobs died, as Seraphine looked down and realized that he had fallen fast asleep, exhausted. Mentally, she called Duo in and with his help they bandaged, and cleaned him up. Seraphine noted, Duo's particular care of Quatre's wounds, and he instisted carrying to young man to his bed.
:Curiouser, and Curiouser…: Seraphine thought, as a smile crept to her lips. Once Duo gently lay Quatre onto the king size bed Seraphine helped him draw up the covers and tuck him in.
"We shouldn't leave him alone." Seraphine said as Duo looked up at her.
"Do you want to stay with him?" Duo asked, as Seraphine caught a pang of wistfulness in the young man's voice. If the situation wasn't so funny, Seraphine might have found it amusing.
"I think we both should stay." She said as she climbed into the bed next to Quatre, pulling some of the covers hanging off to the side over her.
"What?!" Duo hiss softly, as not to disturbed Quatre his heart racing, "Are you nuts?!"
"Quatre needs people around him who care, Duo." She said "He needs his friends right now." She lowered her head to the pillow as she looked up at him, "Quatre's sensitive to those around him, if we stay with him he'll pick up our presence and hopefully that will undo some of the damage that the creature did."
"What damage?" Duo demanded.
"For some people, words can be sharper than swords, Duo." She said as Duo nodded, remembering what had been said and his own knowledge of how Quatre ad Trowa broke up.
"Alright." He whispered, as he crawled onto the bed, copying Seraphine's movements, "Make any jokes about how I look in the morning, and I'll never forgive you!" He quipped as Seraphine smiled.
"Never." She said, as she waited for Duo to settle in, and a moment later both of them lay on either side of Quatre, fast asleep.
Quatre was the first to awake, he was confused disoriented as he raised one hand to rub his eyes he stopped and his eyes widened. Tied around his wrist was a clean white bandage as his heart froze in horror. It wasn't a dream! Seraphine had come to his room last night and saw him! Quatre squeezed his eyes shut and moaned softly in shame as he rolled his head to the right, a soft sigh made his eyes snap open immediately and Quatre almost choked on his next breath. For there lying beside him…. was Seraphine!
She lay less than an arms length away, her silver hair fanned out all around her, cascading down over the pillows. She looked like a innocent child, her face relaxed and showed none of the pain he always saw her carry. His mind worked again, and now he knew what she always looked do pained. His eyes softened as the ramifications of the burden she was forced to carry hit him.
She had always distanced herself from others, because of what she was. Probably afraid of what would happen if anyone found out. She was alone, because she had to be. While he…he was alone and whined about it. He voiced his fears to any that would listen and give him sympathy while Seraphine…never once whined, and never had he heard her complain.
Quatre squeezed his eyes shut, :God, I'm pathetic!:
:You're not pathetic.: A bright voice called into his mind, startled his eyes snapped open as he gaped. Seraphine looked at him, with a soft smile and bright Royal Blue eyes. :You are far from patchetic, Quatre.: Her eyes softened, :You're just too hard on yourself sometimes.:
:Ser…Seraphine?!: Quatre thought back at her, as she smiled again.
:Surprised?: She asked, :You knew I has psionic abilities, why are you so surprised?:
:I…I just didn't…: He stammered.
:Didn't expect to wake up and find me curled up in your bed?: She asked archly, with a sly smile. :Well, you are a handsome young man.: She winked at him, as he blushed furiously. :Duo staid too.: She told him, as his brow wrinkled.
:Duo?: He asked as Seraphine pointed with her chin, slowly Quatre rolled his head over to find the God of Death sleeping peacefully among squewied blankets. :We staid with you last night.: Seraphine though at him as he turned back to look at her, her eyes filled with concern :We were worried about you and didn't want to leave you alone.:
Quatre looked down, :I'm sorry…: He thought ashamed, and suddenly he felt a gentle hand upon his cheek, startled he looked up to find Seraphine cupping his face tenderly.
:There's nothing to be sorry for.: She told him, and smiled. :And there's nothing to be ashamed of. You have the right to feel how you feel.: She told him and her eyes firmed, :And if someone cannot respect your feelings, and your wishes, then they are not deserving of you!: She told him.
:Seraphine…: Quatre's mined whispered in surprise as his eyes widened.
:I mean it.: She told him, :As much as I care for all the Gundam Pilots, as much as I care for Trowa, what he did to you was inexcusable.: Her eyes hardend, :And had I known about it, I would have tracked that little snipe down and beat the snot out of him for hurting you so much!:
Quatre gasped, surprised at the venom in her voice. Seraphine raised herself to one elbow, and looked down at him. :You're sensitive to people around you, Quatre.: She said, :But sometimes, you can very easily get swept up by someone's emotions. You rarely ask for anything, but give everything in return.: She smiled at him, :Everyone and everything has it's own time and place. If the time wasn't right for you, then you should stick with your feelings no matter what.: Her eyes softened for a moment :The fact that you did proves how strong you really are, because it takes a strong person to make a decision and stand by it.: She smiled at him as she leaned forward, :And you are a strong person.: She tapped him on the end of his nose as he looked at her for a moment, then smiled.
"Is this a private conversation?" Duo's voice called startling them both as he raised up to one elbow. "Or can anyone join in?" He arched his eyebrow.
"Duo!" Quatre whispered as he sat up, as did Seraphine as he looked over at him. "I…I didn't think you were awake!"
"I'm not!" Duo said as he rubbed his eyes sleepily, his hair disheveled with loose strings sticking out all over the place, despite herself, Seraphine started the chuckled.
Duo shot her a look, "You promised you would say a thing!" Duo pointed an accusing finger at her as she looked at him, getting herself under control.
"I'm not saying a thing." She said, her eyes twinkling, as she tried to smother another giggle. Quatre looked at her, then to Duo and almost started laughing as well.
"See what you've done?!" Duo shouted, "You got him started!"
"Duo, I'm really sorry." Quatre said, trying not to laugh.
"Gee, Duo." Seraphine said, "This is a hole new look for you." She paued thoughtfully, "Who ever thought that the God of Death could have a bad hair morning!" She laughed.
"Rotten witch!" Duo said as he threw a pillow at Seraphine who caught it square in the face. The pillow dropped, leaving a surprised expression on Seraphine's face as Duo pointed a finger at her.
"Ah ha!" He cried in triumph, "But you didn't see that one coming!"
Seraphine narrowed her eyes, "You should know better than to get into a battle with me, Maxwell!" She grinned evilly, and suddenly Duo was struck with a pillow from behind.
"Hey!" He cried out, as he grabbed another pillow and leapt to his feet, "Using your power! That's cheating!"
"All's fair in love and war!" Seraphine cried, as she grabbed a pillow, and soon an all out pillow fight was waged between the three friends as cries of surprise and laughter ran through the halls of Winner Mannor, Rashid walked to the entrance of Master Quatre's room and smiled at the joyous laughter from the occupants inside.
"He's going to be just fine." He whispered to himself as he turned and left.
Soon after, the chamber became quite again as all three had fallen back asleep. If someone were to look inside, they would find a Seraphine with Quatre's head cradled on her should her hand resting gently upon his hair and Duo fast asleep his head pillowed on her stomach with her arm draped over his shoulder and it looked…. right.