Spooky: Well here it is chapter six! This one's for Shadow Fox thanks for reviewing.

Voice: Come on guys I'll show you where she hangs out when she's not in Spooky's realm.

Voice 2&3: Cool!

Spooky: Agh! Chibi scythe-wielding bat Duo! You stay out!

CSWB Duo: Aaawww come on. I just wanted to show Jenny and Vixy this place.

Jenny (a tiger): So this is where you hang out.

Vixy (an orange striped cat): Kind of small.

Spooky: Get out all of you! This is an angst fic not humor!

CSWB Duo & Jenny & Vixy: But we're your pals!

Spooky: Argh!

CSWB Duo: (in British accent) Good help is sooo hard to find these days.

Vixy: Who is your muse for angst fics?

(Suddenly a huge pure black horse with red eyes appears)

CSWB Duo: Eep! It's the black horse of anger!

Vixy: Don't be stupid. It's Asar (1).

Jenny: Are you a muse?
Asar: (has a deep voice) Yes.

Spooky: That explains my weird ideas.

CSWB Duo: She doesn't own anything. Just herself, Jenny, Vixy, and Asar.

Asar: Here's the story.

8:17 P.M.

Veronica sat at her table typing on her laptop.

Are you going to play cards with the Gundam pilots tonight? Asked Pepper.

"Yeah, as soon as I'm done here I'm going over to Duo quarters," replied Veronica still typing. She stopped typing and looked at the screen then started typing again. Pepper watched her type for five minutes then she shut down her laptop.

"Well, I better get going," said Veronica getting up from the table.

When do you think you'll be back? asked Pepper.

Veronica shrugged. "Midnight, maybe later."

Uh huh. said Pepper disapprovingly.

"Look, you're not my mother. You can't tell me what to do."

Pepper gave a long, suffering sigh.

"Besides, you're the one who told me to get together with them. You should be happy that I'm getting to know them."

I know, I know! said Pepper frustrated. But please be back before 2:30. You still have to finish Darkstar.

"Yeah I remember. I know I'll be back before 2:30." And with that she left the room.

8:30 P.M.

Veronica rang the bell to Duo's quarters. "It's open." Came Duo's response. Veronica pushed a button and the door opened. She walked inside and saw all the Gundam pilots sitting at a table.

"Have a seat," said Duo indicating an empty seat next to Quatre.

"Thanks," said Veronica sitting down. "So, what are we playing?"

"Poker," answered Trowa simply.

"Do you guys bet or anything?" asked Veronica.

"We use pennies. But nobody keeps them. It's mostly for fun," said Duo.

"Although I could use the extra money," said Heero glaring at Duo.

"Hey! I don't have any money to spare!" said Duo raising his hands defensively.

"Can we just play?" said Wufei getting annoyed.

"Right," said Duo. "I'll be dealer first." He shuffled the cards then started dealing them out.

11:30 P.M.

"I think I've had enough poker," said Duo as Heero took the pile of pennies on the table. Heero had been the big winner. With Veronica in second, Quatre fourth, Wufei fifth, and Duo was the worst.

"I can see why you are short of cash and want to quite," said Veronica.

"Quite whining. If you don't want to play anymore than drop out," said Wufei who was annoyed at losing to the "weaklings" as he called them. "I can't believe I'm losing to an woman." He mumbled.

"What did you say?" asked Veronica who put a hand to her ear.

"I said I can't believe I am losing to a weak woman!"

Veronica smiled in triumph. Wufei glared at her.

"I don't want to drop out! I just want to take a snack break," said Duo. "Then we can come back."

"We don't need a snack break!" said Wufei slamming his fist down on the table.

"Well why don't we? We can come right back," said Quatre timidly.

"Fine," Grumbled Wufei.

"Great! I'll go get some stuff from the kitchen," said Duo jumping up and walking out the door.

Quatre went over and turned on the TV then sat down on the couch. Heero pulled out his laptop. Trowa and Wufei stayed at the table while they watched the news. Veronica walked over to the couch.

"Can I sit here?" she asked timidly.

"Sure," said Quatre smiling. Veronica sat down.

"In colony news, the colony 06E is half finished," said a female reporter on the TV. "The colony was destroyed in the AC 195 war. The Winner family started rebuilding it two weeks after the war. With their vast assets they hope to complete it by the end of this year or sooner."

Veronica looked at Quatre questioningly.

"During the war I destroyed it," said Quatre blushing. "I figured it was my duty to rebuild it."

"How did you destroy a whole colony?" asked Veronica.

"With Wing Zero."

"Quatre. Don't give her any more information," said Heero not looking up from his laptop.

"Why not? The war's over and she's not an enemy," said Quatre.

"Because that's classified information," answered Heero.

"It doesn't matter. I already know about the Gundams Wing Zero, and the ZERO system," said Veronica casually.

"Most people know what the Gundams are and could guess that Wing Zero was a Gundam. Just because you know that doesn't mean we're going to give you the information," Wufei sneered.

"The ZERO system enhances the abilities of the pilot who uses it. Quatre has the ZERO in him and it was installed in Wing Zero," said Veronica. "It made Quatre go crazy because he already had the system in him, so it caused an overload. The ZERO system tells the future of the pilot who's in it. Of course it is only one of many possible futures, so it really isn't telling the future. More like making a guess."

They all gaped at her. Just then Duo walked in with two big sacks. "I'm back!" announced Duo. He plopped down on the floor and emptied the sacks. Inside the sacks were two bags of chips, three bags of popcorn, sausage, cheddar cheese, and Club crackers. Quatre was still gaping at Veronica.

"Hey, why is everybody looking at Veronica?" asked Duo.

"She knows about the ZERO system," said Heero suspiciously.

"Really? How much?" asked Duo.

"Enough," growled Wufei.

"How do you know all that?" asked Quatre.

Veronica shrugged. "I read your mind, and Heero's. Plus Darkstar has a similar system."

"You can read minds?" asked Duo.

"Oops," Veronica whispered.

"Show me," said Duo getting excited.

"I shouldn't," said Veronica getting nervous. Oh shit. I can't believe I said that.

"Sure you can. Just tell me what I'm thinking."

Veronica chewed on her bottom lip.

"Don't force her," said Quatre.

Duo watched her in anticipation. Veronica sighed. She concentrated and heard his thoughts. This is getting weirder all the time. "You have no idea," Said Veronica

There was a new reporter on the TV .He was talking about DC Corp. "Valren, the founder of DC Corp., is helping rebuild the colony 06E and other colonies and resource satellites that were destroyed in the war."

Veronica snorted. "You mean he's taking advantage of them."

"Why do you say that?" asked Quatre.

"Because that's what Valren does," she answered.

"But I've worked with him and his staff. They seem alright."

"Appearances can be deceiving," said Veronica shaking her head. Her hair fell forward framing her face. She pushed it behind her ear.

Quatre suddenly got hot. She's so pretty. He thought. I hope she didn't hear that.

Veronica didn't seem to be paying attention. She was watching the TV.

"What makes you think that DC Corp. and Valren are evil?" asked Trowa.

Veronica looked at Trowa, and then seemed to fight with herself. She felt their eyes on her. "Because…he kidnapped my parents and my brother," she said slowly.

They all looked at her in shock.

"Why'd he kidnap them?" asked Quatre softly.

"Because they tried to tell me why I have psychic powers," she said through gritted teeth. Her fists were clenched tight. I can't cry. She thought, desperately trying to hold back the tears.

"Why would he do that?" asked Duo "That's no reason to kidnap someone."

"Because Valren wants to take over. And…he's heartless," said Veronica shuddering. She got down on the floor and grabbed a bag of popcorn. She opened the bag and steam rushed out. She munched on the popcorn. Quatre sat down next to her on the floor.

"He was the one who beat you, wasn't he?" said Quatre softly.

Veronica didn't answer she just stared into space. Like she was looking into the past. Should I tell them any more? Suddenly she had a flashback of when she and her brother had walked into a trashed kitchen after a day in the park.

There had been blood on the walls, table, and the floor. Not a lot, but enough. She had found some strange stuff. After her brother had looked at it he had said that DC Corp. had taken their parents. She had tried not to be scared, even though she was. Then she had cried. She was 13 when that had happened. Three years ago. Nick had called the police. But they didn't believe that DC Corp. had done it. They still filed a missing person report though.

"How long ago did they get kidnapped?" asked Quatre.

"Three years," said Veronica hoarsely.

The pilots exchanged glances.

"After that long they could be dead," said Duo.

"They're not dead!" said Veronica angrily.

Trowa shook his head. Veronica saw it out of the corner of her eye.

"You don't believe me," said Veronica. There was a hard edge to her voice. She felt her temper rising. She tried to control it. But sometimes she exploded. She stood up.

"Easy," said Quatre. "If you say they're alive, then they're alive." He glanced at Duo.

Duo shrugged and changed the channel on the TV. Then went back to eating.

"They're alive," whispered Veronica as she sat down. She clenched her fists. Suddenly she heard a voice in her head. They're dead and you know it. Her hands shook as she remembered the words Bren and Valren had said. I'll kill them both. She thought angrily. I'll kill them for all the people they keep locked up and for my family. Quatre put a hand on her shoulder. She jerked.

"Easy," said Quatre softly. "Something's bothering you."

She looked at Quatre sadly. "Something is bothering me, but I can't tell you."

"Sure you can," said Duo as he turned off the TV and turned to face them.

She just stared at her clenched fists. I want to tell them. But what if… she let the thought trail off. Suddenly she heard Peppers words in her head. I don't think they'd save the world then turn around and hurt you. All right I'll trust them, at least a little bit. "I'll tell you. But you have to promise you won't tell anyone else."

"We won't tell any one," said Quatre.

Heero turned off his laptop and they all nodded.

Veronica let out a sigh. "I don't know where begin."

"How about at the beginning?" suggested Duo.

She smiled sadly. "It's hard to tell where the beginning is." She thought for a second. "Well… I've had these powers all my life. I thought I was maybe a freak of nature. Then mom and dad tried to tell me they weren't natural. They got kidnapped."

"Why does he hold them hostage?" asked Duo.

"Because he wants me back. If I go back he'll let them go. But I can't go back."

"Why not?" asked Heero.

"You wouldn't go back if you knew what they do to me."

"What do they do to you?" asked Quatre softly.

"Beat me. What else?"

"How much?" asked Trowa.

"Do you really want to know?" she looked at Trowa. Challenging him. He nodded. "All right." She thought for a minute. Remembering getting beat wasn't one of her favorite things. "First they strip you down to your under cloths, then they do what they please."

"Don't you fight back?" asked Heero. His voice was a bit mocking.

"I can't," said Veronica softly.

"Why not?" asked Duo.

"Because of this." She turned around and lifted up her hair. They all came over and looked. It was a metal implant about the size of a quarter on the base of her neck.

"It attaches straight to the brain," Said Heero.

"What does it do?" asked Wufei as she turned around.

Veronica chewed on her bottom lip. "It…controls me."

The pilots looked at each other. "What do you mean?" asked Duo.

"When some one says a certain word I have to do what they say."

"Can't you ignore it?" asked Heero.

Veronica shook her head. "If I try to it shoots pain through my body."

"What do they use to beat you?" asked Trowa.

"A two by four, a whip, their fists. Almost anything."

"Do you have any more scars?" asked Wufei.

Veronica turned around and lifted up her shirt. On her back were tons of scars.

Everyone's eyes went wide.

"What are they from?" asked Quatre.

"A whip," answered Veronica. She dropped her shirt and turned around. "And this is from a knife." She lifted up her left sleeve. There was a scar on her shoulder.

"Oh man," whisper Duo. "You weren't kidding when you said you had a hard three years." He thought for a second. "What made the one on your face?"

"Valren was mad that I had escaped so when he caught me he had Kyle take a knife and slice me. That's not the only place either."

"Who's Kyle?" asked Duo.

"He's Valren's son," answered Veronica.

"Where else did they cut you?" asked Quatre softly

Veronica swallowed hard. "Almost every where."

"Even…" Quatre didn't finish the sentence.

Veronica nodded. Duo inhaled sharply.

"Do I have to talk about this more?" asked Veronica tiredly.

"One more question," said Duo. "What are the words that control you?"

"I can't tell you," said Veronica. "You'll use it against me."

"No we won't," said Duo.

Veronica sighed wearily. "Ta havath (2)."

"Huh?"

"You wanted to know what it is and that is what it is," she said angrily.

"So it's ta havath huh?" said Duo thoughtfully.

"Duo," said Quatre in a warning tone. "Don't get any ideas."

He shrugged. "I just want to know if she's telling the truth."

"You can try it. I don't care," said Veronica softly.

Quatre looked surprised. "No we won't."

"You want to know if I'm telling the truth right? So do it. No one cares about me or what I think anyway."

"I care," said Quatre quietly.

Veronica looked at him surprised. Tears welled in her eyes. For the first time she didn't hide the pain and loneliness.

Quatre saw it all. He felt his heart go out to her. "I don't know exactly what you're going through, but if it's any consolation my parents are dead."

She nodded then looked down at her hands. When she looked up the emotion was gone from her eyes.

"We won't do it," said Quatre.

"Go ahead. As long as it doesn't involve hurting someone."

"I could make you my maid!" said Duo. For a second Veronica looked scared. "Relax. I was only kidding."

Veronica sighed relieved.

"Okay what do I want to know?" Duo thought for a few minutes. "Ta havath how did you know your parents were kidnapped?"

Veronica's whole body instinctively tightened. "It was three years ago Nick and I came home from the park. There was blood on the walls and no one was home."

"How did you know it was DC Corp.?"

"There was a badge on the floor. Once Nick looked at it he knew it was DC Corp."

"I thought your brother got kidnapped?" asked Heero.

"A year later he got kidnapped. Two years ago." She thought for a second. "Actually I thought he was dead."

"How old is your brother?" asked Quatre.

"Nineteen. He was sixteen when our parents got kidnapped. I was thirteen."

"Who designed your mobile suit?" asked Heero.

"My brother."

"Where did the AI come from?" asked Trowa.

Veronica didn't say anything. Her whole body was tight. She clenched her fists. I can't tell them where we got the AI. She grunted as the pain shot through her body.

"You don't have to answer," said Quatre. Her body relaxed.

"I don't want to talk about it any more," said Veronica quietly.

"But-"

"But nothing. If she doesn't want to talk about it then she doesn't have to." Quatre cut Duo off in mid sentence.

Duo shrugged. He turned the TV back on and went back to eating. Veronica sat there staring at her hands

"One more question," said Heero.

Veronica looked up. "What is it?"

"Does Valren own the mobile Dolls that were chasing you?"

Veronica nodded. "I escaped so he sent them after me."

Heero thought for a second. "What kind of system is in your mobile suit?"

Veronica closed her eyes and thought. Her eyelids quivered as she pulled the specific information out of her memory. "It's like the ZERO system, but different." She opened her eyes. "It's hard to explain." A pause. "I don't know the specifics of the ZERO system so I can't really compare it to that."

"I though you read Heero's mind," said Quatre.

"I don't like to pry too deep. I only read minds when necessary."

"Were you reading our minds during the card game?" asked Wufei suspiciously.

"No," said Veronica surprised.

"I never thought about that," said Duo thoughtfully.

"But I didn't!" said Veronica panicking.

"No one said you did," said Quatre gently he glared at Duo and Wufei. Duo shrugged and Wufei glared back. Quatre sighed.

No one ever believes me. Thought Veronica bitterly. She stared at her hands. Duo noticed how dejected she looked.

"Hey, I wasn't trying to accuse you," said Duo.

Veronica tried to smile at him. It didn't work.

"You don't like talking about it do you," said Quatre.

"Well trying to remember getting beaten isn't my favorite thing to do."

"We shouldn't have made you talk about it," said Quatre.

"That's okay," said Veronica.

My B.S.

1. Seriously if I had a pure black horse I wouldn't name him this. But if he had red eyes I would. The name comes from the Egyptian Book of the Dead. The name, Asar, is another name for the god Osiris, the personification of the Nile Flood and hence the god of destruction. He also represents the sun after it sets and as such was a symbol of the motionless dead.

2. From the Guardians of the Flame books by Joel Rosenberg. From one of the first seven books. It originally means take it easy.

Spooky: Sorry this was such a long one. I hope everyone liked it.

Asar: Review or I'll come after you.

Spooky: Heh, heh he's kidding.

CSWB Duo: I certainly hope so.

Spooky: You three out!

CSWB Duo & Jenny & Vixy: Right! (they disappear)

Spooky: Later!