Disclaimers: The song is Fiona's, the boys belong to some production company somewhere, not making any money from this, you know the routine.
Spoilers: none (I hope!)
Notes:
Feedback: Pretty please? With little chibis on top? (You pick which ones ~_^) Post here, or you can e-mail me at insanewritinggirl@yahoo.com.
Never Let You Go
Chapter 22
by quelirain
| And I ran my hand over a strange inversion
As the darkness turned into the dawn The child is gone --Fiona Apple, "The Child is Gone" |
Duo was right. Milliardo was on the screen, outside of some building, facing down a slurry of reporters with microphones and cameras and bright lights, even though it was late afternoon and there was still plenty of light to be had. They shouted his name as they vied for his attention.
"I missed whatever he said first," Duo said, "but whatever it was, it's got them all riled up."
"Yes, we will prosecute to the furthest extent of the law if that is what we find the situation demands. I am sure that the local prosecutor will do the same, if she feels it necessary, after the investigation is completed. However, our internal investigation and the external investigation are two separate matters entirely. I cannot predict how the police department will choose to proceed with this case."
The questions continued to fly, and Milliardo continued to answer them patiently. No, there was no official comment from the Vice Foreign Minister at this time. Yes, she was safe and recuperating from her recent adventures. No, to his knowledge she had not spoken to Mr. Yuy since his arrest.
Relena paled; Quatre was immediately at her side, easing her onto the couch. "What is he doing?" she whispered, horrified. "What happened?"
The phone rang, but she continued to stare at the screen, watching Milliardo continue to answer the barrage of questions.
Yes, Mr. Yuy would be suspended indefinitely pending the outcome of the Ministry's investigation. No, he did not anticipate any particular outcome. No, he would not reveal the names of the injured security members at the Peacecraft estate. No, he would not comment regarding where Mr. Yuy was the day the attack took place. Yes, he expected that both the Vice Foreign Minister and he would be subpoenaed to testify against Mr. Yuy. Yes, the Ministry would fully cooperate with the inquiry.
Finally, Milliardo let the rabble rumble beneath him for a few moments before saying, "Yes, Ms. O'Connor?"
"Roshelle O'Connor, National News Service... Has the Vice Foreign Minister been informed of the arrest and charges against Mr. Yuy?"
"To my knowledge, she has been informed that Mr. Yuy was arrested, though I am uncertain as to if she knows what the charges were."
"Like many of my colleagues, I've also noticed, Mr. Peacecraft, that as the Vice Foreign Minister herself has been increasingly indisposed, you have been stepping in for her. When do you anticipate that Miss Peacecraft will resume her duties, and what will be your role at the Ministry until she does?"
Relena's eyes were locked on the screen, and she felt the others turn and stare silently at the pixelated image of Milliardo Peacecraft, standing outside a building--Relena guessed it was the police station--and waiting for the man to speak.
Milliardo sighed. "Ms. O'Connor, I'm sure that the Vice Minister will return to her regular duties as soon as is reasonable, considering the incredible stress she's been under as of late. I will continue to perform her duties in her absence."
"And if she should happen to step down, would you be next in line for the position?"
"Turn it off," Relena said. "Just turn it off."
Quatre squeezed her arm. "I'm sorry, Relena."
"Milliardo spoke to Heero and convinced him the best way to protect you was for him to face full charges, both for the injuries at the estate and to explain your behavior over the past several months. Although Wufei tried to convince Heero otherwise, Heero agreed." Trowa's report was delivered in a monotone. "The charges include abuse directed toward you, Relena."
Relena continued to stare at Milliardo's face on the screen, his lips moving as he continued to answer questions. The look on his face was the same as when he'd told her to leave, for fear of Heero's anger. It wasn't concern. It was flat, dispassionate, and all business.
"He'll come back to convince me that I need more rest, won't he?" she said quietly. "He'll tell me about the charges, couched carefully to make sure that I don't find out right away that some of the charges are for Heero's behavior toward me. The prosecution of the case will continue at full force--it will have to, now, because of my prominence--and I will be busy with that, so he'll have to continue in his current role, covering for me." She looked up at Quatre, who was nodding. "Do you think he ever intended for me to return to the Ministry?"
"I believe he did what he thought was necessary to protect you," Quatre answered. "I believe that he wants what he believes is best for you."
"Which is life free from the Ministry. Or free from Heero. Or both." She stood. "Quatre, I won't let this happen."
Quatre jumped to his feet. "Relena--"
"I know." She shook her head. "I've already gotten into a lot of trouble trying to do what needed to be done without a plan. I'll need your help, Quatre. I need a plan, and you know the rules of the game that I'm going to play. Milliardo will have to be outsed with a minimum of notice, Heero's name needs to be cleared, and whatever mess the Preventers and the Ministry have gotten into on my account needs to be cleaned up." She lifted her head to look at the three others in the room, who were all watching her.
Quatre cocked his head slightly, then reached out to take her arm. "Let's take this one step at a time, Relena, okay?" he said softly.
"Rash decisions are best made in the heat of the moment," Duo quipped.
"The first thing that needs to be done is to stop Milliardo from taking these actions on my behalf," she began, and the others circled around her.
~owari Chapter 22~