Part Twelve
Sunlight
AN: There are two acronyms used in this chapter.
The first is UES for the United Earth Sphere, the government that controls Earth and the colonies after Endless Waltz.
The second is the ERA, or Environmental Rejuvenation Agency, an organization of my creation,
responsible for rebuilding and "rejuvenating" communities after the war.
All the usual disclaimers apply.
Wufei scowled, carefully stepping across the few patches of exposed carpet as he made his way around another small trashcan, overflowing -- much like its two counterparts -- with a multitude of Styrofoam containers, papers, and various printouts.
"Sorry about the mess," Roger explained. "We've been pretty busy lately."
The room felt close, as only a workspace shared by three people can. In what should have been the living room, three desks serving as workstations were scattered against the walls, long trails of wires, cords and paper crisscrossing the spaces between. The blinds were drawn against the bright afternoon sun, filtering shafts of sunlight into the inner gloom broken only by the faint glow of several computer screens. Wufei noticed that one of these screens held a view of the hallway, aimed at the space just outside Relena's door.
Wufei was halfway through the room before he noticed a figure draped among the shadows, leaning back in his chair with his feet propped up on a folding table that held an array of surveillance equipment as he cleaned his gun. This must be the third member of the team, Wufei realized. From what little he knew of Roger, he figured he must be the tech expert, and since Steve was the intelligence expert, this guy must be in charge of weapons. He had worked with such men before. He knew that not only were they good at long-distance marksmanship -- a skill that sometimes branded them as assassins – they were also very well-versed in many forms of hand-to-hand combat. While Wufei would never want to make an enemy of such a person, he had always harbored a secret wish to test his skills against such an opponent.
The third man straightened, setting his gun aside and wiping his hands as Wufei regarded him, his dark eyes noting the special design engraved upon the handle of his Jericho; it was probably custom made.
"Mr. Chang, this is my partner, Mr. Nathan Gale. Nathan, Wufei Chang, one of the top officers at Preventers HQ, and a fine man to work with, if I may say so, sir."
Wufei nodded at the compliment.
Nathan, who had stood almost immediately with his introduction, now offered his hand, giving Wufei's a firm shake. Wufei looked up at the man who stood a full head taller than he, meeting grey eyes the color of steel. His broad shoulders and athletic build were imposing in the cramped room; his voice resonated off the bare walls, even and confident as he spoke. "Mr. Chang, I've heard much about you, sir. There are those who consider you a living legend."
"Such people are foolish," Wufei said, breaking the handshake. Wufei ignored the look of confused hurt on Nathan's face. He had long ago had his fill of these blind worshipers of his reputation, basing their adoration on the sole fact that he had once been a gundam pilot.
"Mr. Chang," Roger interjected before Nathan could say more. "I'm actually glad to have this chance to talk with you. There're some things we've been meaning to tell you, especially since you're spending so much time with Ms. Relena."
Wufei's expression darkened with the last of Roger's statement, letting the man know he was treading dangerous waters. Not wanting to make any further insinuations, Roger cleared his throat and hastily continued.
"Er, you're familiar with an organization known as the ERA, right?"
"Those environmental fanatics -- yes, everyone's heard about them."
"They're not fanatics, Mr. Chang. They are fighting for a worthy cause."
Both Roger and Wufei looked to Nathan, whose declaration had rendered his complexion apoplectic.
"Their cause may be worthy, Nathan," Roger continued, "but their methods are questionable."
Nathan's jaw muscles flexed as though he wanted to say more, but he conceded, lowering his steel gaze with a nod of deference before returning to his table and the cleaning of his gun.
Roger reached behind him, grabbing several papers from his desk. "Take a look at these." His tone was ominous as he handed the papers to Wufei. The Chinese man's countenance grew steadily darker as he read them, the way a storm brewing on the horizon eventually grows to block out the sun. "These are last week's deliveries to Ms. Relena's office," Roger explained. "She doesn't know about them yet, and we think it's best she doesn't for now."
"Are you sure she's safe here?"
"We're doing our best to make sure she is. The UES owns this building, and its not the first time prominent political figures have been housed here. There's a security station with an independent power supply underground. From there, all entrances and exits are monitored. Plus, they can completely shut down the building with the flip of a few switches. All the doors lock, the elevator stops -- the works."
Wufei considered this. "So then, the only real trouble is keeping her safe outside the building."
Roger smiled. "Exactly, sir. But that's not easy, especially with a woman like Ms. Relena. She can't stand being followed in public, and sometimes if we do anyway, she'll manage to give us the slip."
Wufei scowled. "How can she be so stubborn?" It sounded like something Sally might do, he mused.
"Ms. Relena's got a very strong spirit, Mr. Chang. But more than that, she has great faith in people. She doesn't want to believe that anyone would be so willing to risk world peace just to attack her."
Wufei considered. "So, what have you got her wired with?"
A grin split Roger's face ear to ear. When it came to showing off his high-tech toys, he was like a little boy, just waiting to be asked. "It's a real piece of work," Roger began. "Actually, I can't take the credit for it -- Mr. Yuy gave it to her, sorta like a present after he found out about the ERA."
Wufei's expression tightened. Somehow, Roger felt he was on dangerous ground again, though he didn't quite understand how or why. Nevertheless, he hurried to continue.
"It's pretty inconspicuous -- just a little gold watch, see, the kind ladies like to wear. With that radar screen there," he explained, pointing to the table upon which Nathan reclined, "we can tell where she is almost exactly -- I mean, within a few feet. If she's in any danger, she just pushes a button on the side and it signals us. Open it up, and she's got a two-way radio."
Wufei had to smile. That sounded like something Heero would make -- completely thorough yet ultimately practical with something so simple as a watch. "Sounds like a nifty toy," Wufei agreed. "But do you really think it's enough to keep her safe?"
Before Roger could answer, the phone rang.
Relena listened with half an ear as Steve explained their situation over the phone, listening with the other half to the policeman as he told her what she already knew. A squad car had been called to take care of the homeless man, and he would like her to accompany him to the station to file an official report on the incident. Relena sighed. After dealing with her office all morning, and then that talk with Heero… After this, she felt drained, wanting nothing more than to soak in a bubble bath in the privacy of her own bathroom. How could this day get any worse? No, she thought, better not to ask that question. Afterall, it wasn't even 1 o'clock yet.
With the arrival of two police cars, the policeman excused himself. Her attention turned to the homeless man, standing now and wiping blood from his face, nodding meekly as two more of the park's officers questioned him. Once again, his gaze was focused toward the ground, fresh tear tracks visible amidst the grime of his features as he spoke to the two men. Relena couldn't help but feel sorry for him. She knew how tough life could be at times. It was even worse when you had no one else to turn to.
A heavy sigh escaped her, and she had to force the image of Wufei from her mind. It was stupid to wish he were here, she told herself. Even if he were, there was nothing he could do; the police were handling everything. But still…
She looked to Steve. He was still talking on the phone, but he had taken a few steps away, his back turned to her as he shook his head, speaking in low tones she could not understand. Relena's brows furrowed in thought as she regarded him, wondering what he could be talking about that he didn't want her to hear.
"Excuse me, miss?"
Relena blinked, focusing once again on the young policeman whom she had just spoken to.
"We're ready to go now, if you'd like to follow me this way?" he said, gesturing to a waiting police car.
Relena's gaze turned back to the homeless man. He was handcuffed now, arms behind his back as they led him toward another waiting car.
"Do you think I could ride with him?" Relena asked, turning a hopeful look toward the young officer.
"Uh, I don't think that would be wise, ma'am. He did just assault you--"
"Please? I don't think he'll cause any more trouble." As the officer still debated, Relena gave him her kindest smile.
Roger set the phone down with a sigh that was part relief, part frustration. He shook his head as his mind swarmed over all that Steve had just told him. Relena's attacker had been harmless this time, but what if it had been a fanatic from the ERA? Would Steve have been able to help her in time then? He had posed this question to the man himself, and although Steve had agreed with him that something more needed to be done, his suddenly hushed tone implied that he was not free to speak about it openly, and they would discuss it in detail later on.
"Well? What is it?" Wufei's impatience tore through Roger's thoughts, forcing him to look up at the dual pairs of eyes that were staring at him, anxious for an explanation.
Roger swept a hand across his balding pate, taking a breath before skimming over the details of his conversation with Steve. "It was just a fluke, a freak occurrence that has nothing to do with any of this ERA crap," Roger said, finishing his explanation. "Now I just need to pick 'em up from the station. No one wants to draw attention with a police escort."
Wufei nodded. "I'll go with you."
Roger's eyes showed his surprise, but he did not argue. With a quick nod to Nathan, Roger led Wufei out of the room.
It was not until they had pulled out of the parking lot that Wufei broached a question that was nagging him. "What do you know about this Nathan Gale?"
Roger's brows rose as he cast a glance at the Chinese man, but his stern Asian features assured him he was completely serious. Roger thought a moment. "Well, he seems like a nice enough fellow. A good guy, I suppose."
"How long have you worked with him?"
"Almost two years. He transferred in from the military, one of the Elite divisions. He's clean -- all his background history checks out, family records, everything." Roger could tell there was still an air of uneasiness to Wufei. "Why do you ask?"
"That comment he made… about the ERA. He was a little over-zealous, don't you think?"
"Oh, that?" Roger smiled. "Well, that's partly because back when the ERA first formed, his neighborhood was one of the first to be rebuilt. Did his family a lot of good. Since then, he's held a lot of respect for those guys, even though lately they seem to be more of a menace than anything else."
"Hn." Wufei considered. He was about to speak again when Roger drew his attention to the scene outside.
"Look at these monsters. They're like scavengers, feeding off other people's misery."
There were two white news vans parked on the curb beside the park's playground, the place where Relena had just been attacked. Reporters and camera crews were busy setting up, anxious to interview those who had witnessed the assault upon the Vice Foreign Minister. Though Wufei knew Relena's whereabouts were not exactly confidential to the public, such scrutiny could easily complicate things.
"We'll just have to see what kind of miracles the PR department can pull out of their hats," Roger surmised.
Wufei noted the looks on several of the women's faces, their worried eyes darting from the news crews to their children on the playground. One woman cradled her son against her, the boy's wide eyes watching one of the cameramen as his mother swayed him gently in her arms, whispering words of comfort against his ear.
Wufei wondered how she was doing.
Relena…
In the three years that he had known her, Steve Stan had never known Relena to behave quite this way. As he stepped out of the office area into the main lobby of the police station, he shook his head, thinking. This whole fiasco involving that homeless man, Tom, was not what was bothering him; he had known she would drop the charges against him the moment she chose to ride in the same car as him. What did bother him was her request to take her walk alone in the first place.
And it wasn't just the safety issue, either. After three years, they had shared a lot together. On more than one occasion, she had sought his confidence on personal matters, things he knew pained her to share. She had so few people to share her burdens with, he felt honored to be allowed at least a glimpse of her inner self, and never hesitated to be a friend when she needed one. Truthfully, she was like family to him now -- a younger sister that he felt the need to protect and shelter, even though she was clearly a woman who could stand perfectly fine on her own.
But these last few days had completely baffled him.
Her first visit to Chang Wufei, he was sure, was nothing more than a welcoming gesture. Even when she had stayed over there for several hours, he felt she was just helping him settle in, the same way she had done for Sally the previous weekend. Yet when the two had returned to her place for another few hours, he became curious. And the fact that the same had happened the night before was downright perplexing.
Then there was the matter of Heero's visit today. He was sure that was the cause -- or at least a large part of the reason -- for Relena's subdued demeanor all morning. He could swear -- not from something he saw, really, but from what he could intuit of Relena's personality -- that she had been crying before she had knocked on his door. He knew if he waited, she would most likely come to him sooner or later and tell him what was troubling her, but he truly didn't know if he could wait that long. He was tempted to turn on the listening devices they had planted in her apartment, regardless of the consequences it would have on their friendship. But then again, he deeply valued the trust that she placed in him. He didn't want to lose that now.
It seemed that the only option left to him was to wait it out, and keep his trap shut until she decided the time was right to clue him in.
The main lobby of the police station wasn't very big, but there weren't very many people around, either. Wufei scanned the few officers that were milling about, wondering which one could tell him where Relena was when his eyes caught a figure leaning against the wall near a heavy wooden door toward the back of the room, nursing his right hand with an ice pack. As though sensing eyes upon him, the man lifted his gaze to meet Wufei's. Recognition hit him immediately. A grin split his face ear to ear as he sauntered over.
"Chang," the man said, putting the ice pack away and holding out his hand.
Wufei took it, a smile curving his lips as well. "Stan."
"You've grown taller," Steve noted, his gaze taking in the man who used to be his partner. It was amazing -- even though the pair considered themselves to be good friends and were now literally across the street from each other day to day, it had been nearly two years since they'd seen each other face to face.
"How's the family?"
"Good," Steve said, nodding. "Marion said to tell you, you've got an open invitation to dinner at our house, anytime you feel like dropping by. That goes for Sally, too."
Wufei dipped his head in acknowledgement. "Thank you."
Roger cleared his throat, a bit dramatically. "Well, Steve?"
Steve blinked at Roger, as though just now remembering he was there. "Oh, ah, Relena should be along soon. She didn't press any charges..."
"What happened, exactly?" Wufei asked.
Steve smiled. "It was just a misunderstanding. Seems this guy, Tom, he--"
"Tom?" Roger asked.
"The guy that almost punched her," Steve clarified. "It seems Tom is under a lot of emotional stress thanks to his daughter. Whoever she is, she just burned down his bar and ran off with the insurance money."
Roger whistled, sweeping a hand over his head. "Nice family."
"That was about three years ago," Steve continued. "The details get kinda fuzzy, but he says he's been looking for her ever since, and spent so much on private investigators, he lost everything he had. But the real kicker is this -- he showed us a picture of his daughter. She could be Relena's twin."
Wufei raised an eyebrow.
"You're kidding, right?"
Steve shook his head. "Scout's honor. Anyway, Relena felt sorry for the guy, and wanted to take care of a few things for him. I think she's trying to get him to that shelter she's always--"
Steve stopped when the heavy door behind him opened. The three turned as a tall, heavyset man entered the lobby, giving them all a pointed glance before stepping aside to hold the door for Relena. She seemed rather sad as she entered. Her gaze was directed toward the floor, and the set of her shoulders seemed heavy with burden as she stood there, holding her bag in front of her with both hands. To Wufei, she looked like a flower that had gone too long without sunlight.
The image of the woman holding her child at the park flashed in his mind's eye, filling him with the need to comfort her. So strong was this urge to go to her, Wufei took an unconscious step forward, realizing even as he did so that Steve was already moving toward her, wrapping an arm around her to spur her forward, gently rubbing her shoulder to comfort her. At his coaxing, she took a few steps, raising her head and lifting her eyes level. She stopped immediately.
No words were spoken, but the question hung in the air as though someone had shouted it through a megaphone. Relena's gaze was focused solely on Wufei, wide blue eyes locked on slanted ebony. Wufei felt his face grow hot beneath her stare. His feelings of concern were quickly giving way to the sense that he didn't belong there, and he wondered just why he thought it necessary to tag along in the first place. It wasn't as though she needed him there…
Relena merely smiled -- it was her first true expression of the gesture that day.
Steve, feeling Relena's shoulders relax beneath his arm, noted both reactions with flickering interest. Relena's entire countenance had changed at the sight of this man, and as for Chang himself -- could it be he was actually squirming beneath the gaze of a mere woman? He wanted to pinch himself. Suddenly he understood the meaning behind Relena's silence. He wondered if she yet understood it herself.
Steve cleared his throat, trying to hide the tick of laughter he felt threatening to erupt as he turned his sparkling eyes to Relena. "Ready to go?"
Relena nodded, allowing Steve to lead her past Wufei toward the door.
Relena settled into the backseat of Roger's car, making herself accept the fact that Wufei was only a few feet behind her, and would be sitting next to her very soon. Her heart had nearly leapt out of her chest when she had looked up to see him standing there in the lobby. It seemed she had spent the entire day either thinking about him or trying to get him out of her mind, and suddenly there he was, like a materialized dream.
But she couldn't let herself get carried away. She reminded herself of her thoughts that morning after Heero had left, remembered the determination she had felt. She couldn't allow herself to believe she felt anything for this man other than friendship. She couldn't allow herself to use another crutch. She needed to step back from herself and examine things objectively. Then, she was sure, her feelings for Wufei would disappear entirely. That's the way it had to be. She didn't want to wake up three years down the road to realize that once again, her life was a lie.
Trailing behind Roger on his way to the car, Wufei silently cursed himself. When Relena had emerged from that room a moment ago, his breath had caught in his throat. She looked so somber, so unlike her usual self, he had only wanted to go to her and wrap a protective arm around her, to comfort her and tell her that everything would be alright.
Yet it was Steve who had gone to her; Steve who had embraced her; Steve who had comforted her. It was the one time in their four year friendship that he had truly envied the man.
But why should any of that matter? He barely knew Relena -- until three days ago, he could scarcely call her a friend. But when those blue eyes had held him… He'd heard of people claiming to get weak in the knees beneath their lover's gaze, but he had never believed it. Yet it had been those sparkling blue eyes that had rendered him nearly speechless, and he had stood there like a fool in his stupefied amazement.
Again, he questioned his reasons for coming. There was his question about Nathan Gale… There was still something about the man that didn't quite sit right with Wufei, but truly, that seemed like nothing now. Had it ultimately been so he could see Relena? Wufei shook his head. He was letting too many emotions cloud his judgment. The simple fact was he had come out of concern for his friend. He just didn't know how concerned he was until she had come into view, looking as sad and vulnerable as she had just then.
Wufei squinted as he stepped outside into the day. The sunlight dimmed and brightened intermittently, the wind dragging tangles of clouds across the sun like gauzy scraps of cloth. The breeze was cool on his skin, and the fresh air revived him. His gaze fell to Relena. Her long hair, virtually unrestrained by pins or ties, blew freely in the fragile breeze, sweeping about her slender form in graceful arcs. A dim memory surfaced in his mind of another time when her hair had swung freely about her face, uninhibited as her body swayed to unheard music. Wufei's eyes snapped wide as the memory sang full volume in his mind's eye, playing over the sight he had seen his first night in his new apartment. Wufei stood momentarily frozen as he watched Steve open the door for Relena, his eyes dropping to her long legs as she tucked them inside. She had been in her underwear that night, and he could still envision the creaminess of her skin beneath the trousers she now wore.
Wufei's face burned scarlet. He was thankful to be behind the rest of the group, forcing his gaze away from Relena as he crossed to the other side of the car. The image still burned in his retinas like a brand. Wufei closed his eyes, focusing on the feel of the breeze against his skin, letting the air cool his senses as he tried desperately to rid the thought of Relena dancing in her underwear from his mind. If he did not, he feared the ride home would prove a very long one.
The backseat wasn't cramped, exactly, but it was hardly roomy. Settling in, Wufei noted that Relena's thigh was mere inches from his. Trying to put the thought out of mind, he concentrated on putting on his seatbelt, as the others had already done. Relena seemed hesitant to make eye contact as well, fidgeting with her bag or pulling at the wrinkles in her trousers. There was only a quick glance from Steve to make sure they were settled before Roger took off.
Wufei focused his gaze out the window, trying to ignore the fact that he was next to a woman he had once seen nearly naked -- a woman to whom he had made himself look like a fool only moments ago because he had stupidly insisted on accompanying Roger on this little joyride. Wufei shook his head. He wished he could go back to work. He felt more sane when he was working. Wufei squinted as the sun found a gap in the clouds, suffusing the car with a warm glow.
"It's turning into a beautiful day, isn't it?"
Relena's voice startled him. Actually, he was surprised that she wanted conversation. She must have misread the question in his gaze, for her smile diminished, as though apologizing for interrupting his thoughts.
"At least, it's nice to see the sun again," she murmured.
"It is," Wufei agreed.
Surprise showed briefly in her features as well before melting into a shy smile.
"So, what happened to Tom?"
She smiled, but there was a look of sadness in her eyes, much like the look she had had at the station. "Well, hopefully they'll take him to the Center for Human Resources. It's a kind of shelter for people like him, to help them get back on their feet."
Wufei nodded. "It was good of you to take care of him like that, not pressing charges even after he…"
Relena held up her hand to stop him, blushing a little at his praise. "It was just a misunderstanding. Tom was simply having a bad day, that's all." She paused. "I can't say I don't know what that's like." She softened the remark with a smile, but Wufei could tell she was hurting.
He nodded. "I understand."
He could see the beginnings of tears shimmering in her eyes. Embarrassed, she turned to the window.
Relena was determined. She didn't want to cry again, especially in front of Wufei and the others. Not twice in one day. She had to be strong.
She felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned to find Wufei leaning against his seatbelt to reach out to her, his eyes locked upon her. Against her will, a tear slipped from the corner of her eye. She could tell by the tightening of his lips and the deeper set to his brows that the tear upset him, though she felt no rebuke from him. Before she could, he reached up and caught the drop at her jaw, cupping her face to run his thumb over her cheek, wiping away the wetness there. Her heart leapt at his touch. She forced herself to suppress it. She could not allow herself to feel this way, not yet. Not until she made herself stronger.
She pulled his fingers away from her face, but could not make herself let go, instead wrapping both her hands around his. "Wufei…" She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes. He squeezed her fingers, wanting her to continue. But how could she speak the things she felt, when she wasn't sure she wanted to feel them? Things were getting much too complicated.
Neither of them noticed the car had stopped. Not until they felt the engine die and saw Roger and Steve move to open the doors. Their hands slipped apart, each setting their emotions aside lest they invite unwanted suspicions from Roger and Steve. Relena made a few determined swipes at her eyes before stepping out into the day, taking a moment to look around. The sun was still playing hide and seek with the clouds, the wind gusts making the maroon awning on Wufei's building struggle against its binds like a bird caught on a wire, endlessly trying to get free.
As Relena's eyes scanned the street, she noticed they had parked behind a motorcycle – a very familiar motorcycle. Moving to get a closer look, her eyes grew steadily wider, recognizing a unique set of painted wings that marked it as Heero's.
Behind her, Wufei saw where her gaze was directed and mentally kicked himself. How could he have forgotten about the bike? Stepping up beside her, he was quick to explain. "It's mine for the day. Heero let me borrow it."
Relena's wide eyes turned to his. "He… did?"
Wufei nodded.
"That doesn't sound like Heero. He usually has a 'You touch, you die,' kind of attitude about it. How did you bribe him?"
"Didn't have to. I think he was just anxious to get rid of me."
Relena considered. "Hm. I guess he really has loosened up these last few days."
Wufei wondered at her meaning. Did she already know about Heero and Sally?
"Well, I hope you enjoy it while it's yours. Heero's willingness to share can be a rare thing."
"Relena."
She looked up at him, wondering at the severity of his tone. "Yes?"
Surprisingly, he grinned. "Still think you're up for a ride?"
Relena blinked, remembering their discussion about it the previous night. "Wufei… are you serious?"
"Of course I'm serious. Are you?"
"Well…"
"Hn. I understand if you're too tired. You've had a rough day."
Relena glared at him. She had the feeling he was showing real compassion for her situation, yet at the same time, he was somehow teasing her for it. "Alright, Wufei. I'm still up for it."
"You are?"
"But you're right, I am tired."
He made that teasing-compassionate face again. "That's okay."
"So you'll have to come back tonight."
"T-tonight?"
"I need some time to rest, take a bath, maybe a nap…"
"You don't have to pretend, Relena. If you don't want to do it, just say so."
"Are you trying to get out of it?"
"No!"
"Then just be here, six o'clock."
"You need five hours to take a bath? This isn't a date, you know."
The glare she gave him could have shattered glass. "Alright. It's an appointment then. You have an appointment with the Vice Foreign Minister at six o'clock tonight. Be sure to make note of it in your planner."
Wufei gave her a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am."
Her look was less than pleasant. With a dismissive twirl of her head, she stalked back toward Roger and Steve, startling the two into giving her a wide berth. At their questioning glances, Wufei merely shrugged, deciding it was time to make his exit. Afterall, Heero's precious motorcycle was his for the day, and those hills were still calling to him.
A.N.:
I originally created the organization known as the ERA for another fic I'm working on, as yet untitled. While that fic has been postponed (so I can finish this one) you can read a snippet of it if you'd like to at
w w w . g e o c i t i e s . c o m / a s t r o s f i c s / m a r s f i c . h t m l
I don't know how much I want to involve the ERA in Greener, but in my new one, all of their evil doings will be brought to light... ^_~ Ja ne!