|
"Crimson Bonds"Written By: SkyLark DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gundam Wing, or its characters. I just love playing with them. Pairings: 1x2x1, 5xOC, 3xOC, 4xR, 6x9, 13xU Warnings for Overall Series: Angst, Violence, Sap, Lemons/Limes, AU Summary: Sequel to Vamp fic Crimson Ties Archives: http://www.gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com/gw/SkyLark/gwSkyLark.htm and http://www.mizunoamy.bravepages.com/skylark/skylarkfics.html Betaed by ShenLong *hugs* "Crimson Bonds" [I can imagine the moment Chapter 13 Carefully turning the pages of his new favorite reading material, Septum glanced over the handwritten entries of a young girl and her harrowing journey through Poland's rugged terrain and freezing cold to escape the death camp that she had been rescued from. Each word had been committed to memory by the researcher
and yet he could not tear himself away from the long hidden documentation
of the Barton-Yuy Clan's care of the prisoners that they had spared
from a certain end at the hands of their Nazi captors. Process of elimination combined with the investigative
efforts of his team was enough to help piece the other pieces of the
puzzles together when even the titles were taken out and the personalities
of the Infected heroes were the only words used to describe them. Chang was the mercenary who would disappear from time
to time so that he could remove any potential threat in the form of
soldiers hunting them down while his wife was a natural in looking
after the young ones of the pack by singing with them and keeping
their spirits up. One of the Original's first spells that warned of his long existence without his Chosen. It was the fuel for the fire that Millers had always expected to find. Now he had the documented proof in his possession. Duo was with him now to provide all that he needed and then some. But then, the scientist had long had all of the evidence he could have ever desired to believe that beyond any doubt. At least the diary was the validation he was willing to provide to his Hunters should their own doubts creep in. The rest would have to remain his little secret for the time being. At the buzz of his desk phone ringing, Septum smirked and flipped the accept button without so much as a glance at the caller identification. There was only one person who would be trying to reach him following the email that he had recently sent. "I still can't believe that little shit's luck," Lucie's voice grumbled as it had at the start of every such conversation for the last few weeks. "I could have used the bonus money I'm sure he won for that chunk of information." Unable to hold off seeing the young woman who had captivated him nearly as much as the Hybrid he was tracking, the researcher turned on the screen to gaze on Aisley's lovely face. The slight pout on her face made him chuckle, "Well, fair is fair, my dear. I cannot allow this wealth of data go unrewarded. But I would not worry. You are a capable Hunter. Surely there will be something of even more value to the quest that you will stumble upon." Raising a blonde eyebrow, Lucie retorted, "Mark stumbled on his find. I make things happen as opposed to rely on what I want to fall into my lap by a happy accident." She folded her arms across her chest to frame the bottom of her image. "Did you happen to get the details as to how that little boy came across those keepsakes? He made it clear that he covered his tracks from whatever foolish girl he managed to talk into giving him those heirlooms along with luring her out of her skirt?" The sound of sirens pierced Millers' memory at the recollection of the call his youngest Hunter made to announce his fortune. He might not have known the details, nor did she, but he did not think the timing of that wailing was a mere coincidence. And that was why the answer came out confidently. "It's been handled." Caught off guard by the cold and matter-of-fact response, the Hunter blinked widely. "Alright," she conceded. Rolling her shoulders back, she grinned darkly, "Then I'll let it go and chalk it up to having me do my homework to outdo his performance." Losing his edge, Millers snickered, "That's my
girl. So how are things in your corner of the world?" With a firm nod, the scientist commented, "And if there is anyone who can find it I would place all of my bets on you." Aisley fought the tired, inward groan that threatened to come out and managed a shy smile highlighted by the batting of her green eyes so as to keep him reeled in. "I will be sure to make you proud, Septum," she purred. His throat tightening at the seductive tone, Millers swallowed roughly. "Yes, well... d-do keep me posted," he stammered. Before the full burn of an oncoming blush could reach his cheeks, he quickly disconnected the call. Breathing a sigh of relief to the blackened screen, he fell back into his chair. For all of the wealth that he had... for all of the brilliance he wielded... the talents to woo a woman still managed to escape him. But in time... like everything else in his life it would come. After all, he always got what he wanted. Under his desk, Septum's foot resumed its light trace
over the long chain that stretched out across the floor. "Oh, I've missed you all so much these last couple of weeks," Anna beamed as she bent at her waist to scoop Rosie up against her. The Irish Infected moved to hug and rain kisses each of her giggling children and asked, "How was your camping trip? Were you all good little ones for your big brothers and sisters?" A slew of words flowed over each other when the kids went on to answer excitedly about their adventure. Laughing, Wufei managed to free himself from the piling youngsters to raise one arm over his head and bring his free hand to his lips for a sharp whistle that brought the clamor to a calm. "One at a time, everyone," he chuckled deeply as he rose from his crouch after having had the chance to reunite with all of his charges. "We'll hear it all, I promise. But keeping it simple for now, did you all enjoy yourselves?" Perfectly still and glowing with the smiles on their
faces, the lot chorused together, "Yes, Daddy." Lightly patting each head he passed, he snickered, "You wouldn't believe that they were the same little monsters that they are when they're home." Solo and the boys mock-glared at their older brother and hit at his legs when he walked by, only causing him to laugh. Nodding to the mound of bed rolls, duffle bags and tucked away tents waiting at the bottom of the front porch steps, Anna announced, "Alright, kids. Time to put your things away and get cleaned up in a real shower so that we can all sit down and hear all about your trip." A finger raised in warning, she added, "And if
you can help it, please no fighting over turns in the bathrooms. Let's
have a nice day as a family again without any arguments." John pulled back and grinned widely, "It really was no trouble at all, Ma." Sharing a one-armed hug with his Dad, he shrugged, "We should be doing stuff like this more often with the little rat pack, anyway. The only thing that would have made it even more fun was if you both could have been there with us." At the sight of her parents' frowns, Isabel was quick to reassure, "We'll plan a vacation for the whole family to be together for the next time. This was a good experiment for all of us to be on our own for a while." She was rewarded with grateful smiles and another round of embraces. Folding her arms behind her back, Carol asked, "So, any news to report since we've been away?" She bit her lip and kept a tight smile as she studied her guardians' expressions. "Well, time will tell soon enough if there is anything to report from yesterday's doctor visit," Anna snickered. The pair of twins gasped as their eyes widened, only to contain themselves when the Siren waved a hand as she insisted, "Let's try to not dwell over it and get our hopes up just yet." Biting her lip, she frowned, "As for other news, there are more... pressing matters that we should discuss." Her husband came to her rescue by draping a scaly arm over her shoulders and kissing her temple in the silent reassurance that he would take it from there. Meeting the curious, gold-rimmed gazes on them, Wufei suggested, "Let's get inside and sit down to catch up while the others are busy settling back in." Their heads nodding shallowly, the teenagers eyed each other nervously and followed their parents up the porch steps to enter their home. * * * * "Mom, this speech is brilliant," David complimented
as he lowered the pages in his hand onto the table. Grinning from
ear-to-ear, he peered at the lawyer sitting at the head of the living
room table. "You really think that your suggestion for the identification
neck braces will go through?" At the other end of the table, her youngest child of the three smirked, "The board of advocates that had voted you in to be their voice against the Infected will be thrilled if this works. You've already made leaps and bounds towards looking out for all livings by having these next proceedings at all possible." The Senator could not help her proud grin as she replied, "Thank you, Cynthia. Keep up your own studies to climb the government ladder and you'll be serving on that board one day after you've earned your degree." Brushing back her shoulder-length, mouse-brown hair,
the nineteen-year-old beamed, "I won't disappoint you, Ma. With
you in the Senate and me as a spokesperson, we'll get through to the
rest of the world that they need we get rid of those monsters." "I plan on pushing harder than that when I have any say in it when I have the chance," the younger girl muttered under her breath she stared into the cup of tea that she was stirring. Oh, she had big plans for when she came into the fold of those brave few in number now. She would see that their time came. Her mother was already at a great start to that. Shaking his head, David folded his arms behind his head
as he sighed, "I just don't get how those demons have managed
to manipulate so many people into trusting them. Hell, most livings
these days are next door neighbors with Infecteds! I don't know how
they can sleep at night knowing that they're so close to creatures
who drink blood! Nothing about the Vampires are natural! They can't
even have children." Cynthia snorted, "Well, thank God they can't have babies. I'm sure that they would eat their own if they did." Her Mom and siblings joined in on her laughter over the sentiment. * * * * Slowly taking in every sullen face around the living
room table, she stated, "Remember that there would be no such
a thing as Chosen or Companions if we were despised so much."
Smirking, she leaned against her husband's side as she said softly,
"Even your father couldn't resist our kind forever, no matter
how much he tried in his human form." Shaking her head, she frowned, "It will never be possible for them." Wufei shook his head, "All of which they understand and willingly accept. You and I have a better appreciation for what they are missing out on because we once had that in our existences. They never have and so they do not feel the loss that we can sometimes get caught up in because we only want the best for them." He took hold of his Chosen's hand for another tight squeeze as he murmured, "But what is best for them is right here with us. They're well aware of what could happen to them if they were discovered and they are happy to have what they have." Her head nodding, Anna giggled through her sniffles,
"You're right, love." Leaning up against him as he looped
his arms around her, she shrugged, "I guess that everything is
starting to catch up with me. These last few weeks have been a pretty
crazy, emotional roller coaster ride. Without hesitating, Wufei matched her smile as his fangs grew in past his lips. "My heart, I hope you have enough of that frustration that we break our bed." * * * * Feeling the weight of his lover heavily pressed flush against him, Heero blinked and waited a moment to see if there would be any movement. When there was none, he called softly, "Duo? Are you alright?" Head turned away, Maxwell just reveled in feeling their naked bodies pressed together as he stared out to their closed bedroom door. "Just thinking," he half-heartedly returned. The bite back in the nape of his neck was already beginning to heal, much to his disappointment. It only served to leave a different kind of cold and empty feeling than what he was already coping with. Biting his lip, Yuy finally pressed, "Are you going to share what you're thinking so hard over..." He smiled sadly in conclusion, "or are you going to make me have to guess?" Loathe as he was to separate in any way, Duo groaned and pushed himself to sit back comfortably while straddling so that their ringed eyes could meet. Shrouded by his long, loose hair that cascaded down in loose waves, he rubbed his arm self-consciously as he commented, "I wonder if we're doing the right thing by wanting to have a child with what is happening between the Vampires and the livings right now. I mean how do we tell a little one that there are people out there who would sooner see them dead than try to understand them?" Oh, there was more to what the Hybrid was really dealing with. Heero was onto that. But what was being omitted would have to come out on its own in time. Folding his arms behind his pillowed head, the Original shrugged, "I have taken that into consideration. And in the end, I say we just do as Wufei and Anna have managed so well with their kids. We tell them the truth about the world, that there are good and bad people out there every bit as there are both kinds of Vampires. And we give them everything that we can within our power... most importantly a loving family that they will never be without. In the end, I cannot think of anything that any creature could need more." Simple. Poignant. And so very true. That was the way Yuy always put things. It made Duo
smile. "I adore you, Duo Maxwell," the Infected replied
in kind with a warm grin on his face. |
