Rain on the Roses
Chapter 9: Missing
By: Starlight – x

Quatre was in the middle of lunch with several business associates when his cell phone began to vibrate. Frowning slightly, only a few people knew his number, he pulled it off his belt. Flashing an apologetic smile towards his companions he answered. "Hello?"

"Quatre? Thank god you answered."

Quatre blinked for a moment. "Ariel?"

"Yes, it's me." The tension in his sister's voice hadn't eased. "Listen to me little brother, something's happened." He heard her take a deep breath and release it.

"What? What's the matter?" Quatre couldn't help the sharpness that edged into his voice. He glanced up, saw his lunch companions staring at him and turned away slightly in his chair, wishing for more privacy.

Ariel sighed again. "Eddie's been kidnapped." She said quietly.

"What!" Quatre had to force himself to keep quiet, not wanting to pull any more attention towards himself.

"During the kidnapping Middie was shot in the shoulder. She's doing fine. But Pagen was also shot; he was killed." Ariel continued relentlessly on, as if she couldn't stop.

Quatre could feel himself going into shock. This couldn't be happening, no it couldn't. Everything seemed to slow down, freezing into a big expanse of nothingness. Then his brain kicked in again, shoving aside the shock. "I have to go to Earth." He cut in, not caring that he'd interrupted his sister.

"I know." She said, sounding slightly impatient. "I just said that I called and had your shuttle prepped. Rashid's going to meet you at the shuttleport with a suitcase for you. I'm on my way to take over your lunch meeting so you can leave right now."

"Okay, thanks." Quatre shut off his phone and turned back to the table. The two businessmen gave up their pretense of a conversation and looked at him expectantly. "I'm very sorry, gentlemen." Quatre apologized. "But an emergency's come up and I have to leave for Earth right away. Another representative of Winner Enterprises is on her way and should be here shortly to take over for me. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you." He rose from his chair.

"No problem." Both men rose and shook his hand before Quatre hurried from the restaurant.

At the shuttleport Quatre found Rashid waiting for him, a suitcase resting against one leg. He looked up when Quatre approached. "Master Quatre, you're here."

"Yeah. Thanks for bringing my suitcase Rashid." Quatre glanced around. "So, is the shuttle ready for launch yet?"

"Nearly." Rashid stared down at Quatre, arms crossed over his massive chest. "Master Quatre, I should like to accompany you."

"I appreciate the offer Rashid." Quatre began carefully. "But I really need for you to continue overseeing that new construction site." He gave the taller man a cheerful smile. "I'll be perfectly all right traveling on a shuttle to Earth by myself."

"As you wish Master Quatre." Rashid conceded somewhat reluctantly. He reached down and picked up the suitcase. "I'll accompany you to the shuttle."

Quatre nodded and they hurried off.

Never before had a trip to Earth seemed to take so long. The hours dragged by while Quatre sat, drumming his fingers on the armrest of his seat He knew he really should try and get some sleep to waylay any jetlag he would experience once he arrived on Earth but found he couldn't close his eyes. Restless he picked up his phone and dialed.

"Hello?" The voice answering was tense.

"Noin? This is Quatre."

"Oh, thank goodness. Where are you?"

"I'm on my way to Earth right now. I should be there sometime tomorrow morning. How's Relena?"

"She's in shock I think." Noin sounded weary. "Eddie's kidnapping and Pagen…" Her voice broke and it was a moment before she continued. "It's a little unbelievable."

"Let me talk to her." Quatre asked.

"Sure." He could hear Noin moving and then she spoke to someone softly.

"Quatre?"

The sound of Relena's voice was of something extremely fragile in danger of shattering. "Is that you?"

"I'm here sweetheart." Quatre closed his eyes. "I got on a shuttle to Earth as soon as I heard. I'll be there tomorrow morning."

"Good."

"How are you?"

"I don't know." Relena gave a laugh that nearly broke his heart. "I feel numb, like nothing hurts. I think I should be crying but somehow I can't." She gave a little gasp then, sucking in a breath of air. "Oh Quatre, I'm so scared. They have my baby. They took Eddie."

"I know honey, I know."

"Please, hurry. I need you." The fragile tone had returned to her voice.

"I'll be there as quick as I can."

00000

"Are you a complete and total idiot? A moron? When I took leadership of this group you were just a bunch of pathetic losers angry at the world. I took you and gave you a goal. We were bringing justice to those who had managed to elude it. And then you go and pull a stupid stunt like this. What the hell possessed you?" Chris Richardson was furious. He paced back and forth shooting death glares at the young man who stood helplessly in the middle of the room.

The young man addressed cringed back slightly from his superior. "I…" He began.

"You didn't think." Chris shot back, interrupting him. "I sent you to spy on that Preventer agent. That was all. Nothing more." He made a slashing motion with both of his hands in front of him. "But you decided you knew better. So you went, engaged a woman in conversation…"

"She talked to me first."

Chris glared again, effectively shutting the young man up. "Then you go and shoot both the agent and a old man."

"He was pulling a gun on me…"

Chris ignored him this time. "Instead of killing the Preventer you only manage to wound her. You kill the old man. Then, to make matters worse, you kidnap the son of the Vice Foreign Minister."

"How was I to know he was her son?"

"Damnit, that wasn't the point." Chris roared, his face turning red. "I sent you on a simple reconnaissance mission. You were to follow orders. Originally we were just a simple nuisance, now Preventer is going to be hot on our trail looking for that kid." He pointed to where Eddie sat on the floor sobbing helplessly. "Our number one rule was that we don't involved innocents." He whirled to glare at Eddie. "Could somebody shut that kid up? He's driving me nuts. Layla?"

A woman with short blonde hair lifted her hands and shook her head. "Uh-uh, not me. I don't do kids."

"Well, find somebody who does." Chris grated out.

At that moment the door to the room opened and a slender man with curly brown hair and soft brown eyes entered. He stopped short, his gaze darting from Layla to the young man in the center of the room, down to Eddie and finally over to Chris. "I guess you really do need damage control like I was told."

"What I really need is for Glenn here to grow half a brain. Instead I'm stuck having to figure out a way out of this mess he created. And this kid's crying is driving me up a wall." Chris ran a hand through his hair, causing black strands to stick out in complete disorder. He turned toward the woman. "Layla, find someone to take care of our little problem so I can think."

"Wait a minute." The newcomer took a step forward. "I'll take care of him."

"Fine, go ahead Jess, I don't really care. Just get him to stop crying."

Jess approached Eddie carefully and crouched in front of the little boy. "Hey there buddy," He began in a soothing tone. "What's the matter?"

Eddie drew in a shuddering breath. "Want Mama."

"Yeah, I know you do." Jess reached up and scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Are you hungry?"

"Want Mama." Eddie's eyes teared up and he began to cry again.

"Why don't we go look for something to eat?" Jess rose and picked up the little boy. Eddie immediately began shrieking and twisting, trying to get away but Jess held him firmly. He carried the little boy out of the room.

Layla went and shut the door.

Chris turned his attention back to Glenn. "Now, what shall I do with you?"

00000

Jess sat in his room staring down at Eddie. The little boy had finally fallen asleep, traces of cookie crumbs around his mouth, a small stuffed lion held firmly in his chubby grasp. Jess reached out and smoothed his dark hair. The door opened and Chris entered.

"You got him to sleep. You're a miracle worker." Chris said in a low voice.

"Not really." Jess shook his head. "He tired himself out crying. I just gave him something to eat. After that he went to sleep." He drew a light blanket over Eddie's shoulder. "What are you going to want done with him?"

Chris heaved a sigh. "Nothing. I really don't want to have anything to do with him. If there were only some way to get rid of without getting caught…" He turned and looked at Jess. "I'm going to leave it all up to you. I don't care what you do; just get him out of here. Group Vengeance has never seen or had anything to do with Eddie Yuy. You understand?"

"I understand. I'll take care of it." Jess nodded.

"Fine, I'll leave it all to you." Chris turned to leave, opening the door. "Just don't do anything to jeopardize the group. I won't allow it."

"I won't." Jess gave his reply to a closing door. He reached out and stroked Eddie's hair again. "Don't you worry little fellow. I'll make sure you get back to your mama safely. After all, I had kids once too."

00000

Quatre could feel the tension building inside him as the shuttle finally touched down on the tarmac. He had been unable to sleep the entire trip and it felt like his eyes were filled with sand. Regardless he rose and picked up his suitcase as the shuttle came to a halt. Once inside the terminal he paused and looked around.

"Quatre! Over here!"

A familiar voice caught his attention. Noin stood waving at him, her facial features haggard. Quatre hurried over to her. "So, how's Relena?"

Noin shook her head. "I don't really know. She won't say anything." She gave a sigh. "She didn't sleep at all last night. I'm really worried about her." She gave Quatre a sideways glance. "I'm glad you came."

"Nothing would've kept me away." Quatre replied. "Have you made any progress in locating Eddie's kidnappers?"

"Not yet. Using Hilde's description we were able to create a composite drawing of the young man who snatched Eddie." Noin sighed. "But so far that's pretty much all we have to go on. There have been no ransom calls, nothing that would indicate that this is a normal kidnapping. I'm beginning to believe it was a spur of the moment decision and that Middie was the real target."

"If that's the case then…"

"Yes," Noin nodded. "Group Vengeance was probably involved."

00000

"She's in here." Sally led the way to Relena's room. Outside the door she paused and turned to face Quatre again. "She didn't sleep at all last night."

"Yes, Noin told me."

"She's exhausted with lack of sleep, shock and worry. If you can somehow persuade her to rest, that would do her a lot of good. I'm afraid she'll collapse soon from the strain otherwise." Sally laid a hand on the doorknob. "I left a sedative for her on the dressing table but I haven't been able to persuade her to take it."

"I'll take care of her." Quatre promised.

Sally opened the door and Quatre brushed past her. The small room where Relena sat was quiet compared to the rest of the house. Relena sat on the edge of a chair, staring at nothing in front of her. Dark circles rimmed her eyes and her face was pale. She didn't look up at all as Quatre approached her. He stood in front of her for a moment, his heart aching before he crouched, coming into her line of vision.

"Relena?"

His voice seemed to snap her out of the stupor she'd fallen into. Relena blinked, her beautiful blue eyes focused on his face. "Quatre?" Her voice held the fragile quality he'd heard over the phone.

"I'm here." Quatre reached out and cupped her face with his hand, rubbing his thumb over her cheek. "I told you I'd be here as fast as I could."

Relena's face crumpled and she almost fell forward into his arms. "They took my baby." She wailed; tears released to fall down her face. She buried her face into his shirt front. "I can't sleep, every time I close my eyes I hear Eddie crying for me and I know he's so scared and alone. I can't help wondering if he's hurt or dead. I pray and I pray but…" She broke off into a couple hard sobs. "I promised Heero I'd take care of our son and I failed…"

"There wasn't anyway you could've known…" Quatre began.

"I should've." Relena cut him off. "I'm his mother, I'm supposed to protect him, to keep him safe." She lifted her face, looking into Quatre's eyes. The anguish in her eyes cut him deeply. "I'm so worried about Eddie that Pagen's death doesn't seem to mean anything and I know it should. Oh Quatre…"

"Hush." Quate felt so helpless, unable to do anything except hold Relena as tightly as he could. "Oh baby, I wish I could make everything all right again." He whispered. He felt the first twinges of anger burning deep inside of him. Anger against the ones responsible for causing this heartache and pain. He ran a hand soothingly over Relena's hair, smoothing her honey blonde locks. She had a death grip on his shirt, clinging to him as if he were the only thing keeping her together.

After a moment Relena spoke again. "I keep telling myself, I have to be strong. But right now Quatre, I don't know how."

"That's all right sweetheart." Quatre spoke in a husky voice. "I'll be strong for you." He stood then, drawing her up with him and moved to sit on the edge of her bed.

"I don't know why, everything's still so terrible; but having you here helps." Relena rubbed at her eyes. "I'm so tired, but I'm afraid to sleep." She admitted.

Quatre glanced over at the dressing table. "If you're tired you should sleep. Sally told me she left you a sedative."

Relena shook her head. "No," She murmured. "I shouldn't."

"You need to be rested." Quatre tried again in his most persuasive tone.

"No," Relena shook her head again. "I won't take the sedative. I don't want to be drugged right now."

"All right." Quatre fell silent.

"I'll lie down for a little bit if you'll stay with me."

"Of course."

Relena crawled onto her bed while Quatre stretched out next to her, his arms wrapped around her, holding her close. She gripped his forearms with her hands, holding tight to him. "My brain won't stop going." She said after a little while had passed.

Quatre began to sing then in a low, barely audible voice. He felt her body relax, sensed as she began to breathe in a regular rhythm. Only when her grip on his forearms loosened was he convinced she had finally fallen asleep. He continued to sing to her, willing bad dreams or anything that would disturb her rest away with his voice. He sang until he succumbed to his own exhaustion and fell asleep as well.

00000

Aileen Fisher hummed softly to herself as she prepared for another day operating the small daycare she ran in her home. The grandmotherly woman was busy stocking snacks when she heard someone call her name.

"Aileen!" It was the voice of her assistant, Carla.

"What is it?" Aileen called back.

"You better come out here." There was surprise and some helplessness in Carla's voice. Curious, Aileen set down the box of animal crackers she held and went to see what was going on.

Outside she found Carla standing, hands held out helplessly in front of her, an unsure look on her face. Huddled next to the porch was a small boy barely over two years of age with dark hair and striking blue eyes. He clutched a worn out stuffed lion in his arms and whimpered.

"My word." Aileen stared.

"I just drove up and he was sitting right there." Carla babbled. "I tried to talk to him but all he does is cry and ask for his mother." She turned a confused look on her employer. "Who could've left him here?"

"I don't know." Aileen sat down slowly on her porch steps, dropping a quick look down at her watch. "He's certainly not one of our kids." She shook her head slowly at the little stranger. "What's your name sweetie?" She asked gently.

He stared up at her with frightened eyes and didn't speak.

Aileen studied him for a moment. There was something familiar about him. "I feel like I've seen him before." She confessed.

"I know what you mean." Carla let her hands drop to her sides. "At first I thought he was new or some kid who'd been here before but that's not possible."

"No." Aileen agreed. "I've seen pictures of him somewhere or maybe on television. Regardless I think you'd better go in and call the police."

"Oh, right." Carla moved swiftly into the house, letting the screen door bang shut behind her.

"It's all right honey." Aileen spoke gently. "We'll find out who you belong to, don't you worry."

0000

A distance away Jess lowered his binoculars and started his car's engine. Eddie was safe and once the two women contacted the authorities he would be returned to his family very quickly. He had done what Chris had asked and now it was time for him to return.

A/N: I hope this chapter seemed realistic. I have never experienced having a child kidnapped and I hope to never go through something like that. Personally I believe it would be one of the most terrifying experiences anyone could ever go through. I hope I was able to convey that. I apologize if there are a lot of typing errors or missing words. I wanted to get this posted this weekend and I didn't proofread it as much as I normally would. If you have comments or suggestions I encourage you to review. Thanks for reading!