Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing, and I don't own the song or song title "Bed of Roses" by Mindless Self Indulgence.
AN: A bit disappointed at the feedback, meaning reviews. From the amount of hits I've received, especially on the latest chapter, I should have at least had five responses, and that's really selling it short. I know that many people can't be reading the latest chapter twice or skipped seven chapters just to glance at the eighth.
But on a lighter note! I'd like to thank a few people! It may be a bit belated, but there people have stuck with it and of course I thank everyone who has stuck with this so far (specifically those who have reviewed) but currently I'd like to thank:
Shao Jing! Thanks for your reviews! Even the slightest word is encouraging! Thanks for your suggestion earlier and I'm happy I have read one of your fics. It was great and I can't wait for the next installment.
f U n N i E b O n E s 2K! I don't think you understand how much of a legend you are! I remember when you reviewed on this and now on my other fics I felt so honored! You're one of the authors that is the measuring stick for Dorothy/ Quatre stories and when you complimented my story so enthusiastically I thought "Ok now we're getting somewhere!" Though of course I appreciation every review, but you're just too amazing. I'm glad you're writing again! Update soon too!
darkfairy88! You really are one of those memorable reviewers that immediately puts a smile on my face. When I read your reviews I thought "If for no one, then for her Mirth-chan! Get on your horse and update!" You write with so much enthusiasm I swear I feel energy for miles away to get my fingers typing to write.
Duchess D, CrystalSteele, and crystal-gundam! I REALLY love you three! I just image all three of you in a minature stadium shouting "Go! Go! Go!" at me! You've stuck with this, reviewed the most, and I've totally grown great affection and appreciation for you guys over knowing when even when I don't have one review, I can count on you guys being there waiting no matter what.
' ' are Thoughts
Italics are Past events
Italics in bold are Song lyrics
Bed of Roses
Chapter 9: "Blood Money"
"Screw you, the sentiment's the same my friend"
At lunch, eight troubled and livid adults and one fuming child discussed the events of their horrible morning.
"And you know what ticked me off the most?" Une began angrily once again, "Dorothy was completely under the influence of painkillers. She couldn't flick a fly off her face even if it landed right between her eyes she was so out of it. And yet he tested her!"
"This all seems to be methodically planned," Wufei replied flatly, his arms crossed and his body language still showing his frustration at not having been able to thoroughly beat the arrogance out of those men. (AN: Irony?)
"I agree. We need Quatre here. We need to begin to foil whatever plan they have forming or even learn what the hell it is," Heero added, his eyes looking back at all around with definite determination.
"Let's go home now. Hilde and I need to get some work done today but call us with any news Heero. You should call Quatre and tell him what happened today," Duo suggested, ready to leave the tense atmosphere.
"Une called me and explained my role in this. We can have the papers ready for Hilde within three days or less," Sally said, looking primarily at Heero and sharing an affirming nod with Une.
"Wufei, I'll be over at Une's during that time so we can get our part done as quickly as possible," Sally confessed, looking at Wufei with a silent apology.
Heero nodded in response and looked at Wufei who'd also given Sally a brief nod, his face remaining in its immortal scowl.
"You and I need to perform the mission of kidnap and replacement. You should come over to stay at Relena's and my house a few days so we can plan this sufficiently; gathering equipment—technology and clothing— and mapping out exactly where you will penetrate the building, when, and how in a clearly defined path."
"I agree. I will accept nothing less than flawless precision," Wufei said briefly, suddenly gritting his teeth.
"Even if I have to do it as…as a—"
"As a woman," Sally giggled, smothering a smile behind her hand. Wufei glared at her but soon the others were already bubbling with laughter.
"Wufei, can I apply your makeup? Pretty please?" Duo begged, grinning at the scowling pilot.
"NO MAXWELL! AND DON'T EVER ASK ME THAT AGAIN! HOW ABOUT YOU LET ME DO YOUR HAIR?" Wufei yelled, diving at the American's treasured braid.
A few heads turned to look at the group and a brief silence came over the room. They watched as Duo lept out of his chair, laughing, and ran away from a quickly gaining Wufei.
Relena giggled once again. "I think it's time we left."
"I knew we should have left right away," Hilde grumbled, rolling her eyes. "Might as well go get them," Hilde groaned, rising to her feet.
"I'll help," Noin volunteered and the two women ran after the two maniacs.
"Oh and I'll catch a ride with Duo and Hilde! Don't worry about me Relena!" Noin shouted back over her shoulder.
"I should go help them too. I have to drive that loud mouth home," Sally grumbled also. She got up and jogged off to cut the two men off at the other side of the restaurant. Security was already quickly coming onto the scene.
"Noin was so quiet today. Do you think anything's wrong?" Relena asked Heero anxiously.
"Everything is wrong right now Relena. I'm sure when she's ready to talk she will; or you could just call her later," Heero shrugged.
Relena nodded and took her husband's hand. "Let's get home and call Quatre."
Dorothy let out a soft cry of protest and tried to pull away from the large needle being injected into her left arm.
The numerous nurses were holding down the protesting woman and legs that had suffered a temporary paralysis were trying to kick away the golden boy despite their injury.
"Sterling get her legs. She'll knock out the needle at this rate. We can't tranq her; it might effect the sample too drastically at this point. She's still wearing off the other one."
Sterling nodded and gripped the thinning woman's legs down, the rough cast on Dorothy's leg forcing him to use his entire upper body.
Dorothy brought her uninjured left leg soundly up to kick Dr. Sterling in the face. He tumbled away for a moment and growled, coming at Dorothy with a menace.
"Stop Sterling! Get a hold of yourself! If you can't hold a half delusional woman's legs down, perhaps I don't need your assistance here," Dr. Cadan glared, already storing his sample in a steel case.
Dorothy glared at Sterling and Sterling coldly returned her look. He turned away and looked at Cadan.
"I'm sorry Cadan. Nurses, you can let her go now."
As the nurses let her go, Dorothy tensed for a moment, expecting more trouble before finally settling herself back onto the hospital pillows. She continued to scan her surroundings silently and broodingly.
Dr. Cadan watched her for a moment before looking at Sterling. "This needs to be done now. Those stupid kids are getting way too involved. We won't be performing any tests for a few days and the nurses can attend to her for now while we…take care of more pressing matters."
Sterling nodded, his eyes hard and calculating. "I'm glad. I really hate all them, all of them!—right down to that Relena Peacecraft."
"We'll be rid of them soon enough my dear colleague. Now let's go. Nurses, you can drug her if you like. We'll see you all in a few days. Sterling I need to make a call. Please inform the nurses of the rest of their orders and then come and join me," Dr. Cadan commanded before leaving the hospital room without a second thought.
"Hello? Trowa, I've been wondering where you were. What have you been up to?" Heero asked, looking at the green-eyed pilot through his vid phone.
"Doing some research. I spoke to Quatre about what's definite so far. So who is doing the disguise? Wufei or you?"
"Wufei. He's coming over for a few days to draw up our plan with me. What kind of research have you been doing?" Heero asked further.
"Well I'd like to discuss that in person for security reasons."
Heero nodded. "I understand completely. Did you…?"
"Yes; it's virtually invisible in the door crack in your back door. You should be able to slide it out with a knife."
"Alright. I'll see you later then...and anyone else who's coming." Heero hung up. Relena had been leaning in the doorway casually and finally spoke from her vantage point.
"I never even realized I haven't seen Trowa in a while. How was he and when are you leaving?" Relena asked without wasting time.
"He looks fine. And as soon as I find out," Heero answered, swiftly going to the couple's backdoor.
Relena followed him and watched as he kneeled and knocked out a piece of paper in the door space.
"What's that?" Relena questioned again.
Heero smothered his annoyance for a moment and answered. "Directions. I'll be leaving at 7 pm for Trowa's. That's two hours from now. I'm assuming Quatre will be there also and perhaps Sally or Une."
Relena nodded. "Should I wait up for you?"
"No. I'll be fine," Heero answered, standing up to unexpectedly glide his hand lightly over Relena's honey-blond tresses.
Relena closed her eyes, smiling at his touch. "Alright. I won't. Well I'll try," Relena smiled and Heero smiled back ever so softly.
"I'm not going to call Quatre just yet. I'll tell him everything at the meeting tonight, unless he calls. Trowa is cluing us in on some research he has been performing for a while."
Relena nodded again, her gaze suddenly hardening with determination. "Anything to get Dorothy out of that hospital and away from those manipulative doctors."
"I know. I agree," Heero replied neutrally, continuing to stroke her hair. "I'm going to go change. I'll eat dinner with you before I leave."
"Well…since we both have time to kill," Relena began slowly, wrapping her arms around his waist, "how about we waste it together?"
Milliardo had tried calling Relena to ask about her visit today but she wasn't picking up and neither was Heero.
'And that can only mean one thing,' Milliardo scowled slightly, still not fully warmed up to a certain Heero Yuy, husband to his only sister.
"It would be strange calling anyone else," Milliardo commented, thinking aloud.
"Well I could call Noin…I need to apologize to her anyway," he sighed.
Before he could change his mind Milliardo dialed the number of the woman who had believed in him many times when he didn't believe in himself.
Before he was really ready, Noin picked up the phone. "Hello? Oh…Zechs!" Noin cried out in surprise, looking down at the love of her life through her vid-phone.
She felt her face color with embarrassment. She wished she could just sink through the floor right there and then.
"Hello Noin. I'm sorry about my behavior earlier. I'm sorry if I hurt you."
Noin blinked at first, his apology taking its time to register in her brain. For some reason she wanted to yell at him, but she decided she'd just play it cool.
'Does he really think another I'm-sorry-for-the-trouble-Noin type response is going to fix everything? Well that's Zechs for you…overtly dramatic or as cool as cucumber. Either way, you're left a little ticked off.'
"So why did you really call Zechs?" Noin asked, keeping her expression impassive.
"Do you…forgive me Noin?" Zechs pressed, not satisfied to leave things as they were.
Noin felt herself sigh. 'Well when you say it like that…'
"Yes, yes you're forgiven. Now what's wrong? That couldn't have been all you called for. You should have come over then if it was."
"No…you're right; it's not all I called for. How was the visit with Dorothy today?"
Noin pursed her lips ever so slightly before answering. "Well…it's a long story."
"It's alright. I have time," Zechs replied easily. Noin watched as he sat back into his couch, folding his beautiful fingers right in front of his model-perfect features. Within moments, Noin had noted the impossible blue of his eyes, every hair in the golden halo of hair on his head, and the pink of his oh-so-kissable lips.
'If you only knew how much pain and pleasure you cause me Zechs…'
"Well at first the doctors would not let us in. They made up this story again about us not being allowed inside to visit or anyone for that matter being allowed to watch them perform the cognitive tests, etc."
"Well the Sterling guy said that only family would be allowed inside. So, Mariemaia went in with Une because he tried to create an age limitation for family too."
"The procedure was completely unfair. Dorothy was under the influence of tranquilizers they pumped into her for who knows how long and I believe it was just another method of keeping her there longer."
"Apparently she was talking, picking up on names and objects and Une accidentily assisted her. Dr. Sterling was infuriated to no end. To make a long story short, they brought in these unusual guardsmen, a cross between storm troopers and special services agents, and by the time we arrived there, it was a huge uproar."
"Heero and Wufei landed a few good hits however, including Duo, and we left for lunch afterwards to talk. They have a plan going too to get to the bottom of this."
"A plan?" Zechs asked in disbelief. "How come I was never informed?"
"I don't really know the details either Zechs. I intend on talking to Sally and Une tonight."
"Well I'll have to join you then. When will you be over there?"
"Well it's about 5 now…perhaps 6:30?" Noin replied noncommittally.
"Alright. I'll see you then." With that, the Peacecraft prince hung up.
'Is that where your mind's been Zechs...and your heart? Always on Dorothy?' Noin sighed.
Quatre couldn't believe his ears.
"Stormtroopers! FBI agents! What's going on now? A military operation? Am I back in war?" Quatre groaned, looking at Heero with both surprise and anger.
"I know. We're all irritated. You'll be at that meeting tonight right? We need to have it all done at least within three days time. I have a feeling we're running out of leeway to make mistakes or piss anyone off."
"I agree, I agree. Of course I'll be there. I really hope Trowa has something damaging on those too. Then, we can have them taken into custody by you all at the ESUN."
"You and I think alike. I'd like to do the interrogating," Heero added, narrowing his eyes slightly.
Quatre grinned. "They've messed with the wrong group. Well it's time I left. Sorry I called so close to time."
Heero shrugged. "I wasn't available anyway. Goodbye Quatre." Heero hung up before Quatre could imply one thing like Maxwell.
Trowa lived comfortably, yet simply, and he, Quatre, Heero, and no one else gathered into the pilot's living room. It contained one L-shaped couch, two free-standing lamps, a few plant decorations and framed pictures, and a coffee table with three carefully placed folders on it.
"Sit down guys and let's all take a folder," Trowa ordered, sitting down and flipping it open to the first page.
"Let's not waste any time. Dr. Cadan's profile is on the first page. Does he seem familiar?" Trowa asked, looking up at their faces.
"I can't say that he does," Quatre said, genuinely perplexed.
Heero frowned, staring at his face. "The more you say I'll see if I recall him from anywhere. Go on."
Trowa nodded. "Kemal Cadan. Age: 31. He came fresh out of a medical school oddly created and funded by Oz. He was hand-picked out of his graduating class and immediately hired onto Oz's medical team."
"He worked closely with a tight-knit group of scientists who Dr. Sterling--whom we will come to soon enough--headed. He of course became good friends with the doctor. This core group of scientists worked for Oz on creating a Zero System their pilots could hopefully use."
"Of course, as we all know, the people who mastered that system were far and wide. Many died or went insane and it seems that our friend Cadan here was given free reign to take these men who had now lost their minds, and freely experiment on them."
"My God! They were human beings not guinea pigs! Wait, you say this is the Oz organization? We need to talk to Noin, Milliardo, Hilde, and Une especially about these experiments what they may know about them," Quatre exclaimed.
Trowa nodded, going on. "I know. I was disgusted by this discovery too. On the next page you can see the kinds of notes he took. The system took forever to hack into to find it, but I got it."
"He says here:
"…as the drugs wear off the pilots become less responsive to the treatment. The drugs need to be administered in steady doses until the men and women create a tolerance and become totally supple to the testing."
"However, I have yet to achieve a plateau or specific number that would be enough to allow the treatment to be effective and not cause the results I've had so far—death."
"I highlighted this section out of its entirety because a lot of it was more of a personal diary. The last thing of importance I was able to discover regarding this is on the next page," Trowa interrupted. "Ok he says here:
"Dr. Sterling too is already giving me greater leeway and even has allowed me to direct him. I think soon I will become co-leader of our little group and eventually the ultimate and final administrator; I will accept nothing less, even if I have to use the treatment on them also."
"However, that may be too dangerous. There is someone even above those above us that we see every day. His name is Treize Kushrenada."
"He is admired by many and has the devotion of many men and women. What he has achieved in command on the battlefield, I will achieve in this lab. The Oz faction is crumbling nonetheless anyway."
"I know it may be unsafe to write it here, but the only other person who may see my notes is Sterling, and even then, he takes my word for it that I'm showing him what's important."
"I plan to join Romafeller. Romafeller built this organization and it seems they are in the process of taking it down. I don't care about this Treize Kushrenada and I don't care about this war. I only care about my work."
"Alright, now skipping ahead, this is the final key factor and helps us see a motive," Trowa began, shifting his papers.
"Here, on page five he has by the end of the war joined Romafeller:
"...I know war is over and it is war that made Romafeller rich, but who said all those rich aristocrats wouldn't be willing to throw themselves into some new money making scheme?"
"I will be the one they fund and I will make myself needed. Sterling is with me now and I have his recommendations. There are two men in particular who peak my interest. They have suffered the offense of Oz and were prime members in those warping the ESUN's original purpose of peace to seek military power. And with the "Specials Unit" gone, who wants to stay?"
"That is where Romafeller comes in. These high ranking officials are leaving for Romafeller who greets them with open arms."
"Skipping ahead…" Trowa murmured before reading on.
"No! Damn it! She is ruining everything! Peace? Peace? War will not make me successful in the end, but I can't gain warm bodies to perform my experiments on, my work suffers! Okay, I never thought war would go on forever, but Romafeller could have become the head of ESUN's military operations or something, perfecting security for any dangers in the future."
"I could have been apart of that! Free to work quietly! No, I worked too hard and too long for this."
"I will find a way and Sterling will help me. I can't write in this anymore. There will be new ideas, new people, and new procedures and my work may be discovered. I will remain here, and I will find those who I can align myself with…particularly those two gentlemen…"
"And it ends there," Trowa stopped and looked up into Heero and Quatre's faces.
"We need to talk to Une, Noin, Zechs, and Hilde as soon as possible. We need to find out who those two men are and soon. In fact, there may be more. It's been some time since he's written this, correct?" Heero asked, a hard glint in his eyes.
"Yes. He last wrote a month before Dorothy became head of the Romafeller organization and declared their primary function would be on weapons and base removals from the war, not manufacturing," Trowa answered.
"Yes…and that's when her friendship with Relena became obvious to the public's eye. Remember that article? "Princess of Peace Joins Duchess of Destruction, now a Dove of A New Feather." Horrible play on words, but it got the point across," Quatre shrugged.
"I don't think many of those aristocrats would be interested in charity work which isn't as useful moneymaking wise. I can assume a lot of people under Dorothy's rule were and are none too happy, " Quatre concluded.
"And that's where we come in. We find out who those people are and take care of them," Heero said expressionlessly, rising to his feet.
"Wait Heero. I have a little bit on Sterling here, and then you can return home to your wife," Trowa said calmly, watching Heero as he reluctantly sat back down. Heero was itching to be back on his laptop and start his plan.
"Alright, there are only a few things on Sterling you all need to know about," Trowa stated and then began once again.
"Branhard Sterling. Age: 47. He sought out Oz himself after medical school, completing his license to practice as a neurosurgeon within seven years at age 27. He worked in Oz's emergency unit for six years before requesting a chance to work in the lab."
"He worked there for another six years and worked his way up onto being the director of the same special team Cadan would come to join. He headed the group until he left Oz after three years and has been with Romafeller for almost five now."
"He came with great influence and was also taken in with open arms. He immediately became instrumental in Romafeller's program to create a different use for mobile dolls."
"When Dorothy came to head the organization, she ordered many of the Mobile Dolls sent to the junkyard to be used for scrap metal; at least that's what I gathered from what he wrote. He says here:
"That woman has destroyed my livelihood! What am I going to do now? She wants the remaining Dolls to be used to help remove large amounts of explosives on different colonies at one time. Who cares about that?"
"I think she wants to have Dr. Cadan and myself go and join the tedious lifestyle of the typical surgeon, attending to the disgusting masses in some city hospital. I'll never do that. I don't care to research on pre-discovered diseases and help worthless brains. I care to continue the work Cadan and I began. It can still be used and I know a few who would be interested in using it…"
"Alright, that's the important stuff," Trowa stopped again. "They both have a motive. In short, they blame Dorothy for ruining their plans as researchers doing basically dirty science."
"Now, we know we can't have those two working on Dorothy any longer. I believe with Relena's help we can have Dorothy moved to a different hospital. We just need Dorothy to sign the papers since there's no other way of consent really, and we can't leave it to their vindictive discretion."
"I agree! We need to get her out of there as soon as possible. Who knows what she's suffered already," Quatre said sadly, and he could see his friends shared his sentiments.
"I don't think they will kill her," Heero said suddenly and Trowa and Quatre looked at him expectantly.
"They couldn't kill her. She's too famous. They want to do something else. It could have something to do with their treatments, but I doubt it. They were using it on soldiers. But at the same time, they have been pumping her full of drugs."
"We need to find out what that experiment is. Wufei and I will do it the night of the plan. What do you say to us working all night and doing it tomorrow evening, a day early?" Heero suggested.
"I'm sure Sally and Une can be done. Une is as quick as lightning and Sally is extremely organized. They're probably halfway done creating IDs and a profile now," Quatre said with confidence.
"Good. And Heero, I'm helping. You two must remember you are performing a kidnapping. I want to discuss this with Hilde so she can get a hold of those papers. I will be there to cause a second distraction; a surprise visit if you will," Trowa said.
"What about the doctors?" Quatre asked.
"Yes, what about them? You take care of that Quatre. Call them in for tea or something. We have other things to do," Heero ordered and stood up.
"But Heero? How?" Quatre demanded.
"You came up with this plan, you can come up with another one. Maybe have them arrested for war crimes with Une's help."
"Thanks for your work Trowa. Everything matters at this point. Goodnight to you two. Knowing Relena, she is probably waiting up for me anyway." And with that, Heero led himself out.
Trowa glanced at Heero then looked at Quatre. "Well if you're really stuck for an idea--call me. You can stay here for the night if you like, but I'll be on the computer for the evening seeing what else I can discover."
"I can't stay. I still have to go into work tomorrow. I'll call if I need to. Thanks Trowa. You really did a great job and I didn't even have to ask," Quatre complimented him, smiling gratefully.
Trowa nodded. "Get some sleep. Busy day tomorrow."
Kemal: Highest honor
Branhard: Bold raven
Uh oh, the storm clouds of chaos are rumbling! Some questions have been answered, ne? There's still more mysteries about however. Well, next chapter should be some true blue mission impossible action...oh with some personal dramas on the side. Don't make me sad anymore! Please review!
Angel of Mirth