Life Goes On Part 8
Cassie sighed deeply as she leaned back against the cold, metal wall of the cell she and her family had always known. Inside, her stomach was churning in worry over Solo. He was taken away earlier that day to visit Doctor J once again. That old man had a way of making the fur of her ears and tail stand on end.
In the center of the room, Jena looked up and gave her friend a sad smile. "I'm sure he's all right, Cassie," she reassured her. "If he was taken into another round of testing, he wouldn't have been sent to Doctor J directly."
Finding what little comfort she could in that, Cassie nodded, "You're right." The young woman gripped her calico-colored tail and fidgeted with it. In the end, she had to admit that a visit with the old man, as frightening as it was, rarely meant a visit with a syringe or any other horrid tool that induced pain.
Still, nothing about being removed from the cell boded anything pleasant.
Her green eyes widening when the door suddenly opened with a loud creak, Cassie jumped to her feet and ran to the entrance. Solo stumbled into the room after being roughly shoved inside. Once he was steady on his feet, he opened his arms just in time for his girlfriend to hug him fiercely.
With a small grin, Solo rubbed the back of her head and told her quietly, "I'm fine, Cass. J just wanted to talk with me." The others gathered close with curiosity all over their faces. As Cassie pulled back, the blonde neko stated, "I'm going to have to change my tactics to get closer to Duo, if I hope to get a hold of him."
Carson's grey ears drooped a bit and he frowned, "Change tactics? You're in almost the same classes that he has. With the other frat boys you made friends with, it would be easy to overpower him once you've convinced or tricked them into helping. What does J suggest you change that will catch him?"
"I'm going to have to gain his trust," Solo sighed deeply, clearly not liking the idea one bit. "Duo has too many friends at the university. Even if I was able to trick the others into helping me to bring him here, there are too many eyes around making sure that he's okay whenever we're around."
Swallowing roughly and making a face as though there were a vile taste in his mouth, the blonde said quietly, "So, I'm going to have to act friendly towards him. I have to get him to believe that there is no animosity between us."
At that, Carson's eyes widened before thinning into slits. "Well, good luck with that," he commented. "I know that I wouldn't be able to keep that act up around him, even if it was for the purpose of luring him in." Just behind him, Andrew wrapped an arm around little Danny's shoulders when the little boy frowned up at him in confusion.
Cassie sighed deeply, "Why are you boys so determined to hurt Duo, anyway? He never did anything to us, personally."
Beside her, Jena nodded, "She's right. This anger is all out of your jealousy. He is one of us, after all-"
"He'll never be one of us!" Solo shouted, cutting her off with his face reddening at the very idea. "Even if he isn't the direct reason why we're in this situation, he is a huge factor in it! He should have just stayed a lab rat instead of being selfish enough to try and be included among the humans.
"We wouldn't have been needed, then. We would have been the way we were before J brought us into this lair to pick up where Dekim had to leave off."
Glaring heatedly at the startled young women, he continued, "We're all going to die! Do I need to remind you of that!? We have to bring him here if we stand any chance of surviving, before he dies during his revert process. He's already coming undone the same way that we will be!"
Both Cassie and Jena hung their heads, small tears of fear filling their eyes. "And of course we're jealous," Carson spoke up in a hiss. "Why the hell should he be so lucky as to live a free life while we're trapped here, poked, prodded and tortured for little more than amusement? Why should we be the ones trapped without any way to escape."
Tapping his right temple, the dark-haired teenager growled deeply, "I know you haven't forgotten the tracking chips that were installed into us. We wouldn't be able to take one step out of this building without an escort before these damned things could be used to kill us instantly." Straightening, Carlson smirked, "I'd like nothing more than to watch that little prince cry out when they insert one of those chips into his head."
Grey eyes narrowing, Andrew ordered, "That's enough." Looking in concern to the trembling boy beside him, he frowned, "You're scaring Danny, here." With a small whimper, the red-haired boy's tan ears were sunken as he shook in the protective embrace of the arm around his small shoulders.
Once everyone was calm again, the black-eared neko cast Solo and Carson a look of warning. "We'll agree to disagree on what we believe that Duo does or does not deserve," he spoke quietly, but in a tone that left no room for argument. "Don't force your ideas down our throats. And you don't need to remind us of the situation we're in. We're all in this together, remember? Don't break the family apart."
Reluctantly, Solo and Carson sighed deeply. Their ears and heads lowering, they muttered their apologies to the group.
When the door suddenly opened once more, the lot nearly jumped out of their skin at the loud grinding of metal. One of the guards stuck his bearded head through the crack and gave them a dark grin. "Happy Thanksgiving," he spoke in a voice meant to be humorous to him that sent a chill up each of the prisoners' spines.
"Beings this is a family holiday," he began with a gap-toothed smile, "The good Doctor has ordered that all of you experience the next round of testing together." Just as the last words left him, six tall and strong guards entered the room.
Pale and wide-eyed, the nekos were all gripped by a shoulder or arm. Knowing that resisting would only bring their end, they allowed themselves to be all but drug from the cell. Just before they were out into the hallway, Solo whispered in a sharp tone to Andrew, "Tell me, now, that you wouldn't give anything for that Maxwell to have to endure this with us."
To that, Andrew just glared without a word to say.
* * * * * *
"Finished," Danielle sighed deeply, wiping the little bit of sweat from her brow. Appraising the dinner layout, she smiled brightly in pride to herself. She'd pulled off cooking a grand Thanksgiving dinner all on her own. The turkey, cranberry sauce and every other fixing was finished by her own doing. And it felt amazing to have accomplished such a thing.
Even if it did take a couple hours longer than expected. Recalling her originally set time for five that evening, she chuckled deeply when she saw that it was nearly seven. "Better late than never," she shrugged to herself after checking her watch.
After pouring the last glass of wine at the table settings, she called into the living room, "Dinner's ready!" Instantly, her patient, and starving family entered the room. At seeing their two guests, she smiled warmly with a bow of her head, "I'm very glad that you both could make it, Trowa and Dorothy."
The young couple smiled back and Trowa spoke for the two of them with a sincere, "Thank you for having us, Misses Yuy-Clark. With our families away on business, we were afraid that we'd have to order out tonight." Chuckling deeply beside him, Dorothy nodded.
"Oh, you're always welcome, you know that," Danielle grinned. Lightly guiding them with a hand on their backs, she offered, "Have a seat." As she watched the looks of awe taking in all of the food around the table, she felt a warm tug in her chest.
With a wide smile, Heero turned to her and commented, "This looks great, Mom. I'm proud of you." The others all gave their own nods and likewise responses as the hostess took the head of the table opposite of her husband.
Folding her hands, the red-haired woman suggested, "Trent, darling, why don't you say Grace tonight?" All eyes turned to the young man at the other end of the table as he sat up with wide eyes.
A smile tugging his own lips, Trent lowered his head and closed his eyes while the others followed his lead. "To the Deity whom watches over us all," he began, "We thank you for the blessings in our lives. We thank you for our family, friends and hope that we will be together for many a year to come." Duo bit his lip at that, his eyes squeezing tighter in prayer that the last plea be answered.
Trent continued, "We thank you for health and for this wonderful meal. And we thank you for all of our trials in life as well, as they only make us stronger. In this, we pray, Amen." Everyone at the table repeated the softly spoken 'Amen' and smiled as they opened their eyes. Rubbing his hands together, the blonde lawyer raised a glass of wine and grinned, "So, let's eat!"
With a round of grunts and laughs, the gathered family dug into the feast before them.
Before long, everyone had more than their fill and rested back in their chairs while allowing their stomachs to empty themselves. "Great dinner, Ma," Duo complimented with a bright smile. All around, there were giving their own praises to the chef.
"I am most impressed," Noin winked. "You've certainly come a long way, Danielle. Everything was perfect." Across the table, Trent gave a wink and nod of his own. Zechs folded his arms and appraised the hostess with a smirk.
Practically glowing, the retired firm owner nodded, "Thank you. I'm glad that it turned out so well." She rose to her feet with her plate and announced, "I'll get the dishes started while you all make some room for dessert. The lovely people at County Market spent a lot of time perfecting the pies that I picked of for that." Her guests laughed and slowly made their way into the living room.
Dorothy took up a couple places and offered, "I'll help with the dishes." Noin replied in kind as she took up a few saucers to clear away.
Once they were in the kitchen alone with the young director of law, Danielle and Noin shared a knowing look and a nod. Clearing her throat, the red-haired young woman bit her lip before saying, "Forgive us for intruding, Dorothy, but how far along are you?"
Nearly dropping the plates that she was carrying to the sink, the blonde-haired girl gasped sharply with wide eyes. Quickly regaining her composure, and balance with Danielle's help, she sputtered, "W-what? How did you figure that out?"
Noin gave a small grin and answered, "We noticed the baby sip of wine you took as not to have someone ask why you didn't drink any. Danielle and I were casting glances at each other throughout dinner to see if the other caught it."
Chuckling deeply, Dorothy shook her head in amusement. Lightly resting a hand on her flat stomach, she said in a wistful tone, "I'm about three weeks along, now. I've been waiting to find the right opportunity to tell Trowa but..." Her words trailed off as she lowered her head. Frowning deeply, she sighed, "I'm afraid of how he'll react. Then there's my parents. I know they'll be less than thrilled."
Small tears filled the corners of her light blue eyes. Looking up with determination, Dorothy stated, "But, I want this baby. Even if I have to go it alone."
Lightly drying the blonde young woman's eyes, Danielle rested her hands on her shoulders and reassured her, "You won't be alone. That I can promise you."
Noin stepped in and smiled, "I've known Trowa for years. He'd never leave you to something like this on your own. And I'm sure that he'll be thrilled to know he'll be father." Gently rubbing Dorothy's back, she vowed, "You have us, as well."
Without hesitating, Danielle grinned, "That's right. If there is anything you need, don't ever hesitate to ask."
Quickly drying her eyes, Dorothy gave a watery smile and whispered, "Thank you, both. That means so much to me." Hugging them tightly, she pulled back and sighed in relief of not being the only one to know her secret.
"Just be sure to tell Trowa soon," Noin suggested. "The last thing you need is for someone else to pick up on any signs then go and congratulates him before he knows what for."
Nodding firmly, the law director replied, "I will." That said, the three young women went back to their task of cleaning the dishes. All the while, Dorothy couldn't help but smile to herself. Already, she felt like a huge burden was off her shoulders.
Even if there was a bit of a rocky road to get past yet, at least the burden of going through was a little lighter.
* * * * * *
When dessert was finished and their friends had retired for the evening, Heero and Duo headed up to bed in the Yuy-Trent half of the estate. Practically falling into bed, the neko chuckled deeply, "Man, am I stuffed. I can hardly move."
Pouting, Heero lowered himself beside his lover. "Aw. And here I was hoping for another helping of dessert," he smirked. Lightly running a hand through Duo's bangs, he said, "Would have been nice to pick up from this morning."
A deep purr rumbled from the braided teenager's throat. But it was not only from the nice feeling that Heero's touch gave him. Wrapping his arms around the other boy's neck, Duo pulled him down for a heated kiss. More than anything, he needed this. He needed to forget everything else and just be one with the person that he loved.
Hands returned to the roaming that they had began earlier that day. Clothes were slowly removed and discarded. Skin pressed tightly against skin. And the only sound filling the air were pants, moans and purrs.
Trying hard not to sound too desperate as to scare his lover, Duo gazed into his cobalt eyes and whispered in little more than a breath, "Make the world go away, Heero."
A smile tugged the Japanese teenager's lips just before he lowered himself to once more claim his love's mouth with his own. Together, they drifted into a blissful oblivion where only they existed. For that moment, there was nothing but them and the love between them.
Through it all, Duo silently prayed that it would never end.
TBC...
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