Please talk to me... Won't you please come talk to me
Unblock this misery... Come on, come talk to me
Don't you ever change your mind? Now your future's so defined
And you ask so deaf, so blind... Come on, come talk to me
-Lyrics to 'Come Talk To Me' performed by Peter Gabriel
That Which Mends Part 9
It was a little before one o'clock when a certain psychology major secured his access card and rounded the corner of the elevator towers on the Preventers floor to find the cluster of desks and the rec area empty.
Pausing in his steps, Yuy blinked widely in surprise at the unexpected discovery just as Lady Une stepped out of her office.
"Ah, Heero. Right on time. I like a man who's punctual," the Commander smiled warmly in greeting. Waving for him to come follow her back inside the closed off room, she informed, "The others just left for lunch a few of minutes ago, so it'll just be us for a little while. Make yourself comfortable and let's catch up."
Shedding his light coat, the scholar added it to the others hanging on the rack along the way and bowed his head politely as he stepped through the door that was held open to him. "I hope you were able to sleep well last night after our meeting," Une began while closing them off to the rest of the floor and rounding her desk to take her chair.
Yuy nodded, "I did, once I was finally able to get some rest. Thank you." Shifting his feet when he sat down across from her, he inquired, "Have there been any new developments since I left yesterday?"
True to her word that he would have full disclosure to the case, Lady Une answered, "Actually, yes. We have a tip to a weapon that is being manufactured with a new, man-made metal that Thomas got his hands on. And last night, the team went into his room for a thorough sweep of the scene and they came up with some pieces to the puzzle in the form of evidence that would have otherwise gone undiscovered."
Must as Heero didn't like admitting to himself that he was surprised by that, he was. His cobalt eyes growing, he chuckled, "Really? That must not have sat well with whoever was in charge of the initial search."
Folding her arms behind her head as she reclined back, Middie giggled, "No, it didn't. Especially since he got to see it first hand and be shown up after he gave my agents a hard time for even being there." She shrugged and smirked proudly, "They are the best at what they do. I've always known that and eventually their peers will finally come to realize it as well."
The corner of his mouth curling up, Yuy nodded, "Well, I'm already a firm believer even though I haven't known them for long. I'm sure that they'll finally get the respect they deserve some day."
"I certainly hope so," the Commander whispered distantly, her eyes unfocused for a moment before she shook her head and smiled to her guest. "At any rate, they're pressing on in their investigation and I have every faith that they'll get to the bottom of it," she declared as she righted herself, folding her hands together on her desk.
Switching the gears of their conversation, Lady Une commented, "Duo mentioned that you study psychology. That's an ambitious field to be earning your masters for at such a young age."
Taken aback that Maxwell remembered that about him from what little time they'd spent talking the night that they met, Heero stammered, "Oh-ah... yea. It seemed a pretty choice to me since it was what my father practiced. I learned how to be pretty observant of others, so it's worked to my advantage in diagnosing personality types and struggles that someone might be dealing with."
He cleared his throat and shared, "I've come to know your team better than they probably realize thanks to what I've studied from just sitting around them for a little while."
The Commander's brown eyes blinked as genuine intrigue washed over her face. "You don't say," she replied. Grinning, she asked, "Mind sharing some of what you've come up with?"
Even though he had been hoping for such an opening to report his research to her, Heero knew he needed to tread carefully. Lady Une was protective of her agents the way a mother bear looked after her cubs. He would have to be careful to avoid anything particularly sensitive while at the same time making his points valid to prove how capable he was in breaking down the team.
Drawing a deep breath, the student began, "Quatre feels pressure from his family to do something great with his life. Being the only son, his father in particular was hard enough on him that Agent Rock left the nest to come here and find his own path. Since he's used to not feeling adequate enough, he takes on the blame for anything that goes wrong whether or not he had any power over changing the outcome."
Middie made no physical reaction to disclose whether he had hit the mark or not, but she also appeared to hold her interest.
At that, Heero went on, "Winner has an army of sisters, but favors one and stays in regular contact with her. She's featured in every photo Winner has on his desk and I believe her name is Iria, if I heard right during one of his discussions with Trowa."
The Commanders' right eyebrow raised ever so slightly, telling him he had nailed that detail.
Onto the next agent, the scholar commented, "Out of the whole team, Trowa's been through the most personal challenges as of late. I can only assume most of that was brought on by his job and the things he has had to do." Pausing to chew on the inside of his cheek in consideration of how to proceed, he frowned, "I believe that at some point, Agent Night had a drug addiction. He's come through it, but the long-term effects are still working out of his body."
Since he had started to lay out his analysis, Lady Une made her biggest response to what he had to say as soon as the mention of Barton's drug addiction came up. Her eyes growing, she wrapped an arm around her waist and covered her mouth with her other hand. Still, she didn't try to stop him.
"Anna I've deducted to be an only child with few opportunities to make friends as she grew up. That's why she's such a social, people-pleaser now. Her mother or father must have had a military background, hence her interest in weaponry. I'm leaning towards it being her father since something tells me she suffered physical abuse at his hands for an extended time of her upbringing," Yuy continued.
"Downs always had a lot to prove throughout her life and often feels inadequate no matter what reaffirmation she receives," the scholar deducted aloud. "Between that and her meager eating habits, I believe she had a bout with an eating disorder that she's finally put behind her. In her recovery, she found a new way of reforming acceptance of her body through piercings and tattoos that are only for her gratification since they can be mostly covered by clothes unless one really paid attention."
With every statement, Middie's eyes gave up her surprise.
Silently encouraged on, Heero said, "Wufei is a perfectionist capable of extreme anger that he's likely let out before in ways that he shouldn't have. He's constantly keeping himself in check and slowly coming around to just allowing some things that would normally irritate him to slide. Much of that is thanks to his relationship with Agent Fire since she's not as quick to snap rashly. And like Trowa, I get the feeling that he's holding back a lot of devils from the past."
He shrugged, "While Chang never found an escape for it the way Barton did in drugs, he's worse off than Trowa because he's held onto his demons all this time. He's an effective leader, easily the best person to fill his role, but there's an underlying doubt in himself that he can't shake. If he doesn't find a way to let go of whatever happened, it's going to catch up with him and I doubt that he'll handle it well."
The air in the room thickened with the heavy silence that fell when he stopped to give the young woman a moment to let his claims set in.
After a long pause, Lady Une questioned, "You left out Agent Scythe. What have you surmised of him from your observations?"
In a rare second of uncertainty in his craft, Yuy answered tentatively, "Duo... is the most complicated of the group. He's open and a jester on the surface, but he's also one the most guarded and troubled people I've ever come to know. I'd need weeks... months to really get under that shell he's built up to get to the bottom of him. All I know is that there's much more to Maxwell than what he willingly shows."
Tapping his foot, the student stated, "Quatre quietly worries for him. Trowa understands him. Anna loves and accepts him. Wufei tolerates him. In their own unique ways of dealing with life, they've worked their personalities to care for him how only they can and they'll continue to do so for his sake, be that on or off their duty as Preventers." Leaning back in his chair, he dropped his shoulders at the conclusion of his report.
Once again, quiet settled.
Just when the quiet was about to unnerve Heero, Middie tilted her head and asked, "Are you sure that you want to become a psychologist?" When her guest frowned in confusion, she smirked, "You would make one hell of a profiler."
Taken off guard by the compliment, the scholar finally relaxed and smiled.
Biting her lip, the Commander tapped her chin in deep thought. "I have a proposition for you," she announced. As she crossed her legs, she lifted her head and rolled back her shoulders to take on a more authoritative posture. "I'd like to offer you an internship here as a counselor for the Preventers."
It was Heero's turn to freeze in stunned silence. His cobalt eyes widened and unblinking, he stared in disbelief at the young woman for a long breath in time before he snorted, "You can't be serious."
"By now, you should have observed that I'm not one to make jokes of this nature," Middie grinned. "I'm very serious and I would make it more than worth your while with a handsome compensation package if you were to accept, which I hope you do."
Shaking his head, her guest could only ask, "Why?"
Her smile slipping away, Lady Une pitched herself forward and folded her hand on her desk, leveling him with sincere concern. "Heero, I do little to hide the fact that Duo, Wufei, Anna, Trowa and Quatre are not only my agents but they're family to me." Swallowing roughly at the emotions emanating from her at that sentiment, Yuy nodded.
The officer sighed deeply, "I watch them deal first-hand with the worst of humanity and the most horrific nightmares that exist in the world. Before they each turned twenty-one, they were all put into the position of having to take at least one life in their careers. Though they've maintained professional composure through it all, I know that those things have taken a toll on them and that will only worsen over time if they cannot find a healthy outlet for what they're coping with."
Middie frowned sadly, "They've selflessly put aside their personal troubles, used them as motivation to channel all of their energies to protect people who will never know their names or their sacrifices. I think the very least they deserve is having a safe place to go, an ear that will listen to them and an encouraging word from someone who won't judge them."
Heero couldn't help but admit that she was more than justified for wanting such a thing for her team. And didn't he at least owe them a chance to get their burdens out after everything they had done for him? After all, they had heard him out and exhausted all of their resources in looking out for him.
What was more, this would be an opportunity to home in on his own career path. Surely no other psychologist would have had such an offer prior to their having a masters in the field. Hopes of an internship were few and far between and this one had fallen into his lap...
But then...
"You'll never get any of them to agree to this," Yuy declared. "They're too stubborn and proud to go along with having an on-site counselor."
A smile returning, Lady Une challenged, "Oh, I'm quite confident that not only one but two will agree to it. You may have the talent and book leaning to figure out their personalities, but I have history with them. And I think that gives me the upper hand in knowing them better at than you do."
The student laughed sharply, his own grin turning smug. "If you get two of them to accept, I'll take the offer without a second thought," he threw back, not even the least bit worried that he was on the wrong side of the bet. He still held firm than not even one Preventer would consent to the idea.
Shocked by his response, Middie pressed, "Shall we make that an official deal, then?" Yuy held his hand out and they met half-way to seal the pact in a firm handshake.
Beyond the closed door, the sound of voices and laughter resonated. "Perfect timing," the Commander muttered as she rose to her feet. Coming around her desk, she lifted her eyebrows and told her charge, "If you want to back out, speak now or forever hold your peace."
"No, I'm good," Heero snickered as he followed behind her. "Just don't feel bad when no one likes your suggestion."
Together, the pair stepped out onto the floor while the Preventers were filing in for their desks. "Gather round for a team meeting, everyone," the Commander bid.
Wide eyes shot through the group as they looked up to note the scholar along with their supervisor. Smiling, Anna and Quatre waved to Yuy in a friendly greeting as Wufei and Trowa gave him nods of acknowledgment. Duo remained the most reserved in his reaction to the sight of his one-time lover. He grinned kindly, but reserved any further interaction just then.
Falling into the couches of the rec area, the agents waited for the reason for their being called to session as Lady Une and Heero stood before them.
Her head gesturing to the young man at her side, the woman in charge stated, "Mister Yuy here and I have had a most interesting discussion while all of you were away. Coming to appreciate his innate skills in the world of psychology, I have been compelled to extend an offer to him to work for us-"
"As a shrink?" Maxwell cut her off, a bite in his voice and his violet eyes narrowing. "Please tell me that's not where you're going with this." Their shoulders tensing and gazes glaring, Wufei and Trowa were clearly every bit against the notion.
Immediately, Heero was all the more assured that he had been right in his assumption of how this meeting would end...
...at least that was until he saw Quatre and Anna glance at each other from the corners of their eyes where they sat together on the same sofa.
'Shit!' the voice in his head exclaimed. Could he have really misread two of the agents? Maybe it wasn't such a surprise that the weapons expert might take interest... but the public relations representative?
Raising her hand, Middie insisted, "As a counselor. Now, you know that I would never force all of you into something that you're dead set against. I am only asking for a show of hands in a vote. If you're unanimous in turning the motion down, this will never come up again. Heero will go through the images you've compiled, Agent Scythe, and we will no longer be in need of his services."
Maxwell, Chang and Barton eased right away. "Good," Agent Night snorted, "This'll be short and sweet."
Slowly and subtly, Winner bent his head towards Downs to whisper into her ear. Turning towards him, the redhead shielded her nose and mouth with a fist as they engaged in a private talk unbeknownst by the rest of their team.
Yuy, however, was intently aware of what they were up to. And before the vote was called, he already knew that he had lost the bet. He felt his the pit of his stomach sinking to his feet.
Unshaken by the open disregard to her suggestion, Lady Une called, "All those in favor?"
Moving as one, Quatre and Anna stood with their heads high. "We're in favor of it, Commander," Agent Rock announced as Agent Fire nodded vehemently. Resolved as they were, neither one looked happy over having to stand against the wishes of their cohorts.
Jaws dropped and eyes enlarged, the three naysayers snapped their heads at the supporters.
"Quatre," Trowa murmured in disappointment.
Speaking as one, Wufei and Duo growled lowly, "Anna."
Only emboldened by their protests, the redhead met their gazes and glared back. "It's for our own good," she bit out as she crossed her arms. "And that includes every one of us." That last comment was directed specifically at Duo and Wufei. Chang cooled a bit, however Maxwell only bore down on her with his renewed anger.
Centered on Agent Night, Quatre told him, "Don't try and talk me out of this, Barton. It won't get you anywhere." Using his partner's last name and the sternness in his voice struck with the same force as a direct blow from a hand. Trowa reeled back and blinked in shock at the Arabian.
In that stitch in time, Heero was struck with a key detail that he had missed... the same key that gave Lady Une the ammo she needed to know that two of her agents would back her. Barton and Winner were involved. It was a wild card that the scholar never saw in the deck.
That was where the Commander's history with the team had worked to her advantage in the vote. She truly did know her charges inside and out. Of course Quatre would agree to a counselor, someone who might be of help to Trowa with his struggles just as Anna wished for Wufei and Duo.
"Very well. It's decided, then," Middie smiled as her hands came together in a loud clap that had the same effect of a judge's gavel slamming in a courtroom.
Quick to cool the hostility in the air, she opened her arms when she had her team's attention and vowed, "None of you will be forced into speaking with Heero. He'll be available when possible, but it's at your own discretion if or when you wish to meet him."
Cobalt eyes blinking, Yuy turned his head towards her. Those were terms that he could live with in this unconventional arrangement. Surely only Winner and Downs would use his services. During his 'down time,' he'd be able to take care of his school assignments while still earning credits and a nice salary for his internship.
It was a win-win situation that suddenly made Heero feel better about losing to the Commander.
What was more, the growing animosity amongst the ranks was undone. With their chests heaving at the sighs that escaped them, Quatre and Anna exchanged wide smiles in congratulations to each other for their victory as the others climbed to their feet in far better moods than they had been minutes earlier.
The weapons expert was the first to reach Yuy and she threw her arms around his neck in an unexpected hug. Gasping at the unexpected gesture, he was at a loss as to what to do for a split, wide-eyed second before he settled down and held her.
Unable to remember the last time he was embraced in such a warm and friendly way, the scholar was surprised how much he enjoyed it and a small grin curled his lips. "Welcome to the team, Heero," Anna beamed as she all but whispered. Leaning back, she winked and smirked, "Just to warn you, you're going to be greeted with hugs from me from this point on."
The newly dubbed counselor chuckled, "Thanks for the heads-up."
Quatre stepped up to give the psych major a handshake and a sincere, "Nice to have you on-board. Contrary to popular opinion around here, I really do think that having you here is going to be a great thing."
"I honestly don't know how much help I'll be since this would be my first job in my field," Heero replied. "But, I'll do my best." And he meant it, since all that he knew was giving his all in any responsibility he took on in his life.
Draping an arm around his fling's shoulders, Duo snorted, "Well, I hope you get used to having a lot of off time while you're here since you won't be seeing more than half of us. All the same, you're more than welcome to hang around all want."
Since their night together, it was the closest Heero had been with the braided agent and it was the first, real physical contact between them. Damn but if his skin didn't tingle at the feel of the body pressed up against his side. So help him, everything right down to Maxwell's scent stirred him.
Before his one transgression could accept any further confusion, Yuy reached up to remove the hand on his arm and stepped away from the captivating creature as he chuckled, "Fine by me either way. I wouldn't mind accumulating credits and a nice paycheck while sitting at a desk and staying ahead of my classes."
From the corner of his vision, he noticed that the couples seemed to be making up by quietly talking amongst themselves by their stations. Their heads and voices may have been lowered so as to keep their discussions from other listeners, but there was a definite comfort and understanding between the pairs who had put everything aside to assure that they were alright and were prepared to move on comfortably once more.
Maxwell snickered and shook his head in amusement. "I guess it's good timing, anyway," he stated. "You wouldn't believe how many black cars hit the toll booths this last weekend. I'm almost through the last hour of footage, but in the meantime you have an office to your name that you can start moving into while I wrap up."
"Very good idea, Agent Scythe," Middie smiled as she approached. "I'll get the ball rolling with human resources to get all of the paperwork for the new position together along with a letter to your adviser of the internship you've accepted, Heero. You'll be starting tomorrow, so I suggest you gather up whatever you might need to make yourself at home. As soon as you report back with your belongings, I'll show you to your office."
That haughty glint in her grin crept back in as her team filtered back to their desks to give them some space. "Consider this a valuable lesson, kid. You have your way of reading people and I have mine," she said with a giggle. Patting his cheek, she commented, "Some things just can't be taught in a classroom and can only come with experience."
Following the perfect demonstration of her know how, Heero couldn't argue against her.
Shortly thereafter, the student found himself in the elevator on the way down to the lobby so that he could head back to his dorm and pack up a few things when everything that had just transpired hit him...
...he had been hours away from being able to walk away from the Preventers and their case free and clear, never to have to deal with any of them again. Now, he was going to be working for them.... every day.
His cobalt eyes wide with the dawning realization of his situation, Yuy asked himself, "What the hell just happened?"
TBC...
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