Disclaimer: The characters of this story don't belong to me. Ah Heck, nothing in Gundam Wing does. (Sobbs hysterically) ahem...I digress...
On with the show...!
Minsk, Russia
Militia control room 10:00 hours
The door whooshed shut behind the form of a Chinese man. His black eyes focused on the screen that fed into the prison cells, latching onto the slim figure of his blond daughter. His temper flared once again as he stood watching her scoot around trying to find a more comfortable position. Ungrateful whelp. Just who does she think she is?
"You shouldn't lose your temper like that." A deep husky voice with a distinct accent spoke from the recesses of the room. Al-Arish sat in front of the monitors, feet propped up in a devil-may-care attitude. His calf-length leather jacket fell away revealing his slim muscular form. "It gives her the upper hand. And the last thing you want to do is empower her."
Po Chen stood for a moment trying to regain control of himself. He glared daggers at arms dealer. "Does it?"
The arms dealer gestured to the screen. "A woman with that much spirit takes a man who is at all times in control to break her."
"She has been nothing but grief to me since the day she was born." Po's tone was bitter.
"She requires a firm hand to tame her. A woman like that would prove an… interesting… challenge. One that I would thoroughly enjoy."
Chen's narrowed. "And you think you could succeed in breaking her?"
The Middle Easterners voice grew soft and calculating. His cruel eyes gleamed as he watched Sally's sleeping form. "Yes."
Chen slipped into a calculative silence. He had sensed in Al-Arishs tone the desire to try. And as Po's dark eyes watched the woman on the screen a plan began to formulate in his devious mind. It would serve to get rid of her once and for all.
"Do you want the opportunity?" Po's voice adopted a tone of nonchalance.
Al-Arish jerked his eyes away from the monitor looking at the Chinese gentlemen for the first time since he had entered the room. The Arab's brow furrowed in suspicion. "You would give such a beautiful woman to me?"
"Not give. She could be considered part of my payment to you…" Chen sat down smiling inwardly at the arms dealers surprised, pleased tone. "After all, it would be profitable to you and me both. You would be my son-in-law..."
Al-Arish quirked an eyebrow at the older man. "Considering your activities, it would be beneficial to have an arms dealer in the family." He commented wryly. "And, she would be out of your hair…"
Chen nodded pleasantly. "And you would get the pleasure of making her yours. You get something you want and I get something I want. I could give her to you for… say, Two hundred thousand."
"I'm not so certain that you are not getting the better part of the deal." Al-Arish sat up his face adopting an offended expression. It was pure bluff and they both knew it. The Arab wanted her. And he would get her. The question was how much was she worth? "She is damaged. I couldn't possibly take her for more than one hundred thirty-five."
Chen looked indignant. "What do you mean? Bruises heal. Besides, you will probably do worse to her yourself. You are getting my only daughter. By marrying her, you will have the honor of marrying into my family, with its impressive history. No less than one hundred eighty."
"She is the daughter whom you hate because of her genetic impurities." The Saudi Arabian pointed out. Although, the fact that her blonde hair, blue eyes and creamy skin were extremely attractive to him was something that the Middle Easterner did not mention. And for good reason. That fact could cost him another couple thousand. "One hundred forty."
"All right I will concede the point of her genetics. However she is still my daughter. Besides, by this alliance, you ensure that you have a faithful customer regardless of present situation. How could you pass up such security in these uncertain times? One hundred fifty-five."
Al-Arish's blood began to race with the negotiating. This Chinese man could drive a hard bargain. He is a man after my own heart. "You are right, Chen Po. Such security for one in my line of work is indeed a rare thing. However she has already shown herself to be troublesome to handle. Breaking her will would take a great deal of time and energy…" His voice became thoughtful. "I will need something to compensate my having to go to all that trouble. One hundred fifty."
"You yourself said it, Al-Arish. You will find that particular challenge invigorating. One fifty-five. Not a penny lower." Chen stood.
"Done." Al-Arish grinned.
"She is yours."
"You drive a hard bargain, Po Chen . You will make a worthy father-in-law." He stood and clasped the outstretched arm of his soon to be father.
Preventers Head Quarters, Belgium
Wufei stalked his office, ranting at Lady Unes image on his com. "Seventy-two hours and nothing? What do you mean she hasn't checked in yet? She could do that kind of surveillance in her sleep! Sally does not make foolish mistakes." Wufei shook his head resolutely. "Something's not right."
Une blinked at him. "We don't know for certain anything has gone wrong, Preventer Dragon. It may be as simple as her radio malfunctioning."
Wufei growled under his breath as he paced the length of the office that he shared with Sally Po. For the past three days, he had done nothing but file his reports and stare at Sally's empty desk He had been waiting for Lady Unes flunkeys to report on their investigation into his partner's disappearance. Wufei was certain that Lady Une was secretly hoping that Sally would still check in. It's a foolish hope…
He stopped his pacing and leaned over the com to emphasize his point. "I don't believe that and neither do you. Three days, Colonel. Don't you think that if it was as simple as a radio malfunction, she still would have gotten through to us?" He frowned. "That woman is intelligent enough to find a way. No. Something has happened to her. Either she has been captured or she's-" He stopped abruptly unable to continue. He had been about to say dead, but could not bring himself to utter that thought out loud. It caught in his suddenly dry throat.
Une stared at Wufei for a moment in surprise. She had never seen Wufei this keyed up about someone. Especially someone female. Watching his behavior she wondered at the advisability of sending him in. The last thing she needed was two Preventers MIA… "Wufei…I dont think you realize that-"
Wufei cleared his throat. He had seen the look on her face and knew that she was just words away from ordering him to stand down. "I'll give your people another hour, Une, and then I'm going after her myself."
Une opened her mouth to protest and reason with him. Wufei succinctly interrupted her. His voice softened "I have to go, Une. I don't know why, but I do. And I intend to. As a Preventer… " Wufeis features turned hard as steel. "...or as a civilian."
Silence descended as she and Wufei studied each other.
"I have your word that you wont move before one hour, Preventer?"
Wufei nodded once and then pressed the end transmission button.
Sally…Where are you, woman? He sank into his chair, his dark eyes clouding in suppressed worry. Are you all right? Are you even alive?
He ran a shaking hand over his face cursing. This was not just worry; this was down right fear. In all his years of life never had he been so afraid.
Of what? He wanted to yell to the ceiling. Of losing Sally? His gut told him that that was it. But that was ridiculous. She was not his! He was not even sure he liked her all that much. So what was this sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach?
Quite disgusted with himself for his own weakness, he gave into his worry. Standing, he began pacing once more.
Lady Une sat back in her chair, her eyebrows fairly vanishing under her bangs. Wufei was not blustering. He was not attempting a bluff. He was deadly serious. He would go with or without her permission. I had no idea Sally meant that much to him…
"I have your word that you won't move before one hour, Preventer?"
She watched him nod and then disconnect.
Une pressed the button on the com and pinched the bridge of her nose.
Noin shook her head. "That's the Wufei we know and love… He will always do things his way or not at all."
Zechs steepled his fingers thinking out loud. "He's right though. Sally doesn't make stupid mistakes. There has to be a reason behind her failing to check in."
Une frowned offhandedly. "I just wish he'd wait for us to gather a bit more intel."
Zechs leaned forward, his ice blue eyes meeting her hazel ones. "He's got good instincts, Une. Let him go after her."
"Do I have a choice?" Une sighed deeply, resigned. There was no escaping it. She would have to send someone in. It might as well be Wufei since he was planning on going anyway. "All right. But I won't send him in alone. I have no idea what he will be facing. Noin, is Duo Maxwell still on base?"
Noin nodded getting up. "He's due to head for home on the next shuttle to L2. I think it leaves in a half hour."
Une leaned forward and made eye contact with Noin. "Call him. If he's agreeable, I'll send him with Wufei. Preventer Wind, youll be going as well. And have someone check the communication tower."
"I'll check it myself." Zechs stood and left Lady Unes office with his wife.
"Please be a glitch in the transmitter." Une said to the sky as she looked out her office window. Then she leaned forward and pressed the com switch. "Preventer Dragon, you have a go…"
?
?
"Where the heck am I?!" Sally whipped around trying to distinguished shapes from the all-encompassing mist. But it was too thick for her to see clearly. Her smooth brow furrowed in confusion. One minute she was in a dark, dank, depressive cell and the next …here.
She tried to make sense of where she was. Squinting hard she could just make out the dark shape of a stone wall to her left and to her right. Something huge blocked the path behind her.
"Sai Lien…" a soft feminine voice called on the wind.
Sallys eyes widened as she whipped around trying to locate the owner of that voice. But all she could see was mist. "Who are you?"
"Sai Lien, Little Firebird, come to me…" The voice was like a soft caress, tenderly calling her by that cursed name. Calling her like she was loved and desired: like she was valued.
The last time she had heard a voice with that tone in it was over thirteen years ago… when her mother had died.
Little Firebird…I haven't heard that name in years. It had been her mother's favorite pet name for her. Tears pricked in her blue eyes at the memories and longings that it brought to the surface. Memories that were painful and that Sally had vowed to forget.
All the sudden she was angry. Angry at the voice for reminding her of her vulnerabilities. Sally dashed away her tears as that suspicious nature born out of her need for self-preservation rose to the surface. "Just why should I trust you? I don't even know who you are."
"My, aren't you a suspicious one."
Sally growled under her breath. It was annoying to be chatting with a nameless faceless voice. It was even worse when it laughed at her. "Just who are you?!"
"Come and see."
At the soft inflections Sally's anger melted away. For some strange reason she could not stay angry no matter how badly she wanted to. And right now she wanted to.
All right. I can't stay mad. But danged if I'm going to trust some unseen…thing! No matter how compelling its voice is… "I don't know where you are, or how to come."
"You have what you need, Little Firebird."
"But…"
"Come." This time there was no mistaking the command in the voice. Sally could not argue with it any more.
The mists in front of her parted revealing an ancient cobblestone pathway. Sally glanced behind her and then at the cobbled road. Stand here for an eternity arguing with voices or trott down a path hurtling headlong into oblivion… She shrugged. No brainer. It was not like she had a choice. Besides, she had to admit to herself she was becoming curious. Who was this voice that claimed to know her? All right. Pathway it is. I'm probably going to regret this…almost of their own volition her feet began to move.
Time itself seemed to freeze as Sally traveled that pathway. Twice she nearly turned back overcome by her fear of the unknown. But each time she squared her shoulders refusing to be cowed by mystery. She continued onwards, her courage bolstered by her curiosity.
The mists swirled around her legs in thick clouds hiding the roadway from her eyes. That coupled with the sense of timelessness weighed heavily on her. Oh, come on. Doesn't it end? I've been walking forever…
Then quite suddenly the mist parted and for the first time, she could see clearly. And directly in front of her…
Sally recoiled taking a hurried step backwards. I did not want to see that! She had only one glance, but one was enough for her. In fact, it was too much. Directly in front of her, the cobblestone fell away sharply into the sheer walls of a wide gorge. The deepest, darkest one that she had ever seen.
Sally did not consider herself to be a fearful woman. In fact, there were very few she was frightened of. Her father was one of them. Heights were another.
And what she saw in front of her only added to that phobia.
Spanning the expanse was the most dilapidated rope bride in the history of the universe. The boards that made up the planking looked brittle and fragile. Sally felt certain that they would disintegrate even under her slight weight.
As if the boards were not enough of a deterrent, the condition of the ropes was dubious at best. They were frayed and weather-beaten showing a distinct lack of care. She watched, nauseated, as a particularly tattered section twisted in the wind. And there were others in worse condition, most worn nearly all the way through.
All in all, the bridge appeared to be held together with chewing gum, spit, and a whole lot of prayer.
And it was the only way to cross that chasm. It was the only way to get to that voice. She felt in her heart that it was the way she was compelled to walk. You have got to be kidding me…
Her pulse accelerated as the bridge began to swing in the ever-present wind. The almost lazy back and forth sway was mesmerizing and Sally watched the movement with a terrified fascination. She swallowed hard against the rising panic, her throat suddenly dry.
All at once a comforting motherly voice washed over her. "Little Firebird, why do you hesitate?"
"I…I can't. The ropes…they'll break. And…"
"And you will fall?" the voice finished for her.
Sally only nodded. She would fall, of that she was certain. She would fall and never hit the bottom. Abstractly she wondered if one could starve to death before hitting the bottom of a bottomless pit. Staring down into the blackness, she blanched paper white. Desperately she fought against the compulsion to continue towards that voice.
"Sai Lien, how do know you will fall? Or that the bridge will fail? What does your heart say?"
Sallys head snapped up in an are you serious gesture. "The bridge looks like it hasn't seen tender loving care since the First Emperor ruled China, and youre asking me how I know I'll fall!?"
"That is what your head tells you. That bridge has withstood the weight of many travelers since the dawn of time and it had not failed them."
Sally watched the rope rails twist and untwist in the wind. "But…"
"Sai Lien." The female voice became gentle but firm as if talking to an errant child. "You are presented with two options. You can stand there allowing your uncertainty and fear paralyze you or you can trust my words and take a step of faith. The choice is yours. But if you do not take that step, you will never know what is on the other side."
Sally eyed the bridge once more and shuddered. You have to be crazy to attempt to cross that bridge. Looking over her shoulder she considered returning the way she had come. It was safer. And something told her that once she started across, she could not turn back. But still…
You do not know for certain that the bridge will fall… And while the journey may be perilous, whats on the other side is worth the risk. Trust her… the still small voice that was her heart seemed to whisper to her.
Then Sally did the most difficult thing she had ever done in all her twenty-three years of life. She chose to trust.
Sally sighed knowing what she would do. While there was the slightest chance that she could make a successful crossing, she had to at least try. She knew she would never forgive herself if she turned back now. Sure, she was scared spit-less. But she was also Sally Po. As a young child living with her hated father, she had never backed down from a challenge. And she absolutely refused to do so now.
Sally squared her shoulders. Drawing in a deep breath, she placed a hand on either railing and slowly placed her right foot on the first board. Shutting her eyes tightly, she stepped off terra firma and allowed all her weight to rest on the bridge.
She waited for the inevitable sound of ropes snapping and the feeling of falling through air. The sounds that would herald her death. To her surprise, she heard none of those sounds. Her relief was almost palpable.
She released the breath she had unconsciously been holding. Well one down only thirty thousand to go… I must be nuts.
And gripping the rope rails in a white knuckled hold, she slowly began to cross.
The wind blew with a ferocity that Sally had never before seen. More than once she was forced to cling to the ropes for her very life as the gale buffeted the frail expanse of the bridge. And more than once Sally thought that she would never make it. But each time she hardened her resolve and pushed herself foreword. She would not allow her fear to dominate her.
The bridge bobbed up and down in time to her steps even as it swayed.
Then Sally made the age old mistake that had been the downfall of many a strong courageous man: she looked down. She swallowed, nauseated.
A sudden gust shook the ropes violently and Sally nearly lost her grip. She clutched at the ropes desperately, clinging to them for all she was worth. Breathing hard, she recovered her precarious footing as she waited for the wind to die down. Great Sally. Some voice going through an out-of-body experience tells you to come to it. And like an idiot you do. You even step out onto a rope bridge that should have been condemned eons ago. And the award for most brilliant move ever goes tooo…
Realizing that the wind was probably as calm as it was going to get, Sally shook herself from her thoughts and resumed carefully crossing.
And just like that it was over. One minute she was being buffeted by the furious wind and the next she was on solid ground. She turned around to look at the bridge, and gasped in surprise. It's gone…!
The bridge… the chasm… All of it gone. And she was left standing in amazement, mist swirling around her feet. Her brow furrowed in confusion as she turned back around.
Mist had again covered the ground making things indistinct and blurry.
Then Sally noticed something that had not previously been there. The scent of incense in the air caressed her senses. She closed her eyes breathing in the smell trying to place it. It was a heady intoxicating perfume. It brought a sense of comfort, of home. Not altogether unpleasant.
And not altogether unfamiliar. It reminded her of…of…
Of Wufei. It was the scent of his aftershave.
Her eyes popped open in surprise. Bloody heck.
"Wufei?!" She whirled around trying to see into the mists.
And came face to face with the biggest dragon she had ever seen.
Huge, lean, and lithe, the Dragons sleek body stretched before Sally resting in a pose that oddly reminded her of a cat getting ready for a nap. The mist played off the golden scales of its neck as the Dragon brought its head parallel to Sally's torso.
She took a hurried step backwards even as the Mighty Beasts mouth opened. But what issued forth from it were not the flames Sally expected, but words. Words spoken in that same feminine voice that had called to her before.
"You have come, Daughter of the Phoenix. You are a worthy member of your clan. Your strength and spirit rivals that of any true warrior: including that of my own Little Dragon. The Great Firebird is justly proud of you. As am I. You are to be commended."
Sally blinked while the words sank in. After a moment she found her voice. "Great Firebird...? You mean youre a…a…"
The golden head nodded regally. "A guardian."
"Of course you are." Sally's voice had an incredulous tone to it. "I'm hallucinating...that's all. I'm in my cell dying of dehydration and so I started dreaming of Dragons. Talking Dragons. Claiming to be guardians."
The Dragon threw her head back and barked in laughter. "Yes child, this is a dream. But I am no hallucination. I am here."
Sally frowned ominously. She did not enjoy being laughed at by an overgrown lizard. Even if that overgrown lizard claimed guardianship of a clan. "Oh? Prove it."
The Dragon cocked her great head at Sally and she could have sworn the Beast was smiling. "Little Dragon has good taste. Your fiery spirit will keep him on his toes." The dragon's great eyes sparkled. "Very well. Put out your hand, child."
Sally eyed the guardian suspiciously but held out her hand in front of her.
The Dragon reached up behind the bony frill at the base of her magnificent head. With one great claw she plucked a single golden scale from her body and gently placed it in Sallys palm.
Sally looked down at the thing in hand with a sense of wonder. It was the purest most golden color that she had ever seen and yet was marvelously light. Gently Sally ran her fingers over the scale and along its edge.
Yelping in surprise she jerked her hand back suddenly and looked at her stinging fingers. Sally watched as two droplets ran down her hand. Blood…
She glanced up at the Dragon in surprise and realization. This was not a hallucination. Otherwise it would not have hurt.
The Dragons ruby eyes gleamed at the look on Sally's face. "Beautiful, is it not? Made of the purest gold. And yet even the loveliest of things have a dangerous edge to them. Is that not so, Sai Lien?"
"Sally." She looked up at the Dragon still trying to get her mind around the blood dripping down her fingers. "My name is Sally Po. Sai Lien doesnt exist anymore."
The Dragon gestured at the scale with her snout. "Set it on the ground."
Puzzled Sally did as she was told.
Sally raised a hand up to shield her eyes as a sudden blinding light that issued from the Great Dragons mouth. A stream of white hot flame licked up both mist and grass around the golden scale, as slowly the scale melted. Unbelievably it began to reshape itself.
Sally's eyes flew open wide as she watched the heretofore scale become a lump of molten gold and then take on the shape of a ring. Etching formed on the band and Sally squinted against the reds and yellows of the Dragon's flame to make out the details. Abruptly, the river of flames coming from the guardian's mouth dried up leaving bright spots to dance before Sally's eyes.
The Great Beast leaned over the golden circle, and a single tear fell from her eye. Sally gasped and blinked as the tear turned into fiery adamant and landed on the hot metal. The stones shone brilliant white as it imbedding itself into the gold. After a moment the guardian swung her head level with Sally's. "Pick it up, child."
Hesitantly, she did as she was bid and slowly reached her hand out to touch the ring. Instead of the intense heat she expected, the ring was both warm and cold at the same time leaving her hand tingling. As she got her first real look at this wonder, she gasped.
An elegant Phoenix graced the shank on one side of the ring and a dragon the other. Both creatures met at the top in a dance as timeless as the creatures themselves. Caressingly, the dragon entwined its majestic neck about the diamond. The sleek head of the firebird wrapped around the opposite side. The delicacy of the ring caused her to stare in amazement and the richness of the gold fairly took Sally's breath away.
"Sai Lien. That is your name, young one, and there is no shame bearing it." The Dragons immense head cocked and her gem like eye fixed Sally firmly in her intense gaze. "Sai Lien was faced with a set of incredible circumstances and so had to become like that scale you held. Beautiful yet cold and sharp cutting anyone who came near her. Because of it she survived to become Sally Po. But also because of that, she pushed away those who would cherish her beauty and could help her become something precious beyond value... that person who could help her turn her tears of sorrow into something priceless as diamonds..."
Sally swallowed against the lump in her throat. Blinking back tears at the words spoken to her and a sudden deep longing made her throat ache. A longing to love and be loved… A longing to believe the words she had just heard. To be all those things that this great beast had mentioned.
Tears streamed down her cheeks and she closed her hand tightly against the sight of that ring and all that it represented. "But who would see me like that…who would love me? The ugly daughter of a criminal…" Bitterness tinged her voice.
"Oh, child…" The Dragon nuzzled her shoulder lovingly and stared into her eyes. "My Little Dragon does."
Sally stared wide-eyed at Beast in disbelief as she continued. "He needs you as much as you need him. You are the one that completes him even as he will complete you."
Sally chewed her bottom lip standing on a knife's edge of indecision. Part of her desperately wanted to believe the words of this enigmatic Creature, but another part of her was terrified to risk it.
The Dragon paused sensing her hesitancy "You are the kindling that ignites the flame of his spirit, Little Firebird. It's up to you to give life to that flame. Without you this flame will sputter and die. Taking with it what is left of the Dragon clan." The Dragons voice took on a soft mournful tone.
Sallys head jerked back and she looked at the Great Beast, aghast, hearing the absolute certainty in the creature's voice. Her stomach bottomed out as she got the distinct feeling that this Dragon knew what she was talking about. There was no doubt that out there somewhere was someone willing to accept Sally for who she was. Someone who already loved her. That someone even had a name. Little…Dragon…
Sally looked at the guardian. "Do I even have a choice about this?"
"You always have a choice, child." The Dragon lifted her mighty body from her cat like repose, touching Sally gently with her muzzle. "You always have the option of taking one path or another. Some paths require nothing but to walk them, and others require courage and faith…But its always up to you which you will take." Turning the Dragon began to walk off into the gathering mist.
Talk about coercion…
"Wait! Where are you going? I still have questions! Who is Little Dragon? How will I know him?" Sally's blue eyes widened as the guardian's shape all but disappeared. "Hello?!"
The Dragon stopped and glanced over her shoulder at Sally. A laugh caressed her senses and she could just barely make out the sparkle in the dragons ruby eyes. Quite suddenly they flashed and the Dragon vanished.
"You know already." a quiet whisper echoed on the wind…"What does your heart tell you?"
Sally bolted awake with the dragons words echoing in her ears. Her hands shook as she reached up and felt the tears on her cheeks. Glancing around, her senses took in the cold of the stone, the dank darkness of the cell, and the vile odors coming from that pit in the corner. She was still a captive. And it was only a dream…
Even if it had been a dream, it was still as vivid as if she was still standing there speaking with that dragon.
Sally carefully drew her knees up to her chest and rested her forehead on them. What the Dragon had said hit home in ways Sally did not want to admit. Sai Lien had to become tough and cold to survive her father's house. And unfortunately that survival mechanism had bled over into her life as Sally Po.
Especially when it came to relationships with men. She did not have trouble working with them but when it came to dating…? She never allowed anyone to get that close. She was too frightened. Inevitably, she would bristle and push anyone interested away using any means necessary. It was safer that way.
She smiled despite her surroundings as a cruel irony hit her. I'll bet I sound just like Wufei…Pathetic, huh.
To be honest she had done it subconsciously. She had never really given it much thought. It was just instinct.
And now some glorified Nile monitor had pointed out rather effectively that she desperately wanted the thing that she had been running from: love. It claimed that there was someone out there who needed Sally as much as she did him.
And his name was Little Dragon.
Somehow, Sally could not shake the feeling that she knew that name. Her blue eyes narrowed as she wracked her brains, trying to place it. She had heard it before of that she was certain. Somewhere in her dim past… Before she had become Sally Po.
Quite suddenly the memory of a boy came rushing back to her mind. One with a dragon encrusted sword and a caring smile...the only one to ever dare to protect her... she gasped, her lungs filling sharply as the certainty settled in her mind.
Little Dragon…
Sally's eyes closed. The guardian was right. She did know him. He had done his utmost to make her smile when she was hurting.
He had stood over her and directly between her and her father.
He had carried a beautiful katana enameled blue and richly engraved with silver dragons.
Sally's head jerked up, her eyes popping open wide in shock.Oh gods...that sword... In her mind's eye she saw the superior craftsmanship of the blade and its sleek lines. She saw the silver of those dragons playing up and down the hilt.
And it hit her square between the eyes. She had seen that sword more recently than thirteen years ago. She swore.
The last time she had seen that sword was at Duo Maxwell's wedding. On the hip of her partner Chang Wufei.
Wufei was Little Dragon...
She cursed herself for the fool that she was. How could I have not recognized it?! Or recognized him? Sally had always suspected that underneath that crusty exterior lay a heart capable of tenderness. She had seen it on rare occasions but never for long. It was almost as if he was as frightened of attachment as she was. Running from it like she was…
Her mind replayed the Great dragons words over and over. Could it really be that Wufei loved her? That he needed her love too? Could she love him? Would it be so bad if she did?
Oh for crying out loud. It was just a dream. Sally's analytical mind was screaming that she was a fool for reading to deeply into it. One dream about a giant talking lizard and suddenly she was a swooning giggly feather-brained girl. She could envision the horrified and embarrassed look on Wufeis face if she started running around assuming that he did in fact love her.
She growled, thoroughly annoyed with herself. She needed to get a grip.
Besides, I don't love him. But even as she thought that her traitorous mind added a tag…Do I?
Their relationship had always been based on mutual respect. For Sally, it had been hard won. It was true that both complimented each other unusually well. Their team was one of the most effective in Preventers. It was purely professional...but even Sally had to admit, lately her fascination had taken on a more...personal...tone. She had noticed the way his uniform had filled out in the past in the past year. Her mind often wandered to her partner unintentionally and she had even begun to daydream. She grimaced and a pink flush that wasn't fever spread across her bruised cheeks. Her traitorous mind played through the scenes only causing her color to heighten.
She growled under her breath as she gave her imagination a good slapping...but not before the image of him with sweat pouring down the glistening planes of his chest after a good workout danced across her mind's vision.
All right I find him attractive! Sally mentally yelled to the ceiling. But love...?
Could it be that she really did love him?
"What does your heart tell you?" A voice echoed from her dream.
She buried her head in her hands. For once she quieted the beligerant sentinal her mind had set up. She allowed the small voice of her heart to be heard. And for once she listened.
I love him… Her heart whispered to her in a voice she could no longer deny. Warmth and elation shot through her as the shock of the truth settled in. And just as quickly...fear.
Sally's mouth turned dry as a desert, and not due to dehydration. "I can't love him..." After all, he was Wufei.
As quickly as she said it her heart contridicted it. You've loved him for a long time, Sai Lien. Ever since the day he stood between you and your father. You loved him then as Little Dragon. Why is loving him now as Wufei any different?
Sally buried her head in her arms. "Bloody Heck." This was not what she wanted or needed.
Musical tones of the laughter tickled her mind. Sally glared into the darkness of the cell. She got the distinct impression she was the butt of someone's bad joke.
But she was not given anymore time to stew about her sudden discovery.
Sally glanced up and at the cell door abruptly with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She had heard the distinct sound of a key turning in a lock.
The cell door opened and the silhouette of her father stood there against the light that blinded her.
"Sai Lien, come here." The gravelly voice of Po Chen grated on her nerves.
Sally stood but did not walk to him. Instead she lifted her chin in open defiance. She folded her arms across her chest, even as her insides rebelled against her traitorous actions. "My name is Sally and I will not take orders from you."
"Whether you do or do not is your choice. You are no longer my concern, woman." His tone sent a tremor of trepidation running down her spine. Never had Sally seen this man so calm. In fact, he was distinctly pleased with himself. And that fact caused her anxiety to escalate into a full blown terror.
"What do you mean?"
Chen smiled at his daughter for a moment and then stepped aside to admit the silhouette of another man into the cell. "Sai Lien, allow me to introduce your husband…"
WHEW! Starting to get a little intense. Poor Sally. And what will Wufei say?
A/N: I realise that in the course of writing this, the characters may seem a little OOC. I tried to put myself in their shoes and I realized that in situations like this most people would be a little OOC. So forgive this poor author's take on how these two would handle this. Thanks so much for reading! I look forward to posting more chapters!