Memento (Part Twenty-One)
It takes him about seven and a half minutes to walk to Quatre's room. While half of the time is spent rehashing their suspect's last words, the other half is spent wondering how Quatre was doing. His mind was filled with thoughts and speculations that it became hard to hear anyone calling. All other noises became a blur, a background noise that meant nothing compared to his mind's current preoccupation.
"Trowa!"
Trowa walked briskly, determined on checking Quatre's condition. Ever since he exited the interrogation room, he'd had a strange, almost nauseating feeling of foreboding. It was as if he knew something was going to happen or was currently happening and whatever it was had to be something unpleasant.
"Hey, are you alright?"
Trowa stopped mid-step only then realizing that his attention was being requested. His stiffened shoulders refused to relax.
"I'm not sure," he said knowing that Heero's hand on his shoulder would not let go unless he knew for sure that everything was fine. The only problem was that he didn't know when that time would come. "I just have a bad feeling," he elaborated.
"Then we should hurry," Heero responded, mercifully letting go of him. It didn't mean, however, that he was left alone. Like a dog to his master, Heero followed him. It was just as well. Trowa welcomed the presence of his most trusted friends. He had no doubt that Duo and Wufei were following close behind.
Trowa made it to Quatre's room within the next few steps, intent on discounting the strange feeling bothering him. When he opened the door, he found the bed empty. It had been abandoned with the sheets in disarray.
"Looks like you were right," Duo voiced just before Trowa left the room in haste. An alternate destination was already in mind. Where that was exactly, no one needed to know because he knew that they would follow.
Trowa walked as fast as he could to an area he was vaguely familiar with. A few minutes of walking resulted in a discovery of a place he'd yet to explore. Walking there was like walking blind because he did not know where to go or where to turn, but somehow, his intuition guided him to an unmarked door in the far corner of an inconspicuous hall. He entered expecting to find what he was looking for. It was unfortunate that he found something else instead.
"Get him out of there," Trowa commanded rather than requested. His suspicions had been right. When he found that Quatre was no longer in his room, his first response was to look for him outside the facilities but commonsense said otherwise. Quatre had been weak to begin with. After having been exhausted long enough, he couldn't even lift his body off his own chair.
"I said get him out of there," Trowa repeated with no intention of repeating himself a third time. He was more than infuriated to find Quatre at an unmarked room attached to not just any contraption. He was attached to the ZERO system.
"But we have orders to keep him on it unless his internal systems become erratic," was the reply he received. It was, unfortunately, not the answer he wanted.
"Get off that chair," he said, irritated as he pulled the frightened young man off his seat and shoved him away from the machines. "How do you turn this off?"
No answer came. The person on the next chair over remained silent as she stubbornly sat and ignored him. It was evident that she was obediently following orders, orders of which she probably did not know the reason for.
"Duo, please get her off that thing," Trowa said, having no patience to deal with them. He was going to disconnect Quatre from the system with or without their help.
Trowa looked at the adjacent room through the glass separating him from his target. They were located on the second level while Quatre's prone form was on what seemed to be the floor below. Trowa could not figure out how to access the room on the other side of the glass. His mind refused to work with him.
"Hold on," Wufei said just as he was about to configure the machine in front of him. "One wrong move and you'll be giving up his mind to the system."
In the meantime, Duo was busy shoving both strangers out the door before locking it. They would surely report the incident to their superior, whoever that was, but there was no way they were leaving until Quatre was safe and out of there.
"I've never seen this before," Heero said after having examined the many controls attached to the fairly large processing unit. If there was anyone who was familiar with the system, then it was him. He'd been the person to utilize the system for the longest period of time.
"Anyone else have a clue?" Duo asked, making it obvious that he too did not know how to operate it. "I don't like how those vital signs are looking."
Moving his attention away from the apparatus, Trowa looked up to where Duo was pointing to find a heart monitor, a blood pressure monitor, and a brain wave monitor. The waves were moving so unsteadily that it was probably not a good sign.
"Unless his internal systems are erratic," Trowa echoed what the young man had said earlier. "I don't know what they consider erratic." He stood up trying to control himself from smashing the equipment or any random wall. He did not know what effect it would have on the system after all.
"Whatever that guy meant, this is probably it," Duo said.
The monitors started emitting beeping sounds, causing all four of them to stare in alarm at the brain waves that were dying down together with the increase of Quatre's blood pressure and heart rate. None of them were doctors but it was easy to guess what was happening.
"This is not good," Wufei said, claiming the seat that the woman had vacated. "If his brain waves get any weaker, he'll be giving up his mind to the system. We have to act now."
Unable to come up with a solution, Trowa paced the room, every once in a while looking down at Quatre's body being supported only by restraints and a visual helmet that kept his head up. If the ZERO system had been a physical entity then he might have already beat it to the ground.
"There's no other choice then," Heero said suddenly.
Surprised but unable to react, Trowa watched as Heero lifted a chair and smashed the glass separating them from Quatre. In a move that many had claimed him crazy for, Heero jumped down to the lower level, broken glass and all, and grabbed the extra helmet that lay next to the empty seat next to Quatre. Strapping himself in, he gave Trowa a nod before putting the head device on.
"We're going to have to get him out of this manually," he said as his hands began to move swiftly over the keypad just within his hand's reach. His knowledge of the system's use was undeniable, but there was still a question of whether his intervention would be enough.
The three remaining could do nothing but stare. The ZERO system was and always would be something they would not dare operate. After their various experiences with it, fear usually overcame any desires to use it. Fortunately, Heero was not only crazy; he was also quite capable. He'd fought under its influence before so he had their full support. Still, if there was anyone who could handle the ZERO system in its purest form, then it was Quatre. The only problem was that Quatre was currently not in the state to deal with it.
"That's Heero for you, crazy as they come," Duo muttered, having no other means of helping.
It was different to be the one watching. Feeling useless was inevitable. Trowa was no exception. If anything, he felt the deepest regret for not having any power to help. Guilt had been eating at him lately, making him realize the amounts of mental torment Quatre must have underwent with his constant feelings of remorse.
"His brain is shielded against intruders," Heero hissed which woke Trowa up from his musings.
"What do you mean?" Trowa questioned. No good news seemed to be coming lately.
"It's protecting him against the system for the time being, but it's also stopping me from getting him out."
"Is there any way to communicate with him through the system?" Wufei inquired. He placed a hand on his chin, seeming to be in the process of formulating a solution.
"I'm not sure. His signal is weak, but his defenses are strong. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get through. Do you have any specific instructions?"
"Divert the system's attention elsewhere and try to draw him out using a memory. Any memory would be fine as long as it's something he recognizes. That's how he'll figure out you're not an enemy."
"Affirmative," Heero responded. Wufei nodded in response although the action could not be seen.
Heero did not speak for the next ten minutes as the rest of them watched with anticipation. When his hand movements over the keyboard stopped, Trowa unconsciously crossed his fingers.
"I can't get the system to back down," Heero said. Frustration was evident in his voice despite his calm control over the keys. "I'm not used to this kind of operation," he admitted.
"That's because you don't use your brain Heero," Duo said, also quite bothered by the fact that they couldn't get Quatre out. "All you ever do is force your way into everything."
"Same to you, idiot," Heero responded. His hands continued to move over the keys to make another attempt.
What seemed to be an argument, Trowa recognized as support. It might have been a strange way of communicating, but it always seemed to work. He hoped it would be enough this time.
Time stretched further before Heero stopped his movements and took out his head gear.
"I'm sorry Trowa," was all he said.
"You were locked out by the system and by Quatre as well," Wufei concluded with his eyes fixated on Quatre's vital signs. Trowa noticed that it was elevated but stable, a little better than complete disaster at least.
"What now?" Duo asked, staying as far away from the equipment as possible. If they didn't know how to work it then the next best alternative was not to break it.
Silence reigned for quite some time as they each contemplated several ways to solve their current dilemma. It was only a matter of time when the system would be successful in overpowering a quickly weakening Quatre.
Just when they began to lose all hope, the doors behind them were forcefully opened. Trowa, worried and furious beyond belief, stood up ready to take down anyone who would dare interrupt.
"Step aside boys."
However, he was surprised and confused as he came face to face with a familiar blonde, one who he hadn't seen in years. Her features hadn't changed one bit and her posture still radiated sophistication.
"Dorothy?" he said, noticing that Relena and Une were right behind her.
"There's no time for discussion. Heero Yuy, get off that thing," she instructed, jumping down the high distance. Heero was there to catch her just in time. "Watch and see how the big boys do it," she said, before promptly linking herself to the system.
Heero shrugged, looking up at the group that was starting to gather.
"What is the meaning of this?" Trowa said, ignoring Dorothy for the time being and focusing on the newcomers. He was sure that Dorothy had everything under control. She was more experienced with the type of approach than any of them standing around.
"She was the only one I could think to call. Relena was with her. I brought her along," Une answered while Relena rushed to get a view of what was going on in the level below. Heero was positioned to catch her if she ever lost her footing.
"Is that Quatre?" Relena asked, nearly horrified at what she saw. It was assumed that she still new nothing about the case. Despite being their correspondent with the media, she had no other news than what she usually read about in the newspapers.
"Yes," Trowa answered. He still believed that the person down there was the same Quatre whether the investigation said so or not. "Now tell me what I'd like to know."
Une remained silent and it was only Duo and Wufei's combined powers of staring that forced her to speak. Trowa crossed his arms while waiting to hear the explanation.
"There was no other way," she said.
"Try again."
"The ZERO was responsible for bringing back your memories when you had the same dilemma years ago."
"I was on it for less than ten minutes. How long has he been there?"
"Forty minutes."
"His mind has built up a defense against the system. That takes more than an hour to build. Try again."
"Eight hours."
Trowa punched the wall closest to him. Using the system in battle was nothing compared to being directly connected to it for long periods of time. The needles that Trowa only now noticed coming off the head gear looked grotesque as it pierced its victim's head. The patches of skin surrounding it were red and swollen. At least the manual override system which Dorothy was now using did not come with the same apparatus. Trowa imagined the worst but refused to alert his comrades to his observation. He himself couldn't stomach it already.
"Holy..." he heard Duo whisper as his friend watched Dorothy battle the system. "It won't be easy."
"This was not the best course of action," Trowa said, choosing to stare down at the floor where neither Quatre nor Une was in sight.
"I know that now," Une answered in her ever-calm voice. "I wanted nothing more than to help him regain what he'd lost."
"It doesn't matter if he forgets. What matters is that he's not suffering the way he is now."
Trowa looked back up at his superior with no other words to convey how he felt about the matter. His eyes would do the talking. They usually did when he refused to say anything.
"Trowa, I think she got him," Heero said from below, breaking his concentration.
Tearing his eyes away from Une, Trowa turned his attention to the scene below. Quatre was starting to shake, a world of difference from the immobile body he witnessed not too long ago. The monitors indicated that all his systems were stabilizing and that his brain waves were becoming more prominent. Satisfied with what he was seeing, Trowa jumped down to the lower level where he joined Heero.
"She doesn't know," he told Heero, tilting his head toward where Relena was standing. "I suspect that the press was not too pleasant with her these past months."
Heero nodded but could not stop from frowning.
"The needles," he whispered.
"I know. I'll be fine Heero. Go to her."
"You're not fine, not at all," Heero said, refusing to budge. Trowa could not evade the concern radiating off his friend.
"No. I'm not," he answered. The rest of his message was said despondently. "I would rather have stabbed myself several times over."
Unprepared for Heero's reaction, Trowa nearly stumbled backwards. In an eerie display that was almost too surreal, Heero, big stiff that he was, hugged him.
"You're not going to get anywhere with the way things are going," he whispered into Trowa's ear. The embrace was apparently a cover-up. "Get everyone into one room and I'll lock us all in. Don't return Quatre to his room. Take him with you wherever you go. Don't take your eyes off him. I have the key card to the evidence room that I'll be slipping into your pocket. Go there and stay as long as you want. I'll make sure that none of us get out unless you open the door from the outside."
"You mean..."
"Yes. There has got to be some kind of involvement from the inside. Like the lady said, Quatre was always much too heavily guarded to be that easily abducted. Find it Trowa. Find the answer for all of us."
"Where did you get the..."
"There's no time. He's almost out of it."
Pulling back from Heero, Trowa looked behind him to find that Quatre was indeed breathing heavily and that Dorothy was already taking out her head gear.
"Next time, a little warning beforehand would be appreciated," Dorothy said, raising herself from her seat. She looked at Trowa next, beckoning him towards the person sitting next to her. "It's your turn," she said.
Trowa nodded in thanks, finding no other words to convey how he felt. Dorothy seemed to understand as she smiled sincerely and moved aside, allowing him space. Trowa knelt down in front of Quatre, ready to take out the device attached to his head. Fumbling with the head gear, Trowa managed to push the release button and with that, the needles were withdrawn into the hood. When the device was removed completely, a frail, almost lifeless head fell forward right onto Trowa's awaiting shoulder.
"I'm sorry," was the hoarse whisper that accompanied Quatre's fall. That was all Trowa heard before Quatre lost all consciousness.
"I want everyone here and anyone involved in this case in a conference room immediately," he said, one hand caressing the back of Quatre's neck, his thumb moving in soothing circles. The other hand removed the restraints that held him to the chair. His burden was light but warm. He could hear the soft, almost distant sounds of even breathing and closed his eyes. He was thankful if only for that one miracle. Hoping that Quatre would recover was another matter.
"Everyone will tell me everything they know," he continued as if he hadn't already requested the same once before. "No more hiding," he said with an almost defeated tone in his voice. "Everyone gather there. I'm taking him to his room."
Having successfully detached Quatre from the chair, he carried the unconscious man in his arms and looked at Heero and then at his two friends who were one level up. Wufei nodded at him and Duo shooed him off. They seemed to understand. Heero might have already told them beforehand.
"We'll take care of things around here," Duo said, grabbing Wufei by the arm and attaching himself to the other much to Wufei's dismay. "Wu and I will do a little research of our own," he continued with a wink.
Trowa did nothing else to acknowledge that he'd heard and merely walked out. He was sure they'd understand.
He reached Quatre's designated room without incidence before following Heero's advice and taking him with him instead. Walking towards where he knew the evidence room to be, Trowa laid Quatre out on one of the couches conveniently located in the room. The makeshift cot would do for the time being.
Smoothing messy hair out of Quatre's face, Trowa laid a gentle kiss on his forehead. That was when he remembered the puncture wounds. Thankfully, the first aid kits could be found everywhere and he'd secured one within no time. He was intent on tending to Quatre before anything else.
With shaking hands, he applied antiseptic to the wounds on Quatre's head.
"S... stop being sorry," he stuttered, being overcome with emotion. "Whatever it is, I'll always forgive you." No other words came out of his mouth as he continued to clean the wounds.
Finishing up, Trowa dropped another kiss, this time to Quatre's bony hand, before he left him alone to rest. Quatre's case needed finality. After three years, he was sure that they were all more than exhausted. By then, he couldn't even figure out what kept him going.