The Happy Family
A Weiss Kreuz Fanfiction
Chapter Six: The Name of Crawford
Author's Notes: You know what? I think I'm getting the hang of writing coherent stories. Hooray. (after feeling like a miserable failure after being reprimanded for sounding like a hyperactive marsupial on a drug overdose...) Well, since there's not much else to complain about, here's an excerpt from a dream (or nightmare) I had:
Schuldich and Brad were having a heated discussion. Brad narrowed his eyes, folding his arms across his chest. "You're not doing it right, Schu."
"Argh. I know! I nearly got it." The redhead concentrated further.
Brad unfolded his arms. "Schu! Use the Force, you idiot!"
"I'm TRYING! What the heck is the Force!"
"How would I know! You're the telepath here! You use it to kill the stupid bunny!"
At that particular moment, something wasn't quite right. And I thought to myself, Wait. What bunny?
Schudich turned towards me. With a malicious smirk on his face.
Oh shit.
GAH.
Let's say I haven't read fanfiction for the last half-year, so the last few nights were occupied with a rabid marathon of reading. Seriously, I think I overdid it. runs to the edge to let dinner go Too much ain't good, aint good at all. Such obsession turns your life screwy, and now I'm plagued by neurotic thoughts.
Well, I used to like reading fanfics where they paired up the male characters, but now, it just seems (I apologise to all who may be offended by this) sick. Not like it seems wrong, but there's something in my subconcious screaming at me not to pollute my mind any further. Must be the Mind Conservation and Protection Union back there somewhere... It's fine when it is fiction, but when you try to place it in everyday life, it just doesn't fit. The world becomes a darker place. Well that was why I stopped reading in the first place. There's too much sickness out there.
Cheerio:D
She's Got the Look
1-2-3-4, Walking like a man,
Hitting like a hammer,
She's a juvenile scam.
Never was a quitter,
Tasty like a raindrop, she's got the look.
Heavenly bound cause heaven's got a number when she's spinning me around,
Kissing is a colour.
Her loving is a wild dog,
She's got the look.
She's got the look.
She's got the look.
What in the world can make a brown-eyed girl turn blue.
When everything I'll ever do I'll do for you and I go: la la la la la
She's got the look.
Fire in the ice naked to the t-bone is a lover's disguise.
Banging on the head drum,
Shaking like a mad bull, she's got the look.
Swaying to the band,
Moving like a hammer she's a miracle man.
Loving is the ocean,
kissing is the wet sand,
She's got the look.
And she goes: na na na na na na na na.
-------------Roxette, Don't Bore Us, Get to the Chorus!
Chapter Six: The Name of Crawford
"Wow! This is great!" Schuldich screamed out the car window into the crisp, cold morning air. The entire family was packed into David Crawford's four wheel drive, which now seemed too small to contain the excitement of the Schwarz members. Minus Brad of course. (Party pooper.) The jeep sped along a busy highway, passing other vehicles at a tremendous pace.
The telepath had his head jammed out the rear window of the jeep, her flaming hair whipped wildly about by the painfully strong wind. She whooped again. Farfello had his head out the other window, with his happy expression, filled with ecstasy. Nagi sat quietly in the middle seat, enjoying the brisk air rushing past the other two.
Janice Crawford laughed at the noisy racket behind, giving the car a holiday atmosphere. David Crawford raised an eyebrow as his wife whispered to him. " Don't look like that. At least they're not complaining about your driving."
There were three rows of seats. The front was taken up by Dad and Mum, the second by Brad, Matthias and Kreisten, the last, by one screaming maniac and two others. Unlike the three in the back row, Matthias looked distinctively green while his sister calmly watched the scenery speed past. Brad yelled over the roar of the wind.
"Schu--! Get your head in before the next truck takes it off for you!" The telepath's head shot in just in time to miss the aforementioned truck.
My, that was lucky...The German grinned. The jeep swerved sharply to the right, causing the Irishman to tumble back into the safety of the car. And therefore squishing Nagi.
"GAH! I can't breathe! Getoffgetoffgetoff!" Farf daintily removed himself from the flailing telekinetic.
David Crawford did not even blink as he shot past a sixteen-wheeled, fifty-foot truck. Schu yelled over the wind, "Brad! I can see where you get your driving abilities from!"
David Crawford blinked as his wife laughed hard. Well, really! There was nothing wrong with his driving! Matthias turned a paler shade of green. He laid a trembling hand on the shoulder of the driver's seat. "Dad...? Dad could we slow down? We're not on a mission, you know...?"
He shushed his son sharply and threw a reprimanding look over his shoulder." Not in public, boy!"
The fully grown man flushed under his father's gaze, the earlier comments unheard by the rest of the passengers. He looked up.
He suddenly grasped the seat harder. "DAD! We're gonna miss the exit!"
His father replied calmly. "Quit worrying, boy. I got it under control."
Then, by the law of centrifugal force, all eight family members were neatly compacted into one side of the jeep.
Author's notes: You know, I keep imagining Brad's dad as Sean Connery (with that Scottish accent) or Robert De Niro (Mafia boss)... Well, if you didn't already know, this fic is based on 'Meet the Parents', an awfully funny movie. But let's not bother you any further...
The jeep slowed in a tree-lined suburb, the brilliant colours of fall littering the streets. Farfello breathed in wonder at the spectacular display of colour.
David Crawford broke the silence. "I take it that none of you have ever been to America before?" He steered into another sidestreet.
The telepath replied, "Yes. This is our first time."
There was a pause. "Hn. We're coming up to our home now."
The jeep drew up to the front of a brilliantly white terrace house, its immaculate green lawn covered with scattered leaves. It was a beautiful home; a porch with a couch-swing, tall, clear French windows lining the front with translucent curtains. The garage door swung open to welcome its inhabitant.
The old lady turned in her seat and looked at Brad. "Do you still remember this place?"
Brad smiled as he stared out the window at the house. "Of course."
For Matthias, it felt strange. This stranger had lived here before he did, yet he never knew him. He watched the man's features as an expression of wistfulness flashed across his face. Here is the big brother he never knew. I wonder how he's really like... It was great to have more people in the family, heck, he wouldn't even mind if his Mom adopted more kids. But, as he looked at his newfound relatives; the frightening pale man, the sharp-eyed redhead and the little boy with a depth of understanding in his eyes...Let's say that's not what you really expect when you get relatives. He glanced at the back seat. I suppose they are still a happy family...
The jeep stopped before the garage. "Okay, everybody tumble out."
Doors were opened and the passengers alighted. The boot was opened and luggage passed around. Matthias helped his nephew haul his bags to the front door. He pushed open the front door with his foot, and dropped the bags heavily in the hall.
Nagi winced as he remembered where he put his PDA. The rest of the group trooped into the house, with David Crawford bringing up the rear. Schudich nearly whistled. The house was spacious, its walls and floor covered with richly red-brown wood panels, the furniture clean-cut and comfortable-looking. Most of the place was country-themed, the smell of wood polish evident in the air.
"My... What a lovely house you have Mrs. Crawford..." Janice Crawford blushed.
"Well, it's a modest place we call home."
Schuldich elbowed Brad mentally. Well, no offense Brad, but you should get your mum off the wood idea. If we were in England, this place would look like the central attraction for Guy Fawkes Day. Brad shot him a warning look.
"Dad, I'll show them their rooms. Hey c'mon, bring your bags up." Matt picked Nagi's bags up again and started up the polished stairs.
To Schuldich, despite the warmth of this house, there was something was giving her the creeps, a faint resemblance to something in her dreams perhaps? She shuddered, a cold chill running through her. She shook her head.
Farfello and Nagi's room turned out to be a modest affair, two white beds beside the tall French windows, with plenty of sunlight streaming in. It was the guestroom of the house. Nagi ran and leapt onto the bed, bouncing around with laughter. Farfello flopped on the other bed and gave a sigh of contentment at the soft white cotton sheets. The curtains billowed in the fresh morning air.
Brad and Schu were placed in Brad's old bedroom, now emptied of the old furniture. Instead, a large bed sat in the middle of the room. Schu flung herself on it and was rewarded with threatening groans and squeaks. She wrinkled her nose. "Man, this thing is dusty." Matthias laughed as he stood at the door.
"Well, Mom especially shifted the double bed so you two could sleep on it. We brought it down from the attic." He voice dropped mock-threateningly. "And you two better enjoy it, kapeesh?"
The redhead laughed as she flipped over on the bed. "Gottit, Jimmy my boy!"
Brad closed the door behind them when Matthias. The single French window was at the head of the bed, casting yellowed sunlight onto the telepath. The leader put his bags down in front of the wardrobe, and, to be expected, started unpacking. He was euphoric to be home. Everything was going so well, it was perfect. Well, if only he didn't have to share a room with the telepath.
"Brad, stop being so stodgy and come bounce on the bed." Schu voice was muffled as he burrowed into the huge fluffy pillows. "Oooh, this is lovely!"
Brad continued to empty his suitcases into his section of the wardrobe. "Schu, you really should get your stuff in the cupboard before you start having fun."
"Awww, don't wanna..."The telepath kicked her shoes off and was under the covers as quick as she could go. Maaaan, this is nice She peeped out of the bed, only her eyes visible. "Isn't this perfect?"
You mean living in place with more light? Brad opened an empty drawer and slid his suitcase in.
And no more Esset and no more Weiss and no more Rosenkreuz! The redhead giggled and rolled over, watching him. "This is heaven!"
We'll be staying for a few months before we find a place of our own. Brad picked up the German's luggage." If you're not going to pack your clothes, I'm going to stuff the whole bag into the wardrobe."
"Feel free to stuff. Then you can join me on the bed."
Brad made a sound of derision, which sounded like "Pffbt."
"I was right then." Matthias removed his ear from the wall. His sister stood behind him in his room.
"About what?"
"Our dear brother has a stooge factor of ten upon ten." He brushed himself off. "Maybe Dad will let us use the surveillance network to look in on them."
"Why?"
"Dad wanted us to check up on them, remember? To see if they're imposters or not. But anyway, I don't think we have anything to worry about. They seem to be nice people." He exited the room and rapped on the door opposite. "Hey guys, lunch will be ready in half an hour!"
Muffled acknowledgement came from his nephew.
Schu, I forbid you to go tramping through the minds of my family members. Brad sat on the bed as a concession to the redheads ceaseless cajoling.
The telepath rolled around. 'Fraid I might come upon some embarrassing childhood memories, eh?
As respect to our hosts. More like it. The serious tone in the precog's voice sobered the telepath.
Relax. I won't. The other turned his head away. The redhead eyes locked onto that butt sitting on the bedcovers. Let's stare for a while... So what are we going to do here since there are no more baddies to smother?
I don't know. Some investments here and there, and we're set up for life. Brad shifted his position on the bed. And the redhead's salacious eyes followed. Seriously, one of the worst choices he made on this trip was to have a homosexual telepath acting as his life partner. Now he was getting rather uncomfortable.
Schuldich. Stop looking at me like that.
No answer.
Stop it. I order you. The silence was more unnerving than the noise of Schuldich's endless buzzing.
There was a noise of frustration, then Brad got up, entered the adjoined toilet and shut the door, to the background whine of a German deprived of his eye candy.
It was lunchtime when Nagi banged heavily on his parents' door. Schuldich! O Great Almighty Leader! Lunchtime!
Coming, coming. Lemme get Braddy first. There was a sound of a telepath knocking on a bathroom door. The doorknob clicked as it opened.
"Braddy? It's lunchtime, no more sulking--Oh my goodness"
"--SCHU! GET OUT NOW!"
There was the sound of a door being slammed.
"Well excuse me! How would I know you were really using the toilet!"
Nagi tapped his foot as he waited outside.
The family was settled around a fine oak table. David Crawford was seated at the head of the table, with his wife off to his left and Brad to his right. The table was set with fine white dishes with gleaming table ware.
There was an uneasy silence as the two families faced each other.
Brad gave a command as he looked down at his plate. Schuldich. Tell Farfello to use the bathroom now. Puzzled, the telepath conveyed the message silently and the Irishman excused himself from the table, to the surprise of the Crawfords.
Janice Crawford broke the silence. "Well, I suppose the prayer can wait till he comes back..."
"There no need, Mom. Fabien's atheist."
"Oh." There was a silence. "Well, um, I suppose we could start first, then..."
Heads were bowed and prayers said, before the Irishman headed back. Janice Crawford served the thick beef stew, ladling out huge dollops onto each plate. Matthias and Farfello started eating ravenously, breaking off chunks of bread to dip into their gravy. Nagi sipped quietly, not exactly finding the fare suited to his palate.
David Crawford took it upon himself to start the conversation. "So Brad, what is it that you do for a living?" If Schuldich was a dog, his ears would have perked up.
"I'm in Marketing and Investments. I worked for several companies in Japan, advising them on their products."
Janice spoke, " So, how long have you been working?"
"Ten years."
"Really, they hire people at seventeen?"
"They look out for people with good marketing instincts, not qualifications. I was lucky."
"Did you manage to get into a school?"
Brad went quiet. Then he spoke softly. "No. I didn't get a chance to. They taught us the basic things at the orphanage."
There was a silence between them. "The orphanage?" Brad put his spoon down.
David Crawford knew he should feel immense guilt at this, but merely felt deadened sorrow.
"What happened?" He looked down at his stew and prodded a floating piece of beef. He could not look at Brad. "What happened that night?"
Matthais had struck up a lively conversation with Nagi on hobbies, drowning out the conversation in this side of the table. Janice Crawford smiled and excused herself, to busy about in the kitchen. Two pairs of eyes watched her as she moved away.
Brad lowered his eyes. "Is this very important?" his voice soft.
His father stared at his son, now a fully grown man, bangs covering those startling eyes of his. Must have been horrible...
"Yes."
Brad leaned back in his chair and stared at his hands. His voice was low when he spoke.
"That night, when you had that important ceremony to attend, this lady knocked on the door...She was dressed like one of those policemen that we've always had around.
"Mom was in the shower, so I answered it. She told me to go with her, but I didn't. Then she took out a gun...a gun, and pointed it at my head. She told me she would kill me, if I didn't go with her.
"Or worse, that she'll kill you first."
The elder Crawford's eyes narrowed. "Kill me? The Award Ceremony was under the highest security. There's no way anyone could have gotten into the White House without authorization!" He shook his head. "Don't tell me you were gullible enough to believe her?"
The younger man's eyes flashed, with a hint of anger. His voice went softer, deadlier. "I knew Dad. I knew she was telling the truth. There was no coyness, just stated facts, as though she knew full well she could easily do it.
David's words caught in his throat. The Brad he had known never lied, was always truthful, always serious. He went silent.
"She led me to her car and blindfolded me. Then we drove to an airport where we took a plane."
David wondered how they managed to get through customs. "The plane was in flight for six, seven hours. I couldn't tell. When we landed in a cold place, I was taken to an empty building, where I was locked in a room. I had my hands bound. Gods, Dad! I really wanted to come home!" The last was in a harsh whisper, fists clenched palely in his lap. It was almost a physical blow to the older man.
The keeper of the law could not even protect his own child. David Crawford flinched, as the feeling of loss rushed back to him, like blood in his veins. The helplessness, the inability to do anything... Now he was going to know what happened. And he was going to berate himself mercilessly. Brad... this man... had gone through so much...He wanted to weep, to believe so much that this man would be his boy...
"I tried to attract the other tenants of the building, by screaming and banging, but the place was empty. The lady left me there for a week.
"There was water, but no food. I was going mad by the time they took me again.
Brad smiled grimly. "Then I was dumped in another orphanage like some unwanted rubbish, in a rural village. Where I could not speak the language... And then I waited, to get out."
"Another orphanage? David Crawford's anger raged anew. We took him out of one to give him a new life, and he went back to ANOTHER one!
"I hated that place."
"My god...Where was this place?"
"Germany. Took me months to convey to the caretakers that I was abducted. Even then there was no way of finding my way home." The boy, no, man, looked at him with those piercing red-brown eyes, frightening in their earnestness. As though it were a knife to stab his heart. The eyes so much like those that he had known before... long ago.
The older man was quiet for a moment. "Does anyone else know this?"
"My family." Brad smiled humorlessly. "They went through the same thing. We were at the same orphanage."
"What!"
"They were abducted too."
David clenched his fist. In Germany! If only he expanded his search to Germany! Children snatched away from their homes, just like Brad. Oh Gods, he felt useless. Only so many years later, when the abductors were long gone, having gotten away with their crime, would these children make their way home again. He felt worn hollow, the anguish of the past days whistling through his sorrow-ridden frame.
Brad's voice seemed dead and empty, as though intoning the punishment for his failure. His failure... "Fabien's entire family was murdered."
"Schully was taken as payment for a loan."
"Neil was too young to remember."
My god. How many children did they take? How many people did they murder? Why? Taking, and then abandoning them? An international slave ring? The black market?
"Then what did you do?" The voice of the older man was strained.
The voice that spoke was quiet, acceptance of his fate, perhaps? "I decided that the four of us should stay together, as a family." He paused. "We grew up, we got out."
The older Crawford was silent. Then he covered his face with one hand. Behind the hand, the voice was strained, though soft. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Brad. I searched for you but couldn't find you. If only..."
"I don't blame you, Dad. You couldn't have known."
"All those years... If only I could have given you the life you deserved..."
"It's all right now, Dad. I'm already home."
Brad rose from the table, taking his plate with him. He turned away from the sight of his father.
"Why did they take you?"
Brad froze. "I do not know." He moved away quickly.
Schuldich slipped quietly out of the corner of the elder Crawford's mind, where he has listened, unnoticed. He was silent as he sat by himself at the noisy table. Yes, it was all true, everything that Brad told his father. Except for when he said he didn't know.
Brad knew, all right, he knew all too well.
That orphanage, after all, was Rosenkreuz.
Schuldich poked pensively at his stew after Brad left the table. He'd almost thought that Brad would tell the truth about Schwarz, putting it all in the open for his family to see. He could sense the hesitation just by looking at his leader's face, that he was just so close to spilling the beans, the all on Schwarz.
Stirring his stew around, he wondered, how could Crawford even consider telling his family the truth? He stabbed at a lump of meat. It made the redhead confused. Ol' Stick-in-the-Arse never wavered, the cold bastard. So why would he even think about putting his team, his long time fellows into possible danger by telling his father?
Maybe, whispered a corner long-hidden at the back of his thoughts, maybe he trusts them, trusts them far more than he trusts Schwarz? Schudich snorted, well, duh, of course, he'll be daft to trust us. But still, he couldn't tell what was going on in the American's head. Prodding ever more vigorously, he scowled.
It was not like they haven't gone through the same thing of being abducted. Surely he knew the importance of not revealing them to his family? How irresponsible. He chuckled mentally. Me? Who am I to lecture the Great Crawly on responsibility?
"Hey, if you don't stop prodding your food, you're gonna grind right through the plate." He looked down; the aforementioned meat had been reduced to mere mush under his fork. He looked up.
Matthias Crawford blinked his clear brown eyes at his sister-in-law. "What are you grinning about?" He lounged easily in his chair and stretched his long legs out. He was definitely around Brad's height. Schudich wondered what it was that these American ate.
"Mnn? Me? Gosh, I was thinking about why Brad never told us about his family, from what I see, he must really love you guys a lot."
"Don't think so, no. We haven't really heard anything about him at all till Dad suddenly mentioned him to us around a few months back. Never even knew we had a brother. Mum explained it all nice and clear though."
"Really?"
"Brad was a kid that they adopted when they've just gotten married. The doctors said that mum couldn't have children, but they really wanted a boy. So they went to different states looking for an orphanage that'll let them adopt, seeing that they're newly-weds and all. California was the only state with laxer laws on adoption, so they managed to adopt a kid." He grinned. "The way mum put it, it seemed that Brad was really special. Some whiz kid."
Schuldich laughed " Yes he is, he definitely is."
"It's kind of strange to suddenly have a big brother you've never even laid eyes upon, though it grants my wish of having an older brother. He seems rather cold at first, but I think that he's alright once I get to know him better. Must be quite traumatic, being kidnapped and all that. Doesn't seem to want to open up-" He reached beside him and seized Nagi in a headlock "-unlike this one!"
"Yaaaaaargh! Heeeeeelp meeeeeee" Nagi flailed, eyes pleading.
"You talk too much, that's what you do." Matthias retorted. "I've gotten even more relatives in tow, thanks to my darling elder brother."
He released a muttering Nagi and continued. " So after the abduction, my parents had children instead of adopting them, by accident. Apparently Mum could have kids, but only at a great risk to her own health."
"She must really love kids. I, on the other hand, would strangle the little buggers on sight." Matthias laughed. The redhead smiled. "So, 'nuff about my husband dear, how about you? Tell me about yourself."
"Me? Let me tell you something first, pretty important, this." He leaned forward. " Truthfully, you couldn't have picked a more complicated family to marry into. We've got this circle of trust, you see. Dad talks about trust trust trust all the time, so only certain people are allowed into this circle." He raised his eyebrows.
Hoo boy, are you sure you really want to know about this can of worms?"
"Well, yes, if you're really a can of worms."
" My dad, my sister and me, we all work for the government."
"Like civil servants? Doesn't sound all too secretive to me."
" Think military, police, that kind of thing-"
Schuldich's eyes widened. Oh gods Braddy! What have you gotten us into now!
"--the entire family is in the FBI, we're talking about federal agents here." Matthias Crawford grinned. " Pretty cool or what?"
The rest of Schwarz fell silent, staring. "What? Did I say something wrong?"
Schuldich blanched mentally and thought BLOODY HELL! Braddy! What wrong with your bloody genes!
Genes? But I'm adopted!
Brad! You foresaw this, didn't you?
Well, no.
How can you be so unsurprised then? This throws a monkey wrench in everything!
Well, not really.
Stop giving me damn quips and explain!
WELL, huffed Brad Crawford, I happened to have known it all along, even before going off to Rosenkreuz. My father happened to be the head of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
WE ARE GOING TO DIE. Wailed Nagi while Schu cursed. Farfello simply waited for Brad to continue.
What better place to hide than under the very roof of the FBI agent?
I can think of many places less liable to convey coronaries! Why didn't you tell us earlier?
How would you have reacted? I couldn't have us stirring up suspicion.
Schuldich sighed. Sometimes I wonder why we put all our trust in you, Brad.
It's because I take care of everything.
That too. The telepath conceded.
It was after lunch when Brad entered Farfello and Nagi's room. The talk with his father was a relief, to get that burden of hiding the truth out of the way. There was a certain grain of truth in it... Brad felt a little guilty for the lie, but what would his father think if he told him that he was an assassin? A mere puppet to an all-powerful organization? He was afraid that his father would fear him, cutting off all possibility of loving his son ever again... Or even worse, hate him for being what he was, what he was trained to be.
Now there was a certain irony to it all. If his family was in the FBI, that'll make the need to be secretive, hiding everything from his family. Who knew? They might even be the ones out looking for Schwarz. He wouldn't put it past dramatic irony.
He smiled tightly. But that didn't matter.
Nagi was unpacking his bags while the Irishman hogged the bathroom; there was a sound of rushing water.
"Nagi, I want you to set up your computer and our network as fast as possible. I need you to keep an eye on what Esset is doing. We will prepare for their next attack when they trace us.
"Yus sur. Right on it, sur. Anything else sur?"
"Check up on Esset's assets in America. We are going to ruin the organization." A broad satisfied smile spread across the American's face, one with icy determination behind it.
"Schwarz was back in action again." Nagi gave a challenging grin in response to Crawford's. "Oooo funfunfun. And about time too. I suppose you want to know who's the higher-up are in the place now, eh?
"They installed new Elders after we blew up the last ones."
"What! Why didn't you tell me!" There was chagrin evident in the other's voice.
"They haven't got a proper grip on power yet. Still weeding out the competitors, you know."
"I suppose you would tell me that our enemies are after us only when we see the whites of their eyes?"
Nagi ignored that comment and changed the subject, intelligently. "I brought our entire database with us. Actually, it's in the box with my CDs. Sooo, can I charge the transport cost to our little company fund?"
A flat reply. "No."
"Why?"
"Your CDs take up more than ninety percent of that crate. And I know you have you own money stashed away somewhere."
"Stingy meanie."
"I suppose it'll arrive at ten tomorrow morning. So get your cash ready then."
"Meeeniee."
"Talking about Minnie, you are lucky I didn't make you wear those Disney-themed clothes."
There was a sullen silence. "Poo."
The Crawfords led the four around the house, showing them the immaculate backyard, various spots of interest, and finally--
the Game room,
Farfello grinned. The others stared in silent admiration. Matt stood at the doorway, his arms akimbo as a lopsided smile spread across his face like a proud father showing off his son. "So, whatdyaa think?"
Schu whistled. Mirrors covered all four walls of the basement, reflecting the dark hulks of workout equipment to infinity. A gleaming fighting ring sat in the center of the spacious room, daring all to come within. Nagi circled the room.
"Wow." He traced the outline of the machines. "Cool."
Brad looked on the scene with satisfaction. At least Schwarz would have a place to workout.
David Crawford looked at his son as a grudging smile struggled onto his face. "You can come here anytime, "A note of warning, "but make sure you keep the equipment down here in top working order."
Brad nodded an affirmative.
Whoah, Braddy, your dad's got the whole damn range of equipment here. I haven't even seen some of these! Schu prodded at a hulk of black gleaming steel.
Matt vaulted into the ring and shifted his weight from foot to foot, shadow-boxing. "I happen to be rather good at martial arts. Anyone want to try?" He beckoned to Brad challengingly. "Let's see how you do!"
Brad hesitated. If he wasn't careful enough he might reveal his abilities. He hesitated. His father gave him a jab in the shoulder. "Go on, it's just a game." The younger Crawford bent over as he entered the ring.
"You better be on guard, I'm gonna see if you're fightin' material." Matt began to circle as Brad stepped sideways with his bearing erect, eyeing the other.
"Don't smoosh your little brother, Braddy. I think I like him." The redhead stood beside their father. Damn, how could he let himself be lured into such a situation? He readied himself, hoping that his reflexes wouldn't give him away.
He said wryly, "I think I'm going to lose, you know?" His brother gave him a disbelieving look as he bounced.
"C'mon, you can't be all that bad."
"Why not let me try?" The unexpected voice spoke up from a corner of the ring. Somehow the boy managed to slip in, eluding Matt's perception. He stopped.
"What?"
"My dad isn't so good at fighting." The boy smiled, "I, on the other hand, and quite good."
Matt smirked at him. "Oh really?"
"I think I can whoop your ass."
Matt's eyes widened as the rest of them chuckled at Nagi's comment. He gave Brad a knowing grin that that said; Don't worry, I'm just playing. I won't hurt him.
As Brad retired from the ring, he gave him a weak smile. It wasn't that he was afraid that Nagi couldn't defend himself. In fact, his brother might have just set himself up to be killed.
Schuldich smirked as he came over. "Poor, poor man. Nagi's gonna trounce him."
David Crawford raised an eyebrow at their comments. "I'm not too sure about that... Matthais is professionally trained--" Schuldich was still grinning. He shrugged and turned to the ring. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
When the fighting started, David Crawford heard himself say, "Oh dear."
Schu was in the kitchen with Mrs. Crawford. Technically, she was Mrs. Crawford too, but she was glad to be devoid of that honor. The redhead scrubbed the dirty dished in the sink while Mrs. Crawford cleaned the cooking pots.
"So, Schully, I hear that you were from the same orphanage as Brad."
"Uh, yes. We've known each other for a long time."
The older lady grinned as her tone grew secretive. "So tell me how you two met."
"Excuse me?"
"You know, how you two met, had fun, got married? I want to know every little bit of trivia about my son, right down to the naughty little details."
Schuldich gulped. My goodness...Never would have thought Braddy's Mom had a fetish for lewd literature.
"C'mon. It's between us ladies."
"Well...alright." The telepath's grin spread across her face. Well Braddykins, I suppose my revenge is going to be more extensive than I planned...
"Did you know that Brad has a fetish for leather?"
David Crawford was in his room, changing into his working clothes. The reflection in the mirror showed a sharp-looking older man in his crisp-cut suit. After all, one has to make a good impression on his subordinates, and instill fear into the greenies.
He knew that his son, Matt, and his daughter were doing the same. They had all requested for a half-day off to welcome Brad. It was rare for anyone to take an entire day off the job, especially when they were on important cases. There was still a lot of work to do.
He exited his room and met his children in the corridor. Matt was dressed in that blue suit he always wore, a little more bruised than usual. He rubbed his jaw. Kreiesten wore her slacks and ladies' jacket.
Yes, with almost military precision, they descended that stairs.
Today, there will be more things for him to do. He will enter his office as usual, sit at the same chair. But he will have new criminals to catch. The ones that took his son.
He wondered how his subordinates were doing about those four assassins.
When they were gone, Schu and Mrs. Crawford were doing the laundry.
"It's rather nice to have someone help with the housework for once. The others just leave their stuff lying everywhere. "
Schuldich eyed the pile of clothes in front of her. Of course he knew how to do the laundry. It was just that he didn't expect to do THAT much.
A few days later...
Brad and the others settled in comfortably in the Crawford family home. Brad was forever in Nagi's room, directing him in his searches. Nagi was getting huffy. After several hours, Brad sent a thought out.
Schuldich, I need to talk to you. Brad got a faint impression of the redhead trapped with his mother, making lunch.
Yes. And I have plenty to talk to you about too! Miraculously, I have survived three days of hand-to-hand housekeeping, cooking and LAUNDRY! Do you know what GOES into the washing machine! And the stuff that Farfie gets on his clothes have to be HANDWASHED--
If you are about finished--
--AND me being in demure mode twenty-four seven is sickening! I SICKEN MYSELF! Do you know how much it takes to sicken me!
--please come up to Nagi's room.
A few moments later, the telepath appeared at the door, an apron tied around his waist, spatula brandished threateningly in the other. Nagi stared wide-eyed.
Shut up kiddo. The telekinetic shrugged and shut the door behind the former.
"You better have a good excuse. Your Mom has me doing the fish for lunch." The telepath ripped the apron off as she sat on Farfello's bed. "I hate fish." Brad was in a straight-backed chair, behind Nagi as he sat at his console.
Brad gave her a sharp look. Pay attention Schuldich. We have located several regional headquarters of Esset in the country. One of them is in Washington.
The redhead whistled, a noise incongruous with his outfit. That's too close to home.
Well, don't be surprised if we get attacked anytime soon. They have already dispatched a team of Retrievers to find us. Brad turned back to Nagi. Search for a weapons supplier, in this district or the closest one. Illegal is best.
"Hai."
Well well, I wonder where we can find 'em. Just let Farfie loose on one of them street gangs and we'll have a whole armory.
I've found one. This guy has his lurking spot somewhere downtown. Schu never failed to be astonished by the speed at which their personal search engine could turn up useful information. It's a dingy little gay bar called Blood Brothers.
Schu got up and looked over his shoulder. Ooo naughty. No wonder the cops haven't got him yet.
What kind can he provide?
The gay men or the weapons? Nagi caught the look that Crawford shot him.
Okay, okay. Just joking."His fingers flashed over the keyboard. Anything from handguns, hand-to-hand weaponry, dirty of course. Rifles..."The telekinetic grinned.
..and custom-made explosives, made to order. I think we hit the jackpot. Brad paused thoughtfully.
Schu, I need you to contact this man. Negotiate with him to find out how much his guns cost.
Which guns? The redhead gave him a saucy grin.
Handguns, the whole array. He paused, catching the telepath widening grin. "Stop thinking about that. That is disgusting."
"I didn't say anything. You just assumed."
"I know, more like it. Will you go?"
"What's in it for me?" The redhead raised an eyebrow.
" After you're done, you can have the rest of the night off. No questions asked." The redhead's eyes widened. Oh, for just one night!
I'm taking it!
Farfello was digging in the backyard.
"What are you doing, dear?" Mrs Crawford leaned out the kitchen window.
Farfello grunted as he dug harder. "Lookin' for worms, Mrs Crawford."
"What do you want them for?"
"So I can put them on the flower beds. It'll help the plants." He dug further.
"Oh. Alright, then. But I would appreciate it if you didn't dig that hole right in the middle of the lawn. Somewhere off to the side. My husband took quite a while to cultivate the grass."
The white-haired man stopped. "Oh. Sorry, Mrs Crawford." He looked around at the kitchen window, but the old lady had already withdrawn.
Mrs Crawford thought to herself as she continued to fry her fish. That Fabien was such a nice, sweet boy, but in some undefinable way, he was quite strange. Rather eccentric.
The madman sighed to himself as he filled in the hole that he had just dug. He straightened and surveyed the yard, then moved onto the bare flowerbeds. He sunk his spade into the crumbly soil and started digging afresh, wondering how deep a weapons cellar Brad Crawford wanted.
So when do you want me to find this guy? Tonight?The redhead lounged on the bed once more.
Tonight's fine. We'll exit the house together, then we'll go separate ways. I'll take the car back when the lights are out. Brad flicked his fringe out of his face as he stood over Nagi.
The telepath whined. So you won't come with me? Not even for one night? I thought we could have fun...
I know you are fully capable of finding your own kind of 'fun'. The redhead pouted.
But then there won't be anyone to pick me up when I'm down and out! The tall American turned around and looked down ' the German. He narrowed his eyes.
Schudich, I'm warning you. You better not get drunk and embarrass yourself, not to mention the rest of us, in front of this family. You've got all the events down right? The redhead smirked back up at him.
I can't make any promises They have a tendency to get broken...
You stay sober, or else... The precog looked disdainfully from his great height as he ended threateningly.
Oh, all right. Quit being such a party pooper.
There was the matter of transport.
Brad poked his head into the kitchen and tried not to smirk at the sight of the telepath flipping the fillets. Luck was in his favour and his mum looked up from her chopping board. She smiled. "Oh, hello dear." Schu whipped around, ready to launch her spatula at him. Upon spotting the elderly lady locked in conversation, she turned sullenly back to the pan.
"Mom, Schu and I are going to explore the downtown tonight. Can we borrow Dad's car?"
The older lady pursed her lips. "Oh, I don't know about that. I'll talk to your father when he gets back from work." She smiled again. "Your father doesn't go out at night, so I suppose the car's free by then."
"Okay, thanks Mom." He gave her a rare smile as he exited.
The old lady hurried over to the redhead and elbowed her. Schuldich yelped. "So you two are going to paint the town red tonight, aren't you?"
Schu smirked at her 'mother-in-law'. "How did you guess?"
"I know. I was young too, you know. What are you planning tonight? I can help keep the others away from your room."
The redhead paused thoughtfully. "Well, I don't know. Probably get into a bar, get drunk and snog the night away in the back seat."
"Sounds fine." Schu raised an eyebrow at the old lady. The seemingly respectable matron smirked at her. "Hey hey, I know all the things that you children do nowadays. How do you think I managed to snag such a dashing young man like David?" Schuldich's jaw dropped further.
"Just don't leave beer bottles or underwear in the car. I'd hate to explain that to my husband."
It was night.
Heads turned when the door tinkled. And, unlike many times before, curious eyes were rewarded. A sensual redhead slipped casually into the crowd, blending easily with the neon masses. Men gazed unabashedly at the slinky shape of a clearly beautiful man looking for a good time.
Schuldich sat himself on a tall barstool and crossed his legs. Leaning languidly on the counter, he ordered a Red Martini. His tight black leather pants showed his assets to an audience hidden in the shadows of their seats. The translucent halter top hid his (cough, or her) bindings but seductively enhanced the attraction of sculpted muscles. Sighing and fanning himself, Schu wondered whether their gay, gallivanting weapons supplier would ever show. Amusingly, here he was, a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman. A suppressed snort. Funny how it all works out in the end.
Fingers toyed with the cascade of flame hanging free around his shoulders, he eyed the dancers on the floor as they ground and grooved to a heavy, heady beat, reminding him of unsubtle foreplay. He averted his eyes as the grind became undeniably implicit. In all his years in his job, he could not understand the neurotic love that men have for each other, the love that cause them to forsake the natural attraction for women and hide themselves in such places. The German spotted a couple frenching hard against a wall, their bodies trying to force themselves into a closer position, closer than skin can ever permit. How tragic, he mused, that love strikes those that can never be together. How desperate and how sad. He closed his eyes and drifted gently over the thoughts and sensations of the crowd.
There were some with an unrequited longing for love and human contact, male or female regardless. There were some with animalistic lust for the forbidden and taboo, placing other men on a pedestal far more tantalizing and untouchable, almost like a crystal desire. And then there were those who sold their bodies, giving wide shallow impressions, only wanting to get laid for the sensations and the money, to continue living, to prove that they're alive by the man's touch.
We're just desperate animals, dear brothers, looking for a love for us and us alone.
Even with closed eyes, he did not need to sense telepathically the presence next to him.
"Hiya there, beautiful. What are you doing here all by yourself?" Without opening his eyes, Schuldich gave a wide smile, lounging back even further.
"Just enjoying the place. Feeling the sounds and people. H'bout you?" He opened his clear emerald eyes, looking through his lashes at a nervous, grinning teenager. Dressed rather snazzy in his black business-like top and brown jeans, his demeanor gave him away as an anxious person. He perched on his stool, sitting on his hands. His open, friendly face had a kind and gentle look.
"Well, the same… just looking around. Um, you know, it's hard to find someone to talk to." His relieved smile brought the same response to the redhead's face. "Waiting for someone? You've been sitting here for a while." Schu sat up from his reclined position and slid an arm around his companion's shoulders.
"I think the person I've been waiting for has already come." He planted a mock-kiss on the boy's cheek. The teenager blushed furiously and stuttered. The redhead murmured low into his ear." What do you say, I head over to your place and get down to business?" The boy nearly jumped out of his skin.
"My…my place? Uh... I'm flattered…. But I'm really really waiting for someone."
Schu purred. "Oh, I'm sure that person wouldn't mind, would he? I'm pretty sure he would understand if you made off with somebody like me…" He blew into his ear. The boy nearly screamed. Wrapping his long arm around the protesting boy's waist, Schu navigated both of them to the door into the cold night air.
Once outside, the German guided the both of them to a secluded alleyway. Schu absently noted that there were other couples already there getting down and dirty. He swung the boy against the hard cold brick wall, trapping him with his body, planting arms on either side of the boy's head. The boy gulped, his Adam's apple bobbing violently.
"Hey! Wait! I don't think I'm ready for this kind of thing!"
Schu buried his nose against the side of the boy's neck. "Mmm? What were you doing in a place like this then?" He nuzzled his shaking neck. The boy tried to push his head away, but to no avail; the German was simply too strong.
The redhead stopped suddenly and released the boy, who stumbled away from the wall. "So you think I'm just some kind of whore?" The redhead's voice shook as he covered his face with his hands. "Like I'm some kind of freak? Do you know how hard it is, how hard it is to put up with all the hard stares of people everyday!" He sank to the floor, head bent over his long legs.
The teenager stammered, genuinely worried. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean anything that way…"
Schu's voice sounded strained as he whispered brokenly, "I just want to find someone who cares… just someone to talk to." His silken mop of hair trembled, making his seem so small and vulnerable.
"Well… er… we can go to my apartment and …and just talk. About things. Anything. Please, please don't cry…" The boy crouched over the redhead, patting his back, rubbing his hair comfortingly.
"Really…?" The German sniffled.
"Well, uh, yes…. If you promise not to do anything like what just happened…."
"I promise." Said the German, in a small voice.
"Well, here we are." The boy flipped the switch. He had introduced himself as Jason. The large room was lighted, revealing a carpeted expanse with sparse furnishings. A worktable dominated an entire side of the place, with a half finished mechanical object on it. Wall to wall, every inch of vertical surface was covered with stainless steel cabinets, fixed with digital locks. "Well, it also doubles up as my workshop, so it's a little messy."
"It's alright… it's nice….Jason." The redhead seated himself on a small couch and drew his legs up to his body.
"Want anything to drink? I've got coffee, tea, hot chocolate…" The teenager rummaged though a wooden cupboard to one side.
"Hot chocolate, please." Schu glanced at the impressive-looking cupboards. "Why are you living by yourself? Shouldn't you be living with your family?"
The boy gave a light laugh. "No, I had foster parents who let me move out, since I had enough money." He set the kettle on the boil. "I make stuff and people buy them… I don't go to school either because I'm pretty well off inventing things."
"Coo… that would you make you a prodigy…" The boy sat on another chair.
"I don't really think of myself as such, it's just easy for me and my parents. I can make a living, my parents don't have to spend so much on me."
Schuldich sighed. "I wish I had parents like that." He looked to the cupboards. "So what do you invent? And what are in those cupboards?"
The boy coughed nervously, "Well, it's supposed to be a secret…."
"Aww come on…tell me. I promise I won't tell anyone else…"
"No, I really shouldn't…." He smiled. "Actually, I was supposed to be meeting with a customer when you hauled me off." Jason got up and sat with Schuldich on the small couch. "So talk. You wanted to talk earlier on…"
"It's so hard to find someone to talk to…. Tell me about your work, Jason…"
"No, I can't."
"At least tell me what is in the cupboards," the German pleaded, "I have to know." The boy bite his lip for a moment, deliberating. It was rare that anyone wanted to see his collection, but… he couldn't put a stranger at risk…. The beautiful redhead looked at him appealingly. He blinked, yes, the stranger was disconcertingly beautiful. If he was homosexual, he would have no qualms about getting into a relationship with him… He gave in. The redhead smiled encouragingly, almost gleeful.
"Okay, just one cupboard, alright?" He grinned, "Don't tell anyone." He tapped in an access code, and the steel doors swung open with a hiss. Schuldich rose with awe on his face. Oh my god...
There, on rows and rows of racks, lay gleaming weapons, glowing blue in the florescent light. Many looked incredibly powerful, many had designs that he had never seen before. Jason grinned, "I'm quite proud of them… Made them myself." He paled, suddenly realizing his slip. The redhead did not seem to hear him.
"Oh my… they are fantastic…." Breathed Schu. "I'd love to spend more time staring at them right now…but first…." As quick as a flash, before Jason could protest, he snatched a particularly nasty looking gun off the rack, screwed on a silencer, loaded it—
A heavily-armed SWAT trooper crashed the apartment door down.
And plugged the intruder in the helmet. The man flew backward with the force of the shot, crashing into his teammates. Schuldich whooped as Jason's jaw dropped.
"Wha—what happened? What's going on!"
"Love to explain it to ya, Jason baby, but right now you've gotta grab your stuff and scram because the FBI's on to your ass! Get moving!"
Schuldich controlled all the minds of the SWAT teams as Jason bewilderedly loaded his collection onto his black jeep, more than a little unnerved by the sightless stares of the people he passed on the way out. His mind raced. Who is this Schuldich? Why would he save him from the FBI? Is he a bad guy? Why aren't the people moving?
A voice in his head replied, I would love to answer your questions darling, but I'm a tad busy right now. There was a mental image of the redhead ripping out the tapes of the surveillance cameras and setting them on fire.
Jason heart clenched with fear, Oh my god he's telepathic!
Yes, yes, enough of stating the obvious, you'll get your explanations later. Within moments, the telepath vaulted into the passenger's seat beside him. "Let's go!" He thumped the dashboard as the jeep shot off.
Once safely out of range, Schuldich relinquished his mindhold on the police and the SWAT teams, erasing all memory of the two of them, replacing them with conveniently scripted conclusions. He heaved a sigh and ran a hand though his long hair.
They were traveling along the highway, heading towards home under Schuldich's instruction. Jason's hands were shaking as he shifted gear. "How… did you know that they were coming? Who are you?"
"Me…? Let's start from the beginning. First, a co-worker of mine contacted you, I think he used the name Nirvana, and you were supposed to meet someone called Mastermind at the gay bar, weren't you?"
"How do you know that?"
"Elementary, my dear Jason, I am Mastermind. At your service. No holds barred."
"Oh my god."
"Yes, I get that a lot."
"Who are you people?"
"People who want to keep you alive for the good of everyone else, as well as to stop an evil organization from taking over the world and we would like you to become one of us. Sounds cheesy, but that's the most succinct I can get it."
"Oh my god."
"Will you stop saying that?"
"And now, as soon as we get in there, you are going to be very quiet because our high and mighty leader's mum is asleep and we are not going to wake her up. Because she is going to demand an explanation and I'm in no mood for one."
Jason gulped. And nodded. They were already outside the house, though still sitting in the jeep.
"Once in a secure room, we will communicate via telepathy because the high and mighty leader's dad is a paranoid freak who bugs the house. The high and mighty leader will then explain every single thing. Any questions?"
"What are we going to do with my collection? We just can't leave it here on the street!"
"Well, say hello to Farfello. He will be our bellboy for today." Jason shied violently away form the back of his chair. A yellow eye gleamed in the backseat. "He'll take your luggage to a safe place"
"Oh my god!"
Farfello blinked. "Jumpy, isn't he?"
The duo snuck up the stairs, as silent as mice. Jason fingered a gun in his pocket, hoping that the telepath wouldn't notice. He was afraid; this was so unbelievable. If someone told him that morning that he'll be saved from the FBI by a gay man who worked for a rebel organization who operated from the confines of their parent's house, he would have directed that person to head to the sanitarium. And—
Would please not broadcast so damn loudly? I could have told you I wasn't gay. Quite the opposite in fact.
"What?"
Talk in your head!
What? You're not gay?
No, I like men.
So you're gay.
No, I'm not gay! Is that all you're concerned about?
They were heading down a corridor to a door with light streaming out from under it. Schuldich rapped against the door and then opened it.
Crawford was standing behind Nagi's chair, while the hacker was busy on his computer, tapping furiously without touching the keyboard. Crawford turned around. About time the both of you got here.
The telepath grumbled We would have gotten here a lot faster if this boy here didn't drive within the speed limit.
If Schuldich didn't introduce the rest of us already, I'm Brad Crawford. He shook hands with Jason. And this is Nagi Naoe, who is presently known as Neil for certain reasons.
Charmed. Said Nagi, without turning around.
Now, if you would please hand over the gun before you wake the neighbors up. We have had enough action for one night. Stunned, Jason handed over his weapon.
What is going on? Who are you people?
Well, sit down, I'll explain everything. Brad sat down on a couch.
About time too, O great and mighty leader, he's been shell-shocked all the way. Schuldich sank onto the couch beside him with a groan and pops of tendon.
We are the former assassin group Schwarz, comprising of four members; Nagi, Farfello, Schuldich and myself. We used to work for this international organization called Esset, which is bent on world domination. It employs people with special capabilities for their ends. Schwarz has managed to destroy the upper echelons of the organization and has escaped its clutches by fleeing to America.
Fleeing is such a horrible word, oh mighty leader, use 'took a vacation'.
Now, Esset wants to destroy our group, because we pose the greatest threat to their plans. And their agents are already here in America.
Oh my god
There he goes again.
Since we have basically no weapons to start with, we need the services of such like you. We have adequate funds to meet your payment and requirements, and we are the only people who can hide you from the FBI.
Will you work with us?
I don't know if I can trust you. I can't just base my decision on everything you say.
Let me tell you this. If we had let the SWAT team get to you, you will be spending the next twenty years in jail. We have saved you from the law. That would put us on the same side; not with the law, not with the criminals.
Schuldich crossed his legs. Plus, you can save the world too, while you're at it.
Did I mention that Schuldich is a very freaky person? Jason scowled at the redhead.
Why thank you. The telepath smirked. If you're still wondering why they call me Mastermind, remember that you volunteered to bring me home.
What! You were crying!
Brad narrowed his eyes. I didn't need to know that.
I have my ways, oh great leader, I have many, many ways.
So I'm supposed to accept a preposition from a gay telepath and three other abled persons who claim to be assassins and who are hiding in their parents' house.
They're his parents. Not mine, Plus, it's formerly evil assassins who have just gotten in a fix.
And I'm supposed to believe that?
Well, yes. The telepath opened one eye lazily. After how much the gay telepath went through to get you here.
I went through the most traumatic experience in my life!
Schuldich, Crawford frowned, I thought I ordered you not to traumatize him.
With Schuldich, replied Nagi, everything is traumatic.
Hey! I resent that!
Nevertheless, said Crawford, shooting the others a look, we are serious about our offer; will you supply us weapons? In return you'll get paid for your services and shelter from the FBI.
I doubt you can afford my services. I charge very high rates.
Oh, I'm very sure we can afford them. Smiled Crawford grimly. We can afford them very easily.
Even so, how can you keep me hidden from the FBI? They have eyes everywhere! I already had a difficult time evading them before.
Well, we're living in a house full of FBI agents for one—
Oh my god!
--they'll never look right under their nose.
Jason, scowled Schuldich, if you don't stop saying that, I'll feed you to Farfello.
Oh my freaking shit!
Good boy.
Author's notes (again): Well, finally managed to finish one chapter… Had totally forgotten about it. Had some fun typing out the last part over the last few days. I had gotten this email from some reader about waiting for the next chapter and such. So I thought; why not? Time to get this story rockin' baby!
Write in to tell me what you think, dearies, and show me that there's someone out there peepin' at my endeavours. :D
