Chapter 17

"Thank you for making time for this, Sally."

"It's no problem, Colonel. Tell me something. Do you think his meeting with the girl is a good idea?"

Colonel Une didn't answer right away. "I'm not sure. Heero doesn't seem to think so."

"But?"

Une sighed. "But I think it's better to let him see how poorly she was treated. His client is probably our target and if I can get Chase to cooperate with us, it will make things easier since the girl is refusing to speak to us."

"She's communicating," Sally protested.

Une frowned. "Why won't she just talk to us?"

"I…I don't know," Sally conceded. "I've asked Quatre to see if he can get her to talk today."

"In any case, the fact is that she isn't talking. Why don't you see if you can get her to write out her statement? Then we at least have a starting point."

"I don't know that she can write well enough just yet. Her right shoulder will need to be immobilized for another couple of weeks and she's right handed. We're lucky to get what written communication we can as it is."

"Then I guess we have no choice but to wait. However, I think we should still encourage her to talk if at all possible."

Sally nodded. "We'll continue to work on it."

"Good. Now…Chase should be here at any time. Any questions before he arrives?"

Sally shook her head. "No. This should be fairly straight forward."

The women sat in silence as they waited for Chase to arrive, each lost in her own thoughts. Colonel Une thought about how they were going to get the girl to talk. They needed her statement sooner rather than later. She wondered if Chase would be able to convince her to talk. If he was as familiar with the home where she was found as he claimed, she probably knew him well enough to be comfortable around him. This might be a good idea after all.

Sally, on the other hand, was having thoughts that were a little darker. What were they going to do if the girl didn't talk? What if she had second thoughts and refused to communicate anymore? Sally was worried that having the girl meet with the lawyer was pushing a little too much. She was still sick, malnourished and injured. And if she had a relapse, it could be deadly. She just wasn't healthy enough to recover from anything major.

"Colonel Une? Donovan Chase is here to see you."

"Send him in Grace."

The two women watched expectantly as the door opened and Donovan Chase appeared.

"Colonel Une, how lovely to see you again," he greeted the woman smoothly.

"And you as well. This," she indicated Sally, "is Dr. Po. She is the attending physician for the girl we retrieved from your client's home."

"A pleasure to meet you Mrs. Po." Chase smiled and Sally had to suppress a shudder. There was something off about this man.

"Please, call me Doctor Po," Sally corrected just as smoothly. She hadn't spent years in college and clawing her way up the ranks in the military medical field to lose the title she'd rightfully earned. She decided not to point out that she wasn't married. She didn't want that kind of attention from him.

"Ah…yes, forgive me."

"Won't you have a seat, Mr. Chase?" Colonel Une indicated a chair and the man sat. "Now, we spoke before about you meeting with the girl. I wanted Dr. Po to report on her condition and tell us whether or not she is up to a formal visit. Dr. Po?"

Sally cleared her throat. "I'm not sure what you've already been told, Mr. Chase."

"Only that she was very dehydrated and sick," Chase supplied.

Sally nodded. "She was extremely dehydrated. It took us five bags of rehydrating solution before she eliminated and we still have her on a drip as a precaution. I am happy to report that her temperature is within a normal range however she is still very malnourished."

Chase raised his eyebrows. "Really? I knew she was training for a career in acting but I didn't think she'd take it so far. Then again, most actresses these days have eating disorders, don't they?"

"Indeed," Sally agreed dryly. "Then there is the matter of the girl's back."

"Her…back?" Chase was careful to keep his tone and expression curious. He tried not to think about how angry the little chit had made him with her disobedience. She'd deserved every single one of those lashes.

"Yes. It looked as though she'd been whipped and beaten. Her back was a bloody mess and she has bruises covering her body."

"My client always said she was the most singularly clumsy girl he'd ever met in his life. She was always tripping and falling. He's had to send ambulances out there four times in the last year because she fell down the stairs. In fact, he's recommended on more than one occasion that she get a roommate that can keep an eye on her."

"Well…be that as it may, it doesn't account for her back being in the condition it's in." Sally didn't like how easily the man was able to write off the girl's injuries.

Chase shrugged. "Have you tried asking her what happened?"

"No. We didn't want to push her. She seems to be afraid of everything," Colonel Une explained.

Chase snorted. "Of course she's afraid. Your men forced their way into her home and then arrested her. Any teenager would be afraid of that."

Sally really didn't like how dismissive the lawyer was. It made her wonder if he knew what his client was really up to in that house.

"Perhaps you could ask her," Colonel Une suggested. "I believe Dr. Po will grant clearance for you to visit her."

"Yes," Sally agreed. "However, there will have to be a few rules in place, for the girl's safety, you understand."

"What rules did you have in mind?" Chase asked.

"First of all, if she gets upset the visit will end immediately. Her health is my main priority and I will not have her getting worked up and relapsing on us."

Chase nodded. "That is reasonable."

"Because of her physical condition, we would like to keep your client away from her."

"What? Why?"

"We suspect that your client may have been involved in her abuse and until she tells us otherwise, we will operate as though he is the culprit," Sally explained. "I'm afraid that if he was involved, then it will upset her and your visit will finish before it gets started."

"That makes sense," Chase conceded.

"She will also have Preventer agents in the room with her at all times," Colonel Une added.

Chase frowned. "What if she refuses to talk because the Preventers are there? We already established that she was afraid of them."

"Then it can't be helped," Colonel Une informed him, not bothering to add that the girl seemed to trust her agents and was communicating with them. "The agents will be there for her protection and will not interfere unless they feel it necessary."

"Hmph. Any other restrictions?"

"I think that unless the girl requests to see you again, we should limit your visit to just the one," Sally said carefully. "I don't want her to feel as though we're trying to force her to cooperate as I think it would undo all the progress we've made in gaining her trust."

"So I get one shot? And it will be supervised by Preventers? Just how do you expect me to get the girl to speak candidly when your people will be there to make her nervous and possibly take her away just because they don't like what she's telling me?"

Colonel Une frowned. "The agents that will be assigned to the room wouldn't be so petty. They will allow the girl to stay or leave as she wishes. Don't forget, she might not even be the girl you think she is."

"I guess I don't have much choice, then, do I?" Chase groused, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.

"Those are the terms," Une confirmed. "Would you like us to set up a time for you to visit?"

"I have an opening in my schedule tomorrow. Would that be acceptable?"

"That can be arranged," Colonel Une said, standing up. "Just set it up with Grace on your way out and we will make sure the girl is ready to meet with you."

Chase stood and extended a hand to Sally. "Thank you for your time, Dr. Po," he said as he gave her hand a limp shake before offering his hand to the Colonel. "And you as well, Colonel Une. I look forward to our next meeting."

"As do I."

The lawyer left and the two women looked at each other.

"I understand why Heero doesn't like him," Une commented.

"What if the girl requests to see him again?"

"Then we'll deal with it. But I think having Heero in the room with them will deter Chase from wanting to come back."

Sally stood. "I think it would be wise to prepare the girl to meet with him. I don't think springing this on her tomorrow will go over very well."

"Yes, I believe you're right."

Sally turned to leave.

"Sally?"

"Yes?"

"Do make sure she's comfortable and presentable for tomorrow's meeting. It wouldn't do for him to think we aren't treating her well. I have a feeling he will do whatever he can to protect his client. Everything we do will be under scrutiny."

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

"Good morning, Duo."

"Mornin' Quat," Duo returned with a stretch and a yawn. "Don't know how I always manage to catch the night shift."

"I'm sorry, Duo. We don't plan it that way on purpose."

"I know. And I don't really end up with all the night shifts. Those are just the most boring shifts so they stick out I guess."

Quatre nodded. "Anything to report?"

"She had a terror last night. Sally drugged her."

"Again?"

Duo nodded. "Yeah, but I think it worked out okay because Sally was able to give her a bath and change the bedding while she was out."

Quatre frowned. "I wish there was a way we wouldn't have to drug her."

Duo shrugged. "If you have a suggestion I'm sure Sally'd love to hear it. I know she's not too keen on it, either."

"Okay. If there's nothing else, I'll let you get home. You look like you could use some sleep."

Duo gave his friend a lop-sided grin. "See ya later!"

Quatre made sure the door was secure before settling into the chair with a book. It wasn't long before the girl shifted slightly on the bed. He looked at her, wondering if she was going to have another nightmare. She settled and Quatre returned to his book. There was a soft knock on the door. Quatre opened it to find Heero.

"Did Duo leave already?"

Quatre nodded. "About half an hour ago."

"Hm."

"Did you need something?"

"Is she still out?" Heero asked, looking over Quatre's shoulder at the girl.

Quatre focused for a moment, trying to feel if the girl was unconscious or not. "I think she's starting to come around. Give her a little bit."

"Hn. Let me know when she's cognizant."

"You're not going to push the books on her immediately are you, Heero?" Quatre asked with a frown.

"No, Quatre, I won't. As much as I'd like to, I won't. Satisfied?" Heero snapped.

"Heero, that's not fair. She can't handle it right now and you'll only make things worse if you try to push her. She still isn't talking. She may have been traumatized so much that she'll never talk again and all you can think about is your investigation!" Quatre protested.

Heero glared at Quatre. "My investigation will put the rat bastard that did this to her behind bars permanently. And we need to know as soon as possible if he's slipped through our fingers so we can hunt him down before he does this again. If he's smart he'll cover his tracks better and the next girl might not be found in time!"

Quatre looked down. Heero had a point. Maybe Quatre had gotten so used to Heero putting the mission before everything else that he just assumed that was the case now. Heero had changed over the years, with a lot of help from Duo.

"I'm sorry, Heero. It was unfair of me to accuse you of putting the mission before everything else." Quatre said softly.

"You know as well as I do that three years ago that would still have been the case," Heero said, looking away. He knew he had a habit of putting the mission before everything. It had only been recently that Duo had managed to start breaking him of it. He certainly didn't manage it all the time, either. But he had been making a conscious effort not to push the girl too much. "And I don't blame you for thinking that with the way I've been acting lately."

"No, as your friend I should give you more credit than that. I should have realized that you were just trying to stop this atrocity from happening again."

Heero sighed. "Quatre, stop apologizing." It was a bit annoying, but he knew he would hurt the blonde's feelings if he said so. "Just let me know when she's up. And Sally wants to talk to her today."

"Okay." Quatre watched as Heero left. He hoped his friend would remember not to push the girl when she came to. Quatre looked at the girl in question and noticed that her eyes were open a little. He stood next to the bed.

"Good morning," he greeted her cheerfully. He hoped his argument with Heero hadn't woken her. "Would you like to sit up?"

The girl shook her head a little. Quatre felt a wave of nausea from her. Trowa said she didn't do well on the drugs so Quatre didn't push her. She would feel better as soon as they wore off. He set the remote to the bed in her hand.

"Here. You can sit up when you're ready." He stepped back so as not to crowd her. "Heero said that Sally wants to see you today, as soon as you're up for it."

The girl looked confused for a moment before recognition dawned on her. Quatre wondered if she would have had the same confusion had he said 'Dr. Po' instead. The girl started to adjust the bed and Quatre watched as she felt around. He frowned and moved to the drawer where he pulled out the pen and paper. He made a mental note to remind everyone again to make sure she had them.

She wrote something slowly. Quatre could tell just how much the drugs were affecting her motor skills. She was shaking something terrible as well. He'd have to talk to Sally about it. It couldn't be healthy for her.

'Water?'

Quatre's eyes widened as he deciphered her writing, which was worse than usual. "I'm so sorry, I should have thought of that!"

He grabbed a clean cup from the side table and dashed into the bathroom. He filled it at the sink, hoping it would be cool enough for her, and hurried back. He held it out to her but pulled it back with a frown as he saw how badly she was shaking. It would end up all over her if he didn't help her. He wondered if it would embarrass her, but she needed the water and she really couldn't do it alone.

"Let me help you. Trowa said the drugs make you shake and I'm sure you don't want another bath."

The girl looked uncomfortable but at least she didn't look like she thought she was in trouble. Quatre helped her to get a drink, taking the cup away when she held up her hand. She was still shaky.

"We should get some food in you as well. It will help." He analyzed the menu, searching for foods she could eat. "There aren't very many breakfast choices you can eat. What was it you ate yesterday?"

'Rice pudding and toast.'

Hm…those were daily staples so he could order them if that was what she wanted. But he didn't want to assume that she would want the same things over and over again. The only way to know for sure was to ask her. "Would you like that again or something different? You can have hot cereal if you'd prefer."

The girl thought this over before tapping the paper. He nodded. She liked the rice pudding and toast. "What kind of jam would you like for your toast?"

She seemed surprised. She bit her lip as she wrote out 'strawberry.' Quatre ordered her breakfast and the two waited in silence for a few minutes.

Quatre thought about how different the girl was from when they'd found her. Sally had spoken to him earlier about trying again now that she seemed to trust them more and since there was nothing else to do, he decided to try and get her to talk.

"You know, I feel bad not knowing your name." He asked carefully, watching her to make sure he didn't frighten her.

The girl looked down and Quatre figured he'd crossed the line. He wanted to let her know she wasn't in trouble.

"Is there something we can call you, even if it isn't your real name?"

The girl seemed to be thinking about it, but she didn't answer him.

"You could just give us your first name and not your last. That would be enough."

She was uncomfortable. She wasn't exactly afraid but she wasn't thrilled about the idea, either. Quatre let it drop as a knock signaled the arrival of their food.

He set her tray on her lap. He'd thought about asking for her name again before giving her the food but he didn't want her to think that she would have to earn her food. It wouldn't have been fair to her and it probably would only result in her refusal to eat at all, which he really didn't want.

So instead, he watched as she picked up the knife and used it to put a bit of strawberry jam on her toast. He wanted to jump up and help her when she almost dropped it into her lap but was glad he didn't when she managed it on her own. She seemed to be so proud of herself and he was happy he hadn't taken that away from her. She needed all the self-confidence she could get right now.

As she ate, her shaking lessened. Quatre watched her, making sure she was finished eating before he spoke to her again. He didn't want to discourage her from eating or make her think that the food was an exchange for information.

"So what about your name?" He asked carefully. He wanted to let her know that she wasn't in trouble but he still wanted her to talk to him.

She shook her head.

He watched her for a moment. "Is there a reason you don't want us to know?"

It would be one thing if she was just being difficult but if there was a reason then they might be able to remove the obstacle and she would be free to speak to them.

She didn't look right at him, but she darted looks at him as she wrote.

'I can't say.'

Her writing was much clearer now that her hand had stopped shaking.

So there was a reason. "Why not?" he pressed.

'Not safe.'

He wanted to know why it wasn't safe but thought that might be the wrong question to ask. She was starting to feel upset.

"What if I could guarantee you'd be safe?" he asked, making sure that he spoke clearly enough that there was no way she could misunderstand.

She stared at him for a moment before writing, 'Not possible.'

She was being guarded by five Gundam Pilots, considered the most dangerous rebels in the universe, not that she knew that. He almost told her but realized that the admission might frighten her more than make her feel safe. Even if they were no longer Gundam Pilots, they were high ranking Preventer Agents, specially trained in combat. For her to think someone was more dangerous than they were was a little unbelievable.

"You really don't trust us to keep you safe?"

She looked down. Quatre could feel a little longing coming from her. She wanted something but she couldn't articulate it. A tear trickled down her cheek and Quatre reached out to wipe it away. He felt bad that he'd made her cry.

"It's okay. You don't have to trust us. I know it can't be easy for you to trust anyone, especially men, after what you've been put through. We don't take it personally. But please know that we really will do everything in our power to keep you safe, okay?"

The girl nodded and hastily wiped the tears from her face, looking down in embarrassment.

Quatre could feel a mix of fear and stress coming from her. He wanted to reassure her that she wasn't in trouble. "Hey, it's okay," he said reminded her gently. "Are you done eating?"

The girl nodded, but still didn't look up at him.

"All right. Heero said that Sally wants to talk to you today. You let me know when you're in a mood to see her, okay?"

The girl leaned back. Quatre could tell she was trying to stop crying. He left her alone while he finished eating, hoping the time would allow her to relax. He got the feeling that she wasn't really afraid of him, but she was afraid of something. It bothered him that she was so afraid of it that she couldn't even tell him. She looked up at him when he took her tray.

"Would you like me to get Sally for you?"

She nodded without hesitation.

He shot her a grin. At least he could be sure she wasn't afraid of Sally. "Be right back."

"I've told you what I think of this."

"I understand that, Agent Yuy. But you need to see this from a professional standpoint. If we keep him from seeing her, Chase will assume we are hiding something. The Preventers cannot afford that kind of negative publicity. You know as well as anyone that our organization has been under fire since its inception. You also know that without the Preventers local precincts will be overrun with cases they are ill equipped to handle."

Heero pursed his lips and exhaled through his nose. "Did he accept the terms?"

Une nodded. "Grudgingly, but he did agree."

"Then I will allow the meeting to occur. I will speak with the others and inform them of the expectations regarding his visit so we are all on the same page. Her safety is still our first priority. I'll leave the publicity to you."

Une nodded. She supposed it was the best she could expect from Agent Yuy. She trusted his judgment but there were times when protocol and etiquette had to be followed. Gut instincts, while vital in the field, were not valid enough reasons to satisfy the higher ups who signed their paychecks.

"It's only one visit and it will be over with tomorrow," Une assured him. "At least it isn't being put off for months."

"Thank heaven for little miracles," Heero muttered.

Une raised an eyebrow. Sarcasm was usually Maxwell's area. While she appreciated the work Duo did with Heero, helping him to adjust to civilian life, it seemed that other parts of him were rubbing off on the former Wing pilot as well. At least Yuy hadn't made sarcastic answers a habit like Maxwell did.

"Is there anything else?" Heero asked, breaking the Colonel from her reverie.

"No."

"Then I should begin preparations for tomorrow's meeting."

Une caught the obvious hint, yet another of Maxwell's lovely habits Yuy seemed to have assimilated. "Thank you, Agent Yuy. That will be all for now. You are dismissed."