Gundam Wing Tapestry

by Manzai

AU - If Treize had won the war, would he be content with the world at his feet and a captive dragon at his side? Sally is about to find out just how much strong Wufei needs her help, especially when more than his life is at stake. BOOK 1 - COMPLETE!

30. Chapter 29

Tapestry Chapter 29

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"Wufei ...?"

I sat up, squinting, and felt confused. Why was I in bed, and Wufei standing next to the window? Was this my room? His room? For a moment, I didn't recall; then blood drained from my face as I stared at Wufei's profile, images racing through my mind, and I remembered.

The dog leaping toward me, snarling, his teeth wet and glistening, breath foul and hot; Wufei's strong hands as he jerked and spun me, shoving me out of harm's way. How I staggered, dizzy and gasping at the jolt of pain that hammered through my arms as I caught myself from smacking headlong into the wall.

Hearing the sickening crunch of bone and the immediate howl of pain from the hound that told me he was no longer a threat; then feeling Wufei's hands again, sure and strong, propelling me down the hallway as he shouted, urging me to run faster. And finally the cold, metallic taste of absolute fear when I realized the rest of the pack was after us, amber eyes glowing, intent on ripping the flesh from our bones. Wufei's quick thinking and the solid mahogany door between us and the hounds were the only things that saved us from certain death.

Just another night on the island. Gads.

"He killed the dogs." Wufei gazed out the window, not looking at me.

I was silent for a few moments. Apparently, Treize hadn't told Wufei about our conversation. That was interesting. "So, that means ... no more dogs outside at night." I tried to look a little shocked for his benefit.

Wufei shrugged. "He'll replace them." Wufei appeared stoic, but I knew better. Inspecting his face closely showed me shadows under his eyes and raging guilt inside them. If I knew Wufei - and I did - he probably slept very little last night, if at all.

"I didn't mean to cause this," he blurted suddenly.

"What do you mean?"

"I -" He stopped, sighed, then started again, his head sagging. "He doesn't blame me."

Pushing the cover to one side, I slid out of bed, padded over and stood next to him. "Blame you? For what? Why should he blame you? I don't understand."

Wufei's body language, usually so tight and controlled, gave away his dismay. "Because the injury I caused when I kicked one of the dogs out of the way was the reason he had to destroy them all. Once the other dogs smelled blood and realized that animal was injured, they turned on him. Attacked him. They ripped him to pieces. Then they - they -"

Gods, I knew what happened. I could see it in his face. And I understood Treize's logic - once those dogs tasted the flesh of their own kind, he felt he had to destroy them. "But, Wufei," I broke in, trying to spare him from describing the grisly details, "the dogs were attacking us. It's not as if you could have simply pushed them out of the way. That was the only way to get them away."

He shook his head and turned toward the window, looking at the sky, not answering.

"Did you find out why they were in the house in the first place?'

"No, although it must have been Une. They're not trained to obey anyone else."

"I didn't realize they were trained to obey her." I had hoped Trowa was wrong, but - well. Apparently not.

"Of course they obey her - she's his right hand. They were trained to obey Treize and Une - no one else." But Wufei still had this guilty air about him, as if he had personally slaughtered the hounds.

I put my hand on his arm. "Wufei. Really. There was nothing else you could have done."

"That's not true," he snapped automatically, scowling at the ground. "I could have been less clumsy. Treize created this breed - or helped - so I know he can get more. But still, I should have placed my kicks lower." Now guilt seemed to flow from him like honey. Even I could taste it.

"Would you rather that the dog in the library had ripped me to pieces without a second thought?" I asked him quietly. "Or perhaps you? Because that's what would have happened had you not acted as quickly as you did."

"That dog was trained to attack, Sally."

"Yes, but Wufei, I'm sure none of the dogs were trained to release their prey except to their masters. That means that had you not been as direct as you were, both you and I would have been large, bloody messes on the floor, discovered by Treize when he came home. I doubt very much he would have wanted that to happen."

Wufei was silent, thinking. "He wouldn't, would he ...?" He was looking more disturbed by the moment.

"No, Wufei, he wouldn't."

"But … why?"

I stared at him, my hand falling to my side. "Excuse me?"

"Why wouldn't he want to find us as dead, bloody pulps when he came home? It would be so much easier for him."

Incredible. This boy was simply incredible. I couldn't help but stare at him with my mouth slightly open. "Wufei," I said, speaking slowly. "He's already decided that he's taking the trouble. That's not up for debate. That's fact. You and I can't change it. You have to move on from there."

"But - why?" His voice became a little more strident, more demanding.

I looked straight into his face. "He has decided, for his own reasons that he's going to keep us here with him. Indefinitely." I shrugged, hiding, I hoped, my own feelings.

Indefinitely. Forever. Permanent. Never ending. For always. With someone immortal and incredibly non-human.

Dear gods, how frightening was that? I tried to push my feelings away so I could deal with Wufei or at least help him deal with his feelings. Mine could wait until later. Much later.

A beat passed. " … but … WHY!?!" He practically shouted the last word at me, he was so upset. "WHY did he decide that? WHY doesn't he want us dead? WHY does he spoil us, without pressing us for information, without trying to turn us against out own, without trying to use us in any plots at all - WHY?" He was panting, his eyes large with frustration. "And don't give me this 'he wants to seduce you' nonsense, because that is complete bullshit."

The weight of one hundred years pressed on my heart. "Because, Wufei … because he wants you - us - to come to him of our own accord. Of our own free will."

"But WHY?"

"Because," I said heavily, "it means more if you make that decision, and make that last step yourself than if he makes it for you."

"That makes no SENSE," Wufei snapped, "and it doesn't answer the question. Why would he want that at all?"

I could see that Wufei was in deep denial, and wasn't about to acknowledge that he understood what I meant by 'coming to him.' I was dogged, but not stupid.

"I think, Wufei," I said, allowing the tiredness I felt seep into my voice, "you're asking why Treize wants you - erm, us - and the only answer I can give you is that he … well. He just does." I looked at him sadly. "He has his reasons."

Wufei gave an explosive sigh. "That's good for him. But not for me. I want some answers. Soon." His fists were tightly clenched, and his entire body seemed to quiver.

"Yes, I can see that." Personally, I didn't know how much longer he was going to be able to hold out not knowing something.

"Come on," he ordered, pushing himself away from the window. "Go shower. I'll wait. I put clean clothes in the bath for you." He glowered at me. "You'll like them. Use them."

The thought of Wufei rifling through my underwear drawer and choosing something for me to wear was amusing enough to make me feel marginally better. I smiled. "Thank you, Wufei. I'll be quick."

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We shuffled down the hallway toward the dining room sometime later. I was showered and dressed, and Wufei had been as good as his word. His taste was fine, if conservative. I was wearing blue trousers and a white shirt, and felt about as blah and dull as the weather. Leaden clouds in a gray, overcast, sky made the normally warm air feel damp and cool.



As we passed Treize's office, Wufei turned his head, a strange expression on his face. I followed his glance, wondering. I thought I heard something unfamiliar coming from the other side of the door –

Apparently Wufei did, too, as he walked directly over to the office, opened the door, and stuck his head inside.

"Wufei! Good morning, good morning. Come in - look!"

Treize sounded thrilled. Wufei gasped and walked in without a backwards glance. I sighed and followed him, the unmistakable sounds of dog panting floating out from the office.

Yay. More hounds from hell.

Tentatively, I poked my head around the door and looked inside. There was Treize, sitting on the floor next to a very alive, adult hound who was ALSO sitting on the floor. The fact that the dog's head was well above Treize's as they sat together was one on which I didn't care to dwell.



"He was locked in the library! He didn't get into the mess the others did." Treize literally beamed at us, then turned his attention back to the dog. "Did you … no, you're a good boy," he crooned, scratching energetically behind the dog's ears.

Relief visibly washed through Wufei as he watched. I, on the other hand, shrank back against the doorway; I did not want to be anywhere near that dog. It was the same one that attacked me last night, all glistening fangs and yellow eyes. Of course, he didn't look like that now. Calm face Sally, calm breath, calm face, slow breath, I told myself as I stared, willing my feet to stay in one place.



" …this is wonderful! The puppies should have no difficulty adjusting now."

"Pu - puppies?" I asked, hating how weak I sounded.

"Oh, yes," Treize nodded, cheerful. "I recalled the name of the breeder who assisted me with these marvelous canines in the first place. His prize bitch just had a litter, more's the luck."

I groaned inwardly. Oh, yes, what luck. Lucky, lucky, lucky, lucky, the gods knew I was just so lucky…

Wufei blushed at the use of the word 'bitch,' staring down at the dog. The dog, for his part, looked up at Treize and woofed once, giving his opinion. I blanched and felt every muscle in my body contract at that sound, screaming to me to get out of there.

"Come here, Wufei. I want him to be more familiar with your scent so this doesn't happen again."

Wufei blinked and looked at Treize, puzzled.



"Come. Here." Treize sounded friendly, but there was something in his demeanor, something in the way he spoke that had the tone of command

.

Still bemused, Wufei did as he was told, walking to Treize's side. The dog

immediately thrust his nose against Wufei's hand and sniffed.

"There's a good boy," Treize murmured in approval, petting the dog's head. As I watched, it occurred to me that Treize could have just as easily been talking to

Wufei as the dog. Wufei looked at Treize, still confused, then turned his attention to the dog. At that moment, the adult dog decided that he liked Wufei, and bumped his large chest against Wufei's legs, asking for attention.

Everything about Wufei relaxed; his shoulders dropped, the breath sighed out of his lungs and he allowed himself to smile. He chuckled, bent down and started to pet the dog, his fingers aggressive and skilled. From Wufei's perspective, everything and everyone in the room quickly faded and was soon forgotten. The dog claimed all his attention, making low, pleased noises every time Wufei found a favorite spot, and continued to bump his muscled body into his legs.

Treize straightened to his full height, looking quite pleased. He glanced once in my direction. I realized that he hadn't invited me to become familiar with the dog as he had Wufei. Was that significant? Probably - but I had to ask myself why he would want go to the trouble of introducing me to the dogs. It was obvious what was happening, and it certainly didn't include me.

After several minutes of intensive petting, Wufei slowly came back to himself. He disengaged from the large dog and stood back, eyeing Treize with suspicion, his guard back up.

"Breakfast, anyone?"

"Well - yes, that would be fine -" I started.

"Not here." Treize interrupted with a playful smile. "I told you - field trip, remember?"

Wufei looked bewildered. "Field trip? But you said -"

"Oh!"

"Saa, you've been cooped up long enough. Let's go!" He clapped his hands together and shooed us out of the room, the large dog trotting behind. "A rainy day is the perfect time for this."

I looked up at him, completely confused. "For going out? Really?"

"Of course," he answered, smiling. "Museums are made for rainy days, in my opinion."

My eyes widened at his answer. "Ah …"

Wufei looked very confused and sullen. "But you said -"

Treize waved one hand. "Enough. Sally, do dress warmly. Your outfit is fine, but I believe you'll need a jacket as well."

I automatically looked down at myself, feeling a little flustered. "I … yes, all right, Treize. I'll go get one."

He nodded, pleased. "Good. I'll wait here. And Wufei, do me a favor and wait for me in the front library, hmm?"

Wufei stared at Treize, unsure. "All right."

We both left, glancing at each other then back at Treize. The dog followed Wufei to the library; I hurried to my room, chose a blue jacket and shrugged into it, then quickly rushed back, wondering why he separated us. It didn't make sense.



"That should do splendidly," he said, smiling at me as I returned. "Your escort will be here any minute. I made sure to pick people who at LEAST were on good terms with you." He winked at me, as if he did me a big favor. "No Specials."

"What?" I blinked, puzzled, not understanding what he was saying.



"Hmm. I don't think you have an umbrella. Just in case …" He stopped speaking and walked past me, very calm and friendly. I watched him go, still trying to sort out what on earth he was saying. No specials? No special what? No special –

Then it hit me. Oh. No Specials. He was sending ME on a field trip, with an

escort. Not with Wufei. Wufei was staying here. With Treize.



"Would you mind terribly an ivory colored umbrella?"

I slowly turned my head toward him as yet more information clicked into place. Ye gods, he was sending me out with a military escort; the military was taking me out of here.

" … it's the closest thing to a feminine one that I own."

" …um .. no. Fine. Thank you." Distracted. I was distracted. Who cares what freaking color the umbrella was? Give me hot pink, for all I care. He's sending me out of the house, making sure that those no-necked thugs with guns were going to take me somewhere - where? To a museum? Thrust me in front of a painting for three minutes, and then march me to another painting where we'd play out that entire nasty scene again and again? Gee, that sounded like a perfect way to spend a day away from the island.

I shifted my attention from Treize to the military personnel waiting at the end of the hallway and almost died from the shock. There was Steve, standing in a small knot of soldiers, dressed in casual clothes. Steve, the very same soldier whose code I used to break into OZ's Italian organization last night. There he was, standing with his hands in his pockets, looking a little nervous but nevertheless the same, smiling man who trusted me enough to let me read over his shoulder.

I didn't even WANT to know how he came to be there.



"Oh, and I took the liberty of finding a rain jacket for you -"

There was no way possible I could have responded to Treize. I stood there, helplessly staring at Steve, trying to keep my face composed. Treize gently put the coat in my hands. I looked down, and for a moment, I couldn't distinguish where my coat ended and my aura began. It was odd; I blinked several times to clear my vision. Finally I realized the coat was actually the same color as my aura, very pretty, very feminine. I turned it over and dipped my right arm into it. Treize was behind me immediately, helping me put it on.

"Thank you, Treize," I murmured, looking down. My heart was pounding so hard it was going to leap right out of my chest. He knew, he had to. Why else would Steve be there? What was Treize going to do? Throw us in jail? Throw me in jail? What was he waiting for?

"Of course, Sally," he said gently. "Anything I can do. It's about time you got away from us; I'm merely sorry I didn't think to do it before."

I looked up at him - suspicious, searching. He looked back at me, smiling, completely innocent, hiding nothing - and there were no undercurrents, no covert messages, nothing out of the ordinary. Gods. Should I trust my feelings, and just … go with this?



"Now - I WILL require that you stay with your escort. Except, perhaps for a trip to the restroom, please don't leave his sight. If all goes well, you will be back by dinner time. If you wish to stay longer, simply let him know. Any questions?"

"No, Treize," I said, shaking my head, sighing, "everything is perfectly clear. I know what you want." And I did, too. He wanted me away from Wufei so he could do whatever he wanted.

"Want?" he asked, looking surprised. "I simply want some fresh air for all of us."

"Of course." I shrugged. "I won't leave my escort's sight." And I wasn't about to tell him I knew what he really wanted, either. Fat chance of that.

He nodded. "Don't be gone TOO long. Wufei will miss you."

Wow. That was totally unexpected. Nothing like zapping me with a little guilt to keep me off balance. "Oh, I'm sure you'll keep him busy."

"It's up to him to keep himself busy," Treize said, giving an elegant shrug of his shoulders. "I have plenty to do without babysitting." He winked at me again. "And I am sorry that you've been called on to baby-sit so often of late." He stepped closer and took my hand, his gaze becoming softer and more intense. I didn't know what he was doing, but I couldn't pull away; I was pinned, like the butterfly to the collector's corkboard.

"And for last night," he murmured, his voice a velvety purr, "I do thank you. I am … unused to loss. It's a very strange thing." His gaze, once locked on mine, slid away to the side and began to take on some of the expression of last night.



"Loss … is an awful experience," I agreed, feeling myself warm toward him, my body swaying toward his. I could feel his hurt, his pain, and wanted to assuage it, to tamp it out.

His voice softer still, Treize replied, "Yes. I … I wanted to do … something … for you. Silly, perhaps - but I do know cabin fever when I see it. Or should I call it island fever?"



I gave him a small, hesitant smile. "I didn't realize it was so obvious."

He looked amused. "I am a student of human nature, Sally. You are not overt - fear not. But I think I know you well enough by now to be able to tell. I am sorry I cannot give you more. I could not even do this for Wufei - he would be recognized, and likely attacked."

Slightly shocked, I heard the truth in his words. "Why - that's right," I said, surprised. "That's exactly what would have happened." Rather than Treize trying - well - whatever I thought he was going to do to Wufei, he had actually been thinking about Wufei's welfare.



I was imagining what people might have done had they actually realized a gundam pilot was walking around in their midst. I snapped back to the present, though, when I realized Treize was still talking to me. "At the very least," Treize was saying dryly, "he'd have several injured police officers and citizens on his hands. I do believe he's had enough that that kind of problem, don't you?"

"Ah … yes, Treize." Now I felt about three inches tall and rather guilty, because I hadn't taken that into consideration at all. What would have happened had we broken free of the island and sauntered onto the mainland, only to land in the middle of an angry mob? I'd need to rethink that aspect.

"He has enough to carry," Treize continued, sighing. "Saa … but I am making you late! Forgive me." He gave my hand a last little squeeze and let go. "Now, your escort has the money for both of you …"

I glanced down the hall and saw Steve watching us. He couldn't hear what was said, but he could certainly see all the action. And it was strange, but I had the feeling that he didn't like Treize holding my hand or standing so close. Steve wasn't aware of it, I was sure, but I felt that type of charged, possessive energy coming directly from him. Strange …

"On you go, now. Don't be late!"

"All right, Treize. Thanks again." I smiled back at him, then turned and walked down the hallway toward the soldiers, carrying the ivory umbrella.

Steve smiled at me, very proper, and snapped to attention. "This way, please, Ms. Po." He had a pleasant baritone, and ushered me quickly from the dining room to the living room, then out the front door onto the porch and toward the docks.

"And where are we going, Steve?" I asked, tilting my head a bit as I opened the umbrella on the porch, preparing to walk to the ship.

"Why … Rome, Ms. Po. Didn't the general tell you?" He looked truly amazed.

I looked at him and laughed, startled. "No, Steve. No, he didn't. I imagine he wanted that to be a surprise."

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It was astonishing. I felt … almost normal.

We sat in one of those charming small Italian cafés, surrounded by upbeat, chattering people from all over Europe. Even though the sky was overcast and gray, to me everything was bright and cheerful and spontaneous with no undercurrent of oppression or darkness at all. I smiled at Steve, and as strange as it seemed, my smile was real. Genuine. I caught myself feeling happy, really happy, for the first time in months. It was an odd feeling, to be sure; I felt guilty because I was having fun.

A small carafe of red wine, complementing our bowl of pasta sat on the table between us. I moved to pour Steve a glass of wine.

"No, Ms. Po. I can't drink while I'm on duty."

"Oh? But Steve, I thought that Treize expressly said you were supposed to insure my comfort as well as my safety while we were out today, isn't that true?"

"Yes, Ms. Po, but -"

"Well, Steve, if that's true, then I'm afraid you're going to have to join me in a glass of wine. After all -" and I gave him a conspirator's smile as I filled his glass three quarters of the way full, "I can't drink by myself. It isn't sociable, and it certainly isn't done. I would feel much more comfortable if you would actually enjoy yourself. Surely a glass of wine would not impair your judgment that much …?"

"No, Ms. Po," Steve sighed, "one glass of wine would not impair my judgment. You are correct -the general did command me to insure that you were comfortable." Reluctantly he gave in and drank part of the first glass.

I snickered to myself. Good.



Periodically I reached across to refill my glass and his, making sure he had as much wine as I did. By the middle of the meal and his second glass, his reluctance had vanished and he had finally started to unbend. In fact, I noticed that he had started to look at me for longer and longer periods of time, and each time, his expression softened just a little. By the end of our meal, he was giving me the 'wow, she's beautiful' look I used to see on some of my soldiers' faces.

He was also totally unaware he was doing it.



I sighed, feeling vaguely disappointed at something, but made sure to show him nothing except a cheerful face. Steve was a clever, sweet, handsome guy. Not very good on the security front, but really - he had been recruited for his communication skills, not his security skills. I knew that because he recounted his entire life story to me. A little wine, a little cognac, a little probing, and he had been more than willing to tell me anything I wanted to know. He hardly noticed I did little more than smile and nod encouragingly. Ready and willing to burst, Steve told me things I knew he'd regret later if he thought about it rationally; however, he certainly wasn't thinking rationally at the moment.

In fact, that hesitant, shy smile he was giving me was anything BUT rational.

Now I felt guilty about using his code. It was different when he was just another OZ soldier, but now … now I knew him, at least a little, and knew how relatively innocent he was. He really did believe in what he was doing. Up to this point, Steve had never been given an order he had actively questioned as I had. However, he wasn't like the regular OZ trooper just blindly following orders. Many of his stories showed him to be a resourceful person, someone willing to take initiative. In fact, had circumstances been different, I would have tried to recruit him myself.



We left the café and started our museum tour after lunch, setting a leisurely pace through a few small, intimate galleries off the regular tourist path. Even though the weather wasn't the best, the walk was so lovely and the location so refreshing I felt renewed.

Vibrant colors swirled in front of me as I studied a lovely Matisse painting. "Ah, isn't this gorgeous, Steve? I haven't seen this artist's work in such a long time. What do you think?"

"Yes, it is beautiful," he replied, smiling at me, a strange, intense look in his eyes. "Ms. Po - did I tell you - I studied premed before I joined OZ …?"

"You … what?" I blinked, more than a little shocked at the change in subject and the subject itself. Communications people normally had no interest in biology, chemistry, or any of the life science courses taught for premed requirements.

"I was interested. I wanted to help people. It just seemed the right thing to do at the time," he explained, shrugging, a rueful grin peeking out at me.

"Oh. Well. Yes, that would be one way …" I trailed off, smiling faintly. Wow. He was just so cute. He liked me, I knew it; and more than that, he wanted to have some kind of relationship with me. I knew that, too, because he had said as much at lunch about relationships - that he wasn't interested in the 'quick and dirty' type. I could tell, however, that even though he thought he was interested in me, he was going to have difficulty resolving issues about my being tried as a war criminal.

Ah, yes. Politics yet again foiling the way of true love. I looked at the floor and bit my lip to keep from smiling. Really, my sense of irony was going to get me in trouble if I didn't keep it in check. Steve was a terribly nice person - someone who, in my younger years, I would have liked. He was nice, unassuming, gentlemanly - smart, but not overbearing.

Unfortunately, that wasn't enough. Not for me, not anymore. I had seen too much and knew too much about the world to ever believe in the absolutes that Steve took for granted.

"Shall we go?" He held out his arm with a smile. I took it and we strolled out of the gallery, back onto the streets of Rome.

It was night. The stars were barely visible in the sky against the bright lights of Rome. We were traveling back to the dock, several hours later, in a lovely little sports car that made driving and riding a pleasure. Steve was taking the scenic way back to the pier. I appreciated that, not only for the architecture along the way, but because this had been such a pleasant day that I didn't want it to end.

Hah. But Treize did make it rather plain that he expected me back at a specific time, didn't he? And Steve was nothing if not prompt. However, Treize and Wufei had been alone all day, and that made me feel uneasy.



That, however, I could remedy rather quickly. I smiled at Steve, drew his jacket closer about me and settled back into my seat, watching the scenery flash by the window.

~~Trowa - Trowa, are you there? Can you hear me?~~

It took a few seconds, but he finally answered. ~~Yes, Sally, I can hear you.~~

I smiled to myself. ~~Excellent. Tell me, please - has anything happened between Wufei and Treize while I've been away?~~

~~Yes, Sally.~~

There was a lengthening silence while I waited for Trowa to elaborate. When he didn't, I thought my stomach had dropped into my toes and my lungs had shriveled up. Finally, I had to ask. I couldn't stand it anymore.

~~What happened, Trowa? What? Tell me - ~~

~~They ate breakfast together,~~ he started, his mental tone expressionless and flat. ~~Then Wufei trained for two and one half hours. After training, Wufei showered and changed. He studied the culture of the Aztec for over an hour. They ate lunch together. Wufei read for some time. Then he played a word game with himself. He trained for two more hours. He is currently in the shower.~~

I stared outside the car, bewildered. That was total nonsense. Why did he bother to tell me anything at all? I asked if anything had happened between Wufei and Treize, and this is what he told me?

Hmmm. Perhaps I needed to be more specific. I rolled my eyes. Bah. Fates.

~~Ah … Trowa. Let me rephrase. When Wufei was with Treize, did anything occur between them that could be construed as overtly sexual?~~

There. That should do it. Even a moron would understand that.

He was silent for a few moments. ~~I do not know. Possibly. He was silent again. It felt as if he was considering his next words carefully. There were several occasions where Wufei reacted oddly, as if he expected something to happen which did not. Once such time occurred at lunch. Treize reached for his napkin, which was beside Wufei's hand. He did not touch Wufei; however, Wufei reacted as though he expected the touch, in that he jumped and yanked his hand back.~~



~~Yes, that sounded like Wufei, anticipating 'the worst.' Was that all?~~

~~No. When Wufei realized Treize had no intention of touching him, he grew very confused, and remained that way for the rest of the meal Is this helpful?~~

I made sure to keep my face carefully turned away from Steve. ~~Yes, it is. Treize … is systematically breaking down Wufei's self imposed barriers by purposely confusing him.~~

~~It seems to me Treize's goal with the confusion has been to convince Wufei of his weakness. I have long thought that Treize would use Wufei's code of honor against him. Wufei already does not know what he is or what he truly believes.~~

Damn. Trowa saw that, too. I felt moody. ~~Very true. He is tearing him apart, bit by bit, so that when there is nothing left, Wufei will need to turn to someone to find relief, and that someone will be Treize.~~

~~No, he would not,~~ Trowa replied, calm. ~~I do not believe that is Treize's goal. Wufei would suffer alone before turning to Treize. I believe Treize will cut away at him as you said - but then force Wufei to turn to him. The combination of the two will begin to break down his barriers, thus changing his mind.~~

I sighed. This was completely depressing. ~~Trowa. Could you tell me something else? Something other than what happened between Wufei and Treize on the island?~~

~~I can,~~ he murmured, miserable, ~~usually. I cannot see … well.~~

~~Can you tell me - did OZ experience any communication problems last night or today?~~

~~Yes. Your actions threw the entire Italian sector into complete confusion.~~

~~Really? Oh, good! What happened, specifically? Was Duo able to use the information I gave him?~~ I was so incredibly happy I felt as though I was smiling from ear to ear. I turned to Steve and looked right at him, grinning, with it worked! It worked! It worked! running through my head like a mantra.

~~Yes, Duo was able to use it - but it is all being changed right now. It was determined that something was hacked, and the information taken was guessed. Not accurately, but quite close.~~

Steve smiled back, taking his gaze off the road for a moment. His eyes appeared to widen for a moment when he saw my face, then he inhaled a little and looked back at the oncoming traffic. I saw a different expression cross his face for a moment, one that looked like longing.

~~Well - Trowa - okay - but could they tell where the hack occurred? And what password was used? That's important.~~

~~Yes.~~

I froze.

~~But only two people know. And Treize sent them on missions off-world.~~

Everything about me froze. I couldn't blink if someone had paid me. Steve gave me a questioning look. ~~But … Trowa … if Treize SENT them … then … then …~~

~~He sent them away with instructions not to tell anyone what they knew. Naturally they gave him their information. He knows whose code was used.~~

Cold, cold, I felt so cold now. I was smiling at Steve, but all the joy had been siphoned from the night, instantly replaced instead by fear. ~~He - he knows? He allowed me to disable OZ? Why?~~

~~I do not know for certain. I can only surmise from his past history that he found something else worth protecting. That, and because it was not an impossible disturbance. Only one small sector was temporarily disturbed.~~

~~Oh … I suppose, but - I'm still not sure I understand.~~

I envied Trowa's calm. ~~Perhaps it is an indication that he is willing to let it go. It could also be his way of making your punishment more poignant if this young man suffers because his code was used.~~

I sucked my breath in between my teeth. ~~ …oh, gods no, Trowa -~~

~~I cannot tell, Sally. It could be as simple as having something to hold over your head. Leverage. There are many, many reasons.~~

"You don't want to go back that badly?" Steve's gentle voice broke into my thoughts, startling me. I was surprised to see we had stopped at a traffic light.

"I - I have to go back." I sighed.

"I know that. I … I'm just asking." His voice was soft, and his gaze held mine.

I couldn't look at him anymore; I looked at my hands instead and shrugged. "I'd rather stay here, in Rome, if I had a choice," I murmured. "But I have to go back. I could never leave Wufei."

Steve blinked and drooped just a little. "Well … of course you have to go back, Sally. I mean - Ms. Po." Even in the dark, Steve's face appeared to have turned a little pink.

I misunderstood completely why he was embarrassed. "He's only fifteen, Steve."

" … yeah," he replied with a small smile.

"That's all right," I continued, blissfully unaware that Steve was looking at me in any way other than with polite interest. "Most people forget how young he really is."

"Yeah. Impressive," he said, smiling a little broader.

I sized him up with one look. "And most people call me Sally," I teased him.

"I - well - I'm not supposed to. Saa, Ms. Po, you ARE my prisoner!"

"Oh, and that makes a difference?"

"Well, of course!" he answered, flustered. "It's professional ethics."

I turned, feeling incredulous. Where was this man when I was looking for someone years ago? His naiveté was endearing. "Really? Professional ethics?

That's interesting. Why do you say that?"

"Because there has to be a certain amount of distance between us, Ms. Po. You know that."

"I certainly don't want you to compromise yourself, but it feels strange for me to call you by your given name and you unable to reciprocate."

Steve's smile - a slow, thoughtful expression - crept across his face, visible in the changing light from the intersection. "Very well - Sally," he murmured,

the syllables of my name sliding off his tongue, the effort evident. Even now I could see how he fought with himself not to call me Ms. Po.

"Thank you, Steve." It truly was the little victories I savored, the small victories over OZ and therefore over Treize. At least now Steve was forced to see me as a person, whether his training allowed for it or not. That alone was enough to humanize me to him and to all his acquaintances, whether he knew it or not.

Hah. Point for me.

The light changed, turning green for us. Steve looked back at the road and smoothly accelerated the car through the intersection. Neither one of us saw the huge carrier truck that careened down the hill, intent on making the light.

It did make the light, but it didn't see us at all.

The truck ran the red light traveling at least 70 kilometers per hour and smashed into the left rear of our car, spinning us across several lanes of traffic and into a utility pole.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It felt as if I was back in the shuttle, flying through the gauntlet of OZ's forces again. That horrid, sickening, metal-on-metal crunching sound echoed in my ears as we were flung into a dizzying tailspin, finally coming to rest 50 meters away from the intersection, wrapped around a utility pole.

Enormous shards of wood, the size of small stakes, splintered in every direction as we smashed violently into the pole. It collapsed in slow motion; when the top of the pole hit the ground, a shower of sparks and a tangle of live wires lay across the road, small fires blazing intermittently in its wake.

I was dazed and shaken as I sat for a moment and took account of myself. The airbags deployed with a horrendous noise, the passenger, the driver's side and the side impact airbags, but they worked - and they probably saved our lives. I had no life threatening injury, wasn't bleeding, didn't feel dizzy, could move all my fingers and toes - so as far as I was concerned, I was fine. Pain lanced across my neck and down my back, but I ignored it. Steve needed help.

Shallow, labored breathing told me he was alive, and his flickering eyelids showed me he was partially conscious. He was neatly pinned to his seat by the steering wheel, though. It didn't look good. Not at all.

"Steve - Steve, don't panic." I kept my voice pitched low and calming, moving one hand lightly over his forehead with a tissue I found clutched in my hand, dabbing some of the blood off the side of his face. "We were hit by a truck, I think. The steering wheel of the car is pressing into your sternum - your breastbone. If you're finding it uncomfortable to breathe, that's why. Take small breaths, and don't try to talk."

I smiled at him. He didn't appear to be panicking at all; he was having trouble breathing. Otherwise, he looked all right, considering the circumstances. His vital signs were good, strong.



"I'm going to reach across your body and see if you were injured anywhere else. I'm sorry if anything that I do hurts, but I need to know. I'm sure the rescue workers are on their way, and I want to know what to tell them when they get here."

Steve's eyes started blinking rapidly and his breathing became irregular. My face was right against his as I carefully felt my way to his right side.

"Shh … it's all right, Steve, I'm right here with you. I'm not going anywhere. Don't say anything. Take small breaths, remember. You could have broken ribs, and we don't want them puncturing a lung." I couldn't feel anything amiss on the other side of his body, other than I was sure my guess was right. He did have a couple of cracked ribs.



"…ge…geh….OUT…." Steve blinked furiously at me, staring, his breath hissing through his teeth at the effort he expended to say those words. He sounded angry.

I stopped what I was doing and stared right into his eyes, inches away.

" …ch … chance …"

My eyes widened. "I'm not leaving you here," I said softly.

Steve looked confused and frightened. Not for himself, I realized in a rush of clarity, but - for me. It had been an incredibly long time, if at all, that someone had expressed that feeling for me. I was astounded.

"And who's the doctor here? Take small, shallow breaths - that's it - " I kept speaking to him, quietly, encouraging, smiling - and all the time, in the back of my mind, a little voice kept nagging at me that it would have been so EASY to slip away this time. Open the door, tiptoe through the wires, and just become part of the crowd around the car. Steve would have been fine; the wail of the sirens meant the ambulance was on its way, and I could have disappeared, called Duo and had him pick me up.



I sighed. Yes, well … next time. Next time, when there isn't a person involved that needed my help. Next time, when the only person I need to consider is myself.

The door creaked open. "Signorina? Siete tutto il di destra? Siete feriti?"

I had no idea what the rescue person was saying, but I shook my head and pointed to Steve. "I'm not really hurt, but he is. Help me get him out."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As it turned out, they didn't help me get him out at all. In fact, they very gently took me out of the wreckage and pushed me out of the way while they cut Steve out of the car, not allowing me to help at all.



It was a miracle we didn't die in the crash. I stepped gingerly around the wires on the ground, marveling how I was in one piece. Just looking at the car made me realize that the hand of Providence must have been involved - scant centimeters closer to the front would have ended any worries for both of us on this earth.

Louder murmuring and talking over at the ambulance caught my attention, and I looked up. The workers were gently lifting Steve out of the car, placing him on a gurney and starting oxygen and IV drips as they wheeled him to the ambulance.

Something gnawed at me. I couldn't stand around watching them take him somewhere - I had to be with him. Quickly limping over to the back of the ambulance, I pulled myself in and sat next to the gurney, not looking at anyone else on board. They could throw me off, for all I cared. I needed to be with him, to make sure he received proper care.



Besides, I had to be with him to make sure I could get back to the island. Wufei was there.

I glanced at the medics on board. I didn't have any identification or money. Steve did, though - it was in his wallet. The medics wouldn't care if I went through his clothes, I reasoned as I stood and patted his sides, looking for his wallet. Obviously, since I was traveling with him I had a perfect right to flip through his papers. No one questioned me.

A small piece of paper fluttered in my fingers with a number on it I recognized. It was the number Treize had given me one time, in case I needed to call him.

I closed my eyes for a fleeting moment and bent my head. This was a turning

point; if I did this, I was never going to be free. I knew it.



To my mind, though, there really was no choice. Mentally waving goodbye to any freedom at all, I half turned away from the people in the ambulance, took out my phone and punched in the number.

~~See ya in some other life, Duo. Probably not in this one.~~

The phone rang several times before an officious young soldier answered it. "OZ headquarters, Lieutenant Brandish speaking. How may I direct your call?"

"Lieutenant Brandish, may I please speak to Treize Khushrenada? This is -"

"I'm sorry, ma'am," he said curtly, cutting me off in mid-sentence, "but no one speaks directly to the General. There are official channels you must go through in order to get an appointment with him. He's a very busy man, you know, and we cannot simply honor EVERY request that comes through our office to speak with-"

"LISTEN to me." My voice was ice cold, an artic blast across the babbling of an infant. "I am Sally Po - do you understand? - Sally. Po. I'm in Rome. I was sent here by Treize. I suggest you get him on the phone. NOW."

It felt as if my eyes were on fire, that's how angry I was. What kind of moron did they have in charge of main communications? And NOW I was put on hold. Did that man have any inkling how hard this was for me?



I had been on hold for what seemed like hours - what were they doing, looking for me in the house because they didn't believe I was off the island? - when Treize's voice crackled over the line. There was a lot of static and interference, and the connection wasn't nearly as clear as it had been previously.

"Sally? What's wrong?" It sounded like helicopter blades beating in the background.

"Treize - we were in an accident, in Rome, on our way to the docks. The car was totaled - we were hit by a truck. I'm in the ambulance with Steve, and - well - " I was embarrassed, but I forced myself to continue, "I have no idea where we are or where we're going. I'm not really hurt, but Steve has at least a couple of cracked ribs, and -"

"Which hospital?"

I looked helplessly at the attendants. "I don't know. Here, I'll give you to one of the attendants, and they can -"

"No, Sally, don't bother, just ask. I'd rather they did NOT know I was coming."

Illogically, I protested, "But - but Treize, I don't speak Italian, and - "

"Sally," he replied gently, "they'll speak Japanese or English. Try it."

Feeling rather foolish, I did as he asked. "What hospital are we going to?" I asked in Japanese.

"Salvator Mundi," the medic replied, not even turning around.

"We're going to Salvator Mundi," I reported, feeling a little better. At least I was able to do that.

"I'll be there," he promised, and hung up.

I looked at the phone in my hand for several moments before I flipped the lid closed. Well, that's that. No more freedom for Sally. Before, it had been someone else's decision. Now - it was mine.

Sighing, I looked over at Steve as I stowed the phone. He was breathing a little better.

"Signora? Signora, do you know your husband's blood type?"

I turned to find the medic looking at me, inquiring, a clipboard and pen in his hands. "Not - offhand," I said, but then remembered his wallet. "It's on his ID, though. I'll get it."

We talked through all of Steve's vitals on the ride to Salvator Mundi. The medic assumed we were married; I didn't correct him when he asked. It was better all around this way - it was Italy, after all, but you had faster access to the wounded when you WERE family.

Finally, the ambulance pulled up to a small hospital with a tiny emergency ward. It almost looked like a neighborhood center, it was so small, but the manner in which Steve was handled was anything but provincial. Those people moved with cool professionalism. I had visited the enormous one thousand bed Policilincio Humberto Primo in Rome several years before, and was thankful when I heard that Steve was NOT going there. The ratio of staff to patients was something ridiculous - and that, obviously, was not going to be an issue here.

As they hustled him through the double doors into triage, I gave his identification to the front desk person - and once she realized which part of the military he was with and where he was stationed, she copied his paperwork, handed it back to me and waved him through.

Looked like OZ's credit was good.



Now there was nothing left for me to do except wait. No one asked about me, and I certainly wasn't going to volunteer. The medics who took me out of the car at the scene barely glanced at me; which, frankly, was just fine. I didn't need anyone else poking and prodding at me. I sat in the small waiting room and drank a little tea, watching what looked like Italian news vids.



After a while, a nurse walked into the waiting room and walked over to me. She stood right in front of me, in fact, looking as if she had seen a ghost.

"The general wants to see you." She was breathless and pale, her eyes huge.

I frowned, rising from my chair. "The general? What general?" What the hell was this woman talking about? Was there a general back there with Steve, too,

someone else injured in a freak accident who wanted to speak to me?

"Please - come this way."

There was no opportunity for me to ask her, though, because she had already turned on her heel and was striding quickly across the waiting room, banging open the doors to the inner hallway. I scowled, following her, limping a little. Someone's in a huge rush, I thought sourly. It's not as if anyone's going anywhere.

We walked out of the emergency room, passed intensive care and went to a smaller, secluded area. She led me to a room that already had Steve's name on the door.

Wow. Impressive. OZ certainly did carry some weight around here.

The nurse opened the door to Steve's room for me, giving me a spooked, respectful look. I glanced at her, then stepped into the room. Treize was there, standing by the bed, speaking softly to Steve. I could hear him, but I couldn't catch the words.

Understanding dawned. Oh. THAT general. The nurse looked in one more time and gently drew the door closed.

Steve was looking up at Treize in awe. I understood - it wasn't everyday that the commander of OZ stopped by your bedside when you were in an accident.

Treize took that moment to turn toward the door. "Sally! Thank God you're safe!"

He strode over to me, and for one weird moment I thought he was going to hug me. I drew back, a little overwhelmed. "I - I'm fine, Treize. Nothing like Steve - he took the brunt of it."

No hugging, though - he stepped close, took my arm and turned toward the back of the room, pulling me with him. "You didn't leave, Sally. He told me you didn't leave."

I looked up, frowning a little. "Well … of course I didn't leave, Treize. He was hurt. I wouldn't do that." What kind of a person did he think I was? Something else occurred to me at that moment as I looked into his eyes.

"Besides - you told me not to leave my escort, remember? And I told you I wouldn't."

"Yes, you did." Treize gave me a small smile and said gently, "You've had quite an effect on him. Would you like to go home? Or stay here?"

"I - " Suddenly I felt tired and weary. Part of me wanted to stay, to make sure Steve was all right, but a larger part wanted to leave, to see Wufei, to go to bed and sleep for a hundred years.

"I leave it up to you, Sally, since there is uncontroversial proof of your honesty. I must return home myself, but you do not need to leave now."

"How will I get home, then? And … are they keeping Steve here for a while?"

Treize pursed his lips. "For a while, yes, I fear. He has some internal damage caused by the steering wheel. And as for your travel arrangements - you could come back in the helicopter with me, or I could send someone for you later."

I looked over at Steve and decided. "I'll come with you. I … I'd like to go home. Let me say goodbye to him first."

Yow. I said 'home,' and I meant it. Another decision made. I wasn't going to think about that, either.

"Of course." Treize nodded. "I'll be back in a moment."

I walked over to Steve, hardly noticing that Treize was deliberately leaving us alone.

"Hey," I said softly. "I'm going back now. I had a very nice time today." I grinned. "But really, there's no need to do this sort of thing to get my attention. I'm sure you'll be back to work in no time."

He was looking generally disconcerted. "Um … yeah," he said, trying to give me a smile in return. "I … yeah. I … he said I was being transferred."

I felt stunned. "You - are? Where are you going?" I could only hope and pray that what Trowa had said wasn't going to come true.

"The mainland." He looked at me, a very naked look. I knew he wanted to see me again. I smiled at him.

"I … well. You know where I'll be, Steve. I don't imagine I'll be going anywhere anytime soon." Nope. Forever is a long, long time.

He smiled back. "No … I don't imagine you will. All right, then." He paused for a moment, looking at me intently. "I hope, Sally," he began, "I hope someday you're pard-"

Soft, insistent knocking on the door interrupted him. Steve jumped and immediately turned his head toward the door.

I took that opportunity to reach over and squeeze his hand. "Take care of yourself, Steve."

Treize leaned in, looking at me. "Ready to go?"

I looked back at Steve. No, there was no hiding it; he really was falling for me. It was better that we stopped it now. "Bye," I whispered, giving his hand a final squeeze before I turned and walked over to Treize. He stood aside to let me pass, and after I left, said a few quiet words to Steve himself.



"A good man," Treize said to me as he closed the door to Steve's room, looking slightly regretful.



"Yes," I agreed. "He is."

"This way, Sally."

The elevator lobby was at the opposite end of the hallway. We were silent walking to the elevator, although I had the feeling Treize was studying me the entire time. I didn't look at him, and frankly, I had nothing to say. Between the actual accident and the decisions I made in calling him to come get me and going home with him, I didn't want to say or do anything else. I didn't even want to push the button to call the elevator to our floor.

"Goodness, I'm glad I was on my way home." I watched him push the call button and step back out of the corner of my eye.

"Oh?" I glanced up, then looked back at the elevator door. Politely.

Treize nodded. "It's how I was able to get here so quickly. My helicopter was only a mile out over the ocean."

I tried to keep my face expressionless as I processed that bit of information. "Oh - I - I didn't consider that." Gods - that meant that I didn't even consider he wouldn't come and get me, either. I filed that little nugget away for future examination, along with the other unpleasant pieces from that day that kept surfacing.

The elevator arrived, the doors opening with a hushed whoosh of air. We walked inside, turned around and faced the doors as Treize pressed the button for the roof.

"Have you been checked out, Sally?"

I looked up at him in surprise. "Ah … well … no. I didn't really think there was a need. I only hit my knee and ankle - I wasn't pinned in the car like Steve, and everything's working properly."

"You probably have whiplash." He reached over and gently started feeling along my neck, checking for soreness. It wasn't fair, though; no matter how I felt about him, no matter what I said, the moment he put his hands on my neck the only thing I could think about was how pleasant that felt, and how masculine he was.

And gods, this elevator had to be the slowest one in existence.

Finally, the doors opened and we were on the roof. My legs felt like jelly and I was a little woozy; anymore, I didn't question why. I knew why. It had something to do with Treize, and that was enough reason for me.

"I'll check more when we're on board," he said with a smile, looking down at me. "I'm a pilot, you know, so whiplash is something I can help, at least a little, with."

I didn't get the connection, but I wasn't going to ask at this point. "That's … that's just fine. Thank you, Treize."

He led me out of the elevator and toward the helicopter. It was the giant one; that huge, black copter that made me think of large, swooping birds of prey. Treize vaulted up into the belly of the machine, then gripped the bar above the door, offered me his hand and pulled me inside as easily as a child tugs a doll

along to play, pulling me into the machine with one arm. Effortlessly.



As I found my footing in the aircraft, Treize guided me to a bank of seats, moved over and sat down in the large one on the end. "Here, please," he said, motioning me over next to him, "sit down. Let me look at you."



Obediently, I sat down and belted in, then turned so he could massage along my shoulders again, pushing my hair to one side. I happened to look up and saw one of the soldiers roll the doors of the aircraft closed. Immediately, we heard the rotors roar to life, then felt a small jerk as we lifted off. We were airborne, going back to the island.



Treize leaned close, inspecting my shoulders, his fingers working carefully and gently along nerve points and muscles. As I sat there, relaxed into the side of the seat, it occurred to me that he knew the structure of the human body extremely well. Heh - what was it that Nan said? Something about trying to remove my spine without a scalpel?

Yes, but this is different, my snarky brain replied. He certainly isn't doing anything right now that might hurt you. In fact, if anything, it's quite the opposite.

He was close enough that I could feel the heat from his body pour onto mine, and smell that clean, slightly spicy smell I associated with him.

"Forgive me if this hurts, Sally," he murmured, his breath tickly in my ear, "but you are still somewhat bruised back here."

"Oh … that's … all right," I muttered automatically, my body moving closer to his. Gads, I could feel it move closer, and I tried to stop it. That was silly, because I felt him shift his position, moving closer to me. He brushed my hair out of the way again, sending shivers along my nerves. Coherent thought on my part was almost non-existent; sensation was my main focus. It did hurt, in fact, where Treize was prodding. He kept kneading gently, and I could tell that he was focusing on one particular area.

"Please open your mouth, Sally." He was close enough that his shoulder brushed me a little as he moved.



I obeyed, wondering what he was doing, feeling him move. At the same time I felt his fingers move along the sides of my jaw and neck, searching for something.

"Close your mouth, please, Sally."

I did, and started to shift a little to look at him, puzzled. A sudden, sharp pain - not overpowering, but rather intense - lanced along my jaw. I gasped in surprise. "Ehhhh…"

We were so close, I felt Treize's chest rumble. "You have some whiplash," he said softly. "I'm going to try to relax your muscles somewhat before we reach the base. Is that all right?" He turned me around gently and gazed down, asking for permission. Just centimeters apart, I looked up and could only marvel that his eyes were the clearest blue that I had ever seen, even though I knew the color was really bronze.



"Oh, yes … that's all right," I murmured, "that's - just - fine." Being this close to him threw my entire hormonal system out of whack, and there was nothing I could do to even try to stop it. I was helpless, sunk into the leather seat with my eyes half lidded as he probed and massaged my neck, his thumbs and forefingers easily encircling my throat. I hardly cared. All that mattered to me was the sensation he was creating at the base of my skull and along my shoulders, and that was feeling better by the moment. Now even his odd eyebrows didn't look so bad.

Sally Po, you're a lost cause.

His voice pitched low, Treize regarded me and murmured, "I think you'd better turn around, Sally. I don't want to miss anything."

I did as he asked very carefully and tried not to think how suggestive that sounded.

He immediately started working on my back, neck and shoulders. I closed my eyes, thinking about nothing except how wonderful that felt and how strong his hands were. He knew exactly where the most painful spots were in my back and what he needed to do to loosen them.

Sighing, I settled first against the seat, and then against Treize. A great weight slipped away from me as I relinquished my grip on consciousness and fell into a light twilight sleep. I finally understood I had actually drifted to sleep when, paradoxically, I became aware of what was happening around me.



I blinked, shifted my position, and realized I was leaning against Treize's chest. His arms were around me, supporting me, but we weren't in the helicopter. I didn't hear the rotor noise. Where were we? It felt familiar … there was a fireplace … books … a chair. In fact, we were sitting IN the chair; I was pressed against Treize, my body molded to his, and he wasn't moving. It was just terribly comfortable; so warm, and so safe, such a good place to be. I sighed, contented.

"Mmmm… it looks as though you found your way here again, Sally Po. What a surprise." Treize's voice was a low rumble in his chest, softly resonant, no threat or hint of danger. "It looks as though someone woke you up."

I nodded, still sleepy, thinking that I didn't remember the chair being large enough for two. "Mmmm," was all I could manage as I watched the fire. ~~Oh, well … can't remember everything.~~

~~You're not expected to, Sally.~~

One hand gently lifting my chin, Treize tilted my face up and kissed me as if it was the most natural thing in the world. I relaxed into him, boneless, my eyes closed. He kissed me for a few moments, unhurried, barely probing with his tongue once or twice, gently teasing.



"Saa … I DO like you, Sally," he murmured at my lips, pulling back and caressing my cheek. "You make me wonder what the other would have been like, had she grown up."

I blinked a little and gazed at him, bemused. "The other? The other … what?"

"The other like you," he answered softly. "But you're much lovelier than she was." He caressed my cheek again, looking deep into my eyes. It was flattery - it felt like flattery, and part of me knew it was flattery - but still, it had been so long since I had heard that from anyone at all.

My eyelids fluttered closed. "Who was she?" I whispered, moving my head toward his hand, seeking his touch again.

"No one important," he replied, his voice just as soft. "Now, Sally … what shall we do with you?"

"Do? Hmmm?" I opened my eyes and smiled at him, comfortable.

He stroked the side of my face, tilting his head to the side with a thoughtful expression. "I don't think I want to hurt you. You're so NICE, Sally. So … I won't." He continued stroking me, caressing my arm from my shoulder to my wrist, one continuous, smooth motion. Petting.

Like a favorite cat, my mind whispered to me. I ignored it. It didn't make sense, anyway.

That felt SO good, but his words … his words were so discordant. "Why - hurt me? Why would you want to hurt me?"

"I won't, Sally," he said gently. "I only would if you were a threat to me, and you certainly aren't. You're too kind. Besides, Wufei needs you, and Wufei likes you."

"I like Wufei," I said immediately, smiling. I loved Wufei.

"So do I, Sally." Treize's smile had a slight edge to it. "You see? We agree on that."

Something in my mind was calling to me, trying to remind me of … something … that I couldn't remember. I felt good, but there was something else - something I needed to remember …

"Saa … shh …"

Treize leaned over and kissed me again, and I melted against him. It was another gentle, non-invasive kiss, very warm. My mind was floating, not thinking about anything in particular, just very, very comfortable. He was safe, and warm, and he liked me, and –

Very slowly, Treize pressed his tongue into my mouth. At the same time, something that felt like an electric shock - something that was pervasive and that coursed through my entire being, something that went through my entire soul - hit me. It did not feel bad at all, no, not at all. 'Numb' didn't even come close to describing my mind's state when that - thing - hit. Time meant nothing to me; I only knew that eventually, when I opened my eyes again, I was still in Treize's arms. He was holding me, smiling, softly touching my cheek.

"Such a pretty little saint you are, Sally Po. You have such a sweet soul," he purred. "Like a fine plum wine." His voice was pleasing, hypnotic, powerful. I watched him, unable to draw my gaze away.



He closed his eyes and drew me close, kissing me deeply this time. Whatever that feeling was now flooded my system, completely taking me over, drawing me farther and farther into a world of sensation where I had little sense of self and no control whatsoever. It defied description except to say that it was far more widespread than an orgasm, just on the edge of pain without crossing over, somewhere inside of me.



Eventually, my senses returned. I felt tired, drained, warm; how people described they felt after having sex. It was hard to stay awake, and I hadn't even opened my eyes. I heard Treize - somehow, he knew I was awake. He sounded amused.

" … and I'm not even actually kissing you … "

I wanted to respond, but I couldn't even rouse myself enough to open my eyes, let alone say anything in words. "Mmmmph…."

He chuckled. "Saa … I won't drain you. Don't worry, Sally. Tasting won't hurt you - much." It sounded like the last word was a joke, or something. I wasn't sure. It didn't matter, anyway; I would just ask Trowa about this later. If I remembered.

When I finally was able to open my eyes, it was to see Treize looking down at me with a warm, soft, fond look. I smiled up at him, feeling pretty vague. He brushed my hair back from my face and caressed my cheek, petting me again.

Treize looked thoughtful. "Sally …"

"…yes…?" It took me a while, but I finally was able to respond. Ooooh, but his petting did feel good.

"Sally, do you love me?"

I looked at him. "Ah … yes. I think so…" There was no analysis, no thought to that - it just popped out of my mouth, totally unexpected. I kept smiling at

him and leaned into the hand that was petting me. Mmmmmm.

Treize looked mildly surprised. "Do you really? How wonderful." His fingers continued to caress my lips and my cheek, but now they traced a path down my neck, stopping at my collarbone. "And what would you do for me, Sally?"

I gave him a fuzzy smile, not understanding what he was asking at all. "Hmm?"

"Would you do something I asked, Sally? For me?"

"What do you want, Treize?" I asked, bemused, blinking up at him.

He leaned over me and kissed me again, not quite pushing in with his tongue so I stayed cognizant. I melted immediately, closing my eyes, feeling everything respond to his touch.

"I want you, Sally Po," Treize said, his voice soft and low, his lips still against mine as he pulled slightly away.

"Hmm?" I blinked and looked at him, unsure I heard him correctly. "You … want - me?"

He nuzzled my cheek, looking very pleased. "Give me … yourself," he murmured softly. "I promise you, Sally, I would never hurt you. I will take care of you. Give you what you need. Let me love you."

Treize was feathering small, gentle kisses along my jaw and over my lips. My mind wasn't working well at all, but it did register one thing. Because Treize was asking me for something, that meant that whatever it was he was talking about, he couldn't just TAKE it from me - he needed me to GIVE it to him.

Unfortunately, that was as far as my reasoning skills could take me at that moment. Treize's attentions, along with my body's reactions, combined to produce reactions in my mind that were sluggish and slow. I felt as if I was thinking though cotton.

"I … I don't … I …"

Lines of exquisite fire followed his fingers as Treize drew his fingertips across my collarbone and down my body, lightly brushing my left nipple before resting his hand on my thigh.

"Don't what, Sally?" he asked, his voice low.

I gasped and started, moving in his arms. Gods, it had been so long since anyone had touched me in that way.



Almost immediately, he turned and kissed me again, deeply, with considerably more vigor. It was as if an explosion burst behind my eyes; every pleasure neuron in my body firing simultaneously, every part of my soul invaded in some way with that same electric pulsing current, reaching into places and memories I thought best forgotten.

When I came to, I found my position had shifted slightly; I was no longer on Treize's lap, with my back on his chest. Now my back was on the chair/love seat, and Treize was laying next to me and on me, just not completely on me. I was lying against his shoulder. After a quick look around, I closed my eyes again, unwilling to show I was awake.

He was brushing my hair back from my face again. That felt good. I couldn't help but arch into that caress, and I opened my eyes and looked at him.



I nearly gasped aloud; I couldn't, though, because I was too tired, too bemused. His eyes weren't blue; they were that bronze color, the same as his wings. It wasn't unattractive, it was simply ….powerful. Gods.

"Do you love me, Sally?" His voice was soft, but his manner commanding. I couldn't look away from his eyes, and I had to answer. It was impossible not to obey him. The leashed power he held was incredible.

"I … I … love everyone. I love you … I love Wufei …"

Treize smiled. "That's what I suspected, Sally." He leaned down and brushed my lips with his own. "And would you - love me more - if I asked you to?"

I gasped, blinking. "Love you … more? How? You mean … as .. a lover? Or … how?"

"Simply … more, Sally. I love YOU more." His voice dropped in pitch, and he said, very softly, "I wonder what would happen if you did."

Puzzled, I wrinkled my nose at him, not understanding. "More? You love me more than … than … what …." I trailed off, watching, baffled.

"Many others, Sally Po. You are special to me." And - he ALMOST sounded as if he was teasing, but not quite. I was left wondering if he was teasing. I didn't know.

"Ah, but Treize … I don't know how to love more." Seeing his eyes had touched something inside me, something that inspired a small dollop of fear. I knew, somehow, that I wasn't supposed to be seeing his eyes, just as I knew I wasn't supposed to be seeing his wings as clearly as I could. Thank the gods above he didn't know how much I could see, though.

"Answer a question for me, Sally," Treize murmured, disregarding my earlier statement, nuzzling my cheek again and running his fingers over my aura, letting them dance lightly around my skin. "How long have you been able to see?"

A cold stab of fear thrust itself into my heart. "I … I have always been able to see …" I explained, feeling the more I told the truth, the less there would be to remember. And thank God, that was true.



"Never mind, Sally," Treize said, kissing my forehead and then my lips. "It's time for you to wake up. We'll talk about this later."

My eyes were closed and I was rocking back and forth; it wasn't until I fought my way into consciousness that I realized I was moving, but not under my own power. I was being carried. It wasn't Treize, I could feel that immediately. Whoever it was had a warm, pleasant smell, one like sandalwood, and a comfortable chest and shoulder. I heard the sounds of the helicopter in the background.

"Wufei?" I murmured, not opening my eyes. I was sure it was Wufei. "Wufei, it's you, isn't it?"

"Hai." His stride was sure and even, and he didn't say anything else for a few moments. The harsher sounds of machinery were dying away.

"Mmmmm…" Rousing myself was proving to be more difficult than ever - I couldn't force my eyelids open.

"So you're actually awake now?" And the way Wufei said that sounded as if I was trying to fool him before.

Nodding, keeping my eyes closed, I muttered, "I'm … I'm trying …"

Wufei snorted. "Finally." Boy, did HE sound put out.

"…Wufei … it's hard … so hard to wake up …"

He snorted again. "Obviously. You don't normally talk in your sleep."

My eyes slits, I squinted at him. "…talking? What did I say?"

Even in the poor light, I could see Wufei was horribly embarrassed. He was blushing, not looking at me, and had the look of someone who wanted to crawl into a hole and die.

That spurred me enough to push through the fog surrounding my brain. I blinked several times, looking at him. "Wufei? Wufei, you have to tell me. What happened? What did I say?"

"You .. didn't SAY …" Eyes straight ahead, chin square, his whole demeanor stoic, he said, "You were … moaning …"

Oh gods. I just stared at him as everything inside me cringed. "I .. I … eh. Oh. I … I'm sorry, Wufei." Nothing worse than having the person you're responsible for watch you have a sexual dream as he's carrying you into the house.

A dream. It WAS a dream. It felt like a dream.



Changing the subject, quickly. "Where are you taking me?"

"To your room - unless you don't want to go there."

"No, no," I said quickly, "that's fine." Part of my mind was still on the 'sexual dream' thing; that was a dream, wasn't it? But … if Wufei is carrying me, then where's –

"Where's Treize, Wufei?"

"In his office. The puppies arrived while you were gone."

"Oh," I replied weakly. Great.

"Are you all right?" He pounced, concerned, with every little nuance of speech. I needed to remember that. He also looked a little less flushed. That, however, was good.

"I think so." I gave him a wan smile. "Since you'll be working with them closely, you'll have to tell me how the dog's eyes change color sometime."

"What?" he asked, giving me a puzzled look as he carried me into my bedroom.

"Well, you know," I started, "they change color. I mean, during the day, they look like regular dog's eyes, dark brown, but at night, they … turn … yellow …"

I trailed off, looking at his expression. He had just put me on my bed, and was busily taking off my shoes and socks, giving me a very perplexed look.

Sometimes, it only takes one slip to realize the enormity of your situation.



"You … you never saw that, did you …" I whispered, feeling cold and alone.

"You ARE still asleep, aren't you?" Wufei asked.

"I - didn't think so - but I guess I simply imagined it." I smiled and shrugged at him, figuring there was no one to talk to about this at all.

~~Nonsense. You are much too dramatic, Sally Po. You did not imagine the change with the dogs.~~



It was disconcerting to have a conversation with someone in your head while having a conversation with someone standing directly in front of you. Wufei peered at me, frowning.

"Do you need some sleeping medicine, or something?"

"Wha - what?" I looked at him, startled. He was standing right in front of me, but frankly, when Trowa popped into my head, I didn't see Wufei standing there at all.

"You're only half coherent." he accused, putting his hand on my forehead. "You don't feel overwarm, but-"

"I only feel half coherent," I admitted, drooping. "It could just be shock from the accident. Maybe - maybe I should just crawl under the covers and go to sleep again."

"That would be acceptable. But I assume no doctor." His black, disapproving glare lanced out at me. Wufei really was in a mood tonight.

"Well … no. I was at the hospital this evening, right after the accident. I'll be fine, really, I will."

He stood in front of me and crossed his arms, his jaw set, not moving. I finally realized he wasn't going anywhere until he saw me get into bed.

"Um … Wufei … I think I'll change and shower, and then go to bed."

"Fine. I'll wait here. Do you want me to help you to the bathroom?"

I stared at him. "No, I can do that myself." I grabbed some clothes from the drawers and padded into the bathroom, hoping he wasn't going to offer to come in and help me.

Trowa caught me as I pulled my shirt over my head. I jumped rather badly.

Sally - if you wish to discuss what happened to you tonight, we can do that after Wufei leaves.

~~Fine, Trowa. Fine. Just let me get dressed, please.~~



I thanked all the gods I knew that he didn't speak to me while I was washing my hair. I probably would have fallen in the shower, and then Wufei would have barged in, and wouldn't THAT have been a mess.

Finally, I was in bed with the lights out. Wufei was satisfied I wasn't going anywhere and that I was resting, and he left. Now, it was just Trowa and me, and … well. You certainly couldn't see Trowa in the room.

My life couldn't possibly get any weirder than it already was.

~~Okay, Trowa. First. Those dogs. They ARE hounds from hell, aren't they?~~

~~Not specifically, no. They are half breeds. Treize created this strain himself. He does love them, as one loves something one creates with much time and effort. And, of course, he loves anything alive.~~

~~Um … Trowa. He said he loved ME.~~

~~Of course he did. He loves humans. He REALLY loves humans who are unusual, especially when they can resist him or are unique. He has loved saints in the past. If not for Wufei's presence, you would be his focus. He would already have had you.~~



That was delivered in a dry, day-to-day factual tone, just as "keep your magnolias in the sun for best blossom production" would have been.

Okay. Moving on. ~~He did something tonight, Trowa. I'm not sure what it was - ~~

~~He tasted you.~~

Wow. Like a candy bar? ~~Tasted me? You'll have to explain. We were … somewhere familiar. I know I had been there before, but I can't place when.~~

Yes. You have been there before, but he did not touch your soul before.

It wasn't completely dark in my room; I could see vague outlines and shapes of furniture, especially against the windows open to the sea. I kept my eyes open for some time. Trowa. How - how do you touch someone's soul?



The equivalent of a shrug shimmered through my mind. ~~I could show you, but I will not. It is done - for those not human - in the same way you touch another person. You simply … do it. However, Treize was tasting, which is more involved than touching. You do not have words to describe exactly what he was doing, but I will try. He was - tasting. Some draining of your essence. Bathing himself in your mind.~~ That mental shrug again. ~~Your concepts are too limited.~~

Shocked would be too mild a word for what I felt. ~~He was … what? Why?~~

~~Because he wanted to, and because he could. He enjoys humans.~~

I couldn't even process that at the moment. ~~Trowa … he kept asking me something, then saying he wouldn't hurt me. Could he have hurt me? Badly?~~

~~Yes, he could have hurt you - he could have hurt you at any time. He could have stripped away pieces of you until your essence was left raw and damaged. But as I said before, he is fascinated with humans. He does not hate them. He will not harm you unnecessarily. In fact, he was extremely careful with you.~~

Other things came back to me. ~~Trowa. He was asking me for something, something that needed my permission. If I had given it to him - what would he have done?~~

~~He would have enveloped you himself, and you would have shared essence. When he released you, you would not have been the same. Your essence would be tainted with his, although the reverse is not true.~~

I nearly sat up in bed, I was so shocked. ~~Is that what he's going to do to Wufei?~~

~~Not exactly. Wufei's soul is not quite human, so the method must and will be different, as will the result. It will take a much longer time because he must win his mind. Tainting him is not possible. However, if he did not have Wufei to look forward to, he probably would have pushed until he had you this evening, or the first time you entered his mind. You simply do not have the same kind of appeal as a child of the Dragon.~~

~~And … if I said no …?~~

Trowa's tone was dry. ~~A challenge.~~

Gods. I knew what THAT meant. ~~Oh. I see. He - he asked me how long I had been able to see … he meant auras, didn't he …~~

I felt Trowa's entire demeanor stiffen. That was saying something when you couldn't even SEE the person. ~~Yes. He knew you had been awakened. Did you tell him?~~

~~I told him - I told him I had always been able to see …~~

~~Good answer.~~ Trowa relaxed. ~~ Your innocence has prevented disaster. He was merely curious. Not questing.~~



~~I was frightened, Trowa. I knew - knew what he was asking. His eyes were different. ~~

And it happened AGAIN - I felt Trowa's demeanor change, like a wave washing through me. Startlement, surprise, astonishment - all channeled through me in an instant.

~~You could see his EYES?~~

~~Yes, they weren't blue, they were that bronze color, and they were frightening. He was centimeters away from my face, and I couldn't move at all -~~

~~You saw his EYES?~~

~~- and that's when he asked me how long I had been able to see -~~

~~You. Could see. His eyes.~~

Now he was annoying. ~~Yes. I said that. Several times. What's wrong?~~

You should not have been able to see his eyes. ~~I did not give you that power. This has accelerated past what I understand.~~

I really didn't want to explore that idea. I was exhausted; mentally, physically, and emotionally. ~~Trowa … I'm tired. I need to sleep on all of this. It's … so much.~~

~~You need sleep. What he did to you is a very exhausting thing. At least you are guaranteed to sleep very well. Do you recall Wufei's condition the night the dragon was almost awakened? You will feel similar tomorrow. Do not be startled.~~

I was drifting off already, dozing. ~~Oh. Okay. Goodnight, Trowa.~~

~~Sleep, Sally. You will need it.~~