My Morphine

Ch thirteen: Good Morning, Sunshine!

(a/n: What? It sounds cute! ^_^; )

Karl groaned as he woke up, seeing Thomas curled up, his head resting in the bend of his arm and Raven curled up behind him, stroking his sandy-blonde curls softly. He glared at the Maverick who seemed to sense this and looked his way. He was off the bed quicker than lightning, blushing slightly. He gave a nervous cough and finally met his gaze.

"Ahm, how do you feel?"
"Like shit, what the hell happened?" he admitted as Raven sat in a chair about fifteen feet away, a 'safe distance'.

"Well…Meara's been a little over zealous lately and hit you just a little too hard, I'm sure the fact you're an Imperial didn't help either," he pushed his messy dark hair behind his ear. "But, I had to rid you of Fiona's presence."

"Fiona's what? What the hell are you talking about? She's back at Red River…" The colonel said as Thomas stirred and his light-green eyes fluttered open.

"Karl!" He cried, snaking his arms around his neck, kissing him on the lips. "I'm so glad you're okay. I was afraid Meara was too harsh, or that Raven failed." He smoothed his golden hair, being careful where Meara had hit him, covering his face in kisses.

"At what?"

Thomas sat up and fidgeted. "There's a lot we have to tell you about."

"Well?!--"
"It's best we wait a little." Raven said as Karl glared and continued to glare all through breakfast.

"What's his problem?" Meara asked sleepily, inhaling the scent of her black coffee. The maverick only squirmed under his hard stare.

"What the hell are you keeping from me?! I swear if you don't tell me right this instant--"

The brunette growled. "Shut up, Schubaltz, don't irk me, especially when I'm not caffeinated."

He seemed to take heed to her warning and waited till breakfast was over.

Thomas sat on the couch with Karl.

"Now--"

"Yes! We're telling you now…" Meara hissed, having grown tired of his constant asking.

"Raven?" Reese nodded to him and he looked up from petting Shadow.

"Well…Elise Lynette, Fiona as you know her better as…she has incredible powers for an Ancient Zoidian…she can control minds--"

"And that's any different than her, how?" He motioned to Reese, Thomas holding onto his other hand.

"When I control someone's mind, you can see, by my little bugs and how their eyes look hollow. With me, you are literally trapped inside your own mind. With her, however, you actually rationalize your actions." Reese answered, Meara yawning and laying her head on the Zoidian's thigh.

"Elise Lynette has been leading Zi and it's inhabitants on the warpath for decades, almost our whole lifetimes. While she slept in her glass pod she strung along events so on that fateful day, a young boy from the Wind colony would set her free and allow her to complete the plans she had in mind, that she could not accomplish inside her slumbers. She had a quest in store to bestow upon Van, leading her around the world and unbeknownst to him, spreading her reign as they went. Elise Lynette doesn't even recognize the full extent of her powers yet, but she is beginning to. She will lead Zi to it's demise with War after war upon rebels--"

"Rebels like you?" Karl countered as Raven tightened his hands into fists.
"This is serious. Our duties have been to eliminate her, once and for all. And we have yet to succeed…don't you see how imperative it is we defeat her? You, as an honorable soldier, should understand most of all."

"She has caused so much pain to so many…I will kill her, even if it's the last thing I do." Meara whispered, hiding her face in Reese's leg.

"Do you see, Colonel Schubaltz? Elise Lynette has even had you under her control." Mizuno said softly.

"W-what? Impossible…."

"Why do you think it so? If she managed to control my sister, who has harbored years of loathing and animosity to her, you are an easy target, Colonel. To her, your mind is like an open book, since you have not yet learned how to close it."

"You speak rubbish--"

"Have you ever looked her in the eye?" He contradicted as Karl nodded slowly.

"Of course, it's only polite."

"Yes, yes, and have you ever felt dizzy afterwards?" He bit his lip hesitantly, then nodded again. "Mmhm. Do you understand? Can you?"

"I suppose…but…why?"
Meara sat up with a sigh, stretching her arms. "I don't care. If you knew only half of what she put just me and Mizu through, you'd wanna kill her too." She said as Reese snuggled against her.
"Well…why are you telling me all of this?"
"We need your help, brother." Thomas answered. "I'm going to build some tiny cameras and you need to put them in her room, we also need some of her clothing and information of her whereabouts."

"Cameras? Isn't that illegal?"
"We're already 'felons' anyway." Meara laughed.

"So will you help?" Reese asked as he nodded.
"I pledged my allegiance and life to the Imperial Army, did I not?"

"Oh, Thank you, Karl." Thomas hugged him then went to Raven, embracing him as well. "See, I told you he'd help us once you told him!"

Raven stiffened as the Colonel drew Thomas away with a scowl to the maverick, who backed up to the wall.

"I'm not doing this for their sake, Thomas, only for ours and the Empire's. Don't forget that. And, Raven? If I see you touch him once, just once, I'll kill you."

He nodded vigorously, shaking his dark hair into his eyes as Meara raised her eyebrows.

"Rave'? Are you sure you got all of Fiona out of him?" She asked as he sidestepped a bit and used her as a shield almost.

"Yup! That's my bruder!" Thomas smiled and followed him.

Raven sat atop the roof, staring contentedly at the stars, Shadow napping beside him. A pair of hands swiftly covered his eyes, the sneak pressing up against him with a low chuckle. The maverick panicked and drew away, then relaxing to see Thomas smiling back at him.

"Sorry." He said sheepishly, sitting down by him.

"I-it's okay." He replied, taking a deep, relieved breath. "Just glad it's not your brother. Been afraid he was gonna jump me and tear my head off all day."

Thomas laughed again. "Aw, don't worry. He'll warm up to you, just give him some time."

"You think so?"

"I know so." He smiled warmly, brushing his fingers against his cheek. He placed a long kiss on Raven's lips, who purred softly.

/Not touching…not touching…I'm not touching…/

Raven frowned at waking up alone, save for Shadow sleeping at the foot of the bed, crushing his legs. He growled to the black Organoid and struggled to slide his feet from underneath the lazy creature. He sighed and limped downstairs.

"Rough night?" Mizuno teased as Raven sighed and sat on a chair by the counter.

"Shut up." he said, pouring himself some coffee and taking half a muffin.

"So are you hoping he leaves soon?"

"Who?"

Mizuno gave him a look. "The brother," he said in a lower tone. "I swear I thought Colonel Schubaltz was gonna kill you when Thomas hugged you."

"No. I don't wish him gone." He poked at a blueberry. "I…I just want him to know how much Thomas means to me and…how much I love him."

The blonde grinned and rested his elbow on his shoulder. "How cute."

"What about you?"

"H-huh?" He blushed softly.

"Don't think I don't remember…"

He blushed and looked down. "That was a long time ago…" He said quietly, then directed his gaze to the stairs at the sound of a stumble. "Good Morning, sis, what are you doing up so early?" He asked, putting on his cheery exterior again.

Her lips curled up in a snarl and she only glared. Without being asked, Mizuno poured her a cup of steaming black coffee, no sugar or milk, just the way she liked it. She slumped next to Raven and practically inhaled her coffee. The maverick sighed and slumped as well against Meara.

Reese laughed, coming downstairs. "Why, aren't we the lively bunch this morning."

In unison, the two groaned.

Two more cups of coffee later Meara was awake.

"Come on!" She said to Raven, tugging on his sleeve. "Lets train!"

"Why?"

"Because you said so!"

She dragged him outside, Shadow following lazily. The brunette sighed as she stretched out, holding her staff across her shoulders and doing lunges. She drove her staff's end into the dirt and kicked off her shoes, then stood on her hands, quickly switching to only one so she could hold her shirt up.

"Oh, come on, Rave', if you do something it'll get your mind off Thomas." He blushed angrily and glared at his upside down friend.

"Fine." He replied as she give a lopsided grin and gracefully brought her feet to the ground.

"Let's go!" She dug her bare feet into the mushy soil and ran at him, throwing a powerful punch.

Raven caught her fist skillfully and managed to twist her arm behind her back.

"Gotcha--" She laughed suddenly and hooked foot around his ankle, toppling him to the ground. They sprung up and Meara did a few back walkovers.

"C'mon! Catch me if you can!" She laughed, taking off.

Reese stood in the doorway with a cup of coffee, smiling sweetly. She heard soft footsteps behind her and turned to see who it was. Thomas and his brother were there, Thomas letting out a cheer.

"Get her, Raven!" The black haired teen looked up from tickling the pretty brunette, who took the initiative to pin him to the ground.

"Hah!"

"Hn! Such foolishness in imperative times." Karl commented, stepping into the yard. "Raven," He said, making him look up with a gulp as Meara stood. "Spar with me."

"N-no thank you." He said politely as the Colonel gave him a hard look.

Meara gave a snicker. "I'll fight ya." She said before he could reprimand Raven, twisting her hair into a ballerina bun.

"You?"

"Yeah, Man versus woman, no magic, promise." she gave him a crooked smile which he returned.

The Colonel got into stance while Meara stood with her hand on her hip and gave him a nod.

Thomas couldn't help but laugh, watching his brother's fury grow as the girl evaded his every strike almost lazily. Meara continued to twirl and pirouette away from him, sneering spitefully.

"Stop playing around!" He snapped as she threw her head back and laughed.

"As you wish!" within an instant she'd charged and used her shoulder to try and get him in the stomach.

He caught her by the arm and flipped her. She landed awkwardly on her wrist which let out a painful sounding crack. The colonel stopped his attacks as she glared up at him, holding her wrist, her eyes green fire.

"Fucking Imperial!" She snarled springing up at him, her staff materialized in her good hand. Raven quickly held her back, trying to get her under control. Mizuno sighed and strode over, taking a gentle hold of her wrist, looking it over.

Meara sat sulking on the Kitchen counter, a bag of ice on her wound. Raven sat with her, embracing her gently and smoothing her hair which had come undone. Mizuno left the kitchen to replace the first aid kit and walked into Karl.
"Is she okay?" He asked as her brother smiled softly and lead him into the other room.

"She'll be fine, it's not broken, just slightly fractured. It was pretty minor so I was able to heal it." He said as the Colonel bit his lip.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, she's more so angry she lost than she is injured. I'd just watch your back until you have to leave, she lives for revenge." Karl looked down at Mizuno, who despite his tallness was still an inch or so shorter than him.

"Mizuno…"

"Uh-huh?"

"Why is everything from the past so indistinct…?"

"Don't worry…it'll just take some time for everything to clear…I promise…"

"Mizu…she made me forget you…" he whispered, leaning his head against his.

"I know…she's blinded many. Meara has become so single minded, all she can think of is destroying Elise Lynette…Karl…I don't know but I don't think that Elise is the only person behind this…" He told him in a hushed tone. The Colonel's embrace tightened around him as he gently guided his lips to his own.

Meara nuzzled Raven's shoulder.

"I'm sleepy, Raven…" she mumbled as he nodded and kissed her on the cheek. He helped her down and watched her trudge wearily up the steps. "Night, night, Raven."

"Goodnight."

Thomas stood in the kitchen doorway, then went to his lover.

"Raven! Is she okay? I swear Karl didn't mean to--" He said frantically as the other nodded and rested his cheek against Thomas' neck.

"I know, I know. It's no-one's fault, it was an accident." He smiled up at him and put his arms around him.

"Raven…"

"Shh…" The dark haired teen whispered, kissing him softly.

[To be Continued …]

(a/n) Oha! Ugh I so cannot write through Karl. *pouts* Oh well, hate to say it, but He's gotta go home soon. R&R please!