"I don't understand why you would treat the boy so poorly if you care for him," Dr. Hutch said as Quatre was wheeled out the door.
"I don't understand why you would work in this place if you obviously despise it so," I replied, watching Quatre try to turn around before eventually giving up.
"Of course you know why I work here. The pay is good, and I had no other choice. But you, you're rich and young. I just can't see why you'd get into this sort of thing."
"Money isn't everything," I replied. "Sometimes, to keep the wealth one has become accustomed to, one must gain prestige. That's what I'm here for."
"I see," Dr. Hutch replied, his face showing great thought. "I suppose I can't blame you. I'm no better myself. I only wish things could be different for these boys. They're so very young," he said sadly, walking out the door.
"Don't worry," I whispered at his back, "things will change soon enough."
It was much later that night, or earlier the next morning I suppose, that I finally managed to settle my nerves. Heero had hidden in the slaves quarters when the doctor and his assistant had arrived, for he was still afraid of crowds and loud voices. He had only timidly appeared later, when they were gone, and he was still on edge, so I sent him to get a bath.
With Quatre gone and Heero out of the room, the room suddenly seemed large and bare, almost echoing, so filled with empty space. I allowed myself to fall into the armchair, the stress from the earlier situation finally hitting me in full. I placed a hand on my head, and simply tried to let my mind wander.
The shower turned off a few minutes later, and Heero approached a few minutes after that, his hair still wet, dressed in his sleeping clothes. I could tell from his movements that he was concerned for me.
"Master?" he questioned, "What are you doing?"
"Just thinking," I said, leaning back in the chair. Heero took this as an invitation, and curled up on my lap, putting his head, and wet hair, against my chest.
"About what?"
"Scores," I told him with a smile, "I'm trying to tally everything in my head."
"I don't understand."
"Well, you see, first I got you, so that's a plus one, right?" I explained, "But then you ran away, so that's a minus one. Only I found you again, so thats another plus one. Then I got Quatre, but he was hurt, so that's a plus one half. But I was promised another slave, so that's another one half, I think, until I actually get him. Then I lost Quatre, which is a minus one. Then I promised to take Dragon, which I can't decide if it's a plus or a minus, but it's something. So I guess I'm just trying to figure out of I've gained, lost, or broke even so far. Either way it doesn't seem that any of my choices have been right lately. And I still don't know what you were angry with me for, but I'm sure that's another minus and I just don't think I can take that tonight so we'll just have to worry about it tomorrow. I don't know, I guess I'm just feeling low," I finished lamely, stroking Heero's back as he listened silently. "I suppose we should get to bed. We have several parties tomorrow, don't we? And I'm sure you'll be called to see Quatre. Come on, then, let's get you to bed," I coaxed, simply lifting Heero from the chair and carrying him to bed instead of making us both get up.
"Master," Heero called hesitantly from the bed as I was dressing, "I just want you to know that... if you were really making all these bad choices, I'm sure Quatre wouldn't have fought so hard to stay like that. I don't know what the score is, but I know that you're ahead by a lot. I wish you could understand how grateful we are to be with you," he said, his eyes never leaving the blanket that he fidgeted in his hands. I smiled softly at him and climbed into bed, spooning up against him.
"And I wish you could know how much I'd like to give you. Someday, I'll show you all the good things you've missed out on in this dreadful place. I promise you."
To seal the promise, I gave Heero a deep kiss, then pulled him onto my chest and slowly dosed away, completely content.