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Segment 8:
Disillusionment
Summary:
Amy is confronted by Setsuna and Haruka, who are not as hostile as she expected. Haruka explains how she and Quatre are planning on releasing Rei from Saint Teresa's, and alludes to Quatre's ability to "bring her back." Before they leave, Setsuna warns Amy not to go off by herself, because she thinks the Leute are about to make a move. Sure enough, Heero receives a phone call from Zechs Marquise that tells him to connect to a news server. Elijah Bailey, the Secretary of Defense's son, reveals himself as being a Leute and murders his father during an illegal public broadcast. With the world in a panic, Heero arranges to meet Zechs and Noin in Osaka. On L4, a mysterious young woman appears on Dorothy's estate, asking for a shelter for the night. Dorothy agrees, and muses on "the irony."
"You say you've been searching for nearly two weeks?" Sally asked.
Duo leaned back in his seat on the bus and held his cell phone to his ear. "Yeah. Still no sign of 'em. I'm tempted to go back and see if Meioh was really telling the truth when she said Red Delta was active on L3."
"Maybe they've been scared into hiding since Bailey's murder. If Setsuna's against the Leute, then they'd probably be out to get her informants, wouldn't they?" she reasoned.
"It's possible, but even before then I didn't have anything. I mean, I tried everything. Bribery, blackmail, you name it," he answered.
"Just keep trying. Amy's being a big help to us. She's got names of several Leute authority figures that she's been supplying us with," Sally remarked. "Heero's meeting with Zechs and Noin, Trowa and Une are bringing their kid home this week, and Quatre's going to visit a Hino Rei in Virginia."
"So everyone's doing great except me," Duo muttered.
"But hey, you get to have the most fun," she answered. "Amy's not really the nightlife type."
"Yeah yeah. Okay, I'm almost to the rec district. Periodic message in the morning?"
"Looking forward to it. I'll call if anyone else finds anything," she paused. "You're bound to get something sooner or later, you know, Duo."
"I hope so. Later," he replied.
"See ya," she hung up.
Duo ended the call and stowed the phone in his jacket pocket. He turned his head and scanned over the other passengers on the bus, wondering if any of them had heard the conversation too closely. No; the bus was filled with dressed up twenty-somethings without cars all headed to L3's recreational district for a night of dancing, drinking, and mildly illegal activities. He smiled slightly in relief, then caught the eye of a young woman with short black hair wearing a long deep indigo trenchcoat. She eyed him back, face emotionless. Duo shrugged and looked back out the window. Probably not Red Delta; Setsuna said they'd know him.
The bus pulled up to the stop and the passengers exited. As he climbed down the stairs onto the faintly glowing sidewalk, Duo looked around. There were about twenty clubs within the six-block district; he usually managed to check about eight clubs a night. Ten if he didn't come across any "suspects", usually attractive young women wearing very little clothes. But like Sally said, even if he was failing horribly at his mission, he was having the most fun.
He wandered down to the end of the block and crossed the street. Again he saw the woman with the short black hair, and decided to follow her into a euro-dance club he remembered called "La Lune." However, once he was inside, the woman was lost amongst the crowd of people in the club.
"Damn…this place is packed tonight…" he murmured to himself, and wondered if he should try somewhere else, but when he remembered the pretty waitress who'd been working there the night before, he decided against it and sat down at the bar. Sure enough, the waitress walked past about ten minutes later, and he winked at her. However, she just rolled her eyes and made an obscene gesture with the hand not holding a tray of drinks.
He blinked in surprise, and turned his head when he heard laughter. Another woman was sitting next to him at the bar, and obviously found his defeat amusing.
"What?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No-nothing. It's nothing," she stammered, putting a hand over her mouth. "It's just…I know her, and she gets that a lot, and I like seeing her comebacks."
"You know her?" Duo asked, a speculative gleam in his eye. "Do you think you could—"
"Trust me, she's not your type," the girl smiled.
Duo inclined his head as he studied her. Definitely attractive, with extremely short magenta hair that ended just above her chin. Her baby blue eyes glittered flirtatiously, and contrasted nicely with the hair and the short violet halter dress she was wearing. But there was something about her. Something oddly familiar about her. He shrugged. He must've seen her here before.
"And how do you know what my type would be?" he rested his chin on his fist and smirked. "You don't even know me."
"No, but trust me. Guys like you are a dime a dozen," she commented.
"Really?" Duo smiled.
"Really," she smiled back. "I've dated a more than a few long haired clowns who believe they're god's gift to women."
He feigned hurt at this remark. "I'm not a clown."
She laughed hysterically and held out her hand. "I'm Marie. Marie Duma."
"Duo Maxwell. Pleasure to make your acquaintance," he replied, kissing the back of her hand.
She narrowed her eyes. "You're good. Not that good, but good."
"Oh, like you wouldn't like it if I did it again," Duo commented.
Marie stared challengingly at him. "Maybe I wouldn't."
"Well let's just see about it then," he countered, kissing her hand again, and then kissing his way up her arm. She stopped him when he was at her bicep by putting the palm of her free hand against his forehead.
"So tell me, are you this affectionate to all the girls you meet or are you just really desperate?" Marie asked.
"If I tell you that, it kinda takes the mystery out of it, doesn't it?" Duo replied.
"Sorry, I don't get into that on a first date unless you've bought me an expensive dinner and a bottle of fine wine," she replied.
"You're not that hungry, are you?"
The two stared at each other, and burst out laughing. Marie stood up. "Come on, Mr. Comedian, let's dance."
"All right," he agreed as she led him to the middle of the floor.
The beats from the music pumped their blood almost like a second heartbeat as they danced almost awkwardly close. However, neither seemed to mind the lack of space, and in fact didn't seem to notice the rest of the crowd swayed and pulsed around them. As the song switched, Duo grabbed Marie's hands and raised them upwards, spinning her around and holding her back flush to him as the dance became more sensual. Smiling seductively, she shifted her hands to grip his wrists and pulled his hands slowly down her body. They stayed like that for several minutes until Marie spun around again to face him. However, Duo was not about to let her go, and grabbed her hands again, this time guiding them so that they rested around his neck.
Marie grinned again and pulled his head down to whisper in his ear. "I told you, you're good, but not that good."
"That wasn't what you thought a minute ago," he quietly objected.
"If we're going to argue, we should do it in my room," she answered.
"Room?" Duo blinked.
"In the hotel upstairs," she released herself from his grasp and walked off the floor, turning back to look at him. "You coming?"
"Hell yeah," he smiled triumphantly and followed her out of the club up a staircase near the back. They walked through the deserted lobby and climbed into an elevator. Marie pushed the button for the ninth floor, and they ascended.
As the elevator rose, Duo couldn't help but remember what had happened the last time he had ridden an elevator. His discomfort must have shown, because Marie stared at him quizzically.
"What?" she asked.
"Mm? Oh, uh, nothing. Just don't like elevators," he answered quickly.
"You don't like elevators," she repeated, raising an eyebrow and sounding very unconvinced.
"Um, yeah," he shrugged as the door opened.
Marie shook her head and took his hand, leading him down the hallway. She let go at room 963 to pull a keycard out from her purse and opened the door to the room. It was just the basic hotel room, a double bed, door to the bathroom, mirror, TV, table and chairs, coffeemaker. Nothing special.
"Sorry it's not the deluxe suite," she apologized, tossing her purse in the corner, pulling off her black platform sandals, and handing him a hanger for his jacket.
"No problem. You here on business or pleasure?" Duo asked, hanging up his jacket.
"A little of both," Marie gave him a half smile as she sat down on the bed. "You?"
"Same," Duo replied, sitting next to her and realizing how little the dress actually covered.
"So…" she slowly traced her fingers up his arm. "What do you want to do now?"
"What do I want to do?" he smirked, leaned over and kissed her lips softly. "That."
"Okay," she agreed, kissing him back. She shifted over so that she was on his lap, and pushed him down onto the bed. When she pulled away, she brushed his hair from his eyes and whispered in his ear.
"I am victorious."
Before he could contemplate the similar familiarity of the words, Duo was aware of a sharp pain on the back of his neck and everything went black.
Lady Une looked over at Trowa as she parked the SUV, searching for any sign of doubt or disapproval in what they were about to do. As usual, his face was expressionless. She sighed to herself. Why should he be worried? It was his plan after all.
However, that didn't stop him from worrying about her. As they stepped out, he took her hand. "If you really don't want to do this…"
"No. It's like you said; we have no choice. Come on," she answered headed towards the building.
Trowa had been the one to discover that the Procyon Home for Children was a base of operations for the Leute. Staffed by people who'd been "operated on", Leute were adopted into families, often powerful ones, from the orphanage. They had made arrangements a few weeks ago to take in an "eleven-year-old girl named Dahlia." They had met the Leute three or four times since they first came to the Procyon Home. She seemed like a quiet reserved girl who liked to read, work with computers, and play cello, but was not very conversative and did not enjoy the outdoors at all.
As they entered the large building, they were met by a smiling woman in her forties with curly blond hair and a short, plump body. Normal as anyone would assume, but if they looked closely in her eyes, they saw that they were pitch black, without any color at all.
"Miss Une! Mr. Barton! Good to see you!" she greeted warmly, shaking their hands.
"Good to see you too Mrs. Barrow," Lady Une replied. "Is Dahlia ready to go?"
"I'm ready," she answered flatly, a signature of all Leute.
Trowa's eyes wandered over to the "girl" standing in the doorway to the main office. Her brown hair was short, another trademark, as well as the blackness of her eyes. Her dress was normal, a red sweater, pair of jeans, a denim jacket, and sneakers. A large duffel bag was slung over her shoulder and she was supporting her cello case with her right arm.
Lady Une smiled as warmly as she could manage, which was barely enough to melt ice, and rested a hand on Dahlia's shoulder.
"Hi Dahlia," she replied.
"Hello Miss Une," Dahlia replied.
"You don't have to call me "Miss Une", dear. You can call me "Mom"," Lady Une replied, realizing how awkward it all sounded. However, Mrs. Barrow didn't seem to notice. She gave the girl a hug and a pat on the head.
"We'll miss you, Dahlia. Don't forget to write!" she replied.
"I won't," Dahlia answered shortly. She turned her head upwards slightly and locked eyes with Trowa. For one brief instant, a look of resentment and distrust flashed through the blackness, then they became emotionless again.
"Well, we should be on our way then," Lady Une replied, straightening. Trowa nodded, and took the duffel bag from Dahlia.
"Good luck!" Mrs. Barrow called as the three walked out the door. "We'll miss you! Visit us once in a while!"
None of them paid attention.
They stowed the duffel and cello in the back of the SUV, then Trowa opened the door in the back for Dahlia to climb in. She didn't look up as she sat down and buckled her seatbelt, then stared straight ahead at the seat. He looked at Lady Une for a moment, wanting desperately to talk to her about the child's behavior. But he knew better. Now more than ever, both of them would have to be on their guard about their actions, their words, and their behavior. Above all else, they had to remember it was not a human child they had adopted, but a member of a race that had already proved its ability to murder in cold blood.
Lady Une softened her expression as she looked at him, then shook her head and climbed in the drivers seat.
It was silent for about ten minutes, before Dahlia spoke.
"Are we going home?" she asked.
"Not at first," Lady Une answered. "We'll be here in the colonies for a while before we go back to Earth."
"Where do you live on Earth?" Dahlia pressed.
Ah, so the quest for information begins, she thought. "In Italy," she answered.
"Where in Italy?" the girl continued.
Lady Une faked a laughed. "Just a bunch of questions, aren't you? If we tell you everything, there won't be any surprises, will there?"
"I don't care much for surprises," Dahlia commented.
"Neither do I," Trowa answered. He felt Dahlia's eyes on him again, felt her distrust. She would probably try to win over Une, then try to trick her into becoming another Leute slave. That way she could just use her as a hostage.
Trowa shot another glance at Lady Une, silently vowing to himself that he would protect her no matter what happened. He would not allow "Dahlia" to do the same to her that "Elijah Bailey" did to his father.
"You seem nervous about something, Dad," Dahlia said.
He blinked. He wasn't used to being called "Dad". "Don't worry, it's nothing you need to worry about Dahlia."
"Are you sure?" her voice was very low, and the monotone had an ominous edge to it.
He turned around and locked eyes with her, searching for the signs of hostility in her black eyes. But they were empty.
"Yes," he answered. "But it's very kind of you to be concerned about it."
Dahlia didn't say anything more for the rest of the drive.
They stopped back at the condo they were renting to drop off Dahlia's things, then Lady Une suggested they go out for a celebratory dinner. They agreed nonchalantly, and walked to a nearby Japanese restaurant. The meal went off without incident or enthusiasm, and no one said much. When they returned, Dahlia said a quick good night, brushed her teeth, and retreated to the room they'd prepared for her.
When they were mostly sure she was asleep, they went out on the balcony. Lady Une sighed, put her arms around Trowa, and hooked her chin over his shoulder.
"Well, what do you think?" she whispered in his ear, just in case their "daughter" was not quite as asleep as she appeared.
He reached up behind him and ran his hand down the side of her face. "She doesn't like me much."
She smiled. "No, but in a strange way, she reminds me of you. There's a very strong, dangerous person hidden beneath that silent exterior."
"So you're saying you want another one?"
Lady Une let out a soft laugh and kissed his cheek. "Not for a million dollars." She let go and leaned against the railing of the balcony. "You'd think I'd have learned by now. First Mariemaia…"
"It wasn't your fault Mariemaia ran away," Trowa said softly.
"I know. She was so much like her father. So proud, with so much spirit. There was no way I could've held her back much longer than I did," she answered. "Still…you get attached to them."
"You miss her," he concluded.
"Very much," Lady Une replied, accepting his embrace and his kisses on her forehead and lips.
A while later, he slid open the door back inside. "We should get some rest while we can."
"Should we take it in shifts so one of us can always keep an eye on her?" Lady Une smirked.
His steady look answered her.
She smiled and closed the door. The risks we take…