Torment of Paradise
Chapter 4
Quatre looked out the window flap, not too sure what he was looking for. He had long since left the beach house…about three months ago. That was the last time he had seen Jess. He'd seen the others from time to time…but from her not a word. He couldn't reach her on her cell, he couldn't reach her at all; it was as if she had dropped off the face of the Earth.
'Jess…' he turned his attention back to the debate going on between then Maganaucs.
"Master Quatre, don't you agree that it may be necessary to shoot down any planes that come over the area?" Abdul asked turning to the youth. "What if they're carrying bombs or something? The whole area would go up in smoke!"
"Abdul, this is a precarious time we're in. One wrong move, one wrong stance, and the whole place goes up like a powder keg. We're already in a tight spot as it is." Rashid countered. "Master Quatre, do you have any suggestions?"
"We still sacrifice people…but to different gods." he mused quietly to himself.
The Maganaucs looked around and then at each other in puzzlement to their young master's strange words.
"Master Quatre…are you all right?" Abdul looked at him. "You don't seem ill at all. Have you been out in the sun too much?"
"No no, I'm fine. I say we claim neutral and stick to it by all means. But who are we to enforce it upon the people? We're neutral…so we don't involve ourselves in others affairs. Just keep our own place in line."
"So…say we don't claim a side but still fight anyways? Are you sure of this Master Quatre? If the other nations find out…" Rashid asked.
"Can you think of a better idea? I for one can't. It just means that we'll have to hide ourselves better and be more careful."
There were murmurs of agreement around the room, making Rashid sigh and shake his head. "All right then, that's what we'll do. I want all those suits in perfect working order, especially Master Quatre's!" he barked. "Get to it!"
The rest of the crew rushed out at his order, not quite willing to cross him in his present mood. With a sigh Rashid sank down into the chair almost wearily, a hand to his temples.
"Here. Have some tea Rashid. You look exhausted." Quatre poured him a cup and slid it towards him. "My decision isn't making this any easier is it?"
"No…it's not that…not really. There're rumors of new OZ pilot from the Pacific..relentless. We're hearing rumors that this person might be shipped out over here to deal with the 'rebels'."
"When you say relentless, just how relentless are you talking about?"
"As in utter devastation Master Quatre. Gives no quarter. We can't afford to have someone like that out here in the Middle East. It would be disastrous."
"I see your point." he paused for a second. "Is there any way to confirm this?"
"Unless you know an expert hacker, no."
"OK. We'll find out by tomorrow then. I'm sure he won't mind." he rose leaving the tent. "I'll go and call him now."
Not waiting for Rashid's protest, he walked out amongst the sandy dunes, heading for the house just over the hill. Cold air blasted him as soon as he walked in heading for the living room; it made him shiver slightly.
"It's up far too high." he muttered picking up the phone with chilling fingers and dialing the number.
"Hello?" came the slightly question tinged voice.
"Hi Heero. It's Quatre calling. I was wondering if you could do a small favour for me?"
"Hn. I'm listening."
"There's rumors out here about some pilot who gives no quarter from the Pacific. Can you confirm this for me?"
"I'll call you back." was the simple response.
"Thanks Heero. I owe you one. Bye." he hung up shivering a bit. "I'm going out for a walk. This is ridiculous! Too hot outside and too cold inside. There's no winning is there?" I might as well be boiling hot instead of freezing cold." he muttered, going back to the door.
Bored out of his mind he started walking down into the small town, glad to not have Rashid…Abdul…have anybody hovering over him like a protective shield. 'But still…it's not the same as when you have someone else here with you.' He continued walking up and down the stalls, looking at this item and looking at that item. Then as he was wandering through, something at a stall caught his eye. It was an amber pendant carved out in the shape of a spider; fat little body, delicate yet tough legs, sun gleaming off of the curves…
"Excuse me." he leaned over trying to see the person. "How much is this?"
"This?" a person suddenly lurched into view, looking at the necklace Quatre was pointing out. "It's-"
"Actually never mind. I'll take it." he said, earning a look of eager surprise from the vendor.
"You like it? I have many other pieces that I could show you if you like."
"No no. Just this piece thank you." he replied politely.
"OK OK Sir. Do you know who this spider is supposed to be?"
"No I don't. Who?"
"Anansi."
'Anansi.' He wiped the brief look of sadness off of his face. "Anansi was…"
"Oh he's an old one Anansi is. The trickster…from Africa and he hopped across the pond. "Not many know about him though. You buying this for a girlfriend?"
"No…my friend. She kinda has this thing for spiders one could say."
"Then she'll probably know about Anansi then. Ask her and find out. I don't know much about Anansi either so hey…look who's talking!"
"Hmm... Thank you Sir." he said taking the bag from the vendor and heading back to the house; he'd been gone long enough and was probably going to get a tongue lashing of a lifetime from Rashid and Abdul. But it was worth it for a few lonely quiet moments alone.
"Master Quatre!! Where have you been?! We've turned this place upside down looking for you!!" Abdul said as he walked back into the compound.
"I went into town Abdul. You guys don't need to fuss so much over me you know."
"Don't need to fuss over you?! Master Quatre, we're in the middle of a war and you say to not fuss about this kind of stuff?!" Abdul looked ready to burst, but instead turned and stalked away, mutters going with him. "Don't know any more…wants Oz to get him…fallen off his rocker…"
Quatre looked down at the little box in his hand before he looked at Abdul's retreating figure; he was most likely going to get Rashid here as well. 'Yup. I really must stop this psychic thing. It would help if they weren't so predictable sometimes too.' Quatre stood there trying to look his meekest; it always seemed to go faster that way.
Lying in bed, Quatre looked up at the ceiling eyes following no discernible pattern. He didn't really want to get up out of bed; he knew exactly what lay on the other side besides war…probably the only good spot in this fight that dragged on seemingly forever. But still he got himself out of bed, showered, dressed and headed downstairs, ready and waiting for it.
"Surprise!! Happy Birthday Quatre!!" came the cheer from the crowd in the room.
He smiled as everyone expected him to do; it was the least he could do for them on his birthday; they had gone through all the trouble to arrange this. Even all his fellow pilots were there…all except one.
"Happy Birthday Quatre." Trowa said quietly coming up to him. "How are you?"
"I'm fine." another contrived smile as he looked around. "You guys didn't have to go to the trouble to do all of this for me."
Trowa shrugged. "Would you expect any less from Duo?"
"True I suppose." a mock chuckle. "Do you think that maybe we could talk in the-"
"Hey Quatre come on!! You get to blow out all fifteen candles now. Don't keep us all waiting!!" Duo dragged Quatre off before he could finish his sentence.
Obligingly, he blew out the candles, cut the cake and saw to it that everyone was enjoying themselves with food, drink, non-alcoholic of course to Duo's dismay, and dance. It was only when Duo decided to cause a 'small catastrophe' with the bass system that Quatre managed to sneak out the garden in the back for some quiet. He seated himself on a bench, simply looking at the flowers before Trowa came out and sat beside him.
"What did you want to talk about Quatre?" came his soft tenor.
"Trowa…is it right to think of one person so often?" he glanced at Trowa before looking back at the flower.
"Pardon?"
"I can't stop thinking about her Trowa. About where she might be right now…what she might be doing…if she's getting enough sleep…why can't I stop thinking about her Trowa?"
There came a lengthy pause. "I don't know how you feel about her…so I can't answer that. How do you feel about her?"
"I'm…I'm…not too sure Trowa."
"Then you shouldn't be asking that question now. Wait and see. Give it time and the answer will come to you Quatre. Beyond that…" he gave a little shrug. "I don't have anymore advice."
"Thank you Trowa. Forgive your foolish friend for wasting your time."
"I'm actually thanking you. Wufei looked about ready to hang Duo back there and Heero was the only one holding him back. If looks could kill…" he trailed off, giving Quatre a quirky smile before turning to go back inside but not before touching his shoulder briefly, trying to comfort him.
Quatre simply sat outside for a bit longer before he went upstairs to his room; he really wasn't in the mood for a party today and didn't have the heart to deal with all those guests now. Slowly, he walked up the stairs before closing the door with a silent whoosh.
"Huh?" he froze, looking at the neatly wrapped package on the bed; it screamed Jess at him with all the crisp lines and fancy bright ribbon and the card tucked in at ninety degrees exactly.
He approached it slowly, as if it would disappear like a djinn. With hesitant hands he reached out and touched it gently; it still stayed there. Seating himself on the edge of the bed, he picked it up and placed it on his lap. He removed the card first, taking it out of the envelope almost reverently and opening it carefully.
'Dear Quatre,
I hope you're having a fun birthday and Duo didn't destroy anything really expensive……oi vay there probably goes your stereo system… Oh well I saw this card in the store and it reminded me so much of you that I had to get it to go with your gift…… even though they didn't quite go together. I wish I could be there and give you hugs. Since I don't do birthday beats anymore I'd have given you fifteen hugs. Man I really get off topic here; I'm rambling and such a procrastinator. Anyways I wish I could be there on your birthday……and I miss you a lot. Even more than those little chocolates you get for me from that place you won't tell me about.
XOXO,
Jess'
Closing the card, Quatre looked down to see a little cartoon desert sheik facing his camel with a sort of angry glare; he couldn't help but laugh at the little comment she had scribbled on the front.
'I thought YOU remembered the way to the oasis!!'
Chuckling, he lifted off the lid to reveal pile of paper inside. "She's also very tissue happy." he mumbled in a cracked sort of voice.
He pulled the delicate paper aside very carefully to reveal another box inside. Shaking his head he pulled it out and opened it very carefully; these things were quite large and he didn't want to send the whole box over the edge of his knees.
"Oh…she didn't…" he murmured taking out the book and looking at the glossy cover plastered with composers; this book must have at least one piece from his favorite composers.
Reaching into the box again, he pulled out a whole bunch of books until finally he came to a small tied one. Slowly, he pulled the ribbon loose, letting the silk run over his fingers. The pages turned slowly one by one as he looked through the little photo album, some old pictures, some new ones of her. The words she wrote in the front echoed out in his head.
'Some are old, some are new; some are together and some are apart. But they are memories nonetheless. And no matter what happens you'll always be my friend and I am always yours.'
Closing his eyes, he felt tears run down his face; she must have been extremely busy and yet she still found time to do all of this for his birthday. He wiped away the salty liquid as he went to his window and looked out to the starry night sky.
"Thank you Jess." he whispered softly. "Wherever you are……thank you."