Once there was a darkness ....Deep and endless night
You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me life
I will remember you... will you remember me?
Don't let your life pass you by... Weep not for the memories
-Lyrics to 'I Will Remember You' performed by Sarah McLachlan
Crimson Bonds Part 83
Everything inch of her body was burning... scorching in such an intense heat that she couldn't believe she wasn't dead and numb to it. Whimpering at the agonizing rise of the fire that was incinerating her from the inside out, Anna shuddered and squeezed her already closed eyes shut all the tighter.
That was when that pair of arms she recognized wrapped even more securely around her, reminding her of his presence. The one who had saved her... bringing her to this state, but sparing her life in some way all the same. Even if she had known his name, she wouldn't be able to remember it through the hurt that occupied her mind.
"Shh," his deep voice soothed, one of his cool hands gently brushing back the her hair that was sticking to the side of her sweat-soaked face. "It's going to be alright. I promise. It gets worse before it gets better... but it does get better."
Anna held onto the image of her savior as the only thing grounding her. She concentrated on his unruly, brown hair, handsome of pale skin and those haunting cobalt irises framed by gold rings. He never scared her. Quite the opposite, in fact. And now he was the only creature holding her together both in the literal and spiritual sense.
His touch was causing more pain, but she craved it more than she cared about how difficult it was to bear.
Somehow, she managed to swallow roughly and sobbed softly against a strong shoulder, "P-please don't leave me."
The arms squeezed her as she was promised, "I'm not going anywhere. I'll always be here for you. It'll be me and you against the world."
Nothing about what was happening made sense, but Anna believed him with all her being. He was not only vowing to be with her in that moment, but for the rest of her days. No matter what. Nodding shallowly against his chest, she repeated in little more than a breath, "Me 'n you against de world."
A kiss was pressed against her brow and her rescuer urged gently, "Try and get some sleep. You're starting to cool down, so the hard part is past. I'll be right here when you wake up."
Noting that the burning was losing some of its edge, the little performer sighed and kept her eyelids drawn as she relaxed all the more into the kind creature. It was all going to be fine when she greeted the world again, she was sure of it. He would be there. She would never be alone again.
It was the last conscious thought she would have as a mortal.
Life... or existence... or whatever she woke to was going to be wonderful...
Her eyes flying open with a sharp gasp, Anna remained curled on her right side as she automatically reached out to where Heero would have been lying beside her. But she only grasped at empty sheets instead.
That reality of not having her beloved brother with her when she needed him so badly, struck the Siren harder than anything she had ever endured over the course of her captivity. Staring at the vacant place beside her, she sniffled as her blue-and-gold eyes watered over just as she squeezed them closed again. Bottom lip quivering, she sobbed uncontrollably.
She would have given anything in the world to have Heero's arms around her again... to hear his voice reassuring her that everything was going to be alright and to have his presence by her side again.
Inside of her, the babies began to squirm with a bit less vigor on account of the confines of their temporary home now that they were nearly full term. Running her hand over her swollen belly, the redhead slowed her whimpers enough to pay more mind to focus the sounds that should have been coming beyond her steel cell...
...Only there were no footsteps or hushed voices talking amongst themselves. It was completely still for the first time since she had been moved.
A chill running down her spine, Anna blinked away the last of her tears.
Something was happening. Whatever it was, she was pretty sure that it did not bode well for her.
Carefully turning onto her back, the immortal performer gazed at the ceiling. The curtain was about to permanently close for her. And yet she wasn't afraid. If it came down a choice between either her existence of those of her brothers' children, there was no question to how she sided.
With a slow, long breath, she prepared to deliver her last song. It was the one that she delivered as the opener or closer to her evenings when she sang in Ireland... but the most precious memory it held was that Heero had sung it to her when she was lost to the pain of her turning.
In so many ways, it was the best way for her to end her final act. Closing her eyes, she serenaded, "'Tis the last rose of summer... left blooming alone..." [1]
* * * * * *
News of what had transpired in Washington spread around the world in little to no time.
Speculations circled. Questions remained unanswered. And a general uneasiness to what may unfold when the appeal was finally presented settled over human and Vampire alike.
But for a few beings, the stalled process couldn't be further from their minds.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Here ya are," Darnell grinned as he stepped aside to reveal the massive garage filled with nearly one hundred jeeps that he and Margi had collected over the years for their horse station. Each vehicle was built to handle the rugged terrain of the Outback and more than suitable for the task at hand.
Trowa's emerald-and-gold eyes lighting up as they grew at the beautiful sight. Powerless to contain the excitement of the mechanic in him, he threw his fists into the air with an excited, "Yes! I am so building a shed just like this when all of this is over!" Toolbox in hand, he spun to his partners, smirking, "They'll be ready for you in twenty minutes." He was off in a blur of himself in the next blink, moving from jeep to jeep for their modifications.
Giggling, Catherine shook her head in amusement, "Midi said that he's like a child on Christmas morning when he gets to work on vehicles." Eyeing the pile of long, heavy guns at her feet, she mused quietly, "I can't wait to see what our weapons can do when they're put to use. Between your manipulation of glass and my progress with lasers, these babies should do a lot of damage in opening up that base."
Her hands wringing together nervously, Hillary muttered, "I sure hope so. If we take too long getting the Preventers inside..." She stopped herself from continuing down that train of thought. Meeting her fellow Companion's gaze, she smiled, "Well, that's just not an option. Let's get these mounted."
Rather than waiting to be invited, Margi and Darnell descended upon the weapons experts to assist them in their task.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Zechs closed his cell phone and walked towards Treize as he informed, "That was Crystal. She's aware of what's about to transpire, has alerted her supervisors and they're going to be looking for the first digital tapings into the tracking devices once we head out for the mole in their security."
"Good," his cousin nodded firmly. "That should give us the identity of our last conspirator. What of the tracking devices revealing that suddenly a few hundred Vampires are going to be located together in one area?"
Merquise answered, "The faster we are in and out of there, the easier that can be explained away as a glitch in the system. Apparently they happen all the time... something that out guest of honor is unaware of."
Blinking in surprise, Khushrenada muttered, "Really?" Peering over to his shoulder, he watched Nancy McAdams walking back and forth in the adjoining room as she placed a call to her family on her cell phone. "That's good to know. I can use that to make even more of an argument when I present my case in the appeal."
Instantly putting the thought to bed so that he could focus on the task at hand, he turned to Lady Une and asked, "Where are we on updating our agents on the sketches of Septum's base interior?"
His wife shut town her electronic tablet and met his gaze, replying, "Everyone's checked in. All of the teams have a Transporter and know their stations in the attack. They're ready to move as soon as they get the word. All of our agents are also aware that under no circumstances is there to be one living to be harmed, only apprehended."
Completely missing out the conversation taking place, the Senator listened to the ring of the call she was placing. At the bright 'Mom?' on the other line, she smiled, "Hey, Cynthia. How are you and David, dear?"
Relief filled her youngest child's voice when she replied, "We're fine, just wondering what's going on. We've been glued to the news and they just said that the appeal process was-"
"Yes, hun, I know," the Nancy snickered. "I was there. Not to worry. I'm fine and there won't be any way of my losing when we return to session on Monday. I was just calling to let you both know that I'll be away and unreachable for the remainder of the weekend, so don't worry." It took all of her willpower not to let off her sheer giddiness at the gift that had been presented to her on a gold platter.
No fabricated stories of torture and imprisonment or sob stories of friends taken away that Treize had presented were about to sway the representative from her opinion. So there was one less Vampire. And those Hybrids- a creature she still found it difficult to wrap her head around- could join her. If anything, she was only all the more encouraged to fight for the registration laws to be upheld and much more.
By the time she was finished with her closing statement, there would be torches lit and weapons raised to put an end to the Infected.
However, no amount of excitement for her life-long mission's fruition could remove the pain she continued to feel over her significant loss. Biting her lip, she inquired, "Have either of you heard from Angela while I've been away?"
There was a grunt on the other end of the call from her son, revealing that the speaker was now on so that both of her children could be a part of the discussion. "No," he snorted bitterly. "And why should we be concerned about her? She's dead to us."
Nancy's back straightened itself rigidly at the cold declaration. "W-what did you just say?" she managed to breathe.
"Well, you're the one who taught us to disassociate from everyone on good terms with Vampires, Mom," Cynthia was quick to say in her brother's defense. "Sister or not, Angela made her choice. She can live with those blood-suckers and we shouldn't have another thought of her."
Hearing such harsh words from her teenage daughter struck McAdams like a blow to her gut. She blinked rapidly at the tears that were welling up in her wide eyes. Yes, that was just as she had preached to her children from the moment they were old enough to understand. It was her lessons that they took to heart, hardening them to the Infected and everyone who held them in their good graces...
...But never before would she have imagined that her eldest daughter would be one of them.
Companion or not, Angela was still her baby. Nothing was about to change that.
"Mom?" David's voice broke through. "Are you still there?"
Jarred back to the present, Nancy shook her head. Clearing her throat, she reassured, "Yes, I'm here. Sorry, but I have to go. I love you both."
Hands shaking, she removed her phone from her ear and closed its flip. Releasing a shaky breath, she walked over to the bay window overlooking the front porch and sprawling front lawn of the estate to stare out without taking any of it in as her head spun with her thoughts.
Out in the hallway, Noin bit her lip as she studied the Senator. After having read the living's mind, the Vampire couldn't help but feel bad for her. Frowning sadly, she sighed to herself, "That is a pain I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy."
Relena hurried into sight with Quatre beside her as she announced, "That was Trowa. The last touches to the jeeps are nearly complete. He'll be arriving to transport us away in a few minutes. "
The corner of his lips curling up, Treize turned to face the Senator across the way. "Have you ever been to Hawaii, Nancy?" he inquired cryptically.
McAdams glanced away from the window to tilt her head at him in confusion.
* * * * * *
Doctor Berg kept his pistol aimed at Gloria as she worked to prepare the operating room with the equipment that she needed for the cesarean section that she had been abruptly woken to perform. Looking over the three incubators that had been lined up against the wall opposite of the medical bed, the blonde living swallowed roughly.
"I am not at all comfortable with taking those babies before their time," Adodera frowned deeply while she inspected her gear. "Multiples are underweight as it is when they are full term. And I've never worked with a Vampire's newborns. If anything goes wrong-"
The old man snorted, "Then your time in this world will be cut even shorter than expected. So you best hope that nothing happens. Now hurry up with your preparations. Septum wants this done before the hour's up, or he'll take those babies himself."
Shaking inside, Gloria held back the tears at the threats. After everything Anna had faced to protect her tiny charges, the young doctor was going to make damn sure that they were delivered safely... even though it tore her apart knowing what that would mean for the Vampire's fate.
And so, gathering all of her courage, Adodera made her last pass over the medical tools at her disposal to guarantee that she was ready for anything.
* * * * * *
"That should do it," Sally sighed heavily at the end of her rounds through the her private clinic that she had closed down so she and her staff could treat those injured during the mission that was about to be unleashed.
Her nurses, all Companions, had worked with her during attack on Solo's fortress and so were used to working under such unpredictable and less than ideal circumstances.
"Alright, everyone," the braided doctor called to the dozen assistants, "you all know the drill from the last time we had a situation like this. Anyone you can treat yourself oversee them and patch them up as quickly as possible to get to the next. The more severe cases I want to be addressed immediately." Her crew nodded their heads in understanding.
To the newest face of the bunch, Po smiled reassuringly, "Dorothy, I'll have you standing by the last room where the incubators have been arranged. I'm holding out hope that they won't even be necessary, but I feel a lot better knowing you're here to lend a hand if they are."
Catalonia grinned, "Just glad to be of any assistance." Of course, she was silently praying that all was well enough for Anna and the babies that her unskilled services might not be required. Were that not the case, she was confident enough that she could compose herself enough to care for them.
Pointing down the hall behind her, Sally stated, "Lastly, we all need to keep in mind that the Chang kids are in the waiting room. Isabel and Carol are more than anxious to lend a hand if needed, but the little ones don't need to be troubled by what may or may not come in." There were only nods from her team.
"Good," she grinned. "Let's just give it our all, as we always do."
* * * * * *
In the Hawaiian safe house living room, Broderick was a bundle of nerves along with everyone else spread throughout the wide space. "We shouldn't be waiting much longer. Between the appeal being postponed and no word from Lucie or Damien by now, Septum's going to know something's wrong," he muttered under his breath as he paced the floor.
Isabel swallowed roughly and rose from the couch she was sharing with her brothers. "We're all ready to act, love, but nothing can be done until we hear from Treize," she tried to soothe, resting an arm on her Companion's shoulder to still him. Their eyes locking, she promised, "Once everything is in order, you'll be able to move in and claim the base fast."
"She's right, Broderick," Wufei commented from where he was leaning against the doorpost. "Believe me, no one is more ready to get this over with than Heero or I... but we can't rush and endanger lives or existences in the process."
Heero uncrossed his arms and pushed himself upright off the wall he was propped back against when his cell phone rang. Reaching into his pocket and opening the flip, he answered with a polite, "This is Yuy." At the voice on the other end of the line, his cobalt-and-gold eyes grew and he urged, "Hang on."
Tapping into the digital projector of his phone, he revealed the illuminated, hovering image of two familiar faces belonging to the callers. His own eyes growing, Chang whispered, "Rachel and TJ." Recovering from his surprise, he smiled warmly, "Well, this is a pleasant surprise."
Once Solo's right-hand boy and girl under his influence, the Companions were now all grown up in their frozen early twenties of which they were turned at the same physical ages of their Chosens-Jamal and Lisa.
Teddy's blond hair was still shaggy and his red-headed Clan sister's, face was still freckled, but they both carried a maturity and stability that only came from their experiences over the years along with the gold bands adorning their right biceps.
Her brown eyes lighting up, Rachel waved, "Hey, Wufei and Heero. We just wanted to call in and tell you we'll be seeing you out in the field soon."
Frowning, Yuy shook his head, "Treize already informed us that many of you Companions are joining in the fight despite his insisting that you not put yourselves in danger. You all should be safe at home and waiting for your Vampires to return."
TJ's green eyes narrowed a bit as he snorted, "Yea. Good luck stopping us. We're all indebted to your family for saving us. If Duo hadn't put himself at risk by letting Solo capture him or if Anna didn't reach the cliffs to find me and Rachel when she did, we wouldn't be here."
Shrugging, he stated, "Like it or not, we're not staying out of this one. It's the very least that we can do to return the favor of saving all of our existences... and that included our Chosens. That's why Lisa and Jamal aren't even attempting to talk us out of helping however we can."
At that, his sister grinned, "So like it or not, you're stuck with us. And the same goes for any time your Clan is in trouble from this point on."
Unable to hold back the shimmer in their gold-rimmed eyes, Heero and Wufei grinned in profound appreciation to the pair. "Thank you," the Original managed on behalf of the both of them. "Just be sure to stay close to Lisa and Jamal. Keep your heads low and stay safe out there."
"Yes, sir," the siblings laughed with salutes. Giving their salutations, they disconnected the call and the projection disappeared.
Letting out a long sigh, the scaly Infected brushed away a stray tear and cleared his throat. "They always were good kids," he smirked. His brother snickered and nodded in agreement.
Everyone in the room stood in silent reflection over the conversation. For those that had been in the Yuy-Barton Clan from its earliest of days, they were deeply touched to know that so many beings were looking out for them in such a selfless way. For the newest members of the family, they silently swelled with pride in knowing that they were coming into such a beloved group of people.
'People,' Angela thought to herself. Not Vampire. Not Infected. They were just people... and some of the best existing examples of that.
Sniffling, the lawyer rose from the loveseat she was occupying to close the distance between her and Chang to wrap her arms around his scaly neck. Taken by surprise, the Vampire fought his own surging emotions as he hugged her just as tightly. Gulping down a sob, McAdams whispered by his ear, "Make sure Mom and Uncle Duo hear all about how much they're missed and cared for."
With a shaky laugh, Wufei closed his eyes and vowed quietly, "I will."
As soon as they separated, a brilliance in the center of the room caught their eye. Everyone seated shot to their feet as the family made a ring around the materializing figures until they revealed Trowa and the Kushrenadas...
...but it was the stunned face of Senator Nancy McAdams that drew all of the startled attention.
A digital tablet gripped in her hands, the infamous mortal let out a sharp rush of air as she eyed her new surroundings. "H-how in the world...?" was all she could manage until she remembered what Treize had told her of the Hybrids and how they could give off powers to Vampires and Companions.
Then her focus fell on the stricken expression on one face in particular. "Angela," she breathed.
"Mom," was all her daughter could reply in kind.
Nodding firmly to Heero and Wufei, Treize pronounced, "We leave for Australia in ten minutes. All of our teams have been informed to coordinate their arrival at the same time. Let's bring our family home."
Backs straightening, the especially pale Vampires rolled their shoulders back and readied themselves to rescue their Others. Ignoring Nancy and everything else around them, their minds switched into the mission mode to reach their goal of geeing Duo, Anna and the babies out of Septum's hold safely.
One way or another, their hellish ordeal was about to come to an end once and for all.
TBC...
[1] This is mentioned in 'Crimson Ties'. The song is 'The Last Rose of Summer.'
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