I can imagine the moment
Breaking out from the silence
All the things that we both might say
And the heart it will not be denied
'Till we're both on the same damn side
All the barriers blown away
-Lyrics to 'Come Talk To Me' performed by Peter Gabriel
Crimson Bonds Part 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.
Though the Vampires were never actually named in the diary- most likely due to their insistence so that their identities remained unknown should the book fall into the wrong hands at the time- there were enough clues jotted by the innocent child that confirmed the image of the scientists' targets.
Rather than use their names, titles were given instead as a code. There was 'Tall One', 'Quiet One', 'Mothering One", 'Scaly One', and 'Red-Haired One'. Trowa Barton, Heero Yuy, Midi Barton, Wufei Chang and Anna Yuy-Chang.
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.
About the only time it seemed that Yuy spoke was when he was huddled with his family, most especially his sister. The Bartons were the two who understood the plant life growing to know what was safe for their passengers to eat thanks to their human lives as vineyard workers.
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.
His foot running back and forth over the black chain beneath his desk, Septum leaned further back in his chair and grinned to himself as he read over one of his favorite excerpts that hinted to Heero Yuy's slow decline in health when he faltered in a steep hill climb. Anna had rushed to his side instantly and offered a wrist so that he could take a long drink and was in perfect form for the remainder of the travel.
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?"
"Still hot on the trail of places the Barton-Yuy Clan had visited," Lucie shrugged. "I just have a few more points of interest to check out here in Charleston before I follow my next lead. No creature to exist can go on without leaving something behind."
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."
Charles led the teenage foursome as he smirked, "And everyone was on their best behavior for us."
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."
"Okay, Momma!" the children cheered before they disappeared along with their belongings in little blurs with Rosie bringing up the end of their stream once she was lowered to her feet again.
Her head shaking in amusement, the redhead pulled her eldest children into her arms as she sighed deeply, "I still cannot thank you all enough for doing this for your father and me."
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?"
Nancy lost her own smile a bit as she admitted, "It may be a bit much to see through, but there is a give and take tactic when it comes to having laws passed in the World Senate. If I seem disappointed when that idea is shot down, I will win favor by the people who are still on the fence to moving to identification bracelets instead. In the end, the result will be the same in guaranteeing that no Vampire could possibly slip through the system."
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."
Angela snorted bitterly, "If only. We shouldn't be hoping for that much, Cindy. You know that it would never happen. Just so long as there is the peace of mind that they do not have the liberties to run rampant whenever they want, I'd be happy with that."
"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."
Her arms raising into the air, Nancy all but shouted, "Which has always been one of my arguments! Procreation is a gift from God that he only bestowed upon his true creations. Infected rely on turning livings to extend their clans that they have the nerve to consider families."
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.
* * * * * *
Sniffling, Isabel wiped a stray tear from her cheek as she whispered, "Why is our kind hated so much?"
Lightly squeezing her shoulder, Wufei smiled sadly, "I wouldn't say that we are hated as much as we are misunderstood. It's easy for anyone to fear what they cannot comprehend. And remember that not every living is unwilling to accept us. There are far more in the world who consider us friends than those who do not."
Anna swallowed down the lump in her throat as she nodded, "He's right, kids."
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."
"Well, it remains impossible for me to resist you, love," Chang snickered quietly, taking hold of her hand in a scaly one of his own to squeeze it while their gazes met. "And I could not be more content with my existence for it. I would not change a single thing about my turning or being a Vampire at all." Biting her lip against the tears filling her eyes, the redhead smiled as he leaned in to kiss her cheek.
The teenagers gathered around eased a bit over the former soldier's declaration and their saddened expressions faded away. "So... what could the potential adjustments to the registration mean for us?" Charles asked.
His mother responded, "Treize and his family are covering all of the bases for whatever may happen. We're fortunate enough to have people who are in position to help us. We may have a bit of dodging and weaving to do, but it'll all be fine in the end thanks to them."
John sighed, "Thank God we have them on our side." He shook his head, frowning deeply, "I would hate to imagine how bad things would be without them."
At his right, his twin ran a hand through her short hair as she said, "There wouldn't have been anywhere for us to hide." Carol breathed, "We can only survive if the rest of the world has no idea that we exist. It's all we've known."
The sentiment caused Wufei and Anna to look onto one another with wide, frightened eyes that their children had missed. "Yes, well... someday that could change for the better as well," the scaly Infected offered with a sad grin.
Stretching his arms overhead as he rose to his feet, Charles smiled, "So, nothing we can't handle. There might be an inconvenience or two from all of this, but we'll carry on." Gesturing to his siblings, he told them, "We better check in on the wrist biters. It's been a while since they've made so much as a peep and it has me thinking they're up to something."
"Oh, you're right," Isabel giggled nervously while she and the others stood. Focusing back on their parents, she said, "We'll stick around for as long as it takes for the mess to settle since you both have enough on your plate, Mom and Dad. With what is being discussed in regards to our kinds' rights, we should all be close to see how it all works out." John and Carol nodded in agreement.
Anna's lips curled up as she replied sincerely, "You're all more than welcome to stay as long as you like. It would be nice to have the family together through this. And your helping field the kids is deeply appreciated." Wufei bowed his head to their little ones in gratitude.
Clapping his hands together for a loud slap, John announced, "Great! It's settled, then." He reached over to tug on his twin's short hairs at the back of her head, taunting, "Dibs on the attic bedroom." He vanished in a blur of himself.
"Hey, you brat!" Carol bellowed after him. "No fair! That's my spot!" With a growl, she disappeared from the room in the next blink of an eye.
Charles raised an eyebrow to his twin, the corner of his mouth stretching into a mischievous smirk. "Don't you even think about it," Isabel gasped. Onyx-and-gold eyes narrowing, she challenged, "You'll have to beat me to my old room first!" Her snickering brother was fast on her heels as they bolted off to leave their parents behind.
Only when he was certain that there were no listening ears did Chang shift to face his wife as he commented, "It was not a complaint from Carol or any of the others, Anna. They have only known to hide, but they have always understood why they cannot live normally like the rest of our kind."
"Live normally," the redhead snorted bitterly, roughly brushing away a fresh trail of tears. "Even with laws that protect us, Vampires will never be able to live normally. But I still can't help wishing that our children were able to experience what everyone else in the world can. They cannot even so much as make friends beyond our family and a few other Clans. Not one of them have ever had an encounter with a living... or attended a school... gone out on dates..."
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.
The Chinese Vampire barked a laugh and replied, "That's putting it mildly." Smirking, he pressed and held a kiss against his soul mate's head as he asked, "Feeling better?"
"Yea," the Siren sighed. Pushing herself upright, she gripped onto her husband's scaly wrist and pulled him from his chair. "Come on," she urged at the same time that she rose to her feet. "You said earlier this morning that the bitterness in my blood faded, so we're safe to couple again." She peered over her shoulder, grinning in that way that promised naughty things. "I intent to take out some of my frustrations on you, if you don't mind."
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.
His mind at a bit more ease, the Companion descended back down to rest atop his Vampire and whispered reverently, "I love you, Heero Yuy."
"I adore you, Duo Maxwell," the Infected replied in kind with a warm grin on his face.
At the next kiss that they exchanged, the rest of the world was completely forgotten until the next morning came.
TBC...
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