The Ward

Disclaimer: I don't own anything CCS related, just the plot and my own characters. :phew: what a waste of words.

First off, thanks for the reviews everyone! They're so… gratifying:) And on that note… please continue leaving me those loving reviews ;) lol.

I'm trying to get this story over as quick as I can, mostly 'cause I've got other ideas I'd rather tend to XD I know, I know, bad Sunel – but I'm trying! I hope you guys enjoy, and if you have any ideas, I'd be happy to hear 'em out cause I'm starting to run short --

ALSO: Reluctant Dragon pointed out that the FBI really doesn't have any power in Japan, but I only called it the FBI cause I don't know what the equivalent would be called in Japan XD sorry!

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Chapter Twelve: Sweet Mother of All That is Good and Shiny o.o

Two weeks later…

Syaoran was sitting at his spot in front of the computer, almost religiously, as he had been for the past few days. He'd just found an in-depth look at the FBI facilities in Tomoeda, through a sketchy internet source. He gnawed at his nails absentmindedly, a habit he recently formed during his 'thinking mode.'

Meilin watched her cousin from across the room, lost in thought. This time, things REALLY seemed to be impossible. How could they ever hope to get through FBI security? Her thoughts automatically drifted to Kieren, the man she'd foolishly trusted. Her tears were now gone; after all he meant absolutely nothing to her. Yeah…right.

Niyara walked into the room and sat herself down next to Meilin. Syaoran had decided it would be best if she stayed with them, where she would remain out of trouble until they returned home. She leaned over to Meilin and whispered quietly, "hey, maybe we should go out for dinner tonight. It's been a while since we've all gone out together, and it's rather sad to see Syaoran glued to that screen like that."

"I don't know Niyara, Sakura is just about the most important thing to him… although I do see where you're coming from."

"I know she's important to him…" Niyara said, trying to conceal the sadness she still felt, "but it couldn't hurt him to leave that computer for an hour. It might even do him some good!"

"You know, I can hear you both just fine. And maybe you're right, it might do me some good – but if Sakura's still stuck in that place, it doesn't matter how great the idea is. She comes first," Syaoran said firmly.

The doorbell rang repeatedly a few times, interrupting the conversation, and Niyara got up to open it. A tall, unshaved, pajama-wearing Kieren stood at the door. His hair was in a large, tangled mess, and he didn't smell all too pleasant.

"What are you doing here, Kieren?" Niyara asked quietly. "If Meilin sees you here, she'll freak!"

"I need to talk to her," he said firmly.

"Niyara, who's at the door?" Meilin shouted from the computer room.

Kieren nudged past Niyara and followed her voice into the computer room, and stood in the doorway quietly. Meilin's eyes enlarged, and then grew shrewd and unforgiving.

"Get…out… right now. I told you – I never want to see you again."

"Listen to me, Meilin, just hear me out, please?" he pleaded with her, his eyes weary and dripping with sincerity.

She fumed for a bit, staring him straight in the eyes, as he stared back pleadingly. "Alright. Fine. Go out into the hall, you're stinking up the room," she said, wrinkling her nose delicately.

"Right, sorry. I haven't really moved from bed much in the last week… which also meant a lack of showers," he said, following her into the hall.

She didn't respond.

"Well… I really wanted to talk to you… about this, you know, this whole thing."

She continued to stare.

"I haven't been given any assignment… after Sakura… so I'm free from work for now. And… I'd like to help," he finished, holding his breath.

"You realize that so far you've ruined everything we worked so hard to get?"

"Yes."

"Then why should we trust you now? How do I know this isn't one of those 'glamarous' assignments from your boss, and all you want to do is throw our asses in jail?" Meilin asked, her eyes narrowing.

"Trust me Meilin… the things you said to me the other day – they led me to finally let go of what I've been holding onto for so long. You've made me realize that there are more important things in the world to be worried about other than getting fired. And more importantly… I've realized that I don't want to let you go," he said, staring into her eyes and waiting for a reaction. Hopefully it would be a good one, of course. "I'll do anything it takes to help you," he added.

Meilin's amber eyes were not fixed on Kieren though. They were fixed on her painted toenails, a bleeding red color, and the black sandals she wore. And as lovely as those words were, she tried to make them go straight over her head so she wouldn't have to listen. She wouldn't be fooled. Not again, anyway.

He sensed her disbelief and lifted her chin with his finger, so that he could stare into her eyes. "I mean every word that I say, Meilin. Won't you accept my apology and let me help you?"

Could she really do that? Trust him? She decided – she would have to take a chance. And that also meant giving Tomoyo a call for advice later on. She nodded briefly, and wordlessly headed back inside.

"Wait… Meilin," he said, grabbing a hold of her arm and pulling her to him. "Thank you… You forgave me, and now I have another chance to make things right. And now, I have one last favor to ask of you. Will you honor me with the chance to take you out for dinner tonight, Meilin Rae?"

Considering everything else that he had managed to cough out today, she wasn't completely taken by surprise. She nodded, and as an afterthought added, "if you promise to take a shower and change before you pick me up, of course."

He grinned. "It's a deal then. I will see you later then, Meilin," he said, taking her hand and planting a light kiss on it.

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"HE WHAT!" Syaoran fumed. "You're not actually going to go out with him, are you! He could be dangerous! He certainly didn't hesitate to double-cross us, after all," Syaoran said darkly.

"Oh calm down, Syaoran. He works for the FBI, he can't physically hurt me or anything. And anyway, you weren't there. He was very sincere," Meilin said, trying to brush it off.

"Well… it's your life Meilin; I just don't want to see you get hurt. I still don't know if I can trust him with Sakura," he said, his expression twisted in a worried frown.

"Syaoran, you need all the help you can get, and Kieren is offering it to us. What better way to get Sakura away from the FBI security, then with an FBI agent?"

"I guess… it just seems too good to be true."

Meilin gave her cousin a pat on the back and nodded. "I know how you feel. Why don't you go back to that computer? It seems to rob you of all your thoughts very nicely. I'll take care of things with Kieren, alright?"

Syaoran nodded reluctantly and took his religious place in front of the computer once more.

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Yes, yes I know what you're thinking. Another boring chapter! But I sorta thought the thing with Kieren was cute :) and now the stage is set for the final rescue! W00t!

If I had to guess, I'd say there's probably only 1 or 2 more chapters left in this story, with a possible epilogue. So stay tuned and please don't forget to leave those wonderful reviews that I live for! Hehe. :)

And I promise you won't have to wait long for the next chapter, 'cause I've already started on it :)