The journey goes on as your love ever nears
Here is my heart and I give it to you
Take me with you across this land
These are my dreams, so simple and few...
Dreams we hold in the palm of our hands
-Lyrics to Never Ending Road' performed by Loreena McKennitt
Crimson Bonds Part 4
"That ends this school day. Nicely done, all of you," Wufei praised as he closed up the text book atop the surface of his long table and took in the grinning faces staring back at him from the rows of desks of the den-turned-classroom that had been fashioned specifically for the education of the little Vampires.
Raising a finger, the Mimic announced, "Now, you all have your assignments that I need handed in tomorrow to pass onto the Board of Education so that your studies are updated?"
As one, the children chorused, "Yes, Daddy."
The corner of his mouth curling up, Wufei replied, "Good. Then once you have those completed you are free to play for the remainder of the day before bedtime. Class is dismissed."
For the scaly Infected, he thrived in filling the role of teacher, having served as a leader and mentor in his days of commanding in the Chinese army. There were enough similarities in those roles for him to fit right into this new course of his existence.
And he had very willing, quick to learn minds that were eager to absorb everything he taught.
Closing their own books and packing them away into their backpacks, the youngsters rushed their father to hug and or kiss his cheeks before rushing off laughing as they moved to take to their homework. A warm smile on his face, Chang watched them disappear as he shook his head in amusement.
Out in the hallway, the voices of the kids raised a few notches to be joined by that of their mother's. Though he could not actually see his wife, the Mimic grinned to himself over the mental image of her scooping up all of their little ones and kissing their cheeks in welcoming them back and congratulations on completing another day of learning.
Moments into his clearing his desk, Wufei peered up just in time to watch as Anna entered the spacious room. "How was school today?" the redhead asked as she approached, a distracted look on her face and her hands folded behind her back the way that they always were when she had something heavy on her mind.
His onyx-and-gold eyes blinking with concern, her Other answered, "Very well... though it seems we had missed something big while we were in session." Tilting his head, he wrapped an arm around his wife's waist and frowned, "What has you so distracted, love?"
The Siren leaned against him as she replied, "Heero and Duo requested our audience at their house as soon as we were both available tonight. It seemed pretty important, but neither of them were letting onto what the meeting might be about."
"And you're afraid that it might be something bad?" Chang inquired, trying to keep the smile from his lips but keeping a soothing tone. "You know that if it was neither one of them would have let you wait anxiously without giving you some kind of idea to what they might need to discuss."
Biting her lip, Anna gave a sheepish grin and shrugged, "I know. I just can't help but worry when they look so serious. Duo had a hard time looking at me while Heero did most of the talking when they came to make the request."
Now that was something even Wufei had to admit was strange. Their braided brother was not one to hold his tongue... unless there truly was something significantly personal invested in whatever was being brought up.
Though he was not about to make his soul mate any more nervous than she already was, Chang had to admit to himself that there was an urgent matter that required their attention.
Pressing a gentle kiss to Ann's cheek, he gave a reassuring smile. "I'll finish putting my things away and we can head right over," he promised. "In the meantime, check to see if Midi and Trowa wouldn't mind stopping over while the kids are busy with their homework. They should have an easy time overseeing them until we return."
Her head nodding vehemently, the Irish immortal slipped from his arm and stepped out of the room to call on their cousins. Once he was alone, the scaly Vampire turned back to his desk so that he could gather up his books and papers from the day's lessons...
...and did his best to not allow his own concerns to get the better of him.
* * * * * *
Warsaw, Poland.
The shrill ring of a cell phone pierced the quiet of the hotel room that had been locked down and shrouded in darkness by the thick drapes covering every window to block out the sun.
Groaning deeply, a hand appeared from beneath the edge of the light comforter heaped across the lone king-. sized bed in the master bedroom until it felt the edge of the annoying device to scoop it up and answer the call with ease, its thumbs knowing exactly where to touch the screen.
"Hello," a sleep-and-haze-clouded voice gritted out when the receiver was pressed against the head of its owner. Clearing his throat to lose the edge in his tone, he said much more steadily, "Barnett here."
Over the other end of the line, there was a pause before came the response of a less than amused, "Rough night, Mark?" [1]
With a muttered curse under his breath, the young man shot up from under the covers to stare wide-eyed into the pitch around him. "Hey, Doctor Septum," he managed with enough of an assured calm. "Just another night of getting to know the locals for information."
Running his free hand through his short, auburn-kissed brown hair, he gazed over to the only source of light beside the bed in the form of a green glowing series of numbers that belonged to the nightstand's alarm clock and deciphered the time.
3:09 p.m.
Damn.
He'd nearly lost a whole day sleeping off one of the worst hangovers he'd ever experienced. And the effects were still lingering as even that tinted brilliance was burning through his retinas and into his brain.
Back in his office, Septum snorted in such a way that there was nothing to let onto any real disgust or frustration. He knew this Hunter's tendencies well enough by now. And what Mark lacked in self-control he made up for in tenacity to bring down any and all Vampires that he could get away with.
He was still one of the youngest trackers that the scientist had enlisted... fresh out of college and still unwilling to completely let go of his schoolboy habits. Holding onto his youth the older man reasoned.
But for those few bothers, Millers still had a bit of a soft spot for Barnett. In many ways, the scholar reminded him very much of himself. Young and naive, but a focused and driven mind that just needed to be harnessed to reach its full potential.
In his room, Mark rose to his feet and fumbled around in the dark to open the nightstand drawer for the bottle of aspirin inside as he promised, "Don't worry, boss. I'm still keeping a low profile. I just have a feeling about this place that I am still working out."
Using his teeth to open the lid of the bottle he retrieved, the Hunter threw back four pills and moved for the adjoining bathroom to turn the faucet on for the water needed to swallow them down. He never bothered to cup the drink, just lowered his mouth to the stream for a few big gulps.
"Well, I am trusting you to your work," Septum replied. Beneath his desk, his foot was moving in its steady sway over the thick chain that remained ever near him. "I was just checking in since you are the only one who has not reported in for several days now."
A sharp wince marred Barnett's face at that. "Uh, yea. I was pretty busy out here and lost track of the time. Won't happen again." To his own ears, he heard how sorry his excuse was and held his breath to hear some kind of irate reaction.
"I hope that the girls out there are worth the occasional distractions," Septum bit out in his own bit of a reprimand. Becoming too harsh towards his associates would get him nowhere. Still, he needed to get across how no one got anything over on him. The fear of what was not being said was enough to motivate people.
Swallowing roughly, Mark went for broke by allowing his caught behavior to come out. "Well, you know the best thing about the ladies I have gotten to know?" he opened as he stepped back into the bedroom, his eyes adjusting to the dimmed sunlight peeking through the edges of the drapes.
Of course the half of the bed that he hadn't occupied was empty. What he wouldn't have given to have had the chance to see that sweet little misses' ass walk out the door one more time.
At least now he had room to have another hot piece of Polish scenery to fill his bed at the next opportunity.
There would be others to come and go between those sheets. Finding a new mate for the night came as naturally to Barnett as cutting the throat of a Vampire as they squirmed and begged for their existence.
Which of the two was more enjoyable was debatable. But they did bring a great amount of pleasure either way.
Millers' curiosity got the best of him, causing him to smirk, "What's that?"
Lighting a cigarette and taking a long drag from it, Mark sank his naked body into the plush recliner at the corner of the living room that he had moved to. And the coldness in him returned when he snorted darkly, "They have a pulse."
Unable to help himself, Septum allowed the fit of laughter earned by the sentiment. That was the Hunter that he was more than pleased to bring into his team. Perhaps there was still a bit of growing up required, but few people held the hatred for Vampires that Barnett felt for the 'blood suckers' as he preferred to call them.
Deep below that smile that could literally charm the clothes off of any woman was a creature longing for nothing more than the annihilation of the Infected. And when he wanted something he would see to getting it regardless of the means in doing so.
Something uncannily dangerous lurked behind that youthful face and dashing good looks. It was capable of the utmost cruelty for his enemies who dared to cross him. Just as quickly as Mark could win someone over with kindness, he was ready to stab that person in the back when they least expected it.
That was why Millers was keen on bringing him into the fold. The darkness in that soul would be needed to carry out the ultimate mission of bringing in the Hybrid.
"I hope that they also have loose tongues," the scientist smirked. "At least they would bring me some kind of benefit as they are not able to keep my bed warm at night."
Letting out a long puff of smoke, Mark chuckled deeply, "Don't worry. I get their mouths flapping as easily as I can get their legs to open. It's only a matter of time before I catch something of interest." He took a slow drag from the next pull of his cigarette, the orange glow from the burning end serving as a beacon in the bleak surroundings.
Septum doubted it. Of all of the Yuy family's recorded whereabouts according to the registrations, there was no history of them ever making a home in Poland.
But then, it was one of the little nooks of the world that did not have a tracker sniffing around. Best to not leave any stones unturned.
The researcher barked in a laughed, "For your sake, you best hope that it is not a sexually transmitted disease you catch. I am not about to pay for any medical expenses that you bring down on yourself. I went out on a limb to bring you into the fold, Barnett. Do be kind enough to at least report in from time to time."
Instantly losing his confidence and becoming the youth that he was, Mark swallowed roughly and nodded, "Sure thing, boss."
The sound of the click on the other end of the call confirmed the disconnection. Sighing deeply, he lowered the cell phone from his ear while reaching over with his other hand to snuff the remains of his cigarette out in the ashtray atop the small table beside him.
He had been lucky. He had forgotten the boundaries of his agreement to the man who had trusted him... the man who was giving him the chance to go out Hunting on his own terms with an unlimited supply of state-of-the-art weapons. He could not do that again.
Rising from the chair to stretch his arms high overhead, the young graduate released a wide yawn. Time to get his head clear and start out on another search...
...for answers or tail... he supposed that they were both one in the same in the end.
The corner of his mouth warping into a smug grin, Mark headed back into the bedroom to officially begin his day.
* * * * * *
Hand-in-hand, Wufei and Anna entered their brothers' estate and headed through the first floor until they made their way to the enclosed back patio before they found the couple.
Against the beautiful backdrop of the Swiss mountain ranges to enjoy that bright, late summer day, Heero and Duo rose from the round table in the center of the space and smiled in greeting to their visitors.
But even with the serenity of their surroundings and those warm grins, there was a nervous tension on the air... confirming the worries of the new arrivals.
Squeezing her husband's scaly hand, the redheaded Vampire bit her lip and led the way to the empty chairs waiting for them.
Gracefully sliding into their seats, Chang held onto his wife's leg as he decided to get right to the matter at hand by asking, "I understand that there is something important you wished to discuss with us, brothers?"
His silver-ringed, violet eyes blinking in surprise, Duo's braided head snapped to his lover at the same time that Heero locked his own wide gaze on him. Clearing his throat, the Original took a deep breath and focused back on their siblings. "Yes, there was," he replied, "I suppose that it would be best to just get it out in the open."
"Good," Anna giggled awkwardly, "'ye have had me almost pacin' de floor over what is goin' on."
Maxwell rubbed the back of his neck, the Companion band on his arm shimmering in the sunlight that it caught. "W-well... you see... Heero and I... we... um..." he stammered, shaking his head at the end of his would-be speech with a frustrated sigh.
The corner of Wufei's mouth suddenly curled up, having had read the train of thought that his brother had intended. "You wish to ask if Anna would be a surrogate mother for you," he finished, matter-of-factly.
Her back straightening, Anna gasped, "Really!?" Turning towards her husband, she slapped him in the arm and sighed in exasperation, "Why didn't I disrupt class so that ye could have read der minds earlier and save me de grief?"
Chang snickered and leaned against her side in a silent 'I told you not to worry.'
Taken aback by both the unexpected turn of an announcement and their siblings' reactions, Heero and Duo froze.
Before they had time to concern themselves over what may be decided, the Irish immortal became a blur of herself as she rounded the table to throw her arms around their necks. "Of course I will!" she cheered, turning her head to kiss their cold cheeks. "You do not even have to ask!"
Slowly coming out of his stupor, Yuy wrapped her up in his arms as he chuckled deeply, "That's good since we technically didn't ask."
Then his sister's words really set in. Holding her back by the shoulders, he rose to his feet and kept their eyes locked. "You mean it," he breathed. "You would be really willing to... to do this for us?" Duo was also standing, closing his slack jaw as he watched the redhead.
Laughing, Anna punched her creator in the arm. "Silly," she chastised, "You could have just come out with it when you first stopped over and gotten it off your chests rather than fret over this. To be honest, I am surprised it took you this long to want to take this step."
Wufei was leaning back in his chair, arms folded behind his head and a proud smirk on his scaly face. "We have both been expecting this day to come, considering how tight you are with our younglings. You're natural parent material."
There were no words to express the wave of emotions flooding the Original and his Companion as their eyes shimmered. Pulling his sister close, Heero held their lips together a kiss. "Thank you, dear one," he whispered when he pressed their foreheads together.
Shaking his head, the Original insisted, "But Duo and I are more than aware that this is requesting a lot of you, Anna."
He squeezed her shoulders to really bring home the seriousness of the situation. "It is your body and a sacrifice on your part that maybe you would want to take more time thinking over as opposed to feeling like you might be obligated to do this for us."
"There is nothing to be thought over from my end," the Irish Vampire giggled, shaking her head. "Believe me, my wanting to do this is not merely out of some sense of duty to you or Duo."
Gently cupping her creator's cheek, she breathed, "You know that there is nothing in this existence that I would not do to make the two of you happy. And there is no greater gift that I can give you than children. I take this on as one of my greatest honors along with that of being your sister, Wufei's wife and the mother of my own kids."
Mentally transported back to a chilled night in Ireland many decades before, the memory of a thick purple scarf and a bright giggle flooded the Original's mind.
It only made sense that Anna would offer something so quickly and selflessly. It was just her way. And it was one of the many reasons why Yuy loved her so intensely.
There were absolutely no words in existence that could have expressed Heero's adoration and gratitude in that moment as silent tears rolled down his face. Choking back a sharp sob, he threw his arms around his sister to scoop her up and spin her around as he buried his face in the crook of her neck while she clung on and laughed.
Duo was upon the redhead the second she was set back down to her feet again and wrapped her up for a fierce embrace. "Thank you," was all he could whisper between his sniffles.
Rubbing the back of his braided head, Anna replied in kind, "No need for that, little brother. I'm excited for the two of you." She pulled back enough to brush away the sting from her eyes and held the Hybrid's face between her cool hands, beaming, "You're going to have the complete family you've always wanted."
It was all so long ago and yet still so fresh for Duo- those years in the care of the Maxwell church's orphanage... wishing and hoping that one day he might experience the simple joys of being surrounded by family.
Not only did he already have that now, but there was the very real possibility of his own little ones that he had never dared to imagine coming into his life.
And he had two of the most remarkable beings to thank for that extra blessing.
Like his lover in not being able to find his voice, Maxwell freed an arm to pull a snickering Wufei into the hug along with his sister. Chuckling softly, Heero enfolded them all as best he could to complete the circle and closed his eyes.
They were about to take on another new journey, their tight little unit.
And they could not have asked for a better four creatures for any one of them to experience the adventure with.
TBC...
[1] Wikipedia actually has every character related to the Gundam Wing world here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Mobile_Suit_Gundam_Wing_characters Mark is one of those associated and so I am still keeping in the genre by using the names I will be using! I panicked since I had used nearly all of the mainly known characters in the first series! :)
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