Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ United Hearts ❯ Chapter 18

Disclaimer: I don't own the G boys. They belong to their respective copyright companies. I do however own Shane, Paul, Colin, Mickey, Benny, Toby and any other unfamiliar characters. I also own the plot if you can call it that.

Pairings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3, 5+S

Rating: NC 17

Warnings: Angst, Yaoi, Shonen-ai, violence, language, references to rape, sap, blood, Death (not one of the boys), Lemon/Lime, medical stuff, and any other weird thing that comes out of my head.... be afraid...

Notes: This is the sequel to "Lost Souls." While it is not necessary to read "Lost Souls" first I do recommend it otherwise some of the occurrences may not make sense. The references to medical procedures, medical reports, autopsies etc. are entirely based on my own pathetic knowledge of such and so I apologise in advance for any incorrectness contained there in. :)

" United Hearts "

Aug. 2002 ShenLong

Chapter 18

Heero finished his search of the hospital records. No one matching Shane's description had been admitted to any medical facility within the last four hours. That meant he was still out there somewhere. Heero thought long and deep as he placed a call to Une.

"Une here. What is it Heero?"

"Hn. We have a problem Une."

"Oh. What is it Heero?"

"Shane is missing."

Une's eyes widened. "Missing? How?... Why?"

"He went out this morning to meet up with a girl he has met to take her out. He never made the rendezvous."

Une sighed.

Heero knew what was coming next.

"This is why I do not approve of civilians being a part of the Preventer work. It's far too dangerous. I knew I should never have agreed to letting him go with you both. I should have listened to protocol and stuck with it..."

"Hn It's easy to say that now but both Duo and I wanted him along if you remember. I really don't think you had a lot of choice in the matter, however this is not getting us anywhere. Save the head bashing and berating till later, right now our main objective is to locate Shane."

Une sighed again. "Yes you're right. I can chew your asses out later, meanwhile finding Shane is of utmost importance. " Une's eyes narrowed. "I hate to ask this Heero but are you sure he is missing? I mean he could have just taken off somewhere to meet up with an old friend or something."

"He is missing Une." Heero kept a close rein on his temper. "Shane arranged this date but didn't show. The girl came to the hotel to look for him and was treated pretty roughly by the staff here. That I will talk to you about later, but for now Shane was totally falling for this girl and there was no way he would have stood her up. It is totally out of character for him to just disappear like this."

"Okay Heero, I believe you. I will send through to your computer the contact codes of the Preventer agents that are currently on L2. If you should need assistance contact them. I will circulate a copy of Shane's most recent photo to them as well and inform them to keep an eye out for anyone that looks like the picture."

"Arigato."

"No problem Heero. Just please find him, okay?"

"Hai. We will."

"Good luck. Contact me as soon as you have anything further. Une out."

Heero stared at the blank screen before switching off the monitor. He quickly went to his laptop to retrieve the contacts for the other agents currently stationed on L2. Scribbling the codes onto a piece of paper he also noted down the address of the hotel that Duo and Shane had been to. Pocketing the paper he left the room and headed for the hotel and hopefully some answers to Shane's whereabouts.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Benny and Toby were having a great time at the compounds youth group. There were a couple of other kids there that were around their age and they all played games together quite happily. Paul had joined in with some older youths for a game of basketball. The game was fast paced and Paul was pleased to find himself able to hold his own with the others.

The match ended and a rather sweaty Paul returned to the quieter part of the complex to find Toby and Benny and get some lunch. The two younger boys were happily making paper planes with some other kids. Spotting Paul they waved.

Paul smiled and waved back before sauntering over to inspect the creations.

"Hey Paul, did yer have a good game?" asked Benny.

"Yeah. It was fun. So what'cha doin?"

"We is makin planes. Robbie here showed us how ta make em." said Toby as he continued to concentrate on folding the paper correctly. "Yer wanna have a go?"

"It's really easy." said the boy called Robbie.

"Sure why not." Paul said as he pulled up a chair.

Robbie passed him a piece of paper and showed him how to fold it up to create a plane.

"We're gonna fly em afta lunch." said Benny as he placed his finished plane to one side. "Then Robbie said he would show us how ta make kites an we can fly them tomorra."

Paul smiled. It looked as though Robbie was going to be in for quite a busy afternoon with Toby and Benny. Still at least they were having fun and not getting into trouble. He continued to fold his paper.

Benny had finished and sat watching Paul and Toby as they continued to work on their own pieces. He picked his plane back up and reached for the colored pencils that were in the center of the table. While he waited for the others to finish he may as well add a little color to his plane.

Toby broke the silence. "Did yer gets inta much trouble from Wufei afta we left last night Paul?"

"Nah. He just gave me the usual lecture about bein the oldest an how I shoulda kept a closer eye on the pair of yer."

"I'm sorry 'bout that Paul. I really didn't mean ta get anyone inta trouble."

"It's okay Toby, don't worry 'bout it. Wufei's not all that bad yer know. His bark is really worse than his bite."

Toby giggled.

A sudden gasp from Benny broke the reverie. Paul and Toby both looked at Benny who was as white as a sheet, his eyes glassy and his body trembled. Paul was out of his chair and beside Benny in a flash. "What is it Benny? What's wrong?" Paul gently shook Benny's arm.

Benny had been listening to the conversation and recalling the events of yesterday, when suddenly a long buried memory burst forth; one he really didn't want to see. He gasped and shuddered as the memory played behind his eyes. A strangled sob came from his throat.

Hearing the sob and realizing that Benny was no longer on the current plane, Paul tried again to break the boy from the vision only he could see. "Benny! What is it?"

The scene stopped and Benny closed his eyes blinking back the tears. He was aware of Paul shaking him and quickly grabbed onto the dark haired teen and buried his face in Paul's shoulder. The sobs began and the tears flowed.

Paul hugged him close as he tried to soothe and calm the boy. Toby watched, biting his lip in distress. What had suddenly upset Benny so much?

Robbie took in the scene and decided he really should be elsewhere. These three looked like they could do with some privacy so he touched Toby on the arm and indicated his discreet retreat. Toby nodded in acknowledgment

Benny began to calm a little and finally raised his head from Paul's shoulder. He looked through watery eyes at his two friends and sniffed. "Sorry 'bout that guys."

"That's okay Benny." said Paul as he continued to stroke Benny's back. "What was it though Benny?"

Benny shuddered again. "I jus remembered where I saw that guy before."

Toby wormed his way closer. "Yer did? Where?"

Benny looked at Toby and his lip began to quiver.

"It's okay Benny. I wont let anythin happen to yer." said Paul. "Tell us what yer can remember."

Benny frowned a little as he called the memory back. "It was back on L2, not long afta I joined up wiv you guys. I had gone out ta pick a couple of pockets when I sorta stumbled inta this alley way. There was a group of people there an I wasn't sure what they was up ta." Benny paused to catch his breath and sort through the jumbled images.

"So what happened?" asked Paul.

"Well I could here this whimperin sound so I sneaked as close as I could wivout them knowin I was there. There was three of em, big guys an they had this kid backed up by the wall." Benny began to cry again.

"Hey, it's all right Benny..." soothed Paul.

There was three of em, all takin turns at this poor kid. I could see he wasn't willin, he kept tryin ta fight em off but they jus laughed and forced him to keep goin and let em do what they wanted." Benny shuddered again and closed his eyes tight. he whimpered.

"So what happened next Benny?" Paul knew this was a lot for Benny to cope with but if the little boy could share it with them it might make it easier for him to forget and heal.

"They... they grabbed him and forced him ta bend over.... Then they raped him. Ohh god I can still here is screams. It was that guy Toby ran inta yesterday. He was the one that raped him an killed him. I can still see the blood as it came outta his body." Benny began to sob and shake as the horror of watching the unknown boy being raped literally to death came flooding back. "I didn help im..... I was too scared. I shoulda done somethin, gone fer help or...."

Paul pulled Benny close to him and let him cry. "It wasn't yer fault Benny. Yer did the best thing yer could'a done. If yer had gone ta help him then yer would probably been next."

Toby's eyes also began to tear. He had no idea that his best friend had been a witness to something so shocking and terrible. Sure they had all seen and felt the results of the odd rough customer but never had they been raped or witnessed a rape. Or so he had thought. What Benny had seen must have been terrifying to say the least, and not to have said anything about it showed just how much it had traumatized his friend. Toby reached his little hand in-between Paul and Benny and clasped Benny's hand. He was pleased when Benny gave him a small squeeze of thanks.

"We have to let Wufei and Trowa know 'bout this." said Paul. "That man shouldn't be allowed ta get away with somethin like that."

"But what can Trowa or Wufei do about it? It append a while ago."

"I'm sure they will be able ta do somethin. How 'bout we clean yer up a bit and find some lunch, then we can see if we can gets in touch wiv Wufei or Trowa and tell them the whole story."

"Okay." sniffled Benny. "But I really don't wanna have ta remember it again."

"It's okay Benny, Paul an I will be right wiv yer." said Toby softly.

"Thanks Tob." And Benny squeezed Toby's hand again.

Paul took the two to the bathroom and cleaned up Benny's tear streaked face. "Okay, I think yer will do. The lunch room is over there so lets go see what they have ta eat."

Benny smiled. "Thanks Paul."

"I'm yer buddy Benny. That's what buddies do or had yer forgotten."

"No I hadn't fergotten. It's jus that being all in different places now it's strange." Benny looked at Paul hoping the older teen would understand what he was trying to say.

Paul smiled. "We may all have different places ta call home now Benny but that don't mean that we ain't still a family. I spent too many years wiv you lot to let it all go like that. No matter where we go or where we end up we will always have each other."

"Promise?" asked Benny.

"Promise." replied Paul and gave both youngsters a hug. "Now come on let's eat, I can smell something that reminds me of Lasagna."

"What's Lesonya?" asked Toby with a frown.

"It's a pasta and meat an cheese dish that Sally made fer us once. It's real nice."

"Yum. That sounds good ta me." replied Toby.

Paul laughed as he led the three into the lunch room come cafeteria of the youth complex. Sure enough they had Lasagna and Paul made sure to get three large pieces. As they ate so his mind raced over the information that Benny had come out with. Once lunch was done he would see if he could contact Trowa and Wufei. They would know what to do.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

"But I cannot see how you can justify your reasoning." argued Quatre.

"I'm saying that once your company has done what it plans on doing on the colony then you will be putting your people in there to continue to run it. It still means that the colony will be under the rule of the Earth Sphere." replied senator Evans.

"No it wont. My company intends to use colony people to build and then run the facilities. It will provide the perfect opportunity to alleviate some of the unemployment there as well as provide housing and schooling for the many deprived citizens."

"But they will still be answerable to the Earth Sphere and thus under its control. So much for independence. How do we know that you wont just come back in and take over?"

Relena gave Quatre a sympathetic look. This senator was really as thick as they came. Quatre's proposal was all above board and clearly of benefit to the colony. Why the hell couldn't the senator see this?

Quatre rolled his eyes at Relena. He had known there would still be some animosity towards the earth and that the colonies still viewed anything that was done with suspicion, continuing to believe that the Earth Sphere wanted to rule them. How much more did he have to do before they could see that the only way forward was to accept the help and guidance of the earth and trust in the peace that was being offered?

Quatre took a deep breath and once again outlined his proposal. It was going to be a long afternoon.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Duo and Fayah walked briskly along the streets. Duo kept darting glances down alleys as they passed but could see no sign of Shane. He was getting really worried now. In all the time he had known Shane he had never had the boy lie to him. Shane was a good person. Forced, like Duo had been, into a life that he didn't want due to circumstances beyond his control. Shane's natural inner warmth drew people to him and while that was a good thing in so many ways, Duo also knew it could be his downfall. There were many unsavory types around that wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of Shane's gentle nature. Unlike Shane, Duo had learnt and learnt fast to be able to run and hide, and when to stay and defend himself.

He hoped that wherever Shane was that he was okay. He had to find him and soon.

"This is where he was supposed ta meet me." said Fayah, breaking into Duo's thoughts.

Duo stopped and gazed around. The familiar sights of street rats and whores greeted his vision. "Let's check the immediate area and see if anyone has seen him."

Fayah nodded and they proceeded to ask around.

A small boy watched in silence from the shadows of a building as the pair passed by. He kept his ears open. The description of the man fitted but nothing had been said about a girl. He frowned and then slipped from his hiding spot to follow.

Duo and Fayah asked several of the people they met if they could remember seeing a person of Shane's description in the area. No one recalled having seen him at all.

The small boy overheard Duo question a fellow rat. This had to be the guy he had been told to look out for. The boss said he would show up somewhere around here looking for his 'whore'. Silently the boy slid out into the sunlight and followed Duo.

Sensing someone behind him Duo stopped and spun around. A small boy stood behind him, a look of fear passed in the kids eyes as Duo grabbed his wrist.

"Hey leggo of me arm man yer hurtin me."

Duo's eyes narrowed but he let his grasp soften a little. "What are yer tailing me for?"

"The guy yer is lookin fer, I seen him."

Duo's grip tightened again. "Where?"

"Ow!"

"Duo, let him go yer scaring him." said Fayah gently as she placed her hand on Duo's arm.

Duo let go. "Sorry kid, I guess I overreacted."

The boy rubbed his wrist gingerly. "S'okay. This guy yer lookin fer, I seen him wiv another bloke. They went off in that direction." The boy jerked his head towards a street in the distance.

Duo frowned. "Was he going along willingly or was he being forced?"

"He looked willin enough ta me. The guy he was wiv wasn't draggin him or nothin like that if that's what yer mean."

Duo thought again. He could only assume it was someone that Shane knew. But then why would Shane leave Fayah waiting like that? No there was something fishy about this and Duo intended to find out what. "Okay kid thanks. Sorry I hurt yer."

"Yeah well I guess I needs ta be a bit more careful in future."

"Come on Duo, lets go find Shane." said Fayah.

Duo turned and headed in the direction the kid had indicated. Walking quickly they were soon at the street the kid had pointed them to. Duo looked up and down. Either side was graced by buildings. Most were housing of some sort but didn't look like many were occupied in the sense of ownership. An air of dilapidation hung over everything.

"Where do we start?" asked Fayah as she observed the street ahead.

"I guess we start at the top and work our way down. Just be careful and quiet okay?"

"Okay Duo."

They began their search. Each building was scouted around, the ground checked for recent activity and grubby glass panes cleaned slightly to allow curious eyes to penetrate the insides.

They had nearly reached the end of the street and so far nothing. Duo was in the process of climbing up a rickety pile of old wooden crates to peer into an upper window when one of the slats of wood gave way sending him crashing to the ground.

"Shit!"

"Duo, are yer okay?" asked Fayah as she rushed to help the braided man up.

"Yeah I'm fine other than a few splinters in my ass and a dent to my pride." Duo dusted himself off. He grinned mischievously to himself as he thought of the fun Heero would have later pulling said splinters from his rear. The grin however was quickly replaced by a look of horror as his hands caressed the fractured pieces in the back pocket of his jeans. "Aww Fuck!"

"What Duo?"

Duo reached into his pocket and withdrew the shattered communicator. "Fuck!... fuck!... fuck! Heero's gonna be so pissed at me."

Fayah couldn't help but laugh.

"It ain't funny Fayah." whined Duo. "These things are like babies to Heero. Boy is he gonna be mad at me when he finds out."

"It was an accident Duo. I'm sure Heero will understand."

"Yeah, once he takes it out on my ass he will. Oh well I suppose there ain't much I can do about it now." Duo replaced the broken gadget back into his pocket. He made a mental note to let Heero be top next time by way of saying sorry.

They moved to the next building.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Heero left the hotel and headed for the address of the establishment that Duo and Shane had checked out the day before. He couldn't help but notice the decline in the prosperity of the colony as he made his way into the slum areas. The fact that Duo had grown up here and survived was nothing short of a miracle in Heero's book.

Heero had witnessed this dark side to the colony once before and it never failed to make his heart lurch as he thought of Duo and the life he had once led.

He raised his head as he neared the location and tried to block out the poverty that screamed at him from all sides. He was propositioned a couple of times by girls and guys alike. Some of the kids looked like they were yet to greet puberty and again he felt an overwhelming sorrow at the state of the colony and its future generation.

He thought back to Toby, Benny, Mickey, Colin, Paul and Shane. Part of him was glad; glad that these six would at least have an opportunity to make it in the universe and have some sort of a childhood. That is providing they could find Shane.

Shane.....

"Where are you?" Heero thought silently.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Shane groaned as the throbbing in his head increased. His throat was dry and he could smell the vomit from earlier. It made him even more nauseated. He looked up sharply as the door opened again and the man came in.

Scooting as far back on the bed that he could Shane watched the man warily.

"I don't think we will have to wait too much longer my pretty little toy."

"Whadda yer mean?"

"I want to know why you were asking questions about me. You and your pretty fuck toy."

Shane's stomach lurched. Now he knew without a doubt that this was the man that had taken all the other street rats. He shuddered.

A hand slapped him hard across the cheek. "You haven't answered my question slut."

Shane's head snapped back as the open palm connected with his cheek. He bit back a moan.

"Maybe this will persuade you to loosen your tongue." The man reached for Shane's crotch and squeezed hard.

Shane couldn't contain the yelp of pain as the grip tightened around his balls. He closed his eyes in an attempt to stop the tears from leaking.

"Why were you asking questions about me?"

Another squeeze.

Shane called out in pain. "I wasn't askin any questions about yer mista. We just went there for a room fer a quick fuck."

"Now why is it that I don't believe you." The hand tightened again. "Maybe you need to think a bit more about your answer. I'll be back shortly. I think it best if you tell me what I want to know or else....." The hand closed painfully and twisted. "You certainly won't be fathering any kids." The hand released and with an evil laugh the man left the room.

Shane tried to control his whimpers but the pain from his abused groin raced through him. He buried his head in the pillow and sobbed. There was no way he was going to rat on Heero or Duo but he hoped that someone would find him... and soon.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Duo and Fayah moved to the next building. "Shhh..." said Duo.

"What?" whispered Fayah.

"Quiet. I think I hear something." Duo inched forward to the side of the building and the small window.

Fayah followed behind. She watched as Duo crept silently to the small window and peered inside. His face went pale and he motioned for her to come to him. Keeping as quiet as she could she sidled alongside.

The air was split with a cry of pain. Fayah's blood ran cold and her eyes opened wide. That sounded like Shane's voice.

Duo leant down and whispered in her ear. "Shane is in there Fayah. There's a guy with him though. I think it may be the one that took the other kids. He fits the description. Can yer take a quick peek and let me know if it's the same guy yer saw with some of the rats."

Fayah nodded and reached for the window sill. She was a little shorter that Duo and had to stand on tip toe to see inside. Her eyes adjusted quickly and she had to suppress a cry. She clamped her hand down over her mouth as she slid to the floor.

Duo crouched beside her. "Is it him Fayah?"

She nodded, unable to form words as she was still too shocked at what she had seen in that room. Shane lay bound on a bed and that man... that monster was hurting him. She felt sick. "Duo, we gotta get him outta there."

"Yeah I know Fayah and we will. Damn the broken communicator! Look Fayah, I need yer to go get Heero okay? He should be around the hotel. The one we was checking out yesterday. Get him and bring him here as quick as yer can."

Fayah nodded again. "Okay. I'm on my way Duo. Please, help Shane." Her eyes filled with tears as she heard another muffled moan of pain come from the building.

"I will Fayah, I will. Now get going."

Fayah took off at a run. Shane was in trouble and she needed to find Heero to help Duo rescue him. Her legs moved faster than she had ever thought possible as she tore through the streets dodging traffic and people. A couple of rats called out to her as she ran but she ignored their lewd comments and ran faster. The only thought in her mind was to find Heero and help Shane. She didn't dare think about what would happen to Shane if they didn't rescue him.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Duo moved silently around the building, checking the place out for possible entry and exit points. Satisfied with his appraisal he approached a side door. He knelt down and reached into his braid to remove his lock picks. "Old habits die hard." he thought to himself with a wry grin.

The door yielded and Duo stepped softly into the darkened interior. From his earlier scouting of the territory he figured the room Shane was in was just down a bit and to the left. Cautiously he made his way along the wall, back pressed up against the firm surface feet silent on the floor. He hadn't been a master of stealth for nothing. Approaching the door to Shane's confinement he reached into the waistband of his jeans and withdrew his gun. He flipped the safety off.

A quick scan of the gloom told him no one was around. He let a small breath escape him. His hand inched forward as he tried the door knob.

Locked.

Reaching once more into his braid he removed the trusty implements and began to jiggle the mechanism. A soft click. Bingo. "Hang in there Shane old buddy, the cavalry is about to arrive." he thought silently.

Replacing the lock picks and taking up the gun, he again began to twist the door knob. It gave and began to move open. Still moving cautiously Duo let the door swing before melting into the room. He scanned around to see Shane still on the bed.

With a gun pointing at his head.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~