Hope From the Past - Part 7 by
Keara
Standard disclaimers apply
Trowa yawned as he stepped into General Treize’s
office. He hadn’t slept well, once again falling asleep at Quatre’s
bedside. It left him sore and tired, but he still would rather sleep
beside Quatre than in his own bed. At least there he was sure that
Quatre was well. He hadn’t wanted to disturb Catherine and that
was the only reason that she hadn’t been there last night. She
did need to sleep as well.
Catherine was with Quatre right now, and Meiran with Duo. Heero and
Trowa had both been told to go to Treize’s office, and neither
had wanted to leave the two young men alone. Trowa wondered just what
Treize wanted to see them about.
“Please, have a seat, Mr. Barton.” Treize said, gesturing
to the only remaining chair. Heero and Wufei occupied the other two.
Trowa nodded, sitting as he turned his attention to his commanding
officer. He noticed immediately that Sally stood beside Treize’s
side, Noin nearby. He once again wondered what they were all doing
here, why he and the others had been called in here.
“Sally has gotten the results of the tests done on those two
young men.” Treize said, answering Trowa’s unasked questions.
He nodded to Sally.
Sally flipped open a file. “Like I explained to you before,
there has been extensive damage to their bodies. However, there is
a good chance that they will make full recoveries. Also, I have the
results of the blood test . . . that is Quatre Raberba Winner.”
Trowa nodded and sighed. He was happy that he finally knew for sure
that it was Quatre . . . However, he felt sorry for the young blonde.
He had been held prisoner for the last few centuries, his body used
and abused many times over.
“What do we do now, sir?” Wufei asked.
“Mr. Winner’s family should be informed of this news.”
Treize replied.
Trowa’s eyes widened. “You can’t mean to go to
them. They’re rebels even amongst the resistance movement. They
follow their own rules and answer to no one.”
Treize nodded. “Yes, I know all of this. However, perhaps Mr.
Winner being alive and well, and rescued by a team of my men, will
get them to agree to an alliance. We do need all the help we can get
if we are to rid ourselves of the Taltheans.”
“Yes sir.” Trowa replied, although he still didn’t
like the idea. The Nomads weren’t really the most trustworthy
of people in Trowa’s opinion. They just did what they wanted
and didn’t ally themselves with any other resistance movement
. . . that made them nothing but trouble in Trowa’s mind.
“This is why I called you here. I am planning on meeting Mr.
Winner’s family . . . I have arranged a meeting with the Nomads.
And I will need you three, Noin, and Sally to come along with me.”
Treize said.
“But, sir . . .” Heero said, not finishing his thought.
Treize held up his hand stopping Heero’s sentence. “I
know that you and Trowa have a reluctance to leave Mr. Winner and
Mr. Maxwell. But I think it would be wise to have the people most
involved with their rescue to be present. And since theNomads aren't
the friendliest group of rebels around, I would rather have someone
I know I can trust with me, in case a fight breaks out.”
Trowa sighed, seeing the intelligence in that decision. “When
do we leave, sir?” Trowa asked.
“Within the hour. Get into your gear, say your goodbyes and
meet Noin, Sally, and I in the garage.” Treize replied.
Trowa and the others stood. “Yes, sir.” The three of
them said, then left the General’s office.
Trowa frowned as the three of them headed for the infirmary. He was
worried about how Quatre would react to Trowa’s upcoming mission.
What if he grew frantic at the thought of Trowa leaving?
He silently walked into the room. Catherine turned from her place
by Quatre’s side, then got up and walked over to Trowa when
she saw him. “Is something wrong?” She asked, gently grasping
his arm with one hand.
Trowa sighed, turning his gaze to stare at the floor. “I have
a mission.” He whispered, not wanting Quatre to hear about it
this way. He wanted to actually tell Quatre about having to leave,
not have him overhear when Trowa was speaking with his sister.
Catherine nodded. “I’ll give you two a little privacy
then.” She said, stepping aside to let Trowa pass.
Trowa appreciated her kindness, glad that she was so understanding.
He stepped over to Quatre’s bed, offering a kind smile when
he saw that he was awake once again. He sat in the chair beside Quatre’s
bed, and gently took hold of his pale, trembling hand. “Quatre
. . . there’s something I have to tell you.” Trowa said,
speaking quietly.
“W-what is it?” Quatre asked, his eyes filling with fear.
Trowa was silent for a few moments, taking the time to lightly caress
Quatre’s face, trying to calm him somewhat with a gentle touch.
“I’m going on a mission.” Trowa whispered, frowning
as he saw tears begin to fall from those lovely aquamarine eyes. “Don’t
cry.” Trowa hushed, stroking his fingers along that pale face.
“You won’t be left alone. Catherine will be here to keep
you company . . . and I shouldn’t be gone too long.”
Quatre sniffled and nodded, tears continuing to course along his
face. “Is it dangerous?” He asked, his voice catching
in his throat.
“No, it shouldn’t be. We’re just going to meet
with another faction of the resistance.” Trowa replied, leaving
out anything of vital importance . . . he was still unsure of where
Quatre’s loyalties lay, not to mention not knowing if the Taltheans
had left any type of listening devices on or in the young man.
Quatre raised his other hand, lightly touching his fingers to Trowa’s
cheek before his arm fell limply to the bed again. “Be careful.”
He said quietly.
Trowa smiled. “I will.” He replied. “I’ll
see you soon.”
Quatre nodded. Trowa let his hand caress Quatre’s cheek one
last time, before he stood and backed away. Quatre’s hand tightened
on his briefly, then let go, slipping from Trowa’s as Trowa
continued to back away. Trowa turned and walked to the door, stopping
short when Catherine blocked his passage.
“You better not be gone long.” Catherine warned.
Trowa nodded and gave her a small smile. “Take care of him.”
He said.
Catherine shook her head. “Of course I will.”
*****
Heero watched for a moment as Trowa stepped over to Quatre’s
bedside, then turned his attention to Duo. Meiran had gotten up and
walked away, just as Heero had approached, so he was left alone with
the lovely young man. Heero turned, smirking as he saw Wufei and Meiran
in the midst of a conversation . . . probably arguing about something,
as usual.
He brought his attention back to Duo, noticing that the young man’s
hyacinth eyes were just barely open. Heero reached, out and took the
oxygen mask away from his pale face, pleased to see a weak smile curling
Duo’s lips. “Feeling any better?” Heero asked.
“Not really.” Duo replied. He reached out and took hold
of Heero’s hand. “Something on your mind?” He asked.
“What do you mean?” Heero replied, feeling confused.
Duo smiled slightly. “You came here for a reason, right? I
guess you just look like you have something to say.”
Heero nodded, glad to hear Duo talking so much. At least he was breathing
easier, which in turn allowed him to talk more than just a few simple
words as he had been doing up until now. “Yes, I just wanted
to let you know that I will be away on a mission for a short time.”
Heero said, keeping his gaze locked on Duo’s lovely eyes.
“A mission?” Duo asked, then began coughing. Heero quickly
replaced the oxygen mask, seeing that Duo still had a need for it.
After the fit of hacks passed, Heero once again removed the mask and
allowed Duo to speak. “A mission? Will you be gone long?”
He asked, his voice quiet and sounding weak.
“I’m not sure.” Heero replied, honestly. “A
few days at least.”
“Dangerous?” Duo asked, tightening his grip on Heero’s
hand for a few moments.
“I don’t think it will be. It is just a simple meeting,
nothing too dangerous.” Heero replied.
Duo smiled and took in a labored breath, letting it out slowly. “I
guess I’ll see you later then.” He smirked, lifting his
other hand to weakly brush across Heero’s face.
“Yes.” Heero said. “I hope to find you feeling
better when I return.”
Duo smiled. “I'll try my best.” He replied.
Heero nodded. “That is all I can ask.” He once again
placed the oxygen mask over Duo’s face, then stood and backed
away, reluctantly releasing his hold on the young man’s hand.
Then he turned and walked away, passing by Wufei and Meiran as he
walked. He didn’t listen in, knowing that their conversation
was probably a private one.
*****
Wufei frowned as Meiran dragged him aside. “What is it you want?”
He asked, glaring slightly. He had only come here to wait for Trowa
and Heero, and to check on the welfare of those two young men . .
. although he would never admit to his curiosity.
Meiran visibly flinched at Wufei’s harsh tone, jumping back
as her body trembled for a few brief moments. She reached up and pulled
the chain of her necklace up and over her head. Then she held it out
to Wufei, the oval locket that danged from the chain spinning as she
waited. When Wufei didn’t take it, Meiran grabbed one of his
hands and pushed it into his palm.
“What are you doing?” Wufei asked, his voice much more
quiet this time. He was confused. Why would Meiran give him such a
treasured possession? He held the chain in his hand, clutching it
tightly.
Meiran smiled and took her hands away from his. “I expect to
retrieve this from your own hands upon your return.”
Wufei blinked, gasping as the implications of her statement and actions
sunk into his mind. “Do you realize what this means?”
Wufei asked, wondering if she knew this made it look like she was
considering being more than just friends with him.
Meiran took a breath, then smiled. “I am giving you a talisman.”
She said.
Wufei nodded, tightening his hold on the chain, feeling as the links
dug into his skin. “You are loaning me something precious to
you. Are you sure of what you ask?” He wanted to be sure she
knew what she was doing . . . that she had no doubts.
She only continued to smile. “Yes. I want you to return this
to me when you return. We will talk over tea then.”
Wufei’s eyes widened at the mention of tea. It was expensive
and difficult to come by, almost impossible. He wondered where she
could possibly have gotten tea herself, but let the questions pass,
not wanting to tarnish this moment with irrelevant questions. He bowed
to her, looping the chain over his head and around his neck. “It
will be an honor.” He said, feeling a smirk tugging at his lips.
When he rose again, he picked up the locket from his chest where
it lay. Carefully, he opened it, looking at the images of unknown
strangers. It was Meiran’s voice that told him who they were.
“My mother and father.” Meiran said. “The Taltheans
killed them when they took me . . .” She stopped and Wufei looked
up at her in concern, only to see her shaking her head, a tear falling
from her eye.
Wufei gripped her shoulder. “Are you okay?” He asked,
looking at her worriedly.
Meiran nodded. “I will be fine.” She said, raising her
eyes to meet his. “All that time with the Taltheans I thought
my parents were watching over me and keeping me from dying . . . it
was all I could believe in. Perhaps now they will watch over you.”
Wufei nodded, not really knowing how to reply. He closed the locket,
then tucked it down under his shirt, the cold metal making him shiver
involuntarily as it touched his bare skin. “I will return soon.
For now, just take care of our guests.” Wufei said, hesitantly
reaching out and brushing a stray strand of ebony hair away from Meiran’s
face, tucking it behind one ear.
Meiran smiled once again, “I will eagerly await your return.”
She said.
Wufei nodded, then turned and left the room, knowing he had to change
his garments before he could go on a mission. He would do his best
to make sure this mission went smoothly, only wanting to return to
Meiran. They had a date for tea and he would be damned if he was going
to miss it.
*******
TBC
*******
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