Masks
By: Starlight-x
Chapter 7
He had to get his memory back. There was no two ways around it. Duo was tired of feeling like he was always two steps behind everybody else. If he knew them, remembered them, perhaps he would no longer have that now familiar feeling of panic camped out in the pit of his stomach. Duo gripped the box tightly, feeling the metal edges digging into the palms of his hands. Even with his new found resolution he struggled against a sense of reluctance to open the lid of the box. Somehow the very idea of seeing the contents terrified him. A different self then the one he knew as Duo Maxwell might just be waiting. Maybe he really didn't want to know. His train of thought disappeared, dispersed by a memory. Hilde's face as she kissed him and her words that still haunted him. "I'm still waiting for you to come home."
She was still waiting. She wanted him back, even possibly loved him. Steeling his resolve Duo lifted the box's lid. For a moment he stared, unsure of what he was looking at. It appeared to be some type of mechanical contraption suspended in the middle of the box by two small rods that anchored it to the sides. Below that there was a picture of a pretty woman in a nun's habit, next to her was an older man in priest's garb. Both were smiling at the camera. The edges of the picture were blackened. There was something familiar about both of them, but he wasn't sure "Well, this is helpful." Reaching out for the photo he brushed against the contraption with his finger.
The instant he made contact it felt like he'd been zapped by static electricity but far, far worse. He might've let out a startled yelp, he couldn't really tell because images were flashing through his mind with a rapidity that made him feel slightly sick. Through it all the eyes of the two in the picture seemed to stare at him almost accusingly.
"Remember now idiot?"
The question hung almost tangibly in the air as Duo slumped back on his bed, the box falling to one side. For a while he just concentrated on breathing before finally answering the question he had asked himself. "Yeah, I do."
He pushed himself back to a sitting position, swallowing hard as his head throbbed rebelliously. Gingerly he gathered the box up and shut the lid carefully. "Father, Sister Helen, thanks."
Standing up he caught a glimpse of himself in a mirror. Turning to face his reflection fully he flashed a grin, the same one he wore in the picture with Hilde. "Hey there, nice to see you again." He gave his reflection a half salute.
There was a timid knock on his door. "Duo, are you okay? I thought I heard you yell…"
Hilde. Duo flung the door open. She stood there, startled, blinking up at him as he gathered her into a tight hug. "I'm back."
"Duo." Her arms wrapped around his waist, clinging tightly, he felt her shoulders shake as she tried not to cry.
"I'm sorry I worried you babe." Duo rocked her, resting his cheek on the top of her head.
"Welcome home," Hilde's voice was muffled by his shirt front.
Duo held her for a bit longer before stepping back. "Where's Quatre?"
Hilde gave a half shrug. "I think he's in with Relena." She studied his face. "Is something wrong?"
"I hope not." Duo tried for a reassuring smile but wasn't sure how well he actually managed.
"If it's really important I don't think he'd mind being interrupted." Hilde ventured.
Duo hated seeing the cautious expression on her face. Asher was right, he did deserve a good punch. "Hilde, can you forgive me?"
"What for?" Hilde sounded puzzled.
"For saying what I did to you, for treating you like I did."
"Why?" Hilde still seemed confused. "You didn't remember me, why should you-"
"That's no excuse." Duo cut in. "I can't stand it." He pulled her against him in another hug. "If someone else had treated you like I did I'd make sure they regretted it."
She gave a laugh that was muffled by how tightly he held her. "Well, I can probably think of someway for you to make it up to me."
"I guess that'll have to do." Duo sighed. "Although Asher did offer to hit me once I got my memory back."
"Of course he did."
Duo could hear the beginnings of sarcasm in her voice and smiled. "I'll just tell him that you won't permit even the hint of a bruise on this gorgeous face and that he's just gonna have to work out his irritation at me some other way."
"You really are full of yourself aren't you?" Hilde sighed.
"Yeah, but you're glad I'm back aren't you?" Duo prodded.
"You have no idea how glad."
0000
There was more going on then was normal for the household. Asher sighed. It felt like he was constantly running errands. Of course he wasn't complaining. This job was something he took pride in after all. Still, there were limits to how much he could sanely juggle. He was only human after all. A beeping caught his attention as he was rushing down a hallway. He paused and backpedaled, glancing into the room. This was the security office. Trowa was generally responsible for all of this. Asher had a basic knowledge of all the machines and how to operate them. What held his attention was an image on the monitor. For a moment he stared, blinked and looked again. Then he sighed. "Oh dear."
He exited the room and found of of Trowa's house cats sitting patiently grooming itself. "You wouldn't happen to know where I could find Master Quatre?"
He didn't get a reply, not that he had been expecting one. Instead he headed down the hallway yet again in search of Quatre to inform him of two more arrivals at their front gate.
0000
Cala didn't know why she felt drawn to this house. She only knew that something had called her here. She glanced out the corner of her eye at the other girl pacing back and forth in front of the gate. Her shoulder length blonde hair hung limply around her face and she was murmuring something to herself as she paced.
"So," Cala began. "What brought you here?"
The girl stared at her blankly for a moment before resuming her pacing. Abruptly she gripped the bars of the gate and stared up, appearing to gauge the height.
"Hey." Cala shot forward, gripping the stranger's upper arm. "You don't want to trigger whatever security measures they might have."
"I have to go." The girl spoke through gritted teeth. "I have to go, she needs me."
"Well, I do admit you look like you could physically manage climbing the gate but like I said before you don't know what security measures they have in place." Cala released her grip on the girl's arm. "Getting shot wouldn't help you any."
"You're right." Some of the tension left the girl's body, although she looked like she wanted to start pacing again.
"I'm Cala," Cala offered her name and her hand.
"Chris." The blonde shook hands firmly and then began to rock up and down, her heels just barely lifting off the ground.
"You could try giving your name." Cala said as the recording began once more.
Chris just continued rocking, staring at the gates as if she could will them open with the power of her gaze.
When the gates actually did open Cala wasn't surprised. Anyone with a half decent security system had to have noticed them. She was actually surprised someone was actually coming out to shoo them away instead of calling the authorities. She was even more surprised when the man invited them in.
0000
This was not wise. Asher led the two women through the house to a sitting room. He was almost positive the red haired one was a friend of that reporter Dorothy Catalonia. Still Quatre had seemed sure everything would be fine. "It would seem strange to leave just one of them outside. Besides it'd be nice to know what they talked about if anything."
Asher was so preoccupied with his own thoughts that he almost missed when Trowa whisked the blonde girl off through a side hallway. The redhead noticed a moment later. "Where's Chris?"
Ah, so that's her name. "Don't worry about her. She just has to meet someone." Asher pushed the door open and gestured for her to proceed him. "Would you like something to drink?"
"No, I'm fine." She glanced around briefly. "Who would she have to meet? I don't think she's ever been here before."
"No she hasn't."
To Asher's mild surprise Quatre entered the room. The girl's eyes widened as she recognized who he was. "She was coming here to meet a friend, but we didn't know what time to expect her so I'm afraid we let both of you wait out there a while." He took a seat opposite the girl. "Might I ask what business you have with me?"
"Quatre Winner? This is your house?" The girl hid her face in her hands and Asher just barely heard her mutter. "Dorothy's going to kill me."
"Miss?" Quatre was as polite as always.
She pulled herself together and held out her hand. "I'm Cala, I never imagined I'd ever have the opportunity to meet you, at least not like this." She stopped talking as Quatre shook her hand briefly. She seemed to consider her next words carefully. "I don't really have a reason for why I was standing outside. I wasn't stalking you or anything, I really didn't know it was your house." She stopped herself. "I'm sorry. I should go."
Quatre just turned on his look that got people to talk, the look that said he was genuinely interested in what they had to say and that he wasn't about to laugh at them.
Cala met his look and caved immediately. "This sounds crazy I know, but it was like something was calling me here. Not me specifically, but I could hear it and I couldn't make it stop so I decided to try and find out where it was coming from, so I ended up here." She shrugged as she finished.
"I see." Quatre sat back in his chair. "A sensitive indeed." The last sentence was spoken so quietly Asher almost missed it. Quatre turned toward him. "I think that we would both do well with some tea. Asher if you would?"
"Of course sir." Asher left the room. He took his time heating the water and pulling together the cups. Once everything was ready he carried the tray back to the sitting room. As he entered the room Cala's entire demeanor had changed. She was giggling and flirting with a weary looking Quatre. "Ah, thank you." Quatre accepted his cup. Asher finished serving and faded into the background. The two engaged in more small talk while they finished their drinks.
After they finished Cala stood to leave. Quatre kissed the back of her hand, causing her to blush. "I'll be sure to let my ward know about your boutique. Thank you."
"Oh no, thank you for the patronage." She giggled again. "Or maybe I should say your future patronage."
"Of course." Quatre smiled at her. "Asher will show you out."
0000
Quatre sank back down into his seat with a sigh as Cala and Asher left him alone. After a moment he stirred himself enough to lean forward and pour himself another cup of tea. Sipping the warm liquid he could feel strength slowly seeping back.
"You need to rest."
Quatre sighed. "Messing with someone's memory always did tire me out. Not one of my better talents."
Trowa didn't seem amused. "You need to rest." He held up a hand, stopping Quatre from saying anything else. "Don't even start. I can tell how tired you are. I am your Guardian after all."
"I can't argue with that." Quatre sighed. "But there's one more thing I have to do." He set his cup down and levered himself out of his chair slowly.
"It can wait." Trowa was unmovable. "The girls are doing just fine. Chris seems to have a natural aptitude as a Guardian."
"The bonding," Quatre sighed out. "I need to explain it and then I'll rest."
"Stubborn." Trowa frowned and vanished.
Quatre made his way to Relena's room feeling the weight of Trowa's disapproval the entire way. The two girls were sitting facing each other talking in muted whispers. Chris had one of Relena's hands clasped tightly in her own as if she were afraid the other girl would suddenly disappear. As Quatre entered the room she half rose, blocking Relena with her own body in a protective posture. Quatre smiled, Trowa was right, she did have a natural aptitude. He held up his hands in a nonthreatening gesture. "Chris?"
She nodded, relaxing slightly, sitting back down again.
"I'm Quatre. I thought I might explain…"
"Trowa already did." Relena interrupted him easily.
Chris nodded her head. "She needs me. I'm staying."
"I remembered the bonding process." Relena's gaze became faraway as she dug through her memories. "We completed it already."
Quatre's gaze was drawn to their clasped hands. Relena followed his gaze and nodded. "It was simple really. I have pretty much everything I need in my head already." She shrugged and then smiled at him. "We're fine Quatre."
"Now do you believe me?" Trowa's hands dropped onto his shoulders. "Will you please rest now?"
"Sure, sure." Quatre sighed out. Both girls were obviously going to be quick studies in learning what they needed to know. As he left the room he could feel Trowa hovering just behind him. "I'll be fine." He tried to reassure his Guardian.
"Hmph." Trowa just snorted silently. "I've let Chris start taking over the responsibility of suppressing Relena's memories. I can start suppressing yours again." Without waiting for an answer Quatre felt the welcome feeling of his guardian's ability once again. Even the slightest lifting of his mental burden caused him to stagger slightly and he was grateful that Trowa's hand steadied him until he regained his balance.
"Didn't realize how much that tired me out until now." Quatre straightened.
"Stubborn." Trowa repeated his previous accusation.
Quatre laughed. "After so many years I don't think I'm going to change. You know if it gets to be too much for you to handle you could always quit."
"No." Trowa's response was given without a thought. "Go to bed Quatre."
"Yeah."
0000
Heero never liked just waiting around. Things seemed to be settled for the moment at Quatre's place. The new immortal had her guardian. The girl looked to have plenty of potential. Of course there would be time for introductions later. For now he had another visit to pay. He slipped out of the mansion. Trowa would be concerned with taking care of Quatre for a while.
Heero didn't like the feeling of unease he'd been getting lately. That annoying loudmouth Duo's amnesia was troubling too. It seemed too much like another immortal's meddling, one who was especially talented with messing with a mortal's brain. There were rules that governed every immortal's existence. Rules that if broken would expose all of them to the mortal world they inhabited. He wasn't about to let that happen. He was quite content with his present situation. Hiding in the shadows suited him just fine. If someone was threatening the life he had built for himself, well, they would soon learn to regret it.
Wufei Chang. One of the few immortals he cultivated an acquaintance with who was already semi involved with Quatre's situation. Heero might not agree with Quatre's hands-on approach to mortals, but he wasn't about to let him slog through the mess he was currently wrapped up in by himself.
Knowing Wufei as well as he did it shouldn't take too long to track down where he was hiding. Not long at all. Then whoever was messing around with one of them would definitely learn to regret it, mortal or not.
Author's Note: I feel the need to say something in hopes of keeping back the disappointment I'm sure will come with this chapter. I know a lot of you were expecting Heero to end up as Relena's Guardian and to be honest when I first started writing and hashing out details I did too, but as the storyline evolved and everyone's characters became set it took an unexpected turn. I hope this doesn't cause any of my readers too much distress. I hope that even without the Guardian/immortal relationship between Heero and Relena that you will keep on reading this and I do promise there will be some interaction between them eventually. On another note I want to say thanks for the reviews I've received so far. It's always nice to know someone thinks my fiction isn't a total waste of time.