Disclaimer: Weiss isn't mine. Shocker, I know.
A/N: I had this whole rationalization about this latest chapter explaining how strongly I felt about the direction of the storyline but ultimately I've decided on the following: It's my story. I like it. Don't hate me.
Heart's Truth
Chapter 10
Schuldig shivered as he walked from the bedroom to the kitchen in nothing but a towel around his waist. He began making breakfast as he thought back on his dream from the previous night. He scoffed as he cracked an egg and dropped it in the pan. No, more like a recalled memory…..
Schuldig and Crawford were in the American's office at one of the many office buildings Esset occupied through dummy corporations. Crawford had been expecting Schuldig's latest mission report, but instead, had received a resignation letter.
Crawford just sat behind his desk, fingers steepled, smug grin on his face.
"Do you honestly think you can just pick up and leave whenever you wish?"
"Watch me."
"You belong to Esset, Schuldig. And more importantly, you belong to me."
Schuldig scoffed, hiding the wince as he stood up and headed for the door. His hastily treated wounds had reopened and he could feel the warm wetness of blood soaking his bandages as he limped towards his freedom.
"You won't last, Schuldig. You need me."
Waking up from the dream, Schuldig felt an odd sense of calm. Ever since his confession to Yohji he'd been unable to do anything other than dwell in his misery and wonder if he was better off dead. But suddenly, he didn't care if he lived or died. He didn't care what happened to him. He didn't care if Crawford turned out to be correct.
"You won't last, Schuldig."
So now here he was, sitting half naked and shivering at his small kitchen table staring at a cup of coffee, two eggs, toast and an orange. He'd considered getting dressed before sitting down to eat, but again, he just didn't care.
He took a bite of the toast, not tasting it and swallowed it down with a sip of coffee. There's no way I'll ever get Yohji back so what's the point? I might as well go back. If not, I'll be damned for eternity, running away from two ghosts: Esset and Yohji.
As Schuldig continued to eat breakfast, a very familiar voice penetrated his wandering mind.
Are you awake, Schuldig?
Green eyes as round as saucers gazed unseeing, a shaking hand held in mid air, mere millimeters from the ceramic handle of his coffee cup.
"C-Craw…..ford?"
If you're awake, you're no doubt eating a nutritious breakfast. A good start means a good day. Isn't that what your mother taught you?
At the sound of the mocking voice, Schuldig snapped out of his shock and pushed back from the table knocking the chair over, and stomping into the living room looking around as if expecting the American to materialize in his apartment.
"Show yourself, coward!"
Schuldig spoke the words out loud but he projected the thoughts into the mind that was quickly pinpointed in his short trip from the kitchen. He was surprised to find Crawford located so far away.
It's too early for shouting. Could you keep it down to a dull roar please?
"Why won't you leave me alone?"
Schuldig heard and felt the amusement from Crawford and he clenched his jaw tightly.
Come now, Schuldig, don't play stupid. A quiet sigh and a sense of defeat came rippling off of Crawford and into Schuldig's mind. Alright, fine. If it will make you feel better, I will say it. You are too valuable of an asset to simply let free. Come back, Schuldig. If you surrender to me willingly, without further fuss, I promise a swift and slightly painful punishment.
"'Valuable asset'? You're a better liar than that, Crawford. The only reason you're hunting me down is because your pride is on the line. Or has it become more than that now? Has Esset finally realized that the only people leaving are the ones forced to work with you? Is your precious ass on the line as well, Brad?"
Playtime is over. End this stupid charade of independence now. You're acting like some petulant child.
Schuldig smirked at the stern and impatient voice. It was always a satisfying feeling getting a reaction out of the normally calm precog.
You will come back to me. Now.
Schuldig lost his smirk and frowned at the ominous words.
"Go to hell. I like my life just the way it is. Away from Esset and away from you."
Schuldig shivered at the light chuckle that echoed in his head.
Is that why you've kept this little game going for so long? Has your arrogance grown so rampant that you still think you can live without me?
Schuldig growled as he stomped into his bedroom, flinging open the closet and pulling out a small suitcase. He tossed the unzipped bag on the bed and began tossing clothes and stacks of cash in as he cursed under his breath.
Damn you, Crawford, I won't let you be the end of me!
Schuldig threw some clothes on and in record time, he was racing down the stairs of the apartment building and heading for the back exit, wondering why he was running away. Just moments ago he was considering turning himself in to replace the misery of losing Yohji with a more familiar hell that he was accustomed to dealing with.
It must be my survival instinct kicking in. But sooner or later it's going to get tired and that's when I'll find release from this darkness. From Crawford, Esset and….Yohji.
Schuldig kept a brisk pace as he descended the stairs from his third floor apartment, the idea of taking the elevator seeming slow and confined in his present hassled state of mind. He pushed through the stairwell door and entered the lobby. He turned and looked out the main entrance, the sunshine a warm invitation. But he frowned, not liking the idea of walking out into broad daylight so he turned in the opposite direction and headed for the back of the building. He passed the office and maintenance rooms and laundry area, finally emerging into a narrow alley devoid of sunshine, but not of people.
"You've given us quite a run for our money, Red."
Schuldig narrowed his eyes at the three approaching men that were obviously waiting for him. Damn it! I should have known he would have people waiting around every corner just waiting for me to run. But how did they recognize me? His instincts screaming at him that something was terribly wrong, Schuldig reached back to grab the door from closing, prepared to flee back into the building, but he heard a definitive click. So much for that idea. I guess that leaves me with only one option. Although I hate soiling my mind with these types. So filthy.
"Tell you what. Keep the money and forget you ever saw me."
"Your little mind games won't work on us. Esset has these new little toys that keep your mind out of ours. Pretty clever, huh?"
The man speaking tapped his ear with a smirk on his face.
"You idiot!" The man in the center turned and smacked the smirking man upside the head. "That's classified information!"
The subordinate cried out and rubbed his head, almost cutting himself with the knife in his hand. Schuldig could only chuckle at the sight. Pathetic. This is who you've been reduced to using, Crawford? No wonder you want me back so badly.
"Indeed. Well, I must say that little piece of information puts my mind at ease. Otherwise, I think I would have to kill myself for allowing three intelligence-deficient goons such as you see through my disguise."
"What!"
"Get 'im!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
As Yohji jumped out of his car and raced for the front door to Schuldig's apartment building, he heard someone cry out in pain. He skidded to a stop and looked from the alleyway just a few feet away and the apartment building door. Damn it! I can never leave well enough alone!
He turned and reached the entrance to the alley to see three figures with their backs to him, obviously cornering their victim. One of them was rubbing his head and Yohji could see the knife glinting in his hand.
"Indeed. Well, I must say that little piece of information puts my mind at ease. Otherwise, I think I would have to kill myself for allowing three intelligence-deficient goons such as you see through my disguise."
Yohji's heart constricted painfully when he heard the familiar voice. He took a few cautious and silent steps into the alley, readying his wire. But he should be able to just reach into their minds and diffuse the situation. Why hasn't he done that yet? Is he trying to get some information out of them?
"What!"
"Get 'im!"
Two of the three men lunged at Schuldig and without a moment's hesitation Yohji sprang into action, garroting the third quickly. As Yohji jumped over the body to help Schuldig fend off his two attackers, one of the men turned his attention on Yohji and came flying in his direction. He barely had time to get out of the way and send an elbow to the back of the man's neck, sending him down hard. Satisfied the man wouldn't be getting back up anytime soon, Yohji spun around to see stunned green eyes gazing at him.
"Yohji! What are you--?"
"Look out!"
Schuldig returned his attention to the man waving a knife in front of him. He jumped back a few paces, dodging and looking for his opening. He saw Yohji readying his wire but he gave the blonde a quick look telling him to stay out of the fight.
Yohji watched, body tense and ready to pounce as Schuldig maneuvered his opponent into making a mistake which he quickly capitalized on, snapping the guy's neck. He let himself relax once Schuldig was out of danger and he slowly approached the confused but wary man, who was grasping the knife of his assailant.
Schuldig saw Yohji slowly approaching and although thee was nothing he wanted more than to be close to the tall blonde again, he remembered Yohji's promise to him the last time they saw each other.
"If I ever see your face again, I will kill you."
Yohji saw the fear and hesitation in the deep green eyes and the tight grip on the blade which was raised at him. He put his wire away and held his hands out to his side.
"I won't hurt you. I came here to talk."
Schuldig slowly let his body relax, wanting, needing to believe the man standing only ten feet away. He tossed the knife to the ground and took a step forward.
"What did you----"
"Die, you bastard!"
Yohji didn't even have time to turn towards the voice before a succession of loud bangs echoed through the alley. Two sets of green eyes went wide with shock at the same time as the bullets found their mark.
"Schuldig! No!"
Yohji clamored over to Schuldig who was looking down at the three rapidly growing crimson stains on his chest and stomach.
"Schuldig!"
The strawberry blonde looked up and tried to offer a smile as he fell to his knees with a grunt. Yohji caught him by the shoulders and eased him down onto the ground. He heard a rustling noise and looked up to see the Esset agent trying to get up onto his feet. In a graceful move belying its murderous intent, Yohji sent his wire out and beheaded the man before he even knew what was happening.
Yohji turned his attention back to Schuldig, cradling the wounded man's upper body in his arms.
Schuldig wished he could feel Yohji's arms gently holding him. But all he could feel right now was a searing pain that was threatening to overwhelm his body and mind. He looked up at the fearful green eyes and managed to reach up and trail shaking fingertips along Yohji's jaw line.
"I'm sorry…."
"Shhhhh, you don't need to----"
Schuldig winced and closed his eyes briefly against the pain as his fingertips came to rest on Yohji's trembling lips.
"I'm sorry…..that you weren't the one…..to kill me."
Yohji let out a strangled noise as he held Schuldig's fingertips to his lips, kissing them as the tears started to roll down his cheeks.
"Stupid. I didn't come here to kill you." Yohji brushed some stray locks out of Schuldig's eyes and leaned down to administer tender kisses all over the pale face. "I came here to ask for a date."
"Date?"
Yohji smiled at the confused man in his arms.
"Yes. So what do you say? We can go to that little jazz club that you like."
Schuldig smiled as the pain began to fade and his body started to feel light and warm.
"That….sounds….per..fect…..katz…."
Yohji felt the panic grip his heart as he watched Schuldig's eyes slowly close.
"Schuldig?" He gently shook the still man but received no response. "Hey. No, wake up!" Yohji slapped a pale cheek a few times and still he couldn't get a response. "Schuldig!"
Yohji kept trying to wake the man in his arms, screaming his name and demanding he wake up. He never noticed the crowd gathering or the flashing lights or the approaching paramedics. He was forcefully dragged away from Schuldig's body as the paramedics took over.
"Schuldig, gods damn you! You can't die! We have a date! Schuldig!"
To be continued…..
To Roxie Faye – Ha! I liked the car thing too! I totally pictured Yohji having this epiphany in the middle of traffic, oblivious of everything else around him. And I hope the Crawford/Schu talking thing made sense. It's hard to portray a telepathic conversation!
To Aoi-sama – Tissue for the sadness, or hammer to bash my head in?
To Princess Sin – Was the content of this chapter that predictable? Not that your scenario came true, but it was probably a lot closer than most folks. And by the way….I like how you think. Nothing like some gut-wrenching angst to make one appreciate their own life.
