Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ A Small Piece of Heaven ❯ Part 11 ( Chapter 11 )

A Small Piece of Heaven - Part 11

When the limousine pulled into the driveway Treize noticed that the lights were burning in the house.

So he is at home after all, he thought, not without a certain feeling of relief. He better has a good explanation for his tardiness.

"Milliardo," the duke barked, as he walked through the door. He didn't receive an answer, but he could hear the sound of running water coming from the master bathroom. He walked upstairs and knocked at the bathroom door. "Milliardo!"

Again, he didn't get a reply, and the water just kept on running. The duke frowned, as he knocked once more; louder and more forceful this time. He reached for the doorknob, the door wasn't locked.

Treize froze as soon he stepped into the bathroom and found Milliardo slumped between the sink and the bathtub. His head had dropped, so that his chin was resting against his chest, and his long hair spilled over his face like a silvery veil. The young man's left hand rested in his lap, next to an open pill bottle that seemed to have slipped from his fingers.

The duke's eyes went wide. "Milliardo," he exclaimed as he dropped to his knees next to the limp figure. Treize was relieved to see that the young man was breathing. He took the blond by his shoulder and shook him. "Wake up!"

Milliardo moaned in protest.

Treize slapped his face. "Stay with me," he barked. "Don't fall asleep."
The young man lifted his head slightly and tried to open his eyes.
"Milliardo, look at me," the duke demanded.

Milliardo had obvious trouble focusing, but he was lucid enough to obey his master's commands. "I'm …sorry," he slurred.

Treize gave a sigh of relief. That Milliardo was at least somewhat responsive had to be a good sign.

"It's alright, Angel," he whispered softly, and brushed a few strands of hair from the young man's face. "It's alright. Just stay with me."

"So…tired," Milliardo protested weakly. "w'na sleep."

"No!" the duke shook his shoulder's again. "Don't go to sleep. Do you hear me?" He continued to nudge to young man to keep him awake, while he pulled out his phone and dialed 114. A few moments later he had a dispatcher from the emergency center on the line. Treize was still talking to the woman when Milliardo suddenly made a distressed sound. He raised one trembling hand to cover his mouth. The duke grabbed the trashcan and held it up for the young man just in time.

Milliardo vomited violently. It didn't look like he had much in his stomach. He retched up mostly water and pills that looked almost undigested. When the heaving stopped, the blond collapsed against the older man. The ex-colonel set the trashcan aside and pulled a towel of the rack to wipe Milliardo's mouth.

"Sir?" the dispatcher babbled into Treize's ear. "Sir, are you still there?"

"I'm here." The duke tilted his head to the side and wedged the phone between his chin and his shoulder to keep his hands free.

"The ambulance is on the way, Sir. Please stay on the line until they arrive."

The ex-colonel stroked Milliardo's hair and continued to talk to him.

"I'm…sorry," the young man whispered.

After what seemed like the longest twelve minutes of his life Treize finally heard the sound of sirens getting closer.

*****

The duke looked up from the book he was reading when Milliardo stirred. He had been watching over the young man for most of the night, although the doctor had assured him that the blond wasn't going to wake up for hours.

Milliardo's eyes fluttered, then opened slowly. He looked disoriented and somewhat confused.
Treize waited patiently, until the young man turned his head and focused on him, before he spoke. "Good morning, Milliardo. How are you feeling?"
The blond had to clear his throat before he could speak. "Where am I?" His voice was weak and a little hoarse.

"At the hospital. Do you remember what happened?" the duke asked softly.

Milliardo's brows furrowed, as he tried to remember, then he closed his eyes and gave a pained groan. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"It's alright," Treize assured him. The older man reached out and brushed his fingers tenderly over the blond's cheek. "Do you want to talk about it?"

The young slave turned his head away. "I'm sorry," he repeated.

The duke sighed inwardly. "You need to talk, Milliardo," he said, "if not to me than to somebody else. Would you prefer that?"

"No," Milliardo replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Treize moved from his chair to the edge of the bed. He pulled the young man into his lap and enveloped him with strong but gentle arms. Milliardo tensed but didn't resist.

"You have marks and bruises all over your body. I know those weren't there yesterday. Who did this to you?"
Milliardo's mouth turned into a thin line, but after a moment he finally replied. "Phillips."

Phillips! The duke remembered the man. He had met him at the S.A.U. office. It was hard to forget what he had done to Milliardo back then. Treize felt his stomach twist painfully. He lifted the blond's chin gently, making the younger man look at him.
"What…what did he do to you?" he asked quietly, afraid that he knew the answer already, yet somehow hoping that he was wrong.

***

Milliardo couldn't stop himself from trembling. He still felt weak. He was torn between wanting to pull away from his master and longing to melt into the tender embrace. Part of him wished that he had never woken up, while another part marveled about the fact that Treize cared enough about him to go through all the trouble of saving him. Of course that might change rather quickly once the duke found out what had happened. If Milliardo had learned anything in these past eleven month, it was that his master was nothing if not possessive.

But not telling him the truth now wasn't going to change anything. So, why delay the unavoidable? He thought with a hint of bitterness.

Milliardo avoided looking directly at his master as he told him what had happened. Instead he watched the man from the corner of his eyes. The duke didn't interrupt him once, but Milliardo noticed that Treize clenched his fists while he was listening.

He is angry, the blond thought. I can't really blame him. I didn't even put up much of a fight. I could have…

"I'm sorry, Angel."

The young slave blinked in surprise and looked up. He had expected to see rage in his master's eyes, disgust perhaps, but not concern and compassion.

"I'm sorry," Treize repeated, as he stroked Milliardo's back comfortingly. "I promised I would never let anybody hurt you again. I should have been there."

Milliardo opened his mouth, but closed it again. He was simply too stunned to speak. It surprised him even more that his master's hands trembled slightly when Treize touched his face.

"You scared me, Milliardo. I thought that I might lose you." The duke gently raised the younger man's chin, until their eyes met. "Did you really think that there was no other way than to take your own life?"

"It seemed better than being sold again," Milliardo whispered.

There was a sudden flash of pain and disappointment in the ex-colonel's eyes. He let go of the blond's chin.

"You thought that I would sell you; punish you for something you had no control over? I'd have thought you knew me better than that."

"I'm sorry." The young slave buried his face against the duke's chest. A pair of strong arms encircled him and pulled him closer. Milliardo welcomed the closeness, and the warmth of his master's body. After a while he asked quietly: "How long do I have to stay here?"

"I'm not sure. The doctor should come to check on you soon. Once he thinks it is alright I'll take you home."

"Home?" the young man asked surprised. "What about the horseshow?"

"Don't worry about it," Treize told him. "There will be other shows in the future."

Milliardo tried to stifle a yawn.

"Are you tired? Why don't you try to go to sleep?"

"I'm fine."

"Go to sleep. Your body needs the rest. I'll be right here when you wake up," the duke promised.

"I'm not tired," Milliardo insisted even as his eyelids started to droop.

*****

Milliardo woke up with his head on his master's shoulder. True to his promise the duke had picked him up from the hospital as soon as the doctor gave his okay. From there they had driven directly to the airport, where Treize's shuttle was waiting, ready for takeoff.

"Are you awake?" the older man asked softly as Milliardo started to stir.

"Yes, Master."

"Good! We will be landing shortly. I just talked to Captain Kurama. He will meet us at home when we get there. He wants to talk to you while everything is still fresh in your mind."

The blond grimaced slightly as he straightened up in his seat.

"What's wrong, Milliardo?"

"Nothing…I just…" He shook his head. "It's nothing." He really didn't want to tell the whole story again. He wanted to get home and try to forget what had happened. Quiet frankly, Milliardo didn't care what was going to happen to Phillips. He just wanted this to be over.

"Milliardo!" Treize took the young slave's chin and made Milliardo look at him. His voice was soft, but firm. "Look at me. Phillips has to pay for what he did to you. I just won't let him get away with this. Captain Kurama needs to talk to you before he can start an investigation. It won't be as bad as you might think. Trust me."

"Yes, Master."

*****

"Could you possibly sit down while we are talking?" Rashid asked. "I'm feeling like I'm at a tennis court watching you pace back and forth."

"I'm sorry." Treize took a seat opposite of the captain.

Rashid had finished talking to Milliardo, and now Dr. Po was examining the young man. Treize would have liked to stay at his slave's side during the whole ordeal, but both, Rashid and the doctor, had insisted that it was better for them to be alone with Milliardo.

"Can I get you some more coffee?"

"No thanks, I'm fine. But could I use your phone?"

"Of course." Treize called for Evan's and asked the butler to show Rashid to his office.

"Could you sign this, while I'm on the phone?" The captain handed the duke the folder with his report and Milliardo's statement.

Rashid was only gone for a few moments, which gave Treize just enough time to read the report. Shortly after the captain returned Dr. Po joined the two men in the sitting room.

"I'm finished my examination," she told them. "Along with the bruising I only found minor injuries. But of course I can't do much of a comprehensive check up here. If you want that you will have to bring him into my office."

Treize shook his head. "They already checked him over in the hospital. I don't think he needs any more of that at the moment. Can I go and see him now?"

"He is resting," Sally explained. "I gave him something to help him sleep. By the way did a quick analysis of the blood sample I took from him, and I couldn't find any traces of drugs in his system. But that's not really surprising. It has been almost twenty-four hours and I could list probably a good dozen of drugs that would have left his blood stream in that time. I'll contact the hospital in Vienna with your permission and see if they by any chance took a blood sample while he was there."

"Of course," the duke nodded.

Rashid rose from his chair. "I think we are done for now. Unless you have anything else, Doctor…?"

When Sally shook her head to the negative, the captain turned to Treize. "Where can I reach you if I have more questions? Are you going back to Vienna?"

"No, of course not. I'm going to stay here. If I'm not home Evans will know where to find me. And you do have my cell phone number, don't you?"

As though this had been his cue, Evans walked into the room.

"Forgive me for interrupting, Your Excellency, but there is a phone call for Captain Kurama. Would you like me to transfer it into your study?"

"Yes, thank you." Treize nodded.

As Rashid left to answer the call, Sally turned toward the duke.

"I think Milliardo was truly lucky to have found a master like you, after all he has been through."

"He never talks much about his past, and I hate to intrude. Was it really that bad?"

"Well let's say he had been with a few owners that treated him worse than most people would treat an animal. And when he ran away he came from a bad situation into an even worse one."

Rashid walked back into the room only moments later. "Phillips has been taken into custody. They are bringing him to our office. He is on his way to Luxembourg as we speak," he informed Treize.

"I'm coming with you." The duke nodded in satisfaction.

The captain frowned. "Do you really think that's a good idea, Treize?"

"Don't worry; you have my word that I won't do anything to compromise this case, as much as I would like to break his neck. I just want to be there when you read him his rights and lock him away."

"Very well," Rashid agreed.

"Evans," Treize called for the butler. "Please keep an eye on Milliardo. When he wakes up make sure he has anything he needs."

"Of course, your Excellency."

*****

Phillips grinned smugly as he walked into the S.A.U. office, escorted by two men in uniform. He greeted Treize mockingly with a nod, then turned to Rashid. "Captain, it's nice to see you again. But still I would like to know why I was brought here? What you are charging me with?"

"Duke Khushrenada has filed charges against you for kidnapping, drugging and engaging in sex without consent with his slave?" Rashid answered sternly.

"Milliardo?" Phillips laughed.

"You think that's funny?" the captain's eyes narrowed.

"In a sense it is. Because you can't rape somebody who is willing," the man answered. "Milliardo and I had sex, that's true. It was consensual and it was mind-blowing." He gazed at Treize to see his reaction, but the duke didn't give him the satisfaction to show any.

"Milliardo says otherwise."

"Then the little bastard is lying," Phillips answered calmly. "I ran into him in Vienna the other day. I offered him a drink at my place. I thought we could talk, catch up on old times you know. But one thing let to another, if you know what I mean."

"Take him to interrogation. I'll be right there." Rashid told the officers.

"Maybe Milliardo had to come to me because he doesn't get what he needs from his owner. What do you think, Khushrenada?"

"If you were a man of honor I would suggest we settle this between the two of us." Treize answered calmly. "But then again. I really wouldn't want to dirty myself with scum like you."

Phillips just smiled smugly and as he walked past the ex-colonel he said:

"Why don't you ask Milliardo? I'm sure he can tell you how much of a man I am."

Treize's eyes narrowed, his lips turned into a thin line. It took all the self-control he could master to not slap Phillips in the face for that remark.

"Easy Treize," Rashid put his hand on the duke's shoulder. "Losing your temper won't help anybody. I think it might be better if you wait in my office. "

***

Treize could tell something was wrong the moment Rashid walked into his office.

"What is it?" he asked suspiciously.
"I had to let Phillips go for now."
"Let him go?" the duke echoed. "How so?"

"We just don't have enough evidence at the moment to keep him here."

"Not enough evidence? You have Milliardo's statement and he even admitted…"

"…to have had sexual intercourse with Milliardo, yes that he did," Rashid agreed. "But he insists that it was consensual and that Milliardo was not drugged."

"You know as much as I do that he is lying," Treize snapped.

"Of course I do, Treize." The captain sighed. "But it will be hard to proof if it is his word against Milliardo's.-

Calm down, Treize I understand your frustration. Believe me, really I do. I'm dealing with problems like this on a daily basis. It's not like we are going to give up either. It will just take some time."

"Thank you," Treize answered. "I know you will do the best you can."

*****

Milliardo lay awake in the dark after a nightmare had woken him. Usually he would just cuddle up against his master's warm body. The duke would put his arms around him and he would go right back to sleep. But this time there was nobody there to hold him.

The young man pushed away his covers and climbed out of bed. He slipped out of his room, down the long hall and into his master's room. The large king-size bed was empty. As so often of late, the duke was on another trip somewhere in North America. He was traveling alone these days, while his slave was left at home waiting for him. Treize would call every day and they would walk, but Milliardo longed for more. But he knew better than to complain. He was just grateful that the duke hadn't sold him yet. It was obvious that things had changed ever since they had come back from Vienna. His master seemed more distant and reserved, and if Milliardo was honest to himself, he really couldn't blame him. Still, the young man missed the time they used to spend together; missed being close to him, his tender touches and sweet kisses.

Milliardo sighed as he curled up on the wide bed and pressed his head into one of the soft pillows. He closed his eyes and soaked in the scent of sweet roses and cologne.

***

"I'm on my way home. My plane should land in about twenty minutes. Please have somebody at the airfield to pick me up." Treize instructed a surprised Evans.

"Of course, your Excellency," the butler replied. "You are early. I hope everything is alright?"

"Everything is fine," he assured the man. "By the way, it is late. Go back to bed, Evans. I can take care of myself when I get home."

"As you wish, Sir."

Treize ended the call, and stifled a yawn as he relined his chair into a more comfortable position. There was still enough time for a short nap. He had learned to appreciate the benefits of catching a few minutes of sleep here and there.

By the time the plane landed, one of his limousines was waiting near the runway. The private airstrip was located just outside his estate and the ride to his manor took less than 10 minutes.

For a moment the duke considered checking on Milliardo, but decided against it, because he was didn't want to wake the young man. Instead he went directly to his own bedchamber. As he took a step into the room he stopped, and raised one of his eyebrows in surprise.

He smiled softly at the sight of Milliardo, dressed in only a pair of pajama pants, lying curled up in the middle of his bed. The young man's face was buried in a pillow. Long, platinum blond hair pooled around his head like little silvery puddles. What a lovely sight to come home to?

The younger man was fast asleep; never even stirring while Treize got undressed and put on his pajamas.

The duke climbed onto the bed carefully.

"Move over, Angel," he whispered into the younger man's ear.

"Master," Milliardo moaned as he shifted, then mumbled a few inaudible words. It took a few moments in his half-awakened state till he realized that the voice was not part of his dream. Then suddenly his eyes snapped open. "Master!"

Treize chuckled. "What a pleasant surprise to find you here. I hope you don't mind sharing."
Milliardo flushed. "I'll go back into my room. I'm sorry."

Before he could slip away his master got a hold of him. "I don't think so. I caught you fair and square," he announced teasingly. "Now you are mine to keep for the night."
The blond gave him a reserved smile as he settled back down onto the bed. ""I didn't expect you to come home for another few days, Master."

"I missed you, so I had to come home early," Treize explained, as he stretched out next to the younger man.

"You missed me?" Milliardo echoed skeptical.
"Is that so hard to believe?" The duke caressed the blonde's face. "What about you?" he inquired. "I hope you miss me too."

Milliardo closed his eyes, relishing his master's gentle touch. "I did miss you…"

"But?"
"It's just… I' didn't think that you still wanted me…I mean you have barely touched me since…since…And … you have been traveling a lot lately… by yourself."

"Please forgive me, Milliardo." The ex- colonel's eyes were gentle, but worried, as he propped himself up on one elbow, and looked down at the younger man. "I didn't mean to make you feel unwanted. I just wanted to give you time. I didn't want to pressure you into something you were not ready for yet. And I thought you would feel more comfortable and secure here at home. That's the only reason I didn't take you with me on my trips. I'm so sorry."

"It's alright," Milliardo answered and with a bashful smile he added. "Can I have you a kiss?"

"One? I can't promise that I will be able to stop after just one." Treize smirked.

"Then don't."

Milliardo brought his arms up and around his master's neck. His lips parted invitingly as the duke captured his mouth in a passionate kiss. Treize's finger's moved over the younger man's torso, caressing the velvety-soft skin. Milliardo closed his eyes with a content moan.

Oh gods, this feels so good.

The blond suckled on his master's lower lip then moved deeper, to nuzzle his muscular chest. He could feel the older man's hot breath against his neck, as the duke playfully nipped at his earlobe. Milliardo's hands roamed over his master's back. He kissed Treize hungrily. "Master," he whispered breathlessly. "I want you to take me…now."
One of the duke's eyebrows rose. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," the blond panted between kisses. "It's been so long. I want you…need you. Please!"

*****

Milliardo, standing by the open window, stared silently into the night. The air was cool. His hair, shining silvery in the soft moonlight, moved gently in the night's breeze. He didn't move when his master approached. A pair of strong but gentle arms encircled him from behind.

Treize could feel the younger man relax in his embrace. "Why aren't you in bed?"

"I woke up and couldn't go back to sleep. I didn't mean to wake you, Master. I'm sorry."

"You didn't wake me. I couldn't sleep either. I have been watching you," the duke whispered as he rested his head on Milliardo's shoulder. He pulled the younger man against his body and placed a soft butterfly kiss onto the nape of his neck.

Milliardo dipped his head slightly and closed his eyes in delight.

"What should we do, since we both can't sleep?"

The blond shrugged. "What would you like to do, Master."

"It's almost dawn. Do you want to take a ride and watch the sunrise at Silver Lake?"

"That sounds wonderful." Milliardo smiled.

***

Treize and Milliardo had just returned from their early morning ride, when Evans informed the duke that Captain Kurama was on the phone.

Treize took the call in his office.

"Treize," the captain greeted him with a serious expression on his face.

"Captain." The duke gave him a curt nod. "Is something wrong?"

"It's about Phillips?"
"What about him?" Treize asked.
"I just got word that he is dead. He was killed last night in a hit and run car accident."

There was a long moment of silence before Treize spoke. "I hope you don't expect me to express any kind of sympathy about that."

"No I don't," Rashid said. "I just thought you should know. Unless of course you knew already."

The duke's brows furrowed. "What are you implying, Captain?"

"I'm not implying anything, Treize. By the way, how is Milliardo doing?"

"As well as can be expected under the circumstances, I suppose." Treize replied. "It will still take time but he will be alright."

TBC