Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Patterns of Change ❯ A new beginning ( Chapter 1 )

Kat: Well, I'm back with another long…. kind of story. I hope you all enjoy it… But I can't put too much up tonight. This story deals with abuse, and if you know any one who is dealing with it please get help immediately.

 

Duo: …. That was deep…. But she is teeling the truth, not all stories end happily, please get help if you are suffering.

 

Kat: Thanks D. … Now on with Patterns of Change

 

 

Chapter 1

 

She sat by the window and watched the rain pour down on the people out side. Her small face had a tiny cherry red smile and her emerald green eyes held a childish glee as the past few days replayed in her mind. You would think she should be hiding in a corner with the wounds she was sporting, but she just sat where she was. Bruises matted her body and face, a cast graced her right arm and there was a bandage on her head. The golden blonde hair that was not currently stuck in the wrappings was tied in a neat braid. Hearing the triple knock on the door, her smile widened as she saw her saviours walk through the door, soaked to the bone. Handing them fluffy white towels she sat back on her perch and continued to watch the storm rumble on. Both her saviours were young men, and quite handsome. They worked as teammates in the Preventers, both wearing black pants, a brown dress shirt and a jacket, and were in excellent physical shape. One was of Japanese descent and had short dark chocolate locks and Prussian blue eyes. He was not a social person, but he had a presence in a room that could make one feel comfortable or the exact opposite. He was quite tidy and kept the safe house in constant order. The other was quite different. He was of American descent and his hair was tied in a metre long chestnut coloured braid and mesmerizing indigo eyes. He could talk for hours and make the world seem like nothing at all, however, he did enjoy anything that the young miss cooked. He was a bit careless with his personal belongings, but that didn't seem to bother the other, so she wouldn't complain. Both men were looking at her staring out the window, and noticed her smile. “What ya looking at Kat?” The American asked. The sparkle in Kat's eyes seemed to shine brighter as she replied, “The rain Duo, the rain.” Seeing the perplexed expression in the Japanese man's eyes, Katrina explained, “The rain is a natural cleanser, but people treat it like a nuisance. Rain helps plants grow, gives a chance for animals to bathe better and sense new things, and it is a source of entertainment for children.” Prussian blue eyes softened at the words, and Duo's face lit up in a mega watt smile. But Kat continued, “I always loved dancing in the rain, it was a way for me to feel free and unrestricted. But once the abuse started, rain washed the make-up away, so I couldn't dance the way I used to. That made him angrier since he thought that I blamed him every time it rained.” Strong arms encircled Kat and a soft laugh escaped her lips, “It's ok Heero, he's going to jail now, and as soon as the cast comes off, I can dance in the rain again.” The smile left her lips as she continued, “I just used wish I knew why he did this to me in the first place. He was so nice, sweet, caring and then-” her voice broke off and sobs began to rack her small frame. Duo was beside her in an instant and both men tried to calm her with soothing words. She had managed to calm down a bit, but she was soon scared by a knock on the door. “Don't worry,” Duo said, “It's just some friends of ours who want to help you out, and came over. We were going to tell you this morning, but we were called in for an emergency meeting.” Heero went to the door as Kat and Duo talked, and she said, “If they are as kind as you and Heero, I'll be fine. Just try not to mention Jack too much please?” Hearing Heero opening the door, they heard the most interesting thing. A sophisticated female voice floated into the living room, “Hello Heero. Quatre and I decided to come now, as to try and get things ready for Katrina as soon as possible, and the other two just had to come with.” A snort followed her words, “Yuy, this onna1 and Winner dragged me to come here. If it wasn't for Sally's insistence to know how the other onna is feeling, then I would not have come.” Before Katrina could speak, a loud smack crossed the threshold and two voices, female and male, said, “Wufei! Do not insult her like that. She is a victim of abuse and should not be insulted in that manner!” Katrina burst out laughing, and the four at the door stood in silence, as Heero let a small smile form on his lips. Finally gaining her composure, Kat said, “Oh my God! They are going to be so much fun!” A squeal of delight rang through the room, and the voice continued, “I don't like the pity or the condescending though. You think they'll be ok with me like this?” Duo's voice filled the room with a soft chuckle, “You look fine babe. Guys get in here and meet her already!” The voices came closer and Katrina saw four lovely people beside Heero. Recognizing Relena Peacecraft, Kat noted that she looked good in a pinkish-lavender business suit. Her dirty blonde hair was up neatly, and she had a pink suitcase in her hand. Her ice blue eyes were fixed on Kat's face, as the colour had already drained from her face. She also recognized Quatre Winner, and he too was dressed somewhat formally. He was in beige dress pants, and a light pink shirt. His sandy blonde hair fell over his aqua-marine eyes, and they too were shocked. The four all had a small suitcase with them, now that Katrina looked, and she continued observing. Beside Quatre was another young man. He was dressed in blue jeans and a green turtle neck sweater. His dark brown hair covered one of his forest green eyes, and his eyes held understanding and sympathy. Beside him was a Chinese man dressed in the same Preventers outfit as Heero and Duo. His eyes were so brown that they were black, and his hair was pulled back into a tight pony tail. His face looked angry, but his eyes were intense with a blazing of power as he looked over her condition. Smiling at the newcomers, Kat said, “I know Miss Peacecraft and Mr. Winner from the news, but I'm afraid I don't know your other two companions.” Her voice was low and calculated. She was hiding the fear in her voice, but if you looked hard enough you would see it in her eyes. The man with the one visible eye said, “I am Trowa Barton, head of security for Winner Enterprises and Quatre's husband.” Katrina smiled at the pair and looked to the other man. “I am Chang Wufei, but you may call me Wufei. Please excuse me, I must call my wife and tell her of your condition.” Nodding, the man left the room and Relena sat beside Kat and began to ask her some simple questions about her past as the men went into the kitchen.

“Who did that to her?” Quatre asked as they entered the small room. “She looks like the old paint by numbers books.” Duo let out a sigh and Heero explained. “She called while she was suffering from a massive head wound causing severe blood loss. We barely got the address since she was talking so quietly. We got there just as Jack broke her arm. We thought she was dead until she whimpered in pain when we lifted her.” Wufei snorted as he walked into the room and said, “He abused her mainly because she was his opposite: simple and happy.” A chorus of laughter came into the room and Relena said, “We thought that one of you was going to cook supper, such a disappointment.” Shaking her head in a teasing tone Katrina replied, “Relena! Now-now, if you want food that tastes worse than the food at the hospital, then Heero and Duo can cook for you. Now, I can do the cooking since that's what keeps me busy most of the time, and I've gotten really good at it to.” Shocked looks were what Kat received, and shaking her head she said, in a joking manner, “Fine! Duo and Heero can cook, but I won't eat it!” She was about to leave the room when Wufei said, “I will cook dinner, Sally would want me to.” Smirking at her win, and giving Wufei her brightest smile ever, she said, “Domo Arigato2 Wufei. I appreciate it.” With that Wufei bowed and kicked everyone out of the kitchen.

Settling in the living room Quatre spoke. “Katrina, I know that this is a hard subject for you, but I need to know everything that happened while you lived with Jack.” Duo and Heero set Kat between them and Relena sat beside the trio incase they needed her help. “He was very kind when we first met; very considerate, gentle and romantic. We dated for just over a year before he asked me to move in with him. A week later, he began to beat me.” Her voice dropped from her natural happiness to an old sadness, a quiet grief and regret. “He began drinking the week it started, and I ended up in the hospital for a month because of my intense wounds. When I got back he promised to stop drinking and all, but four days later, he hit me again. I called your office as soon as I had enough time to tell you what was needed, and it took me longer than expected because of my blood loss. He heard me say `help me' before the call disconnected, and he began to beat me again. Just as the door broke down, I passed out. When I woke up again, a few weeks later, I was told that Duo and Heero would watch over me until everything was settled.” Duo and Heero were rubbing her back in reassuring circles as she spoke to keep her calm and relaxed. After a few minutes of silence, Trowa asked, “Did you know he drank?” Kat looked up with sad eyes, “He only drank when we went out to a club, and it was only one or two. Other than that I don't know what he did when I wasn't there. However, when I moved in with him, I found an old gambling book that held all of the bets that he had won and lost. I had found it while cleaning after my first visit to the hospital, and that's what got him going the second time.” Wufei's voice floated into the room, “He was betting on horses, sports, fights and other betting events, correct?” Biting her lip to keep the tears at bay, she nodded. “He said,” Her voice was cracking, “He said, I was his good luck charm until I moved in with him. He blamed me for all of his losses, and he just kept hitting.” She shook violently as the tremors racked her body, while Duo and Heero tried to calm her as best they could. Relena's voice, normally happy and full of life, was cold and empty, “He deserves all he gets.”

Kat cried herself to sleep after giving a great deal of information to Quatre about her past, but Duo thought that something was missing. “Hee-chan,” Duo's voice was soft and concerned, “Do you think that she might be hiding something, like something else similar to what had just happened?” Heero looked away from his laptop and saw the worry in his koiish's3 face. “When she feels confident enough to talk, we will listen, until then, let her rest.” Duo was about to say something when a high pitched scream flooded the house. Running to the source of the noise, they ran into Katrina's room only to find a man sitting on her holding a dripping knife. Heero tackled the man onto the floor and restrained him while Duo checked Kat over. “Wufei call Sally, now! Kat got new injuries!” The shout got the house moving. The man was soon tied in the kitchen while Kat was brought into Duo and Heero's room. The doorbell ran and soon Sally was being ushered into the room where Kat was resting in a stable condition. “She was stabbed several times in the abdomen. Thank Allah that Heero and Duo stopped him in time and that Trowa stopped most of the bleeding. But she has a very weak pulse and she is still whimpering in her sleep.” Quatre continued with his concern, but soon he was waiting with Relena, calming the woman down from seeing the already injured girl in that much more pain. Lady Une was being brief on the situation by Duo while Heero kept an eye on the prisoner. With the briefing over with, the head of the Preventers and Duo joined Heero in the kitchen to get information from the attacker.

As Lady Une walked into the kitchen and saw Heero interrogating the man, she spoke, “Hello Jack. I told you to stay away from Katrina Carter, now you will be jailed even longer.” A harsh laugh came from Jack's lips, “She'll be back as soon as she's healed. You see, she's been abused her whole life and knows nothing else, right Kat?” The three in the kitchen looked to the door way and the said woman was glaring. Heero could tell that she was putting most of her weight on the door frame. The bruises that lined her face made her seem more demonic than normal, and she said, “I won't go back.” Jack's smile faded, and his voice was dark, “What did you just say?” She flashed him a sweet yet sarcastic smile and replied, “To live with you is asking for a death wish. I will live somewhere safe and far from you and I won't get involved with people like you ever again. But, for the record, it was my mother that was beaten, not me. If my dad had any inclination to hitting me, my brothers would have jumped him. So, in a drunken rampage, he killed my mother. If you see him, tell him I say hi.” Smirking at Jack, Katrina slowly made her way to the table and sat down. She leaned into Duo when he put his hand on her shoulder, trying to keep herself from passing out from standing for so long. However, this unconscious action made Jack furious. “You fucking tramp! I bet you've been banging the people in this house for a while haven't you?” Heero stepped forward and glared at the captive man. “We do not `bang' people, Jack Crane. We are professionals who take their jobs seriously, and do what we can to help people out. Since you put Miss Carter in this position it is your fault that she is with us. Also, Maxwell and I could not do anything to her in this condition, and besides, we are both homosexual.” Jack lost his snarl and panic crossed his face. “You mean you were just keeping her company?” Duo stepped forward, “Yes, she needed protection, and we were available to do so. If not us, then someone else would have been here.” Kat's face held a small smile and as she slowly walked back into the living room, she could hear the final door locking behind her past of abuse.

 

 

1- Woman

2- Thank you very much

3- lover, beloved, etc.

 

Kat: *looks around nervously* I hope you all liked, but please R&R… I will need ideas for this story…. Ja!