Chapter Four:
Tired as he was, Duo Maxwell still appreciated the savage beauty
of the violent storm surrounding him. The bright bursts of
lightning allowed Duo to see the aged, sturdy trees bend to near
hurricane-strength winds. The relentless pounding of heavy rains
and the deep, booming thunder, matched the furious howls of the
wind. The dark sedan rocked beneath the onslaught of nature's
overwhelming force.
Every sense was heightened, Duo's breath grew ragged, and his
blood raced madly through every vein. The storm was terrifying,
electrifying, simply too incredible for words.
It reminded him of Heero Yuy. Fascinating. Dangerous. And
impossible to stay away from.
Duo turned his gaze towards Collinwood. On his previous
attempts, some powerful force prevented him from reaching the
dark, forbidding mansion. This time, it seems he wasn't meant to
leave.
//Well, Heero, it looks like fate's thrown us *both* a
curveball.//
Duo pondered his options. He could spend a cold, uncomfortable
night in his malfunctioning car, or he could brave the elements
and seek shelter at Collinwood. A wry grin stretched across his
face as he realized there was *no* choice: the mysteries of
Collinwood and the mysteries of Heero Yuy were a sirens song he
was unable to resist.
***
Heero knew he wouldn't sleep this night: instead he sat in one
of the chairs by the tall windows in his room, watching the
powerful storm rage across the lands below.
He was rather glad now his room did not overlook the cliffs. The
tragic story of Jamison Du Pres, his doomed love and violent
death were fresh in Heero's mind. He shook as he remembered his
dream of Duo as Jamison.
//Some things never change. I only hurt you, time and again. I
only wanted to love you, Duo.//
Lost in troubled thoughts, Heero continued to stare, unseeing,
into the violent night.
***
Thirty minutes fighting the storm, and Duo Maxwell had only
traveled half the distance from his car to the mansion. The
furious rain pelted him mercilessly, the gusting winds enveloped
him in bitter cold, and he stumbled through the flooded pathway
now caked with mud. Some of Duo's hair had come out of his braid
and was now plastered to his face, and in his eyes.
A fierce gust sent him sprawling to the pavement. As he
struggled to regain his balance, Duo suddenly sensed an
unearthly presence. Looking around wildly, he only saw the
battered trees and relentless rain. Another blast of lightning
lit the sky, allowing him to see the imposing manor, his only
safety from the deadly storm.
And there it was, the evil he sensed, perched upon a turret. A
snow-white owl, largest he had ever seen, eyes sharp and cold,
staring into his very soul. Duo recognized that steely gaze as
that of a ruthless predator; and he was the prey.
Duo tensed as the owl ruffled its feathers then slowly flew off
the turret. The darkness and the rain combined to hide the
creature from his sight. Instinct told him the attack was coming
and he threw himself to the ground, barely in time to escape the
sharp talons that nearly clawed into his throat. The impact of
the fall caused Duo to lose his grip on his gun. It skidded
across the pavement, and then washed away in a rushing stream of
floodwaters. He scrambled towards the heavy trees, hoping the
foliage could provide protection. Duo's heart raced madly as he
sprinted towards the forest. He was almost there when his feet
gave way, ankle twisting as he slipped heavily to the muddy
ground.
The fall saved him from the second attack, though this time the
talons raked across his left shoulder. Duo attempted to stand,
but fell back in pain; his damaged ankle couldn't bear his
weight. The white bird perched ominously upon the nearest tree,
releasing a piercing shriek of victory.
Duo moaned over the unfairness of it all. He was so close to
reaching Heero, so close to making sense of his conflicting
angers and desires.
***
"Spencer!"
The anguished cry startled Heero out of his light doze. A vivid
image of Jamison Du Pres crying out for him......Spencer?......shot
through his mind, and before he knew it, Heero was heading for
the door.
In his dream, Jamison Du Pres was in danger. His longhaired,
violet eyed love. The man who was somehow connected to Duo.
Oh, God. *Duo*!
Heero rushed down the darkened stairwell, not even stopping for
a candle to light his way. In his haste to reach Duo, he never
noticed the dark haired man lurking in the shadows. Heero raced
through the mansion, heading straight for the front door. He
knew, just *knew* the danger was there. Heedless of his own
safety, Heero flung open the door and threw himself out into the
storm.
***
Duo would never again stare into blazing blue eyes full of
vitality and determination. He would never again hear those
dark, husky growls of information and lies. He would never,
ever, have the chance to tell Heero the truth.
//I love you, Heero. I don't know how, or why, but I think I
always have.//
Duo could only wait as the deadly owl prepared for its final,
fatal attack.
***
Heero rushed into the storm, surrendering to and taking strength
from the raging elements. Racing down the driveway, he came to a
crashing halt at the terrible sight: Duo, fallen, helpless...and
the palpable evil radiating from the threatening, sharp-talon
owl.
The howling wind somehow carried Jamison's whisper to his ear.
"Save our love, Spencer."
Hoping to draw the attack upon himself, Heero cried out, "Duo!"
Two sets of eyes turned on him, both full of longing and
intensity. The amethyst eyes were warm and accepting; the clear
blue eyes were possessive and devouring.
Heero took another step towards the fallen man, but stopped when
the white owl reacted angrily with a sharp shriek. He cursed
himself for not grabbing his gun before leaving the mansion.
However, Heero Yuy was always dangerous, one-way or another. He
carried a switchblade in his pocket and throwing knives in his
boots. All he had to do was get in range. And if that bird of
prey wouldn't let him near Duo, maybe there was another way...
***
Duo was caught between relief and horror. Relief at the sight of
Heero, brave and deadly even when battered by the furious rain.
Horror as he watched Heero walk towards the threatening
creature.
Duo released a silent gasp as he saw the owl relax as Heero made
his way, slowly, calmly, towards the tree it rested on. The owl
seemed almost mesmerized as it watched the approach of the
silent, blue-eyed man. Heero paused beneath the tree; to Duo, he
seemed to be considering his words carefully. In a smooth,
reassuring tone, Heero asked, "What do you want from us?"
The large owl continued to stare at Heero; its gaze was in turn
hungry, loving and sad. If he didn't know better, Duo would say
the creature was lonely.
Duo decided to test his ankle while the owl remained distracted.
He staggered to his feet successfully, but his grunt of pain
caught the owl's attention.
With a furious screech, the owl dove from the tree, on a direct
path for Duo's throat. Duo knew he wouldn't evade the deadly
attack this time, so he tilted his eyes up to Heero: he wanted
one last view of the handsome, fascinating man who confused him
so.
The vision he saw was pure, unadulterated menace: Heero had spun
towards Duo the very moment the owl attacked. Eyes glazed with a
feral brightness, Heero crouched, right hand unbelievably fast,
the glint of steel racing towards Duo. But instead of Duo, it
was the owl the knife cut through, cleaving through feathers and
muscle. It wasn't a kill; the wounded creature managed to dive
into the deep foliage, the bloodstains already washed away by
the rain.
Duo forgot about the former threat to his life; he was too busy
staring at Heero, who had gone deathly pale and fallen to his
knees. Duo realized Heero was in shock. He stumbled over to him,
placing both hands on Heero's shoulders.
"Heero? We really need to get inside. We're both going to freeze
to death out here."
Hesitantly, Heero looked up at Duo. The rain had darkened and
lengthened already dense, lush lashes that framed those
brilliant eyes. The words were almost a whisper.
"I...I could have killed you just then, Duo. It was *that*
close."
Duo moved his arms beneath those of Heero, helping him rise to
his feet. The two exhausted men swayed together, ignoring the
rain, wind and cold that still surrounded them. Duo leaned into
Heero, taking the weight from his twisted ankle, plastering his
tiny body against Heero.
"Heero, you *saved* me. You tried to turn the attack towards
yourself, and when the owl came after me, you didn't hesitate.
You did what you had to do. Thank you, Heero."
The two men stood there silently for a moment before heading
towards Collinwood mansion. The storm finally started to relent;
the rain ended by the time they reached the front door.
"Ferocious owls and creepy mansions. You turn *everything* into
a hazard, Duo." Heero groused. "Aren't you gonna hit me now?"
A sudden wave of happiness washed over Duo. He squeezed Heero as
they headed up the long stairwell to the bedroom. A quiver of
excitement belied Duo's usual tone as he replied, "Heero, this
is going to be my best vacation, *ever*!"
***
Cristoff McTeer emerged from the deep shadows and stood before
the painting of Relena Peacecraft. The placid beauty Heero saw
during the daylight hours was gone; in its place was a cold
fury.
When Cristoff spoke to Heero earlier, it was in a garbled
monotone. Speaking now, his voice was honeyed and smooth.
"Relena, they are both exquisite."
The frozen blue eyes from the painting came to life in a blaze
of anger. Cristoff enjoyed taunting Relena; long ago, she made
him what he was; yet now he was free. She remained trapped in
the painting, able to affect this world, but not be a part of
it. At least, for now.
If Cristoff had his way, she would *never* return. Especially
now, just when things were getting interesting.
As Cristoff's thoughts turned to the two beautiful men upstairs,
the mirror hanging near Relena's painting was slowly filled with
trails of blood. The blood flowed into a message:
Heero is MINE! Do what you want with the other.
Cristoff laughed. Secretly, he was deathly afraid of Relena, and
with good reason. But it would never do to let *her* know that.
He approached the mirror and gently licked at the blood until
every trace was gone.
"Thank you, Relena. That was quite wonderful. How kind of you to
satisfy my hunger."
Cristoff left the house, heading towards Eagle Hill Cemetery.
The need for sleep was overwhelming and complete. As he slipped
into the safety of the coffin, one last thought raced through
his mind before he surrendered to unconsciousness.
//Which toy do I play with first?//
-TBC-
Tired as he was, Duo Maxwell still appreciated the savage beauty
of the violent storm surrounding him. The bright bursts of
lightning allowed Duo to see the aged, sturdy trees bend to near
hurricane-strength winds. The relentless pounding of heavy rains
and the deep, booming thunder, matched the furious howls of the
wind. The dark sedan rocked beneath the onslaught of nature's
overwhelming force.
Every sense was heightened, Duo's breath grew ragged, and his
blood raced madly through every vein. The storm was terrifying,
electrifying, simply too incredible for words.
It reminded him of Heero Yuy. Fascinating. Dangerous. And
impossible to stay away from.
Duo turned his gaze towards Collinwood. On his previous
attempts, some powerful force prevented him from reaching the
dark, forbidding mansion. This time, it seems he wasn't meant to
leave.
//Well, Heero, it looks like fate's thrown us *both* a
curveball.//
Duo pondered his options. He could spend a cold, uncomfortable
night in his malfunctioning car, or he could brave the elements
and seek shelter at Collinwood. A wry grin stretched across his
face as he realized there was *no* choice: the mysteries of
Collinwood and the mysteries of Heero Yuy were a sirens song he
was unable to resist.
***
Heero knew he wouldn't sleep this night: instead he sat in one
of the chairs by the tall windows in his room, watching the
powerful storm rage across the lands below.
He was rather glad now his room did not overlook the cliffs. The
tragic story of Jamison Du Pres, his doomed love and violent
death were fresh in Heero's mind. He shook as he remembered his
dream of Duo as Jamison.
//Some things never change. I only hurt you, time and again. I
only wanted to love you, Duo.//
Lost in troubled thoughts, Heero continued to stare, unseeing,
into the violent night.
***
Thirty minutes fighting the storm, and Duo Maxwell had only
traveled half the distance from his car to the mansion. The
furious rain pelted him mercilessly, the gusting winds enveloped
him in bitter cold, and he stumbled through the flooded pathway
now caked with mud. Some of Duo's hair had come out of his braid
and was now plastered to his face, and in his eyes.
A fierce gust sent him sprawling to the pavement. As he
struggled to regain his balance, Duo suddenly sensed an
unearthly presence. Looking around wildly, he only saw the
battered trees and relentless rain. Another blast of lightning
lit the sky, allowing him to see the imposing manor, his only
safety from the deadly storm.
And there it was, the evil he sensed, perched upon a turret. A
snow-white owl, largest he had ever seen, eyes sharp and cold,
staring into his very soul. Duo recognized that steely gaze as
that of a ruthless predator; and he was the prey.
Duo tensed as the owl ruffled its feathers then slowly flew off
the turret. The darkness and the rain combined to hide the
creature from his sight. Instinct told him the attack was coming
and he threw himself to the ground, barely in time to escape the
sharp talons that nearly clawed into his throat. The impact of
the fall caused Duo to lose his grip on his gun. It skidded
across the pavement, and then washed away in a rushing stream of
floodwaters. He scrambled towards the heavy trees, hoping the
foliage could provide protection. Duo's heart raced madly as he
sprinted towards the forest. He was almost there when his feet
gave way, ankle twisting as he slipped heavily to the muddy
ground.
The fall saved him from the second attack, though this time the
talons raked across his left shoulder. Duo attempted to stand,
but fell back in pain; his damaged ankle couldn't bear his
weight. The white bird perched ominously upon the nearest tree,
releasing a piercing shriek of victory.
Duo moaned over the unfairness of it all. He was so close to
reaching Heero, so close to making sense of his conflicting
angers and desires.
***
"Spencer!"
The anguished cry startled Heero out of his light doze. A vivid
image of Jamison Du Pres crying out for him......Spencer?......shot
through his mind, and before he knew it, Heero was heading for
the door.
In his dream, Jamison Du Pres was in danger. His longhaired,
violet eyed love. The man who was somehow connected to Duo.
Oh, God. *Duo*!
Heero rushed down the darkened stairwell, not even stopping for
a candle to light his way. In his haste to reach Duo, he never
noticed the dark haired man lurking in the shadows. Heero raced
through the mansion, heading straight for the front door. He
knew, just *knew* the danger was there. Heedless of his own
safety, Heero flung open the door and threw himself out into the
storm.
***
Duo would never again stare into blazing blue eyes full of
vitality and determination. He would never again hear those
dark, husky growls of information and lies. He would never,
ever, have the chance to tell Heero the truth.
//I love you, Heero. I don't know how, or why, but I think I
always have.//
Duo could only wait as the deadly owl prepared for its final,
fatal attack.
***
Heero rushed into the storm, surrendering to and taking strength
from the raging elements. Racing down the driveway, he came to a
crashing halt at the terrible sight: Duo, fallen, helpless...and
the palpable evil radiating from the threatening, sharp-talon
owl.
The howling wind somehow carried Jamison's whisper to his ear.
"Save our love, Spencer."
Hoping to draw the attack upon himself, Heero cried out, "Duo!"
Two sets of eyes turned on him, both full of longing and
intensity. The amethyst eyes were warm and accepting; the clear
blue eyes were possessive and devouring.
Heero took another step towards the fallen man, but stopped when
the white owl reacted angrily with a sharp shriek. He cursed
himself for not grabbing his gun before leaving the mansion.
However, Heero Yuy was always dangerous, one-way or another. He
carried a switchblade in his pocket and throwing knives in his
boots. All he had to do was get in range. And if that bird of
prey wouldn't let him near Duo, maybe there was another way...
***
Duo was caught between relief and horror. Relief at the sight of
Heero, brave and deadly even when battered by the furious rain.
Horror as he watched Heero walk towards the threatening
creature.
Duo released a silent gasp as he saw the owl relax as Heero made
his way, slowly, calmly, towards the tree it rested on. The owl
seemed almost mesmerized as it watched the approach of the
silent, blue-eyed man. Heero paused beneath the tree; to Duo, he
seemed to be considering his words carefully. In a smooth,
reassuring tone, Heero asked, "What do you want from us?"
The large owl continued to stare at Heero; its gaze was in turn
hungry, loving and sad. If he didn't know better, Duo would say
the creature was lonely.
Duo decided to test his ankle while the owl remained distracted.
He staggered to his feet successfully, but his grunt of pain
caught the owl's attention.
With a furious screech, the owl dove from the tree, on a direct
path for Duo's throat. Duo knew he wouldn't evade the deadly
attack this time, so he tilted his eyes up to Heero: he wanted
one last view of the handsome, fascinating man who confused him
so.
The vision he saw was pure, unadulterated menace: Heero had spun
towards Duo the very moment the owl attacked. Eyes glazed with a
feral brightness, Heero crouched, right hand unbelievably fast,
the glint of steel racing towards Duo. But instead of Duo, it
was the owl the knife cut through, cleaving through feathers and
muscle. It wasn't a kill; the wounded creature managed to dive
into the deep foliage, the bloodstains already washed away by
the rain.
Duo forgot about the former threat to his life; he was too busy
staring at Heero, who had gone deathly pale and fallen to his
knees. Duo realized Heero was in shock. He stumbled over to him,
placing both hands on Heero's shoulders.
"Heero? We really need to get inside. We're both going to freeze
to death out here."
Hesitantly, Heero looked up at Duo. The rain had darkened and
lengthened already dense, lush lashes that framed those
brilliant eyes. The words were almost a whisper.
"I...I could have killed you just then, Duo. It was *that*
close."
Duo moved his arms beneath those of Heero, helping him rise to
his feet. The two exhausted men swayed together, ignoring the
rain, wind and cold that still surrounded them. Duo leaned into
Heero, taking the weight from his twisted ankle, plastering his
tiny body against Heero.
"Heero, you *saved* me. You tried to turn the attack towards
yourself, and when the owl came after me, you didn't hesitate.
You did what you had to do. Thank you, Heero."
The two men stood there silently for a moment before heading
towards Collinwood mansion. The storm finally started to relent;
the rain ended by the time they reached the front door.
"Ferocious owls and creepy mansions. You turn *everything* into
a hazard, Duo." Heero groused. "Aren't you gonna hit me now?"
A sudden wave of happiness washed over Duo. He squeezed Heero as
they headed up the long stairwell to the bedroom. A quiver of
excitement belied Duo's usual tone as he replied, "Heero, this
is going to be my best vacation, *ever*!"
***
Cristoff McTeer emerged from the deep shadows and stood before
the painting of Relena Peacecraft. The placid beauty Heero saw
during the daylight hours was gone; in its place was a cold
fury.
When Cristoff spoke to Heero earlier, it was in a garbled
monotone. Speaking now, his voice was honeyed and smooth.
"Relena, they are both exquisite."
The frozen blue eyes from the painting came to life in a blaze
of anger. Cristoff enjoyed taunting Relena; long ago, she made
him what he was; yet now he was free. She remained trapped in
the painting, able to affect this world, but not be a part of
it. At least, for now.
If Cristoff had his way, she would *never* return. Especially
now, just when things were getting interesting.
As Cristoff's thoughts turned to the two beautiful men upstairs,
the mirror hanging near Relena's painting was slowly filled with
trails of blood. The blood flowed into a message:
Heero is MINE! Do what you want with the other.
Cristoff laughed. Secretly, he was deathly afraid of Relena, and
with good reason. But it would never do to let *her* know that.
He approached the mirror and gently licked at the blood until
every trace was gone.
"Thank you, Relena. That was quite wonderful. How kind of you to
satisfy my hunger."
Cristoff left the house, heading towards Eagle Hill Cemetery.
The need for sleep was overwhelming and complete. As he slipped
into the safety of the coffin, one last thought raced through
his mind before he surrendered to unconsciousness.
//Which toy do I play with first?//
-TBC-