If I could find assurance to leave you behind
I know my better half would fade
And all my doubt is a staircase for you opened out of this maze
The first step is the one you believe in... The second one might be profound
-Lyrics to 'I'll Follow You' performed by Shinedown
Crimson Bonds Part 54
Trowa couldn't help worrying over his cousins as they stared intently at the 'room' designs on Wufei's laptop.
Ever since Charles and John had insisted that they all meet someplace where they could stay put for a while without looking over their shoulders for Hunters closing in, Yuy and Chang took to studying the reports and images that they had glued themselves to from Hillary Twain's personal computer.
But when they discovered the spaces ordered by M, the brothers came to a stop in their page through.
Stretching a hand out between the two, Barton hit the space bar until he reached the image of Damian. Their focus changed, Heero and Wufei blinked and turned away from the screen to clear their heads at last.
"Excellent job, the two of you," the Latin Infected praised sincerely as he righted himself to face the two younglings. "You've already made a lot more progress than what we've been able to find so far."
Charles and John basked in the glory of their discovery with grins of their own, though they were only able to enjoy the moment so much until they knew that their mother and Uncle Duo were not far from being found.
And they knew, in truth, that their progress only brought them a little closer to that goal.
Rising to his feet, Chang smiled to his boys, "I couldn't be prouder. Not only were you able to get the information of some of M's inside dealings, you were able to get a clear picture of his henchman. Now we'll be able to forward Damian's image to every Preventer agent in the world to be on the lookout for him."
Of course, such resounding acclamation from their Dad really touched the young Vampires. He was never one to give them more credit than what they were due, making the praise related to the search for their loved ones that much sweeter.
Nearing his family, Yuy commented, "As difficult as it is to see what Duo and Anna are being held in, it's good to have a visual of what we need to look for when we finally find this hideaway. This would have to be a large operation, so I expect the facility to be quite massive and confusing to anyone who has never been through before. Every little glimpse on the inside we can get- the better for us."
Charles bit his lip and frowned, "There's something else that we need to work out. Hillary might be in danger since M might know how much information she holds that we could use against him. I don't think that her own security will be enough if Damian decides to pay her an unwelcomed visit."
Wufei tilted his head slightly, replying, "I wouldn't want anyone assisting us to be hurt, either. And you're especially worried about her?"
"I'm pretty sure that she's my Other, Dad," the redhead all but whispered.
Shoulders slacking and jaw falling open, the scaly Infected blinked widely. "Really?" he breathed. "You're certain of this?"
With a shrug, Charles explained, "Right from the second we looked at each other, everything... changed for me. It's like there was her and only her. Any time I could squeeze her arm or be close to her in any way, I did and she seemed to want that from me. It took everything in me to leave her."
A smile spread slowly across Wufei's face, stopping only when his lips could not pull back another inch. In the next blink, he pulled his son in for a one-armed hug as he said quietly, "Congratulations."
The tender moment took John off guard just as much as his older brother... only he was not sure how to announce his own Chosen's discovery since they had met under very different circumstances.
But the redheaded Vampire cleared that up for him when he pulled away from their Dad to slap him on the back, announcing, "And I'm not the only lucky one here."
Unable to contain himself, Chang laughed and embraced his younger boy. "This is wonderful!" he shouted excitedly. "Wait until your mother finds out! She'll be over the moon to know that you've both found your Chosens."
Stepping back to appraise the younglings, the former warrior grinned, "Some good came out of this nightmare. It just goes to show that every intended pair of souls somehow find their way to one another." Their own faces brilliantly lit by smiles, Heero and Trowa nodded behind him.
Quickly recalling the urgency in the mention of the young women in his sons' lives, Chang told his oldest, "As for Hillary, I'll personally see to it that there are agents in the wings watching her at all times." In a solemn promise he decreed, "That's my future daughter-in-law. Nothing will come close to harming her."
Fending off tears of relief and gratitude, Charles replied softly, "Thank you, Dad."
That decided, Wufei focused on the dark-haired Vampire to ask, "And your Other? Where is she?"
"Angela is a college student in Virginia," John answered. Wincing, he informed, "It's a long story on how we met. She's not in any sort of danger, but I wouldn't mind knowing that she is being looked after when I can't check on her, myself."
Without hesitating, his father smirked, "Done. Just tell me the school and I'l have a guard around her that she'll never know about. What is her last name?"
Ducking his head, the young man stammered, "Um... well, I haven't had the chance to find out yet. But I can describe her perfectly." His Uncle all but came apart with laughter, only causing him to look all the more embarrassed for his lack of such a detail.
Never losing his grin, Wufei patted his child's shoulder as he reassured, "It's okay, John. When I first met your mother, I was too overwhelmed to pay much attention to such details as well. Most of the time I was with her, I was more concerned with how I could talk her out of the kimono she wore-" Every voice around rose in inarticulate protests to cut him off.
His hands covering both his ears, Charles glared half-heartedly at the smirking Chinese immortal. "That's our Mom, Dad!" he cried.
"And my sister," Heero warned in a huff. "Not that I'm naive into thinking that nothing like that happens between you... I'd just rather not hear the details. Snickering, his scaly brother gave him a jovial smirk.
Trowa chuckled, "At any rate, we better lock the security details down with Treize and Lady Une. They should be out of session back in the States right about now." Gesturing to the boys, he suggested, "Then we should all get out of here and onto our next people of interest."
So, their plan was decided and the lot set to work.
* * * * * *
Three days later...
Broderick set foot into the lab for the first time since learning of the truth behind his father's disappearance. The days away from Anna had been needed in helping him clear his head and work through the reality of everything that she had disclosed to him... time to consider where he stood when it came to the role he would play from that day forward.
And in the end, Dawson could only conclude to side with the prisoners that he had promised to assist in their escape. They had nothing to do with what had become of his parents, so there was no rational reason to take out his frustration out on them. His father's killer had been destroyed and that would have to be enough for him.
...One day it would be enough.
Until then, the Hunter would continue to put his trust in the Vampire that had never steered him wrong from the time they first met. There had been other opportunities for Yuy-Chang to lie. Instead, Septum had been the one to deceive and stoop to unthinkable depths beneath anything akin to moral for his own gain.
The rest could be sorted and backed with fact when it was time.
All but running from the observation tower entrance at his arrival, Millers made his own appearance with a sighed, "Broderick. I was beginning to worry." Clasping his friend's arm, he frowned deeply, "How are you holding up after the confession of what became of your father?"
His eyes nearly widening on him, a chill shot down Dawson's back. The video cameras. He and Anna had been so beside themselves during their talk that they had stepped right in line to have their lips recorded and read.
Quickly recalling the conversation, he breathed an internal sigh of relief that nothing incriminating about their relationship had come out.
It was a lucky break... not to mention something that could be used to further throw this Boss off the scent of his bond with the Vampire.
"Can't say I'm really surprised," the Hunter snorted bitterly, a snarl to his lips. "I had suspected all along that one of those filthy blood-suckers killed him. About the only thing that took me off guard was hearing it from one of their own."
Nodding, Septum replied, "Not to mention her announcement that there is an underground agency of Vampires policing these so-called Rogues." An eyebrow raising, he asked, "She didn't really think that coming out with such a shocking bit of information would win you over, did she? Then there was how overwhelmed with grief she was over your being at all mad with her."
Again, that cold bolt coursed through Broderick. There was still a way out of the snare that had just been set for him, but he was going to have to tread very carefully from that moment on.
With little to no time to consider his words, the handsome young man chose them quickly and shrugged, "I thought little of it. Her situation is becoming desperate with the babies' due date closing in. The act was just her grasping at straws to use any tool of manipulation she can."
The cold sentiment that had been devoid of any emotion from his lips had been enough. Septum's eyes relaxed along with his subtly tense posture. The snare may have been avoided this time, but there were plenty of others lying about that would need to be tip-toed around.
Smiling, the scientist laughed, "Of course. Leave it to you to see right through the likes of her." He stepped aside, holding an arm out to the doors blocking off the holding area. "Well, if you are comfortable enough to deal with her, I will relieve Mark of watching after her."
What bit of a charge Broderick had felt before was nothing compared to what he felt at the thought of Barnett being entrusted as Anna's guard.
Feeling the early beads of sweat forming just beneath the skin of his brow, he kept himself calm and nodded firmly, "Thank you, Septum. I'm here and able to finish what you entrusted me to do for however long you decide to keep that Vampire around."
"Excellent," Millers grinned widely. "I'll go make my call into the holding room then. By the time you reach your post, it'll be free for you to step back in." That said, he turned on his heels and returned to the watch tower.
Not wanting to waste any time in reaching his charge, the Hunter spun in the opposite direction and took purposely drawn out steps through the next double doors... even though he wanted to run to assure that Mark wasn't getting out of line with the lovely Infected.
Hearing and feeling the camera around lock onto him as he walked down the long corridor of cells, Dawson approached the one where his smug adversary looked fit to be tied. And planted firmly in front of Anna's cell even though he had clearly been given a direct order to stand down through the radio that he was setting back onto the belt at his hip.
Their eyes meeting, and narrowing, the Hunters stared each other down for a long moment before Benett had no choice but to look away with a quiet hiss. "Have fun with the little bitch," he snapped. Peering over his shoulder at the Irish immortal locked away behind him, he gave a once-over leer as she leaned back against the furthest wall from him.
For her part, Anna glared at him without appearing affected any other way. In the back of Broderick's mind, he was glad to see that she still had the fight in her. But the lingering gaze from Barnett made his skin crawl. "Don't let the doors close on your ass on your way out," he warned under his breath as he and his fellow Hunter passed each other.
No reaction came. Something that unnerved Dawson, even if he wouldn't allow it to show. A quiet Mark Barnett was a dangerous Mark Barnett.
Something to be addressed another time. There was still the urgency to make his stance known to his friends while ensuring their safety.
As the young, smug guard was closed way from the holding room, Celeste physically eased from her heated glare that followed him out. "I really don't like him," she sighed quietly. Turning towards her sister, she shook her head, "I have no idea how you were able to put up with how he stares at you for so long."
Anna shrugged, "I've gotten used to it. He can't really try anything since Septum would have his head if he potentially hurt the babies I'm carrying." Peering out at the living making his way towards her cell, she remained in a safe place where the cameras couldn't catch her face as she offered him a sad smile when she noted the ease about him.
"So... we're good?" she asked.
Also mindful of where to set his place, Broderick smirked simply, "Yea. We're good." He couldn't help the warm feeling that came over him at the sight of her widening grin. Keeping up the airs for the audience, he turned his back to the Infected and folded his arms across his chest as he normally would any time he was actually standing watch.
Only then did Dawson note that the Hybrids' prisons were empty. Most likely out for another round of treatments and experiments. With the due date drawing closer, those tests would become all the more frequent so that Millers could begin courting prospective buyers.
The thought of what Duo and Solo were likely enduring was enough to make the Hunter's stomach churn.
Such a reaction only solidified once more that he was on the right side of the line that had been drawn between the humans and the immortals.
Hell or high water, despite of how vastly outnumbered they were, Broderick was home as far as he was concerned.
* * * * * *
Later that same day...
It took little effort on John's part to convince his brother to allow him some time to spend with Angela. It had been well over a week since the last time that he'd had the opportunity to be anywhere near his Chosen. And now that Charles perfectly understood what it felt like to be separated from his own intended, there was no argument from him.
A phone call was placed, one that was eagerly accepted by the law student when it came in. The usual time and place was set and after nightfall that same evening, the bonded pair was finally reunited.
Practically bouncing on her feet as she walked up to the diner, Angela laughed and lept for the handsome young man standing beneath the streetlamp alongside the entrance. Throwing her arms around his neck, she hugged him tightly as he returned the embrace and spun her around. "God, I've missed you," she sighed when she was gracefully set back down.
Not giving him a moment to respond, the living pulled her boyfriend in for a fiery kiss that he wasted no time in reciprocating.
When they finally parted, the beautiful student was even more radiant with the joy shining through her. "I know it's only been a few days since we've been together, but it's felt like forever," she giggled breathlessly. "Back-and-forth phone calls every day aren't enough."
Chuckling, John kept his arms looped loosely around her waist as he nodded, "I know what you mean. Sorry that I couldn't get away sooner. Family stuff to handle."
"Oh, I know how that can be," Angela smirked. "More often than not, I'm dropping everything to help my own mother and siblings out whenever they need me. Of course, the fact that you're the same way is one of the things I like best about you." Tilting her head, her smile slipped away a bit as she commented, "I do hope everything is okay."
With a reassuring smile, the Vampire replied, "Things are definitely looking up. Once the dust settles a little, I'm really looking forward to introducing you to everyone. I know that they'll love you... especially my Mom."
Biting her lip, Angela beamed. "I hope so," she all but breathed. "I'm really looking forward to getting to know your family, too." Their arms looping together naturally, the couple headed up to the diner's main door as she snickered, "Since we're on the topic, I'm really excited about working out a time for you to meet my mother...."
* * * * * *
"Duo? Are you.... alright?"
Shinigami was mildly surprised at the concern in Solo's voice. That was enough to break his concentration and release his other half for the first time since they had been taken by Doctor Berg's men for their treatments.
Blinking rapidly, the world around Duo came back into focus as the familiar holding room surrounded him. Perched atop the edge of his own table across from him, Solo's violet-and-silver eyes grew at the recognition that flooded his twin's face. "How long was I out?" came from a voice gritted from strain.
The blonde Hybrid frowned, but relaxed a bit at the question. Shrugging, he answered, "Out as in not responding to anyone or anything? Since we got here a few minutes ago. As for the experiments, my best guess is the Mad Doc's been at us for at least two days straight.." He moved his shoulder, wincing from the pain that the subtle roll caused while he hissed, "..if not longer."
"Huh," was all Maxwell could puff out, his own eyes growing with surprise.
Raising his arms a bit, he turned his hands palm-up-and-down several times. Not a single bit of movement caused him the slightest discomfort. Any other time he and his brother had endured extended experiments up to that time, he was half-crawling along the floor in agony.
But then, he couldn't remember what he had just endured. Shinigami could be the only explanation, given how he tended to black out whenever his alter ego took over. Only he had come on without being invited once again.
Practically hopping off his table, Duo landed without a twinge of pain. Standing in the middle of the room, still wet from the tanks and dressed in only a dark pair of briefs, he smiled. Whatever his 'partner's' reasons for stepping in, he couldn't deny that he was glad for it now that he wasn't suffering.
Taken aback by the literal bounce back, Solo's mouth hung open. Quickly recovering, he glared at his twin and snorted, "So you toughed out one session better than me. Don't go getting a big head about it. I'll just show you up the next time."
Duo's first intent was to assure him that he wasn't trying to show off at all... but decided to enjoy the moment by smirking instead. For that brief flicker of a change in the other Hybrid, the blonde paused at the cold sensation that came over him.
Before further posturing could be exchanged, the door to the holding room was opened to reveal a guard with the prisoners' clothes.
* * * * * *
No one made a fool out of Mark Barnett.
Fuming, the young Hunter was certain that he had done more than enough to earn the respect and admiration of his fellow agents. Most were impressed by his efforts during the search for the Yuy-Chang Clan. Then there were others like Broderick Dawson, guys who just couldn't handle that they didn't hold a candle of skills that were better than his own.
Now to be dismissed from his duty in watching over that Vampire bitch... well, that was the last straw for Barnett. He'd make sure to get under that bastard's skin by getting to her.
And he knew just how to hit him the hardest while at the same time making that blood-sucker suffer to make his act of revenge all the sweeter.
TBC...
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