Mars Colony Clinic
"Well done, Taeron." Duo reached out his hand to help Taeron from the ground, but the young man grabbed the sword that had fallen from his hand and jumped up on his own.
"I am sorry to have shamed you, my lord."
Duo sighed as he realized his son still felt that he had to earn his approval, and there were no words he could use to convince Taeron that it was not necessary. His eagerness to please a man who wouldn't acknowledge him had become a way of life for Taeron, and that would be difficult to change. Certainly a week on the Mars Colony was not enough time to prove to Taeron that he had no need to perform superhuman feats. Taeron was even now ashamed that Duo had bested them in their sword practice.
"I will try harder next time," said Taeron, swiping his sword angrily at the air.
He was sweating and exhausted, and Duo's muscles were already aching from the match. He couldn't imagine it was possible for his son to try any harder. As Taeron practiced his moves with an unseen opponent, Duo dropped down on a log. Pulling off his shirt, he watched Taeron's as he polished his own sword blade with his shirt. Until Shamara recuperated from her trance, they were forced to wait here at Trynity's home. Shamara was comfortably settled in the clinic, slowly recovering from bizarre wounds she had received in the trance that had lasted for days. At first Duo had been terrified for her, but after her apparent adventure had ended with the sudden appearance of her injuries, Trynity had taken over her care. Now she was merely sleeping while she healed. Duo hoped she didn't go off on another adventure before she was ready. Trynity was monitoring her brain activity, and if there was any indication that she was in another trance, Duo planned to enter regardless of any harm to himself.
"Hey, you can use that sword pretty well!" Quynn sat beside him on the log and took the sword from his hand. "It's heavy! Ouch! It's sharp!"
Duo took it back from her as she sucked on the finger she had cut. "It is made of gundanium, which they call imperial alloy."
"Is it as rare in the Calabrian system as it is here? Beyond the gundams, there isn't enough gundanium to process."
"It is very rare in the Calabrian system. While on the pirate satellite, I managed to savage pieces of Gundam Heavyarms and I gave them to Trey. He had the gundanium fashioned into weapons for his children, and when he made me governor of the second moon, he presented me with this sword." Duo remembered how touched he had been when Trey had given him the sword, telling him that he considered him part of his family. Since that day he had worked hard to warrant Trey's faith in him.
"Does Taeron have a gundanium blade?" asked Quynn as she watched Taeron do a flip and slash the air.
Trey had given Taeron the sword. Duo knew why he had been given that particular sword now. Trey was making Taeron part of his family also. Duo wanted to smack his own head for his stupidity. "Yes, he does. The emperor gave it to him recently upon the completion of his training as an imperial guard."
"He's pretty strong," remarked Quynn. "I have a couple of friends who would know how to put all that energy to work."
Duo turned to look at her. "You are talking about your brother."
"Hey, don't get all righteous on me! I get enough from Mom."
"Obviously not, or you wouldn't even have made such a comment." Quynn needed more discipline. Her innuendoes had been amusing at first, but now that he was aware of their relationship, Duo was disgusted. The Calabrian that he had become considered her behavior dishonorable to his house.
"Look, there's Stryfe lurking in the shadows!"
Duo wasn't fooled by her distraction, but he did see that Stryfe was standing in the doorway, more in the clinic than out. He was watching Taeron with longing, and Duo remembered that Stryfe had said that he wanted to learn to use the sword.
Having been discovered, Stryfe looked embarrassed, but he left the doorway and approached Duo and Quynn. "Mom thinks Shamara will be waking soon. The pattern of her brain waves indicates that she is regaining consciousness."
"That's good news." Duo beckoned Taeron with a wave of his hand, and he immediately stopped practice to come to him. For a moment Duo felt a little disoriented to be surrounded by the three young people who had his blood running through their veins. Too bad they weren't a family. Stryfe didn't look at Duo, but glanced at Taeron with the yearning of a boy who wanted a brother. Taeron didn't look at Stryfe because he was not ready to forgive him for how he had tried to cheat him of his father. Quynn, on the other hand, seemed to think there wasn't a problem.
"Yes, my lord? Have I displeased you?"
"Do you have to be so formal?" teased Quynn. "He is your father, you know. Can't you call him 'Dad' or 'Papa' or 'Pop' or…"
"We do not use such foolish words to address our parents," said Taeron with a frown. "I do not hear you call him by those names."
"I didn't think he wanted me to," she returned, mocking his frown. "Lighten up, Taeron! You're not being judged."
"You weren't thinking of calling him father, were you?" blurted Stryfe. "How can you forget Pops so easily?"
Duo thought he might as well not be there. In fact, he wished he were not.
"Who said I forgot about Pops?" Quynn balled her hand into a fist. "Don't you ever accuse me of that again!"
Duo put up his hand. "I don't give a damn what any of you calls me. I don't deserve to be called 'father' by any of you."
"I would be honored to call you 'father'!" declared Taeron with such feeling that both Quynn and Stryfe seemed to be taken aback.
After a moment, Quynn said, "I don't feel right just calling you 'Duo,' and 'Lord Duo' sounds even worse."
"I'm not calling him anything," muttered Stryfe.
Quynn snickered. "I guess 'hey you' is good enough."
"Works for me," agreed Duo with a faint smile. Quynn was right about her brother, that he was going to have some difficulty establishing a relationship with him. Duo could only imagine how close he had been to Lars, not having had a relationship with his own son.
When Stryfe looked ready to explode with anger, Quynn came to the rescue with another distraction. "Stryfe, have you seen the provider of your Y chromosome's sword?"
Duo bit his lip to keep from laughing, but her ploy worked. Stryfe's initial hostility was replaced by curiosity as he stared at the sword lying across Duo's lap. Duo started to raise it to offer it to Stryfe, but he saw that Taeron looked dismayed and Duo remembered almost too late that on Calabria to be handle the sword of one's father was a great honor, which he had never given Taeron. Duo couldn't believe he had almost destroyed Taeron's confidence just to win some approval from Stryfe.
Instead, he held out the sword to Taeron. "Show Stryfe my sword."
He took the sword from him as if handling a sacred relic. "Yes, provider of my Y chromosome."
Quynn giggled.
Taeron smiled at her.
Stryfe's brows drew together in an even deeper frown.
Duo didn't dare laugh. This fatherhood business was more complicated than he imagined. Although he knew that Trey had his own problems with his many children and their different personalities, Duo hadn't paid much attention. At least Quynn and Taeron seemed to be on track to forming a relationship.
"This blade is made of imperial alloy," explained Taeron, moving closer to Stryfe to show him. In the week since their arrival, Taeron had learned the language sufficiently to communicate with little problem. The two young men were about the same height and of similar build although Taeron seemed to be a little thinner than Stryfe, probably due to his younger age. "The gems are from the Guerani hills, each carefully chosen by Lady Arora and Lord Apolo from amongst the treasure of their people to show their esteem and trust of Lord Duo. This sword helped our father gain victory in many battles over the rebels and traitors who seek to return to the old ways. This sword has drank the lifeblood of many."
"That's a fancy way of saying he killed a lot of people," remarked Quynn.
"Thanks for the translation." Stryfe glared at his sister, then turned back to Taeron. He held out his hand. "May I hold it?"
Taeron seemed reluctant to relinquish it, so Duo reached over and took Taeron's sword. "The emperor also gave Taeron this sword."
"My sword has not been bloodied yet," Taeron told Stryfe.
Stryfe took Taeron's sword from Duo. He stepped back, flexed his muscles, and then swiped the blade through the air. "This isn't so hard. I think I can hold my own with this blade."
Taeron looked to Duo for permission, and while Duo had some misgivings, he nodded. They both walked several feet away and turned to face each other.
"I'm afraid Taeron is going to get his ass whipped," Quynn said in Duo's ear. "Fencing was one of Pops' hobbies that he shared with Stryfe. His specialty is the saber."
Duo remembered the pounding he had received from the red knight eighteen years ago during Relena's ill-fated Knights of the Round Table gala. Too bad he couldn't have a re-match with Lars. At the time Duo could barely stand with all that old armor on, and he could look back now and admit that he was too weak to hold the huge broadsword. In addition, he couldn't see out the helmet that he had to wear so that no one would know he wasn't Heero Yuy. Lars had made a fool of him. Was Stryfe planning to do the same to Taeron?
"Stryfe was the junior fencing champion of the World Federation five years in a row," bragged Quynn, confirming his suspicion. "This Spring no one scored a single touch on him throughout the whole tournament."
The swords were clashing now, and Duo saw that both young men were taking a defensive approach, gauging any weakness of the other. "Stryfe might be a fencing champion here, but he hasn't faced a Calabrian with a real sword." He turned away from the rather mild swordplay. Taeron was probably tired from the workout he had given him. Although he would be embarrassed if he were to be bested by Stryfe, the thrill of using Duo's sword would more than make up for it. By holding the weapon in his hand he had proof that he had earned his father's acceptance. Yet Duo had complete confidence in Taeron because he was an imperial guard.
"Stryfe isn't really trying," remarked Quynn after a moment of watching the evenly matched contest.
Taeron was trying not to embarrass his brother, but Duo didn't say so as he looked at Quynn. "What skill do you have with a sword?"
"None. I like to shoot things." She pretended to load a pistol, aimed at her brother and pulled the imaginary trigger, then blew across her finger.
"Like mother like daughter."
"Did she ever kill anybody?" asked Quynn, leaning in closer, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"With a gun, not that I recall, but she tried to kill me twice." Duo smiled as he remembered both episodes.
"Is this a story I can hear?" Quynn's brows were raised.
"Let's just say your mother has a passionate nature." He pointed to a faint scar on his right side across his ribs. "She did this."
Quynn looked at it. "Not a very good shot, was she?"
"She let me off easy. I think she was just keeping me alive for other forms of torture."
"That sounds very interesting." Quynn batted her eyes innocently, and she was obviously expecting details.
Duo chuckled. "That's all I'm going to tell you."
"She taught me some good self-defense moves."
"I've been a victim of some of those infamous moves." The blades of the swords scraped against each other, and Duo noticed the two young men were at a stalemate, swords crossed to the hilt as they tried to push each other back until Stryfe balled his hand into a fist and popped Taeron in the nose. Stumbling back, Taeron barely had time to raise his sword to avoid Stryfe's victorious blow. By the look on Taeron's face, he was furious for what was considered a dishonorable tactic on Calabria.
Regaining his feet and avoiding Stryfe's attack in the same fluid motion, Taeron no longer toyed with Stryfe. As Duo suspected, Stryfe was no match for the imperial guard whose moves were so fast he couldn't keep him in sight let alone land a blow.
"Pops taught me one or two himself," said Quynn.
Duo watched Taeron leap in the air and come down behind Stryfe. Stryfe didn't have a chance to turn around before Taeron whacked his backside with the broad side of the sword. Stryfe stumbled, but kept his balance and tried to counterattack, but his sword sliced through empty air as Taeron dived away, swinging his own weapon as he did.
"He called this one, the spine-cruncher," Quynn continued.
The tip of Taeron's sword grazed Stryfe's arm, and blood trickled forth.
Stryfe saw his own blood, and he suddenly became pale. "I'm … I'm hurt!"
Taeron's own face was bloody from the blow Stryfe had landed on him, but he didn't seem to notice. Now he stepped back to watch Stryfe, a bewildered look on his face as Stryfe swayed.
Duo started forward to put a stop to the fight although neither seemed very interested in continuing. But his progress was impeded when his arm was grabbed from behind. Before he knew what was happening, Quynn had jerked him back and shoved his arm up so far behind him that he was sure he looked like a pretzel.
"Don't bother trying to get out of this," said Quynn with a laugh.
Duo tried to pull back, but the position that she had put him in made a pain streak down his spine that was so agonizing that he shouted several words that made Quynn blush and release him. Duo fell to his knees, his back in excruciating pain. He was in the position of having to arch his back in or suffer even worse.
"You've broken my back!"
"I'll get Mom. She knows how to fix this." Quynn turned and dashed into the clinic.
"Are you all right?" he heard Taeron ask Stryfe.
"I'm going to be sick!" Then Duo heard vomiting, but he couldn't even turn his head to see what was going on. He assumed Stryfe was doing as he predicted.
"Quynn! What have you done?" Duo couldn't see Trynity either because there seemed to be explosions of light all around him. "I told you not to do this!"
"You told me not to practice on Pops or Stryfe. You didn't say anything about Duo Maxwell."
Duo felt Trynity's cool fingers on his back. "I think I'm going to die," he moaned.
"No," she said, "You are going to die now." She didn't warn him before snapping his back into place.
"Holy mother of the gods!"
"Father!" Taeron was shocked. "The gods will be angry with you!"
Trynity tried to help Duo from the ground, but he was too large. He was still in some pain, which she expected, but in order to treat him, she would need to get him inside. "Stryfe will you help me…" Stryfe was lying on the ground unconscious. Seeing the small cut on his arm, she knew the cause. He never could stand the sight of his own blood, which was one reason she was quite surprised he had drawn his own blood in order to 'help' Duo.
Taeron hurried forward and slipped an arm around Duo's waist and draped his father's arm around his shoulders. "I will help, doctor."
Trynity glanced at Quynn. "See if your brother is all right."
"Mom, I think he fainted in his own vomit. I'm not going anywhere near that mess."
"I will help him too," offered Taeron.
Trynity lead them into the clinic and after Taeron gently helped Duo to sit on an examining table, he started to leave, but Trynity forced him to sit on a stool nearby. "Let me clean you up." He winced when she applied antiseptic to his nose. "I don't think it's broken."
"Your son would be a good warrior," said Taeron as she wiped the blood from his face. "He could have been an imperial guard. But there is still much for him to learn."
"I don't think he could kill anybody without being sick. I doubt that would be useful in that line of work." She set aside the bowl and cloths. "Your nose will be tender for a couple of days."
"Thank you, my lady." He paused before leaving to look at Shamara lying unconscious on a cot nearby. "I, too, would find it difficult to kill," he admitted, "but if I must do it to protect her, I would." He stopped at the table where Duo was still wincing in pain. "My lord father, is there anything I can do for you?"
"Give that blue-eyed little witch a beating."
Quynn stuck out her tongue at him, then squealed and ran out of the clinic with Taeron behind.
Trynity picked out a liniment from the many jars and bottles on a shelf. "He isn't really going to beat her, is he?"
Duo laughed although it obviously hurt to do so. "His mother would never forgive him if he did."
"I am going to massage your back. Quynn's little move usually slips a vertebrae, but I popped that back in before any more damage could be done. The pain you are feeling now is a muscle spasm. I can ease it a little."
"Your daughter is a little sadist," he complained.
After moving his long hair over his shoulder, Trynity rubbed her hands with some oily liniment. "This will feel cool." He tensed when she touched him, though after a moment he relaxed. Trynity said nothing as she worked at the muscles on his back, but she marveled at how he had changed in the last seventeen years. When she had first met him, she could feel his ribs under her fingers, but now he was well padded with hard muscles that tried to resist her massage. His skin was darkly tanned too, no surprise considering he lived under two suns.
The silence was broken when they both heard Quynn shriek and swear. "I thought you said Taeron wouldn't beat her," remarked Trynity.
"He won't. I'm sure he's teasing her. Larya has raised her son to be very respectful of women. She was abused when she was at the imperial palace serving Lady Xuxa, and it has scarred her relations with men. She's actually quite frightened of them."
So that was Taeron's mother! Trynity remembered her as the beautiful woman who had sneaked her way into Apolo's camp then kidnapped Arora and her baby to deliver into Prince Dilan's hands. The act had forced Trey to surrender himself to his father in order to save them. Larya had even attempted to kill Trey when her master, Lady Xuxa, had been punished. She was Taeron's mother? Trynity did not want to know how that relationship had been established. And Duo had said that Larya wanted to have a daughter? Was she even now carrying his child?
Duo moved his head around and his muscles stretched beneath her hands. "You are damn good at this."
"Lars had some back problems." She couldn't resist the jab.
"Lucky Lars," he responded, "to come home to these hands."
Well, thought Trynity, that didn't seem to bother him. Maybe he had put his jealousy aside. She wished she could forget as easily as he could. Then again she had to see Taeron, tangible proof that Duo had found solace with another woman.
"Would you mind working on my shoulders? Taeron has been putting me through hell the last few days. I'm not as limber as I used to be."
Trynity rubbed more liniment on her hands. "How is your back?"
"Much better. That was a nasty move Lars taught her."
"Certainly no more nasty than the moves my father taught me."
"Don't remind me."
She was smiling as memories of putting those moves on Duo came back to her. "Quynn can certainly take care of herself."
"She'll have to be able to with that mouth of hers. Some man is going to take her teasing seriously, and she might not be able to get out of it."" He shrugged his shoulders in wide circles and moved his head around. "A little further forward."
Trynity had to move around in front of him. "I'm going to charge you for a massage." Duo's eyes were closed, and he tilted his head back. Trynity was about to put her hands on him again, but the sight of his muscles froze her. She hadn't really seen him with his shirt off, and as she stared at the rippling flesh, she thought it was a shame to cover it. With a sigh, she put her fingers on his shoulders and began to knead them in toward his neck.
"You don't know how damn good that feels."
Oh, yes, she thought, I do. But she said nothing as she poured more liniment on her hands. She liked how it made his skin slippery, how he tensed his pectorals as she rubbed her hands over them. The room was becoming awfully warm as she worked on him. His abdomen was flat and hard, no spare fat there. She enjoyed running her hands over the ridges and planes.
"That's a little far south from my shoulders," he remarked, his voice hoarse.
Trynity's hands froze, and she felt her face burning. "I…I…"
Duo put a couple of fingers under her chin and raised her face up. Trynity was afraid to see his mockery, but his eyes were dark and intense. "I think those magic fingers better stop or we might end up doing something we'll regret."
I wouldn't regret it. Trynity took a breath and decided to throw caution to the wind. She stretched upwards, and she felt Duo's fingers slide from under her chin into her hair. He was bringing her closer, tilting her head and lowering his. She moistened her lips and felt his warm breath blow across them.
"Lord Duo?"
Trynity jerked back, and for the first time she wished a patient would just stay unconscious! But duty called, and she moved away from Duo on legs that were shaking. Could he see her wobble? Now she was embarrassed by her behavior and hoped that Duo didn't realize how eager she had been to be in his arms. What did he think of her?
Shamara was struggling to sit up. "I feel weak."
Duo swung off the table, and he was also unsteady as he crossed the room to her bed, but Trynity doubted it was for the same reason. She could barely concentrate as she took Shamara's pulse. "You have been unconscious for several days. We've managed to get you to eat a little broth, but you need to have a real meal."
Shamara gave Trynity a sidelong glance, then whispered to Duo, "Is she cooking it?"
Duo whispered back. "No. Taeron and the elder have been busy digging up edible food. I'm sure you will be pleased with their results."
Trynity shuddered as she thought of Quynn munching one of the beetles the elder had roasted in butter. "Duo is right. You need to eat to build up your strength."
Duo pulled a stool near Shamara's bed. "Are you going to tell me about your little adventure?"
Trynity stepped out and told Taeron who was sitting on the log between Quynn and Stryfe telling them some story that had them amazed that Shamara had awakened and was hungry. Taeron hurried away calling for Elder Hardane and Master Nazzar. Trynity turned to go back into the clinic, but the noise of approaching vehicles turned her attention to the path leading to the clinic. Seeing who was arriving, she shuddered with disgust.
The lead cycle whipped to a stop before Trynity, almost knocking dirt on her. Quatre pushed up his sunglasses to see her better. "Good afternoon, Dr. Nelson."
"Are you hurt or are one of your men suffering?" she asked with annoyance.
"Just me, Trynity." His slow smile made her shift uncomfortably. "I just got a shipment of champagne, year A.C. 199. I know how much you like it. Nelson smuggled it onto the planet enough times that I was wondering if you were bathing in it."
Quynn came to stand by her. "So what if she was? Jealous?"
Quatre narrowed his eyes at her. "If you weren't Malik's friend…"
"But she is my friend." Malik dismounted from his own motorcycle and came to hug Quynn and kiss her cheeks.
She threw her arms around his neck. "Malik, when did you get here? I thought you were on duty for another month."
"Father pulled a few strings and called in a favor or two so that I could come for a visit." He kissed Quynn's forehead. "I missed you. You too, Stryfe."
Stryfe came to him and they shook hands. Trynity smiled as she watched them, then her smile faded when she realized Quatre was watching her intently.
When she turned to glare at him, he reached out to snatch her hand before she could pull it away. She tried to slap him, but Quatre proved again how strong he had become by twisting her hand and forcing it open for him to press his lips to the palm. His eyes raised to meet hers. "Trynity, why can't we have the same harmony as our children? They get along so well. If we married, Stryfe and Quynn would gain a brother."
Trynity doubted Malik wanted to be Quynn's brother although they had grown up together. Quynn may not have noticed a change in the way that Malik looked at her, but Trynity had. Even Lars had remarked that he didn't want Quynn spending too much time alone with the Winner heir.
"I already have a new brother," declared Quynn with a smile.
Quatre turned from Quynn to look at Trynity with his brows raised. At that moment Taeron exited the house carrying a covered bowl, the contents of which Trynity didn't care to see. Quynn disentangled herself from Malik and grabbed his arm before he could make it to the clinic.
"This is my brother, Taeron."
"Taeron is your brother?" Malik was visibly relieved to learn that Taeron was no longer a rival.
Quatre looked at the young Calabrian, his expression guarded. "I have heard about you." He held out his hand, but Taeron didn't take it, having his own hands full with the meal he had prepared for Shamara. "I am pleased to meet you. Your father and I were once friends."
Taeron stared at him dumbly, then continued on his way to the clinic.
"I thought he might have learned our language by now," commented Malik.
Trynity knew damn well that Taeron could speak their language. She wondered if Quatre realized Duo's son had grossly insulted him. "He is in a hurry to take a meal to Princess Shamara," she explained lamely.
"Ah, the princess!" Quatre rubbed his hands together. "I was hoping to meet the young woman she had become."
"That won't be possible." Duo filled the doorway to the clinic. "She is too exhausted to have visitors."
"Duo Maxwell!" Quatre pushed past Trynity and went to Duo, holding out his hand. "I didn't think I would ever see you again in this lifetime."
Duo reluctantly took the hand held out to him. "Nor I you, Winner."
"A happy ending to a story! I'm just glad you had the chance to meet your son and daughter…Oops!" Quatre put his hand to his cheek in what was blatantly feigned embarrassment. "I hope I didn't let something slip!"
Quynn laughed. "Lord Duo received the shock a few days ago. I think he's recovering." She glanced at Stryfe. "I think we are all recovering."
"Delightful!" cried Quatre. "I do hope you will let us have a welcoming festival at my home."
"We didn't come to Mars Colony to celebrate anything. We are searching for Dagan of Bayman, the intended groom of princess Shamara."
Duo never did like Quatre, thought Trynity. Then again, who could stomach his exuberance? She hadn't seen this side of him for several years, so he was deliberately acting for Duo's benefit.
"A shame about the crash. Some of my men discovered the transport about a month ago. The prince did not survive the impact."
"We should like to examine the remains," said Duo.
Quatre shuddered. "What for?"
"I need to determine which is the prince and return him to his planet. The marital state of Princess Shamara is dependent on identifying his body or finding him alive. Trey cannot in good faith negotiate another marriage for her until this matter is resolved."
Quatre tapped his chin with his forefinger. "You don't suppose Trey would be interested in an alliance in this system?"
"If you are talking about your son, Trey has already put Prince Zieben on his list of candidates. He had promised to make an alliance with the Cinq Kingdom. I believe he had originally planned to offer his daughter Chaela, but if Dagan cannot be found, he may offer Shamara instead."
"I imagine that that Trey has become a very powerful man," commented Quatre. "I don't envy anyone with the task of keeping his daughter safe."
"That task has fallen to me and my son. I am not expecting problems on the Mars Colony."
"I will help you in any way I can." He caught Trynity off guard by slipping an arm around her waist and pulling her against him. "Maybe I will swing by later for a little of your special treatment." When Trynity gasped with indignation, he pressed his lips to hers and slipped his tongue inside. Before she could react, he drew back, whacked her backside and hopped on his motorcycle. "Come along, Malik."
Malik waved to Stryfe and Quynn, then got on his own motorcycle and sped away. Trynity was clenching he fists so tightly that her fingernails were cutting into her flesh. That little show had been for Duo's benefit! She was sick to her stomach just thinking about his kiss.
Quynn seemed to be reading her mind. "Where are those beetles? I need something to settle my stomach after that."
Duo who had remained silent all the while, suddenly said to Quynn, "Stay away from Malik Winner."
She turned to look at him. "Excuse me? I don't think I heard you."
"You heard me." Duo walked past her to go back into the clinic.
Quynn looked at Trynity. "Who the hell does he think he is?"
Stryfe guffawed. "You were perfectly happy about an hour ago to call him father. What's the matter? Don't want him to actually play the part?"
"Mom!" Quynn was outraged. "Is he going to chase off all the guys?"
Maybe that is what she needed, thought Trynity, but she said, "I will talk to him." She was going to feel very silly given her performances of the day. When she entered the clinic, Shamara had set aside her bowl and lay back. "I am going to sleep."
Trynity took a deep breath. "Duo, I need to talk to you."
He followed her into the outer room. She wished he had put his shirt back on. He was far too distracting when he was half-naked. "If this is about what I said to Quynn, I meant it. I cannot believe that if Lars were here he wouldn't be saying the same thing."
Trynity put her hands on her hips and looked up at him. By the determined look on his face, he wasn't going to back down. "Whatever Lars would have said is inconsequential. Quynn can make up her own mind about the young men she wants to see. I have known Malik since he was a little boy. I trust him. On what do you base your mistrust?"
"He reeks."
She was taken aback. "Because he smells unpleasant to you, Quynn cannot have any relationship with him?" Trynity laughed. "That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard!"
"This entire planet reeks of evil, and the stench of those two is unbearable."
Duo was so adamant that Trynity couldn't think of anything to say in response. This serious, unbending Lord Duo was far different from the Duo Maxwell she remembered.
"I don't know what it is, Trynity, but I see something in their eyes, smell it in the air. Taeron has mentioned it to me as well."
She laughed nervously. "Quatre Winner is such a jerk that when he is around he tarnishes his son. How can I convince you that I know Malik like I know Stryfe. My children played with Malik, and he stayed with Lars and I many times when Dorothy and Quatre couldn't take him on their business trips."
Duo put his hands on her shoulders. "You aren't listening to me, Trynity. I think I've become a pretty good judge of character. The boy is as rotten to the core as his father is. If he harms Quynn or Stryfe, I won't rest until my sword has drank their blood."
Trynity would have laughed if Taeron's voice behind her proved the seriousness of Duo's colorful threat.
"My blade will also drink the blood of any man or woman that would harm my brother or sister."
Trynity shook off Duo's hands, then walked out to where Quynn was waiting for her. "I suggest that if you want to see Malik," she whispered, "that you do it when the Calabrians are distracted."
"Mother!" Quynn grinned at her. "You are a little devil!"
Trynity hoped Duo wasn't right. How could he be? Trynity thought she knew Malik better than Duo possibly could after meeting him at L12 and seeing him infrequently. If Quynn wanted to be more than just friends with Malik, Trynity was not going to stand in her way. And she wasn't going to let Duo do it either.
