See Part One for Disclaimers

Part Eleven

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>>dream or flashback<<
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Kharik moved to follow after the guards, but Heero remained, glancing at Trowa and Wufei's door.

"You should probably talk to them."  Kharik had noticed the boy wasn't coming.

"I know."  I guess he should be first.

*      *      *

Heero sat on Trowa's bed, facing the Chinese pilot.

Wufei was still too shocked to be upset; all his questions came out in a smooth, calm speech.  "What makes you think Trowa's the traitor?"

Heero was equally reserved.  "I was presented with compelling evidence to that effect."  Should I tell him?

"What kind of evidence?"

No.  "It has to do with Sym.  She's agreed to explain it to everyone in the morning.  I just thought you should know."

Some of the shock was beginning to wear off, and Wufei's tone became more expressive.  "You locked him up on the word of some woman we barely know?  This is Trowa that we're talking about here; he's no traitor."

"Given the number of times that he's successfully infiltrated enemy organizations, this doesn't come as that big of a surprise."

"I can't believe he's guilty, not without a whole hell of a lot more proof than you're giving."

"You'll get all the proof you need tomorrow."

"I know Trowa, better than any of you; I sure as hell know him better than that woman.  He's been looking for the traitor himself.  He was monitoring radio signals coming from the house."

"A good cover for his own actions.  This is one of his talents, Wufei, fooling people into believing he's on their side."

The Chinese boy sighed in temporary defeat, lacking the strength to argue anymore.  "He told me he was the one who shot me earlier.  I thought it might have been you."  A small smile raced across his lips.

"I know how that is."

Wufei didn't understand what he meant, but then realization dawned.  "Oh, I remember Duo telling me about when he had to shoot you."

Heero's eyebrows went up a bit.  "Had to?"

"Well, that's his version of it.  You two didn't know each other, though; it's different when someone you think of as a friend does it."

"It wasn't intentional; his hands shook a little, that's all."  Heero looked down to the floor before continuing.  "And it may have been a different situation when Duo shot me, but it still hurt."

Wufei almost laughed, but understood Heero's meaning on more than one level.  "The people we care about have the greatest ability to hurt us."

Heero suddenly felt uncomfortable.  "I've got to fill Quatre and Duo in.  Get some sleep."

"If such a thing is possible." He said quietly.

As soon as Heero left the room, Wufei sighed once again.  It's so quiet.  I should be used to it, by now.  He glanced over at Trowa's empy bed.  The silence seems so much more  silent when I'm alone.

*      *      *

When the Japanese boy entered his room, he froze in the doorway, not sure what to make of the sight before him.  Quatre had been crying, tears still staining his cheeks, and sat limply on his bed, as Duo held him tightly.  The American was saying softly, over and over, "I'm here; you're safe."

Would Duo ever comfort me like that?  Heero didn't want to intrude, but there was little else he could do.  He pretended to ignore them, and went loudly to his own bed.  Duo had lost the coin toss and had to take a cot provided by Kharik.

The two finally noticed him, Quatre quickly getting up and turning his back to Heero as he wiped at his face.  Duo acted like everything was fine.  Ignorance must be bliss. Heero thought.

"What's up, Heero?" the American asked.

Heero sat down on his bed.  I thought it would be harder to tell Wufei, since he's so close to Trowa.  But these two are so emotional sometimes; I don't know how they're going to react.  "I met with Sym and she had some interesting things to say."

"'Bout what?"  Duo eyed his blonde friend as he spoke, Quatre having sat down on the bed as far away from him as possible.

Images of Colonel Novaya came to his mind, disjointed pictures from their earlier conversation.

>>>>>"You have a traitor in your midst's?"

Possibly.  I've been neither able to confirm or dismiss this."

"Mr. Barton is. . ." she paused.  "Trowa is not who he appears to be."

"What are you saying?"

"He's your traitor."

"How could you possibly know?"

"Let me show you. . ." <<<<<

"She said she knew who our traitor was."

Both Duo and Quatre sat forward, surprise and doubt flickering on their faces.  Duo asked, "How did she even know about it?"

"That's unimportant."

Duo got up and began pacing back and forth in front of the bed.  "This thing has gone from a cockamamie theory to a witch hunt in less than two days!"

Heero's words were unimpassioned.  "I just had Trowa put in one of the base's holding cells."  Here it comes.

Duo stopped pacing, whirling on Heero.  "You what?  Trowa?  Are you serious?"  The American was obviously angry.

Quatre remained seated, silently observing the argument.

Heero stood, better able to defend his position.  "Sym presented me with evidence I couldn't ignore.  There will be an investigation, and if Trowa is innocent, great."  If only he were innocent.

"After all that we've been through together, how could you turn on him like this?"

"If he were in my place, he'd do the same thing."  I wonder.

"I doubt that.  *You're the only one that'd ever do something like this!"  Duo's anger was growing with every moment that passed.

The words bit into Heero more than he would have cared to admit.  I shouldn't be arguing with him.  Damn, that hurt.  "The matter's not up for discussion."

"That's it!  Every time we have an argument, you clam up.  Fine!  God, I'm starting to think Quatre's right about you!"  With that, Duo stormed from the room, leaving Quatre uncomfortably alone with Heero.

"I'm going to bed." Heero breathed, suddenly feeling very tired.  I can't keep from hurting them, can I?  All I ever try to do is protect, but I end up harming.  He figured the thought would keep him busy for a few hours, at least.

Quatre slowly got up from his bed, studying the floor intently.  "I'd better go see if Duo's okay."  Heero made no response as the blonde fled the room.

*      *      *

The Arabian caught up with Duo outside the base; the fresh, clean air felt good after the terrifying experience of being alone with Heero.  "Hey." He called softly.

Duo remained silent.

"You shouldn't let him upset you like that; he's not worth it."

"I know.  I just can't believe that he'd do this to Trowa."

"I can.  If he'd abandon me to die, what makes you think he'd even think twice about condemning Trowa as a traitor?"

"You're right, you're right.  It's just. . .I really want to believe that everyone has some sort of heart, even Heero."

Quatre looked sadly into the all-consuming depths of the night sky.  "I used to think so too.  And then you learn the truth, that some people just  don't.  It took a tragedy for me to learn that; I hope you realize it before it's too late."

Duo chuckled softly.  "I've seen my share of tragedy, Quatre.  And you're right, there are a few people in this world who have no redeeming qualities whatsoever.  I had just hoped that Heero wasn't one of them."

Duo seemed to ponder a moment, then went on.  "It's funny, isn't it?  He's the whole world's savior, and the biggest jackass that ever lived."  The boy broke down into laughter or sobs, Quatre couldn't tell which.

*      *      *

Sym was having second thoughts about her interference into the Gundam pilot's affairs.  She looked up at Kharik with unsure eyes.  "Do you think I did the right thing?  I mean, it's their business, not mine."

He took her chin in his hand and smiled.  "You've caused a lot of trouble, haven't you?  Still, it  is your business.  They are part of The Organization, just like us.  A traitor is  everyone's problem."

She brushed his hand away gently and sat down at a long table, the room's only adornment.  "Not like us.  They occupy another position in The Organization entirely."

Kharik sat down next to her.  "Are you really prepared to tell them everything?"

Sym turned her head to stare into his eyes defiantly.  "I kind of have to now, don't I?  I already bared it all to Heero."

"I hope you know what you're doing.  I guess they  could have found out about all of this on their own. . ."

"I suppose I am well-documented.  What time is it?"

"They should be here in a minute.  Nervous?"

She smiled and took his hand.  Looking into his rich brown eyes, she said, "No."

Just then, the door opened and the four young men entered the room, led by Wufei who hobbled along awkwardly.

"Sorry we're late, " Duo grinned, "but Mr. Stubborn here wouldn't let us put him in a wheelchair or anything."  The remark, though made with a smile, held no mirth; it was as hollow as Duo felt.

Sym and Kharik stood.  "That's all right, we haven't been waiting long.  If everyone will sit down, I'll. . .we can get started."

When they had all settled around the table, Sym sat in silence for a moment, seeming to be deep in thought.  Finally, she spoke.

"I suppose you all know that Trowa has been detained."

Duo snorted loudly.  "We'd heard." He said vehemently.

Sym swallowed hard, feeling all the anger in the room directed at her.  "I know how this seems to you.  Please, this will be easier if you let me get this out, and then you can all berate me, interrogate me, or whatever, all that you want."  Silence followed her remark.

"I was born in Listvyanka, a small town near Lake Baykal.  When I was 13, I left home to become a soldier.  It wasn't my choice.  I served in the Alliance Military, after they'd made me what they wanted."  Duo could detect a hint of bitterness in her voice.

"After the war, my base was taken over by The Organization.  I decided to stay and serve the new government; it's all I know."  Sym looked to Kharik next to her and smiled.  "Besides, everyone that I know is here."

Duo cleared his throat and resisted the urge to shout, 'Get on with it!'

"I was 'asked' to join the military because of a special talent that I have.  I guess there's no other way to say this than to spit it out.  I'm psychic."

Quatre nearly fell out of his chair and Duo threw a hand down to the table.  "That's your big secret?  *Lots of people were given those drugs; I personally know two or three."

Kharik didn't want to interrupt, but the boy was confused.  "I don't think you understand.  Sym's not one of the experimental patients from the study you're referring to; she was born this way."

Sym gave the man a grateful look and continued.  "I wish I  had been in that study; I've heard the participants haven't had many side-effects from the drugs.  I haven't been so lucky.  So you can understand, now, how I knew about Trowa."

Duo stood up.  "No!  We  can't understand.  This explains nothing.  So you can sense emotions, feelings, and crap.  And we haven't even established that!"

"What you're referring to is an enhanced form of empathy that has been documented quite extensively in the past few decades.  I am a real live freak.  I can, if I wish, read every thought any of you has ever had in your entire lives.

Duo, sitting back down, turned to his blonde friend.  "You're psychic, do you buy this?"

Quatre blushed deeply, about to respond, but Sym spoke for him.  "He  used to be, as a child, but he was never able to read anyone other than his father and. . .a dog?"  Sym smiled, delightedly.  "He had a link with his puppy, Quatrina.  He named her after a woman he heard his father mention one time."  Sym's eyes grew darker, shadowed, and she asked quietly, "When did you learn the woman was your mother?"

Quatre was still stunned, but managed to get out, "After my father died.  I still don't know why he kept it from me."

Heero was sitting with his elbows on the table, his head resting in his hands.  Wufei and Duo couldn't seem to form coherent speech.

"This is. . .how is this. . .how?" Wufei muttered.

Duo tried to put his own thoughts into words.  "This is how you. . .I can't understand,. . .what happened."

Sym let out a sigh.  "I don't normally go around scanning people without their permission.  I may have exaggerated a bit when I said I could read thoughts 'if I wished'.  Usually, that's true, but the intensity of a thought has a lot to do with it.  Sometimes, something will just sneak up and hit me in the back of the head.  When I was talking with Trowa, all of the sudden, I could see something in his mind. . .it was fragmented and dark, but I could see his memories, memories of communicating with his superiors over radio frequencies; things like that."

Wufei seemed to remember something.  "He had been monitoring a signal that he'd picked up coming from our house.  Could that be what you saw?"

"No, he was talking to them.  He said, 'I have the target.  69. . .2. . .8..34.'"

"This is crazy!"  Duo seemed to have gotten back a few of his senses.

"If you don't believe me, I can demonstrate my abilities."  Sym wasn't thrilled at the idea of performing like a carnival act, but she was accustomed to it by now.

"I'm not doubting your abilities.  I believe you, trust me."  As he spoke, Duo looked over at Quatre, who was still sitting in shocked silence.  "But how do we know you're telling the truth about Trowa?"

Heero raised his head.  "She has no reason to lie."

Duo was getting frustrated.  "She has  every reason to lie if she's working with our enemies."

Sym let out a laugh, startling the group, even Kharik.  "You don't think I'm lying; you're just grasping at anything to keep from having to admit that your friend is. . ."

Wufei struggled to his feet and began limping to the door.  "I've heard enough."  Heero got up to follow him.

Quatre looked over at Duo, sorrow clouding his eyes.  "There's not much more to say, Duo."  The blonde exited the room as well.

Duo stared at the table, and then Sym.  "You've been looking into all of our minds, haven't you?"

She didn't hide the shame on her face.  "Yes; it's my job.  Why do you think they wanted me here in the first place?"

"Then you know Quatre's secret?"

"I'm afraid so.  But don't worry, I  do have a heart, believe it or not.  Besides, I have no reason to reveal it to anyone.  There's something you should know, though."

"What?"

"Your friend is about to break.  He needs help in a bad way."

Duo got up and walked to the door.  "Tell me something I  don't already know."

When they were alone, Kharik and Sym turned to face each other.  "That was harder than I thought it'd be." She sighed.

"You didn't tell them everything."

"I told them what they needed to know."

"I suppose so."  Kharik placed an affectionate kiss of Sym's forehead.  She smiled and leaned over for a long hug.

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