Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Phases of Memory ❯ In a Heartbeat ( Chapter 10 )

Disclaimer: The day I own Gundam Wing and affiliates is the day you see this story on TV as part of Toonami's line-up. :P Oh and the day I own GW is also the day I live on the planet Jupiter throwing a cocktail party celebrating my madness. :P

AN: This chapter, most especially the last section, is what I consider as very emotionally charged. What I mean by it is that as I wrote it, I was soon consumed by strong feelings. I'll confess that I'm not openly emotional or that expressive. This means I have a tendency to bottle things up. Yes I know it's not healthy, but it's my defense mechanism. When I have strong feelings I vent them out when I'm writing. I find that emotional energy the stimulus for my writing. I am not a very openly emotional person, unless there's sugar involved ^_~. I think Elinor Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility is a great deal like me in this respect. Anyways, this is one of those times when I just let emotions out. I consider this piece my anger venting bit just as "Pale September…" was my sorrow venting.

Gundam Wing: Phases of Memory

Phase 10-In A Heart Beat

By Sailor Celaeno

Sally and Wufei had some leads with Andie's help. Sally had learned that one branch of PAGE worked in New Lyon, a section of the L1 colony cluster. Burton Davis led the group and he was the perfect man to confront. Wufei and Sally found themselves in the group meeting. Perhaps Davis would know how to locate Cassandra Taylor.

"She's a very dangerous woman. We must stop her," concluded Sally.

"Let's hurry then," replied Wufei.

*****

"Nic? Nic? Is something wrong?"

Nichola was calling for her weekly report. "Nothing."

Kelly frowned. "I know that's something's wrong kid. Just tell me and I'll help you through this. After all, I'm here to take care of you."

Nichola couldn't find any real assurance with Kelly. Not anymore. Could those things that Trowa told her be true? What if Kelly was lying to her? "Preventer Barton… has been flirting with me." In Nichola's mind, that was only a half lie.

"I see," Kelly had a smirk. "So… you like him?"

Nichola froze. "What?" Her heart was beating a little faster at the question. "I… don't know."

Kelly shook her head. "You don't know whether you like someone? My poor confused Nic."

She was confused. In the hour she was alone with Trowa Barton she was changed. She was quivering still. Working on this mission being so close to her created a feeling of intimacy that she didn't dare admit she felt, not even to herself. It frightened her that she could be falling for a man that she knew nothing about. He was exciting something deep inside her and she hated and loved it. "Tell me about my life. What was my life like before I was in the accident?"

Kelly talked to her as though she was a frightened child. "Now Nic just relax. I told you before. Your name is Nichola Fielding. Your father was an officer in UESA…"

As Kelly spoke, Nichola tried to picture everything she said. But now, after talking to Trowa, those things Kelly said didn't make much sense anymore. She began having flashbacks that were disjointed, but she couldn't quite explain them.

*****

Duo and Hilde had been working for days, but finally their hard work was paying off. "Hm… well, what do you know?" said Hilde.

They had arrived at an apartment building. They had been at the building disguised as a couple interested in an apartment. They learned that the computer that Hilde located belonged to a woman named Ida Holland. Ida Holland, as they had learned, was a secretary at the Union Securities Bank. She paid her rent on time, and was for the most part ordinary. It just didn't add up that was until Hilde got some data from Headquarters.

"What's up?" Duo looked at her laptop.

"Clint from Research just sent this e-mail. According to him, Ida Holland died 30 years in a car accident."

Duo frowned. "A fake ID…"

"Exactly. Which means that whoever is actually living in that apartment is really a member of PAGE. It seems PAGE's hierarchy puts an emphasis on covering its tracks. It took us days to figure this out. After all, who would put so much work into hiding themselves?"

"Right. We'll have to make our move."

*****

Relena and Heero were at the diner near the ministry buildings where Relena had her office. She changed to something inconspicuous before she walked out for lunch. It was something they did every other Wednesday and there wasn't a reason to change this little routine. The waitresses at the diner knew enough not to draw any attention to the young couple, especially on the lady.

After their drinks arrived, Heero decided to ask Relena something that was on his mind since she had that Cabinet meeting earlier that morning. "There's something wrong, isn't there?"

Relena had taken several sips with a straw while he spoke. She was downcast and she was very silent. Her mind was moving and stirring with worry. She looked up at him. "I'm only telling you this because you're a high-ranking Preventer and this will affect you in some way. It's the whole business with Newtypes…"

Relena was the only high-ranking official that knew anything about the investigation with PAGE, Newtypes, and Linner. Even the President only knew a limited amount of information in order to ensure that he would know nothing that may in some way harm him in the future. However, PAGE was another matter. There was progress, but it was not satisfactory enough as PAGE was posing a serious threat with their attacks against geneticists and their research facilities. At some point, the existence of Newtypes would be revealed.

"I see." Heero frowned. "What exactly is the problem?" He held her hands in his as he spoke.

"I have to warn you that there may be a parliamentary hearing within the next few months. They are getting frustrated that nothing has been done to prevent the attacks. It's getting ugly and they're going to get some answers from Lady Une, even if they have threaten her with jail time."

Heero nodded. Une knew something like that was coming. She was perfectly aware that she had a sword dangling over her head and that a time was going to come when she would have to face the music for the decisions she made as Preventer Chief. "We're making a lot of progress. Une was planning on filing reports as soon as Duo, Hilde, Wufei, and Sally get back from their missions. Hopefully, it'll lead us to the end."

Relena looked into his eyes. "I hope so Heero. I don't know how much longer I can hold them off. I'm the liaison and they're already asking questions. We'll have to be careful Heero."

Heero smirked. "Don't worry. No one is listening to us."

"How are you---" Relena shook her head with a slight smile. "Never mind."

It was a moment later that their food arrived freshly cooked from the kitchen.

*****

"All right Davis. Where is your boss?" growled Wufei.

"I'm not telling you anything Preventer!" Davis hissed back.

"You're going to talk as some point Davis. After all, we have subpoenas to arrest you and your comrades and warrants to confiscate everything that you own as evidence against you. Your group has been causing more harm than any good you hope to accomplish. If you don't cooperate and volunteer information, we'll have other ways to get it and you'll be in more trouble," Sally said with a logical air.

Davis sat silently. He refused to talk and that's how he stayed.

Wufei glowered at the man. He turned to another Preventer that approached, "Fitz, take him away for further interrogation." Agent Fitz saluted before pulling the handcuffed suspect away. Wufei sighed with frustration, "That Davis isn't going to talk. We could probably find more cells with what we can get here," Wufei said as other Preventers gathered up material to be processed as evidence.

Sally nodded. "Hopefully, we can arrest more people even if we can't get anything from anyone. This should pacify the president and his ministers. We could apprehend a good number of people. Even if that doesn't stop the problem all together."

Wufei could always count on Sally to put things into a realistic perspective. "I wonder if Maxwell and Schbeicher got anything of any use yet?"

"We could always check back with Lady Une. They're supposed to report in today like we are."

*****

Noin had taken a day off to get work done and watch Annie. She and Zechs were taken off the PAGE case since they were being transferred to Mars in a few months. Zechs continued to do his work on Mars, while Noin was assisting Une in her clerical duties. This gave Noin the flexibility to work at home more often and watching the baby.

Annie was getting bigger and smarter as the days became weeks. Not even married a year, and they had a baby. She was a special little girl, but then again lots of parents say their kids are very special. Annie was sitting in her play pen while Noin sat at her desk nearby. Every so often Noin would look over at her baby. She'd smile as she watched her daughter sleeping. Her chest moved up and down with every breath. Occasionally she could hear tiny sucking noises because Annie had a pacifier still in her mouth. Noin chuckled as she worked on the papers in front of her.

Zechs would still be on Mars for another two days, so Noin was alone. It was 9 o'clock that night as Annie tried to sleep. Of course, the peace didn't last long. Noin looked up and quickly walked over to the playpen as she heard muffled crying noises. "Annie? What's the matter, baby?"

Annie reached her arms out and Noin lifted the child up. She held her daughter against her shoulder and patted her back. "I'm sorry… just go back to sleep."

Annie wriggled reaching out to something behind Noin. Noin pulled the baby away to look at her. Noin followed the baby's glance and saw that she was facing the window. Many of the buildings had lights on that shone beautifully creating a breath-taking skyline view. "You like the lights huh?" She could see the different apartment buildings and offices where everyone at headquarters lived. She could see Dorothy's building, Nova's Penthouse, Duo's loft, and Quatre's place in the distance and she also saw the apartment building where Trowa stayed when he wasn't on tour at the circus.

Again Annie made urgent noises. "Do you want something?" Noin looked at her baby with a puzzled look. Annie squeezed her fists. "Oh… you want your toys? All right…" Noin placed her baby back in the pen as she grabbed a soft teddy-bear. "Here you are. Here's your favorite, Mr. Fuzzy." Mr. Fuzzy was a gift from Relena and Heero.

Annie pushed the bear away and still fussed even more. She reached out her arms as though she were trying to grab something else. Noin was really worried and looked over by the window. She suspected what the baby wanted and grabbed a different toy. The pacifier fell out and Annie made shrill noises. Noin quickly handed the plushie to Annie.

Annie eagerly grabbed the animal and hugged it tightly. She rocked it and even pressed her lips on it like a kiss. "I see... You wanted Cottontail. That's strange… You always like Mr. Fuzzy to help you sleep." Cottontail was a stuffed bunny that Quatre had given her. "I wonder if maybe she misses Quatre. He hasn't seen her in weeks." Noin shrugged and returned to work as Annie occupied herself with the pink and white fabric bunny.

*****

Trowa finished checking the lab. His subordinates reported that Linner was safe at home. He stayed up extra late to ensure everything was secure. The big awards banquet was next week and he had to remain on high alert for the next few days. There were only a few other cars in the parking lot. They belonged to other doctors and some of the students that lived at the university campus a few minutes away.

He quietly walked to his car as he always did. He quickly ran a checklist of things to do in his head for the tenth time. He always made sure nothing is left undone. He approached his car and reached to unlock the door when he paused. "I know you're there. I was wondering when you'd make your move."

Behind him several feet away, Nichola had a gun pointed at him. "I was thinking the same thing."

"What are you here for?"

"You don't need me to tell you why."

"Maybe not, but for the sake of things I had to ask."

Nichola had no expression on her face as she kept the gun aimed at Trowa. "Would you really care if I shot you?"

Trowa remained positively still. "Someone once told me that one day I should kill her for what she did to me. It was only fair."

Nichola was surprised. "Huh?" But she kept her aim clear on Trowa.

"You have as much right to kill me as I have to kill her. I'm tearing apart your life Nichola. You've been rebuilding your life from scratch and everything you've done is falling into pieces. You don't have to say so, it's obvious. So feel free to shoot at your own pleasure."

Nichola had started to cry, and her eyes hardened. "Very well." She aimed and pulled the trigger.

*****

Quatre requested a temporary leave of absence. At first Une was concerned, but he assured her that it was something that could be dealt with in two days. Une insisted that Liam and Mrs. Baines stay with her and Mariemaia just so he would have more privacy. Quatre agreed and the young ward left for a few days. Liam left behind an impromptu get-well card drawn with crayons, but Quatre could barely find the energy to show an interest in the whimsical drawing.

He laid in bed tired and very ill. His head had started pounding on his way home. Luckily, Nova had the foresight to have a car take him home. She had given him a thermos with special herbal tea. She told him to drink it and rest for at least two days. She only said that he'd need that time to pull himself together before he'll be well enough to interact with other people. Nova promised to visit him the next day and help him with anything he needed. Iria promised the same.

Dorothy was away on a meeting and wouldn't be back for another week. Quatre would simply explain he had a headache, and that should keep her at bay. He didn't want to concern her so much that she'd rush back because of him. She had been very worried lately ever since his episode nearly a week ago. She almost didn't leave, but he told her that her meeting was important and that she'd tell him the same thing. She had sighed in exasperation but had finally agreed to leave as he had asked her.

Sleep did not come as easily as he had thought it would, despite his mental and physical exhaustion. He kept having nightmares that drove him crazy. They frightened him, and he didn't understand completely what they meant. They varied in content. He recalled one dream where he was a young boy again, and he saw his father walking away from him. The harder he ran, the farther away his father would be. He had another dream where everyone he knew and loved gathered in a circle and pointed at him accursedly. "It's all your fault!" They would shout over and over again.

But the most frightening of all was a dream that was more intense and real than he ever imagined. The sky was crimson. The ground was dry and parched like a desert. A grave, threatening laughter echoed all around him, and grew louder as time passed. His heart pounded and he panted with fright. "The end is near. Let the new age begin!" the laughter cackled. It was a woman's voice. A woman more dangerous than he could ever imagine. Something pulled him towards his right. In the far distance he saw a strange silhouette. A sense of dread, but curiosity drove him to walk. What would he find there? He had a 6th sense telling him that he would be devastated. He wanted to pull away, but that strange object in the distance pulled him closer and closer. It was a power that drove him onward to the unknown.

The strange world began darkening and thunder pounded the air with its furious rumbling. Soon the horrifying sounds of endless screaming mixed with the thunder in a macabre chorus of noise. It agonized his mind and his heart to hear the cries of pain and misery. He chanted to himself, "Stop… make them stop…" His feet pounded the dusty earth as the ghastly noises grew louder. He knew it was foolish to run towards the noises, but the force of the object dragged him closer. Tears started rolling as the pain of those wretched cries of mercy continued.

As he grew closer he could see that a huge stalk was thriving from the parched ground. He was far away but he could tell that it was gigantic. He started to realize where the screams came from. He had hidden himself and his heart nearly stopped when he heard the scream, "Heero!" To his shock, he saw Relena completely wrapped by a vine that grew from the stalk. Her arms were still free and reached out.

"Relena!" Heero tried to pull her free. Slowly a vine inched towards him.

"Heero! Please don't let me die!" she shrieked as the vine dragged her nearer. She was pulled closer and closer towards this evil plant.

Quatre could feel the sense of determination and futility as he watch his friends struggle to be together. But Heero was pulled away by a separate vine. Quatre ran out to help Heero from the enclosing plant. Relena still struggled as she was pulled into the heart of the plant. She was soon absorbed into the entity. The last sign of her struggle was the image of her face trying to push away to freedom. A muffled scream of "Heero!" could barely be heard as she was completely absorbed.

"It took everyone else… and now it took her…" was all he said in a mumbled voice.

Quatre tried to pull Heero free, but the depressed man didn't move to help his comrade. "Heero! Help! I'm trying to get you loose!" shouted Quatre.

Heero didn't look at him as he spoke in a subdued voice. "I couldn't save them, Quatre. I couldn't save her…"

Quatre's eyes looked sadly at his friend as he continued to pull and kick the vine. The realization slowly became clear to Quatre. Heero had vowed to protect Relena, and now that she was dead, he didn't only fail in a mission. He failed at the thing that mattered the most to him. There was nothing left for Heero now, except… "Don't give up! Relena wouldn't forgive you if you gave up!" He screamed at his compatriot to snap him out of his depression.

Heero slowly looked up and into the blond man's eyes. "Liam, Iria, and Dorothy are in there too." He had a grave, almost patronizing chuckle. "Would you still think that way if you saw them go in there?"

Quatre froze for a moment at those spiteful words. "oh…" he whimpered as the strength of those words slammed roughly on his mind.

Heero was swiftly pulled away and the plant sank into itself as Heero was integrated inside. The green surface revealed a large prism that was imbedded in the ground. Quatre's eyes widened at the seed's appearance. He ran towards it and saw that the prism was frosted glass and inside shocked him beyond belief. Inside was a person laying dormant. Was this person responsible for his friends' deaths? Was this person the one that made Heero talk and laugh like that? As he walked closer, the prism began cracking like an egg. The figure was visible to him now and he could scream in grief as he saw that woman. Her dark energy haunted his mind for weeks, and that strong violent energy was radiating like heat from a fire. "NO!!!!" he shouted in the top of his lungs at the desolate land.

"You could have killed her." The echoes of the dead rang in his mind. "You could have saved us." Quatre clenched his fists as he held his head. A chuckle could be heard and Quatre looked up at the source of the mocking laughter with a fierce glare. The woman had sat up and was staring squarely at him.

"It's the end Quatre. We are the future, not them. Don't regret them so much. You're freer now. You're powerful now. Love binds you to misery and pain. You'll regret them until you die. But don't remember love. Remember your anger and hate. Hate makes you stronger. Your fire grows Quatre. And you will realize that we're the same."

"What??!!!" Quatre screamed at the mocking woman.

"Believe it or not, we are more alike than you will admit. I loved too until it was taken away from me. It was afterwards I realized that love for those wretches we call family and friends limited us. We were limited because our love prevented us from being our greatest potential. But don't you see? Love is what held us back. It was only through the hate that grew from their deaths that gave me power beyond my dreams. So feel that hate Quatre. Feel it and you will realize that your hate isn't because I took them away from you. Your hate was because they held you back!"

Quatre was chocking in tears, pain, and grief. But a seed that laid dormant inside him began to flower and bud. "You're right…" he said in an eerie quiet voice. He began laughing. A dangerous laughter he hadn't felt since he first used the Zero system. "I do… feel… hate…" he said with a grunt as he glared at her with a sharp ferocity. "I feel.. HATE!!!!" he shouted with hundreds of echoes in the abyss. A powerful aura glowed around him. The ground beneath him cracked, The woman simply stared at him without fear in her eyes. She was challenging him with her unaffected eyes just waiting for him to explode. "I HATE YOU!!!!" A huge burst of energy ballooned and heightened into a mushroom cloud of energy.

*****

"Callie Watts reporting on a news breaking story. A huge explosion occurred this evening. The explosion occurred at Northway Towers. Notably, multi-millionaire, Quatre Raberba Winner, is a resident at the building. Ambulances and fire trucks are at the scene trying to rescue those that were caught in the blasts. We will update this story as we get further detail."

Next time: The heat turns up for our characters. What will happen next? You'll have to wait and see. But for previews? Well, our heroes will find what they want on a chases that spans throughout the colonies. More dangers lie ahead and this story isn't over yet! All this in Phase 11: La Pathetique.