Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Sugar & Whips ❯ 26 ( Chapter 26 )

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Sugar and Whips

Part 26

With a heavy yawn Zechs blinked himself awake and squinted at the clock on his nightstand. How long have I been sleeping? Hmm… Nearly two hours. I wonder if Master Treize is back yet.

“Well, I suppose that depends on what you mean by `lives'. Her gravesite is not far from where we dropped the young master off.”

“Gravesite?!”

“Yes, Lady Rebecca died nearly four years ago.”

“Oh…I…I didn't realize…”

“Yes, I figured that much.”

I really don't know anything about him, do I? Zechs sighed as he sat up and swung his feet over the site of the bed. He shuffled into the bathroom and sprayed some cold water into his face, but even that couldn't take care of the last traces of sleepiness.

When he opened the door to leave his bedroom the aroma of freshly brewed coffee hit his nose. Ah, just what I need right now. Following the wonderful smell, the young man walked downstairs and found himself in what looked like a small sitting or living room.

“Hello, anyone here?”

“You were calling for me, young man?”

Zechs jerked around. Max was standing behind him, in a doorway.

“I'm sorry; I didn't mean to startle you.” the old man apologized with a friendly smile.

“That's alright…” I `m still not used to the fact that all of the Khushrenada servants seem to have the ability to suddenly pop up from out of nowhere. Zechs gave a slightly embarrassed laugh. “Actually I was looking for Master Treize; has he returned yet?”

“I'm afraid not, and I really don't expect him before dinner. He usually spends several hours at the grave.”

“Ah, I see.”

“I was just sitting down for some coffee. Care to join me?”

“I would love to, it smells delicious,” Zechs nodded. He followed the other man into the kitchen. “Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked as Max added a second coffee cup and saucer on the table.

“You can get the cream from the fridge behind you. Apple Pirozhkis?” The old man set a plate on the table filled with little pastries that reminded Zechs of turnovers.

“Um… sure.”

“They were the young master's favorites when he was a child. Lilly spent all day yesterday baking, so he would not have to go without them while he is here. But don't worry; she made enough for us too. Come to think of, she made enough for the whole town.”

Zechs laughed as he settled down at the kitchen table across from Max. “So, I take it you have been working for the Khushrenada family for a long time.”

“Since long before young master Treize was born,” the other man confirmed.

“Wow, not many people keep the same job for this long.”

“Oh, no. I retired four years ago, soon after Lady Rebecca's death. Very comfortably too, thanks to the young master's generosity, if I might add. But once a year, while he visits, I come `out of retirement' so to say. And I would not want it any other way.”

“What was he like as a child? I bet you could tell a lot of stories.”

Max gave an amused huff. “I surely could. But I'm not sure I should. Master Treize was a good kid; very smart, too smart for his own good on occasion. He loved to play tricks. Mostly on his older cousins, who, as you might imagine, did not really appreciate it. But occasionally also his aunts and even the servants became targets of his mischief.”

“Really? Are you sure we are talking about the same person? It doesn't sound at all like the Treize Khushrenada I know.”

“Apparently, you don't know him very well then. I still have the maids' screams in my head when he released two dozen white mice in the laundry room. Every time the girls picked up a piece of laundry one of those little balls of fur would fall out.”

Zechs chuckled. “I can only imagine.”

“Of course after this the entire female staff refused to set foot into the laundry room. So on top of being grounded for the prank, the young master also had to do the wash, under my supervision of course, until every last critter was caught and accounted for.”

“Sounds like you used to spend a lot of time with him.”

“When he was younger, yes. But of course, once he went to boarding school he didn't spend much time at him, until after …the accident.”

“The accident,” Zechs lowered his coffee cup and looked at the old man. “I didn't know Master Treize was in an accident.”

“No, not the young master.” A wave of sadness washed over Max's face. “I'm referring to the accident that killed, his father, the late duke, and seriously injured his mother. I take it, he didn't tell you about that either.”

“I'm afraid not,” the younger man admitted. “Was it a car accident?”

“No, actually a plane crash. Treize's father, the late duke, was an excellent pilot. He served in the Air Force for many years, and afterward he bought a small twin engine Cessna which he used almost every weekend. They were on their way back to Kiev when a control tower received an emergency transmission. Apparently one of the two engines gave out. The duke attempted an emergency landing, but something went wrong and they crashed. He died on impact and Lady Rebecca was critically injured.”

Zechs swallowed. “I'm sorry to hear that. How…” He had to clear his throat before he could talk again. “How old was Master Treize when it happened, if you don't mind me asking. “

“He had just turned eighteen. He was going to transfer to one of the most prestigious schools in Europe that fall, but instead he returned to Kiev to be near his mother. He never even moved from her bedside for the first few weeks while she was in intensive care.”

“Lady Rebecca was paralyzed in the accident?”

“Yes,” the old man looked up in surprise. “How did you know?”

Zechs smiled softly. “I noticed a ramp next to the stairway at the entrance. And it seems like someone remodeled this house to make it… `wheelchair friendly'.

“Ah, yes. Milady was a very strong willed woman,” Max announced not without a certain amount of pride in his voice. “She insisted on continuing to live as independently as the circumstances allowed it. Would you like some more coffee? I can make us another pot.”

“If you don't mind,” the blond agreed. “This is most definitely the best coffee I have had in a very long time.”

“It's just a matter of choosing the right beans and grinding them just before brewing the coffee.” The old man was just filling water into the coffeemaker when suddenly the doorbell rang. “Hmm, I wonder who that is. We don't get many visitors out here.”

“Master Treize?! Perhaps he returned early.”

“No, he would not ring the bell, he has a key.” Max dried off his hands and was about to answer the door, but Zechs was already on his feet.

“It's alright, I got it.”

A young woman was standing outside the front door, her brown hair held together in two braided pigtails. She was wearing a pair of loose, black jogging pants and a white tank top.

“How can I help you?” Zechs asked.

“I'm looking for Duke Khushrenada…”

Apparently the butler recognized her voice because he stepped out of the kitchen. “Ah, Doctor Po.”

“Hello Max, how are you.”

“I'm good, very good,” he nodded. “What brings you here today, doctor?”

“Oh yes, I was out jogging when I noticed the car. I was hoping to catch the duke before he left again."

“I'm sorry,” the old man told her. “But he went right to the grave. He won't be back for several hours I'm afraid. Can I at least ask you to join us for a cup of coffee, doctor? I just brewed a fresh pot.”

“Is that what I smell? Don't mind if I accept.”

As Zechs stepped aside to let the young woman enter Max introduced the two. “Doctor, this is Zechs Merquise, one of Master Treize's associates, Mister Merquise, this of Dr Sally Po, the current head of the Wiesenheimer Clinic.”

“Nice to meet you, Doctor.” There is that name again. Wiesenheimer Clinic.

“The pleasure is mine.” The doctor gave him a friendly nod.

“If you don't mind me asking…” The young man pulled another set of dishes from the cupboard for her. “What exactly is the Wiesenheimer clinic?”

“A local treatment center, just a couple of miles down the road,” she explained. “We specialize in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with spinal cord injuries.”

“I see.” With a thoughtful nod Zechs settled down in his chair again.

“The close proximity to the clinic was the main reason why the young master bought this property,” Max added as he refilled their coffee cups. “He was searching for specialists and new treatments that might be able to help his mother walk again when he met Dr. Wiesenheim. Back then the doctor's methods were considered somewhat controversial, but Master Treize who had done a lot of research on the subject saw the potential. The clinic itself was still very small; the doctor was only treating a handful of patients every year. When approached he first refused to take on another patient, but Master Treize wouldn't take no for an answer. When Doctor Wiesenheimer said there wasn't enough room for another patient, he bought this house and had it remodeled. When he realized that the clinic didn't have the needed equipment and had to take their patients all the way to Zurich for certain tests and procedures, he donated and raised enough money to add a whole new wing to the clinic outfitted with the newest tools and medical equipments.”

Doctor Po laughed. “I still remember that time. I`d just started working for Doctor Wiesenheim fresh out of medical school. At one point he forbade his entire staff to even talk to Duke Khushrenada.”

“Why was that?” Zechs wanted to know.

“It was right after one of the nurses mentioned in a conversation with the duke that some larger clinics were using swimming pool therapy as part of their rehabilitation program. Two days later we woke up to a monster of a machine digging a hole into the back lawn, for what eventually would become our pool house.”

“I suppose he was lucky; he had the means to do whatever it took to get the best care and treatment for his mother.” There was a slight touch of pain in Zechs' voice.

“True,” the doctor admitted. “But sometimes even the best isn't good enough. Lady Khushrenada's injuries were too severe. Even today we would probably not be able to help her. But even after finding out that there was no `miracle cure' for his mother the duke remained, do this day one of the clinic's biggest supporters. His money…his influence opened a lot of doors for us, and I'd dare say we wouldn't be where we are today without the Khushrenada family.”

The young man frowned slightly. “But Lady Rebecca continued to live here even though the clinic could not treat her?”

Max nodded. “She had fallen in love with this place the moment Master Treize showed it to her. It even inspired her to start painting again.”

“She was an artist?”

The old man nodded. “Milady painted the most beautiful landscapes and floral pictures. You should have Master Treize show you some of her work in her studio later on.”

“She also volunteered as an art teacher at the clinic,” Doctor Po added. “Which, by the way, brings me to one of the reasons why I am here. I wanted to see if I could borrow two easels. We are having a little art competition next week and are a little short on easels.”

“I don't see any reason why not. You have borrowed them in the past and it was never a problem. Just pick them up whenever you need them, Doctor. I'll let Master Treize know.”

“Thanks, I probably should be going now before my staff starts worrying. I told them I was just going for a quick run,” Doctor Po rose from her chair. “Thanks for the coffee. I guess I'll see the duke tomorrow then. He asked for an appointment with me, to talk about some potential new patient… Relena…something.”

Zechs head snapped up. “Peacecraft?”

“Relena Peacecraft, yes that's it. You know her?”

“In fact I do. She is my sister.”

“Your sister?” Both Max and Doctor Po looked at the young man questioningly.

“It's a long story,” he replied evasively. “Doctor, do you mind if I walk you back to the clinic?”

“Not at all.”

#

For a few minutes Zechs and the doctor walked silently down the narrow dusty road. The countryside really was beautiful; nothing but hills and fields of lush green grass speckled with colorful wildflowers.

“Umm… Doctor, what did Ma… Duke Khushrenada tell you about my sister?”

“Not much really. He said the young woman was a friend of a cousin of his, she was injured in a car accident, had several surgeries and her doctor doesn't think there is anything else he can do for her.”

“Yes, that pretty much sums it up,” Zechs gazed at her from the side. “But what exactly does he want you to do about that.”

She shrugged. “I believe he just wanted a second opinion on it.”

“Doctor,” the young man sighed. “I've already gotten second and third and fourth opinions and it didn't change a thing. It took a while, but we have accepted the fact that my sister will never walk again. Even if there was a way, quite honestly we cannot afford another procedure.”

“I don't think you understand, Mister Merquise. Here at Wiesenheim, you see, money is not an issue. Many of our patients don't pay a penny for their treatment.”

Zechs frowned. “How?”

“Thanks to people like the duke and his mother we have a large number of wealthy and influential patrons who sponsor those patients who can't afford to pay for their own treatment.”

“But what are the chances? I mean everybody else told us already it is hopeless. I don't want to give Relena new hopes only to have them crushed again.”

“I understand completely. And quite honestly I wouldn't make any promises until I get a chance to examine your sister thoroughly. But if you come by my office tomorrow together with the duke you could give me permission to access her medical files. That at least would give me some kind of idea.”

“Alright,” Zechs nodded. “That sounds acceptable. Thank you, Doctor.”

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T.B.C.

 

Author's Note: