The Bounty

Loose Ends

by Scarlet Eve

Mrs. Peacecraft walked down the carpeted hallway, carrying a silver tray with a light breakfast and tea. She knocked on Relena's door and waited, but she didn't hear anything from inside. She assumed her daughter was still sleeping. Mrs. Peacecraft pushed open the door carefully and stepped inside. The bedroom light was still on, and the doors to the balcony were flung wide open.

"Relena?" she called tentatively. She placed the tray on the dresser and checked the room. Her daughter was nowhere to be found.

"Darling! Milliardo!" she called, her chest tight and tears pouring down her cheeks. Milliardo was the first to arrive at the room, still in his pajamas. He stepped in and looked around. The solitary flashing of the ankle bracelet stuck around the middle of a stuffed animal caught his eye. Milliardo lifted the thing from its spot on the nightstand.

"Oh what the f-"

-/-\-

Quatre Winner sat down to breakfast, a pile of mail sitting beside his plate. He thumbed through them quickly, and his eye caught one piece that was not stamped. He opened it and read the note, and smiled at the curly signature of Relena Peacecraft at the bottom. He grinned and nodded, as if to tell Relena he'd carry out her wishes.

-/-\-

Catherine Bloom stretched out her long legs and crossed one over the other. Beside her, she could feel the DA fuming. The judge was still reading through a stack of papers, but he soon lowered them down on the desk and looked up at the two lawyers.

"So there is no substantial evidence that was legally obtained that incriminates Miss Peacecraft?" he asked.

"Your Honor!" the man beside Catherine yelled. "She's been accused of killing her ex husband!"

"Accused is not the same as convicted," Catherine said mildly. "There was never a suspect because Miss Peacecraft was no where near their estate at the time. She was attending a bachelorette party."

"But!"

"Come back when you have something solid. Let her go. And let her friend go, too," the judge said. "Now get out of my office so I can enjoy my coffee in peace."

-\-/-

Dorothy lay sprawled out on her slab of a bed, her head cushioned on her arms. She stared up at the ceiling, pondering whatever wisps of a thought crossed through her mind. She was so bored. And she hadn't had a proper shower in days.

"Catalonia!" a rough voice called. Dorothy lifted her head up and looked out through the bars of her cell.

"Yes?"

"You're leaving. Come on," the guard.

"Oh, but I was just starting to get comfortable here," Dorothy said with mock sadness. The guard rolled his eyes.

"I've had enough of your mouth, woman," he said. Dorothy smiled wickedly.

"I'm sure," she said. The guard unlocked the cell and Dorothy sashayed out, flipping her hair in the face of the guard. He snarled after her, but she didn't turn.

After several harassing minutes of checking out of the prison, Dorothy finally walked outside without being cuffed. She stepped into the early sunlight, stretching her arms over her head and breathing in the fresh air.

A few feet away, a young man was leaning against the most amazing limousine that Dorothy had ever seen. It appeared to be painted a bright, shiny gold. The man leaning against the door smiled at her and stepped forward, his hand extended.

"Dorothy Catalonia?" he asked. Dorothy nodded, reaching her hand out and shaking his hand. "My name is Quatre Winner. I asked to come here and pick you up."

"Relena's safe?"

"I was told to inform you that the dove and her mate have flown south for the winter," Quatre said with a wink. Dorothy broke out into a grin.

"That's just wonderful," she said, clapping her hands together. Quatre nodded. "Now, tell me more about this fascinating vehicle..."

-\-/-

A/N: MADE IT! I hope everyone enjoyed this, and I thank everyone who stuck with me for the whole thing! I appreciate all the reviews and support!

I will be writing one more chapter... an alternate ending, and it'll be depressing. Fair warning. :-P

And as always, check me out on twitter flyinghigh05, and there are many other links to my haunts on the interwebz in my profile!