Title: Exercising an Option
Author: Gina Lin Genre: Action, Romance, Suspense Pairings: 13+6, 1+2, 3+4, 5+S Warnings: AU, Citrus, Language, Yaoi, And Het Rating: R Archived: S_E Updates, FF.net, SDQB, GWFF
Chapter 26
"Heero, are you awake?" asked Wufei, bending over him and shaking one shoulder.
Heero cracked open an eye that was beginning to blacken a little.
"Shit, it is dawn already?" he asked in a cracked voice, sitting up and rubbing his bruised face.
"If were going to do this, we have to leave before Morris and Hastings get back here."
"Coffee," croaked Heero.
"Already made," said Wufei. "Weapons ready too." He pulled back the lightweight black denim jacket he wore to reveal a .44 revolver in a shoulder holster. There were 3 extra clips of ammo in his pockets.
"Gotta love a woman that packs heat," said Wufei, smiling wolfishly at Heero.
Heero quirked up a side of his mouth. "Got one of those for me?"
"Mine's bigger, though," joked Wufei grimly, handing Heero a .38 police special in a similar holster and extra clips.
"Man, I hope this firepower isn't just lying around the house," said Heero.
"Nope, all locked up in a hidden floor safe, normally. There's the boy to think about," said Wufei.
"So," said Heero speculatively, looking up at Wufei. "You up for this?"
"Trowa and Quatre are my friends," said Wufei simply. "I can't wait for the FBI to get off its ass and do something to get them out of there."
"We could be getting ourselves in a lot of legal trouble," said Heero levelly.
"That's what I have you for," said Wufei. "If you can't find the loopholes to save our asses, you're not half the lawyer I thought you were."
Heero grinned very faintly. "Frankly, there's not much they'll want to do to us when they find out that Wufei Chang is a real life action hero off screen too. You have any idea how the media will eat that shit up?"
Wufei scowled. "Whatever," he scoffed, a faint color appearing across his cheekbones.
"You really hate that celebrity crap, don't you?" asked Heero.
"It's just a blasted job," shrugged Wufei.
"You say good bye to Sally?" asked Heero.
"No, because I'm coming right back," said Wufei.
Sally came out of the hallway, dressed in jeans and a navy long sleeved T- shirt in the morning chill.
"You bet your ass you are," she said, coming over to the two men.
"Thank you for not trying to talk me out of this," said Wufei.
"If I thought I could, I would," said Sally. "But if I don't hear from you in 3 hours, I'm coming after you myself," she stated firmly. She handed him a cell phone.
"No you're not," said Wufei, frowning at her.
"Try and stop me," said Sally, frowning back at him.
"Either we're going to do this quick or not at all," said Heero. "Hold off the authorities until we get there, at least."
"I'm not telling them a damn thing until 9:00 o'clock," said Sally. "I already promised Wufei that."
"Just tell them you woke up and we were gone," said Wufei. "Let them figure out the rest."
"Don't get killed," said Sally suddenly, looking down and biting her lip.
"They didn't kill me last time," said Wufei assuredly. "And this time, I have a gun."
"Sally told me a way to get in through the back," Wufei told Heero. "There's a service entrance through the mechanical room to access the pumps, heating, air-conditioning and plumbing. She gave me a key."
"It's behind the kitchen on the north side," said Sally.
"Sounds perfect for what we need," nodded Heero.
"We have to go before it gets any lighter," said Wufei.
Heero drained his cup of coffee. "Let's head out." He had the keys to Duo's car in his hand.
"I have water and energy bars in my pack," said Wufei, indicating the small daypack on his back.
"I couldn't eat if I wanted to," said Heero. "But good idea."
Wufei grabbed Sally by the shoulders. "I'm coming back," he said again.
"You'd better because if you get killed, I'll dig you up and kill you again myself," said Sally in a choked voice. "If it weren't for Matt, I'd go with you, you know that."
"Crazy woman," said Wufei, kissing her fiercely and releasing her.
"I have to go," he said, turning around and not looking back as he followed Heero out of the door.
"I know," she whispered. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Treize rested his head against his knees, dozing as well as his restraints and awkward position allowed. The kidnappers had taken shifts at guarding them, and Slim was half asleep in a chair, supposedly watching them as they slept.
A groan from Mil awakened him from his light sleep. Blinking in the light beginning to filter into the windows, he shifted until he could see his partner's face.
"Mil?" he said very quietly. Relena was asleep on one of the overstuffed chairs in the room, finally succumbing to exhaustion over fear.
"Treize, is it morning?" asked Mil, blinking and trying to shift against the pain in his side.
"Almost first light," Treize whispered.
"They should have killed us, what happened?" asked Mil.
"They want money, a ransom."
"Peacecraft's board of executives will never pay," gasped Mil, "so we're dead anyway."
"I think Winner is plotting something," said Treize under his breath.
"They want me dead because I can identify Reynaud," said Mil. "But we can save Lena."
"Don't talk that way!" hissed Treize. "I'm not going to let them kill you!"
The blond haired man didn't respond, and Treize leaned closer to see he was unconscious again.
"I won't let them kill you," he repeated under his breath.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Tro," said Quatre very quietly. One emerald green eye opened slowly and then another.
"Bad dream," muttered Trowa, struggling to right himself on the sofa with Quatre lying against him.
"Reality, I'm afraid," said Quatre, still whispering.
"So, what's up for today?" said Trowa lightly. "A little swim, some raquetball?"
Quatre bit the inside of his cheek to keep from chuckling. "Remind me to compliment you later on how amazingly sang froid* you are."
"I wish I didn't get so much practice," said Trowa, trying to stretch his kinked shoulder muscles. "I can't take you anywhere."
"I think we're making progress with Marron," whispered Quatre.
"Yeah, he's ready to feed Mr. Fox to the wolves by now."
"Nice metaphor," said Quatre, visualizing it.
"Merci," said Trowa. "I try."
Marron came into the room, with Une following closely behind him, obviously irritable.
"Bring Winner over here," he said to Slim, nudging him fully awake non too gently with his elbow.
"I'm only going if Trowa goes with me," said Quatre, feigning alarm.
"Ya better let the pansy take his boyfriend with him," drawled Slim, "He might cry." Slim leered nastily at Quatre, who pretended to cower.
"Very well, bring both of them," said Marron, giving Slim a disgusted look.
"Tobacco swilling barbarian," muttered Marron.
"Hey, at least I ain't no rope sucker," protested Slim.
"Thank God for that," murmured Trowa almost inaudibly, causing Quatre to bite his cheek again for self-control.
"Bring them and be quiet!" said Marron, raising his hand as if to backhand Slim.
"Hey, boss, don't go losin yer temper, I'm on it," protested Slim, ducking, then going over and pulling the two men to their feet none to gently.
Treize watched beneath lowered eyes as Quatre and Trowa were herded into his office and the door shut. McGuire shifted uncomfortably as he resumed his post by the door, and Slim stood outside of the office door, looking bored, as usual.
Marron opened the blinds on the windows and let in the dim dawn light.
"I'm considering allowing your release," he said directly to Quatre. "But I need your help."
"You need MY help?" Quatre echoed, trying to control his elation.
"Yes, I need you to make it appear to Reynaud as if I intend to turn the 20 million over to him."
"So, you've decided not to share," said Quatre. "A wise decision on your part, if I may say so."
"Say whatever you wish," snapped Marron. "20 million dollars will provide me with the means to escape Reynaud and his ridiculous agenda and make my own start in the world."
"Don't forget me, love," purred Une. "You know how I despise that psychotic bastard. It was only the prospect of paying back Kushrenada that got me into this in the first place."
"Just keep that cretin Sanderson under control," said Marron. "We'll give him, McGuire, and that yokel Slim enough to go their way, and we'll go where even Reynaud will never find us."
"What about the others?" ventured Quatre.
"I haven't decided that yet," said Marron. "What do you care, anyway?"
"I care because it is my nature to care," said Quatre stubbornly. "And we've come to be friends in a short period of time."
"I cannot help your nature," said Marron harshly.
"If you kill them, the authorities will not let the matter go," said Quatre.
"But if you leave them alive, they might give you the bargaining leverage you need to get out of the country."
"Something to consider," said Marron, gazing at Quatre speculatively.
"I think our moronic friend Slim has the wrong impression of you," said Marron. "You are quite the cool headed businessman, Monsieur Winner."
"I try," said Quatre simply.
Marron chuckled. "As long as I get my money, your friends and you will no doubt be free by this evening."
"Thank you," said Quatre, "I knew we could settle this without further violence. Can I make a request?"
"What is it?" asked Marron.
"Could we please not be bound?" asked Quatre. "I give you my word we'll do nothing to escape until the arrangements for your money have been made."
"And what is your word worth?" asked Marron, narrowing his eyes.
"20 million dollars," said Quatre simply.
"Untie them," said Marron, looking in to Quatre's level aquamarine gaze.
"But!" Une protested.
"Untie them!" he repeated sharply. "I want him to be able to say to his sister that he and his companion are unbound and unharmed!"
"Very well," said Une, reluctantly. She handed Marron the satellite phone and went to untie their hands.
Quatre rubbed his wrists to restore the circulation and looked over at Trowa, who was doing the same.
"I told your sister she could speak with you to assure her that you are still alive and unharmed," said Marron.
"I'll do that," said Quatre, as Marron dialed a number.
"Your sister has been most cooperative, she has made no effort to contact the authorities as far as we can ascertain."
Quatre nodded as Marron pressed the phone to his ear.
"Laylah?" he said, taking a deep breath. "Don't cry, Laylah," he said, pleading. "I'm fine, and so is Trowa.. I swear, no one is forcing me to lie.. No, they untied me, and I'm not hurt..I'll be seeing you soon."
"Very touching," said Marron, taking the phone. "The arrangements we discussed for the return of your brother still must be followed, or else that will be your last conversation with him." He ended the call.
"Now we wait," said Marron, licking his lips like a hungry wolf.
* French for "cold-blooded" but often used as a compliment for someone who keeps cool when in danger.
Author: Gina Lin Genre: Action, Romance, Suspense Pairings: 13+6, 1+2, 3+4, 5+S Warnings: AU, Citrus, Language, Yaoi, And Het Rating: R Archived: S_E Updates, FF.net, SDQB, GWFF
Chapter 26
"Heero, are you awake?" asked Wufei, bending over him and shaking one shoulder.
Heero cracked open an eye that was beginning to blacken a little.
"Shit, it is dawn already?" he asked in a cracked voice, sitting up and rubbing his bruised face.
"If were going to do this, we have to leave before Morris and Hastings get back here."
"Coffee," croaked Heero.
"Already made," said Wufei. "Weapons ready too." He pulled back the lightweight black denim jacket he wore to reveal a .44 revolver in a shoulder holster. There were 3 extra clips of ammo in his pockets.
"Gotta love a woman that packs heat," said Wufei, smiling wolfishly at Heero.
Heero quirked up a side of his mouth. "Got one of those for me?"
"Mine's bigger, though," joked Wufei grimly, handing Heero a .38 police special in a similar holster and extra clips.
"Man, I hope this firepower isn't just lying around the house," said Heero.
"Nope, all locked up in a hidden floor safe, normally. There's the boy to think about," said Wufei.
"So," said Heero speculatively, looking up at Wufei. "You up for this?"
"Trowa and Quatre are my friends," said Wufei simply. "I can't wait for the FBI to get off its ass and do something to get them out of there."
"We could be getting ourselves in a lot of legal trouble," said Heero levelly.
"That's what I have you for," said Wufei. "If you can't find the loopholes to save our asses, you're not half the lawyer I thought you were."
Heero grinned very faintly. "Frankly, there's not much they'll want to do to us when they find out that Wufei Chang is a real life action hero off screen too. You have any idea how the media will eat that shit up?"
Wufei scowled. "Whatever," he scoffed, a faint color appearing across his cheekbones.
"You really hate that celebrity crap, don't you?" asked Heero.
"It's just a blasted job," shrugged Wufei.
"You say good bye to Sally?" asked Heero.
"No, because I'm coming right back," said Wufei.
Sally came out of the hallway, dressed in jeans and a navy long sleeved T- shirt in the morning chill.
"You bet your ass you are," she said, coming over to the two men.
"Thank you for not trying to talk me out of this," said Wufei.
"If I thought I could, I would," said Sally. "But if I don't hear from you in 3 hours, I'm coming after you myself," she stated firmly. She handed him a cell phone.
"No you're not," said Wufei, frowning at her.
"Try and stop me," said Sally, frowning back at him.
"Either we're going to do this quick or not at all," said Heero. "Hold off the authorities until we get there, at least."
"I'm not telling them a damn thing until 9:00 o'clock," said Sally. "I already promised Wufei that."
"Just tell them you woke up and we were gone," said Wufei. "Let them figure out the rest."
"Don't get killed," said Sally suddenly, looking down and biting her lip.
"They didn't kill me last time," said Wufei assuredly. "And this time, I have a gun."
"Sally told me a way to get in through the back," Wufei told Heero. "There's a service entrance through the mechanical room to access the pumps, heating, air-conditioning and plumbing. She gave me a key."
"It's behind the kitchen on the north side," said Sally.
"Sounds perfect for what we need," nodded Heero.
"We have to go before it gets any lighter," said Wufei.
Heero drained his cup of coffee. "Let's head out." He had the keys to Duo's car in his hand.
"I have water and energy bars in my pack," said Wufei, indicating the small daypack on his back.
"I couldn't eat if I wanted to," said Heero. "But good idea."
Wufei grabbed Sally by the shoulders. "I'm coming back," he said again.
"You'd better because if you get killed, I'll dig you up and kill you again myself," said Sally in a choked voice. "If it weren't for Matt, I'd go with you, you know that."
"Crazy woman," said Wufei, kissing her fiercely and releasing her.
"I have to go," he said, turning around and not looking back as he followed Heero out of the door.
"I know," she whispered. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Treize rested his head against his knees, dozing as well as his restraints and awkward position allowed. The kidnappers had taken shifts at guarding them, and Slim was half asleep in a chair, supposedly watching them as they slept.
A groan from Mil awakened him from his light sleep. Blinking in the light beginning to filter into the windows, he shifted until he could see his partner's face.
"Mil?" he said very quietly. Relena was asleep on one of the overstuffed chairs in the room, finally succumbing to exhaustion over fear.
"Treize, is it morning?" asked Mil, blinking and trying to shift against the pain in his side.
"Almost first light," Treize whispered.
"They should have killed us, what happened?" asked Mil.
"They want money, a ransom."
"Peacecraft's board of executives will never pay," gasped Mil, "so we're dead anyway."
"I think Winner is plotting something," said Treize under his breath.
"They want me dead because I can identify Reynaud," said Mil. "But we can save Lena."
"Don't talk that way!" hissed Treize. "I'm not going to let them kill you!"
The blond haired man didn't respond, and Treize leaned closer to see he was unconscious again.
"I won't let them kill you," he repeated under his breath.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Tro," said Quatre very quietly. One emerald green eye opened slowly and then another.
"Bad dream," muttered Trowa, struggling to right himself on the sofa with Quatre lying against him.
"Reality, I'm afraid," said Quatre, still whispering.
"So, what's up for today?" said Trowa lightly. "A little swim, some raquetball?"
Quatre bit the inside of his cheek to keep from chuckling. "Remind me to compliment you later on how amazingly sang froid* you are."
"I wish I didn't get so much practice," said Trowa, trying to stretch his kinked shoulder muscles. "I can't take you anywhere."
"I think we're making progress with Marron," whispered Quatre.
"Yeah, he's ready to feed Mr. Fox to the wolves by now."
"Nice metaphor," said Quatre, visualizing it.
"Merci," said Trowa. "I try."
Marron came into the room, with Une following closely behind him, obviously irritable.
"Bring Winner over here," he said to Slim, nudging him fully awake non too gently with his elbow.
"I'm only going if Trowa goes with me," said Quatre, feigning alarm.
"Ya better let the pansy take his boyfriend with him," drawled Slim, "He might cry." Slim leered nastily at Quatre, who pretended to cower.
"Very well, bring both of them," said Marron, giving Slim a disgusted look.
"Tobacco swilling barbarian," muttered Marron.
"Hey, at least I ain't no rope sucker," protested Slim.
"Thank God for that," murmured Trowa almost inaudibly, causing Quatre to bite his cheek again for self-control.
"Bring them and be quiet!" said Marron, raising his hand as if to backhand Slim.
"Hey, boss, don't go losin yer temper, I'm on it," protested Slim, ducking, then going over and pulling the two men to their feet none to gently.
Treize watched beneath lowered eyes as Quatre and Trowa were herded into his office and the door shut. McGuire shifted uncomfortably as he resumed his post by the door, and Slim stood outside of the office door, looking bored, as usual.
Marron opened the blinds on the windows and let in the dim dawn light.
"I'm considering allowing your release," he said directly to Quatre. "But I need your help."
"You need MY help?" Quatre echoed, trying to control his elation.
"Yes, I need you to make it appear to Reynaud as if I intend to turn the 20 million over to him."
"So, you've decided not to share," said Quatre. "A wise decision on your part, if I may say so."
"Say whatever you wish," snapped Marron. "20 million dollars will provide me with the means to escape Reynaud and his ridiculous agenda and make my own start in the world."
"Don't forget me, love," purred Une. "You know how I despise that psychotic bastard. It was only the prospect of paying back Kushrenada that got me into this in the first place."
"Just keep that cretin Sanderson under control," said Marron. "We'll give him, McGuire, and that yokel Slim enough to go their way, and we'll go where even Reynaud will never find us."
"What about the others?" ventured Quatre.
"I haven't decided that yet," said Marron. "What do you care, anyway?"
"I care because it is my nature to care," said Quatre stubbornly. "And we've come to be friends in a short period of time."
"I cannot help your nature," said Marron harshly.
"If you kill them, the authorities will not let the matter go," said Quatre.
"But if you leave them alive, they might give you the bargaining leverage you need to get out of the country."
"Something to consider," said Marron, gazing at Quatre speculatively.
"I think our moronic friend Slim has the wrong impression of you," said Marron. "You are quite the cool headed businessman, Monsieur Winner."
"I try," said Quatre simply.
Marron chuckled. "As long as I get my money, your friends and you will no doubt be free by this evening."
"Thank you," said Quatre, "I knew we could settle this without further violence. Can I make a request?"
"What is it?" asked Marron.
"Could we please not be bound?" asked Quatre. "I give you my word we'll do nothing to escape until the arrangements for your money have been made."
"And what is your word worth?" asked Marron, narrowing his eyes.
"20 million dollars," said Quatre simply.
"Untie them," said Marron, looking in to Quatre's level aquamarine gaze.
"But!" Une protested.
"Untie them!" he repeated sharply. "I want him to be able to say to his sister that he and his companion are unbound and unharmed!"
"Very well," said Une, reluctantly. She handed Marron the satellite phone and went to untie their hands.
Quatre rubbed his wrists to restore the circulation and looked over at Trowa, who was doing the same.
"I told your sister she could speak with you to assure her that you are still alive and unharmed," said Marron.
"I'll do that," said Quatre, as Marron dialed a number.
"Your sister has been most cooperative, she has made no effort to contact the authorities as far as we can ascertain."
Quatre nodded as Marron pressed the phone to his ear.
"Laylah?" he said, taking a deep breath. "Don't cry, Laylah," he said, pleading. "I'm fine, and so is Trowa.. I swear, no one is forcing me to lie.. No, they untied me, and I'm not hurt..I'll be seeing you soon."
"Very touching," said Marron, taking the phone. "The arrangements we discussed for the return of your brother still must be followed, or else that will be your last conversation with him." He ended the call.
"Now we wait," said Marron, licking his lips like a hungry wolf.
* French for "cold-blooded" but often used as a compliment for someone who keeps cool when in danger.