Sorrow weighs my shoulders down,
And trouble haunts my mind,
But I know the present will not last,
And tomorrow will be kinder
-Lyrics to 'Tomorrow Will Be Kinder' performed by The Secret Sisters
Crimson Bonds Part 60
"A baby?" Trowa breathed, his emerald-and-gold eyes wide.
Leaning over his edge of the table where he was joined by his friends, Treize explained to his fellow Original, "Not just any baby... a baby that could be the start of a new beginning for our kind."
It was the pitch that the Councilman both hoped for and dreaded since it had been conjured. So many variables and so much on the line made it one of the most difficult potential solutions that even he and his own family struggled with.
To no surprise on his count, the three faces of his agents were stricken with shock and disbelief over what they were hearing.
A hand lifting in surrender, Khushrenada said, "Of course, we would take every measure to ensure the safety of the little one and their parents. But Quatre is right in saying that this would be a drastic game-changer in how the livings view Vampires if they know that we have the ability to conceive."
Wufei fell back against his chair with a sharp puff of air. "I agree that there are few out there who wouldn't defend a baby, no matter what creature brings it into the world... But as a father, I have a lot of reservations since there are so many unknowns surrounding the well-being of the little one."
A warm smile curling her lips, Lady Une nodded firmly to him, "I would have thought less of you if you were not so concerned for the baby we are discussing here. Especially seeing how the tide had turned against us thanks to this registration vote, there will always be a risk that this whole plan could backfire. However, we Infected are resilient, realizing time and time again that we can overcome the odds stacked against us."
Across from the Preventer co-Commanders, Heero frowned deeply, "More often than not, our kind has relied on tomorrow being kinder. Ever since the changes to the registration, that day hasn't come for us."
He paused before adding, "Anna, Duo and our baby were taken away and we have yet to get any closer to finding them other than theories and a better picture of the hell they're going through. How do we know, beyond any doubt, that throwing this baby into the mix will make the situation any better?"
Folding his hands on the table, Quatre swallowed roughly before saying, "There is no guarantee of it to be offered. That's the scariest part of this. However, after exhausting every other option, what other choice do we have than to shake what every mortal out there thinks they know about Vampires?"
Only silence followed, the question setting in. Everything had been taken into account, any and all possibilities tested. This truly was the only one that had a shred of a chance for a bright outcome.
Winner took it upon himself to convince his reasonably worried friends. "Sometimes the only reward to be won is through taking a leap like this," he stated. "And if it does work to change the registration, you would be free to continue on in the search without being watched."
Their heads turned to take one another in, Heero, Wufei and Trowa bit their lips or carried on other nervous expressions. There was a great deal of good that would come out of this risky play, should it pan out. But were they comfortable with the problems that would only amplify their situation should it fail?
Crystal had worked hard to leave an opening for the Yuy-Bartons to stay 'in the dark' long enough to meet with the Khushrenada Clan in Rosshe's home.
There would be little time to dwell for long over what was being suggested. Within the hour, their minds would have to be made up one way or the other before they needed to leave and resume the trail of their search elsewhere.
"Yes, I have Anna's ability to bite a Vampire and make them fertile," Wufei declared, "that doesn't mean we have two of our own who would be willing to take on the responsibility of becoming part of a media circus until the dust settles... if it ever does."
Through the living room doorway, a voice called softly, "Actually, you do." Spinning and lifting their heads, the immortals watched as Midi entered the room. Her brown-and-gold eyes shimmering, she gestured to her husband as she stated with a small grin, "At least, I know I'm up for this if you are, love."
Stricken, Barton whispered, "Midi." Rising to his feet and closing the distance between them, he took her hands into his own and leaned his head close enough that their foreheads were touching. "I know that we discussed asking our cousins for the favor eventually... but now? Under these circumstances?"
Resolve in her stance and gaze, the 'little mother' raised an eyebrow. "What better time than now, when it means that we could possibly save our family?" she asked. "I'm ready for whatever may come with this, knowing that we have the support and protection that we need for ourselves and any child we may be fortunate enough to bring up. I'm willing to place my trust in Treize and the others to take care of the red tape end of things,"
Her eyes narrowing, she growled, "And I'll be damned if I won't do everything in my power to help find Duo, Anna and our niece or nephew." Her head shaking side-to-side, she concluded, "As for the child that we would be bringing in, no one would dare mess with their mother bear and expect to live through it."
Drawing a deep breath, the tall Latin rolled his shoulders back and chewed on the inside of his cheek. How could he ever argue against doing the very same? He bowed his head with a quiet but sure, "Alright, then." Rolling up his long sleeve to expose his wrist, he turned towards his cousin and requested, "Wufei. Whenever you're ready."
Chang blinked his enlarged eyes as they began to fill with tears. Smiling with the most sincere gratitude for what they were about to take on for the sake of their whole family unit, he relaxed and approached the couple. "You're both going to make wonderful parents," he managed to whisper.
Fangs growing in while he raised Barton's arm, the Mimic sank them into his cousin's skin.
* * * * * *
Much to his dismay, Doctor Berg called an end to his treatments so that the Hybrids might be able to collect themselves as he rethought his techniques. The next time they would meet would be worse than anything they had ever experienced up until that day, the old man was going to be sure of that.
Time was of the essence in drawing out Solo and Duo's fullest potentials. Be it truly another alter ego in them or just a whole other level of themselves that they could tap into, didn't matter. They just needed to be revealed for Septum's clients to know everything about the creatures that they would be bidding on.
Septum was going to be wealthy beyond his imagination... and Berg was personally going to see to it that he was well compensated for his efforts to live out his own years in the lap of luxury and fame.
When the guards arrived to escort the Hybrids back to their cells once they were dried and clothed again, they practically had to drag their weakened charges back into the holding room. Tearful and beside themselves, Anna and Celeste watched the brothers being tossed into their cells before the Hunters made their getaway.
Broderick fought hard to keep his rage and disgust from his face as he took in his unconscious friends lying sprawled out across the floors of their cages. Slowly taking a deep breath, the tall man spun around to smile reassuringly to the girl curled up alongside the Irish Infected.
"That's all for today, Emma," he announced, knowing that Anna's time of conditioning was ended with the return of her brothers. "I'll take you back to your room now."
Reluctant to leave the redhead, the girl bit her lip and straightened herself with a quick kiss to a cool cheek. Beaming, the Infected giggled, "I'll see you again soon, sweetheart. Just be a good girl and keep your head down until then."
Her code for 'don't draw unwanted attention.' Emma understood it well. Along with knowing the message, she was good to follow the advice so that Septum all but forgot about her.
She leaned close to the Vampire's ear, whispering, "I made this for you." Holding up one of her dolls, the one with red curls that reminded her of her cellmate, she held it up for a clear view.
Blinking in surprise, Anna gasped at the glass pedant hanging around the toy's neck. At first glance, it looked like a small, round garnet-colored gem. But the red shifted, waving before her eyes. It was a glass locket of blood. "Just in case you really need it," Emma smiled. "A few drops should be a big help and it didn't hurt none. I woulda made more, but I had ta keep it small, so I could sneak it in."
Unable to find her voice for a moment, the Irish Infected's mouth opened and closed before she gave the girl a radiant grin.
"Bless your little heart, Emma. Thank you," she breathed. "I'll make sure it goes to good use." Beaming once more, her little visitor hugged her tight one last time before gathering up the rest of her dolls and hurrying to the door that Broderick opened up for her in the main glass wall.
Gently patting Emma on the head, the Hunter smirked as he punched in the code to reseal the cell as Anna's arm shackles disappeared so that she could lower her arms again. Fighting the shimmer that began to flood her vision that had returned to the crimson locket, the redhead cleared her throat.
What the bulb held would amount to little more than a mouthful... but to a starving Vampire, it would be enough to replenish her full strength for days. Tempting as it was to drink it all that moment, there were two others who could use it as well.
"Take it," Solo's grated voice ordered. His sister and lover looked on in shock as he forced himself up onto his knees. The effort had him panting for air and his face was damp with sweat. "I know you well enough now," he smiled tiredly to the Vampire. "I won't take any of that when you need it more than I do. And we both know Duo would never accept, either."
Peering over to where her braided brother remained stretched out across his cell floor, Anna swallowed roughly. No... Duo never would take up the drink. Not when it could serve his babies.
With a wide grin for the blonde Hybrid, the Infected carefully twisted the doll's pendant free. Making sure to remain just out of the perfect view of the cameras when she came to her feet, she threw back the blood and all but shuddered at the intense satisfaction that came over her when it hit her tongue.
Instantly, her gold-ringed irises brightened and her skin took on its natural glow as the sickly shade of white in her pores faded away. Unable to help the curl of her lips, she sighed in the relief of feeling more like herself than she had in months.
Celeste's jaw fell at the sudden, profound transformation. "Wow," she was all that she could murmur in awe, an elated smile spreading across her own face.
Approaching the dividing glass between her and Solo's cells, Anna smirked, "You're not getting out of having something to drink, brother. You look like death warmed over." That said, she punched in the only access code she had been granted to open a round hole just large enough to slide her arm through. "I'll be good for a couple weeks now, so take whatever you need."
While he would never come out and admit that he was concerned for the expectant Vampire and the little ones she was carrying, Solo betrayed himself enough when he hesitated to move for her wrist.
Bottom lip quivering, he couldn't fight his hunger any longer. Half-stumbling to close the distance, he reached out as his fangs grew in and plunged them through his sister's skin.
Thirsty as he was and driven by the euphoria that had come over him, the Hybrid still managed to take some control in his need by not taking more beyond what his body required. When he pulled away after a few gulps, the world spun again from the sheer rapture of his drink coupled by the exhaustion that he had fended off up to that moment.
Lowering his guard, Solo sank onto the floor to curl up as sleep claimed him.
* * * * * *
Over the course of the next couple of hours, Broderick had taken a much-needed step outside of the base for what he called 'needing some fresh air.' While he enjoyed being able to take in natural sunlight, a warm breeze and a 'normal' existence, he also had a motive for his breakaway...
...only the plan was not working out as he had hoped.
"Damn it," the tall Hunter growled deeply at the kick-in of yet another answering machine. Closing his cell phone, he grumbled to himself as he walked the streets of Darwin, Australia. The lush, thriving city was busy with passersby who went about their lives without any mind to Broderick as he went through his saved contacts of associates.
He was trying to reach some of the only people that he could trust- those friends of his who had given up Septum's cause when the scientist announced the close tie of the Khushrenada Clan to the Barton-Yuy's. Months had passed since they'd been allowed to leave the base and everything associated to it behind.
Promises of keeping in touch once the mission was complete had been exchanged between Broderick and the majority of those who had opted to not chance the wrath of a politically influential family of Vampires. Only now, those very livings could serve as a lifeline between him and the Khushrenadas.
Of course the everyday whereabouts of the Clan were not widely known... but that wouldn't keep a resourceful Hunter from finding them.
All that it would take was convincing the right person, one with a conscience enough to look beyond the fact that they would be assisting Hybrids and a Vampire. That individual would be able to get word to the family of where they could find their captured friends.
Dawson was well aware that he was making a huge gamble that any of his acquaintances would be willing to help, but time was nearly up and his options were limited. And at the moment, he was not sticking his neck out when no one was answering their phones.
By the time he had tried to reach the fifth contact and was met only by a mechanical recording once again, the tall mortal stopped in his tracks with growing eyes. What were the chances that he happened to catch such a handful of Hunters at the wrong time to reach them? A couple he could understand being busy right then. But five?
An icy dread quickly crept up Broderick's spine as he lowered his phone from his ear. 'Just how sincere was Millers when he released his charges?' he thought to himself. After coming to learn just what the Boss was capable of, there was more than enough reason to doubt that he had been so kind.
Once more the Hunter was going to have to investigate into Septum. He was going to have to look into that cold, black excuse of a soul to see just how corrupt it was. But Dawson already had a terrible premonition of what he was about to uncover.
Deciding against trying another number, the living stuffed his cell phone into the pocket of his khaki shorts and headed back to the lot where his utility jeep was parked.
Little did Broderick know that all the while, there was a pair of gold-ringed eyes watching his every move from high above the rooftops standing over him.
* * * * * *
"It worked," Sally smiled when she entered the waiting room of her private practice. Focused on the main couple in question, she announced, "Congratulations. You can conceive at the first signs of ovulation."
Thrilled, Trowa and Midi stared beaming grins that quickly faded into looks of confusion. "Uh," the Original smirked sheepishly to the doctor, "when exactly will be know when that happens? Anna mentioned that her blood changes taste, but I never actually experimented on her to recognize the difference."
Snickering as he rose to his feet, Wufei replied, "Don't worry. Anna first ovulated two weeks after she drank Duo's blood that made her fertile to start all of this, something that we didn't realize until we found out she was pregnant. It'll be a safe bet that it'll be the same for you." As soon as he made the observation, he paused.
Like the scaly Infected, everyone around was mentally calculating what that would mean. In two more weeks, Anna would be one month from her due date. With so much riding on Midi becoming pregnant so that the Khushrenadas could act fast in it Congress, the window of opportunity was opened at a narrow slit.
Just to lighten the air that had suddenly tensed, Po slapped Barton on the shoulder, giggling, "Well, I have faith that your swimmers will get the job done when it's time."
Heero, Wufei Charles and John held back their snickers while Trowa sputtered indignantly, "T-thanks, I, um... guess."
Kissing her husband's cheek, Midi grinned, "No pressure, love. Whatever happens will happen. We'll just hope for the best." Giving her a warm smile of his own, the tall Latin Infected nodded and squeezed her hand.
Yes, there was a pressing motive to their attempt to bring a child into the world... but there was a very real excitement for the pair at the thought of having a baby of their own the more it set in. It had been easy to put off the dream of their own family circle to grow for a time when they felt more ready.
Their current circumstances might not have been ideal, but they were set for the challenge.
Approaching his cousins, Heero swallowed past the lump that was growing in his throat to tell them quietly, "I... do not know how to thank you two enough for what you're trying to do... if this works the way Treize and the others are hoping..." His voice thickened to the point that he could not go on and he shook his head.
"What you're doing could be the deciding factor not only for finding Anna and Duo, but it could restore the co-existence between Vampires and livings," Wufei finished for his brother as he stepped in. "Neither of these could ever be properly repaid."
Midi embraced them, raining kisses on their faces. "No repayment needed," she reassured. Pulling back, she cupped their cheeks, insisting, "You have time before you need to be on the move again. We'll find a safe place to bring the kids along so that you can spend a bit of a break with them."
There was no argument from Wufei or Heero at that suggestion.
* * * * * *
Solo awoke feeling better than he had in months. Blinking his silver-and-violet eyes open, he pushed himself up from the floor where he had laid curled up on his side. Surprised by just how much stronger he felt, he held up a hand before his face to stare at it as he clenched and unclenched his fist.
There was a familiarity to his state of well-being.
Lifting his head, the Hybrid noted his sister watching him closely from her perch on the edge of her bed. "Anna," he murmured before the Vampire could ask how he was, "Do you still have that glass Emma gave you?"
A frown of confusion setting in, she nodded and climbed to her feet. Unclasping the charm around the neck of the doll given to her, the redhead walked to their dividing wall and punched away at the invisible keypad to open the small, round opening.
"Here you go," Anna said as she passed the small pendant over. Smirking, she complimented, "You look good, by the way. That sleep must have been a big help."
Carefully bringing the glass close, Solo muttered, "I don't think it was the sleep at all." Removing the pendant from its necklace, he lifted its opening to his nose and inhaled deeply.
Like his drink from the Infected, there was a wave of rapture that came over him that nearly knocked him from his feet. That was why he recognized everything he was experiencing. And there was no doubt to the reason behind it all.
Wide-eyed, he whispered, "My God." Hand shaking as he lowered the bulb from his face, he breathed, "Emma's a Companion."
TBC...
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