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- Chimera of Life -
Story Three: Remnants of Reality
It seemed as though nature
was in tuned with their feelings, or maybe just his feelings… He looked
out and saw, for the seventh day, how dark the clouds were, how rain splattered
against his windows… how the trees swayed with the wind and nearly touched the
ground…
“Sir…”
Quatre turned around and
schooled a smile on his face. “Yes, Pietro?” His assigned servant, in his early
forties, entered the room. For a man in his prime, he was the epitome of the
suffering mass in Arche- wrinkles, graying hair, and that haunted look in his
eyes.
“Your dinner…” Pietro walked
to the table by the window and placed the tray on it.
“Thank you very much.”
Quatre opened the tray and saw the food, but he didn’t feel hungry, even after
he caught a whiff of the delicious aroma and saw how delectable the food
looked.
Pietro saw the look on his
face and frowned. He liked serving for this guest… He was warm, friendly, and
funny… yet these last few days, Quatre had been gloomy… and so had a certain
other favorite guest of his… “Did you and Ms. Matfei had a fight in your last
trip, sir?” He asked, especially since Quatre had told him to always speak his
mind… At first, it was hard to do, but later on, he learned.
Quatre didn’t hide anything
as he nodded. “Yes, we did…” He tried so very hard to remain calm, but the mere
thought of her brought his feelings akimbo. He could not balance the anger he
felt and his face took on a hard look. “She doesn’t care about anything but
money and power… She and Morley are just right for each other.” This was the
first time in so many years that he didn’t care what he said, and he felt good
about it. Besides, he already programmed those darn cameras to pause anyway, and
Pietro helped him do it.
“Oh… I suppose that is why
she never wore the furs and jewelries Mr. Morley gives her… and I suppose that
is why she had also not been eating her food…”
Quatre’s head snapped to
look at Pietro and he saw the intelligent look in the man’s eyes. “You don’t
know what you’re talking about…”
Pietro shook his head. “I
do, Mr. Winner… You told me to speak my mind to you, and I am speaking. I do
not think that Ms. Matfei is a woman for Mr. Morley. She is too pure for that.”
Quatre grimaced. “You tell
that to her… see if she listens.”
Peitro sighed. “Well, there
is no turning your mind, that I can see… Eat well, Mr. Winner and please try to
talk to Ms. Matfei. I do not like seeing two of my favorite guests in such
unhappy moods.”
Quatre watched as Pietro
left, what with older man’s words still ringing in his ears… So… she hadn’t been eating either… Was she
as unhappy as he? He walked to his bed and lay down on it then brought his
hands behind his head to think. He had not seen her since seven days ago… She
would leave for the theatre early in the morning and come back home late at
night. And him? He was boring himself to death as he sat in his room and read,
or look as if reading while he tried to figure out the damn computer files he’d
finally accessed.
There were only rare moments
in his life when he had felt this kind of confusion… this unexplainable toll
upon his mind that blocks his once clear understanding. Why could he not
understand her? Why could he not understand himself anymore? He could remember
what he had told her, all his actions… he could not believe he had done such
things.
A hand went up to his face
to massage it then he glanced at his wristwatch… A frown appeared on his face-
it’s half past ten already?! But just a while ago it was only six!
Quatre quickly stood up then
walked to his window to glance at the uninviting environment that appealed to
him right at that instant. It seemed as though earth and air were in a battle.
He watched as the storm increased its intensity, forcing the thick stonewalls
of the castle to surrender. The ground seemingly shook as jagged bolts of
lightning hit the ground. Thunder roared its battle cry, making the air around
him shudder.
It was a dangerous storm…
the most dangerous he had ever seen… but he made up his mind. He was still in
his jeans and shirt, so all he needed was his parka, or a raincoat, or one of
his waterproof jackets. He chose the jacket and his deep forest green raincoat.
He took time to place a believable hump on his bed and then walked out of his
room, quickly reprogramming the camera.
The door outside opened and
closed. A growling shadow nipped at his heels but Quatre only gave a withering
glare at the dog. “Shut up, Brule. I’m not in the mood.” The ground he plodded
on was soft and pliant with heaven’s tears and he lifted his face to brazenly
meet nature’s tempest.
The wind howled against his
ears and his cheeks felt whip lashed by its coldness. It was cold. It was
painful… and he accepted it. Closing his jacket and hunching over, he started
to walk around the castle… and then… found himself standing under an unlit
window…
…
He touched her face gently and then slowly went down her neck to the valley of her breasts…
Yvan turned on her bed for
the millionth time that night.
Her hand went over her heart
and rubbed her chest while another hand went under her head, grabbed her hair,
and brought it away from her perspiring neck.
They kissed… he pressed against her and she to him while the strap of her dress fell down from her shoulder…
Yvan woke and instantly sat
up on her bed, breathing deeply… sheets were tangled around her legs and her
was hair matted to her body. Oh… such lust filled thoughts… She never had those
before…
Her hands went to her temple
and massaged it… Why does she keep on having those dreams? Dreams of him… yet,
tonight was the first time she dreamt of them on the verge of… Yvan felt the
heated blush on her cheeks. For the past days, her dreams only consisted of
walking along the ocean shores with him while they held hands… or running
through the forest with him on her trail, happily playing hide and seek…
Innocent, heart-warming images that she instantly tried to forget once she had
woken up… but tonight… it was desire…
A desire she must forget.
Quatre does not know what he will happen if he but gets his name linked to
hers… Could he not see that she was heavily guarded by Morley’s spies? That, if
there was anything suspicious, it would be reported and they would both perish?
She does not want that to happen… Not to him, nor to her…
She sighed. Her room was too
stuffy… too warm. She walked to her window to open it but she quickly stopped.
Lightning had struck that moment she reached her sill and she saw a figure just
below… She moved to her curtains to hide herself while she tried to separate
that figure from the darkness of the night…
There was no mistaking it.
“Quatre…” The whisper left
her lips in a breathless manner. He stood like a valiant sentry, willing to
face any dangers that would come his way. What was he doing below? Why was he
outside?
Foolish… and yet… she could
not help herself as a hand reached out to her window… as though by touching it,
she could reach him, but at that moment, he turned around and walked away. She
let herself move closer to the window then, and had the sudden urge to open it
and shout his name for him to stop… Stop for God knows why she wanted him to!
Instead, she pressed her forehead against the cold glass and just looked at
him.
He walked out of the castle
gates, closed it behind him before Brule could escape, and continued his walk.
“Look out!” She gasped when
she saw a large branch, carried by the strong wind, nearly crash against him
but he quickly avoided it.
The hand on the glass turned
to a loose fist and she quickly bit her lower lip. ‘What are you doing in that
storm, you stupid, stupid man?!’ Reaching a decision, she quickly ran out of
the room with only her thick, practical cotton nightgown to shield her body
against the onslaught of the storm.
…
All he could hear was wind,
thunder, and rain… That was all he needed to hear… It echoed what he could feel
deep in his heart… He had been in Arche for nearly three months… He had only
known her for that long… How was it possible that he had fallen for her so
quickly? And… so blindly…
He closed his eyes and arms
opened wide to his sides as if to embrace nature herself. He accepts it. Quatre
Winner was in love… Damn but it’s such a detestable feeling to know that the
object of your affection doesn’t even want to have anything to do with you… Now
he truly knew how Relena feels and he wished with all his might that Heero
would return to her.
“Quatre! Have you lost all
that is sane in your head?!”
The voice he never expected
to hear rang clear against the elemental noise and he quickly turned around.
Her waist long hair was matted against her creamy complexion, and her sodden
gown was being whipped against her small frame… She was dripping wet and she
didn’t even have slippers on!
Anger coursed through him.
Anger that even in such a deplorable manner, she still looked beautiful to him-
and she was going to get sick. “Look who’s talking! You didn’t even grab a damn
raincoat!”
She went out here because
she was worried about him and what did he do? He yelled at her! It didn’t even
occur to her that she was also yelling at him… that they do need to yell at
each other so they could hear each other. “I’m a native to this land- you are
not. Do you not know how dangerous storms could be?! Get back inside!”
“What do you care?” Why was
he being such a brat?
Lightning blazed through the
dark stormy sky, illuminating each other for a brief period of time… too quick
to be able to see the pain being pushed away by anger. Thunder followed in
pursuit, heading a warning for all who would dare stop his quest, yet the
message was lost to the two souls who fought a battle of their own upon the
soft ground.
Fire blazed in Yvan’s eyes.
“I went out here because I was worried about you and this is what I get?!”
“Why the hell are you
worried about me anyway!” He snapped back. It felt good to be angry, to yell
and shout expletives… to show it. It had been so long since he had let such an
emotion run wild… but he also wants it to stop. Stop because it hurts…
Yvan opened her lips to
answer back but, not knowing the answer, she closed it… Her anger subsided as
confusion raced through her once again… “Because I’m worried about you…”
He saw her lips move, but
she said it in only a whisper and he was not like Heero Yuy who could read
lips… “What?”
Yvan sighed… She must face
this for her own peace of mind… Her father told her to always face her troubles
and solve it before it could destroy her and this was one trouble that, she was
quite sure, could destroy her… “Quatre… we have to talk…”
“I can’t hear you.” He
didn’t move, his stubborn streak out in the open.
Yvan understood… In their
last conversation, she was the one who was stubborn… it was his turn now… So,
she walked to him instead and stopped only a step away. “We have to talk.”
Quatre jerked a nod,
crossing his arms over his chest. “We sure as hell do.”
“You’re not going to make
this easy for me, are you.”
It wasn’t a question, just
an observation, but Quatre answered all the same as he shook his head.
Yvan sighed. “That’s all
right… I understand…” She looked down at her feet and saw her muddy they were…
Ah well… she can not do anything about it now… after she tells him the things
that had been running around her head, muddy feet wouldn’t seem so embarrassing
at all.
He saw her indecision and
suddenly felt foolish… He wasn’t like this at all… He truly was not acting like
himself! He opened his mouth to speak, but she already started.
“I do not know what’s
happening between us… But… there is something that’s going on and… I’ve been
trying to fight it but… I…”
Helpless eyes stared up at
him then looked away while her confusion and pain clouded his heart. He could
feel her inner battle, reflecting so much of his own…
“I can’t… I’m losing. I know
I am.”
He felt his anger slowly
subside, understanding...
“Quatre… I truly don’t know
what’s happening.” She looked up and met eyes as turbulent as the weather
around them. “This is all new to me…”
He saw that she was telling
him the truth, and his rage completely disappear, replaced by hope. “And you
think it isn’t for me?” Quatre asked, his voice low.
Yvan shrugged as she looked
down at the wet grass once again. “I do not know. I do not know you and you do
not know me…”
“Then… how about if…” He
reached out and touched her hands… She didn’t move away and he held on. “How
about if we get to know each other and… figure this out ourselves…?” He was
kidding himself right now… He was kind of lying to her because… he already
figured out exactly what it was… but… it would be better to take this on one
step at a time…
She shook her head though
she would very much like to have said ‘yes’. Could he not see? Yvan pulled her
hands away from his touch and locked them to her sides in balled fists. She met
his eyes and forced them not to waver while she willed for him to realize what
he wants to do. “I am Yvannnyah Matfei. Mistress to our Supreme ruler-”
“You are not.” Quatre
couldn’t help the hard, strict tone of his voice, not letting her finish. How
could she say that of herself? He had been here, had seen how she acted around
Morley, saw those rare moments they touched… all less intimate than the way…
they have done. “You are not, Yvan…” His voice became softer as he stepped
closer to her. For the first time since he entered Arche, since he saw her, his
thoughts were finally clear. The way she held herself right now, the way tears
misted her eyes…
Yvan swallowed hard and
closed her eyes. “Please… don’t look at me like that…” She could not bear it…
He knew what she was doing… he
knew she was trying to force him away. Quatre smiled softly as he finally
closed that distance between them then reached for her ice-cold hands. He felt
her pull away and he knew that she was fighting for both of them… but he was
also fighting for their sake, in a much different way… How long had he waited
for her? How long had he thought that he would spend his nights alone… lonely…
pining for a love he thought he would never find? And now, he finally
discovered her. He will not let her go. His warm hands encompassed her fists
and he leaned down to her ear. “You are not…”
The whisper made her eyes
open and Quatre saw how her lavender eyes swim in tears that slowly spilled and
mingled with the rain. He couldn’t help the gentle touch he gave her face to wipe
her cheek, the he brushed back strands of dark red hair away from her face.
“Quatre… You do not know
what you are getting yourself into.” Her eyes showed panic, now… and a plea to
be understood. “No one is allowed near me without James’ consent… everyone I am
with were screened… Those who came close to try and ask me out disappear for
weeks…” She looked away. Her eyes caught how his hands held her. Gentle but
firm… warmth… “I am constantly watched.”
“I know.” Quatre whispered.
He knew and understood. He would do the same, maybe not so obsessively as
Morley was doing. She was trying so hard to make him see the dangers… so
thoughtful of her.
Yvan looked back at him, her
eyes wide open in surprise. “You know and yet you still ask?”
Quatre nodded, trying not to
show how glad he was the he was finally able to show her how much he feels. “I
still want us to get to know each other.” Slowly, he felt her fists loosen, and
tenderly, he entwined their hands together.
The charging winds changed
direction and slowly became pliant, as though it finally saw the destruction it
had laid upon the earth and was apologizing. The hard rain followed, lessening
its watery attack.
A small smile enveloped her
face as she looked at their locked hands. How wonderful it feels to have him
hold her once again… “Yes… I would like that but-”
“I would like that, too…”
Quatre whispered, stopping her once again. “That is all we need to know at this
moment.”
She felt his hand under her
chin and willingly, she looked to his face and saw his wonderful smile… that
wonderful smile she had missed all these days and she was the one who tiptoed
up, encircled her hands around his neck, and pulled him down so quickly that
they nearly stumbled down onto the muddy ground, but instead, his hands went around
her body and hugged her against him while his lips accepted her gift.
He allowed his lips to part
at her gentle nudging, delighted and excited that it was she who finally kissed
him. At the moment her moist, warm tongue shyly slipped into his mouth to
stroke his, a shock went through him, and he knew she felt it as well. It
wasn’t desire nor lust but something just as powerful and, at the same time,
soft.
His hands moved up over her
back. His fingertips dancing along her nape, cherishing each touch of her skin,
then burying them in her wet hair. She felt him shudder, echoing her own
feelings, and then leisurely, they let go of each other and grinned.
“You are drenched,
Yvan.” Quatre whispered, feeling weak
from the intensity of that soft kiss and leaning to touch his brow with hers.
“It doesn’t matter. I’m used
to this… I’m not from the deserts after all...” Her hands played upon his soft
locks, lightly grazing the back of his neck and smiling when she heard his
chuckle.
“At least you got that
information right about me.” He pulled a strand of hair away from her face and
then kissed her forehead. “But, even so… the gentleman in me is telling me to
give you my raincoat.”
“That is up to you…” She
missed his closeness the moment he let her go, but she willed her body to just
watch as he took off his huge raincoat and then helped her put it on. Then he stepped back and looked at her.
She looked like the very
image of the Princess in the Princess and the Pea… the last fairytale he read
to Kershja and that made him laugh.
Yvan frowned, but, the
cheerfulness, the utter free happiness she could hear and feel from his
wonderful laughter only made her laugh along with him. “You should laugh more
often. It’s nice.”
“Your laugh is nice, too…
But Morley’s presence doesn’t exactly promote laughter…”
“I know…” She grimaced and
Quatre laughed some more while he wrapped his arms around her once again.
“We must look really silly
right now…” Quatre whispered against his raincoat, just where her ears should
be and she embraced him harder.
The warmth she could feel
from his raincoat, his smell and just holding him was making her giddy. “I do
not care.” She leaned against him, wondering how this had happened… Was it not
just a little while ago that she worried about Quatre’s safety… Oh! “Quatre…”
The thought made her pull away from him and Quatre saw the worried look on her
face.
“What? What is it? What’s
wrong?”
“I must know if you
understand that we…” She took in a deep breath. She wants to make sure that
this was understood. “Quatre… We must keep this to ourselves… We must be
careful… We shouldn’t let James know what we’re doing…” If he does… everything
will be ruined.
Quatre bit his lower lip… Of
course. They must hide this wonderful thing. He was never one to hide, until
now… and Yvan knew Morley. There’s no knowing what could happen once Morley
found out about them… Besides, it could prove fatal to his mission… “All right…
we’ll be very careful…”
“Thank you… I knew you’d
understand…” Yvan went back to her previous position, placing her cheek against
his chest.
Quatre grimaced. She didn’t
understand that he has his own purpose for agreeing with her… but… why should
he create problems when things were finally looking up?
…
It rained one more day since
that fateful night, and while inside the castle, they could only look at each
other, stay a step away from each other, and crave for each other. It would not
do to risk anyone see their hands entwined and it took an effort, but both were
only happy that they were together… making idle conversation… touching each
other with their eyes.
Afterwards, it seemed as though the sky had never wept while the
sun gloriously warmed the wet land and lured flowers out of their buds, birds
into the sky, and couples out into the open. The very moment the sun came out,
Quatre invited Yvan to go horseback riding and they’d been outside every day
since then.
Her dreams somewhat became a
reality as they walked along the ocean sands together, hand in hand… As they
played hide and seek through the forest… As they picnicked upon the green, wild
flower covered meadow, the way they were doing so now…
“Got you!”
His hands went around her
small waist as she ran, and they both ended on the grassy meadow with lips
meshed, embracing one another in wonderful ecstasy.
He shifted his weight, not
wanting to crush her to the ground, and lay on his side instead. He anchored
his head with one hand, stared at her the way that makes her shiver, and then
lazily grabbed a wild flower with another. “Do you know that you look beautiful
against these flowers? You almost look like a picture…”
Yvan blushed, as Quatre knew
she would. How could he have once called her a cold, calculating woman when
well in fact she was the most caring and wonderful person he knew? He’d seen her
give charity to children… They even visited some of the slums in Arche because
she said she didn’t want to disillusion him about her country… There were more
poor people than rich… and it seemed as if they all knew her. They actually
spent a whole day helping the underprivileged clean and launder, and brought
them food with both his and Yvan’s money… It was a rewarding day- and the way
she looked right now, she’s just tempting him to kiss her, and that was exactly
what he did.
Yvan placed a stopping hand
on his chest before he could touch her and he frowned. Two could play with this
flirting game… “Do you know that the color of your eyes rivals that of the
sky?”
The frown disappeared in an
affectionate grin as Quatre pressed his lips to her hair, just above her
temple… It was supposed to be an innocent kiss. They have silently agreed to
keep everything simple though he fought something inside him every time they
kissed, and knew that she fought one herself. But the way her body was pressed
against his with the feel of every luscious curve… he couldn’t help as he
lowered his lips to her cheekbone… down to the corner of her mouth.
He felt her sigh against his
skin before her light kiss touched his jaw, felt her lips open in invitation
and he moved. Tenderly, he slanted his firm lips upon her soft ones. It still
surprised him that he knew what to do when… he only kissed a handful of women,
and most of them were chaste kisses. His lips worked on hers, suckling her
upper lip then relishing her lower one, licking them with quick tiny flicks of
his tongue, then followed by slow, languorous laps that traced her lips.
She found her hands linking
behind his head, pulling him closer to stop the way he was making her insides
crazy, but everything only intensified as her mouth opened wide for him.
“We… we should stop… The
food is… getting… cold…” Yvan whispered as their lips tilted this way and that,
wanting to learn more of each other’s secrets. “Quatre… if we’re not careful…”
She didn’t want to stop, feeling boneless… but she must remember that he will
return to his own country soon, and she will stay here… “One of us will get
hurt…” She couldn’t add that it would most likely be her.
Quatre stopped kissing her
to look at her and give her a promise with his steady, gentle eyes. “Yvan… I
will never intentionally hurt you… I don’t think I could ever do that…”
She swallowed, believing him
yet at the same time… questioning if that was possible. “Neither could I… but
James-”
Quatre stopped her words
with a finger on her lips. “We promised not to talk about him, remember?
Besides, we made sure that no one knows where we are…”
Yvan smiled. “Yes… Yes we
did…” They purposely went in zigzags and made sure they left no trail. It was
getting harder and harder every day to elude them, those irritating spies, and
Morley’s monthly visits for a day or two still scare her, but both she and
Quatre try their best not to show anything every time the man was around.
Slowly, he eased away from
her though every fiber in his body screamed in protest. “Good.” He reached out
a hand for her, and she took it. In less than a second, they were both sitting
on the grass. Then… Quatre remembered something… “Yvan, just this once though…
I was wondering…”
“What is it?” She leaned
forward to brush away grass blades that clung on his hair, but when he closed
his eyes and leaned against her touch, she didn’t let go. Her hand traveled
from his golden hair, loving its silky texture, to his face, to the side of his
neck, and finally settling upon his shoulders.
He almost forgot what he was
going to ask. “Lawrence, James’s younger brother…” He saw that he didn’t have
to expound with the way Yvan’s eyes showed recollection. “Where is he now?”
“He is suffering in self
pity at the House of Dujes. I do not exactly know what happened, but from what
I’ve overheard, someone made a fool of him in front of a lot of people.”
Quatre’s lips happily tilted
up as he remembered his friends. “Yes.
Someone did.”
“Well, he’s as bad as Morley
so I’m glad someone trimmed his feathers!”
The detestation he could
hear from Yvan’s voice made him laugh. Well, from what he gathered from Hilde
and Duo at Hartwater, he could imagine why she would feel indifferent to the
younger Morley… “How about I introduce you to the person who humiliated Lawrence,
sometime.”
The twinkle in her eyes
shone brighter than ever. Though she knew that there would be no possible way
she could leave the country while Morley ruled, it was nice that he was
thinking of a future together. “Would you?” Her hands went down to the collar
of his shirt and lightly touched the skin exposed to her eyes. “I would really
love to shake hands with that person.”
Quatre’s eyes darkened. “And
I would really love to…” He didn’t finish his sentence as he caught her lips.
They kissed once again, going to a world only they, and other people in love,
could understand.
“I think I have to warn
you…” Yvan whispered against his lips.
“With what?”
Her father had always told
her to be upfront… and her father had never been wrong except for once, and it
probably cost him his life… Should she gamble her own too? She threw caution to
the wind and she spoke her mind and heart. “I think… I’m falling in love with
you.”
Quatre stilled then pulled
himself away from her.
Yvan opened her eyes, ready
to meet angry eyes, but instead, she saw wonderfully pleased eyes.
His finger traced the frame
of her face. He was bursting with joy inside! And he couldn’t’ help but smile.
“Guess what…”
“What?” Yvan whispered as
she felt a fluttering deep in her stomach with the way he was touching her.
“I think I am too…”
Elation like no other filled
her, but she forced her face to show playful worry. “This is bad…”
“Yes… we are in such a deep
rut…” Quatre answered, his face schooled solemnly but his eyes twinkling with
delight. His finger finally reached her mouth and started to slowly trace her
luscious lower lip.
Yvan trembled. “Kiss me
again…” Her hands went to his face and pulled him down on her.
“Willingly.” Her hands raked
through his hair while his hands touched hers and the two enjoyed the feel of
one another once again, teetering between loosing control and being in control.
They were so deep in their
own world that they didn’t notice a flash in the distant trees… a camera
snapping away pictures after pictures of them…
…
Quatre woke up, barely
breathing. He was burning hot one moment, and now a deathly chill went through
his body….
He quickly shook his head
and tried to take away that dreadful feeling while he forced himself to
remember his dream.
The haunting echo of a flute
slowly enveloped his mind…
‘Trowa…?’ Quatre’s eyes
widened and his heart nearly stopped. He clutched his chest, trying to breathe.
No… he was just
overreacting… It was all a dream… just a dream… He dropped back on his bed and
forced himself to sleep… but he couldn’t.
‘What’s happening back
home?’ He’d been gone for so long… Nearing half a year…
“Trowa… please be safe, my
friend…” He willed with all his heart. “Please…” He doesn’t want to leave yet…
because of Yvan… because he hadn’t found anything about Une’s cousin… because
he hadn’t found anything relevant to nuclear weaponry…
Guilt made him shiver and
without another word, he pushed back his blankets then walked to the abundantly
filled bookshelf at the far right corner of his room. He knew he would not be
able to sleep again and decided to continue his search. With trained eyes, his
hand reached for a thick, hardbound book. It was not as heavy as it looked…
then again, looks can be deceiving.
Quatre settled back on the
bed, opened the twelve-inch long book, and saw his palm-sized computer. The
x-rays wasn’t able to detected it… after all, they were just parts inside his
briefcase. It took a few days to re-build it, but it was worth it. He hallowed
the book himself, knowing that he must hide it away from his personal
belongings, just in case someone looks through his things while he was away.
He had gone through a lot of
files these past few months- some were inconsequential, while others were
quite… interesting. He found that Arche had five satellite frequency
disruptors, strategically placed around the country. No wonder the Preventers
needed an insider to do the job…
He wanted to shut those
disruptors down, but he noticed that instead of having a linked system, they
stood on their own… Quite smart of Morley to do that. It would hinder complete
shut down, and it would also be able to track whoever was trying to sabotage it
by use of a computer- and he was using such a device. He couldn’t risk it.
Another question that
surfaced was- how was Une’s cousin able to sneak inside Arche if the country
had their beaches lined with soldiers? He must have been really good.
Then, a few weeks ago, he
found that Morley was hording money… Lots of them… It was a good clue to volley
the idea that the Supreme Ruler must be using it to create the weaponries… but
after more search, he saw that Morley was sending it out of the country, and
he’s just about close to cracking what and where…
A small blue light reflected
upon Quatre’s face as he turned the computer on. He could feel a surveillance
camera turn to his direction but he was quite sure that the cameras would only
pick an image of a reading guest.
Wherever Morley was, he’s
just hoping he would stay there longer… Whatever he’s doing sure was keeping
him busy… an advantage for him, although Morley’s frequent phone calls does
make him feel queasy.
Yet… what of his friends?
And why does he feel such a deep sense of loss at the thought of his best
friend?
...
Sweat poured down his body
as he gasped. He could feel pain on his lower right chest, just where he dreamt
Relena was shot! He couldn’t even breathe… his lungs… and just yesterday…
Trowa…
“Quatre? What’s wrong?” Yvan
quickly went to his side as he tried to gasp in air. He was doubled over his
knees as though in deep pain. Earlier, Quatre had looked as if he did not get
any sleep… She was worried- he even fell asleep after he ate breakfast today-
ate very scarcely… She wanted to cancel their picnic today, but he was quite
adamant to go outside the castle.
Quatre shook his head as he
tried to get back his bearings. He never had such images so clear before. Were
his dreams truly happening? Premonitions? Or were they just… dreams? “Nothing,
Yvan… nothing… Just a bad dream…” He tried to look at the beauty of nature that
surrounded them, but when he didn’t see even a small breeze to pick the dead
leaves on the ground… he could only feel… dread.
Yvan sighed. She would
rather hear what was bothering him but… well… sometimes nightmares were so bad
you never want to hear yourself say it… “Here… let me help…” She positioned
herself behind him, placed her hands on his shoulders then pulled his body
gently against hers while she leaned against the base of the tree. She guided
his head to rest between her breasts then with two fingers on either side of
his head, started to massage his temples the way she learned to after her
mother started having migraines.
Quatre’s tired body slowly
relaxed, letting Yvan’s hand be his guide. From somewhere, a bird sang and he
focused on nature’s song around him for his lullaby… Slowly, he went back to
sleep with a smile on his face. When she was sure he was fine, she wrapped her
arms around him and kissed him on his hair. “Don’t worry… I’m here…” She
whispered and then placed her cheek on his hair. Why was she so protective of
him? Why was it that when they’re together, everything seemed so… right?
A flood of emotion coursed
through her and she openly accepted them under that bright sunlight, with all
the glory of nature around them… She had failed herself, but it was a failure
she’ll learn to live with… It’s all
right now… everything will be over soon… And with that one problem soon to be
eliminated, she could finally… finally live without fear.
“Quatre… I love you so
much…” The moment she whispered those words, she knew that they were the
truth…. The truth she had been running away from all these days… all these
weeks… all these months… And in her heart and mind, she wished with all her
might, that he would feel the same way…
“I have to go away, but I
will be back soon, Quatre… very soon…” They only have this morning… just this
small time, then they must go back to the house so she could leave this
afternoon.
…
An earsplitting clang echoed
inside the small castle as metal hit the floor.
“The snake…” James tried to
calm himself as he stared at the mess he made. Furiously, he slammed the
pictures on his table. All these months he’d been on the edge. He could never
find a trace of those rebels who had sneaked in! Once, or twice, they did… but
the trail soon turned cold… It wasn’t right… Something was going to happen and
he didn’t like it… Then this!
“He will pay… That low born
ass.” He looked out at the night sky then called in his aide while his
messenger cowered on one side. “We’re leaving tomorrow!!!”
…
Quatre walked her to the car
and handed her luggage to the driver. “You really have to go?”
“Yes… My mother is really
sick…” Yvan looked away. She didn’t want to lie to him… but she must… “I don’t
want to… but I have to…”
“I understand. Take care of
your mother, and relish everyday with her.”
His words nearly made her
cringe, and she remembered how he talked of his parents and heard the ache in
his words. “Some day, you’ll meet my
mother and I’m sure she wouldn’t mind having you as an addition to the family.”
She said it to comfort him, not even noticing the meaning behind her words
until she finished.
Quatre grinned and Yvan saw
the message behind it. “I hope she won’t.”
She laughed. Oh, it’s
wonderful to be with him…
“Just come back to me soon.”
Quatre whispered as he took her hands in his, after he made sure that no one
would be able to see. It’s so hard to let her go even with the knowledge that
she’s coming back and he stared at her and memorized her image as if she would
never again return… as if she was just a dream.
“A week… I’ll be back in a
week… at least, I hope…” She whispered while she smiled tremulously.
“I’ll be waiting.” Quatre
answered and then he chanced it. He brought her hand up and kissed it. She
looked so wonderful today, with a ruffly skirt and an off the shoulder shirt,
exposing her perfect, creamy skin. He couldn’t believe how hard it was to
control himself around her.
Yvan bit her lower lip and
didn’t even look around, not caring if anyone had seen them. “I’ll miss you…”
Sadly, she took her hand away from him and entered the car even before he could
tell her that he would miss her, too. It started the moment she was seated and
she instantly turned to look at Quatre until he was out of sight…. Then she
finally sat down properly… Why is her heart so sad?
Slowly, she fingered
something hard within her pocket… She didn’t feel as happy as she had when she
first got her hands on it… Now, all she wanted was to be back in Quatre’s arms…
Soon… all of that soon…
Hopefully.
…
With the camera paused,
Quatre typed on his small computer, his attention entirely focused on his work.
He felt invigorated… he would like to finish this soon. That way, when Yvan
comes back, maybe they wouldn’t have to hide… Was it just his wishful thinking
or had he seen the look he had been hoping for in her eyes? When she comes
back, he’ll ask her…
Quatre frowned. He was just
redirected to another file… something he’d never seen before… A logo appeared
on his miniature screen… a logo not that of Arche.
‘What is this symbol?’ He
must be in the wrong file… but this was very interesting, not to mention that
the words nuclear bombs were mentioned.
‘I must send this to Une
right now…’ Be creative, she said… Nothing more creative than a little
undetectable transmitter Rashid had asked his tech research group to create…
Maybe he should give the prototype to the Preventers later on… The best way was
to use Morley’s own transmitters just by hacking through a few codes. They
wouldn’t be able to track him down...
Sent… ‘Finally!’
His eyes snapped to the door
when he heard a shout. Something crashed and Quatre instinctively closed his
computer, brought it to the bookshelf, and then took another book. He reached
his bed, lay down on it and opened the book just as guards came in.
‘Guards?’ The frown on his
face was clear as he stared at the men over the rim of his hardback.
“Quatre Winner, you are
hereby arrested by the order of James Morley.”
Quatre’s eyes widened in
surprise. “What?”
Pietro’s slim body pushed
through the guards. “No! He hasn’t done anything! You can’t take him away! You
can’t kill him!”
Quatre glanced at Pietro,
frantically shouting. He could sense such fear…!
A guard ruthlessly swung his
gun to the hysterical man and Quatre heard bones crack… saw how Pietro’s head
snapped back and blood flew from shocked mouth and splattered against the white
lapels of the aggressive guard… then his limp body fell down…
Quatre’s eyes turned to
slits, his anger kindled to a raging fire. “You didn’t have to do that!” In
lightning speed, he was out of his bed and the guard fell down. It was a bad
move and he knew it… even so, Pietro was his friend…
The next thing he knew, he was surrounded. A punch landed on his cheek, another on his stomach… Quatre gasped in pain and tried to fight back… but a numbing blow on the base of his neck made his surroundings swirl…