After all you put me through
You'd think I'd despise you
But in the end I wanna thank you
'Cause you made me that much stronger
-Lyrics to 'Fighter' performed by Christina Aguilera
Crimson Ties Part 67
"You're shitting me," Alex breathed as he sank into his chair, wide-eyed. Skin pale, he shook his head, "Father Maxwell and the Church are gone, too?"
Beside him, Mueller frowned deeply in genuine concern, "Was anyone else hurt in the fire? Are Sister Helen and the kids okay?" After he and his friends had come to meet the 'adoptive parents' of their braided classmate, they had all taken a shine to the kind priest and nun.
A lump forming at having to tell the lot surrounding him at their cafeteria table of the loss of his 'dad,' Duo swallowed roughly. "Yea, luckily no one else was hurt. There was an assembly for the kids, so everyone was in the church when the fire started. Father Maxwell died because he'd stayed behind to make sure everyone got out."
Removing her hand from her agape mouth, Sylvia whispered, "Oh my God. I... We had no idea. There wouldn't have been anything in our papers since it all happened way beyond our counties." She reached across the table to hold onto her friend's hand and squeezed it. "Are you okay? You know if you need anything, we're all here for you," she asked softly.
Alex, Mueller, Trent, Quatre and Catherine all nodded in agreement.
For his part, the young Hunter's chest was hurting over the heartbreaking news of what had happened. Whatever resentments he might have towards the Companion and the Vampire seated next to him, the last thing that he wanted was for anything terrible like that to happen.
Biting his lip as he squeezed her hand back, Maxwell replied with a soft chuckle, "I know. And I appreciate that." He scanned the livings watching him, adding, "All of you."
When he pulled his arm back, the Companion smiled lovingly at the Infected that was lightly rubbing his back in soothing circles. "I've been lucky having so much support to keep me together."
Quietly chuckling, Heero leaned closer to his lover to press and hold a kiss against his temple. Closing his eyes, Duo leaned into the touch as his Vampire whispered a soft, 'Love you,' by his ear and wrapped an arm around his shoulders to hold him tight.
At the sweet exchange, Sylvia physically melted with a sigh as she looked over at Alex. When their eyes met, they blushed a deep crimson and they quickly looked away again. Quatre and Catherine snickered to themselves, having caught the shy expressions on their classmates' faces.
Even after their winter break, some things never changed.
For Trent, he shifted uncomfortable in his chair following Yuy's tenderness towards Maxwell. Once again, he was reminded of just how real and special their relationship was. There was no question about it with the look in their eyes whenever they looked at each other.
It all only helped fortify his resolve that he was doing the right thing by giving the Vampire a chance. At least Heero and his family were an easy enough group to start with when it came to extending acceptance towards them.
And maybe it would only get easier for the Hunter to accept the rest of his kind over time... though it would have to be a considerable amount of time before he could completely let go of his resentment.
Hilde's voice laughed loudly over the cackle from the girls that she shared a table with across the other half of the cafeteria. When Trent looked over, the administrative assistant was already watching him as she continued to clamor while shooting him a cocky smile before her focus returned to her group.
Inwardly groaning and what was left of his appetite lost, the junior played with the remaining morsels of his lunch with his fork.
"The services for Howard and Father Maxwell are taking place this weekend," Quatre informed. "I'm sure that the more friendly faces around the better." Duo and Catherine gave the scientist a small smile of gratitude for the suggestion that they were not sure they had the strength to make.
Alex was the first to grin, "Count me in." Without hesitating, the remainder of the lot gave their own affirmatives that they would be present as well. Moved by the offers, the mourners could only nod their heads and fight the tears from their eyes.
One never could have enough support. And they were fortunate to be amongst some of the best creatures for that.
* * * * * *
A few short hours later, the day of classes was at a close for most of the student body. As the scholars and faculty made their ways for either their dorms or vehicles under a gentle fall of snow flurries, there was a sweet reunion between Heero and Duo when the Infected stepped beyond the library doors at the end of his shift.
The moment he saw his smirking Companion, Yuy's lips curled in a wide smile and he wrapped him in a tight embrace before moving in for a sound kiss... only to be taken aback by the fervor at which the gesture was returned.
Regaining his ground, the Vampire's widened eyes closed with a moan. Fingers dug into clothing, stopping just at the point that their owners were able to contain their urge from tearing the offending articles off.
"God, but I want you right now," Duo groaned deeply when they finally broke away panting. Nuzzling the crook of his partner's neck, he whispered huskily, "It was so damned hard to focus on my classes today when all I could do was think about last night and how bad I want to repeat it."
Unable to help his moan at the notion of making love to his braided soul mate as passionately as they had, Heero struggled to keep his fangs from growing in to bite his Companion right then and there. The sound that had broken out of him was born out of much of his own need as his frustration in knowing that they couldn't act on their desire.
Sighing deeply, the Vampire lowered his head and pressed a kiss against the Reformer's cheek. Regretfully, he informed with a voice dripping in disappointment, "I checked my cell phone when I clocked out. Wufei sent a text informing that Treize is requesting us to get back home as soon as we can for an important meeting. Our lookouts are going to be right behind us when we leave the campus."
Violet eyes opening, Duo sagged heavily against the Infected in defeat. "Fuck," he all but whimpered. "So much for those plans." Pulling back, but keeping a hold on his Other, he frowned, "Did he give any idea to what it's about?"
"No such luck," Yuy answered. The corner of his lips tugged up in a mischievous grin, he kissed the end of his Chosen's nose and reassured, "Don't worry. As soon as we're adjourned, I fully intend to ravish you the way I've also been fantasizing all day."
Feeling his knees buckle underneath him, Maxwell was silently grateful for the strong arms that had remained around his lithe waist to keep him upright. A playful grin spreading across his own face, he nipped at his Vampire's neck and purred, "Good. I'm holding you to that."
Satisfied with their arrangement, the Companion finally freed his lover and looked around to see if Quatre and Catherine had stepped from the main hall. Not only did he find his friends snickering quietly at the bottom of the library steps, but he and Heero noticed the many other souls that had stopped to stare at them with wide eyes.
No doubt they had enjoyed the show that the pair had displayed.
Blushing deeply, Duo ducked his head and silently wished that he had worn a coat just for the benefit of having a hood that he could shield his face with.
While he was not at all ashamed of his demonstration of affections towards his Infected, he was more embarrassed at how he had completely forgotten where they were or the fact that they'd likely draw an audience.
Heero chuckled softly and took his braided love's hand into his own before he guided them down the stairs to join the amused scientists. Making light banter as they headed for the car, the band of friends ignored the onlookers and continued on as though nothing was out of the ordinary for Maxwell's sake to put him at ease.
Once he closed the passenger door behind himself, the Reformer relaxed at last.
Sagging heavily in his leather chair, Duo released a deep sigh and stared on the road ahead as Yuy pulled the vehicle from the parking lot and away from the campus. Those eyes leaving him, he was comfortable enough again to join in on their conversation that was well underway whilst trying to not presume what the impending meeting being called was in regards to.
* * * * * *
Saudi Arabia.
In the open stretches of desert that stretched for as far as they eye could see, two tall figures shrouded in billowy robes walked in silence. Overhead, the blinding sun bore down on the pair, its heat never affected them.
When they reached the top of one of the sand dunes that was shifting in the strong wind, they stopped and lowered the scarves that covered most of their faces to reveal their beautiful and perfect features that were etched in concern.
Blinking her enlarged gold-and-brown eyes, the female Vampire continued to stare at the same spot that they had been seeking out. "It's getting worse," she whispered in Arabic.
Several feet below them at the foot of the dune lay the long desert gully that many travelers took on their camels when moving between the cities. And while an untrained mortal eye could not see it, the Infected inspecting the area could see the deep divot in the sand... could spell the smallest hint of blood droplets buried deep in the geranial.
A grim expression washing over his face, the handsome male Vampire looked to his partner. In their native tongue, he frowned, "We better hurry back to contact the Commander Treize and Lady Une."
* * * * * *
Well, one thing was abundantly clear to Yuy and Maxwell when they stepped through the front door of their home... Noin was on edge over something.
The short-haired Preventer was uncharacteristically nervous. Almost skittish. That was putting everyone around her back on their heels, especially Zechs and the rest of her family.
"So, what's going on?" the Companion opened up as cheerfully as he could when he sat at the large, round table of the meeting room. Across from him, Lucrezia shifted in her seat and lowered her head to only add to the heavy air hanging around her.
At the head of the table, Treize held an arm out to his cousin as he informed, "Noin was the one to ask for our audience so that we could address what she considers an urgent matter." On that note, everyone's attention shifted onto the said Infected.
Biting her lip, the Councilwoman raised her head to focus on Heero and Duo. "I am so sorry," she whispered shakily. Taken aback by the apology, the couple frowned in confusion along with everyone else around the table.
Zechs leaned close to his wife beside him, draping a supportive arm around her shoulders. "What is it, love?" he urged softly. Midi rubbed her folded arms anxiously, a deeply concerned expression on her face for her friend as she leaned against a blinking Trowa.
Rather than go into what she had done, Noin decided it best to simply demonstrate. Drawing a deep breath, she thought, 'I went and drank a bag of Duo's blood to be able to acquire the ability to mind-read. Only I picked up more than just that.'
Gasps and wide eyes spreading throughout the room, Lucrezia ducked and awaited the fallout to come down on her. It was her slack-jawed, pale-faced husband who spoke up first, breathing, "Y-you... did what?"
Tears of guilt filling her eyes, the Councilwoman cried in defense, "I wanted to be able to read Josh's thoughts! We're getting nowhere in getting ahead of Solo and his Others and I'm sick of our always being ten steps behind them!"
Roughly wiping a stray drop that began to roll down her cheek, she looked back to the pair across from her to tell them, "I am so sorry that I went and drank without permission. And I am well aware of the offense that the act is for a Vampire to take the blood of another Infected's Chosen..."
Facing Treize and Lady Une Noin shook her head, "But I was tired of our sitting and waiting to make decisions when we need to start acting!" The Preventer co-founders winced and shared a sad glance of reluctant admission that their cousin was right.
More silent tears fell from Lucrezia's eyes as she all but wailed, "After what happened with the attacks, I just couldn't-" Whatever more she was about to say was cut off when the Companion raised his hand.
"So... Quatre was right?" Duo whispered, eyes enlarged. "You were able to just think of something that you wanted and it came on when you drank my blood? It was just that easy?" Practically bouncing in his chair, the named scientist leaned deeply towards Noin in anxious wait for her response.
With a rough swallow, Noin nodded, "Yes. I'm still getting used to my ability so that I'm only reading thoughts when I want to, but it works. This is the longest I've been able to go without hearing the voices in the heads around me, so I have a better handle on it. The telecommunicating side was not asked for, however there are ways that would come in much use as well."
Her shoulders slumped and large eyes blinking, Anna breathed, "Holy shit, that's awesome." Noticing how everyone shifted their full attention onto her, the redhead smiled sheepishly and rubbed the back of her neck, shrugging, "Well, it is! Like she said, that's something we can use against the Others!"
Suddenly taken by a thought, she closed her widening eyes and concentrated so hard that it scrunched her face.
Chuckling, Wufei rubbed the back of his wife's neck. "Sorry, Rose," he grinned. "It doesn't seem as though you have that ability." The Irish Infected opened her eyes and sagged into her chair with a defeated sigh as a chorus of a amused snickers filled the air.
Lady Une frowned to her cousin, "Noin, I will not deny that perhaps we have been taking too much time in planning and discussing what we need to do when we need to actually take action. But you do know that there are ramifications for your behavior." As he pulled his shuddering bride close against him, Zechs had a panicked expression on his face.
"Ramifications?" Sally repeated, her braided head shaking. "Was there a crime committed other than the fact that she didn't include all of us in what she planned to do? I mean if she didn't drink that blood, we might never have known how easy it is to evolve you."
Softly, Treize replied, "But it is a grave violation against the laws of our kind for any Vampire to drink from the Chosen of another Vampire without either of their permission. While Noin did not drink directly from Duo, she still broke the cardinal rule, making it the decision of the couple that she had acted against to decide what should become of her."
Wide-eyed, Yuy and Maxwell faced each other. "Seriously?" the Companion laughed after a tense silence. Throwing his hands in the air as he peered at Lucrezia, he exclaimed, "To quite my sister, shit this is awesome! No offense taken here!"
"Nor by I," Heero smirked. "Besides, I think the torment of the wait leading to this meeting was more than enough punishment on her when none was called for in the first place."
Instantly, Noin and Zechs eased along with the remainder of their family. Clutching to her husband, the Councilwoman swallowed past the lump in her throat to tell the couple brokenly, "Thank you."
Trowa snickered under his breath, "Now that all is well, would you mind giving me my arm back, sweetheart? Even though I don't have circulation to worry about, you still have quite the vice grip." Only then aware that both her arms were looped so lightly around his bicep, Midi blinked and grinned apologetically at him before she loosened her hold.
More than grateful for the friends' kindness, Treize bowed his head to them and said, "I had a feeling that you both would be fine with my dear cousin's actions. However, your mercy is more than appreciated by all of us as we would all be lost without her." Noin dried her eyes as she gave the Council head a wide smile.
"Well, now that we know how Duo's blood works, it's just a matter of our considering what talents would be of the most help to us in our war against the Others," Relena stated. "The possibilities are really endless."
Raising a finger, Zechs suggested, "That's something we should take a little time on to make certain that we don't use up our only opportunities to jump start our evolutions on anything frivolous."
With a firm nod, Wufei added, "We should be back here at the same time tomorrow after we've all had twenty-four hours to consider our options. They would not only have to be abilities to aid us, but ones that we'd be comfortable with having for the rest of our existences."
Treize replied, "Agreed. But we shouldn't waste more time than that. The sooner we can get to finding Solo and his brethren the sooner we can put this nightmare behind us."
Pausing, he chewed on the inside of his cheek. "Since passing Josh's information out to our agents throughout the world in the hopes of finding his Chosen, we have also been receiving word of a climb in mysterious disappearance all over the globe."
Lady Une went on to inform, "Just hours ago, two of our agents in Saudi Arabia got a hold of us to inform that there had been an attack as far as in their region. And there are dozens others like it."
"Solo's building an army," Trowa growled deeply, gold-and-emerald eyes narrowing. "If he's working that fast, he's progressing beyond looking to replace the Others that lost during the attacks on us."
Nodding, Treize replied, "Our thoughts exactly. Which is why Noin is right in saying that we cannot wait any longer to do something. If it's an army that he's forming, we'll have to make one of our own." He scanned the Infected gathered around, announcing, "Starting with our agents here."
He focused on the Companion to smile, "Of course, that would be only happen with your permission to use your storage of blood, Duo."
Maxwell's lips curled up in a lopsided smirk as he replied, "Fuck, yea. Permission granted." Laughter rose up from the beings surrounding him, but there was also the feeling of anticipation over their now having a clear plan of action in handling their enemies.
In a way, Duo had to thank his twin brother for the hit that he'd ordered against him and his family. Through the examples of how his blood worked through Heero, Anna and Noin, the Vampires finally had a way of countering the Others that were rising up against them.
That which didn't kill them only made them stronger. And now there was going to be hell to pay.
When it would all be said and done, it would either be Duo or Solo's soldiers to come out victorious. Whatever he had to do so that the Infected had the advantage, the Companion would see to it.
Gesturing to his cousin, Treize said, "I doubt that any thought Josh has of Solo will be picked up by your gift since he's protected from our using any enhanced ability against him. However, I would like to see if you can pick up anything on the Other's Vampire. If there is still any bond between them, he'll be thinking of them. That would help narrow our search for them immensely."
A smile spreading across her face, Noin responded, "I'll get on that right away."
Before she could rise to her feet to get to work, Trowa winced as he announced, "There is one other urgent matter that needs to be discussed." Meeting Relena's gaze, he received an encouraging nod from the Councilwoman to go on while the others turned towards him.
Swallowing roughly, Barton informed, "There are Hunters amongst us. Relena and I had overheard two of them, students, taking amongst themselves during our vigil over the campus grounds earlier today."
More gasps and mutters spread throughout the room. "H-Hunters? Here?" Duo muttered, speaking exactly what his friends and family were quietly whispering amongst themselves. Shaking his head, his violet-and-silver eyes narrowed as he hissed, "And they're students?! Who are they?!"
Their gazes locked, Trowa's mouth opened and closed his mouth but no sound escaped him. At his side, Relena patted his arm in a silent offering to take over for him.
"We know the girl's name to be Hilde. Going off of what we learned from tailing her, we know that she works for the administrative offices," the lovely Infected declared. Only briefly hesitating once Duo's growing eyes fell on her, she frowned, "And the young man with her is your friend, Trent."
Shoulders drooping, the Reformer's skin paled with a horrified expression that was shared by Quatre, Catherine and his entire family. "Trent?" Winner breathed. "By Allah, he was here in this house!"
Midi gasped, "He could deliver the rest of his pack right to us whenever he wants!" More voices rose up in concern, the possibilities of what it meant this new revelation meant endless and none of them boding well for the Vampires.
Whatever was further said was completely lost to Duo. All sound was mudded over by the screams in his head.
Not only did he deliver a wolf to the sheep it sought to kill, but Maxwell had allowed Trent to walk away even when he was discovered checking the layout of his home... had let him come to know his family.
Maxwell had trusted a Hunter... was lead to believe that they were friends when he was likely being using him all the time. Still, those voices of rage in the Companion's mind grew all the louder.
Now, there was only one certainty in the hybrid's world. Trent Greyson was a dead man.
Over the clamor of her loved ones speaking over one another, Noin's eyes widened with a sharp gasp at the piercing howl that flooded her mind. Crying out, her hands reached up to cover her ears when the Infected and livings alike took her in. "Duo, no!" she cried. "Don't do anything rash!"
Her words were too late.
Already on his feet, the braided immortal was already rushing from the room to head for the front door. Unable to hear anything beyond his own need to seek the Hunter out, he missed Heero's cry of his name until he was pulled into a fierce embrace.
"Stop!" Yuy whispered harshly by his Companion's ear when Maxwell struggled against him. Tightening his hold, the Infected urged, "You did nothing wrong!"
The reality of what was truly wracking him catching up, the Reformer all but collapsed with a sharp whimper. Tears filling his violet-and-silver eyes, he wailed and clutched onto his partner desperately. Burying his face in the Original's shoulder, he moaned, "'m sorry. God, I'm so sorry!"
Up until that moment, it'd seemed like Maxwell's existence was finally being pulled back together after everything that had happened... it was coming apart at the seams once again...
And all that he had were the strong arms around him to keep him in one piece.
TBC...
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