Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Psychotic America ❯ Me, Myself and I Is All I Got ( Chapter 10 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Manga-Chick 
Trouble looms for the boys once their home is invaded
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Hentai / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 09.20.2005 | Pages: 4 | Words: 9.6K | Visits: 310 | Status: Completed
Trouble looms for the boys once their home is invaded
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Hentai / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 09.20.2005 | Pages: 4 | Words: 9.6K | Visits: 310 | Status: Completed
Alternate Universe, fusion, out of character charas, very disturbing information and scenes and Pairings: 1x4, 2x5 3(?)
Standard Disclaimers Apply: Don’t own Gundam Wing nor X-Men
Notes: Some stuff was changed around, here. I deleted some stuff, added some stuff, so it’s still the long winded, pompous bag that ya’ll are familiar with–just with some differences.
O0o0o0o0o0oO means scene change
Chapter Ten:
Me, Myself and I Is All I Got
The Victorian was a lit with customary lights that night–Ralph had taken position in a neighbor’s yard, crouched low in the dark with night vision binoculars and dark clothing. Alex had sneered at his outfit and accompanying toys, mentioning G.I. Joe and Ben Stiller in the same sentence...Ralph hadn’t cared to really listen to him. His tactics had worked before–why should they fail him now? He had been alerted to the presence of an empathic mutant, and was careful to keep his emotions in check...but he was sure he could be found out if he constantly held his concentration on his mission. It was a challenge for him–like trying to sneak up on a telepath.
He had planned on getting up close and personal–keeping his position here would more than likely give him away. Getting in closer would give him more options. He was debating on crossing the street to hide within their yard when the front door opened. Keeping himself close to the shadows, he held the binoculars to his eyes, taking in the sight that began to unfold before him.
“It’s not that he’s wimping out, Wufei,” Duo said tiredly, glancing over his shoulder at the Chinese. They were filing out for their mission that night, and Wufei was muttering about Quatre pleading an upset stomach. “I’m sure you remember that we haven’t fully adjusted to this lifestyle.”
“And why not? It’s been over a month.”
“I’ve been homeless since I was about...ten, Wufei. It’s been a pretty long time since I was put on a stable schedule. And things don’t magically fall into place,” Duo added with an annoyed expression.
“No...they don’t. But, the doctors will stop bugging him if he gets out here and puts in his hours,” Wufei grumbled, pulling his left foot up behind him. Duo watched, jamming his hands under his armpits as Wufei stretched his hamstrings.
“He doesn’t trust us, yet, Wufei. He had some bad things happen... we’re completely different people that adjust differently to things. More than likely, he’s still just watchin’ and waitin’ for you guys to do something to him, and he’s gonna take all the precautions he can to keep it from happening...”
Wufei sighed, shaking his head before bowing it. Duo was right...he couldn’t deny that. He gave the other boy an irritated glance as he continued to stretch his lithe form. Then the pair of them turned to watch Trowa come out, chewing on a piece of beef jerky.
“Are you ready to go, yet?”
“Just waiting on Heero.”
“What the hell is he doing?”
“Talking to his bitch.”
“I wish you’d stop saying that kinda shit,” Duo grumbled, tucking his hands into his pockets.
“Fine. His blow-up doll. His cum dumpster. His merry making sex toy. His–”
“Man, Trowa...sometimes, you’re just a fucking dick. Why do you have to be all jealous about Heero?” Duo complained, looking up at the older boy.
“‘Jealous’? Moi? Of...Heero? HAH!...am I? Is it obvious?”
Duo sighed, shaking his head while Trowa let loose with an evil grin, then resumed his usual indifference as he walked out onto the sidewalk. Scowling at the taller boy’s back, Duo muttered, “I swear, I don’t know what to make of him. If we all had to rely on someone to pull us through things, I sure as hell ain’t relying on him.”
“Trowa has his ways,” Wufei muttered back, frowning in said boy’s direction. “Just...don’t take him too seriously.”
“Yeah...says you. C’MON, HEERO!” Duo then yelled through the open door. “Let’s get goin’! It’s frigging COLD out here!”
“You’re more than comfortable here,” Wufei observed, blowing into his hands. He studied the other boy, noting the set expression and the way Duo glanced over at him from the corner of his eye.
“Yeah, well...getting three square meals a day, good clothes, livin’ where I can watch ‘Teen Titans’ nightly has it’s advantages,” Duo admitted, giving a half grin. “I’m not complaining.”
“You trust people? You’re not...afraid of them?”
“Ah, sometimes, I would be. But...only because they’re lookin’ to bum-bash...or throwing up some kinda revolt against mutants...I dunno. But...yeah, I’ve been beaten up a few times. Even had my ass gang-banged a couple of times...but I don’t think I’m one of those kinda people that seriously stay damaged. I’ve had my share of encountering good people, and having good things...I know that there’s more out there in the world than just bad things.”
“You were...gang-raped?”
“A couple of times. Sometimes, you don’t always get away. I don’t know, I just put that behind me. I’m not all shook up about it. It happened when I was younger. And, besides...bums don’t miss other bums. You know what I mean? I had my own ways of revenge. It ain’t that hard to kill someone. No one will miss them.”
Wufei studied him carefully, blowing into his hands. He noted the stony expression, and the almost flat way of talking that the boy adapted. Nodding faintly, he lowered his hands to his sides, unsure of how to proceed from here. Sally had asked that he talk to them–get them to open up more, or just to listen to what their troubles were made up of. Listening to Duo’s made him feel uncomfortable...sick...concerned. While Duo exhibited no such qualms about his own horrors, he could just be hiding his own discomfort behind his smiles and grins. Inside, he could be just as troubled as the other.
“HEERO!” Trowa bellowed from the sidewalk. “FUCK!”
“C’mon, let him say ‘goodbye’!” Duo then laughed. “It’s gonna be a whole eight hours away from him!”
“It’s not like they’re in love,” Wufei said, scornfully. He speared a glance toward the open door, frowning.
“What the hell are they doing?”
“Maybe a quickie,” Duo suggested. “Done right, a man can have energy for hours.”
“I think I would get tired after sex,” Wufei admitted.
“If it’s really good, then I pass out for awhile. But Heero doesn’t seem like one of those guys. I think after he gets done, he’s all full of energy.”
“I don’t know. He’s never been with anyone.”
“You guys ever hook up randomly? Had girlfriends? Boyfriends?” Duo asked curiously, staring pointedly at the Chinese.
Wufei shook his head, uncomfortable with the subject. Toeing the cold wooden planks of the porch, he said, “We really haven’t had the time. Sure, we’ve had our fair share of...er...admirations and the like with various girls here and there, but...”
“You’re not...gay?”
“I wouldn’t think so.”
Duo looked disappointed, and looked quickly at the door when Wufei looked at him. Heero finally marched out, looking annoyed with the world in general.
“Finally!” Duo declared, hands on his hips. “The hell, man? We’ve been waiting for hours out in this fucker!”
Ralph watched as the four left the Victorian, walking out to one of the main streets to catch a taxi. Frowning, he lowered the binoculars and moved swiftly, trailing them.
O0o0o0o0o0oO
From a vantage point away from Ralph, staying close to the shadows, the man with the pair of black eyes watched the mercenary follow the four boys. He plucked his cellphone out of his jacket pocket, speed-dialing a number. Upon hearing a snappish reply from the other end, he said quietly, “They’re leaving. Ralph’s right behind him, that suck-up.”
“Great.”
“Should we follow them? They only got one of them with ‘em.”
“Which one?”
“The braid. What does Treize want to do with them, anyway?”
“He says not to attack until Dorothy deems them ready,” Alex muttered sullenly, rolling his eyes. “And soldier-boy wants to wait while he spies on them. Frankly, I don’t think all that waiting’s necessary. Let’s just get in there, grab one while he’s available, and get going.”
“...Totally ridiculous,” Middie Une muttered. The girl was still garbed in her school uniform, and stood off to the side with a sullen expression on her face. “Treize doesn’t want them ‘grabbed’, Alex. He wants to coerce them with words to join us. He doesn’t want them forced.”
“It’s a better plan, kid,” Alex snapped, covering his mouthpiece with one hand. “You guys got a mutant that can mess with minds–frankly, it’ll be easier that way. Treize said they hadn’t yet committed themselves–it’ll be good to go right in and do the ambushing now.”
“But if we force them, they’re not going to want to do it,” Middie insisted. “They’ll be turning against us, anyway. And then what do we say to Treize?”
Alex pointed at her, saying, “Who invited this kid along?”
“I did.”
Alex, Middie and Nichols turned around, watching as a lean, tall form walked out from the shadows behind them. Alex lowered the phone, feeling his face darken with a scowl as Zechs separated himself from the darkness. Dressed in a crisp dress shirt and loose fitting slacks, he looked more ready to lounge upon an expensive leather couch than walk around the snowy streets. His long, white blond hair was tied back into a loose ponytail, giving him a sort of roguish look. His handsome face, misted over by the shadows that surrounded them, was currently pulled into a smirk.
“Even if we are planning on acquiring one, it would be best to be prepared. After all, good sir, you’ve no idea what one mutant is capable of.”
Alex shook his head. “Mueller can shut off a mutant’s powers. That’s handled.”
“Even if his powers were suddenly ‘missing’, he could perform a lot of unexpected damage. It’s better to be prepared than to be...not.”
“I think we can handle one stupid kid,” Alex snapped. He gestured at the two with him. “I’ve got these two. Plus one tailin’ Kurt. Said his name was Trant?”
“Ah. Yes...You’re certainly prepared, aren’t you? All illusionist, a density controller, a magician, and a man with two personalities that don’t share the same mutant abilities...you’ll get far.” Zechs’ smirk deepened as he tossed a few strands of hair from his face. The cell phone in Alex’s hand quivered under the force the man held it, his knuckles turning white as he glared hard at Zechs.
“I’ll take command,” Zechs said, looking over the others. “I also don’t agree with Treize’s plan. It’s better to attack now than wait for later. Sometimes, I think he doesn’t think so clearly. All his power has gone into his head and rendered him blind to the bigger picture.”
“You’re going against Treize’s orders?” Middie asked, crossing her arms over her chest. “That’s new.”
“I usually agree with the man, miss. But this one is much too delicate for waiting. We’ll proceed tonight. We’ll...persuade this one to join us. Certainly, with his empathy, he can convince the other to join us as well.”
“Sneak in, implant the suggestion, and leave?” Nichols asked, raising an eyebrow. “Actually...that’s a good idea. I would have never thought of that...”
“That’s why you’re the muscle, good sir. You’re not paid to think. Now,” Zechs missed the middle finger that was flicked in his direction, turning to look at his wristwatch. “From Ralph’s point, the four have left to track down my felonies...poor kids. They’ll never realize unless I tell them.”
“What ‘felonies’?” Middie asked curiously, frowning.
“Dissecting human bodies for a specific organ here and there...they’re on my trail, now.”
“Oh, those ones you sell on the market? How’s that going for ya, anyway?”
“Absolutely fabulous, dear. There are many a soul out there that are utterly grateful for a new organ or two. Now...I’ve already contacted our inside job...they’ll be out for the night. He’ll be alone. From what I’ve learned, he’s not exceptionally strong, and he’s more prone to hide than fight. Which makes it a delicate project, people. If we’re not careful, he could hurt himself, or one of us. Keep him in mind as a rather frightened animal, and proceed with that.”
“If this one can ‘turn off’ our powers, then how in the world are we going to pull this off?” Middie wondered as Alex finally cut his call to Trant.
“There are five of us, miss. I’m sure we can think of something.” Zechs looked up from his hands, where he was pulling on a pair of leather gloves. Alex sneered at the rather fashionable way the man was dressed., but inside, he was burning with envy and jealousy. This gorgeous man used to be his...his. Now, all Alex could do was stare and yearn.
“I hope Treize doesn’t get too pissed off at us, for ruinin’ his plans,” Nichols muttered, shaking his head as he followed the others out.
O0o0o0o0o0oO
Heero remembered his mother once saying, during a drunken fit, that he wasn’t worth enough for her to vomit upon. Through the drunken slur was something he’d never quite paid attention to, having learned to tune out her words at a young age, those same words were mysteriously coming back to him. He wondered why as he watched Duo flit from shadow to shadow, looking for some clue that would lead them into the right direction of their killer.
Clenching his fists, Heero narrowed his eyes as he wondered why his mother’s words were coming back to him. All of them, at one point, had suffered some form of abuse–which was why they were living on the streets at a young age. His own mother was a mail-order bride–a drunken one at that. Heero had been the love child from the result of a drunken encounter she had in a bar; the man had refused to claim Heero because he’d had a wife on the side.
For six long years, she ranted and raved about his existence and his failures, and he, in turn, tried hard to please her in every way that he possibly could. When Odin sent away for her, he’d thought things would change in America. Everyone had made it sound so beautiful, so adventurous, so grand and pure–but once he arrived, he saw that it was similar to the dump they’d lived in Shinjuku. It was obvious that his mother and Odin didn’t get along–he was controlling and dominant; she was challenging and rambunctious.
But they stuck together because of physical needs, and out of laziness. For four years, Odin beat on her, and she took her rage out on Heero. When he grew strong enough to beat her back, Odin began on him.
Things changed when he reached puberty–when his powers came into effect. The day that he discovered that he could lay Odin out with a single punch had been the day he’d killed his step-father. His mother had panicked about the authorities blaming her for Odin’s death. She’d turned him into the authorities without hesitation, and never looked back. Heero didn’t look back, either. He’d met Wufei and plotted to escape juvie for something different.
He hadn’t given much thought about his past–but he had to admit that it had made him into what he was today. Unfeeling, hard, controlling–wanting to dominate; never wanting others to dominate him. In certain ways, he felt detached from the other two–he felt he couldn’t identify with Wufei’s morals and values, and no one could identify with Trowa’s lack of social connection. But he was aware that he was controlling– most oftentimes forcing them to do what he wanted. Wufei, for his part, went along only because he had nothing else to do. Trowa challenged him, simply because he could. But in the end, the two went with him because he knew how to ‘make’ them.
They also emerged around Quatre–controlling him was too easy. In a way, he preferred that–Quatre’s submissive attitude and meekness was something easy for him to dominate over. He was drawn to the boy because of physical needs, and because the boy was beautiful. It was simple to control him, and Heero enjoyed the domination.
He wondered why his mother’s words were coming back to him.
He hadn’t thought about her in so long–what had made her come back?
“Heero? Hey, I think we’re done here,” Duo said, interrupting him as he walked over. “I can’t find anything that matches our, uh, list.”
“Fine. Chang,” Heero barked into their communication piece, frowning. “We’re done here. We’re moving on to the next point.”
“That’s fine. I’ve done my section,” Wufei reported back. “Trowa’s wandered off, somewhere.”
“”Keep us posted on your progress.”
“This is stupid,” Duo complained, shoulders slouching. “Here we are, lookin’ for SOMETHING, and we don’t even know what...”
Heero frowned at him, adjusting his jacket. It felt tighter than usual around his shoulders. “We’re looking for clues that the police may have missed, Duo.”
“Yeah, but...you know what? Quat can sense emotions...ya ever think he could sense, like, traces of it? Y’know what I’m talking about?”
Heero narrowed his eyes once more. “He hasn’t proven effective in the field. He still requires training in the Hangar.”
“I KNOW, but...think about it!”
“An untrained mutant in our line of work can prove disastrous, Duo. He could seriously injure himself or others.”
Duo made a big show of throwing his arms about. “I know what you’re talking about! But I’m just saying...if he’s paired up with one of you three, y’know, you all being so experienced and all...you guys could, like, watch over him as he does his thing.”
“The doctors will not allow this,” Heero said firmly, frowning at him. “Even if Wufei, Trowa or I were with him, it wouldn’t bode very well. He’s severely lacking in focusing his powers. Even with the hours you have logged in with us, you still aren’t good enough to leave on your own. You still require major supervision and training.”
“Man! You’re such a dick!” Duo exclaimed, staring at him in anger. When Heero’s face clouded with a sinister expression, Duo quickly added, “But in a good way. It’s good you’re lookin’ out for us that way.”
Heero rolled his eyes, beginning to walk. There was a long line of clubbers that were looking to get in through an open doorway, and the group stared at the pair curiously as they crossed the street, heading into another alleyway. Duo glanced back at them nervously, frowning.
“Don’t you think walkin’ around like this in front of people’s gonna make them talk?”
“This is New York City, Duo. They don’t care. For all that they know, we’re part of their group. Dressed as we are, they won’t give a shit about us and most likely have forgotten what we look like.”
“Oh. Er...you’re right. So...I was wondering...have you lived on the streets, long? I mean...how’d you guys meet?” Duo asked curiously, keeping close behind him, trying to keep up with the other mutant’s powerful strides.
“This is inconsequential to our work, Duo. Shut up and follow me. And if you open that big mouth again, I’ll stuff it so it doesn’t open again.”
Duo shuddered, then gave Heero a darkened expression, hating the tone that was being used on him. Grumbling underneath his breath, he hurried after Heero, glancing from side to side. Really, he had no idea what was so important about examining the scene after the police worked it. He was confident that the boys in blue had picked up what needed to be; there would be nothing left for them to scavenge, especially doing these conditions.
But the trio had insisted on returning to the scenes of the most recent killings to see what they could pick up. He and Heero had just left one that occurred nearly two weeks ago, and Wufei and Trowa were checking out one that had occurred within the last two days. With Trowa’s bloodhound form, Duo was sure they would be able to figure something out.
But he was really holding onto the idea that Quatre’s empathy could pick something up. Some sort of resonance, or echo of what had occurred. He thought that the blond could pick up, through these conflicting emotions, the actual killer. He was thinking in fantastical terms, but...if it could help, it would help. He was ready to insist once more when Heero paused short, frowning. He looked at the other mutant, lifting both eyebrows, wondering what was going on.
“Did you feel that?” Heero suddenly asked, his eyebrows drawing together as he glanced over his shoulder.
Duo blinked, looking around himself, on high alert. “Feel what?”
Heero didn’t answer for a moment, then his eyes widened. “Home. Go home!”
O0o0o0o0o0oO
Dishes clinked loudly, and bubbles danced noisily as Quatre washed the dishes. There was a faraway expression on his face as he washed each and every dish with the brand new sponge. Behind him, he was fully aware that Catherine and Sally were busy frosting cupcakes and decorating them with bright sprinkles. He wasn’t listening to what they were talking about, but their voices were a mixture of noises that kept him alert. He felt entirely detached from himself, his mind on faraway things, and thus didn’t notice the flickers of uneasiness that the two women were sending in his direction.
His empathy worked only if he let it–it wasn’t a free flowing sensation that allowed him to pick up anything and everything at any time. Only when he let it. With his thoughts keeping him so occupied, he hadn’t noticed the small looks and discomforted expressions behind him.
“We’re...going out, tonight, Quatre,” Catherine suddenly said, interrupting him. Her voice seemed forced and annoyingly loud within the uneasy silence.
He paused in washing, and nodded to indicate that he heard.
“You’ll be fine by yourself?” she then asked, licking her finger free of cream cheese frosting.
He nodded again, resuming the mindless task.
“Just make sure all the doors are locked, but don’t do the deadbolt or chain, all right? In case one of those guys come home early...”
He nodded once more, and began rinsing.
Catherine and Sally exchanged uneasy expressions, then turned to continue their task.
Later that night, Quatre shut off the lights to the house, and made his way upstairs. It was an arduous task–the pain in his ass was a painful throb of torture, made all the more so with continued movement. It was something he was somewhat used to, but the pain was something that one couldn’t rightly ignore. On the streets, he’d merely planted himself in one spot and allow for healing, but here...here he was forced to move around, as to not draw attention to himself. He also had convenience on his side. Instead of staining his clothing, the women had small packs of cotton pads that he used–with mortification, of course, and discomfort. But it was either this or staining his clothing in embarrassing places.
Once he reached the top floor, he walked into the room he shared with the others, and flopped onto his bed. It was lonely without the others...he’d gotten used to their noisiness and their presences. It had made him feel...secure. Even though he’d yearned to drop all his defenses and simply relax, he just couldn’t. Years of being on the streets and previous betrayals kept him too unwilling to let go.
Sighing quietly, he buried his face into his pillow, and settled for sleep.
He didn’t know what woke him up–whether it was a small sound in his dreams, or a strange sensation across his spine, but when he woke up, he was looking up at a towering form beside his bed. He barely had enough time to suck in a surprised breath when the figure moved, slamming both fists toward him.
Hurling himself off the bed, and rolling underneath, he heard the connection of fist against mattress, the bed uttering a protesting squeak upon the treatment. Mind blinded with panic, Quatre steadied himself underneath the bed, and focused his telekinesis on the shadow’s form.
Once he realized that it wasn’t working, he froze, unsure of what to do now.
The figure gave an annoyed grumble, and fitted his hands underneath the mattress and box spring, flipping them off the bed frame. Quatre was revealed underneath, and the blond reacted hastily, kicking out with both feet into the man’s shins.
As he fell, Quatre climbed out from the bedframe, hurtled over him, and dashed out into the hall. He made his way toward the stairs, but slammed to a stop when he saw two more people heading up, catching sight of him. He flung himself back into the hall, and raced into Sally and Catherine’s room. He slammed the door shut, fumbling with the lock as he heard running movement coming his way. He heard the lock click, and he groped through the darkness for the nearby dresser. Grunting, he shoved the heavy piece of furniture before the door, and moved away, his chest heaving with panic and fright.
Sucking in a quick breath, he glanced around him, noting that the women’s bed was empty. Either they were still out, or...those people had taken care of them. Without giving anymore regard to their whereabouts, he hurried over to the window, and flicked open the lock. He shoved the window open and pushed the screen out, looking to escape than to stick around. He heard the door being jostled, a heavy thump suggesting that someone was throwing themselves against it.
Glancing back at it, he prepared to crawl out when he came face to face with another man, this one smiling in a nasty way. With a surprised shout, he retreated back into the room, and slammed the window shut. The glass exploded inward with the man’s boot, showering him with the glittering shards. Ducking, Quatre turned and raced for the nearest door–the closet. Locking himself inside, breathing heavily, his hands slid all over the wall and ceiling, looking for a weapon. When his fingers brushed against something small and wooden, he quickly picked that up. It was a shoe, from the feel of it–but the bottom was carved entirely out of wood, and felt heavy enough to use as a weapon. He clutched a dainty strap, shaking violently with his fright. Seeing that he had no other place to go, he reached for the other shoe, and clasped both tightly, pressing himself into the wall of the closet.
He heard the heavy dresser being moved, and the sound of the door being opened. Trying to calm himself, Quatre focused on the noises–there were three men, and at least one woman. Their voices were nothing he’d heard before. They obviously weren’t here for a friendly visit with the women–they were here to cause damage.
“Thought this was going to be an easy job!”
“You sure there was only one? Did you check all the rooms?”
“I should’ve fucking grabbed him–but he’s a fast little fuck!”
“I told you he was! This was the same blond I told you about! It may not be his mutant powers,” the closet door slid open with a noisy screech and jolt, Quatre freezing for an instant upon facing three large men, “but he’s fast.”
“Girly-lookin’ thing,” one of the men commented, reaching for him.
Quatre felt himself go paralyzed as the man wrapped his fingers in the material of his shirt, and jerked him out from the closet. That’s when he made his move; he swung one shoe up into the face of one man, hearing the dull thunk as the wood connected with bone. At his pained scream, Quatre swung the other shoe, catching another man just up the chin. He ducked quickly as the first lunged at him with a furious snarl, and darted out from the room. Seeing someone on the stairway, he didn’t hesitate–he leapt over the railing, falling from the second floor to the first, and landing awkwardly onto the hard surface below. The shock of impact made his legs give out, so he struggled to crawl back onto his feet.
He heard furious shouts and curses as the stairway was full of running feet. Stumbling toward the front door, he slammed against it, jerking on the knob. But the door caught on the chain lock, and the door stopped in place. Uttering a panicked sound at the action, Quatre glanced over his shoulder to see the men nearing at him, and, in desperation, shoved himself through the small space between the door and the doorframe. His frame was much too thick to fit within that narrow space–but desperation forced people to do desperate things.
He felt strong hands grip his arms, yanking him back through the narrow opening. Kicking and punching, connecting with anything that felt as if it were connected to a man, he felt strong arms around his waist, lifting him from the floor.
He tried using his powers again, but nothing was working! He heard the jumble of voices as the men commented on his almost feral struggle. He was aware that he was being taken out of the hall, the large man holding him easily combating his weaker strength. He was being handled as if he were a mere child, and his mind was blinded with his own panic and fear of the situation. There had been too many times when this had happened, and never was it anything good.
He began to scream then, furiously hitting anything he could touch, kicking out at the walls and knocking his head back–doing anything to get loose and get away from the situation. He heard the man holding him give an snarled comment on what he had to do to keep him aloft, and when Quatre felt the minute falter in the man’s give, forced his body deadweight.
He fell out of the man’s grasp, and immediately dove for the back kitchen door as the man tried snatching at him once more. He wrestled with the chain and the lock, but felt hands on his arms, pulling him back. He began kicking once more, being wrestled away from the door.
“Hold him STILL!” he heard a man snarl angrily. Hearing those words, his mind growing terribly fuzzy with panic at what could happen, he started to scream furiously. He threw both his arms and legs out, trying with maniacal effort to get away.
His fist had just danced off someone’s face when he heard a startled shout from behind him. The man’s grip on him was gone, and he fell to the floor with a surprised grunt. Without hesitating or seeing what had happened, he dashed underneath the dining room table, hiding from the sudden shouts and exclamations that were taking place.
He swore he heard Duo’s excited voice, but he was unsure, the haze of his panic and fear clouding over his common sense and judgement. He just wanted to hide. Men shouted in surprise as something smashed against the floor–chairs scraped loudly as they were knocked aside.
The table collapsed when someone crashed on top, pining him underneath. He hadn’t a chance to move, feeling immense weight that kept him pined against the floor.
Heero, meanwhile, used a chair to crack across Alex’s head, shoving the mutant away from him with a strong grunt. He was aware that his powers weren’t working, but he made up for their lack with his own sense of fighting. Duo had disappeared to retrieve the other two upon his quick command. Fighting off the three men, noting the one girl and another man standing off to the side, Heero glanced around for Quatre. He didn’t see the blond, and snarled angrily.
Two of the men caught the chair he was using, and yanked it away from him. Unfazed that his weapon was taken away, he sent a high kick into the third man’s face, catching his arm as his body swung to the side. He used the momentum of the man’s fall to swing him into the other two men, all three falling to the floor with a mixture of grunts and shouts. Seeing that the area was cleared for the moment, Heero glanced around again for Quatre, and spotted the blond shoving the broken dining room table off of him.
“Idiot!” he hissed in his direction, seeing movement coming toward him.
The other man, with long blond hair and a smirk, was in his face before he could move. The force of this man’s punch sent him wheeling backwards, crashing into the wall. He rolled to get out of the man’s way, hearing a boot crash through the wall, where his head was seconds ago. Climbing to his feet, Heero grabbed another of the chairs presented to him, and hurled it at the smirking man.
Zechs ducked cleanly, Duo and the other two appearing just moments after the movement. Trowa was taken out by the flying chair, Wufei and Duo separating quickly as they assessed the danger.
The dining room was crowded with all of them, and the tension was just as thick.
Zechs gave an annoyed frown as he realized that Heero had backup, and signaled Mueller. Mueller nodded, letting go of his hold over the powers that everyone had. Using this moment of distraction, Middie went to work, thrusting her hands up to cast an illusion of safety for the five boys.
Heero glanced around, wondering where the men had suddenly disappeared to. From the small hallway behind Duo, Trowa was cursing up a storm as he tried stanching his bloody nose with one hand.
Wufei, with an unsteady glance around the room, shifted position so that his back was against one of the walls. He never knew that he missed bumping against Trant. The illusion was well cast, as the five members of Treize’s faction began moving into place, the girl moving safely out of the way.
Quatre, feeling a little more safe with the others present, shifted position away from the table, backing up against the wall. He could tell that something wasn’t right, and his eyes darted nervously about. Something at the back of his mind niggled for his senses to come alert, and he used his empathy to see if it worked.
Immediately sensing the five, he gave a sharp gasp, focusing on the closest one to him.
The illusion was shattered when Zechs found himself being flung from the dining room and into the basement door.
“They’re still here!” Wufei barked, tensing as his hands lit with flame.
Trowa immediately took on the hulking silverback, roaring with fury, while Duo teleported away.
Middie lost the illusion upon Alex’s command, stepping back to avoid a fireball being flung her way. With a yelp, she flung herself to the floor as Trant moved over her, his hands raising.
Around Wufei, the floorboards suddenly disappeared around him, and for a single moment, the boy was standing on air. When he realized what had happened, he moved quickly, his gift of speed propelling him into Trant’s face with a punch into his face.
As Trant went flying, Nichols concentrated on the upper half of his body, allowing the flying man to go through his insubstantial form. Trowa missed hitting him as well, his ape form slicing through Nichols’ intangible body with a surprised hiss.
Nichols focused on his fist, rendering it tangible enough to hit Trowa’s face, and use the rest of his superhuman strength to toss the ape into the kitchen. Going intangible once more to avoid Wufei’s striking offense, Nichols maneuvered easily, pitting him against the speedy mutant with a sense of ease. Confident in his abilities, he rendered himself intangible so that Wufei could not touch him, and focused on his fists and feet whenever he threw a kick.
Duo jumped in as Zechs battled it out with Heero, leaping onto the man’s back with a surprised shout. Holding him still, Duo watched as Heero charged with a punch aimed for Zechs’ head. But the man ducked, and Duo yelped as he was forced to teleport, avoiding sure death as Heero’s fist sliced through the emptiness. Zechs reached up, gripped his arm, and administered a strong jolt of electricity that had Heero paralyzed in place.
Seeing that his normal charge wasn’t good enough to take the mutant down, Zechs gave a low growl, upping the volts in an effort to affect him. Heero merely grimaced, savagely yanking his arm away from the other mutant.
Suddenly, before Zechs could move again, he found himself in the air, being swung into Alex. Both of them were then picked up, and tossed into Trant and Middie. All four of them yelped and shouted as the front door opened, and they were tossed outside. Nichols turned away from his battle with Wufei to see this, blinking with surprise as he saw the others taken care of so easily.
As he stood there, intangible, with two boys trying hard to get him to focus on them once more, he felt a little lost as he glanced at the five boys. He narrowed his eyes, trying to make up his mind on what to do. He glanced out the open door, then gave an annoyed growl as he glanced at the others again. Finally making up his mind, he stalked away from the scene, entirely confident that due to his intangible form, he wouldn’t be touched.
Wufei hurried up to the front door to see that the others had picked themselves up from the ground, and were making their getaway into a car parked across the street. Zechs took his time, wiping the snow from his clothing as he glared in their direction.
Wufei narrowed his eyes, watching as the tall, handsome man turned his back to them, and walked after the others. As the car pulled away with a slight screech of tires, Wufei shut the door, feeling more than uneasy and troubled by what had just happened. He turned to face the others, noting their expressions and the state of their house.
“You’re bleeding all over the place,” he then muttered with annoyance at Trowa.
“Thanks to Skippy, here!” Trowa barked, turning to look back at Heero. “Thanks a lot, asshole!”
“You’re very welcome, Trowa,” Heero said on a pleased note, then frowned as he looked over at Quatre. He reached out, grabbing the boy’s shirt. “What the hell were they doing here?”
“I d-don’t know!”
“Heero, c’mon, don’t be so rough,” Duo complained, hurrying over and trying to separate them. “We won, man. We won this match. There was five of them, and we won good.”
“It doesn’t take away the fact that they were here!” Heero snarled, shoving Quatre away from him. Wufei caught the blond before he could make impact with the kitchen counter. “How did they know where we live? What the fuck were they doing here?”
“Let’s just calm down, all right?” Wufei barked. “Just calm down. We’ll figure out how, what, when and why. Just calm down.”
“Where’s the women?” Heero then asked Quatre.
“They said they went out.”
“Let’s just assume that they’re safe, Heero,” Wufei interrupted. “They aren’t here. The car’s not here. For now, let’s make sure we’re all physically okay, and we’ll start over.”
“They know where we live!” Heero shouted. “That is unacceptable! If they know where we live, then it’s obvious something has to be done! Why the hell were they here?”
“SHUT UP AND CALM DOWN!” Wufei roared.
“I WILL NOT UNTIL I KNOW!” Heero bellowed, slamming his fists against the wall.
Trowa gave a low whistle, dabbing at the blood on his face with his sleeve. “Somebody forgot to take his Midol.”
Heero turned, snatching the mutant before he could move, and smashed him up against the wall. Trowa promptly lost his breath, pain racking his body as Duo and Wufei jumped onto Heero’s back, trying to separate the two mutants.
“I will not tolerate your fucking mouth!” Heero spat furiously, Trowa looking momentarily surprised as he stared down into the enraged mutant’s face.
“Let go of him, Heero!” Wufei cried, administering a blistering burn onto the mutant’s arms, trying to get him to let go.
Duo struggled to at least nudge the mutant, clinging deadweight to one of his arms, but it felt as if he were hanging from a steel beam. He kicked out both legs, but that felt similar to a steel beam as well.
“C’mon, man! Let go of him!”
“Do you understand?” Heero growled, knocking Trowa into the wall once more, causing the mutant to crack his head against it with a dull thump. “Do you understand? I don’t want to hear what you have to say!”
“LET GO, YUY!”
“Get off me, sheesh,” Trowa muttered, releasing his hold on Heero’s wrists.
For a few silent moments, the three waited for Heero to make a move, obvious tension building between them. Then, with a low snarl, Heero shifted away from the wall and shoved Trowa away from him. The lanky boy hit the floor and skid into one of the kitchen walls with a loud, nasty thud. He shoved both Wufei and Duo away from him, looking furious as he surveyed the damage done to the dining room.
“Seeing that they know we live here is unacceptable,” he muttered again, fury causing his shoulders to shake. “This is my stable environment. I don’t want those motherfuckers knowing I live here! I relax here! For them to know is unacceptable! For them to come in and attack my home is unacceptable!”
“I know it is, Yuy,” Wufei said quietly, holding his hands out. “I know. I know you don’t want change, anymore. But we’ve got to figure out why they were here. How they knew we were here. But we cannot do this if we’re not thinking clearly. I need you to calm down and think clearly, all right? I need you to help me think, Yuy.”
“We need to go straight to them and destroy them before they do anything more,” Heero growled, but visibly calming. “This is my home...”
“We’ll think of something, Heero. Just...calm. We’re all okay, here. They’re gone.”
“But they know we’re HERE!” Heero sliced his fingers through his hair with agitation, then moved in a slow circle, as if trying to regroup his thoughts. His furious blue gaze was settled on the floor, with Wufei holding his hands out in a pleading gesture. Duo was too afraid to move, fearful that he’d pull Heero’s attention his way.
He kept himself as still as possible, ready to teleport if needed. Glancing from one Asian to the other, he saw that Wufei was used to dealing with these sorts of fits. He saw confidence and understanding in the Chinese’s eyes–rather than wariness like Trowa’s. It was the first time he’d seen the green-eyed boy in such a state, so he knew Heero’s fury was something to be frightened of. Duo didn’t consider himself smart, but he knew when to keep his mouth shut.
“Then let’s have an emergency meeting with the doctors, Yuy,” Wufei said quietly, lowering his hands. “If needs be, we can leave this place and hide out somewhere safe. They have safe havens for us in case of any emergencies...you know that.”
“Fine. Call them. Trowa, call your sister. Find out where she’s at. Duo, make sure all the doors are locked. Quatre...just...” Heero threw up his hands in exasperation, and stomped off, muttering underneath his breath. Once he was out of sight, and Duo was sure he couldn’t hear, the long haired one exhaled a sigh of relief.
Wufei looked over in his direction, looking momentarily relieved as well. Then he snapped back into attention, his features setting into a grim expression. Trowa moved slowly toward the phone, rubbing at his nose, muttering underneath his breath. Duo quickly darted off to make sure all windows and doors were locked. When Wufei turned to see if Quatre was all right, he noted the sullen expression on his face.
Quatre looked at him, picking at the hem of his shirt. Lowering his eyes quickly, he muttered, “He didn’t give me anything to do...”
Wufei felt himself blink in curiosity, and he moved away from the hall, stopping before the broken dinner table. He opened his mouth to say something when Quatre hurried away from him, moving upstairs without anything more to say. Wufei scrunched his face up into something resembling exasperation, and moved out of the dining room.
O0o0o0o0o0oO
“What is it you have to report?” Dr J began, looking at Heero for a satisfactory oral presentation of the events that had happened earlier.
The lot of them were sitting in the basement, with only the accompanying Pokemon music from Trowa’s Gameboy Advanced playing as a filler. After phone calls had been made, and the ladies accounted for, the doctors had come at the earliest possible, as to get things straightened out. The attack on the house, and for the fact that Treize’s faction knew where they lived, had caused high levels of agitation among the boys–especially Heero. Dr J knew better than to let this one slide though with procrastination. He was the one that ordered the hasty meeting, even though the other older men weren’t so agreeable.
But Dr J knew that Heero’s agitation of the matter would put the other boys and ladies in trouble–the mutant’s temper and fury were quite legendary when he was riled up. When he grew violent and out of control, no one was able to stop him. Often, after a particularly violent episode, Heero would show some regret of his actions, but never learned how to effectively deal with his anger. Dr J wanted to avoid all that drama and get this situation over as soon as possible.
“During our routine investigation of recent murder scenes, I had felt the distinct need to return home. Upon returning home, Maxwell and I encountered five people–four men and a teenage girl–in the process of trying to apprehend Quatre. I intervened---”
“Why would they want you?” O asked with disgust, looking over at the blond. “You’re nothing.”
“–I intervened, sent Maxwell to retrieve back-up, as our mutant abilities were somehow blocked. I didn’t have access to my healing capabilities nor my strength when I entered into battle against them. They were surprised by our appearance–with Maxwell returning with the other two, we engaged into battle. They felt outnumbered or overpowered, and attempted to mask their ‘disappearance’ with the use of some mind trick. Perhaps illusionary, or some mental interference. However, upon this note, Quatre used his powers to locate them, and intercepted a possible attack. They revealed themselves once more–we took care of the matter, and they left without attempting any more communication or attack,” Heero concluded, looking at the silent blond that sat next to him.
“Is this true?” G demanded, looking at the blond, who nodded.
“What did they want with you? What did you do to try and escape?” O demanded from his end of the table.
Quatre stared at the table, refusing to meet anyone’s eyes. “I couldn’t do anything.”
“Weakling...J, we cannot have this weak link in our rank if we want to succeed in preventing another such instance on their home! We don’t have the time and energy we need to constantly keep such weakness from overtaking our operation!” O roared, slamming a fist to prove his point.
“Really, what could have he done?” Duo cried, slamming his hands on the table. “That guy neutralized our powers! And before me an’ ‘Ro showed up, he was facing against FIVE of them!”
“There is much one can do without the need for mutant flaws,” O growled, shifting his eyebrow-less gaze at him.
“C’mon, man! If you saw what went down, you would have realized that he couldn’t escape from them! It was five against one!”
“Even before his powers came into play, Chang was efficient in martial arts to escape such common occurrences...”
“Well, he isn’t Wufei!” Duo snapped.
“Your insolence is really tiring–!”
“O, snap your muzzle on so that we may somehow continue gathering our information,” Dr J commanded, rapping his metal claw on the table for attention. He looked at Quatre, running his human fingers through his goatee. “Now...had anything been said to you to reveal their intentions upon you?”
“They did not say anything,” Quatre mumbled.
“Did they address you in any way?”
“No.”
The five older men looked at each other with confusion, each of them wondering what was the case in the unexpected attack. Shaking his head, G adjusted his chair closer to the table.
“Upon that note...could any of you recognize whom was whom?” he asked.
“S, get their memories,” Dr J commanded in disgust.
“Have you performed an investigation upon your house?” H asked with interest as S left his seat, and reached over to touch Trowa, the closest boy to him.
“We haven’t found any clue as to who they are and what they were doing here,” Wufei reported gravely, frowning. “There wasn’t any sign of forced entry. One of them must have some sort of teleportation powers...no. there was one mutant that was able to render himself intangible. He could have let them in.”
“Walking through walls, huh?” G asked curiously, tapping his nose.
“Zechs Merquise!” S announced, straightening. “Zechs Merquise, our current mutant addict, a couple of muscle men from Queens, and a slight little girl just barely coming out of high school.”
“Can you positively id them?” Dr J asked curiously.
“Obviously, my good fellow. Have confidence in my abilities.”
“Get working, old man! We don’t have all day!” H exclaimed.
“You might pass away before anything happens!” O complained.
“HEY! I take my vitamins and use a hooker regularly to keep these old bones working,” S whined, picking up a sketchpad and pencil.
H suddenly started to laugh hysterically while O looked disturbed.
Dr J shivered before asking, “Out of curiosity, boy...can you sense past emotions? For example, walking back into that dining room, can you possibly sense the emotions that were present?”
“As a sort of psychic residue?” S asked curiously, lifting both eyebrows.
“Don’t even waste your time talking to him!” O shouted in disgust, hitting the table. “Look at him! He’s pathetic! He doesn’t know what you’re talking about–! Damn immigrants...”
“HEY! I’ve come abroad this great nation on a lousy fishermen’s boat from Cuba!” G snarled, frowning at him. “Do you include me in your litany?”
“What ‘litany’? You’re getting crazy with your old age, you bastard!”
“Damn. I’m missing American Idol reruns right now,” H sighed, glancing at his wristwatch. “And for the fact that IHOP’s serving the better breakfast dishes...”
“Hmm. I like their sandwiches. Very artistic and well thought out,” S said, nodding in approval.
Wufei sighed heavily, shoulders slouching as two different conversations began amongst the older men. He started to open his mouth to interrupt when Heero rose from his seat, and slammed both fists on the table. Three coffee mugs flew into the air, along with several surprised shouts.
“I WANT THIS DEALT WITH NOW!” he screamed, shutting off all over conversations. Silence reigned as everyone stared at him, waiting for another explosion. “How much shit do I have to listen to before something is agreed upon? While we’re down here listening to bullshit geezer stories, those people know where we live. And their reasons for infiltrating my home is still undetermined. I want to know what is going to happen now, and what will become of it!”
“Heero...please sit down and calm yourself,” Dr J said quietly, folding his hands before him. “We won’t get anywhere with your raging temper...we were discussing our options for you all. Since it has come to light that these people know where you all live, and that they obviously have ill intentions toward...either all of you or one of you, we cannot allow you to stay here. We’ll move you to another location–”
“I don’t want to leave. This is my home!”
“Yes, I realize that, Heero. I truly do. And I sympathize with you on the loss of your security, but these things do happen. You must learn to roll with it.”
Heero made a low growling noise, his fist curling threateningly as he stared murderously at the old man that addressed him in such patronizing tones. Dr J looked away from him, frowning at S.
“Your cabin in the woods...”
S threw the sketchpad away from him with a disappointed growl. “I’ve worked over ten years to have that property installed with civilized comforts! Seeing the way these boys trash their own home gives me no confidence at all in placing them there!”
“Excellent!” Dr J turned to the boys, who were a little lost on things. “O will drive you up there. You’ve one hour to pack while we locate more information on this attack.”
< br>
Standard Disclaimers Apply: Don’t own Gundam Wing nor X-Men
Notes: Some stuff was changed around, here. I deleted some stuff, added some stuff, so it’s still the long winded, pompous bag that ya’ll are familiar with–just with some differences.
O0o0o0o0o0oO means scene change
Chapter Ten:
Me, Myself and I Is All I Got
The Victorian was a lit with customary lights that night–Ralph had taken position in a neighbor’s yard, crouched low in the dark with night vision binoculars and dark clothing. Alex had sneered at his outfit and accompanying toys, mentioning G.I. Joe and Ben Stiller in the same sentence...Ralph hadn’t cared to really listen to him. His tactics had worked before–why should they fail him now? He had been alerted to the presence of an empathic mutant, and was careful to keep his emotions in check...but he was sure he could be found out if he constantly held his concentration on his mission. It was a challenge for him–like trying to sneak up on a telepath.
He had planned on getting up close and personal–keeping his position here would more than likely give him away. Getting in closer would give him more options. He was debating on crossing the street to hide within their yard when the front door opened. Keeping himself close to the shadows, he held the binoculars to his eyes, taking in the sight that began to unfold before him.
“It’s not that he’s wimping out, Wufei,” Duo said tiredly, glancing over his shoulder at the Chinese. They were filing out for their mission that night, and Wufei was muttering about Quatre pleading an upset stomach. “I’m sure you remember that we haven’t fully adjusted to this lifestyle.”
“And why not? It’s been over a month.”
“I’ve been homeless since I was about...ten, Wufei. It’s been a pretty long time since I was put on a stable schedule. And things don’t magically fall into place,” Duo added with an annoyed expression.
“No...they don’t. But, the doctors will stop bugging him if he gets out here and puts in his hours,” Wufei grumbled, pulling his left foot up behind him. Duo watched, jamming his hands under his armpits as Wufei stretched his hamstrings.
“He doesn’t trust us, yet, Wufei. He had some bad things happen... we’re completely different people that adjust differently to things. More than likely, he’s still just watchin’ and waitin’ for you guys to do something to him, and he’s gonna take all the precautions he can to keep it from happening...”
Wufei sighed, shaking his head before bowing it. Duo was right...he couldn’t deny that. He gave the other boy an irritated glance as he continued to stretch his lithe form. Then the pair of them turned to watch Trowa come out, chewing on a piece of beef jerky.
“Are you ready to go, yet?”
“Just waiting on Heero.”
“What the hell is he doing?”
“Talking to his bitch.”
“I wish you’d stop saying that kinda shit,” Duo grumbled, tucking his hands into his pockets.
“Fine. His blow-up doll. His cum dumpster. His merry making sex toy. His–”
“Man, Trowa...sometimes, you’re just a fucking dick. Why do you have to be all jealous about Heero?” Duo complained, looking up at the older boy.
“‘Jealous’? Moi? Of...Heero? HAH!...am I? Is it obvious?”
Duo sighed, shaking his head while Trowa let loose with an evil grin, then resumed his usual indifference as he walked out onto the sidewalk. Scowling at the taller boy’s back, Duo muttered, “I swear, I don’t know what to make of him. If we all had to rely on someone to pull us through things, I sure as hell ain’t relying on him.”
“Trowa has his ways,” Wufei muttered back, frowning in said boy’s direction. “Just...don’t take him too seriously.”
“Yeah...says you. C’MON, HEERO!” Duo then yelled through the open door. “Let’s get goin’! It’s frigging COLD out here!”
“You’re more than comfortable here,” Wufei observed, blowing into his hands. He studied the other boy, noting the set expression and the way Duo glanced over at him from the corner of his eye.
“Yeah, well...getting three square meals a day, good clothes, livin’ where I can watch ‘Teen Titans’ nightly has it’s advantages,” Duo admitted, giving a half grin. “I’m not complaining.”
“You trust people? You’re not...afraid of them?”
“Ah, sometimes, I would be. But...only because they’re lookin’ to bum-bash...or throwing up some kinda revolt against mutants...I dunno. But...yeah, I’ve been beaten up a few times. Even had my ass gang-banged a couple of times...but I don’t think I’m one of those kinda people that seriously stay damaged. I’ve had my share of encountering good people, and having good things...I know that there’s more out there in the world than just bad things.”
“You were...gang-raped?”
“A couple of times. Sometimes, you don’t always get away. I don’t know, I just put that behind me. I’m not all shook up about it. It happened when I was younger. And, besides...bums don’t miss other bums. You know what I mean? I had my own ways of revenge. It ain’t that hard to kill someone. No one will miss them.”
Wufei studied him carefully, blowing into his hands. He noted the stony expression, and the almost flat way of talking that the boy adapted. Nodding faintly, he lowered his hands to his sides, unsure of how to proceed from here. Sally had asked that he talk to them–get them to open up more, or just to listen to what their troubles were made up of. Listening to Duo’s made him feel uncomfortable...sick...concerned. While Duo exhibited no such qualms about his own horrors, he could just be hiding his own discomfort behind his smiles and grins. Inside, he could be just as troubled as the other.
“HEERO!” Trowa bellowed from the sidewalk. “FUCK!”
“C’mon, let him say ‘goodbye’!” Duo then laughed. “It’s gonna be a whole eight hours away from him!”
“It’s not like they’re in love,” Wufei said, scornfully. He speared a glance toward the open door, frowning.
“What the hell are they doing?”
“Maybe a quickie,” Duo suggested. “Done right, a man can have energy for hours.”
“I think I would get tired after sex,” Wufei admitted.
“If it’s really good, then I pass out for awhile. But Heero doesn’t seem like one of those guys. I think after he gets done, he’s all full of energy.”
“I don’t know. He’s never been with anyone.”
“You guys ever hook up randomly? Had girlfriends? Boyfriends?” Duo asked curiously, staring pointedly at the Chinese.
Wufei shook his head, uncomfortable with the subject. Toeing the cold wooden planks of the porch, he said, “We really haven’t had the time. Sure, we’ve had our fair share of...er...admirations and the like with various girls here and there, but...”
“You’re not...gay?”
“I wouldn’t think so.”
Duo looked disappointed, and looked quickly at the door when Wufei looked at him. Heero finally marched out, looking annoyed with the world in general.
“Finally!” Duo declared, hands on his hips. “The hell, man? We’ve been waiting for hours out in this fucker!”
Ralph watched as the four left the Victorian, walking out to one of the main streets to catch a taxi. Frowning, he lowered the binoculars and moved swiftly, trailing them.
O0o0o0o0o0oO
From a vantage point away from Ralph, staying close to the shadows, the man with the pair of black eyes watched the mercenary follow the four boys. He plucked his cellphone out of his jacket pocket, speed-dialing a number. Upon hearing a snappish reply from the other end, he said quietly, “They’re leaving. Ralph’s right behind him, that suck-up.”
“Great.”
“Should we follow them? They only got one of them with ‘em.”
“Which one?”
“The braid. What does Treize want to do with them, anyway?”
“He says not to attack until Dorothy deems them ready,” Alex muttered sullenly, rolling his eyes. “And soldier-boy wants to wait while he spies on them. Frankly, I don’t think all that waiting’s necessary. Let’s just get in there, grab one while he’s available, and get going.”
“...Totally ridiculous,” Middie Une muttered. The girl was still garbed in her school uniform, and stood off to the side with a sullen expression on her face. “Treize doesn’t want them ‘grabbed’, Alex. He wants to coerce them with words to join us. He doesn’t want them forced.”
“It’s a better plan, kid,” Alex snapped, covering his mouthpiece with one hand. “You guys got a mutant that can mess with minds–frankly, it’ll be easier that way. Treize said they hadn’t yet committed themselves–it’ll be good to go right in and do the ambushing now.”
“But if we force them, they’re not going to want to do it,” Middie insisted. “They’ll be turning against us, anyway. And then what do we say to Treize?”
Alex pointed at her, saying, “Who invited this kid along?”
“I did.”
Alex, Middie and Nichols turned around, watching as a lean, tall form walked out from the shadows behind them. Alex lowered the phone, feeling his face darken with a scowl as Zechs separated himself from the darkness. Dressed in a crisp dress shirt and loose fitting slacks, he looked more ready to lounge upon an expensive leather couch than walk around the snowy streets. His long, white blond hair was tied back into a loose ponytail, giving him a sort of roguish look. His handsome face, misted over by the shadows that surrounded them, was currently pulled into a smirk.
“Even if we are planning on acquiring one, it would be best to be prepared. After all, good sir, you’ve no idea what one mutant is capable of.”
Alex shook his head. “Mueller can shut off a mutant’s powers. That’s handled.”
“Even if his powers were suddenly ‘missing’, he could perform a lot of unexpected damage. It’s better to be prepared than to be...not.”
“I think we can handle one stupid kid,” Alex snapped. He gestured at the two with him. “I’ve got these two. Plus one tailin’ Kurt. Said his name was Trant?”
“Ah. Yes...You’re certainly prepared, aren’t you? All illusionist, a density controller, a magician, and a man with two personalities that don’t share the same mutant abilities...you’ll get far.” Zechs’ smirk deepened as he tossed a few strands of hair from his face. The cell phone in Alex’s hand quivered under the force the man held it, his knuckles turning white as he glared hard at Zechs.
“I’ll take command,” Zechs said, looking over the others. “I also don’t agree with Treize’s plan. It’s better to attack now than wait for later. Sometimes, I think he doesn’t think so clearly. All his power has gone into his head and rendered him blind to the bigger picture.”
“You’re going against Treize’s orders?” Middie asked, crossing her arms over her chest. “That’s new.”
“I usually agree with the man, miss. But this one is much too delicate for waiting. We’ll proceed tonight. We’ll...persuade this one to join us. Certainly, with his empathy, he can convince the other to join us as well.”
“Sneak in, implant the suggestion, and leave?” Nichols asked, raising an eyebrow. “Actually...that’s a good idea. I would have never thought of that...”
“That’s why you’re the muscle, good sir. You’re not paid to think. Now,” Zechs missed the middle finger that was flicked in his direction, turning to look at his wristwatch. “From Ralph’s point, the four have left to track down my felonies...poor kids. They’ll never realize unless I tell them.”
“What ‘felonies’?” Middie asked curiously, frowning.
“Dissecting human bodies for a specific organ here and there...they’re on my trail, now.”
“Oh, those ones you sell on the market? How’s that going for ya, anyway?”
“Absolutely fabulous, dear. There are many a soul out there that are utterly grateful for a new organ or two. Now...I’ve already contacted our inside job...they’ll be out for the night. He’ll be alone. From what I’ve learned, he’s not exceptionally strong, and he’s more prone to hide than fight. Which makes it a delicate project, people. If we’re not careful, he could hurt himself, or one of us. Keep him in mind as a rather frightened animal, and proceed with that.”
“If this one can ‘turn off’ our powers, then how in the world are we going to pull this off?” Middie wondered as Alex finally cut his call to Trant.
“There are five of us, miss. I’m sure we can think of something.” Zechs looked up from his hands, where he was pulling on a pair of leather gloves. Alex sneered at the rather fashionable way the man was dressed., but inside, he was burning with envy and jealousy. This gorgeous man used to be his...his. Now, all Alex could do was stare and yearn.
“I hope Treize doesn’t get too pissed off at us, for ruinin’ his plans,” Nichols muttered, shaking his head as he followed the others out.
O0o0o0o0o0oO
Heero remembered his mother once saying, during a drunken fit, that he wasn’t worth enough for her to vomit upon. Through the drunken slur was something he’d never quite paid attention to, having learned to tune out her words at a young age, those same words were mysteriously coming back to him. He wondered why as he watched Duo flit from shadow to shadow, looking for some clue that would lead them into the right direction of their killer.
Clenching his fists, Heero narrowed his eyes as he wondered why his mother’s words were coming back to him. All of them, at one point, had suffered some form of abuse–which was why they were living on the streets at a young age. His own mother was a mail-order bride–a drunken one at that. Heero had been the love child from the result of a drunken encounter she had in a bar; the man had refused to claim Heero because he’d had a wife on the side.
For six long years, she ranted and raved about his existence and his failures, and he, in turn, tried hard to please her in every way that he possibly could. When Odin sent away for her, he’d thought things would change in America. Everyone had made it sound so beautiful, so adventurous, so grand and pure–but once he arrived, he saw that it was similar to the dump they’d lived in Shinjuku. It was obvious that his mother and Odin didn’t get along–he was controlling and dominant; she was challenging and rambunctious.
But they stuck together because of physical needs, and out of laziness. For four years, Odin beat on her, and she took her rage out on Heero. When he grew strong enough to beat her back, Odin began on him.
Things changed when he reached puberty–when his powers came into effect. The day that he discovered that he could lay Odin out with a single punch had been the day he’d killed his step-father. His mother had panicked about the authorities blaming her for Odin’s death. She’d turned him into the authorities without hesitation, and never looked back. Heero didn’t look back, either. He’d met Wufei and plotted to escape juvie for something different.
He hadn’t given much thought about his past–but he had to admit that it had made him into what he was today. Unfeeling, hard, controlling–wanting to dominate; never wanting others to dominate him. In certain ways, he felt detached from the other two–he felt he couldn’t identify with Wufei’s morals and values, and no one could identify with Trowa’s lack of social connection. But he was aware that he was controlling– most oftentimes forcing them to do what he wanted. Wufei, for his part, went along only because he had nothing else to do. Trowa challenged him, simply because he could. But in the end, the two went with him because he knew how to ‘make’ them.
They also emerged around Quatre–controlling him was too easy. In a way, he preferred that–Quatre’s submissive attitude and meekness was something easy for him to dominate over. He was drawn to the boy because of physical needs, and because the boy was beautiful. It was simple to control him, and Heero enjoyed the domination.
He wondered why his mother’s words were coming back to him.
He hadn’t thought about her in so long–what had made her come back?
“Heero? Hey, I think we’re done here,” Duo said, interrupting him as he walked over. “I can’t find anything that matches our, uh, list.”
“Fine. Chang,” Heero barked into their communication piece, frowning. “We’re done here. We’re moving on to the next point.”
“That’s fine. I’ve done my section,” Wufei reported back. “Trowa’s wandered off, somewhere.”
“”Keep us posted on your progress.”
“This is stupid,” Duo complained, shoulders slouching. “Here we are, lookin’ for SOMETHING, and we don’t even know what...”
Heero frowned at him, adjusting his jacket. It felt tighter than usual around his shoulders. “We’re looking for clues that the police may have missed, Duo.”
“Yeah, but...you know what? Quat can sense emotions...ya ever think he could sense, like, traces of it? Y’know what I’m talking about?”
Heero narrowed his eyes once more. “He hasn’t proven effective in the field. He still requires training in the Hangar.”
“I KNOW, but...think about it!”
“An untrained mutant in our line of work can prove disastrous, Duo. He could seriously injure himself or others.”
Duo made a big show of throwing his arms about. “I know what you’re talking about! But I’m just saying...if he’s paired up with one of you three, y’know, you all being so experienced and all...you guys could, like, watch over him as he does his thing.”
“The doctors will not allow this,” Heero said firmly, frowning at him. “Even if Wufei, Trowa or I were with him, it wouldn’t bode very well. He’s severely lacking in focusing his powers. Even with the hours you have logged in with us, you still aren’t good enough to leave on your own. You still require major supervision and training.”
“Man! You’re such a dick!” Duo exclaimed, staring at him in anger. When Heero’s face clouded with a sinister expression, Duo quickly added, “But in a good way. It’s good you’re lookin’ out for us that way.”
Heero rolled his eyes, beginning to walk. There was a long line of clubbers that were looking to get in through an open doorway, and the group stared at the pair curiously as they crossed the street, heading into another alleyway. Duo glanced back at them nervously, frowning.
“Don’t you think walkin’ around like this in front of people’s gonna make them talk?”
“This is New York City, Duo. They don’t care. For all that they know, we’re part of their group. Dressed as we are, they won’t give a shit about us and most likely have forgotten what we look like.”
“Oh. Er...you’re right. So...I was wondering...have you lived on the streets, long? I mean...how’d you guys meet?” Duo asked curiously, keeping close behind him, trying to keep up with the other mutant’s powerful strides.
“This is inconsequential to our work, Duo. Shut up and follow me. And if you open that big mouth again, I’ll stuff it so it doesn’t open again.”
Duo shuddered, then gave Heero a darkened expression, hating the tone that was being used on him. Grumbling underneath his breath, he hurried after Heero, glancing from side to side. Really, he had no idea what was so important about examining the scene after the police worked it. He was confident that the boys in blue had picked up what needed to be; there would be nothing left for them to scavenge, especially doing these conditions.
But the trio had insisted on returning to the scenes of the most recent killings to see what they could pick up. He and Heero had just left one that occurred nearly two weeks ago, and Wufei and Trowa were checking out one that had occurred within the last two days. With Trowa’s bloodhound form, Duo was sure they would be able to figure something out.
But he was really holding onto the idea that Quatre’s empathy could pick something up. Some sort of resonance, or echo of what had occurred. He thought that the blond could pick up, through these conflicting emotions, the actual killer. He was thinking in fantastical terms, but...if it could help, it would help. He was ready to insist once more when Heero paused short, frowning. He looked at the other mutant, lifting both eyebrows, wondering what was going on.
“Did you feel that?” Heero suddenly asked, his eyebrows drawing together as he glanced over his shoulder.
Duo blinked, looking around himself, on high alert. “Feel what?”
Heero didn’t answer for a moment, then his eyes widened. “Home. Go home!”
O0o0o0o0o0oO
Dishes clinked loudly, and bubbles danced noisily as Quatre washed the dishes. There was a faraway expression on his face as he washed each and every dish with the brand new sponge. Behind him, he was fully aware that Catherine and Sally were busy frosting cupcakes and decorating them with bright sprinkles. He wasn’t listening to what they were talking about, but their voices were a mixture of noises that kept him alert. He felt entirely detached from himself, his mind on faraway things, and thus didn’t notice the flickers of uneasiness that the two women were sending in his direction.
His empathy worked only if he let it–it wasn’t a free flowing sensation that allowed him to pick up anything and everything at any time. Only when he let it. With his thoughts keeping him so occupied, he hadn’t noticed the small looks and discomforted expressions behind him.
“We’re...going out, tonight, Quatre,” Catherine suddenly said, interrupting him. Her voice seemed forced and annoyingly loud within the uneasy silence.
He paused in washing, and nodded to indicate that he heard.
“You’ll be fine by yourself?” she then asked, licking her finger free of cream cheese frosting.
He nodded again, resuming the mindless task.
“Just make sure all the doors are locked, but don’t do the deadbolt or chain, all right? In case one of those guys come home early...”
He nodded once more, and began rinsing.
Catherine and Sally exchanged uneasy expressions, then turned to continue their task.
Later that night, Quatre shut off the lights to the house, and made his way upstairs. It was an arduous task–the pain in his ass was a painful throb of torture, made all the more so with continued movement. It was something he was somewhat used to, but the pain was something that one couldn’t rightly ignore. On the streets, he’d merely planted himself in one spot and allow for healing, but here...here he was forced to move around, as to not draw attention to himself. He also had convenience on his side. Instead of staining his clothing, the women had small packs of cotton pads that he used–with mortification, of course, and discomfort. But it was either this or staining his clothing in embarrassing places.
Once he reached the top floor, he walked into the room he shared with the others, and flopped onto his bed. It was lonely without the others...he’d gotten used to their noisiness and their presences. It had made him feel...secure. Even though he’d yearned to drop all his defenses and simply relax, he just couldn’t. Years of being on the streets and previous betrayals kept him too unwilling to let go.
Sighing quietly, he buried his face into his pillow, and settled for sleep.
He didn’t know what woke him up–whether it was a small sound in his dreams, or a strange sensation across his spine, but when he woke up, he was looking up at a towering form beside his bed. He barely had enough time to suck in a surprised breath when the figure moved, slamming both fists toward him.
Hurling himself off the bed, and rolling underneath, he heard the connection of fist against mattress, the bed uttering a protesting squeak upon the treatment. Mind blinded with panic, Quatre steadied himself underneath the bed, and focused his telekinesis on the shadow’s form.
Once he realized that it wasn’t working, he froze, unsure of what to do now.
The figure gave an annoyed grumble, and fitted his hands underneath the mattress and box spring, flipping them off the bed frame. Quatre was revealed underneath, and the blond reacted hastily, kicking out with both feet into the man’s shins.
As he fell, Quatre climbed out from the bedframe, hurtled over him, and dashed out into the hall. He made his way toward the stairs, but slammed to a stop when he saw two more people heading up, catching sight of him. He flung himself back into the hall, and raced into Sally and Catherine’s room. He slammed the door shut, fumbling with the lock as he heard running movement coming his way. He heard the lock click, and he groped through the darkness for the nearby dresser. Grunting, he shoved the heavy piece of furniture before the door, and moved away, his chest heaving with panic and fright.
Sucking in a quick breath, he glanced around him, noting that the women’s bed was empty. Either they were still out, or...those people had taken care of them. Without giving anymore regard to their whereabouts, he hurried over to the window, and flicked open the lock. He shoved the window open and pushed the screen out, looking to escape than to stick around. He heard the door being jostled, a heavy thump suggesting that someone was throwing themselves against it.
Glancing back at it, he prepared to crawl out when he came face to face with another man, this one smiling in a nasty way. With a surprised shout, he retreated back into the room, and slammed the window shut. The glass exploded inward with the man’s boot, showering him with the glittering shards. Ducking, Quatre turned and raced for the nearest door–the closet. Locking himself inside, breathing heavily, his hands slid all over the wall and ceiling, looking for a weapon. When his fingers brushed against something small and wooden, he quickly picked that up. It was a shoe, from the feel of it–but the bottom was carved entirely out of wood, and felt heavy enough to use as a weapon. He clutched a dainty strap, shaking violently with his fright. Seeing that he had no other place to go, he reached for the other shoe, and clasped both tightly, pressing himself into the wall of the closet.
He heard the heavy dresser being moved, and the sound of the door being opened. Trying to calm himself, Quatre focused on the noises–there were three men, and at least one woman. Their voices were nothing he’d heard before. They obviously weren’t here for a friendly visit with the women–they were here to cause damage.
“Thought this was going to be an easy job!”
“You sure there was only one? Did you check all the rooms?”
“I should’ve fucking grabbed him–but he’s a fast little fuck!”
“I told you he was! This was the same blond I told you about! It may not be his mutant powers,” the closet door slid open with a noisy screech and jolt, Quatre freezing for an instant upon facing three large men, “but he’s fast.”
“Girly-lookin’ thing,” one of the men commented, reaching for him.
Quatre felt himself go paralyzed as the man wrapped his fingers in the material of his shirt, and jerked him out from the closet. That’s when he made his move; he swung one shoe up into the face of one man, hearing the dull thunk as the wood connected with bone. At his pained scream, Quatre swung the other shoe, catching another man just up the chin. He ducked quickly as the first lunged at him with a furious snarl, and darted out from the room. Seeing someone on the stairway, he didn’t hesitate–he leapt over the railing, falling from the second floor to the first, and landing awkwardly onto the hard surface below. The shock of impact made his legs give out, so he struggled to crawl back onto his feet.
He heard furious shouts and curses as the stairway was full of running feet. Stumbling toward the front door, he slammed against it, jerking on the knob. But the door caught on the chain lock, and the door stopped in place. Uttering a panicked sound at the action, Quatre glanced over his shoulder to see the men nearing at him, and, in desperation, shoved himself through the small space between the door and the doorframe. His frame was much too thick to fit within that narrow space–but desperation forced people to do desperate things.
He felt strong hands grip his arms, yanking him back through the narrow opening. Kicking and punching, connecting with anything that felt as if it were connected to a man, he felt strong arms around his waist, lifting him from the floor.
He tried using his powers again, but nothing was working! He heard the jumble of voices as the men commented on his almost feral struggle. He was aware that he was being taken out of the hall, the large man holding him easily combating his weaker strength. He was being handled as if he were a mere child, and his mind was blinded with his own panic and fear of the situation. There had been too many times when this had happened, and never was it anything good.
He began to scream then, furiously hitting anything he could touch, kicking out at the walls and knocking his head back–doing anything to get loose and get away from the situation. He heard the man holding him give an snarled comment on what he had to do to keep him aloft, and when Quatre felt the minute falter in the man’s give, forced his body deadweight.
He fell out of the man’s grasp, and immediately dove for the back kitchen door as the man tried snatching at him once more. He wrestled with the chain and the lock, but felt hands on his arms, pulling him back. He began kicking once more, being wrestled away from the door.
“Hold him STILL!” he heard a man snarl angrily. Hearing those words, his mind growing terribly fuzzy with panic at what could happen, he started to scream furiously. He threw both his arms and legs out, trying with maniacal effort to get away.
His fist had just danced off someone’s face when he heard a startled shout from behind him. The man’s grip on him was gone, and he fell to the floor with a surprised grunt. Without hesitating or seeing what had happened, he dashed underneath the dining room table, hiding from the sudden shouts and exclamations that were taking place.
He swore he heard Duo’s excited voice, but he was unsure, the haze of his panic and fear clouding over his common sense and judgement. He just wanted to hide. Men shouted in surprise as something smashed against the floor–chairs scraped loudly as they were knocked aside.
The table collapsed when someone crashed on top, pining him underneath. He hadn’t a chance to move, feeling immense weight that kept him pined against the floor.
Heero, meanwhile, used a chair to crack across Alex’s head, shoving the mutant away from him with a strong grunt. He was aware that his powers weren’t working, but he made up for their lack with his own sense of fighting. Duo had disappeared to retrieve the other two upon his quick command. Fighting off the three men, noting the one girl and another man standing off to the side, Heero glanced around for Quatre. He didn’t see the blond, and snarled angrily.
Two of the men caught the chair he was using, and yanked it away from him. Unfazed that his weapon was taken away, he sent a high kick into the third man’s face, catching his arm as his body swung to the side. He used the momentum of the man’s fall to swing him into the other two men, all three falling to the floor with a mixture of grunts and shouts. Seeing that the area was cleared for the moment, Heero glanced around again for Quatre, and spotted the blond shoving the broken dining room table off of him.
“Idiot!” he hissed in his direction, seeing movement coming toward him.
The other man, with long blond hair and a smirk, was in his face before he could move. The force of this man’s punch sent him wheeling backwards, crashing into the wall. He rolled to get out of the man’s way, hearing a boot crash through the wall, where his head was seconds ago. Climbing to his feet, Heero grabbed another of the chairs presented to him, and hurled it at the smirking man.
Zechs ducked cleanly, Duo and the other two appearing just moments after the movement. Trowa was taken out by the flying chair, Wufei and Duo separating quickly as they assessed the danger.
The dining room was crowded with all of them, and the tension was just as thick.
Zechs gave an annoyed frown as he realized that Heero had backup, and signaled Mueller. Mueller nodded, letting go of his hold over the powers that everyone had. Using this moment of distraction, Middie went to work, thrusting her hands up to cast an illusion of safety for the five boys.
Heero glanced around, wondering where the men had suddenly disappeared to. From the small hallway behind Duo, Trowa was cursing up a storm as he tried stanching his bloody nose with one hand.
Wufei, with an unsteady glance around the room, shifted position so that his back was against one of the walls. He never knew that he missed bumping against Trant. The illusion was well cast, as the five members of Treize’s faction began moving into place, the girl moving safely out of the way.
Quatre, feeling a little more safe with the others present, shifted position away from the table, backing up against the wall. He could tell that something wasn’t right, and his eyes darted nervously about. Something at the back of his mind niggled for his senses to come alert, and he used his empathy to see if it worked.
Immediately sensing the five, he gave a sharp gasp, focusing on the closest one to him.
The illusion was shattered when Zechs found himself being flung from the dining room and into the basement door.
“They’re still here!” Wufei barked, tensing as his hands lit with flame.
Trowa immediately took on the hulking silverback, roaring with fury, while Duo teleported away.
Middie lost the illusion upon Alex’s command, stepping back to avoid a fireball being flung her way. With a yelp, she flung herself to the floor as Trant moved over her, his hands raising.
Around Wufei, the floorboards suddenly disappeared around him, and for a single moment, the boy was standing on air. When he realized what had happened, he moved quickly, his gift of speed propelling him into Trant’s face with a punch into his face.
As Trant went flying, Nichols concentrated on the upper half of his body, allowing the flying man to go through his insubstantial form. Trowa missed hitting him as well, his ape form slicing through Nichols’ intangible body with a surprised hiss.
Nichols focused on his fist, rendering it tangible enough to hit Trowa’s face, and use the rest of his superhuman strength to toss the ape into the kitchen. Going intangible once more to avoid Wufei’s striking offense, Nichols maneuvered easily, pitting him against the speedy mutant with a sense of ease. Confident in his abilities, he rendered himself intangible so that Wufei could not touch him, and focused on his fists and feet whenever he threw a kick.
Duo jumped in as Zechs battled it out with Heero, leaping onto the man’s back with a surprised shout. Holding him still, Duo watched as Heero charged with a punch aimed for Zechs’ head. But the man ducked, and Duo yelped as he was forced to teleport, avoiding sure death as Heero’s fist sliced through the emptiness. Zechs reached up, gripped his arm, and administered a strong jolt of electricity that had Heero paralyzed in place.
Seeing that his normal charge wasn’t good enough to take the mutant down, Zechs gave a low growl, upping the volts in an effort to affect him. Heero merely grimaced, savagely yanking his arm away from the other mutant.
Suddenly, before Zechs could move again, he found himself in the air, being swung into Alex. Both of them were then picked up, and tossed into Trant and Middie. All four of them yelped and shouted as the front door opened, and they were tossed outside. Nichols turned away from his battle with Wufei to see this, blinking with surprise as he saw the others taken care of so easily.
As he stood there, intangible, with two boys trying hard to get him to focus on them once more, he felt a little lost as he glanced at the five boys. He narrowed his eyes, trying to make up his mind on what to do. He glanced out the open door, then gave an annoyed growl as he glanced at the others again. Finally making up his mind, he stalked away from the scene, entirely confident that due to his intangible form, he wouldn’t be touched.
Wufei hurried up to the front door to see that the others had picked themselves up from the ground, and were making their getaway into a car parked across the street. Zechs took his time, wiping the snow from his clothing as he glared in their direction.
Wufei narrowed his eyes, watching as the tall, handsome man turned his back to them, and walked after the others. As the car pulled away with a slight screech of tires, Wufei shut the door, feeling more than uneasy and troubled by what had just happened. He turned to face the others, noting their expressions and the state of their house.
“You’re bleeding all over the place,” he then muttered with annoyance at Trowa.
“Thanks to Skippy, here!” Trowa barked, turning to look back at Heero. “Thanks a lot, asshole!”
“You’re very welcome, Trowa,” Heero said on a pleased note, then frowned as he looked over at Quatre. He reached out, grabbing the boy’s shirt. “What the hell were they doing here?”
“I d-don’t know!”
“Heero, c’mon, don’t be so rough,” Duo complained, hurrying over and trying to separate them. “We won, man. We won this match. There was five of them, and we won good.”
“It doesn’t take away the fact that they were here!” Heero snarled, shoving Quatre away from him. Wufei caught the blond before he could make impact with the kitchen counter. “How did they know where we live? What the fuck were they doing here?”
“Let’s just calm down, all right?” Wufei barked. “Just calm down. We’ll figure out how, what, when and why. Just calm down.”
“Where’s the women?” Heero then asked Quatre.
“They said they went out.”
“Let’s just assume that they’re safe, Heero,” Wufei interrupted. “They aren’t here. The car’s not here. For now, let’s make sure we’re all physically okay, and we’ll start over.”
“They know where we live!” Heero shouted. “That is unacceptable! If they know where we live, then it’s obvious something has to be done! Why the hell were they here?”
“SHUT UP AND CALM DOWN!” Wufei roared.
“I WILL NOT UNTIL I KNOW!” Heero bellowed, slamming his fists against the wall.
Trowa gave a low whistle, dabbing at the blood on his face with his sleeve. “Somebody forgot to take his Midol.”
Heero turned, snatching the mutant before he could move, and smashed him up against the wall. Trowa promptly lost his breath, pain racking his body as Duo and Wufei jumped onto Heero’s back, trying to separate the two mutants.
“I will not tolerate your fucking mouth!” Heero spat furiously, Trowa looking momentarily surprised as he stared down into the enraged mutant’s face.
“Let go of him, Heero!” Wufei cried, administering a blistering burn onto the mutant’s arms, trying to get him to let go.
Duo struggled to at least nudge the mutant, clinging deadweight to one of his arms, but it felt as if he were hanging from a steel beam. He kicked out both legs, but that felt similar to a steel beam as well.
“C’mon, man! Let go of him!”
“Do you understand?” Heero growled, knocking Trowa into the wall once more, causing the mutant to crack his head against it with a dull thump. “Do you understand? I don’t want to hear what you have to say!”
“LET GO, YUY!”
“Get off me, sheesh,” Trowa muttered, releasing his hold on Heero’s wrists.
For a few silent moments, the three waited for Heero to make a move, obvious tension building between them. Then, with a low snarl, Heero shifted away from the wall and shoved Trowa away from him. The lanky boy hit the floor and skid into one of the kitchen walls with a loud, nasty thud. He shoved both Wufei and Duo away from him, looking furious as he surveyed the damage done to the dining room.
“Seeing that they know we live here is unacceptable,” he muttered again, fury causing his shoulders to shake. “This is my stable environment. I don’t want those motherfuckers knowing I live here! I relax here! For them to know is unacceptable! For them to come in and attack my home is unacceptable!”
“I know it is, Yuy,” Wufei said quietly, holding his hands out. “I know. I know you don’t want change, anymore. But we’ve got to figure out why they were here. How they knew we were here. But we cannot do this if we’re not thinking clearly. I need you to calm down and think clearly, all right? I need you to help me think, Yuy.”
“We need to go straight to them and destroy them before they do anything more,” Heero growled, but visibly calming. “This is my home...”
“We’ll think of something, Heero. Just...calm. We’re all okay, here. They’re gone.”
“But they know we’re HERE!” Heero sliced his fingers through his hair with agitation, then moved in a slow circle, as if trying to regroup his thoughts. His furious blue gaze was settled on the floor, with Wufei holding his hands out in a pleading gesture. Duo was too afraid to move, fearful that he’d pull Heero’s attention his way.
He kept himself as still as possible, ready to teleport if needed. Glancing from one Asian to the other, he saw that Wufei was used to dealing with these sorts of fits. He saw confidence and understanding in the Chinese’s eyes–rather than wariness like Trowa’s. It was the first time he’d seen the green-eyed boy in such a state, so he knew Heero’s fury was something to be frightened of. Duo didn’t consider himself smart, but he knew when to keep his mouth shut.
“Then let’s have an emergency meeting with the doctors, Yuy,” Wufei said quietly, lowering his hands. “If needs be, we can leave this place and hide out somewhere safe. They have safe havens for us in case of any emergencies...you know that.”
“Fine. Call them. Trowa, call your sister. Find out where she’s at. Duo, make sure all the doors are locked. Quatre...just...” Heero threw up his hands in exasperation, and stomped off, muttering underneath his breath. Once he was out of sight, and Duo was sure he couldn’t hear, the long haired one exhaled a sigh of relief.
Wufei looked over in his direction, looking momentarily relieved as well. Then he snapped back into attention, his features setting into a grim expression. Trowa moved slowly toward the phone, rubbing at his nose, muttering underneath his breath. Duo quickly darted off to make sure all windows and doors were locked. When Wufei turned to see if Quatre was all right, he noted the sullen expression on his face.
Quatre looked at him, picking at the hem of his shirt. Lowering his eyes quickly, he muttered, “He didn’t give me anything to do...”
Wufei felt himself blink in curiosity, and he moved away from the hall, stopping before the broken dinner table. He opened his mouth to say something when Quatre hurried away from him, moving upstairs without anything more to say. Wufei scrunched his face up into something resembling exasperation, and moved out of the dining room.
O0o0o0o0o0oO
“What is it you have to report?” Dr J began, looking at Heero for a satisfactory oral presentation of the events that had happened earlier.
The lot of them were sitting in the basement, with only the accompanying Pokemon music from Trowa’s Gameboy Advanced playing as a filler. After phone calls had been made, and the ladies accounted for, the doctors had come at the earliest possible, as to get things straightened out. The attack on the house, and for the fact that Treize’s faction knew where they lived, had caused high levels of agitation among the boys–especially Heero. Dr J knew better than to let this one slide though with procrastination. He was the one that ordered the hasty meeting, even though the other older men weren’t so agreeable.
But Dr J knew that Heero’s agitation of the matter would put the other boys and ladies in trouble–the mutant’s temper and fury were quite legendary when he was riled up. When he grew violent and out of control, no one was able to stop him. Often, after a particularly violent episode, Heero would show some regret of his actions, but never learned how to effectively deal with his anger. Dr J wanted to avoid all that drama and get this situation over as soon as possible.
“During our routine investigation of recent murder scenes, I had felt the distinct need to return home. Upon returning home, Maxwell and I encountered five people–four men and a teenage girl–in the process of trying to apprehend Quatre. I intervened---”
“Why would they want you?” O asked with disgust, looking over at the blond. “You’re nothing.”
“–I intervened, sent Maxwell to retrieve back-up, as our mutant abilities were somehow blocked. I didn’t have access to my healing capabilities nor my strength when I entered into battle against them. They were surprised by our appearance–with Maxwell returning with the other two, we engaged into battle. They felt outnumbered or overpowered, and attempted to mask their ‘disappearance’ with the use of some mind trick. Perhaps illusionary, or some mental interference. However, upon this note, Quatre used his powers to locate them, and intercepted a possible attack. They revealed themselves once more–we took care of the matter, and they left without attempting any more communication or attack,” Heero concluded, looking at the silent blond that sat next to him.
“Is this true?” G demanded, looking at the blond, who nodded.
“What did they want with you? What did you do to try and escape?” O demanded from his end of the table.
Quatre stared at the table, refusing to meet anyone’s eyes. “I couldn’t do anything.”
“Weakling...J, we cannot have this weak link in our rank if we want to succeed in preventing another such instance on their home! We don’t have the time and energy we need to constantly keep such weakness from overtaking our operation!” O roared, slamming a fist to prove his point.
“Really, what could have he done?” Duo cried, slamming his hands on the table. “That guy neutralized our powers! And before me an’ ‘Ro showed up, he was facing against FIVE of them!”
“There is much one can do without the need for mutant flaws,” O growled, shifting his eyebrow-less gaze at him.
“C’mon, man! If you saw what went down, you would have realized that he couldn’t escape from them! It was five against one!”
“Even before his powers came into play, Chang was efficient in martial arts to escape such common occurrences...”
“Well, he isn’t Wufei!” Duo snapped.
“Your insolence is really tiring–!”
“O, snap your muzzle on so that we may somehow continue gathering our information,” Dr J commanded, rapping his metal claw on the table for attention. He looked at Quatre, running his human fingers through his goatee. “Now...had anything been said to you to reveal their intentions upon you?”
“They did not say anything,” Quatre mumbled.
“Did they address you in any way?”
“No.”
The five older men looked at each other with confusion, each of them wondering what was the case in the unexpected attack. Shaking his head, G adjusted his chair closer to the table.
“Upon that note...could any of you recognize whom was whom?” he asked.
“S, get their memories,” Dr J commanded in disgust.
“Have you performed an investigation upon your house?” H asked with interest as S left his seat, and reached over to touch Trowa, the closest boy to him.
“We haven’t found any clue as to who they are and what they were doing here,” Wufei reported gravely, frowning. “There wasn’t any sign of forced entry. One of them must have some sort of teleportation powers...no. there was one mutant that was able to render himself intangible. He could have let them in.”
“Walking through walls, huh?” G asked curiously, tapping his nose.
“Zechs Merquise!” S announced, straightening. “Zechs Merquise, our current mutant addict, a couple of muscle men from Queens, and a slight little girl just barely coming out of high school.”
“Can you positively id them?” Dr J asked curiously.
“Obviously, my good fellow. Have confidence in my abilities.”
“Get working, old man! We don’t have all day!” H exclaimed.
“You might pass away before anything happens!” O complained.
“HEY! I take my vitamins and use a hooker regularly to keep these old bones working,” S whined, picking up a sketchpad and pencil.
H suddenly started to laugh hysterically while O looked disturbed.
Dr J shivered before asking, “Out of curiosity, boy...can you sense past emotions? For example, walking back into that dining room, can you possibly sense the emotions that were present?”
“As a sort of psychic residue?” S asked curiously, lifting both eyebrows.
“Don’t even waste your time talking to him!” O shouted in disgust, hitting the table. “Look at him! He’s pathetic! He doesn’t know what you’re talking about–! Damn immigrants...”
“HEY! I’ve come abroad this great nation on a lousy fishermen’s boat from Cuba!” G snarled, frowning at him. “Do you include me in your litany?”
“What ‘litany’? You’re getting crazy with your old age, you bastard!”
“Damn. I’m missing American Idol reruns right now,” H sighed, glancing at his wristwatch. “And for the fact that IHOP’s serving the better breakfast dishes...”
“Hmm. I like their sandwiches. Very artistic and well thought out,” S said, nodding in approval.
Wufei sighed heavily, shoulders slouching as two different conversations began amongst the older men. He started to open his mouth to interrupt when Heero rose from his seat, and slammed both fists on the table. Three coffee mugs flew into the air, along with several surprised shouts.
“I WANT THIS DEALT WITH NOW!” he screamed, shutting off all over conversations. Silence reigned as everyone stared at him, waiting for another explosion. “How much shit do I have to listen to before something is agreed upon? While we’re down here listening to bullshit geezer stories, those people know where we live. And their reasons for infiltrating my home is still undetermined. I want to know what is going to happen now, and what will become of it!”
“Heero...please sit down and calm yourself,” Dr J said quietly, folding his hands before him. “We won’t get anywhere with your raging temper...we were discussing our options for you all. Since it has come to light that these people know where you all live, and that they obviously have ill intentions toward...either all of you or one of you, we cannot allow you to stay here. We’ll move you to another location–”
“I don’t want to leave. This is my home!”
“Yes, I realize that, Heero. I truly do. And I sympathize with you on the loss of your security, but these things do happen. You must learn to roll with it.”
Heero made a low growling noise, his fist curling threateningly as he stared murderously at the old man that addressed him in such patronizing tones. Dr J looked away from him, frowning at S.
“Your cabin in the woods...”
S threw the sketchpad away from him with a disappointed growl. “I’ve worked over ten years to have that property installed with civilized comforts! Seeing the way these boys trash their own home gives me no confidence at all in placing them there!”
“Excellent!” Dr J turned to the boys, who were a little lost on things. “O will drive you up there. You’ve one hour to pack while we locate more information on this attack.”
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