Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of its characters, neither do I own any of the trademarked, copyrighted or registered products mentioned. This was written purely for entertainment purposes and I receive no profits whatsoever.
Hey all sorry for the lateness. Well lateness according to my own standards, I've been working a lot this week I need to make enough money to fix up my car and make the first years payment on the insurance. I also have been getting school work done, and I'm still contemplating my thesis statement. One chosen topic is the effect of the Renaissance on the modern world. Another is the exclusion of people throughout the ages. I have some more, but those two happen to be the ones I'm most interested in. Currently I'm working 5 days a week however I did request to always have 2 days off, I need to keep up writing, if I don't I'll feel like something is missing.
Thanks to: Ley, Jem Star, Sorrow, Foole, Magnum, Rei2, RedLion2 Silver Magiccraft, Midnight, the black Rose, Cat, Wing.
RedLion2 I'll try to make it less jumbled with who's who, I've made the indent larger however I'm not wholly comfortable with creating a space between each section, but this chapter will have it and tell me if that makes it any easier.
I only ask for you to leave a review to let me know what you think because input is very important as far as how I can better my writing. If you choose to only read and not review that's okay too but I would really like to know what you think, hey it's an opportunity to let people know what you think for free. =)
Fade To BlackChapter 10: The Scent of Rain
By C.A.T
Penname: Rekluma
"Hmm." He murmured as he stared at the screen, his green eyes flashing, "I know that's you, why are here, and what is your mission?" he asked the monitor. Trowa Barton was looking over the surveillance film from the shuttle port. Although the shuttle port was crowded, he recognized a mercenary anywhere. More than anything he knew that stare, because it was the same gaze that stared back at him in the mirror every morning. Trowa would have over-looked the stare, had they not been searching for who killed or rather assassinated a political figure recently. It was a purely professional kill, no clues and definitely no witnesses. Senior delegate Richford had been killed in his home late Wednesday night, a week had barely passed and yet Trowa felt that he was behind. Sighing he leaned far back in his chair and read the case file once again; Delegate Richard, age 52 was gunned down in his house late Wednesday evening. His hand had been completely blown off from the wrist, and his kneecap had been shattered, most likely from someone bending it backwards. The killing looked entirely emotional; the victim was made to suffer, but Trowa knew better although there was plenty of blood; it was just too clean to be emotional. And that mercenary showing up two days before his death, it was much too coincidental. Trowa clicked on the mouse pad and zeroed in on the face, he nearly choked on his own saliva, he knew that mercenary.
Noin was on the deck of her apartment; she had stretched out on a plastic lawn chair and was caught up in the world of fiction with the sweet melody of Bach tickling her ears. In the book the heroine was just about to come face to face with the serial kill; and so when a hand tapped her on the shoulder Noin shrieked.
"Sorry, didn't mean to frighten you Noin." A familiar male voice answered.
Noin looked even further down as she blushed, breathing in deeply and hoping to regain any dignity she had left she turned her inky eyes to meet with a sapphire blue; "It's okay Milliardo, I was just a little startled."
He cleared his throat and offered her a small smile, "I came to thank you for letting me stay here for a while, Lu. I know I don't say thank you much or please but thanks."
Noin turned her head away from Milliardo and focused her sight on the skyscraper across the way, as she breathed in slowly, "Smells like rain," she said leisurely "and it seems like one hell of a storm for that matter."
Milliardo was slightly taken aback by her response, it wasn't even a 'your welcome' or any phrase such as that, but about rain. Didn't she care that he was opening up just a little, just for her. "Excuse me," he asked slightly puzzled, "exactly what is that supposed to mean Noin?"
Noin began to gather her things into a bundle as she returned her sunglasses to her eyes she turned to him, "It means I should go inside before I get caught in the rain." She answered her voice soft, however lacking any type of describable emotion.
Noin walked past Milliardo her shoulder gently grazing his chest as she entered through the glass sliding doors. As she entered her apartment, Hilde glanced up at her as Noin walked into her room and gently closed the door. Hilde frowned and placed a hand on Duo's shoulder,
"I'll be right back Duo." She said before getting up and walking to Noins' room, Duo's eyes following her as she walked away.
Hilde entered the room just in time to dodge a balled up bundle of clothes, Noin seemed to be cleaning out her closet; only the bundle oddly resembled the uniform she wore while in OZ.
"Noin?" Hilde asked cautiously, walking slowly towards the older woman, "What's the matter Noin?"
Noin sat on the bed, more like slumped as she resembled a woman defeated, "I can't take it anymore Hilde, I've known the man all my life but he continually sees fit to toy with my emotions. Maybe he does it accidentally, but he should be able to read me by now; he should…" Noin paused as she shook her head and released an exasperated sigh, "No, I'm not going to do this anymore. I'm not going to ask why anymore, torture myself anymore, if it was meant to be it would have happened by now. So many opportunities I passed up for him, so many sacrifices. I'm 29 years old, I can't wait another 10 years to have him open up to me just a little bit, I want a family, I want children, and I want a man who will love me no matter what. I envy Duo and you, you're both so very happy together and you fit like a jigsaw puzzle." She finished, her sunglasses long thrown aside and her inky eyes watery and looking towards Hilde.
Hilde smiled sadly, she knew this was hard for Noin; she was giving up who she felt was her one and only, "Look Noin, I'm not going to say that your endeavor was stupid to love a man, who doesn't seem to love. But I know this is hard for you, you're giving up something that means so much to you. But maybe it is for the best, find a man who will hold onto you tight and would go through hell and high-water to make sure that you were happy. And Duo and I may fit together like a jigsaw puzzle, but remember you have to put that puzzle together and that takes time. But it shouldn't take half of your life to complete." Hilde sat on the bed next to Noin and draped an arm over her shoulders.
The Noin took the invitation as she leaned her head onto Hilde's shoulder and cried, just as the clouds released their own tears.
Relena had retreated within her sanctuary, her room. Photo albums were strewn across the floor, each one open and full of pictures. Relena herself was seated on the floor surrounded by them a small sad smile tugging at her face.
"Yes this one; this was just before they left for college." She said to herself, her voice low and her eyes filled with unshed tears. Her small, smooth hand gracefully touched the photo and her smile grew wider, "I should…I should tell them before they hear it on the news. I should…" she paused as her eyes traveled to the picture frame on her nightstand.
In it rested a photograph of her adopted family, they were all happy and smiling; of course Relena was much younger. If she remembered correctly she was 13 in that photo. Standing she wobbled over on unsteady legs and picked up the frame.
"I should go in for questioning, that's what my father would want me to do." She said sternly.
Turning she went to change her clothes, walking past her phone where the red light bleeped, begging her to check her messages.
Une sighed as the Crime scene unit looked over the security video, she knew what they would find; rather she knew who they would find. And it didn't make her feel any better. Her stomach was twisting into knots as she held her breath and sure enough who else should appear on screen but the one and only Relena Darlain. Une clinched her teeth as her subordinates stumbled over, the face, they didn't know who it was. Of course it was Relena; however she was much paler and thinner than the last time anyone besides friends or family had seen her. And her hair was hidden under a large hat, which obstructed the camera's view to get a complete look at her face. Une was slowly shaking her head in disbelief, although she knew it was Relena; there was no way in hell anybody else would. Her face wasn't visible. Although Une couldn't see her face; she knew that she could get Relena brought in as a witness; if she couldn't arrest her she'd detain her. Turning on her heel she walked out of the room her hands tightly clasped behind her back and the handcuffs at her hip jingling. When suddenly she stopped and stared in shock; there was Relena standing at the front desk. Shaking herself out of her stupor, Une briskly walked over to Relena.
"What are you doing here?" She asked confused.
"I came in to answer any questions you may have, Janice was my friend and confidant. And if I have information that will help capture her murderer, than let me help." Relena answered her voice crisp and professional with a small polite smile gracing her features.
Taking her arm gently, Une ushered her into an interrogation room, waving over Monroe the other investigator on the case to help. Relena seated herself in the lone metal chair, which was cool to the touch and caused shivers to run up and down her spine. She rubbed her hands against her arms to soothe the goosebumps that had made their temporary home. Relena stared down at the cold hard metal table, her hands folded together; she only happened to look up when the door closed and Une and another man took their place on the opposite side of the table. Une coolly slid the digital recorder forward on the table and pressed record.
"State your full name for the record please," ordered Une her eyes devoid of any emotion.
"My name is Relena Peacecraft-Darlain." Relena answered and began to tell the cold machine the events of the previous day.
At five o'clock on the dot just as it was time for dinner, Duo watched as Noin and Hilde made a hasty exit, explaining that they were going to have a night out; a girls night out. It appeared to Duo that Hilde was dragging the older woman along. He had shrugged and picked up the phone to order himself a large pizza and one for Milliardo.
Noin sidled out of Hilde's grasp and stood there, the rain attacking her green slicker, "Really Hilde, I would just like to go back inside and sleep. I don't want to go out now it's much too soon for me." She finished looking down towards the ground and counting the cracks in the sidewalk.
Hilde looked up towards the clouds in the sky, she released a slow breath as the rain planted kisses on her cheeks, she then turned towards Noin; "Too soon to get some coffee, and food in our bellies? Honestly Noin; I wasn't going to try and hook you up with some man only hours after you decided to give up another. The human heart is too fragile for that, it's much too vulnerable to be put through the wringer and then worn the next day. It takes time to heal, but for now what's the harm in going out, having some fun and maybe making new friend's along the way?" She asked looking at Noin sincerely, her features seemed childish with the rain water sliding down her face and dripping onto the ground.
Slowly Noin gave Hilde a weak smile, "I suppose you're right," she paused as she stepped forward and pulled the hood back onto Hilde's head, and "What's the harm?" She asked as her weak smile seemed to fall just short of her eyes.
The man with the alias 'Morgan' strode purposefully into the Darlain mansion, only to find the home bare. However with a little more searching he happened upon the widow Darlain, she was seated in the foyer the grey light of the rain gracefully touching her skin and hair, which was undone. Her own brunette locks of hair ended well below the waist.
"Who are you?" She asked lazily, without turning around.
Morgan spotted the open liquor flagon on the desk and shook his head, "Drinking before dark is such a bad habit, Mrs. Darlain." He admonished, as he replaced the crystal top to the bottle.
She threw her head back and laughed, only now could Morgan see the few stripes of grey which clung to the ever faithful chocolate strands of hair. "I've met plenty of bodyguards in my time, but none ever share the same gaze as you. Your eyes are vacant; actually they remind me of doll's eyes; dead to the world." She paused as she raised her glass to her lips and stood. The widow Darlain walked towards him, and stopped just leaving a couple of inches of space between them.
"So Morgan, are you just one big doll? Or is there something in there?" she emphasized 'there' by placing her hand in the middle of his chest, "like a heart? Ba-bump-ba-bump?" she asked as she tapped her hand twice against his chest.
Morgan stared down at the older woman, slightly taken aback by her actions. Whenever in public the widow Darlain seemed reserved and quiet, but now she seemed like an entirely different woman. Shaking his head he slid the cloth from his pocket and into his hand.
"That's quite interesting," he replied as with the other hand he took the glass from her grasp and placed it onto the tables' edge, he quickly pulled the cloth from his pocket and secured it tightly over her lips and nose.
The widow Darlain put up a very violent struggle; however the chemical soon began to take effect. Her body slumped into his arms, her hand dropping on the table so the russet liquid and the glass tumbled towards the beige floor.
"And the answer to your question is no." He said to the now unconscious form in his arms.
Two hours, two hours she had spent in this small 8 by 10 room, answering the same questions over and over. She was now so tired that her head rested atop her arms, and her eyes stared lazily at the digital recorder.
"I would like to leave now, if you ask me any more questions I'll be much too tired to answer them." Relena said politely as she slowly stood.
Une stood with her and eyed her suspiciously, "If you can, then we would like to see you tomorrow Ms. Darlain."
Relena inwardly flinched, she knew that stare and tone; it meant that she was a suspect. She nodded her head slowly, sidestepping the metal table Relena left the room.
"I want a tail on her, record who she talks to and where she goes." Une told Monroe as soon as Relena was out of the room, her subordinate nodded and left.
"I know that you had something to do with this, Relena." Une quietly said to herself, with her arms crossed and a hard look on her face.
The rain hit Relena like a ton of bricks, she had no idea it would rain today. Her mind was elsewhere instead of on herself, shaking her head she picked up her cell phone and was about to call for a taxi. However the phone alerted her that she had a message on her private line, sighing she checked her voice mailbox and was surprised when she heard Quatre's voice. Not only was she surprised but she felt the guilt weigh heavily on her shoulders for not telling him anything and being the one responsible for the pain evident in his voice. And in that moment Relena felt her resolve splitting and her heart opening up.
"Quatre." She murmured, shaking herself from her stupor, Relena decided against the taxi and headed towards the crowded sidewalk becoming lost amongst the throng of people.
Relena had hoped the rain would give her time to think, she didn't even notice that she had stopped until a child bumped into her; startling her out of her thoughts. She had no idea where she was, but headed into the building anyway at least to shelter herself from the rain. She could already feel the heat of the oncoming sickness flaring up in her bosom and spreading towards her head. She only noticed that it was a hotel when she spotted the desk clerk and the filled lobby; she shook her head with a small sad smile.
"I knew where I was going all along." She muttered to herself as she headed over to the elevator, pressing her finger lightly against the up button.
Once again she became lost in her thoughts the option of flight dancing in her legs, the ding of the elevator shook her yet again as she boarded the platform. Pressing the button for the top floor, Relena waited; the feeling of weightlessness filled her head and she began to sway. She pressed her hand to her head as if the gesture would bring the world back into focus, sighing she continued to wait. Finally when the elevator doors opened, she took baby steps to reach the end of the hallway; to the large forest green door. Raising her hand almost took all the energy she had; slowly she pressed the doorbell and waited for the door to open. There wasn't an answer immediately or even after a couple of minutes of waiting. Relena's eyes began to fill with tears; she could feel her head beginning to burn and if she passed out now, before she could tell him; she may never tell him. And she Relena Darlain was not going to let that happen. She had to talk with him, just as her eyelids began to drop and her world began to fade to black; Quatre opened the door.
"Quatre." She murmured weakly before she fell into his arms.
TBC
As always C&C is welcomed. Please give me criticism, I need it. And I know this chapter was a bit longer but I just got in the groove and I couldn't stop writing it. =)