Press my nose up to the glass around your heart
I should've known I was weaker from the start
You'll build your walls and I will play my bloody part
To tear, tear them down, Well I'm gonna tear, tear them down
-Lyrics to 'Babel' performed by Mumford an Sons

Crimson Bonds Part 39

Blinking widely, Wufei asked in little more than a breath, "What did you say?"

With a deep frown, Crystal answered, "I was able to get a look at the registration list before the end of my shift to see if there was any chance Anna's tracker might have pinpointed her location. The system has her as being with all of you... in Virginia."

Chewing on the inside of her cheek, she hesitated before announcing, "Which can only mean that her tracker was not only disabled, but someone inside of our government-funded organization has the ability to adjust the registration's history and current reports the same way that I can... and they're damned good at it."

If the Vampires' bodies were able to react as they had when they were livings, the hairs on their arms would have been standing on end at the chill that coursed through them.

Turning his head towards his cousins, Trowa commented softly, "This could go as far up as the World Senate. The timing of the registration vote and the sudden shift in the delegates' minds over the matter would suddenly make a lot of sense, wouldn't it?"

"Duo was that high of a commodity," Heero muttered as he stared blankly at the cell phone in his hand. "He had been the whole reason behind everything that's been happening all along." Shaking his head, he heard himself ask, "Who the Hell are we up against with that much influence?"

Chang growled under his breath, "Whoever they are and whoever they're linked to, they can't go hidden forever. And they won't be of any more trouble when we find them."

His scaly skin shimmering as he faced the others, he suggested, "We start by speaking to Treize and his family. The Senate will be resuming business as usual before long. They'll need to know that there is a good chance they're sharing the same office chambers with a party responsible for Anna and Duo's capture."

Now that there was a direct plan of attack, Heero snapped out of the sickening feeling that had set in at the more recent development. Meeting his brother's gaze, he nodded firmly, "Right. They're currently at their residence in Washington. For the time being, we can stay with them and work out our next steps."

"Thanks as always, Crystal," Barton smiled to the Companion on the cell phone screen. "Let us know if you make any headway in finding out who your mole is."

A sad grin tugging her lips, their friend replied, "Believe me when I promise I am going to do everything I can on this end. And if there is anything else that my family and I can do to help you, don't hesitate to call. We're all sending our love out for you, Duo and Anna."

Clearing away the lump that had begun to form in his throat, Yuy said sincerely, Thank you. Please tell the others we appreciate that."

Farewells were exchanged by all before the Original ended the call. "Just when we thought we had enough of a challenge on our hands," he sighed deeply. "At least we were able to find this much out so early in the case."

Trowa brought his hands together to crack his knuckles as he snorted, "Yea. Treize and the others are going to love hearing this." Holding onto either cousin's shoulders, he smirked, "I call not being the one to have to tell them."

As the brothers opened their mouths to protest, the world faded away in a flash of brilliant colors.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Pacing the floor of her cell, Anna rubbed her hands together anxiously. "I was sure that they would have brought Duo back by now," she murmured with a frown, the comment made without her full awareness that she had spoken.

The hours slipping past without any word on her brother were becoming maddening for the Irish Vampire. She did not want to try imagining what he could have been enduring during his time in the clutches of the Mad Doctor, as Celeste had called him.

Leaning back against the furthest wall from her, the Hybrid sharing her block snorted, "Oh, they've probably just been warming up all this time for the real fun. Give it another day or so before you see him again." Snapping her slack-jawed face towards him, the redhead's eyes grew with horror and her already pale skin turned nearly transparent.

"Solo!" Celeste snapped, slapping her wall as her narrowed eyes glared down hard on her lover from across the room. "Enough of that. Just because you prefer to stay bitter doesn't mean the rest of us have to suffer. That's her brother they have." Waving her arms overhead, she shouted, "Hell, he's your brother, too! Try and have a little consideration!"

Taken aback at the rare display of frustration directed at him by his Companion, the blonde half-breed blinked widely at her. He shot a glare back, but there was a hint of something akin to regret behind it that she did not miss before he turned his head away.

Biting her lip, Anna gave her sister a shallow nod of appreciation while struggling to keep a sharp mist from filling her gold-and-blue eyes. The damage had already been done, whether the Hybrid's words were true or simply made up out of spite. What terrible thoughts she had been struggling with were magnified tenfold.

At the main entrance doors swishing open, the Vampire jumped and spun around to watch two burly guards half-carrying-half-dragging a limp body from under its arms. Instantly recognizing the long rope of a frayed braid that fell over their prisoner's shoulder, the world was lost behind a veil of tears as she cried, "DUO!"

Paying no mind to her or anyone else, the armed young men led their charge to his glass cage. Once the code was entered to present a door, they unceremoniously hurled Maxwell inside to have him sprawl out on the floor. Unconscious as he was, the Hybrid's face remained twisted in pain as he groaned deeply at the shock to his body that continued to render him helpless.

With a hand slapping over her mouth, Anna sank down to her own floor. "Duo?" she whispered brokenly, unable to speak any louder. There was not a trace of blood on her brother's exposed arms or legs, nor was any peeking through his clothes... but there was no question to the excruciating agony that had yet to fade.

Sniffling through tears running down her face, she urged in a breath, "Come on, 'lil brother. Get up."

Their lips pulled back in lop-sided smirks, the Hunters snickered in amusement and headed back for the door. Along the way past the Companion, the taller of the two raised a finger as he smirked, "He suffers this one out, darling. Doctor's orders that he doesn't eat this time around... but you'll have your shot as being that freak's blood bank soon enough."

Celeste followed them with her threatening stare. Releasing a deep sigh when the guards disappeared behind the main doors once more, she slowly lowered herself to the ground at the closest wall to her cell block mate. "Duo," she called softly. "Are you still with us?"

At the question, there was enough of a processing in the half-breed's mind to bring him back out of the fog consuming him. Slowly blinking his violet-and-silver eyes open, he winced at the brilliant light of the overhead fluorescents he was peering up at and realized that he was stretched out on his back the same way he was when he had been strapped down to the examination table.

Gasping sharply in panic, Maxwell sat upright in a bolt and instantly wished that he hadn't. All but crumbling completely with a sharp hiss of a breath through his clenched teeth, a sharp sob broke against the tremors electrifying their way into every one of his senses.

"Remember what I told you," Celeste soothed, pressing a hand to the cold glass that she hated having between them. "Find a place to go to beyond the pain. Concentrate on that for now until the worst passes."

Eyelids clenched shut, Duo managed a small nod and gladly went back to another fond memory of time spent with Heero. Recalling every little detail of his Vampire, he was able to forget the tormenting aches that failed to rip them apart for, at least, that space and time.

Finally, as the last twinges of discomfort began to ebb, he was able to reopen his eyes again.

The first thing to come into focus for him was the sight of his distraught, but relieved, sister. Hugging her legs to her chest in the cage across from him, Anna smiled sadly as tears continued to run down her face. "Hey, Duo," she managed quietly.

Heartbroken over her worried state, Maxwell put on the best grin he could to reassure her. "Hey, Anna," he replied in kind.

Still a bit shaky from his ordeal, he said, "I'm gonna be okay, hon. They didn't break me in there." Casting a focused glance at his fellow Companion, as he told her sincerely, "Thanks to your advice. It was a good tip to get me through that."

Letting out a long breath, Celeste's own lips curled in a smile. "I'm glad," she replied. "Solo came up with it long ago... I was hoping that it might be something that would help you, too."

As usual, the blonde Hybrid seemed completely disinterested in the conversation or the creatures around him as a whole. Though he did let out a soft snort. "Give it time," he smirked at no one in particular. "Those little sessions with the Mad Doc are going to put that mind of yours to the test."

Both Duo and Anna reeled back a bit as if he had physically struck them with his warning.

"I said enough!" the Hispanic immortal bellowed at her lover. Face reddening as she stood to fully face the half-breed, she snarled, "Neither one of them deserve being treated like this by you of all creatures! bad enough what they're already dealing with because of these bastards holding us. They're your family, whether you like it or not! If you can't say anything nice, then keep your damned mouth shut because I can't stand this anymore!"

Wide-eyed, their observers watched as Solo's mouth opened and closed to say something that was escaping him. giving up after a few attempts, he gave a near apologetic look to his partner before moving to sit atop his bed with his back to everyone.

And what that, he had announced which of his two options he had chosen.

Offering a small grin to the nervous siblings when their gazes fell on her, Celeste shrugged, "Don't worry. He'll get over it. He loves me." She noted the softening of her Hybrid's rigid shoulders at the sentiment. It was his small confirmation that he had already forgiven her.

Renewed in her stance, the lovely Companion stared at his back as she added, "I just have to remind him who are the good guys and who are the bad guys from time to time." There was a subtle, frustrated huff from Solo that made her giggle.

Holding back their own mirth, Duo and Anna choked back their snickers out of respect for their brother. As two of the few who knew the terrible things that Solo had existed through, they were both in a silent pact to allow him some measure of pride.

Maxwell made himself a little more comfortable by propping his back up against the post of his bed and folded his arms behind his braided head. "So," he began, "since we're going to be here for a little while, why don't we play a few rounds of 20 questions?"

"I'm in," his sister laughed as she settled herself down on the edge of her bed.

Celeste folded her legs together as she lowered herself back to the floor, beaming, "Me, too. You start us off, Duo."

A dumbfounded expression on his face, Solo stared into the darkness behind the wall that he had picked to pout at. "Unbelievable," he muttered in as much wonder as disgust, "we're trapped from the rest of the world at the hands of evil scientists and they're playing games like it's summer camp."

Oh, he realized then that he was in for a very long stay if this was the sort of thing he was going to have to suffer.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Broderick's feet were walking the catwalks aimlessly as his mind struggled to sort out and process the whirlwind that had been his life for the last few hours. Following a briefing of the guards' responsibilities and a tour of the laboratory, he had been dismissed to go about the rest of the day as he willed.

He just didn't know what he willed at that point in time. There had been a barrage of developments that had sideswiped him off his game completely. Septum certainly was a man capable of secrets. How he had pulled off hiding a Hybrid for over a year right under the noses of a couple hundred Hunters without their knowledge was staggering.

Then there was the matter of the newest captives... Duo and Anna.

Wufei Chang was easily one of the most interesting of the Barton-Yuy Clan to Dawson... someone he could have learned to respect were it not for the redheaded Infected that had turned him. Suddenly, the living found himself in the same facility of the vixen that had tempted and corrupted the once noble young man. There was not a chance to have some of the mystery of their bond discovered.

On one hand, the meeting had been a bit of a disappointment to Broderick. For such a strong-minded, loyal Chinaman to be lured into the arms of evil, the one pulling him in had to be something beyond the likes of which the world had ever seen.

However, the Hunter came to find the Irish Infected as rather plain in person. There was nothing special in how she was dressed between the jean shorts, running sneakers and purple tank top. Oh, she was easy on the eyes enough, just not to the extent that was anticipated.

Still... the way that Anna had stared at Dawson continued to unnerve him even though he was nowhere near her presence. It was as if she were studying him with the same interest that he had over her. Why that could possibly be was beyond his comprehension. But there was no way around his curiosity revolving around her, either.

"Come on, sweetheart, give me a shot to show you what a real man's like," a repulsively familiar voice broke through the said young man's musings. Frowning, he peered around the corner that he was approaching.

Leaning back against the wall behind her, Lucie was pinned between Mark Barnett's extended arms that had were propped at either side of her. With a threatening glare, Aisley hissed, "In your fucking dreams, slime ball." Slowly leaning towards the face that was smirking devilishly at her, she growled, "Walk away... Now, before you regret it."

It was the first time that Dawson had ever heard such venom coming from her. Not that he had any doubt it was always in her, of course. The reality of its presence was a bit startling was all. And for just a breath, he actually worried for the smug little nuisance of a Hunter as to what might befall him if she had her say. For that reason alone did their only witness decide to intervene.

Rounding the corner to stalk towards his counterparts, the tall young man half-commanded-half-suggested, "Back off, Barnett. Didn't your mother ever teach you that 'No' means no?"

His head snapping up, the sandy-haired punk's lips pulled back in a sneer. "This isn't any of your business, Dawson." He may have tried to be convincing enough that he posed a threat, but he did push himself away from the wall and gave Lucie a couple of paces of space. Smirking, he added, "She might be giving me the cold shoulder, but I didn't exactly hear her yelling for help, either."

"The only yelling for help would have been from you, asshole," Aisley snorted as she headed towards the object of her affections. "You're just lucky Broderick stepped in when he did." The malice was gone from her voice, but the underlying warning a very real one.

Rolling his eyes, Mark huffed, "Whatever." Defensive as he was, there was not a single notion that he was going to tempt the much broader Hunter into challenging him. Heading past his associates, he smiled to Aisley, "Soon as you decide to come around and have some fun, you know where to find me."

Her face reddening, the beauty huffed, "Don't hold your breath, Barnett." There was a deep snicker and a wave over the creepy brute's shoulder before he slipped around the corner and beyond her sight.

With a sigh of relief, she grinned up to the other Hunter, "My hero. Thanks for coming to my rescue."

Containing himself from rolling his eyes, Dawson muttered half-heartedly, "Sure."

The very last thing that he needed was for her to get the idea that he was her knight in shining armor. She was already hard to tolerate without that delusion to add onto her infatuation with him. So, he made good on a hasty retreat without another word or a glance at her when he walked off.

Lucie's smile widened as she tilted her head and called, "I'll see you later on our first watch in the lab tomorrow, then. Have a good night, Broderick."

Again she went unacknowledged. But that was not about to deter her. Not after the handsome Hunter had gone out of his way to look out for her the way that he had. Under her breath, she giggled, "I must finally be wearing on you."

Spinning on her heels to face the opposite direction, she hummed a cheerful little tune as she resumed her round on the catwalks.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Throwing a lit match to the start of a long trail of gas leading just off the empty highway where he had stopped, a murderous grin spread across the trained assassin's face.

He watched with sheer excitement as the brilliant spark course its way to the overturned motorcycle. Beneath the wheels of the vehicle, a twisted arm and an extended leg lay lifelessly against the asphalt.

Satisfied to see that the flame he had ignited was only a few inches away from the gas tank, he turned to walk away from the scene while he placed a call on his phone. Septum's voice was cold when it answered at the first ring, "Yes?"

"It's done," was all the killer informed a breath before the motorcycle behind him was taken by a massive explosion. No doubt the noise had knocked the Boss back a bit at not being prepared for the blast. Of course, that was all done on purpose for his agent's silent enjoyment.

There was a long pause on the other line so that Millers could get his bearings back. And there was nothing but relief in his tone when he said, "Good work. Your money will be transferred into your account before you return to whatever hole you're currently hiding in. Just keep your line open for me in case I may need your services again."

Chuckling deeply into the darkness of their world around, the assassin replied, "I always do."

No formal salutations or further talk was needed between them in their arranged relationship. The call was simply ended like the closing of this particular chapter they had written together.

*   *   *   *   *   *

She frowned deeply, "So no one has seen or heard from him again?"

"No. Not since he showed up a couple nights ago. And John was a pretty cool guy, too. I wonder why he just up and disappeared like that."

Raising an eyebrow, she repeated quietly, "John. So that was his name? I wasn't able to stick around long enough to get his name when he joined in on the game."

"Yea. John Yang. He did say that he would try to make it to our next game the following night, but he never showed. He did mention that he's a pretty busy guy and doesn't get much of a chance to break away. Maybe he'll just show up one of these nights again."

The conversation that had transpired between her and her fellow summer intern classmates ran through the young woman's mind. Brushing back a stray strand of sandy blonde hair behind her ear, she walked listlessly around the campus not long after nightfall.

If John was going to make another appearance, he said the odds would be better for him to get a break away in the evening. Why she wanted so badly to see the young man that she had only exchanged a couple of glances with confused her. After all, up until the boys who had orchestrated the touch football game had informed her of it, she never so much as knew his name.

But there was something that was very... alluring about that quiet visitor. Had it not been for her dedication to the new firm that had taken her in as a lawyer they were willing to break in, she would have loved to stay out later to actually meet him.

How there was such an odd emptiness from their being separated made no sense. Never before had she been distracted by boys. It was always her work that came first. And yet, this complete stranger was practically filling every waking second's thought.

Just about jumping out of her skin at the unexpected ring of her cell phone, the lovely young woman reached into the pocket of her shorts to retrieve it. On the front screen, the caller ID flashed a private number that was only identified by the displayed name of its owner...

Senator Nancy McAdams.

With a small grin, she opened the flip to press it to her ear as she greeted, "Hi, Mom."

TBC...

 

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