Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Helping Hands ❯ Part 15 ( Chapter 15 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

By: jezabel1971

Yes, I'm finally updating. You can thank Iaka and Catherina for that. I only have two or three more chapters planned for this story, but I don't know when I'll get around to actually writing and posting them. My beta walked off on me and did so in a way that totally ruined my enjoyment of writing this story. It's only because of Iaka and Catherina reminding me that I'm not the only one who would be disappointed that I'm continuing at all. I'm hoping that some new reviews and your reactions to how this chapter ends will renew my enthusiasm and I can continue with the story. That's not a threat, by the way, I'm going to try to finish it, whether or not I get reviews, but I'll write faster if I'm enjoying it and looking forward to the reactions of you readers. Please, give me something to look forward to? I hope you enjoy this one.

Helping Hands Part 15

The invisible watcher observed the scene with interest, wondering what would happen next. Heero was on the far side of the kitchen, taking dishes out of the oven. His back was to the others, so his expression was hidden, but the ghost was certain that he was smirking. Duo was standing near the table in the breakfast nook, looking both guilty and unhappy. Quatre and Trowa were still seated at the table, facing the kitchen. They could see Duo's face clearly, since he had been heading to the table when he had accidentally let slip the hint about the recent developments in his relationship with Heero. He hadn't moved since Heero had spoken up, and his reaction confused their friends.

Quatre had been about to congratulate them, but, watching Duo, he wasn't sure that this was such good news after all. Duo was obviously unhappy about something to do with Heero's statement that they were lovers, but Quatre didn't know what. Trowa, not being the type to concern himself with the personal relationships of the other pilots, was simply waiting patiently for the food to be served so that they could continue their meal. He was far more preoccupied with Quatre's collapse and the promised after-dinner discussion than the fact that Heero and Duo had become lovers.

After a moment, Quatre decided that the silence had gone on long enough and had opened his mouth to speak, when Duo moved. Ignoring his friends at the table, he walked back into the kitchen and approached Heero.

"Heero, I..."

"It's okay, Duo," Heero said, closing the oven door and turning to face his partner.

"But..."

"Duo, we couldn't have kept it a secret from them, even if we wanted to. I know we haven't had a chance to discuss this, but I really don't mind if they know." He stepped close and pulled Duo into a hug, knowing that such a blatant display of affection in front of their friends would reassure Duo far more than anything he could say.

Duo sighed with relief and hugged him back. "As long as you're not angry with me, I don't care who knows. Don't think this conversation's over with, though. This is something else we need to discuss."

Heero pulled back and gave him a mock frown. "Hn."

Duo grinned back at him and shook his head. "Like a frown is going to stop me. Oh, well, that's later. For now, let's eat!"

Heero smiled at him slightly and they separated, Duo heading back to clear the rest of the salad dishes and Heero turning back to the food on top of the stove, to carry it to the table.

As Duo walked over to them, Quatre got up and walked around the table to meet him, giving him a hug before sitting back down, and Trowa nodded at him, smiling widely, at least for Trowa. Both of them hid their surprise at Heero's behavior.

Quatre waited until Heero and Duo had both finished their tasks and sat back down, before actually voicing his happiness at the news and questioning the two of them about the changes. Heero and Duo looked at each other and Duo shrugged.

"After dinner," Heero said. "It has to do with what we need to tell you about the house." He refused to say anything more on the subject, and the four pilots went back to eating their meal, Duo and Quatre chatting about nothing in particular.

After they had all finished eating, Quatre and Trowa went into the library, to wait for Heero and Duo, as they cleaned up and prepared a tray with dessert, tea, and coffee.

The ghost, after a moment of indecision, decided to follow Quatre and Trowa, and watched as they each sat down in a leather armchair and relaxed. They were both quiet, with Trowa watching Quatre, who appeared to be deep in thought and unaware of his partner's gaze.

After a few minutes of silence, Quatre looked up at Trowa and spoke. "What do you think?"

Trowa raised an eyebrow at him.

"About Heero's behavior. He's had feelings for Duo for some time now, but he's never been so open about it."

Trowa shrugged slightly.

"I know you don't think it's any of our business and that they're both professional enough not to let it affect the missions, but what do you think? You know what I'm asking, Trowa."

"Yuy believes in acting on one's emotions, and that's what he seems to be doing. He's always been open about his emotions, except when it would affect a mission. Duo needed the reassurance, so Heero was openly affectionate towards him. It's typical for Heero."

Quatre nodded. "That's what I thought, too." He looked slightly concerned. "I just hope that the whole relationship isn't just because Duo needs it. I don't dare use my empathy again while I'm in this house, but I'd really be a lot less concerned if I knew for certain how Heero felt."

Trowa raised an eyebrow at him again.

"I know, I know, I just can't help worrying about them."

"Who?" asked Duo as he entered the room, Heero right behind him. Heero was carrying a tray with the desserts, tea, and coffee, which he set down on a small table.

"You two," Quatre answered, after a brief hesitation.

"Why?" Duo asked. Quatre just shrugged in response and Duo shook his head at him. "Yeah, well, I'm worried about you," he said, serving the tea and coffee. Heero gave everyone a small plate with their dessert on it, and then he and Duo sat down together on a small couch, close, but not touching.

When everyone was settled, Heero, in a slightly warmer tone than usual, asked, "Alright, Quatre, what happened when you saw the house?"

"Well, I'm not sure how much you know about empathy, so let me say a little about it." He looked around and, not seeing any objections, continued.

"There are varying degrees of sensitivity and, um, levels of skill, I guess you could say. Empathy is the ability to sense emotions, but it can sometimes go beyond that. There are places, inanimate objects that can be the focus of a lot of emotion and absorb that emotion. Sometimes, to the point that an inanimate object can almost feel alive, like it has an actual personality of its own. Our Gundams are like that."

He paused as Duo nodded in agreement and Trowa looked thoughtful. Heero just frowned slightly and nodded at him to continue.

"Places don't usually develop a personality, but if something tragic has happened there, the sense of it tends to linger. Happiness and contentment can also leave an imprint, but it takes a lot longer to build up to that point, and the shock and horror of a sudden death, for example, can overwhelm the imprint of happiness, so all you feel is the negative emotions. This house is full of negative emotions, so much so that it not only overwhelms any positive feelings, but it overwhelmed me, as well. When I first saw the house, I sensed something. I wasn't sure what it was, so I decided to use my empathy to reach out to it. I wasn't expecting it to bite me."

"Bite you?" Duo asked, a little confused. Trowa's face went blank and Heero's frown deepened.

"Yes. The emotions I sensed grabbed a hold of me and wouldn't let go. I couldn't break the link, but when Trowa put his hand in front of my eyes, he broke it for me. It was so strong, I could swear this house is alive, with a personality, and that's just not normal, not for a place or building."

"Um, Quatre, did it ever occur to you that that was a really stupid thing to do? I mean, if it was something so strong that you could sense it without even trying, maybe you shouldn't be poking it with a stick to see what comes out?"

"Yes, Duo, I know it was stupid. I've been so tired lately that I wasn't really thinking. I just 'poked it' without stopping to consider any possible consequences."

"Well, so long as we're clear that is was stupid and you shouldn't do it again."

"We're clear, Duo." Quatre rolled his eyes, slightly exasperated with Duo's 'big brother' act. Trowa alone was bad enough, he didn't need Duo trying to protect him, too.

"And don't think I haven't noticed how exhausted you are. When you're that tired, you start making mistakes and that could get you, or your partner, killed." Duo shook a warning finger in Quatre's direction.

"Duo,..." Quatre started, not in the least amused at the implication that he would risk harm to Trowa.

"He has made no mistakes." Trowa broke in, frowning at Duo.

"Yeah, but..."

"Enough. Duo, I understand you're worried about Quatre, but you should know he is well able to determine whether or not he is capable of completing a mission. Quatre, your exhaustion has impaired your judgment slightly, or you wouldn't have used your empathy on the house. I know that this was not a mission, but you did put yourself unnecessarily at risk."

By this time, Heero was being glared at by both Duo and Quatre, while Trowa was still frowning at Duo. Heero's statements were true, and they all knew it, even though Duo and Quatre didn't appreciate being lectured.

"I know he can take care of himself. And Trowa, if necessary."

"And I know I need to rest and recuperate before I accept another mission. That's why I'm here, instead of with Wufei."

"Then we don't have a problem. Quatre, we may have an explanation for what you sensed. Duo, tell them about Katherine and the house."

Duo's frown instantly vanished and he enthusiastically told Trowa and Quatre about their arrival at the house, the story of Katherine and Benjamin, and their first meeting with the ghost, although he skipped the parts about Heero and Katherine having similar fates and exactly why he had been having trouble sleeping when Katherine had shown up. He also left out the bit about his fainting spell. Quatre and Trowa weren't quite as willing to drop the previous topic of conversation, but the story Duo told was too fantastic for them to ignore. Their reactions amused Duo greatly.

"There are no such things as ghosts."

"You guys don't really expect us to believe that you saw a 300-year-old ghost, do you?"

"Oh, come on, Quatre, you said yourself that the house is alive."

"Yes, but I was talking about an emotional imprint, not an actual spirit, a soul that has refused to move on after death."

"Oh, but that's not the best part. She said our presence here allows her to focus on what's happening here and now, and she can actually interact with us. She loves to torment Heero, which is hilarious, by the way, and she can link our dreams. That's actually how Heero and I got together." Trowa and Quatre stared at him in disbelief and confusion.

"Um, Duo, would you care to explain that?"

"Well, ah, she linked our dreams and some stuff happened and we realized how we felt about each other and then we found out that the dreams were more than just dreams and one thing led to another and here we are."

"Duo, why do I get the feeling that you are leaving out quite a bit?"

"It's private, Quatre." Heero spoke up, before Duo could say any more. "I don't mind you knowing that Duo and I are lovers, but the details of our relationship are none of your business."

"Fair enough, Heero. About this ghost, though..."

"That should be simple enough to prove. Oi, Katherine! Show-and-Tell time!"

The ghost, who had been listening the entire time, considered making an appearance, but decided against it. The time wasn't quite right. Also, Katherine was still quite displeased with Quatre and had no intention of getting to know him yet.

"Katherine, come on! I want you to meet my friends."

"Um, Duo..." Quatre started, but Heero interrupted him.

"Don't bother, Duo."

"But, Heero!"

"You know her, she'll show up when they least expect it, not when we ask her to."

"Yeah, you have a point. Sorry, guys, you'll just have to take our word for it, for now." Trowa and Quatre looked at him skeptically.

"It doesn't really matter whether or not she exists, we're still searching for the journal, and I'd like you two to help."

Quatre and Trowa looked at one another and then back at Heero. Quatre spoke for them both. "Heero, I don't think that this is something Trowa and I should get involved with. We're here to relax and rest, and searching a house from top to bottom just doesn't sound that restful to me."

"Heavyarms and Sandrock both require repairs," was Trowa's comment.

"Yes, and we need to take care of that, as well. Although, I don't think I'll be working on Sandrock for a couple of days, yet. I have to get some replacement parts shipped in first. Trowa?"

Trowa inclined his head slightly.

"Alright," Heero responded, frowning slightly. "This is not a mission, so I'm not making it an order." He had been hoping that they would help, since the four of them could search more quickly and thoroughly than just two of them. Duo's response to their refusal surprised him, though.

"You know, actually, I'm kinda glad. You've never met her and don't really, well, feel for her. For me and Heero, it's personal, so we'll keep looking, no matter what. You guys just don't have that kind of drive, so I think it's a good thing you're going to let us take care of this."

Heero thought about that for a moment and then nodded. "I agree. You two haven't met her and we were the ones who promised to help her. She ended up helping us, and now we are in her debt, so we should be the ones to free her."

Duo smiled, pleased that Heero had agreed with him, while Quatre and Trowa exchanged a look, uncertain how to respond.

"Okay, guys, I think that pretty much covers the important stuff we needed to discuss. Quatre, even if you don't believe in Katherine, does the fact that a murder took place here explain what you sensed?"

Quatre hesitated and then nodded slowly, looking thoughtful. "Most of it. Although it's unusual for it to be so strong after such a length of time, it's not unheard of."

"Cool. Heero and I have some things we need to discuss in private, so, unless there are any objections, I vote Heero and I finish cleaning up and head on up to bed. You two are free to explore, stay here and chat, or whatever."

"Bed sounds like a good idea, Duo." Trowa appeared to agree with Quatre, so Duo looked at Heero.

"I'll finish cleaning up. Why don't you show them to their rooms and I'll be up in a few minutes?"

Quatre and Trowa wished Heero a good night and then followed Duo as he led the way, the ghost trailing after them. There was a brief, but amusing, scuffle at the stairs, when Trowa decided Quatre hadn't regained enough energy to tackle the climb and simply threw Quatre over his shoulder in a fireman's carry and headed up, ignoring Duo's laughter and Quatre's loud protests.

At the top of the stairs, Duo, still laughing, pointed out the rooms that had been prepared for the two, and a red-faced Quatre vanished through one of the doors as soon as his feet touched the floor, barely taking the time to bid Duo a good night. Trowa nodded slightly at Duo, who waived back at him, before going into his own room and shutting the door behind him. Duo shook his head at the two closed doors before heading off to the bedroom he was sharing with Heero. The ghost remained at the top of the stairs, trying to decide which couple to eavesdrop on.

Before a decision could be made, however, Quatre's door opened and he stepped out, looking around quickly. Not seeing anyone, he walked over to Trowa's door and quietly rapped on it. Trowa, expecting the knock, called to him to enter and he did, the curious ghost following.

When Quatre walked in, he found Trowa sitting at a desk, working on a laptop Heero had set up for him, filing the last of his mission reports. Quatre sat on the foot of the bed and waited quietly for Trowa to finish.

Several minutes passed before Trowa signed off, closed the laptop, and then turned his chair to face Quatre.

As soon as he was certain he had Trowa's full attention, Quatre said, "That was unnecessary, Trowa, and, while I appreciate that you were trying to help me, I don't like the way you did it. I'm not a small child, Trowa. I don't need to be carried off to bed."

Trowa's mouth quirked, his version of a grin. "I didn't carry you off to bed, merely up the stairs. You could not have made the climb in your current state of exhaustion and you are too stubborn to ask for help. And, I do not consider you a child."

Quatre blinked at him, surprised. He hadn't expected Trowa to actually say anything in response to his complaint, but to raise an eyebrow or shrug at him, as usual. It almost seemed like Trowa was flirting with him. "Trowa?"

Ignoring Quatre's question, Trowa asked one of his own. "Why aren't you in bed already? You're tired enough to have passed out an hour ago."

Frowning slightly at him, Quatre answered, "Something about this house and what Heero and Duo said is bothering me. It doesn't fit."

Trowa waited, without comment, so Quatre continued. "I sensed many negative emotions, such as grief, rage, loneliness, hatred, and a desperate need, and those could all be explained by the story they told. The thing is, I also sensed guilt and regret, every bit as strong as the other emotions."

Trowa frowned slightly and Quatre nodded.

"I know, it doesn't make sense, and that's why it bothers me. Katherine has no reason to feel guilty, at least, not that we know of. And I'm still not comfortable with the strength of the emotions. I was understating the rarity of it when I said that such strength after so long was possible."

Their invisible listener decided that it was finally time to make an appearance and materialized near the door. "Our presence is what keeps the emotions so strong. And the guilt, regret, and hatred would be my contribution," he said. "My name is Benjamin."