Spooky: First off I must warn you about the language. It's pretty strong, but I guess it could be worse. Just don't use any language in the reviews. God knows what my mom would do if she found out.

Asar: Kill you maybe.

Spooky: Na, anyway this chapter's for sweetangel. Thank you for reviewing. Also I didn't make Quatre as sappy as some stories do, because I just don't think he's that empathetic. I mean he's more than the other pilots but I still think he's strong willed or whatever. He's still empathetic, just not a sap. You know what I mean, right?

Asar: We hope so.

Spooky: I couldn't get this up sooner because my Internet connection has been acting screwy. But hopefully it'll be fine now. Well here's the story.

Duo turned off the TV and stood up. "Who's ready to play some more cards?" he asked. Everyone sat back at the table. Duo turned on music from a nearby satellite. "Okay-" Duo was interrupted by a message on the COM unit. He stood up and walked over to the wall by the door. He pushed a button and spoke into it. "This is Duo."

"Is Ms. McCloud there?" asked the captain.

"Yeah. She's right here," answered Duo.

"There's an incoming message for her. I'll transfer it if she wants."

Duo looked at her, she nodded then stood up.

"Sure. Go ahead and transfer," said Duo.

Veronica walked over and Duo sat back down.

"Veronica?" came a voice over the COM. It sounded like a man in his twenties.

"Yes?"

"Good," said the voice. "I thought you were on the Mars 5."

"Who is this?" demanded Veronica.

"You know who I am," said the voice.

Veronica's body went tight. Her hands balled into fists. "Bren," she whispered.

"That's right," he answered. "I just wanted to make sure you were where I thought you were."

"What do you want?"

"To tell you that your fathers dead."

"You bastard. That's a lie."

"Are you sure?" asked Bren.

Veronica thought for a minute. "But Valren needs him."

"Well maybe he doesn't anymore."

Veronica was silent for a moment. "What do you really want?"

"To remind you that if you're not on Earth in six days, I'll kill Nick," answered Bren.

"I know that. I got the email," snapped Veronica.

"Good. You know he's pretty tough. He's taken every beating and not said a word. Of course he's not as fun as you."

Veronica felt the tears well up. She didn't care, the tears streamed down her cheeks. "You're sick," she whispered.

"I know," he answered evilly. "Now, you remember all the fun times we had together? We'll do the same thing when you get here."

"I hate you!" screamed Veronica.

Bren laughed evilly. "I know, I know!" Finally he stopped laughing. "Hey! What about me!" said a male voice in the background. "Right," said Bren. "Kyle also says he's waiting for you."

"Damn both of you to hell!" screamed Veronica. She felt a rising need to smash something. But she kept it under control, for the moment.

"Is he the one who beat you?" asked Quatre. Veronica nodded

"So, the Gundam pilots are there with you. How much have you told them?" asked Bren.

"Enough," answered Veronica icily.

"Come on. You can tell me."

Veronica gritted her teeth. "I told them about you beating me and about Valren kidnapping my parents."

"That's all?" asked Bren surprised. "Well I suppose it's a good thing you didn't say anything else."

Veronica didn't say anything. She squeezed her fists tighter.

"Your brother would have suffered for it." They heard a muffled voice, and then Bren came back on. "Kyle says he can't wait to see you. If you get the drift."

"Tell him to go to hell," said Veronica frostily.

Bren chuckled. "Of course…. We can't wait to see you. Knowing you'll come crawling back."

"Fuck you," said Veronica. "You'll never catch me again. I'll rescue my brother and parents right from under your nose. You fucking, bastard!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Such language," scolded Bren.

Veronica slapped a button and she cut off the call. Her breathing was heavy and her heart was pounding. She had been clenching her fists so hard she was surprised that they weren't bleeding.

"Is all that true?" asked Duo.

Veronica closed her eyes. Tears ran down her face. She turned around. They all looked at her. Her cool exterior gone all the pain and hate showed through her eyes. "Yes," she answered softly. She sank to the floor, her dignity gone. Quatre rushed over and crouched next to her. She put her hands over her face. She didn't want them to see her like this. Bren's taken everything from me, She thought. My pride, my dignity, my brother, my parents, my emotions and my feelings, at least he hasn't taken my virginity, yet. she thought hopelessly. Quatre put a hand on her shoulder. She shook it off, feeling completely dejected. Suddenly the song on the radio caught her attention. It was "I'm with you" by Avril Lavigne. She looked up, tears running down her cheeks. She quickly wiped the tears and pushed herself up. Quatre helped her up. Everyone was watching her. She swallowed hard. Quatre looked at her with questioning eyes. They walked over to the table and Veronica sat down miserably. She buried her face in her hands. Quatre sat down next to her. He set a comforting hand on her shoulder. This time she didn't shake it off. I want to tell them everything, she thought. But there's too much.

"Did they rape you?" asked Duo.

Veronica looked up at him, her eyes full of sadness. "No," she managed.

Quatre gently squeezed her shoulder. "At least you still have that. And it's okay to be scared and to cry."

Veronica stood up abruptly. "You don't understand! I have nothing!" she cried, tears streaming down her face. "I try to hide my emotions, the pain and sadness, and the hatred! I know it's okay to cry, even if I don't in front of other people. And I'm not scared of them!" She walked away from the table. Her whole body trembled. From anger or maybe fear they couldn't guess.

Quatre stood up and walked over to her. He put a hand on her shoulder. Veronica whirled around. Her eyes held every painful emotion you could ever imagine. "If you're not scared of them, then what is scaring you?" he asked.

She looked surprised. "I'm scared…no. I'm afraid for my brother and my parents. I'm scared that they won't make it through this. I don't care about what happens to me anymore. I just want them freed."

"Why don't you care about yourself anymore?" asked Quatre.

"I don't know, I just don't. I'm to beaten to care; my soul's been sold, my hopes and dreams taken from me. I'm no use to anyone anymore."

"You can't think like that!" said Duo suddenly. Veronica looked at him in shock. In fact everyone did. He stood up. "You have to fight! You can't give up! Your family depends on you!"

"I wont give up, until they're safely freed. Then, I'll give myself up."

"You can't!" cried Quatre.

"Why not?" asked Veronica.

"You just can't!"

"Quatre's right!" said Duo walking over to them. "We'll help you."

"Uh, Maxwell," said Wufei. "Speak for yourself."

Duo turned around. "Come on Wufei. If what she says is true and Valren is kidnapping people, then we have to stop him!" Heero, Trowa, and Wufei looked at him shocked. "We wanna live in a peaceful world, right? Then we have to help her!"

"You know he's right," said Trowa. Heero and Wufei looked at him, and then nodded.

"You're going to help me?" asked Veronica surprised.

"Yes. We will," said Quatre setting a hand on her shoulder.

"But I don't deserve your help," she said trying to hold back the tears.

"Sure you do," said Duo putting a hand on her other shoulder. "Everyone needs help once in a while."

Quatre took his hand off her shoulder and grabbed her hand. He gently squeezed it. She squeezed back. No one saw.

Veronica slowly nodded. "Thank you."

"Alright then!" Duo took his hand off her shoulder and sat back down at the table.

Veronica didn't look like she wanted to play any more

"How about I walk you back to your quarters?" suggested Quatre.

"Yeah," said Veronica. "Yeah I could use some sleep."

They said good nights then headed for the door.

Spooky: Well that wasn't as long as the last chapter I bet your glad, or not.

Asar: I'm sure their glad you got it up.

Spooky: Yeah, anyway please review and I'll get more up. Later.