Story Three: Remnants of Reality
Chapter Nine
By Heartfire
~*~
{Heartfire's Note to everyone: I just wanted to say this before you start to read- thank you for your kind notes. If I have not responded to personally thank you, it is only due to a whirlwind of a schedule that I found myself having to succumb to, without any control of. But I want you to know my gratitude. For those who read my stories, even if you do not write, I'm glad you are still reading and hope you are still enjoying. Take care everyone.}
It seemed as though nature was in tuned with their feelings, or maybe just his feelings… He looked out and saw, for the seventh day, how dark the clouds were, how rain splattered against his windows… how the trees swayed with the wind and nearly touched the ground…
"Sir…"
Quatre turned around and schooled a smile on his face. "Yes, Pietro?" His assigned servant, in his early forties, entered the room. For a man in his prime, he was the epitome of the suffering mass in Arche- wrinkles, graying hair, and that haunted look in his eyes.
"Your dinner…" Pietro walked to the table by the window and placed the tray on it.
"Thank you very much." Quatre opened the tray and saw the food, but he didn't feel hungry, even after he caught a whiff of the delicious aroma and saw how delectable the food looked.
Pietro saw the look on his face and frowned. He liked serving for this guest… He was warm, friendly, and funny… yet these last few days, Quatre had been gloomy… and so had a certain other favorite guest of his… "Did you and Ms. Matfei had a fight in your last trip, sir?" He asked, especially since Quatre had told him to always speak his mind… At first, it was hard to do, but later on, he learned.
Quatre didn't hide anything as he nodded. "Yes, we did…" He tried so very hard to remain calm, but the mere thought of her brought his feelings akimbo. He could not balance the anger he felt and his face took on a hard look. "She doesn't care about anything but money and power… She and Morley are just right for each other." This was the first time in so many years that he didn't care what he said, and he felt good about it. Besides, he already programmed those darn cameras to pause anyway, and Pietro helped him do it.
"Oh… I suppose that is why she never wore the furs and jewelries Mr. Morley gives her… and I suppose that is why she had also not been eating her food…"
Quatre's head snapped to look at Pietro and he saw the intelligent look in the man's eyes. "You don't know what you're talking about…"
Pietro shook his head. "I do, Mr. Winner… You told me to speak my mind to you, and I am speaking. I do not think that Ms. Matfei is a woman for Mr. Morley. She is too pure for that."
Quatre grimaced. "You tell that to her… see if she listens."
Peitro sighed. "Well, there is no turning your mind, that I can see… Eat well, Mr. Winner and please try to talk to Ms. Matfei. I do not like seeing two of my favorite guests in such unhappy moods."
Quatre watched as Pietro left, what with older man's words still ringing in his ears… So… she hadn't been eating either… Was she as unhappy as he? He walked to his bed and lay down on it then brought his hands behind his head to think. He had not seen her since seven days ago… She would leave for the theatre early in the morning and come back home late at night. And him? He was boring himself to death as he sat in his room and read, or look as if reading while he tried to figure out the damn computer files he'd finally accessed.
There were only rare moments in his life when he had felt this kind of confusion… this unexplainable toll upon his mind that blocks his once clear understanding. Why could he not understand her? Why could he not understand himself anymore? He could remember what he had told her, all his actions… he could not believe he had done such things.
A hand went up to his face to massage it then he glanced at his wristwatch… A frown appeared on his face- it's half past ten already?! But just a while ago it was only six!
Quatre quickly stood up then walked to his window to glance at the uninviting environment that appealed to him right at that instant. It seemed as though earth and air were in a battle. He watched as the storm increased its intensity, forcing the thick stonewalls of the castle to surrender. The ground seemingly shook as jagged bolts of lightning hit the ground. Thunder roared its battle cry, making the air around him shudder.
It was a dangerous storm… the most dangerous he had ever seen… but he made up his mind. He was still in his jeans and shirt, so all he needed was his parka, or a raincoat, or one of his waterproof jackets. He chose the jacket and his deep forest green raincoat. He took time to place a believable hump on his bed and then walked out of his room, quickly reprogramming the camera.
The door outside opened and closed. A growling shadow nipped at his heels but Quatre only gave a withering glare at the dog. "Shut up, Brule. I'm not in the mood." The ground he plodded on was soft and pliant with heaven's tears and he lifted his face to brazenly meet nature's tempest.
The wind howled against his ears and his cheeks felt whip lashed by its coldness. It was cold. It was painful… and he accepted it. Closing his jacket and hunching over, he started to walk around the castle… and then… found himself standing under an unlit window…
…
He touched her face gently and then slowly went down her neck to the valley of her breasts…
Yvan turned on her bed for the millionth time that night.
He smiled down at her and her hands went up to his neck for an embrace…
Her hand went over her heart and rubbed her chest while another hand went under her head, grabbed her hair, and brought it away from her perspiring neck.
They kissed… he pressed against her and she to him while the strap of her dress fell down from her shoulder…
Yvan woke and instantly sat up on her bed, breathing deeply… sheets were tangled around her legs and her was hair matted to her body. Oh… such lust filled thoughts… She never had those before…
Her hands went to her temple and massaged it… Why does she keep on having those dreams? Dreams of him… yet, tonight was the first time she dreamt of them on the verge of… Yvan felt the heated blush on her cheeks. For the past days, her dreams only consisted of walking along the ocean shores with him while they held hands… or running through the forest with him on her trail, happily playing hide and seek… Innocent, heart-warming images that she instantly tried to forget once she had woken up… but tonight… it was desire…
A desire she must forget. Quatre does not know what he will happen if he but gets his name linked to hers… Could he not see that she was heavily guarded by Morley's spies? That, if there was anything suspicious, it would be reported and they would both perish? She does not want that to happen… Not to him, nor to her…
She sighed. Her room was too stuffy… too warm. She walked to her window to open it but she quickly stopped. Lightning had struck that moment she reached her sill and she saw a figure just below… She moved to her curtains to hide herself while she tried to separate that figure from the darkness of the night… There was no mistaking it.
"Quatre…" The whisper left her lips in a breathless manner. He stood like a valiant sentry, willing to face any dangers that would come his way. What was he doing below? Why was he outside?
Foolish… and yet… she could not help herself as a hand reached out to her window… as though by touching it, she could reach him, but at that moment, he turned around and walked away. She let herself move closer to the window then, and had the sudden urge to open it and shout his name for him to stop… Stop for God knows why she wanted him to! Instead, she pressed her forehead against the cold glass and just looked at him.
He walked out of the castle gates, closed it behind him before Brule could escape, and continued his walk.
"Look out!" She gasped when she saw a large branch, carried by the strong wind, nearly crash against him but he quickly avoided it.
The hand on the glass turned to a loose fist and she quickly bit her lower lip. 'What are you doing in that storm, you stupid, stupid man?!' Reaching a decision, she quickly ran out of the room with only her thick, practical cotton nightgown to shield her body against the onslaught of the storm.
…
All he could hear was wind, thunder, and rain… That was all he needed to hear… It echoed what he could feel deep in his heart… He had been in Arche for nearly three months… He had only known her for that long… How was it possible that he had fallen for her so quickly? And… so blindly…
He closed his eyes and arms opened wide to his sides as if to embrace nature herself. He accepts it. Quatre Winner was in love… Damn but it's such a detestable feeling to know that the object of your affection doesn't even want to have anything to do with you… Now he truly knew how Relena feels and he wished with all his might that Heero would return to her.
"Quatre! Have you lost all that is sane in your head?!"
The voice he never expected to hear rang clear against the elemental noise and he quickly turned around. Her waist long hair was matted against her creamy complexion, and her sodden gown was being whipped against her small frame… She was dripping wet and she didn't even have slippers on!
Anger coursed through him. Anger that even in such a deplorable manner, she still looked beautiful to him- and she was going to get sick. "Look who's talking! You didn't even grab a damn raincoat!"
She went out here because she was worried about him and what did he do? He yelled at her! It didn't even occur to her that she was also yelling at him… that they do need to yell at each other so they could hear each other. "I'm a native to this land- you are not. Do you not know how dangerous storms could be?! Get back inside!"
"What do you care?" Why was he being such a brat?
Lightning blazed through the dark stormy sky, illuminating each other for a brief period of time… too quick to be able to see the pain being pushed away by anger. Thunder followed in pursuit, heading a warning for all who would dare stop his quest, yet the message was lost to the two souls who fought a battle of their own upon the soft ground.
Fire blazed in Yvan's eyes. "I went out here because I was worried about you and this is what I get?!"
"Why the hell are you worried about me anyway!" He snapped back. It felt good to be angry, to yell and shout expletives… to show it. It had been so long since he had let such an emotion run wild… but he also wants it to stop. Stop because it hurts…
Yvan opened her lips to answer back but, not knowing the answer, she closed it… Her anger subsided as confusion raced through her once again… "Because I'm worried about you…"
He saw her lips move, but she said it in only a whisper and he was not like Heero Yuy who could read lips… "What?"
Yvan sighed… She must face this for her own peace of mind… Her father told her to always face her troubles and solve it before it could destroy her and this was one trouble that, she was quite sure, could destroy her… "Quatre… we have to talk…"
"I can't hear you." He didn't move, his stubborn streak out in the open.
Yvan understood… In their last conversation, she was the one who was stubborn… it was his turn now… So, she walked to him instead and stopped only a step away. "We have to talk."
Quatre jerked a nod, crossing his arms over his chest. "We sure as hell do."
"You're not going to make this easy for me, are you."
It wasn't a question, just an observation, but Quatre answered all the same as he shook his head.
Yvan sighed. "That's all right… I understand…" She looked down at her feet and saw her muddy they were… Ah well… she can not do anything about it now… after she tells him the things that had been running around her head, muddy feet wouldn't seem so embarrassing at all.
He saw her indecision and suddenly felt foolish… He wasn't like this at all… He truly was not acting like himself! He opened his mouth to speak, but she already started.
"I do not know what's happening between us… But… there is something that's going on and… I've been trying to fight it but… I…"
Helpless eyes stared up at him then looked away while her confusion and pain clouded his heart. He could feel her inner battle, reflecting so much of his own…
"I can't… I'm losing. I know I am."
He felt his anger slowly subside, understanding...
"Quatre… I truly don't know what's happening." She looked up and met eyes as turbulent as the weather around them. "This is all new to me…"
He saw that she was telling him the truth, and his rage completely disappear, replaced by hope. "And you think it isn't for me?" Quatre asked, his voice low.
Yvan shrugged as she looked down at the wet grass once again. "I do not know. I do not know you and you do not know me…"
"Then… how about if…" He reached out and touched her hands… She didn't move away and he held on. "How about if we get to know each other and… figure this out ourselves…?" He was kidding himself right now… He was kind of lying to her because… he already figured out exactly what it was… but… it would be better to take this on one step at a time…
She shook her head though she would very much like to have said 'yes'. Could he not see? Yvan pulled her hands away from his touch and locked them to her sides in balled fists. She met his eyes and forced them not to waver while she willed for him to realize what he wants to do. "I am Yvannnyah Matfei. Mistress to our Supreme ruler-"
"You are not." Quatre couldn't help the hard, strict tone of his voice, not letting her finish. How could she say that of herself? He had been here, had seen how she acted around Morley, saw those rare moments they touched… all less intimate than the way… they have done. "You are not, Yvan…" His voice became softer as he stepped closer to her. For the first time since he entered Arche, since he saw her, his thoughts were finally clear. The way she held herself right now, the way tears misted her eyes…
Yvan swallowed hard and closed her eyes. "Please… don't look at me like that…" She could not bear it…
He knew what she was doing… he knew she was trying to force him away. Quatre smiled softly as he finally closed that distance between them then reached for her ice-cold hands. He felt her pull away and he knew that she was fighting for both of them… but he was also fighting for their sake, in a much different way… How long had he waited for her? How long had he thought that he would spend his nights alone… lonely… pining for a love he thought he would never find? And now, he finally discovered her. He will not let her go. His warm hands encompassed her fists and he leaned down to her ear. "You are not…"
The whisper made her eyes open and Quatre saw how her lavender eyes swim in tears that slowly spilled and mingled with the rain. He couldn't help the gentle touch he gave her face to wipe her cheek, the he brushed back strands of dark red hair away from her face.
"Quatre… You do not know what you are getting yourself into." Her eyes showed panic, now… and a plea to be understood. "No one is allowed near me without James' consent… everyone I am with were screened… Those who came close to try and ask me out disappear for weeks…" She looked away. Her eyes caught how his hands held her. Gentle but firm… warmth… "I am constantly watched."
"I know." Quatre whispered. He knew and understood. He would do the same, maybe not so obsessively as Morley was doing. She was trying so hard to make him see the dangers… so thoughtful of her.
Yvan looked back at him, her eyes wide open in surprise. "You know and yet you still ask?"
Quatre nodded, trying not to show how glad he was the he was finally able to show her how much he feels. "I still want us to get to know each other." Slowly, he felt her fists loosen, and tenderly, he entwined their hands together.
The charging winds changed direction and slowly became pliant, as though it finally saw the destruction it had laid upon the earth and was apologizing. The hard rain followed, lessening its watery attack.
A small smile enveloped her face as she looked at their locked hands. How wonderful it feels to have him hold her once again… "Yes… I would like that but-"
"I would like that, too…" Quatre whispered, stopping her once again. "That is all we need to know at this moment."
She felt his hand under her chin and willingly, she looked to his face and saw his wonderful smile… that wonderful smile she had missed all these days and she was the one who tiptoed up, encircled her hands around his neck, and pulled him down so quickly that they nearly stumbled down onto the muddy ground, but instead, his hands went around her body and hugged her against him while his lips accepted her gift.
He allowed his lips to part at her gentle nudging, delighted and excited that it was she who finally kissed him. At the moment her moist, warm tongue shyly slipped into his mouth to stroke his, a shock went through him, and he knew she felt it as well. It wasn't desire nor lust but something just as powerful and, at the same time, soft.
His hands moved up over her back. His fingertips dancing along her nape, cherishing each touch of her skin, then burying them in her wet hair. She felt him shudder, echoing her own feelings, and then leisurely, they let go of each other and grinned.
"You are drenched, Yvan." Quatre whispered, feeling weak from the intensity of that soft kiss and leaning to touch his brow with hers.
"It doesn't matter. I'm used to this… I'm not from the deserts after all..." Her hands played upon his soft locks, lightly grazing the back of his neck and smiling when she heard his chuckle.
"At least you got that information right about me." He pulled a strand of hair away from her face and then kissed her forehead. "But, even so… the gentleman in me is telling me to give you my raincoat."
"That is up to you…" She missed his closeness the moment he let her go, but she willed her body to just watch as he took off his huge raincoat and then helped her put it on. Then he stepped back and looked at her.
She looked like the very image of the Princess in the Princess and the Pea… the last fairytale he read to Kershja and that made him laugh.
Yvan frowned, but, the cheerfulness, the utter free happiness she could hear and feel from his wonderful laughter only made her laugh along with him. "You should laugh more often. It's nice."
"Your laugh is nice, too… But Morley's presence doesn't exactly promote laughter…"
"I know…" She grimaced and Quatre laughed some more while he wrapped his arms around her once again.
"We must look really silly right now…" Quatre whispered against his raincoat, just where her ears should be and she embraced him harder.
The warmth she could feel from his raincoat, his smell and just holding him was making her giddy. "I do not care." She leaned against him, wondering how this had happened… Was it not just a little while ago that she worried about Quatre's safety… Oh! "Quatre…" The thought made her pull away from him and Quatre saw the worried look on her face.
"What? What is it? What's wrong?"
"I must know if you understand that we…" She took in a deep breath. She wants to make sure that this was understood. "Quatre… We must keep this to ourselves… We must be careful… We shouldn't let James know what we're doing…" If he does… everything will be ruined.
Quatre bit his lower lip… Of course. They must hide this wonderful thing. He was never one to hide, until now… and Yvan knew Morley. There's no knowing what could happen once Morley found out about them… Besides, it could prove fatal to his mission… "All right… we'll be very careful…"
"Thank you… I knew you'd understand…" Yvan went back to her previous position, placing her cheek against his chest.
Quatre grimaced. She didn't understand that he has his own purpose for agreeing with her… but… why should he create problems when things were finally looking up?
…
It rained one more day since that fateful night, and while inside the castle, they could only look at each other, stay a step away from each other, and crave for each other. It would not do to risk anyone see their hands entwined and it took an effort, but both were only happy that they were together… making idle conversation… touching each other with their eyes.
Afterwards, it seemed as though the sky had never wept while the sun gloriously warmed the wet land and lured flowers out of their buds, birds into the sky, and couples out into the open. The very moment the sun came out, Quatre invited Yvan to go horseback riding and they'd been outside every day since then.
Her dreams somewhat became a reality as they walked along the ocean sands together, hand in hand… As they played hide and seek through the forest… As they picnicked upon the green, wild flower covered meadow, the way they were doing so now…
"Got you!"
His hands went around her small waist as she ran, and they both ended on the grassy meadow with lips meshed, embracing one another in wonderful ecstasy.
He shifted his weight, not wanting to crush her to the ground, and lay on his side instead. He anchored his head with one hand, stared at her the way that makes her shiver, and then lazily grabbed a wild flower with another. "Do you know that you look beautiful against these flowers? You almost look like a picture…"
Yvan blushed, as Quatre knew she would. How could he have once called her a cold, calculating woman when well in fact she was the most caring and wonderful person he knew? He'd seen her give charity to children… They even visited some of the slums in Arche because she said she didn't want to disillusion him about her country… There were more poor people than rich… and it seemed as if they all knew her. They actually spent a whole day helping the underprivileged clean and launder, and brought them food with both his and Yvan's money… It was a rewarding day- and the way she looked right now, she's just tempting him to kiss her, and that was exactly what he did.
Yvan placed a stopping hand on his chest before he could touch her and he frowned. Two could play with this flirting game… "Do you know that the color of your eyes rivals that of the sky?"
The frown disappeared in an affectionate grin as Quatre pressed his lips to her hair, just above her temple… It was supposed to be an innocent kiss. They have silently agreed to keep everything simple though he fought something inside him every time they kissed, and knew that she fought one herself. But the way her body was pressed against his with the feel of every luscious curve… he couldn't help as he lowered his lips to her cheekbone… down to the corner of her mouth.
He felt her sigh against his skin before her light kiss touched his jaw, felt her lips open in invitation and he moved. Tenderly, he slanted his firm lips upon her soft ones. It still surprised him that he knew what to do when… he only kissed a handful of women, and most of them were chaste kisses. His lips worked on hers, suckling her upper lip then relishing her lower one, licking them with quick tiny flicks of his tongue, then followed by slow, languorous laps that traced her lips.
She found her hands linking behind his head, pulling him closer to stop the way he was making her insides crazy, but everything only intensified as her mouth opened wide for him.
"We… we should stop… The food is… getting… cold…" Yvan whispered as their lips tilted this way and that, wanting to learn more of each other's secrets. "Quatre… if we're not careful…" She didn't want to stop, feeling boneless… but she must remember that he will return to his own country soon, and she will stay here… "One of us will get hurt…" She couldn't add that it would most likely be her.
Quatre stopped kissing her to look at her and give her a promise with his steady, gentle eyes. "Yvan… I will never intentionally hurt you… I don't think I could ever do that…"
She swallowed, believing him yet at the same time… questioning if that was possible. "Neither could I… but James-"
Quatre stopped her words with a finger on her lips. "We promised not to talk about him, remember? Besides, we made sure that no one knows where we are…"
Yvan smiled. "Yes… Yes we did…" They purposely went in zigzags and made sure they left no trail. It was getting harder and harder every day to elude them, those irritating spies, and Morley's monthly visits for a day or two still scare her, but both she and Quatre try their best not to show anything every time the man was around.
Slowly, he eased away from her though every fiber in his body screamed in protest. "Good." He reached out a hand for her, and she took it. In less than a second, they were both sitting on the grass. Then… Quatre remembered something… "Yvan, just this once though… I was wondering…"
"What is it?" She leaned forward to brush away grass blades that clung on his hair, but when he closed his eyes and leaned against her touch, she didn't let go. Her hand traveled from his golden hair, loving its silky texture, to his face, to the side of his neck, and finally settling upon his shoulders.
He almost forgot what he was going to ask. "Lawrence, James's younger brother…" He saw that he didn't have to expound with the way Yvan's eyes showed recollection. "Where is he now?"
"He is suffering in self pity at the House of Dujes. I do not exactly know what happened, but from what I've overheard, someone made a fool of him in front of a lot of people."
Quatre's lips happily tilted up as he remembered his friends. "Yes. Someone did."
"Well, he's as bad as Morley so I'm glad someone trimmed his feathers!"
The detestation he could hear from Yvan's voice made him laugh. Well, from what he gathered from Hilde and Duo at Hartwater, he could imagine why she would feel indifferent to the younger Morley… "How about I introduce you to the person who humiliated Lawrence, sometime."
The twinkle in her eyes shone brighter than ever. Though she knew that there would be no possible way she could leave the country while Morley ruled, it was nice that he was thinking of a future together. "Would you?" Her hands went down to the collar of his shirt and lightly touched the skin exposed to her eyes. "I would really love to shake hands with that person."
Quatre's eyes darkened. "And I would really love to…" He didn't finish his sentence as he caught her lips. They kissed once again, going to a world only they, and other people in love, could understand.
"I think I have to warn you…" Yvan whispered against his lips.
"With what?"
Her father had always told her to be upfront… and her father had never been wrong except for once, and it probably cost him his life… Should she gamble her own too? She threw caution to the wind and she spoke her mind and heart. "I think… I'm falling in love with you."
Quatre stilled then pulled himself away from her.
Yvan opened her eyes, ready to meet angry eyes, but instead, she saw wonderfully pleased eyes.
His finger traced the frame of her face. He was bursting with joy inside! And he couldn't' help but smile. "Guess what…"
"What?" Yvan whispered as she felt a fluttering deep in her stomach with the way he was touching her.
"I think I am too…"
Elation like no other filled her, but she forced her face to show playful worry. "This is bad…"
"Yes… we are in such a deep rut…" Quatre answered, his face schooled solemnly but his eyes twinkling with delight. His finger finally reached her mouth and started to slowly trace her luscious lower lip.
Yvan trembled. "Kiss me again…" Her hands went to his face and pulled him down on her.
"Willingly." Her hands raked through his hair while his hands touched hers and the two enjoyed the feel of one another once again, teetering between loosing control and being in control.
They were so deep in their own world that they didn't notice a flash in the distant trees… a camera snapping away pictures after pictures of them…
…
Quatre woke up, barely breathing. He was burning hot one moment, and now a deathly chill went through his body….
He quickly shook his head and tried to take away that dreadful feeling while he forced himself to remember his dream.
The haunting echo of a flute slowly enveloped his mind…
'Trowa…?' Quatre's eyes widened and his heart nearly stopped. He clutched his chest, trying to breathe.
No… he was just overreacting… It was all a dream… just a dream… He dropped back on his bed and forced himself to sleep… but he couldn't.
'What's happening back home?' He'd been gone for so long… Nearing half a year…
"Trowa… please be safe, my friend…" He willed with all his heart. "Please…" He doesn't want to leave yet… because of Yvan… because he hadn't found anything about Une's cousin… because he hadn't found anything relevant to nuclear weaponry…
Guilt made him shiver and without another word, he pushed back his blankets then walked to the abundantly filled bookshelf at the far right corner of his room. He knew he would not be able to sleep again and decided to continue his search. With trained eyes, his hand reached for a thick, hardbound book. It was not as heavy as it looked… then again, looks can be deceiving.
Quatre settled back on the bed, opened the twelve-inch long book, and saw his palm-sized computer. The x-rays wasn't able to detected it… after all, they were just parts inside his briefcase. It took a few days to re-build it, but it was worth it. He hallowed the book himself, knowing that he must hide it away from his personal belongings, just in case someone looks through his things while he was away.
He had gone through a lot of files these past few months- some were inconsequential, while others were quite… interesting. He found that Arche had five satellite frequency disruptors, strategically placed around the country. No wonder the Preventers needed an insider to do the job…
He wanted to shut those disruptors down, but he noticed that instead of having a linked system, they stood on their own… Quite smart of Morley to do that. It would hinder complete shut down, and it would also be able to track whoever was trying to sabotage it by use of a computer- and he was using such a device. He couldn't risk it.
Another question that surfaced was- how was Une's cousin able to sneak inside Arche if the country had their beaches lined with soldiers? He must have been really good.
Then, a few weeks ago, he found that Morley was hording money… Lots of them… It was a good clue to volley the idea that the Supreme Ruler must be using it to create the weaponries… but after more search, he saw that Morley was sending it out of the country, and he's just about close to cracking what and where…
A small blue light reflected upon Quatre's face as he turned the computer on. He could feel a surveillance camera turn to his direction but he was quite sure that the cameras would only pick an image of a reading guest.
Wherever Morley was, he's just hoping he would stay there longer… Whatever he's doing sure was keeping him busy… an advantage for him, although Morley's frequent phone calls does make him feel queasy.
Yet… what of his friends? And why does he feel such a deep sense of loss at the thought of his best friend?
...
Sweat poured down his body as he gasped. He could feel pain on his lower right chest, just where he dreamt Relena was shot! He couldn't even breathe… his lungs… and just yesterday… Trowa…
"Quatre? What's wrong?" Yvan quickly went to his side as he tried to gasp in air. He was doubled over his knees as though in deep pain. Earlier, Quatre had looked as if he did not get any sleep… She was worried- he even fell asleep after he ate breakfast today- ate very scarcely… She wanted to cancel their picnic today, but he was quite adamant to go outside the castle.
Quatre shook his head as he tried to get back his bearings. He never had such images so clear before. Were his dreams truly happening? Premonitions? Or were they just… dreams? "Nothing, Yvan… nothing… Just a bad dream…" He tried to look at the beauty of nature that surrounded them, but when he didn't see even a small breeze to pick the dead leaves on the ground… he could only feel… dread.
Yvan sighed. She would rather hear what was bothering him but… well… sometimes nightmares were so bad you never want to hear yourself say it… "Here… let me help…" She positioned herself behind him, placed her hands on his shoulders then pulled his body gently against hers while she leaned against the base of the tree. She guided his head to rest between her breasts then with two fingers on either side of his head, started to massage his temples the way she learned to after her mother started having migraines.
Quatre's tired body slowly relaxed, letting Yvan's hand be his guide. From somewhere, a bird sang and he focused on nature's song around him for his lullaby… Slowly, he went back to sleep with a smile on his face. When she was sure he was fine, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on his hair. "Don't worry… I'm here…" She whispered and then placed her cheek on his hair. Why was she so protective of him? Why was it that when they're together, everything seemed so… right?
A flood of emotion coursed through her and she openly accepted them under that bright sunlight, with all the glory of nature around them… She had failed herself, but it was a failure she'll learn to live with… It's all right now… everything will be over soon… And with that one problem soon to be eliminated, she could finally… finally live without fear.
"Quatre… I love you so much…" The moment she whispered those words, she knew that they were the truth…. The truth she had been running away from all these days… all these weeks… all these months… And in her heart and mind, she wished with all her might, that he would feel the same way…
"I have to go away, but I will be back soon, Quatre… very soon…" They only have this morning… just this small time, then they must go back to the house so she could leave this afternoon.
…
An earsplitting clang echoed inside the small castle as metal hit the floor.
"The snake…" James tried to calm himself as he stared at the mess he made. Furiously, he slammed the pictures on his table. All these months he'd been on the edge. He could never find a trace of those rebels who had sneaked in! Once, or twice, they did… but the trail soon turned cold… It wasn't right… Something was going to happen and he didn't like it… Then this!
"He will pay… That low born ass." He looked out at the night sky then called in his aide while his messenger cowered on one side. "We're leaving tomorrow!!!"
…
Quatre walked her to the car and handed her luggage to the driver. "You really have to go?"
"Yes… My mother is really sick…" Yvan looked away. She didn't want to lie to him… but she must… "I don't want to… but I have to…"
"I understand. Take care of your mother, and relish everyday with her."
His words nearly made her cringe, and she remembered how he talked of his parents and heard the ache in his words. "Some day, you'll meet my mother and I'm sure she wouldn't mind having you as an addition to the family." She said it to comfort him, not even noticing the meaning behind her words until she finished.
Quatre grinned and Yvan saw the message behind it. "I hope she won't."
She laughed. Oh, it's wonderful to be with him…
"Just come back to me soon." Quatre whispered as he took her hands in his, after he made sure that no one would be able to see. It's so hard to let her go even with the knowledge that she's coming back and he stared at her and memorized her image as if she would never again return… as if she was just a dream.
"A week… I'll be back in a week… at least, I hope…" She whispered while she smiled tremulously.
"I'll be waiting." Quatre answered and then he chanced it. He brought her hand up and kissed it. She looked so wonderful today, with a ruffly skirt and an off the shoulder shirt, exposing her perfect, creamy skin. He couldn't believe how hard it was to control himself around her.
Yvan bit her lower lip and didn't even look around, not caring if anyone had seen them. "I'll miss you…" Sadly, she took her hand away from him and entered the car even before he could tell her that he would miss her, too. It started the moment she was seated and she instantly turned to look at Quatre until he was out of sight…. Then she finally sat down properly… Why is her heart so sad?
Slowly, she fingered something hard within her pocket… She didn't feel as happy as she had when she first got her hands on it… Now, all she wanted was to be back in Quatre's arms…
Soon… all of that soon… Hopefully.
…
With the camera paused, Quatre typed on his small computer, his attention entirely focused on his work. He felt invigorated… he would like to finish this soon. That way, when Yvan comes back, maybe they wouldn't have to hide… Was it just his wishful thinking or had he seen the look he had been hoping for in her eyes? When she comes back, he'll ask her…
Quatre frowned. He was just redirected to another file… something he'd never seen before… A logo appeared on his miniature screen… a logo not that of Arche.
'What is this symbol?' He must be in the wrong file… but this was very interesting, not to mention that the words nuclear bombs were mentioned.
'I must send this to Une right now…' Be creative, she said… Nothing more creative than a little undetectable transmitter Rashid had asked his tech research group to create… Maybe he should give the prototype to the Preventers later on… The best way was to use Morley's own transmitters just by hacking through a few codes. They wouldn't be able to track him down...
Sent… 'Finally!'
His eyes snapped to the door when he heard a shout. Something crashed and Quatre instinctively closed his computer, brought it to the bookshelf, and then took another book. He reached his bed, lay down on it and opened the book just as guards came in.
'Guards?' The frown on his face was clear as he stared at the men over the rim of his hardback.
"Quatre Winner, you are hereby arrested by the order of James Morley."
Quatre's eyes widened in surprise. "What?"
Pietro's slim body pushed through the guards. "No! He hasn't done anything! You can't take him away! You can't kill him!"
Quatre glanced at Pietro, frantically shouting. He could sense such fear…!
A guard ruthlessly swung his gun to the hysterical man and Quatre heard bones crack… saw how Pietro's head snapped back and blood flew from shocked mouth and splattered against the white lapels of the aggressive guard… then his limp body fell down…
Quatre's eyes turned to slits, his anger kindled to a raging fire. "You didn't have to do that!" In lightning speed, he was out of his bed and the guard fell down. It was a bad move and he knew it… even so, Pietro was his friend…
The next thing he knew, he was surrounded. A punch landed on his cheek, another on his stomach… Quatre gasped in pain and tried to fight back… but a numbing blow on the base of his neck made his surroundings swirl…