A/N: Sorry for the delay, but it took some time to get this the way I wanted it. Hope you like it!
A/N2: A Big Thank You to Lucile, Ly-Lan, Kitsune, Ashiel, and Petite Elfe for the help with the French. Seriously! Thank you so much. I hope this chapter does you proud.
Taken
~ Five Years Later ~
Harry hid a smile behind his hand as a grinning Duo came down the aisle of the shuttle, tugging Heero after him. They were both a bit flushed, their lips red and swollen. Across the aisle, Wufei rolled his eyes without even looking up from his book.
"What'd we miss?" Duo asked as he flopped into the seat in front of Harry's.
Heero sat in front of Wufei, looking unselfconscious about the Duo instigated side-trip to the bathrooms.
"Nothin'," Harry answered innocently. "Right, Wufei?"
Duo's eyes narrowed instantly in suspicion, glancing back and forth between Harry and his Asian friend. "Uh huh. Why don't I believe that?"
Wufei turned a page calmly. "Because, impossible as it might seem, you're smarter than you look," he drawled, still not looking up.
Duo leaned over the back of his seat to glare down at Harry. Harry lifted his own magazine to hide a silent laugh.
"Fine," Duo huffed. "Keep your secrets. I'm gonna go check on Kitty Cat."
Heero's eyes cut toward Harry once Duo had slipped into the pilot's cabin. "We should be landing soon. Fasten your buckles."
He obeyed readily, eyes now glued to the window. Just then, the shuttle turned and the Earth loomed large in front of him. The gorgeous blue ball glowed brightly against the black of space. Greens and browns pocked the vast oceans and soft white clouds were scattered throughout. This was the first time he'd seen the Earth like this with his own eyes. Harry had seen it in videos and in pictures during his studies, of course. It looked just the same, but he'd never felt it in front of him like this. It was as if Earth had a mental gravity as real as a physical gravity. He could feel it reaching out to touch him, or maybe he was reaching out to touch the Earth.
"So beautiful," he whispered and delicately rested his fingertips on the windowpane.
"It is," Wufei agreed, his voice hushed with reverence.
The shuttle turned once more to face their destination and the view outside the window disappeared. Still, Harry could see the Earth in his mind, hanging like a precious jewel resting on a cushion of black velvet. It was something he'd never forget, and he sent a concentrated burst of gratitude forward, knowing Quatre had purposefully turned the shuttle to gift him with that sight.
Duo came bouncing back and he winked at Harry, telling him Quatre had received his message. Harry smiled back as his big brother checked his buckles, making sure they were tight before taking his seat and fastening his own. Duo wasn't a second too soon. The shuttle gave a little lurch as the artificial gravity snapped off. Harry grinned and closed his eyes, enjoying the sensation of being weightless.
As they descended, he was pressed into his seat as natural gravity asserted itself. He imagined what they looked like from the outside, a small metal bullet hurtling through the sky. They'd be glowing faintly now, a stream of smoke trailing behind them. Duo gave a loud whoop, and Harry opened his eyes to see Wufei's dark eyes glittering with pleasure. His brothers were pilots. This was their most natural environment, where they most felt at home. It was something Harry shared with them. He adored flying of any kind. Lately, he'd been giving Heero and Quatre heart attacks with his flying trapeze acts.
"Please brace for impact," Trowa's calming baritone came over the speakers.
"Are you ready for this, Harry-chan?" Duo called back to him.
"Hell yeah!" Harry cheered.
Duo laughed. "That's my boy!"
It was weird. He didn't have any fond memories of being on Earth, so he wasn't sure why he was so excited to be returning to the planet after five years of living happily on the colonies. Harry glanced over at Wufei, catching sight of Heero, too, and he felt his expression soften. His excitement was mostly due to having all of his brothers with him. As long as they were there, Harry knew he'd have a blast.
The shuttle was vibrating pretty hard now. He wasn't afraid. Quatre and Trowa wouldn't let them crash. There was a heavy thump, jerking him hard in his straps. A second, more gentle one was followed quickly by an even smoother third. They were down. Harry looked out the window and saw a vast blue sky, a horizon that had a positive curve, and concrete as far as the eye could see.
"Do you feel sick?"
He looked over to see Heero already out of his belts and standing beside him.
"No. I'm okay so far." He really hoped he'd stayed that way, too. Wufei had described Earth sickness, and he really hoped he wouldn't get it. It didn't sound fun at all.
Heero gave a little smile. "Good. Stay seated until I say."
Harry nodded as Heero moved off toward the exit door, preparing for the gate.
Duo escaped his restraints and his head popped up over the seat again. He rested his chin on his crossed arms. "So… Whatcha wanna see first?"
Harry's eyes widened. "We don't have to go straight to HQ?"
"This is a vacation silly." Duo reached forward to ruffle his hair. "We can do what we want."
Harry scowled and tried to smooth it back down. He'd grown his hair out to his waist, and when it was braided it fell a little longer than mid-back. Even so, it was still untamable. A good portion still escaped to fall into his face and stick up at random around his head. Wufei repetitively told him his hair would be easier to maintain, look neater, and be less dangerous in a fight if he'd just cut it, but Harry always refused. Duo would give him a warm, knowing smile every time he did.
The thing was, he was very aware he wasn't related to his family by blood. It was important to him that he had a physical connection to each of his brothers. He had Heero's hair, messy and dark. He'd copied Duo's braid, and he wore wired-rimmed glasses like Wufei sometimes did. Harry and Quatre had similar European features and fair skin, while he and Trowa shared green eyes. In Harry's mind, these similarities acted as proof that they were family.
The shuttle came to a complete stop and Heero began opening the exit door. Duo helped Harry with all his belts, and soon enough all five of them were striding through the spaceport, their bags on their shoulders.
Harry tried to look everywhere at once. The concourse was huge compared to the ones on the colonies. And the people were so different. They wore all different kinds of clothes, heavy jackets and scarves, hats and gloves. Colonies had temperature control, so such things were never necessary. There were so many kinds of food, too! His mouth was watering just smelling the aromatic air.
"Is it winter?"
"No." Wufei shook his head. "Spring. However it is normal for this season to experience temperature fluctuations. Likely a cold front is moving through. It should be temporary."
Duo spun to walk backward, linking his hands behind his head. "So what's the plan, Harry-chan?"
"Since its cold, we can see the ocean another time. Let's explore Paris," he suggested.
Quatre smiled and rested a warm hand on his shoulder. "Good idea. You can practice your French."
Harry groaned, but he supposed this was the price he had to pay for having five multilingual brothers. They expected the same from him. "Fine, but I suck."
"Practice makes perfect," Trowa remarked serenely.
"I'll secure the car," Heero announced, breaking away from the group and jogging ahead.
The four remaining pilots tightened their circle to fill in the space Heero had left in their defenses. Harry walked in the center, of course. He smiled, feeling warm and protected. Reaching out and catching Trowa's hand in his own, Harry pointed toward an umbrella stand. "I'm so used to seeing decorative ones. They're so big!"
Trowa squeezed his fingers gently. "Do you want to see rain?"
"Yeah! And lightning and thunder! A real storm," Harry answered enthusiastically.
"Hah! The boy think's he's a lion!" Duo spun around to face forward. "Put your pride where your mouth is, little boy! Let's see, let's see… Ah-hah!" The braided pilot flung his arm to the side, nearly hitting Quatre in the face. "Foot long hotdogs! I'll have that baby in my stomach in a hot minute! Betcha it'll take you
hours," he moaned dramatically.
"Hotdogs? Really?" Quatre followed his friends finger. "Wow. There are. Never thought I'd see that in the French spaceport."
"You're on!" Harry pulled free of his brothers, falling into step with Duo as they ran up to the stand.
"Two hotdogs, please!" they cried together, flashing the man behind the counter their best puppy-dog eyes.
Quatre smacked Harry on the top of his head. "En français, s'il vous plaît." The blond smiled charmingly at the surprised old man behind the counter. "Excusez nous, monsieur. Veuillez pardonner mes amis excités."
The man smiled and made a motion as if he were taking off a hat. "Ce n'est rien. Que puis-je faire pour vous?"
"Harry?" Quatre prodded.
Harry sighed and met the man's eyes solemnly. "Um… Deux hotdogs avec ketchup et moutarde, s'il vous plaît."
"Very good, sir!" the old man exclaimed with a friendly smile. "You sound nearly as good as your friend."
Harry blushed brightly and sidled closer to Quatre, wishing he could hide behind him completely.
Quatre ruffled his hair. "He's been practicing," he stated with a proud smile.
"Bon appétit," the man said as he passed over a hotdog to Duo, who passed it on to Harry.
Harry took it with a smile. "Merci."
A moment later and Duo received his. They said their goodbyes, Quatre paying the man, and continued down the concourse. Duo walked beside Harry, the two sharing a narrow-eyed glare before simultaneously shoving the food in their mouths.
"Disgusting," Wufei muttered, looking away. "Did you grab napkins?" Quatre asked pleasantly, glancing at his lover.
"Yes." Trowa lifted a thick wad that he'd taken from the stand.
Quatre shot an amused look at the two children in their ranks. "Good."
Duo flung up his hands as the last of the bun was stuffed into his mouth. Juice and ketchup was smeared around his lips and his cheeks bulged around their burden, but his eyes sparkled with victory. He hopped around, arms held high. Harry pouted and stuck his tongue out as Duo choked when he tried to swallow. Trowa hit the braided pilot on the back, almost staggering his friend.
"Gah! Winning is painful," Duo complained, rubbing his chest.
Harry laughed.
The doors to the outside swung open automatically as they approached. Cold air blasted them. Harry's napkin was torn from his hand and he cried out, reaching for it. His stomach dropped, his eyes widening behind his glasses. There on the corner… a figure in black robes, a skull for a face, the eye sockets glowing an angry red. Someone grabbed his shoulder and he violently knocked the hand loose, falling back into a defensive position.
"What is it, Harry?" Duo asked worriedly, hands presented palms forward in a sight of peace.
Harry spun back around. The corner was empty. He felt blood heat his face. Heero had come to attention from where he waited by the car. His hand was in his pocket. Trowa mirrored him, blocking Harry from view from those still inside the concourse. Wufei was scanning the area with a cold expression. Only Quatre and Duo were looking at him as they stepped protectively close.
"Sorry. Thought I saw something," he muttered, ducking his head.
"What did you see?" Quatre asked gently, even as he moved Harry toward the SUV, urging him to get in.
Duo already had the door open for him.
Harry blushed harder. "Nothing."
"Don't give us that," Duo scolded. He shut the door behind him. Heero got in the driver's seat, Trowa next to him. Wufei climbed into the back with the backpacks. Usually that was Duo's position. His lazy brother used it as an excuse to sprawl out and take a nap. "Harry."
He bit his lip and admitted, "The robed figure again. The one from my nightmare."
He could feel the concerned glances his brothers were sharing over his head. He hated that he was worrying them. He just wished he could be normal for once. It had been years since he'd been plagued by so many nightmares. That was why they'd come to Earth for vacation in the first place. Dr. Bohren thought a change in scenery might help.
"Hey." Quatre stroked his hair, and Harry leaned into his side. "It's okay. You're safe."
"I know. I don't know why I'm seeing things," Harry complained tearfully. He turned his face into Quatre's side and huddled there. "I just want it to stop."
"I know you do," Quatre wrapped him in a hug and held him. "Just rest. I'm sure you're tired from the trip."
Something touched his shoulder and he peeked out to see Wufei passing Sage forward from his backpack. Harry blushed again, but he didn't deny the offering. He pulled the worn stuffed rabbit into his arms and closed his eyes. Maybe Quatre was right. Maybe he was just tired.
xXxXxXx
"How is he?" Heero asked as he parked in the hotel's garage.
Quatre looked up to see that Heero had turned around and was staring at the boy sleeping deeply sprawled across his lap. He closed his eyes. When he opened them, his expression was solemn. "I sense no bad dreams yet."
Duo smiled in relief. "That's good."
Quatre sighed. "Yes. Let's hope his rest remains peaceful."
Harry hadn't been able to sleep without having at least one nightmare a night for two months now. Nothing was helping. Not meditation with Wufei. Not dream analysis and therapy with Dr. Bohren. They did their best to limit the boy's stress, to engage him in things that made him happy. They'd gone back to L3 where Trowa and Harry could have fun and perform at the circus, but still the nightmares came when Harry slept. It wasn't encouraging that he was now seeing things when he was awake.
"I'll check us in." Wufei opened the back and hoped out. He strode through the gloom of the garage easily.
"Suggestions?" Heero asked the car at large.
"We should wait a few days. Give traveling a chance," Trowa suggested.
Quatre nodded in agreement. He wasn't eager to give Harry the anti-anxiety medication Dr. Bohren had prescribed, either.
"Do you think it's a vision?" Duo suddenly spoke up. "I mean, remember last June? That really bad night terror we couldn't wake him from?"
"That was nearly a year ago," Quatre pointed out.
"Just saying…" Duo muttered. He looked out his window pensively. "Sounds like Death to me. Skull-faced figure in black robes. Harry might be having some kind of premonition. He couldn't remember what he saw that night when his scar opened up. Maybe it was something bad, and we're getting closer to that time."
"Duo…" Quatre said lowly. He didn't like the quiet, defeated tone in his friend's voice at all. "Don't say that."
Heero turned almost completely around in his seat and grabbed Duo's face, forcing him to look at him. "Baka. Even if his abilities are evolving and this is a premonition, we will not die. We have too much to live for now to let Him win."
Duo smiled wanly and leaned into the hand on his cheek. "Thanks, Hee-chan."
Quatre blushed, feeling like he was intruding on a very intimate moment.
Trowa opened his door and climbed out. "Let's go. Wufei should be done by now." He went to the back of the car and began to unload their bags, hooking them all on his arms.
"I'll take point," Duo called, jumping out himself.
Quatre scooped Harry into his arms as Heero opened his door. He could carry him easily. Harry had grown so much, but he was still petite for his age.
Heero paced protectively at his side as Duo walked a good ten meters ahead and Trowa took up the rear. They entered the hotel lobby. It wasn't the best hotel Quatre could have reserved, but it wasn't cheap, either. They wanted to travel under the radar, which meant they couldn't stay at places multibillionaire Quatre Winner would be expected to stay. Still, it was a pretty nice place. It looked clean and well lit. That was all that really mattered.
Wufei was waiting by the elevators, a key card in hand. "Room 1304."
Duo winced. "Really? Couldn't you get a different room?"
Quatre could sympathize. Thirteen was an unlucky number in Western culture while four was the number of death in Japanese numerology.
"Are you superstitious, little boy?" Wufei sneered.
Duo glared back and would have said something no doubt if Heero hadn't intervened.
"Move. I want to get out of sight." Heero snatched the card and practically herded everyone into the elevator.
Wufei and Duo moved to be at opposite sides while Quatre stood at the back with Harry. Trowa and Heero took the most dangerous position right in front of the doors. The elevator stopped at the ninth floor. An elderly couple tried to get on, but the two wouldn't budge and Wufei held down the door-close button. The elderly woman had a lot of colorful things to say as the doors swung shut.
Quatre's lips quirked. "Too bad you don't know French," he teased Duo. "You would have appreciated her creativity."
"I'll have to work on that," Duo said with a laugh, his eyes bright and lively again. "Care to give a translation?"
Quatre slid a sly look in Heero's direction. "I don't know. Should I, Heero?" He could tell just by looking at Heero's back that his friend was glaring hotly at the closed doors.
"If she tried any of those things, I would have had to retaliate," Heero answered darkly.
"Now I have to know what she said!" Duo exclaimed and folded his hands in front of him as he begged. "Please, Cat? You wouldn't leave me in suspense would you?"
"Let's just say she hopes Heero becomes amorous with a bus and a rabid dog in the future," Quatre answered and stepped forward as the doors opened.
Duo was shaking his head. "That's just wrong. I think I'm scarred for life."
Quatre laughed, but his amusement was short lived. Harry tensed in his arms, his face scrunching in distress. Quatre instantly opened his empathy and was flooded with utter dread. He gasped, nearly dropping the boy. Steeling himself from the painful anxiety and churning fear Harry was experiencing, he focused on happy memories and channeled the feeling to the distressed child.
He opened his eyes. He was in the hotel room and sitting on the edge of a bed. They must have led him inside. He looked down to see a very faint golden glow emanating from his skin. It didn't touch Harry, though. Harry continued to toss restlessly in his arms, his movements becoming greater the more the nightmare progressed. Quatre frowned and let go of his empathy. That was another thing that was different with these nightmares. His empathy didn't work on Harry during them. He couldn't help him as he normally would.
"Harry, wake up," Duo called. He knelt in front of them and shook the boy firmly. "It's just a dream. Come on. Wake up."
Harry gasped, nearly jerking himself out of Quatre's arms, and then went limp again, apparently falling into peaceful slumber once more. Quatre looked up at his friends. They stared back, visibly distressed.
"Maybe we should have traveled to America or Asia," Wufei voiced, hand fisted on his thigh. "Europe might disturb his unconscious."
"France is not England," Quatre argued tiredly. "They speak a completely different language and have separate cultures. Besides, this is where he said he wanted to go. To see Paris."
Wufei sighed. "Yes. I know."
"We're all just tired. Let's get some sleep," Duo recommended. He helped lift Harry and tuck him into bed. He stood back once they were done and looked around the room. "Three to a bed, or I guess one of us could take the couch."
"Tro and I will sleep with Harry," Quatre offered.
"I am not sharing a bed with Maxwell. I'll take the couch," Wufei decided and moved in that direction.
Quatre smiled as he watched Heero and Trowa share an amused glance over Duo's head as the braided pilot stuck his tongue out at their Chinese friend.
xXxXxXx
Wufei woke with the sun despite having gone to bed only a few hours before. He stretched and sat up, glancing over at the two beds. Duo was wrapped around Heero's middle, which conveniently left Heero's arms and legs unencumbered. In the other bed, Quatre and Trowa faced each other, sleeping on their sides, their arms thrown comfortably over Harry's chest. As he watched, the boy's eyes fluttered open, revealing bright green. Wufei tossed his head toward the door and Harry smiled before nodding.
Satisfied that his message had been received, he used the bathroom and dressed in his workout clothes. When he came back, Harry had managed to extract himself from the sleeping couple. There was no way he'd been able to do so without waking either pilot, and most likely Heero had woken as soon as he felt Wufei's eyes on him. Still, none of them had chosen to get out of bed. It was early, and they understood that the quiet time of dawn was special for both Harry and Wufei.
Wufei led them out of the room. Harry walked along barefoot in his sleep pants and a t-shirt, wire-framed glasses perched on his nose. His hair was still bound in yesterday's braid, which meant it was half undone. His long dark hair fell around his face and shoulders. Often over the years, Harry had been mistaken for a girl, though it was happening less and less. Another reason Wufei wished the boy would cut his hair. He feared Harry's looks would attract dangerous attention from those possessed with perverse desires. Duo had pointed out that Harry would be cute with or without long hair, but Wufei couldn't help but feel long hair only exasperated the problem.
"Where are we going?" Harry asked as they stepped onto the elevator.
"I saw an exercise room. We shall use that," Wufei answered. "How did you sleep?"
"Fine." Harry smiled up at him. "I don't think I had any dreams."
"Good." Wufei neglected to mention that they had witnessed a brief nightmare shortly after arriving at the hotel. Sometimes Harry wouldn't remember the episodes, and Wufei thought that was all to the good. The boy had been subjected to enough horrors; he didn't need to see more in his sleep.
The exercise room was empty due to the early hour. Wufei led Harry off to the side in a clear space between treadmills and stair-steppers and fell into the starting position for their morning Tai Chi routine. Harry stood directly in front of him and mirrored his body. They moved fluidly from one position to the next. Soon sweat began to dew their skin. Their muscles began to burn with the slow, precise movements. Calm wrapped around them as they fell into a meditative state. Wufei could almost hear the rhythmic thrum of waves off in the distance.
Finished with their routine, Wufei bowed low to his partner. Harry bowed back, and they straightened in defensive Judo positions. They circled, aware of the small space they had to maneuver in. Harry lashed out first, aiming for a vulnerable spot on Wufei's upper thigh. Wufei shifted out of the way and made a sharp downward kick, hooking Harry's leading ankle and pulling the boy off balance.
However, one of Harry's strengths was balance. The boy readjusted his weight in a smooth spin and was able to keep his feet. Wufei thrust his palm forward, aiming for his opponent's chest. Harry blocked and trapped Wufei's wrist between his forearms. He twisted, forcing Wufei to step off balance or have his elbow broken. In the same smooth movement, the boy's back foot came up behind him, curled forward over his body to land a solid hit on Wufei's ribs. It wasn't strong enough to do any real harm, but it did stagger him.
"Good, Harry!" he praised.
The boy smiled and moved back into ready position.
"Come on, you guys! We've got a city to explore!"
Wufei turned to see Duo leaning in the doorway. He was dressed and his hair was brushed and braided.
The pilot gave a lazy grin and tisked. "You look a mess, Harry-chan. Go shower and dress. I want breakfast."
"Will you do my hair, Duo?" Harry asked as he hurried to his brother's side.
"Course. Now scoot!" Duo aimed a playful swat at the boy's backside.
Harry laughed and ran off toward the elevator. Duo and Wufei followed at a more reasonable pace, but they were careful to keep the child in their sight at all times. Trowa was waiting at the elevator, holding the doors for them. Duo was going on about French breakfasts, crepes and fresh bread and hot chocolate. Harry was oohing and ahhing appreciatively, and Wufei shared a wry smile with Trowa.
Quatre and Heero were also dressed. They stood around a bed strewn with maps. Wufei glanced at it curiously as Harry and Duo disappeared into the bathroom. "What's the plan?" he asked curiously.
"Paris is about forty minutes out," Quarter answered, looking up with a welcoming smile. "We can get a new hotel there, or we can return here after we look around. It doesn't matter."
"Harry stated a wish to see the Eiffel Tower," Heero stated as he circled several places on the map. "Quatre would enjoy a visit to the Louvre. Duo wants to watch a few comedic plays, and I know Trowa and Harry will be interested in acrobatic performances. Is there anything in particular you'd like to see?"
"The botanical garden sounds interesting," Wufei admitted.
"I hear they are quite impressive," Quatre agreed. He straightened and ran a hand through his hair. "Sounds like we'll need a hotel in Paris. We'll never manage this in a single day. I'll make a few calls."
Heero nodded. "I'll draw up a schedule."
The two broke apart to complete their tasks, and Wufei moved toward his bag for a change of clothes.
xXxXxXx
The day went by in a blur of activity. They had breakfast at a street vendor, drove to Paris, went to the Louvre and spent hours looking at the various art works. Quatre had enjoyed the paintings, Harry had liked the modern art, and Duo had a great time admiring the naked male sculptures and comparing them to Heero's perfect physique, much to Wufei's dismay.
Lunch was spent at a restaurant next to the famous museum. Wufei had gotten his revenge by convincing Duo to order trout. The braided pilot had freaked when his fish was served with the head still attached, causing Heero and Harry to laugh loudly. They caught an afternoon play at the Shakespeare Theater. It was funny, but a bit crude and Quatre spent a good portion of the show trying to cover Harry's eyes, much to Harry's amusement.
Next they went to an evening areal acrobatic show, which was Trowa's favorite part of the day. This time it was Heero who wished he could cover Harry's eyes, not to protect his sensibilities, but to prevent the boy from getting any ideas. This had Trowa smirking. There was no way they could keep Harry on the ground. That boy had flight in his veins, much like the rest of them.
"Wow! It's so big!" Harry exclaimed as he looked up at the Eiffel Tower.
Quatre had purposefully arranged for them to save the renowned icon until evening, and Trowa had to agree the view was breathtaking. The large metal structure seemed to glow with light.
"Can we really go up there?" Harry demanded, tugging on Quatre's arm in an attempt to get them all to walk faster.
"Yes, Harry. We can go up," Quatre answered with a fond smile, his eyes sparkling.
"Race you!" Duo challenged as he ran ahead.
Harry turned and took off, hot on his heels, their braids flying out behind them. Heero sprinted after the two. They were out in the open. It was dangerous to split up too much, so Trowa and the others jogged after the group.
A French guard tried to block them from the elevator, but Quatre stepped forward and within minutes the man was falling all over himself to let them pass. The man tried to get on the elevator to take them up, but Heero blocked him and Quatre turned him away with a polite smile and gentle words. The six of them climbed onto the old elevator and Trowa closed the metal gate.
"It's stuck!" Duo complained as he tried to throw the lever.
"Put some back into it," Wufei snapped.
Harry reached forward, gloved hand palm out. The lever snapped forward, and they began to rise slowly into the air, the metal arms of the monument caging them in protectively.
"Good one, Harry-chan!" Duo cheered.
"Are you warm enough?" Quatre asked as he tugged Harry's white scarf closer around his throat.
Harry smiled up at him. "I'm fine."
Trowa felt a pang of affection. Most boys Harry's age would chafe at their over-protectiveness, but Harry enjoyed every minute of it. Unlike most, Harry knew better than to take family for granted. Trowa put a hand on the boy's shoulder, smiling softly when Harry leaned into his side.
Everyone fell silent as the city of Paris expanded beneath their feet. The city lights sparkled and twinkled like the night sky. The tall buildings contrasted with those on the ground, giving the view an almost tangible depth. They piled out of the elevator onto the viewing platform. The cold wind stung Trowa's cheeks and he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his down jacket.
After making a circuit, he and Quatre came to stop looking out over the river. Trowa wrapped his arms around his husband's waist and pressed their cheeks together. Quatre leaned back against him, resting his hands over Trowa's arms. Trowa could hear Wufei pointing out where they'd been that day to Harry and the boy asking questions about the city's history. Duo and Heero were tossing banter back and forth a few meters away.
"You rented the whole place?"
"Maybe," Quatre answered with a smirk.
"Thought we were laying low."
"This was worth it," the blond answered softly.
Trowa said nothing, silently agreeing. Their family was together, high above the ground, safe away from the crowds. Quatre was right. This was exactly what they needed to unwind after such a busy day. He turned his love and pressed him back against the railing. The blond's cheeks were rosy from the cold, his blue eyes an enticing sapphire under the soft lights. Quatre's fingers slid up into his hair, fisting at the back of his head to pull him in for a deep kiss, their bodies pressed together for warmth.
A flare of light and a hot wave of heat, Harry's high voice crying out. Trowa spun, gun out, as Heero's gun went off. Wufei tackled Harry to the ground, covering his body protectively with his own. Trowa fired at the moving target even as his eyes widened at the blazing bird hovering above their heads. The creature screeched, the sound so sharp that it brought tears of pain to Trowa's eyes.
"What the fuck!" Duo yelled out.
"Harry! Get to the elevator!" Quatre ordered, gun in hand.
Cracks of gunfire had Trowa diving to the floor, pulling Quatre down with him.
"Fuck!" Duo exclaimed again.
Trowa whipped his gun toward the noise and fired, even as his brain screamed the impossibility of what he was seeing. A man in black robes stood on the metal beam of the Eiffel Tower several meters out from the platform. Even Trowa would hesitate to climb out there in such high winds. His target staggered back, his expression one of utter shock as he toppled off the beam.
A cry from closer to Heero and Duo, a man's scream trailing off as he plummeted to certain death. And how had the enemy gotten into position? Had they climbed from the ground? Had they been dropped off by silent chopper? He scanned the night sky but saw nothing.
Heero and Duo were still firing at someone else on their end. A series of loud cracks, and a man appeared on the platform directly in front of Harry who was crawling with Wufei toward the elevator. Trowa opened fire. A streak of flame dove down on Wufei, the man disappeared with another cracking sound. Trowa dove forward, closer to Harry as a steak of red light came toward him from the side.
Quatre wasn't as fast. He was firing on the bird, hadn't seen the threat because Trowa blocked it from view. His body arched as he was flung back. He collapsed against the fenced railing and lay unmoving.
"Quatre!" Trowa screamed.
"Wufei!" Harry echoed him.
Trowa rolled to his feet, came up with a second gun in hand. He was firing in a wild circle around him. "Run, Harry! Go!"
Harry scrambled to his feet and bolted for the elevator door.
"Down!" Duo yelled.
Trowa obeyed instantly, sliding next to his husband and covering him with his body just as Duo's flash bomb went off.
There were pained screams from their attackers as they were blinded. Trowa moved fast, dragging Quatre toward the elevator. Harry reached for the blond just as there was a sharp crack right next to Trowa. He flinched to the side, gun coming round. A flash of light hit him, flinging him backward and tearing the gun from his hand. His back hit the wall hard. From the corner of his eye he saw Duo fall. Heero roared and tackled the assailant. A sharp crack and Heero was up, running for the man who'd attacked Trowa.
"Heero!" Trowa yelled just as a crack sounded and a robed figure appeared behind his friend.
Heero spun, but he wasn't quite fast enough. The attacker staggered as Heero's powerful kick landed on his side, but he still managed to get off a flash of light from his weapon. Heero fell. Trowa panted hard with adrenaline and rage. The bodies of his family littered the ground. He was pressed against the wall next to the elevator. Harry was in there. Trowa could hear his fast, panicked breaths.
"Go, Harry!" he screamed as he charged forward recklessly, ordering the boy to send the elevator down, hoping to buy enough time.
The world snapped shut on his mind, and he collapsed unconscious.
xXxXxXx
Harry watched Trowa fall, horrified. It had all happened so fast, less than three minutes. He had no idea what was happening. It was like a nightmare. Please, God, let this just be a dream, he prayed near hysterically. A robed man came toward him and he screamed, pushing out with all his strength. The man yelled as he was flung back, hit the railing and toppled over.
Harry scrambled to his feet, screaming, "Stay away from me! Back off! All of you!"
Quatre was closest and he thrust his hand forward, closed his gloved hand around air, and pulled it back toward him. The blond slid across the metal floor and hit the back of the elevator feet first. His body was limp, boneless, and Harry felt himself sway as he took in his brother's pale, still face.
"Don't be dead, don't be dead," he unknowingly muttered under his breath.
A second robed figure approached. This one was a woman. "Harry, I know this is confusing, but…"
"I said stay away!" he screamed, again lashing out, but the woman dodged to the side.
Harry reached toward Trowa, but before he could pull him into the elevator, fire exploded in front of his face. Harry cried out, protecting his face with his arms. He felt something hit him. He hit the back of the elevator wall hard and was sucked down into blackness. He fought it with all the strength he had. Fought the suffocating darkness until his eyes came open.
He was lying on his stomach, cheek pressed to cold metal. Someone was standing next to him, another was crouched down. He moved his head to see all five of his brothers being sat up against the fence railing. Another man with dark, greasy hair stood in front of Trowa, a stick pointed at his head.
"Obliviate," the man snapped firmly, thrusting the stick forward.
"No!" Harry got to his hands and knees only to be pulled against someone's chest.
"It's okay, Harry. They aren't dead," the man promised.
Harry tried to work his elbows between them to get away, but the man's arms were strong. As strong as Heero's!
"Get off me!"
"Obliviate," the dark-haired man said again, this time over Quatre.
"Stop it! Why are you doing this?" Harry screamed out desperately.
"You should be thankful we're not killing them," the woman said with a glare.
Harry stared up at her defiantly.
"Obliviate…" the man snapped again, this time hitting Duo.
"Stupefy," the woman hissed, pointing a stick at Harry.
Harry's vision flared red as he fell back into darkness.
xXxXxXx
Albus stood abruptly as Fawkes appeared in a flash of fire. His floo flared green a moment later and Severus stepped into his office. "Well?" he demanded anxiously.
"We have him. Pomfrey is giving him a checkup. We lost Podmore and Doge. Diggle was injured and is also being seen to by Pomfrey."
Albus' fists clenched. Sturgis and Elphias were old, good friends. They were dead? "What happened?"
"Potter was with a military group. Five members. We had no chance to talk to them or make peace. They had weapons and attacked instantly. We had no choice but to subdue them. Potter reacted unfavorably and attacked with wandless magic. We were able to Stun him, but he threw off the Lupin's charm. He woke while I was altering the soldiers' memories and became hysterical. Vance Stunned him again, and I gave him a potion. He shouldn't wake for a few more hours at least."
"Merlin." Albus braced himself against his desk, feeling sick to his stomach. "So he was with the Muggle military all this time. Did he show evidence of training?"
"Yes." Severus frowned. "It's highly likely he's been brainwashed. He reacted quite violently to our subduing his team. He will not be cooperative when he wakes. He sees us as the enemy, not as his rescuers."
Albus felt a pang at that. "Thank you, Severus. How much did you erase?"
"If he's been with the military, likely they'll have extensive records on Potter. It seemed unrealistic to hope erasing Potter from their memories would keep the boy safe from them. Instead, I erased the memories of the fight and instead planted a memory of Potter stepping away from the group and flinging himself over the railing to commit suicide. I conjured a duplicate of Elphias' body and let it drop from the height so there would be biological evidence. Hopefully, they will report the incident back to their superiors and the Muggles won't search for the boy."
"I see." Albus rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Anything else?"
"I recognized one of the soldiers as the Asian youth who questioned Marge Dursley."
Albus nodded. "Thank you, Severus. I'm glad you came back safe."
Severus didn't respond to this, he merely turned and flooed back to his quarters in the dungeons.
Albus didn't waste time. He immediately set off for the Hospital Wing. He met Dedalus coming out. The elderly man had his shoulder bandaged, his arm in a sling. Albus gripped his good shoulder gently, his chest tightening at seeing the grief on Dedalus' face. The old scholar had been close friends with Elphias for over six decades. They were as close as brothers.
"Dedalus…"
"I'm glad we got the boy back," the old man stated, hunching his shoulders. "Contact me if you need anything else."
"I will, old friend, as long as you do the same."
Dedalus nodded and moved around Albus.
Albus watched him go for a moment before entering the infirmary. Poppy was standing next to a bed, the figure lying in it still and small. Tears burned Albus' eyes as he caught sight of the young teen's face. For five years, he'd been praying for the safe return of this boy. Harry was home at last.
"How is he?" he asked quietly.
"In very good shape, actually." Poppy smiled up at him. "There are old scars and the shadows of old broken bones, but he is in great physical condition. In fact, he's muscles are strong and flexible, suggesting he is quite athletic. He's a little short for his age, but he's within the acceptable zone for his weight."
"Good, good." Albus smiled down at the boy and gently brushed his bangs from his face.
A lightning bolt scar stood out on his otherwise unblemished skin, and his happiness dimmed. Harry was home, but the boy's trials were not yet over. There was a long road ahead of him to recover from whatever he'd suffered at the hands of the military, but Albus would do whatever it took to protect the child and keep him safe.
xXxXxXx
Quatre came awake with a gasp, heart thudding fast and hard in his chest. He scrambled to his feet as the memory of Harry climbing over the rail and jumping off played in front of his eyes. He looked desperately over the railing and paled as he caught sight of the emergency lights below, the ambulances and police cars.
An agonized moan reached his ears and he looked down numbly at Duo. The braided pilot rocked back and forth, a sound of terrible pain escaping his lips.
Wufei got to his feet and stood next to Quatre, looking down at the horrific scene below them. His knuckles turned white where they griped the rail. "Why?" he asked in a dead voice. "Why would you…?"
"No! Harry!" Duo suddenly exploded to his feet and ran at the railing. "HARRY!"
Heero caught his lover just before Duo went over after their boy. He held onto the screaming, sobbing man mercilessly. Quatre flinched away from Heero's dark eyes. They were empty. Worse even than when they had first met Heero.
"Where are we?"
Quatre's eyes snapped down. Trowa sat, turned sideways and leaning against the fence. His temple was pressed into the metal links, a haunted expression tightening his features.
"What are we doing here?"
Quatre felt tears burn their way down his cheeks. His husband had suffered traumatic amnesia years before. His memory was a delicate thing. Seeing Harry… Likely, it had broken his husband's mind once more. "Trowa…" he rasped, sobs catching in his throat. "Tro…"
Trowa let himself be pulled into Quatre's arms, but he made no move to return the embrace. "Why is Duo crying? Where's Harry? What happened? Quatre? Where's Harry?"
Quatre couldn't take it. He broke down into heart-wrenching sobs, burying his face against Trowa's strong chest. "Allah, please, no, not Harry…" His chest burned with every breath, his pathetic prayer coming way too late.
He lifted his head as he heard someone storm over to the elevator. Through blurry eyes and ringing ears, he watched Wufei slam the elevator door shut and leave them. Quatre couldn't even imagine going down there. The thought of seeing Harry's body… He turned and vomited all over the metal floor.
Trembling, he leaned into Trowa's side.
"Let me go," Duo demanded, voice husky and raw. "Heero. Let go."
Duo was released and he staggered over toward the elevator doors. He bent and lifted something in his hands. It was Harry's long white scarf. The braided pilot fell to his knees and pressed the material to his face. His shoulders shook with silent sobs as he wept.
"Heero," Quatre begged, looking up at the one who always gave them such strength.
Heero stared down at him with dead eyes.
Bile burned the back of his throat. There was no recovering from this. Harry, their precious boy… their brother, their student, their child… without him… they were lost. He watched uncomprehending as Heero pulled out his gun and press it to his shoulder. Quatre cried out, reaching for the deranged man, but he couldn't stop him as Heero pulled the trigger…
Quatre's breath caught as it clicked, empty.
Heat flared in Heero's eyes. "Duo… Duo!"
The braided pilot shook his head, curling in on himself.
"Where's your gun? Show me!" Heero commanded, voice snapping like a whip.
"Take it, you bastard!" Duo screamed. He pulled it clear of his jacket and flung it toward him blindly.
Heero caught the gun easily and aimed toward the roof. He fired, but again it clicked empty. Quatre, puzzled, shifted away from Trowa to reach for his own weapon. He took out the magazine. Only four bullets remained. His eyes widened.
Suddenly, Heero was in motion, stalking around the platform. "Bullet scars," he announced, expression grim.
"Oh Allah," Quatre gasped, heart fluttering, head spinning.
Duo was frantically checking his skin for any evidence of a needle mark, for evidence they'd been drugged. "Harry, oh god, oh god…" he muttered, still choked with tears.
"Harry's alive," Heero announced, an insane fury burning in his midnight eyes. "He was taken."
Chapter end. Please review!
A/N: Whew! This chapter had me in knots. Whatcha think? Better or worse than you were expecting?